never let me down | a. wilder (depeche mode)

14 - Get The Balance Right!

Andy

The six of us started running, flailing our arms, shouting at the tow truck driver to get his attention.

It took forever, but eventually he stopped.

"We practically *pant* ran around *pant* the whole *pant* of London!" Cries Dave, breathless.

The driver gets out and walks to us.

"I hope you enjoyed the little run. I have to say, I admire your determination. I'd say we ran at least 4 kilometers. For all your hard work and dedication, I'm going to charge you half of what it costs to be towed." He tells us.

Thankfully it only costs thirty pounds instead of sixty.

We all pile into the car, leaving Martin to get in the trunk again.

"Really? It smells like dirty underwear back here!" He complains.

"Sorry Mart, you're the shortest." Alan says.

I put the key into the ignition and we drive off.

The ride home is kind of quiet, and I focus on the road. After we've been driving for a while, I speak up.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" I ask.

Dave starts laughing hysterically, and after a while, Alan and Evangeline join in too.

"It's really not that funny!" I say, but I myself can't stop myself from grinning.

"For every step you guys took, I had to take three!" Martin complains, muffled from trunk. "Stop laughing Charlie! Being short is a real issue!"

"I *laughs* just can't *laughs* stop!" Charlie says.

"We must have looked liked idiots, running around trying to get his attention." Alan points out, and that makes us all laugh.

We arrive back at the hotel, and I luckily find on street parking.

The six of us walk into the hotel lobby, where we are greeting by a grumpy looking Daniel.

Evie

"Where the hell have you guys been?" You said you were going out for lunch at 2:30, and it's 5:25 now! It doesn't take three hours to eat lunch. We were supposed to do some promo photos this afternoon!" He reprimands the guys, arms crossed.

"We went out to lunch and then the police came-" Dave starts.

"What?!" Daniel interrupts.

"They weren't arresting us, they wanted to ask Charlie some questions about her attack. Then, we went for ice cream, then we uh, exercised." Dave explains.

Daniel is a little confused by the last part, but accepted the reasons from Dave.

"Please don't think I'm like a parent, bossing you guys around. We're all adults here, but there's just no way to contact you when you go AWOL. Can we do the promotional picture tomorrow morning, at 9:30?" Daniel asks.

The boys nod.

"Well, goodnight guys, I'll see you all in the morning." He says, and walks through the doors of the lobby and out into the city.

"Woah." Charlie and I say in unison.

"I can't believe we forgot the photoshoot!" Alan complains.

Martin nods. "The whole chasing the car over London thing really threw us off."

"Don't forget the trip to see Inspector Galveston!" Charlie adds, embarrassingly.

"That was nothing, Charlie. Really." Andy says.

"Don't take this personally, but don't come to the photoshoot with us tomorrow. I'm afraid it'll just make Daniel mad again." Alan tells Charlie and me.

"That makes sense, we'll just stay here." I say.

"Well, all that running has really worked up an appetite. Dinner?" Dave asks, and the six of us walk into the hotel restaurant to eat.