A large ride that tipped people upside down about forty meters in the air suddenly did just that, and a huge amount of screaming rent the air. Both the lads looked absolutely petrified.

“Perhaps the spinning teacups.” Zoe grimaced, marching them off.

“Hot tea absolutely no thank you” was the last thing Lissa heard of Patrick as the oddly shaped family vanished into the crowd.

“They probably will die now,” predicted Jake. “Just to be ironic.”

“Did you bring your med case?”

“I am technically off duty,” said Jake. “So don’t let me go too near the St. John’s Ambulance tent. They are all madly in love with me.”

“That’s very cocky,” said Lissa, but she had to eat her words when they passed the tent, Jake notably skulking, only for a large older lady to come fluttering out. She had very small feet in very high-heeled shoes, given the ground was still pretty muddy.

“There’s my favorite ambulance man!” she trilled. Other women in the more familiar green outfits poked their heads out of the tent. One appeared to be busy attempting to cut candy floss out of a small child’s hair; another one was comforting a child sobbing his heart out.

“What’s the matter?” said Lissa instantly.

“Och,” said the woman thoughtfully. “I’m not sure if the ghost train is getting scarier or bairns are getting more scared.”

“The world is getting scarier,” guessed Lissa. “We probably don’t need ghost trains too.”

“Aye,” said the wee lad whose shoulders were shaking.

Jake had been bustled away and was being fed sandwiches.

“You know this lad. Always ready to help out,” said the first woman, handing him a plate piled high with sandwiches and chocolate biscuits.

“Well, it’s his job,” said Lissa, watching him, amused.

“Here you go, Jakie, tea just how you like it,” said another one, piling sugar into a large enamel mug. He looked at Lissa rather shamefaced.

“Would you like a sandwich?” said one of the women, not in a particularly friendly way. “Only they’re really just for the volunteers.”

“I’m fine without a sandwich, thank you.” Lissa smiled. “That’s okay. Jake, you eat your fill.”

Chapter 52

Cormac popped next door in response to a loud banging on the thin wall. It was definitely a summoning banging, though.

Kim-Ange was standing with her hand behind her shoulder, waving uselessly.

“Can you zip me up?” she said. She was wearing a bright purple chiffon dress with a chain belt around her waist. Cormac stood behind her as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her purple eye shadow matched exactly, as did her high velvet boots.

“Well?” she said, turning around nervously.

“You look beautiful,” said Cormac, and he meant it. “Knock him dead.”

“Not literally, like, by accident or anything?” Kim-Ange sounded uncharacteristically worried.

“No,” said Cormac. “By being your gorgeous self.”