The Dropout Detective - A Comedy Mystery

14. Interview with a stalker

Wednesday 7th Feb 2018

I spent most of the hour before the football match trying to get Tessa to hurry up. Boy that girl likes to come prepared! I sneaked a look at her list and items such as 'first aid kit' and 'emergency rations' were mentioned. It took forever. 

However, when we finally arrived at the uni football ground it was clear I needn't have worried about being late. Friendly chaos reigned supreme and the match was obviously a long way from starting. As we all spilled out of Dylan's car, my eye was drawn by a group of girls in bright t-shirts who were welcoming the fans and handing out free samples of an energy drink.

"Hey, is that BuzzDrive?" exclaimed Ethan. He hurried off to accost one of the girls, took the lime green can that was offered and came jogging back. "Supposed to be seven times stronger than Red Bull."

Tessa looked annoyed. "Ethan, didn't we talk about you aiming for a healthier lifestyle?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Caffeine drinks are a necessary vice for programmers."

"How can a conscious choice be necessary? I don't think you're..."

Sensing the beginning of another episode of the Tessa & Ethan Show, Layla, Dylan and I left them to it and wandered towards the box office to collect our tickets. Shane had left what looked like a dozen in my name. With them in hand, Layla took out her camera and headed off to stalk a likely-looking group of tipsy students. Dylan trailed after her. Little did those drunkards know that they were about to become immortalised in photographic art. Left alone, I glanced around and spotted Ethan standing a few metres away, staring into the distance and scratching his head. I headed over to him. "Here's your ticket," I poked him in the arm with it. "Where'd Tessa go?"

"I don't get it." He took the ticket absently, slipping it into his pocket. "We were talking about energy drinks and then she just stormed off."

Ethan obviously had a lot to learn about women. "Did you admit that she was right?"

"Huh?"

"Sophie!" The voice came from behind me and I turned to see Shane approaching. Jade was with him, but she was engrossed in a phone conversation. With a quick wave, she turned her back on us, still jabbering away. Dressed in a skirt, suit jacket and high-heels, she looked very professional and rather stressed. Shane, on the other hand, looked relaxed and casual as he always does. I drew him in for a hug. "Good to see you! Thanks for the tickets. Oh, this is Ethan."

The guys shook hands. "Great that you guys could make it," says Shane. "But Sophie, didn't you say you were bringing your new flatmates?" He stared at Ethan, who happened to be wearing a t-shirt stating 'I'd rather kiss a Wookiee'. "Is this your boyfriend?"

"Ethan is a friend," I said hastily. "The others are around somewhere."

Shane looked relieved. "That's good." His eyes widened, "I mean, it's good that they're around somewhere, not that this guy isn't... I mean..."

He was saved from digging himself any deeper when Jade finished her phone call and interrupted. "Ready babe? I've gotta go and schmooze the BuzzDrive people."

"Oh are you working with BuzzDrive?" Ethan was suddenly interested.

"No, I'm with the promoters," Jade snapped, running a hand over her hair. I hadn't seen her this harried before. To be fair, I hadn't seen her in any situation that wasn't Shane's apartment before. "We've a slot on local TV at half time and I've got to find someone to interview about the match."

"Babe, there are loads of people you could interview." Shane flung his arm out to indicate the entire football ground.

Jade glared at him. "It's got to be someone well-informed AND sober. So that disqualifies practically everyone here."