of being stuffed into a crowded elevator, hoping no one farted.
Ashley walked into the cupboard and turned to Pete, the group at her back. He was grinning. But there was something dark underneath. Ashley was pretty sure it was abject terror. ‘Right, so I think it’s just a piss, but you never know, so don’t panic if I’m not back in five,’ he said with a wink. He slammed the door.
The second the door closed, Ashley snapped into action. ‘OK, no one move. I’m just gonna get the light.’
‘Why can’t we move?’ she heard Leanne ask.
‘Trust her,’ Gina said dryly.
Ashley put a tentative hand out, praying to not accidentally cup anyone’s boobs, including the guys. Sam’s pecs were at least a B cup, after all. But she found the light switch without incident and clicked it on, turning in the small space to the gang. ‘Well,’ she said.
Everyone looked expectantly at her like she might say more. But what more was there to say? She leaned against the door and sighed.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ Leanne asked, crossing her arms.
‘The plan?’ Ashley repeated.
‘Yeah, what are we gonna do?’ Leanne asked from the back. Everyone turned to her.
‘We’re walking out with Pete. He gets on the plane, then we walk away,’ Ashley said, everyone turning to her now.
‘I know that’s what’s supposed to happen,’ Leanne said. ‘But it’s not gonna work, is it? I mean, he’s not actually gonna be allowed to leave. The police won’t go through with it.’
‘I really don’t know what the police are planning. If anything. It might all just go to plan,’ Ashley shrugged, so deeply tired. She wanted to sleep for a long time after this was over. Provided she didn’t somehow end up doing the big sleep, of course.
‘Are you thick?’ Leanne asked her.
‘Can you just leave me the fuck alone?’ Ashley asked, uninterested in Leanne’s next gripe.
Leanne huffed and uncrossed her arms, elbowing everyone aside until she was right in front of Ashley. ‘Move.’
‘What for?’ Ashley asked.
‘I’m gonna… pick this lock. If he’s taking a crap, we’ve got some time.’
‘You’re going to pick the lock, are you, birthday girl?’ Ashley asked. ‘This I’ve got to see.’ She stood aside. Leanne stepped forward and looked at the lock. ‘Right, who’s got a hair grip?’
‘Seeing as it’s not the bloody nineteen forties, no one has,’ Gina said from the middle of the huddle.
‘Help me or shut up,’ Leanne said, the panic in her voice rising. Ashley knew better than to try and talk her out of this. She was freaking out, and she probably didn’t have the first clue what she was doing. Better to let her keep herself busy.
Leanne suddenly whipped her top off.
‘Whoa, hang about!’ Sam exclaimed, shielding his eyes. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’d be quite interested to know that,’ Ashley said casually.
‘Turn around!’ Leanne said. ‘Face the wall.’
Everyone turned around to face whatever wall was closest. ‘For god’s sake,’ Tina muttered. ‘You’ve always got to be the centre of attention.’ But however quietly she’d thought she was saying it, it was a small space. ‘What did you just say?’ Leanne demanded.
‘Nothing, nothing,’ Tina said quickly. Ashley wished Tina could just stand up to her friend. But that was clearly not their dynamic.
‘Turn back if you like now,’ Leanne said. Ashley turned to see that Leanne had her top back on, but she was holding her bra. She fiddled with it for a second until they all heard a rip and Leanne began to work the underwire out. Once she had it, she tossed the bra on the floor, got to her knees, and set to work at the keyhole with the little piece of metal.
Everyone watched with interest for a moment. It soon turned to boredom. ‘Having some trouble?’ Ashley asked.
‘Fuck off, I’ve nearly got it,’ Leanne said. It didn’t take long for everyone to realise that was bullshit. Leanne was an idiot for trying this. Even if any of them knew how to pick a lock, Pete would hear them all trying to creep out. He was on high alert, poop or no poop. Luckily, Leanne was too big an idiot to get anywhere, so Ashley was happy to watch her occupying herself with this absurd task.
‘From what I know, I think you need a second bit to hook it down,’ Ashley told her, just to amuse herself.
‘You don’t know anything,’ Leanne said.
Everyone began to talk among themselves. Greg and Sam were chatting about what would happen when they got out -