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and rolled away.
    What they suspected still had no name. Because really, Sam thought, it was just too silly. So it couldn't be that, or anything like that. Could it? Ever since they had come back to live in England his mum had been warning him and Tab about things like that. She would read about it in all the papers – the Local Fright was the worst paper, because it's on your doorstep, she would say. Life abroad had been very different. Cocooned. Protected. Easy. Sam had tried to tell Lloyd about it, but he hadn't really understood.
    'Yeah, that's it. We could ask him about who he works for, and about all the other people who are supposed to be coming. No, I know, we'll ask him about music, bands and singers and stuff, because you know all about that.'
    'And I'll know if he's lying,' Lloyd said, setting the cue down.
    'But what if he knows all the right answers?'
    'Then everything's fine, duh-brain! Isn't it?'
    Sam wasn't so sure. 'Suppose so. And what if he . . .' Sam was reluctant to finish his sentence. He didn't want to get Lloyd all upset and angry again, but at the same time they had to talk about a back-up plan, or something. He'd been hoping Lloyd would come up with one, but that wasn't happening. 'What if he is lying?'
    The boys turned towards the door at the unmistakable sound of a key being turned in the lock, and the question was left hanging in the air, begging for an answer.

5
    'All right, lads?' the man said in a bright, cheery voice.
    He was acting normal, Sam thought. Maybe everything was normal. Maybe it was just him who had the heebie-jeebies.
    'Yeah,' both boys answered simultaneously.
    'I see you demolished the food. Still hungry?' he asked solicitously, kindly.
    The boys shook their heads.
    'I've got ice cream. And chocolate sauce. And all sorts of sprinkles,' he said playfully. 'Sure you don't want some?'
    'No thanks,' Sam said.
    'We're full to bursting. Thanks,' Lloyd added.
    'When are the others coming?' Sam asked bluntly, going straight to the point, which wasn't what they had planned, but he couldn't help himself. He had to know.
    'Others?' the man repeated, looking slightly perplexed for a moment. 'Oh, them,' he said in complete understanding. 'There's been a small change in plan. They got held up at a gig. They'll be here tomorrow, though.'
    'Um, who's them, anyway?' Lloyd ventured.
    'Didn't I say? Well, in that case, I think I'll leave it as another surprise for tomorrow. I'll just say one thing – they're recording a new album,' the man said, teasingly.
    'Hey, that's not fair,' Lloyd objected. 'You can't say that and not tell us!'
    'Oh, yes, I can,' the man laughed. His pale blue eyes crinkled up and disappeared when he laughed.
    He seemed really friendly. Nice. But was he a wolf in sheep's clothing, or just an old sheep trying his hardest to be cool and trendy? Sam shook his head at himself – he was a lost cause. He was still sitting on the sidelines, still in denial, and almost as bad as Lloyd, who was getting carried away with the guessing game the man had initiated. Sam knew he should take charge of the investigation and get to the bottom of it. Friend or foe? Angel or demon? Which one is it? Which one was he ?
    Which one are you? he asked the man. But he hadn't said it aloud, because no one looked at him. Lloyd was still going through the top 100 chart list, and the man was having enormous fun saying no, or maybe, in response.
    'Okay, I give up. You're gonna have to tell us,' Lloyd said.
    'Can't do that, it would ruin it for you.'
    'Did my dad tell you not to tell us? Because if so there's no need to worry. We won't let on that you let it slip. Honestly, you won't get into trouble, or anything,' Lloyd persisted in a wheedling tone.
    Lloyd was really enjoying himself, Sam thought. He was almost jumping up and down with the anticipated excitement of meeting whoever was supposed to be showing up the next morning. It was perfectly clear that he thought the man was a trendy old sheep.