As he led her past tents and stages, through groups of beautiful girls, covered with glitter, she wondered if Ferdia had arrived yet. The eruption of longing was shocking. Even if he were there, he’d be with Perla.
You really need to get a grip on yourself.
Now they were passing through a cluster of street-food vans from around the world, set against a giant cine-screen of the Brooklyn Bridge. You could almost fool yourself you were in New York. It was stunning.
‘This isn’t the half of it,’ Ed said. ‘As well as the bands, there’s so much fun stuff, mad stuff, dance lessons, candle-making, tantric something or other …’ They turned into a narrow street with small, vibrantly coloured ‘buildings’. They looked Nepalese, or perhaps Andean. Just façades, but so convincing.
Following his app, Ed said, ‘The Singing Vegan should be right … here!’
So it was. They opened the door and there were Jessie, Johnny and what seemed like an army of children. But after the frenzy of hugging had died down, Nell registered that only Bridey, TJ, Dilly and Kassandra were present. ‘Where’s, um, Saoirse?’
‘Not coming,’ TJ said. ‘She’s got a new friend. A Goth. She cut her fringe really short and says she might dye her hair navy.’
‘Ill-advised, imo,’ Bridey said. ‘That means “in my opinion”.’
‘We miss her,’ TJ said. ‘But what can you do?’
‘That’s sad.’ Clearing her throat, Nell aimed for a deeply casual tone. ‘And Ferdia?’
‘Coming tomorrow with Perla.’
Perla. God. How sorry she was that she’d ever introduced them. But how could she grudge Perla happiness?
‘You like to see your tent?’ Dilly asked.
‘Or would you like to eat?’ Jessie asked.
‘The tent.’
‘C’mon.’ She was swept out of the door by all the females of the group.
‘At first it will seem far –’ Dilly said.
‘– and confusing –’ Kassandra said.
‘– so if you get lost, look up for the tower. You see it?’
‘Head for there. Then you can ask a man.’
‘Not any man. They must have the uniform – we’re nearly there!’ Then, ‘This is your tent,’ Dilly declared. ‘Isn’t it adorable?’
Adorable was exactly right: a cosy cone-roofed space with pink-hued lanterns strung across the ceiling. It even had a real bed, made from carved wood, adorned with patterned pillows and mohair throws. A solid-looking chest-of-drawers sported an old-fashioned wireless.
‘Shoes off!’ Bridey said. ‘Now try the carpet.’
The ground sheet was covered with three overlapping rugs, which felt deep and luxurious.
‘Because Uncle Liam isn’t here, Kassandra and I will sleep in with you,’ Dilly said.
‘Thank you. I accept, with pleasure.’
‘Is there room for me?’ Bridey asked.
‘No!’ Dilly yelled.
‘Of course,’ Nell said.
‘Uncle Ed’s tent is over there,’ TJ said. ‘His isn’t as fancy. That’s because he’s a man and men don’t care about any of that shi–’ she threw a hunted look at Jessie ‘– stuff. And Perla’s is down that way.’
‘You don’t have your own bathroom,’ Bridey said. ‘But they’re not far –’
‘– and they’re not disgusting.’
‘Let’s show her the magic bathtubs!’ Jessie ducked back outside and led the way through the rows of tents.
‘They’re outside,’ Dilly said. ‘But hidden in the trees, so nobody can see your bum. There’s one, over there.’
‘See that giant water-jug beside the trees?’ TJ asked Nell. ‘With the tulip drawn on it? That’s the tulip bath.’
TJ moved closer, stuck her face between two tree trunks and yelled, ‘Hello? Is anyone in the bath being nudey?’ She paused, appearing to listen.
‘You can just check the app,’ Jessie said. ‘That’ll say if it’s occupied.’
‘But I like shouting,’ TJ said. ‘Tell us NOW because we’re COMING in.’
Nobody answered. ‘They didn’t say they weren’t there. So let’s go in.’
Linked between TJ and Dilly, Nell was led into an enchanting little space. In a circle surrounded by dense foliage, a deep bathtub sat on slate flooring. Simple shelves made from tree branches sported towels and soaps.
‘You like?’ Jessie asked.
Nell breathed, ‘I love. You’re literally having a bath in a forest.’
‘When you book it,’ Jessie said, ‘they’ll run the bath, so it’s all ready when you arrive. And the water’s great for your skin because it comes from hot springs.’
‘But not smelly!’
‘Can anyone use this?’ Nell asked.
‘Course. Look on the app, see if a bath is free – there are seven – and put your name down! Easy! Let’s get Daddy and Uncle Ed. We’ll sit in the enchanted garden and we’ll plan our gigs and stuff for tomorrow.’