Alex arrives a few minutes later. He smiles as he sees me glance quickly around. ‘It’s far too cold for the village busybodies to be out.’
‘My parents are out today,’ I tell him. ‘I have no idea why. It would be just like them to be walking past at the exact moment you arrived.’
‘We’d better get out of here,’ he says, looking amused. ‘Hurry up. The bus arrives in five minutes. We don’t have three hours to spare if we miss it.’
The bus is pulling up as we get to the stop. We run the last few steps and jump on board.
‘It’s my turn to pay today,’ he says. ‘That’s why we’re doing something free.’
He laughs at my startled expression. ‘I’m kidding. You’re incredibly easy to wind up, aren’t you?’
The bus ride into town feels far more comfortable than the last one. We chat easily as the bus jolts and rattles along the country lanes.
We get off at the final stop and walk along the high street hand in hand. I don’t bother to check whether there’s anyone I know. We’ll only be jumping the gun by a couple of days. It’s worth the risk.
‘We’re taking that shuttle bus,’ says Alex.
I stare at it suspiciously. ‘I can’t read the logo on the side.’
‘It was the only one I could get at such short notice,’ he says. ‘I hired it especially.’
‘You didn’t?’
‘Of course, I did. It’s the Alex Fielding version of a limousine.’
We cross the road, and I stop dead. ‘Seriously, Alex – paintball?’
‘I’m afraid so,’ he says. ‘It looked too good to resist.’
A group of teenagers approaches from the opposite direction and climbs on board the bus.
Alex sighs. ‘I knew this would happen. I told them I wanted to hire the whole thing. But you know how it is with the youth of today …’
I can’t help laughing. ‘If it’s absolutely inevitable, let’s go.’
We climb onto the bus and sit near the front. A man in a camouflage suit speaks to the driver, the doors close, and the bus pulls away from the kerb.
The man nods to us and goes to sit with the teenage boys.
‘What made you choose this?’ I ask.
‘I’ve always wanted to try it. You’re my convenient excuse.’
‘I’m flattered,’ I say politely.
Half an hour later, the bus pulls into a car park by the side of the road. The man in camouflage walks to the front of the bus.
‘Right, everyone, listen up! This is a fun day out, as long as you follow the rules. Any mucking about, and you’re out. No ifs, no buts, no excuses, and absolutely no refunds, so don’t even ask.’
‘I think he’s talking to you,’ whispers Alex.
‘I do have a criminal face,’ I whisper back.
The leader gives us a sharp look. ‘That goes for you two as well.’
‘Yes, sir,’ says Alex.
I nudge him. ‘I thought you’d arranged this bus just for us. I suggest you don’t bring him next time.’