Nicks sighed. “Why?”
“Why?” Coral looked surprised. “Well, because I just don’t feel like a Coral any more.”
Nicks had no idea what a Coral was supposed to feel like and so she decided to sidestep the subject altogether. Yes, this was her strategy: she would simply avoid calling Coral (or Amor) anything at all.
“Well, erm, my friend, if we want Cecily to complete our questionnaire we’re going to have to come up with a plan.” Nicks stared dismally at the photographs. She compared them with earlier photos of the Spikers. These new photographs showed Rory, Duncan, Jasper and Jack snapping and snarling at each other. There really wasn’t one she could use in the local newspaper. It simply would not do.
Coral noticed her friend’s frown and leaned over to take a look at the snapshots. And then she grinned and shouted out: “Einstein moment! Those are perfect.”
“Perfect for the Halloween edition of the magazine!” snapped Nicks.
“No, no, don’t you see! Compare the preCecily photographs of the Spikers with these latest ones and it’s all the proof we need to convince Cecily to sign up to the Cupid Company. She’ll soon realise that her outrageous flirting is splitting up the volley ball team. The evidence is there – in colour!”
“And as head cheerleader she’s sure to have the school volleyball team’s best interests at heart,” added Nicks triumphantly. “You’re a genius, Coral. I mean, Amor.” She grabbed the questionnaire and photographs. “C’mon, I know exactly where to find Cecily.”
Coral looked surprised. Nicks grinned. “It’s Thursday, isn’t it? Jack’s mum’s garden centre is just a few blocks away.”
The Cupid Company (which had always included Romeo but now also included Miss Honey) stood tall and to attention. And then they marched, two by two, in the direction of Plants R Us.
The entrance to the nursery was built to look like a cave, with fake rocks and dense fringes of plants that climbed, dangled and curled around each other. Inside the nursery there was just as much greenery, although it was planted in plastic pots laid out on sloping shelves. There were also rows of taller trees and bushes all clumped together. And in the far corner there was an outdoor section that sold things like small water fountains, garden statues, sun catchers, birdhouses and sundials.
The Cupid Company slowed their pace and scanned the area before them. The only person about was a middle-aged woman who was more than likely Jack’s mum. Still, it wasn’t exactly a small nursery.
Coral began tiptoeing forward.
“Why are you walking like that?” whispered Nicks hoarsely, scanning the nursery nervously.
“For exactly the same reason that you’re whispering,” replied Coral. “We need to find Jack and Cecily before they find us. Then you’ll have to distract Jack while I corner Cecily, on her own. I’ll need the questionnaire.” Nicks passed it over. “And the evidence.” Nicks handed the photographs over too. And then they continued tiptoeing… until finally they caught a glimpse of glossy, strawberry-blonde curls visible through the leaves of some potted lemon trees. A high-pitched, flirty sort of giggle confirmed the rest.
“Right,” murmured Coral in a low voice, “now how are you going to distract Jack?”
Nicks’s eyes grew in size. “I have no idea!”
“Sssh!” Coral checked on the curls. They hadn’t moved. Suddenly Jack’s mum (possibly) appeared to their left. She was walking towards them with a can-I-help-you look on her face.
“Birthday!” bleated Nicks suddenly. “I will ask Jack for help with a birthday gift!” She disappeared behind the row of lemon trees.
“Can I help you?” asked Jack’s mum (most likely).
Coral smiled sweetly and patted Romeo’s head. “Just looking, thanks.”
So Jack’s mum (almost certainly) went on her way. Coral whistled a few notes and then quickly peered between the lemons. Cecily hadn’t moved. She was alone too. Coral knew she did not have much time. So she took a shortcut between a pair of lemon trees.
“Hi, Cecily!” she said as she emerged on the other side.
Cecily yelped with fright and landed a metre away.
Accepting that she could have made a less dramatic entrance, Coral quickly pulled a harmless sort of smile while she removed the leaves and lemon twigs from her curly hair. “I’m Co— I mean, Amor,” she said with a small, friendly wave.
Cecily quickly calmed down and stared at Coral closely. “Oh, hi,” she said. “I think I’ve seen you around.”
Coral nodded. “I’m the one who walked into the lamppost.”
“Oh, right. So you did.”
“But I’m really pleased to have run into you Cecily because, you see, I’m here representing the Spikers… er, sort of.”
Cecily glanced up, as if she was looking for Jack. And then she turned her attention back to Coral. She didn’t speak; she just stared at Coral expectantly.
“As you know, the whole town is very proud of our volleyball team,” stammered Coral with a sudden case of nerves. “They’ve always been such a strong, dedicated team… like best mates, practically.”
Speaking of best mates, Coral suddenly noticed Nicks and Jack unexpectedly walking back in their direction. She made bulgyeyeballs at Nicks, but it was too late.
“Hey, Cec,” said Jack when they were within earshot, “this girl is looking for a birthday gift for her mum, but she doesn’t like anything I’ve shown her. You could probably do a better job.”
Cecily glanced from Coral to Nicks, both girls staring at the ceiling as if they had absolutely no knowledge or interest in the other one.
“I was actually just busy with this girl, Jack. And the funny thing is, she wants to talk about the Sp—”
“Oh, don’t mind me!” cried Coral, just a little louder than was probably necessary. “Er, you carry on.”
Jack looked slightly anxious and then he shrugged, like he’d suddenly lost interest. “I’ve got to water the ferns before we can get out of here,” he said to Cecily, who replied with a nod and a very sweet smile. She blew him a kiss and then he was gone.
Cecily turned to face Nicks. “Do you know what sort of gift you’re after?”
“Well, I’m not really.”
“Not really sure?” wondered Cecily.
“We’re not really after a gift,” explained Coral.
Cecily turned to face Coral. “Do you two know each other?”
“Yes, we do,” replied Nicks guiltily. “Cor— um, this girl and I are actually best friends.” Their plan had seemed like a good one in theory, but the reality of it…
And then Nicks remembered the Spikers. She thought about Sunday Harbour. She imagined their town’s empty trophy cabinet. She pictured the local newspaper with nothing good to write about.
“Cecily,” she said suddenly and with conviction, “these photographs of the Spikers were taken last season. Please take a closer look.”
She handed the snaps over to a surprised and confused-looking Cecily, who slowly flicked through each one.
“And these photographs,” Nicks continued, “were taken recently.” She paused and gave Cecily a moment to glance through the latest photos while she mentally prepared the next part of her speech. But there really was no need. Cecily’s face suddenly crumpled.
“It’s all my fault!” she cried out.
“Yes,