After months of having a crappy time, finally things felt like they were going my way. I felt so good, I even posted on my account to nudge everyone to get ready to help me get my followers up tomorrow. @_Beckywiththemediocrehair_ immediately replied to tell me I was going to smash it. Then Dove commented too.

Big day tomorrow. Fifty things is epic! Did you see my suggestion? A photo at Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross. Can’t be a proper London challenge without it

Ermmm, okay. It wasn’t on the plan, but I guessed I could make it work. But before I could reply, someone else did. @tooblessed2bstressedxx was back in full force.

@DoveAllLove @CallMeClaraT any spare good ideas? Think someone could give them a good home when London doesn’t work out @OneElleOfATime xoxo

Great. Just like that, everything good I’d been feeling vanished.

Not helped by Dove replying to it with a . Was she trying to make me feel like trash?

I shoved my phone out of sight, mad at it. I hated this feeling—the exact same out-of-control feeling I’d had back in Nashton when I’d started to get bitchy comments on my old account.

But Fred was heading back, and I didn’t want him to know what was going on. What had changed so quickly.

“Now tell me”—I gave him the biggest smile I could find—“how do we go say good luck to Ruby?”

A girl dressed as a court jester looked around. She was on a call but put her hand over the speaker. “Are you looking for Ruby?” We nodded. One sec, she mouthed at us, gesturing that the call was wrapping up and laughing to herself as the person on the other end didn’t get her hints.

“She’s nice…” I whispered to Fred—I felt like I’d seen her before.

“She’s Temi,” Fred whispered back. “And don’t tell Ruby I told you, but…” I nodded to stop him. I already knew from what Holly had said, and I was officially on alert.

“Follow me, then. Got to be quick.” Temi was off the phone and beckoning us through a side gate. “Talent entrance.” She cackled. “As if!”

She pushed open a heavy, wooden door into the building, and a burst of light, noise and hairspray shot out. Fred peered in. “Ruby…” he sort of cooed, literally no one noticing him. “Rubbbesss.” He turned back, looking flushed. “I’ve never been backstage before.”

“Fred.” Temi shook her head, but she was smiling. “It’s the village hall, not the BRIT Awards.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on!”