Returning to her slumped sitting, Romy wondered if Tina had given her this task because she deemed it impossible. Romy would have understood Tina simply passing on the task because it sucked. But now Romy had something to prove.

* * *

A gentle shaking drew her from sleep. She moaned and blinked the blurriness from her vision. A familiar chuckle sounded. Romy bolted upright, brushing off a paper that was stuck to her cheek.

Thrym stood in front of her.

“Tiring work?” he asked.

Romy glared at him and then at the unfinished seating arrangements. “I challenge you to do this stuff without falling asleep.”

Thrym held up his hands.

“What’s the time?” She yawned with a crack of her jaw.

“Four o’clock.”

Romy jumped up. “Comets! What time does the festival start?”

“In an hour,” he replied calmly.

She circled the names on the floor, ignoring Thrym’s sniggers. “It’s not funny! The Griffins don’t like the . . . Slats. And I don’t think the Maloneys like anyone.”

“It’s kind of funny,” Thrym said.

Romy marched up to him, and he backed away behind a table.

“Easy, Ro. All I know is someone is going to be unhappy. Just accept it and move on. You can’t please everyone. Plus, Nancy wants you to find her once you’re done. You and Elara are getting ready with her, Freya, and Hannah.”

“But I don’t want anyone to be unhappy.”

“I know. You’re literally the worst person for this job.”

She glared murder at him. “Thanks.” Maybe she could just add another table. Tina’s words—Don’t screw it up—echoed in her mind.

But Houston and Thrym had both said that someone would be unhappy. To achieve the task, did she have to admit that the task was unachievable? On some petty level, was Tina just toying with her?

Romy’s eyes alighted on Houston’s name, next to Atlas’s. A mischievous thought entered her mind. And as she rearranged names, Romy didn’t notice Thrym watching her sadly for a long moment before he left.

Furiously scribbling down the names on the backside of a paper, she collected the cards and ran out of the room.

Atlas may have called her as she ran past, but Romy ignored him and she ran down the steps.

And stopped.

Because the clearing had been transformed.

Lanterns hung from ropes, surrounding the dusty clearing and criss-crossing overhead. It wasn’t dark enough for them to be lit, but their bright colours were beautiful. Some of the Hull tables had been dragged out for the occasion and bright tablecloths decorated them, along with candles and rustic decorations.

How did this all happen in the space of a day?

“I’ve been looking all over for you!” A scowl marred Nancy’s face, and she stomped towards Romy, flanked by Freya and Elara.