Page 121 of Sunrise By the Sea

Chapter Seventy-four

‘Yeah, I need fifteen pizzas for the Backstreet Boys,’ said the slightly overweight man with the headset and the black T-shirt in a strong American accent.

‘What?’ said Marisa.

‘What?!’ said Polly.

An unmistakable chord started up from the main stage for the soundcheck and Marisa and Polly looked at each other and screamed out loud.

‘Um, maybe they could come and pick it up?’ said Polly, helpless with laughter when she finally calmed down.

‘Could they sign the box?’ said Marisa.

‘I’mmaking Kevin’s,’ announced Polly.

‘Hey, I’m single. I want to make Kevin’s!’

The roadie had heard all of this before, a million times, and stared straight ahead, unblinking.

‘Gluten-free with no cheese and a rocket topping,’ he said.

‘We don’t have any rocket,’ said Marisa. ‘Although if you like I will go and personally grow some rocket now and harvest it for you. But only for Kevin’s.’

The roadie sighed. Everyone backstage was secretly delighted whenever this happened.

‘Okay, just give me all pepperoni then.’

‘I think we should probably give you a hand to deliver them,’ said Polly. ‘You’ll never carry fifteen pizzas by yourself.’

The roadie was about 150 kilograms and built like a brick shithouse. He gave them a tight smile.

‘We tried,’ said Polly to Marisa, who was spreading basil leaves in the shape of a smiley face.

‘This one isfor Kevin,’ she said sternly. Then, to Polly: ‘Can we shut the stand for their set?’

‘Absolutely no— JAYDEN!’

Jayden was walking by with his wife, Flora. Like many villagers he wasn’t technically invited but had somehow entirely by coincidence found himself down there and even though there were bouncers on the entrance to the beach with walkie-talkies and official lists and ID required, the bouncers were also, when they weren’t being billionaire party bouncers – a job which wasn’t really full time in their neck of the woods – mostly Mount Polbearne fisherman, a weakness in Reuben’s otherwise flawless organisation.

‘GET OVER HERE!’ said Polly.

‘What?’

He looked furtive, as though he’d been discovered.

‘Take over the stall and I won’t dob you in,’ said Polly. ‘Both of you.’

They looked at each other.

‘Don’t you want to see the Backstreet Boys?’ Jayden asked his wife.

‘Oh God, they’re an old person’s band,’ said Florrie, and Polly rolled her eyes and they both took off their aprons and fled.

Kerensa, of course, was up in the wings of the stage, and beckoned them up.

‘Do come have a drink with us and the boys afterwards,’ she purred.

‘Absolutely not,’ said Polly. ‘How could a Backstreet Boy possibly resist the charms of a well-upholstered middle-aged baker with two children? I’d be asking for trouble.’

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