‘So what am I supposed to do?’
‘Convince her to sit her exam and get her to Newcastle tonight.’
‘Newcastle? In New South Wales?’
‘Her clinical is at the hospital there tomorrow. Starts at nine a.m. and she was supposed to fly up today, but she deliberately missed her flight.’
‘And how exactly am I supposed to do all this?’
Eli waved his arms about in frustration. ‘I don’t know. You’re the celebrity. Hire a jet or call in some favours or some shit. Aren’t you supposed to be able to do all that?’
There was absolutely no way Finn had the presence or clarity of mind to be able to organise any of that. He looked Eli up and down and realised he had no other choice.
‘Will you help me?’
***
The first thing Finn did was two lines of cocaine.
It was high risk, but the security team commandeered a disabled toilet and he locked himself away to carefully line up the powder on his portable mirror. He waited a moment for the power surge then burst out of the toilet like a gladiator entering the arena. The security guards had to walk double time to keep up with him as he and Eli talked details.
Finn suspected Eli knew he was high – the dude was a doctor, after all, even if only for kids – but he didn’t say anything. Finn apologised to Monica, the promo crew and the crowd, saying he’d been called away on an urgent family matter. The throng of girls groaned collectively, some even shedding tears, but helping a family member in distress would only boost his likeability, even if it was complete bullshit. He left a hero.
Eli was navigating the crowds with his head down, scrolling, with only the occasional glance up to avoid a collision.
‘There are two flights left today,’ Eli said. ‘Five fifteen and seven o’clock.’
Finn looked at his watch. It was already three thirty. ‘We’ll never make the five fifteen. Book the seven.’
Eli handed Finn his phone. ‘You do it. It’ll be quicker if you fill in all the details for you both.’
Finn did as instructed but then realised they were business class seats. This would cost him money he didn’t have spare – his account was down to dangerously low figures and he needed everything he had to feed his coke habit. ‘Why’d you book business class?’
‘They’re the only seats left.’
‘To Newcastle? Who the hell is going to Newcastle? I thought it was a shithole.’
‘Maybe they’re Silverchair fans.’
‘It’s two grand just for the flights!’
Eli looked at him as if to saySo what?
‘I don’t have my credit card,’ Finn lied.
‘And you don’t know the number?’ Eli asked through barely concealed contempt.
Finn shook his head.
Eli took the phone back, plugged his numbers in and booked the seats.
Finn felt a pang of guilt when they reached the car park and he saw the heap of shit Eli was driving, but it didn’t last long. The guy was a doctor and would soon be a specialist. They made good money, right?
They drove in silence to Kelly’s apartment. Finn chafed against the constriction of the seat belt and his leg was bouncing. Eli watched him from the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything. When they reached Kelly’s place, Finn jumped out like he’d escaped prison and bounded up the steps. Eli wasn’t following him. He was still sitting in the driver’s seat.
‘What are you doing? Hurry up,’ Finn said.
Eli shook his head. ‘I’m not coming up.’
