'Welcome to Europe, stay here until I die.

Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa.

Welcome to Eruope, stay here until I die.

Euro-pa-pa, Euro-pa-pa.'

Joost sung into the microphone with the headphones over his ears. As the piano melody played through the soundboard, Teun watched the screen's columns rise and fall with Joost's voice.

The producer sat with Daan behind him and Hanna listened from the kitchen. She was making dinner for everyone, which had been a common thing since resigning from her position with OLVG. She had more time on her hands and had found a knack for cooking.

The studio set up in the living space was filled with members of the team. Stuntje and Apson leaned against the back of the sofa while Fenne sat at the kitchen counter. Her laptop showed the unedited music video that had been sent through from MCR-T's production team.

The German DJ had wanted to collaborate with Joost and had filmed the music video in the dirtiest of locations. Fenne was glad that it was MCR-T's team that had the filming credits, because if she had to stand in a public bathroom with the three men, then she would have needed to shower for hours afterwards.

'Turn on the radio, I hear

Stormae with "Papaoutai"

Won't stop until they say,

"Yes, yes, he does that very well, ayy.'

Fenne listened to Joost's rap while clicking on her emails. She needed to find a link that Teun had sent her for the Buurman Uit Berlijn music video when she caught sight of an unread communication. Highlighted at the top of her page, Fenne's eyebrows rose at the sender.

Spiritland Productions.

Good afternoon, Fenne Meer.

Your work has recently been brought to our attention. Joost Klein's music videos' Wachtmuziek and Frisenjung use videography and filming techniques that we, at Spiritland Productions, aim to show in our work. We were then shown your work at the European festivals Pukkelpop, Pinkpop and Lowlands, and were further impressed with your commitment to filming.

We would like to extend a formal offer to you to work with us for Glastonbury 2024. We can guarantee that the pay would be more than substantial and the exposure from the festival will be unlike any you've experienced.

We hope that you consider this proposal and we're looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Joesph King,
Head Videographer at
Spiritland Productions.

Fenne could barely conceal the urge to leap out of her chair. Her fingers shook as they hovered over her keyboard and the editing software for Buurman Uit Berlijn was forgotten in another tab. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and she forgot how to breathe normally. Europapa's beat dulled along with the general chatter of the team behind her.

She looked over the top of her screen to Hanna, who had been looking at Apson over the top of her head. The knife had stilled in her hand and Fenne glanced down at it subconsciously, catching Hanna's attention.

'What's up?' Hanna asked and Fenne swallowed dryly.

'Hanna... I'm going to shit myself.'

'Jesus Christ-'

'Come here. Look at the email I just got.'

Hanna put down the knife on her chopping board and walked around the kitchen counter. Fenne leaned back in her chair to breathe out shakily. Her eyes remained wide as Hanna stopped next to her and bent over to read the email.

Time barely passed for Fenne, but she heard Stuntje scream something meaningless behind her. This made her look over her shoulder, where Joost was leaning over Teun's soundboard with his headphones still over his ears.

Hanna's reaction was more subdued than Fenne expected. With her hands leaning against the counter, the brunette turned to show bulging eyes and parted lips. In a dumbfounded voice, Hanna said,

'Glastonbury? They want you to film for Glastonbury?'

The general noises from Stuntje and Apson hid Hanna's words in their chaos. Fenne could do nothing but lower her chin to nod and Hanna pushed herself off from the counter. Hanna blinked once, twice, then glanced to Joost and Teun, whose backs faced the two girls in the kitchen.

And then, she screamed.

---

'This is such an amazing opportunity for you, liefje! I'm so proud of you!'

In their bedroom, Fenne sat with her laptop while Joost paced in front of the bed. She had shown him the email after Hanna's announcing scream and he had thrown the headphones to the floor to yank Fenne's chair backwards. It nearly toppled over, but was steadied once Fenne got up and was swept off her feet and thrown over Joost's shoulder.

After the countless kisses and celebratory embraces from the team, the two headed upstairs to get ready for bed. It was late, but Joost couldn't wait until the morning to talk about Spiritland Production's offer.

'I've never even been to the UK. How am I going to talk to anyone? I suck at English,' Fenne rambled.

'Forget that! You're going to be filming on stage for Glastonbury! Who cares if you can't speak the language?!' Joost cried. 'You're going to film for Bloc Party! I love Bloc Party! You're going to be filming for Coldplay-'

'You hate Coldplay?'

'But it's Coldplay, none the less!'

Joost leapt onto the bed, making Fenne bounce and grip her laptop in her lap. The blonde got onto his knees and straigthened up. They wouldn't be going to sleep any time soon at the sight of Joost's wide eyes and unwavering grin. Fenne thought about suggesting that he play some of his video games before he gets into bed, as it usually tired him out.

Like a child, Joost needed overstimulation in order to go to sleep, and with his current hyperactivity, Fenne was already throwing the next day's early plans out the window.

'You're getting recognised, Fenne! People want to work with you! This is your big break,' he pointed a finger at her.

'I've already had my big break. Filming for Albino Sports is my career-'

'It's nothing compared to Spiritland Productions. They're international. Glastonbury is international.'

'But you're still my priority, Joost.'

Sinking down to sit back on his legs, Joost's cheek-splitting grin shrunk to an adoring smile. The room settled with a lingering ring as their loud conversation faded.

Slowly, Joost made his way across the bed to sit next to Fenne, mirroring her cross-legged form. He faced her, leaning close and taking one of her hands away from her laptop. He held her small palm and fingers in his, making Fenne look down to see the tattooed numbers move with his flexing tendons.

'I appreciate that more than you know. But when it comes to work, I know when opportunity outweighs loyalty. The music industry isn't merciful and I know that better than anyone. Don't ever put anything aside for me, Fenne. I mean it.'

Fenne didn't know what to say.

'Think about what your parents will say.'

'I don't care what my parents think.'

'I do,' Joost stated, one brow twitching upwards as he spoke. 'And I know what they would say after the year you've had.'

Fenne felt her shoulders sink from their tense position and she watched Joost's gaze lower down.

Joost's hand had made its way from Fenne's fingers up to her forearm, where his thumb ran over his handwriting. The smooth skin that was marked was addicting to feel through his thumb pad.

Joost looked down at the words, their thin letters somehow beautiful against Fenne's pale arm. Never would he have thought anything of his making would look so delicate.

Fenne bit her lip and ran her eyes over the man looking down at her tattoo. Unconsciously, Joost hunched over, both of his thumbs caressing her arm. He was transfixed, unaware of Fenne's loud thoughts.

She wanted to grow, there was no doubt about that, but she wanted Joost to be there with her. Her talents only shine because of Joost's performances, which was unlike any she'd ever seen. Fenne was surprised that Glastonbury weren't asking him to perform.

Maybe this was an opportunity to make a bargain. If Fenne accepted the offer with her terms of securing Joost a spot at Glastonbury, then there would be no compromise.

'So?' Joost's voice made Fenne realise that he had looked up from her arm with raised eyebrows.

'I'll talk to them tomorrow.'

'That's my girl!'

---

'Hello, is this Fenne Meer?'

'Yes, it is.'

Relieved to hear a Dutch translator, Fenne stood out on the balcony. The glass door was shut and she sat at the outdoor setting on her lonesome. She checked that the door to the bedroom was closed before settling outside, where no one could hear her.

'It's great to hear from you so quickly. Did you want to discuss Spiritland Productions' proposal?'

'Yes. I have some suggestions to make, too.'

'We can discuss any of your concerns towards the end.'

'Of course.'

The contract sounded like a dream. Fenne sat with a hand to her forehead as the translator read out what she would be paid, who she would be filming and how many people had already bought tickets for the biggest festival in the UK, if not, the whole of Europe. She gave answers when needed and was practically shaking in her seat.

'If it all sounds good to you, we'll need you in the UK for the whole month of April. This will give you time to prepare-'

'April? April next year?' it was the first time that she had interupted with something other than 'yes' and 'I see'.

'The festival starts mid-April, yes.'

2024 would be fifteen years since Joost's mother passed away, and sixteen since his father's passing.

Ever since it hit the decade milestone, Fenne made the 8th of April a sacred day. She made sure that the cafe didn't try to call her in for a shift or that her mother didn't want to go out to lunch. Fenne wanted the day to be exclusively for Joost and whatever he wanted to do.

If he wanted to go to the cemetery, then Fenne would go with him. If Joost wanted to see Hugo or Nanda, Fenne would ask if he wanted her to come, which he always did. If Joost just wanted to play FIFA with his friends, then Fenne would leave him to it, but she never left the house.

And every night, Joost would crawl into bed and hold Fenne in a tight grip. He liked to lie on her chest with his lower half in between her legs. His wired earphones would mumble their soft music and Joost would be asleep within minutes.

'Are you still there, Miss Meer?'

'Y-yeah, I'm still here...'

'Does April not work for you?'

'Um... that depends. One of the suggestions I had was actually to do with my boyfrien-I mean my boss,' Fenne cringed. 'I've only ever worked for Joost Klein and I wanted to ask if there was a way to secure him a place at the festival? I thought it would only be fair since my exposure can be owed to him.'

Fenne was trying to convince herself that this would make up for Glastonbury's poor timing. If Joost was going to perform at Glastonbury, then they would be together on the 8th of April, anyway.

The phone line was quiet. Fenne had worked out that she was on a speaker phone with the Dutch translator and someone from Spiritland Productions. The silence in between the translator's talking was from some private discussions in the room that Fenne couldn't hear. She was unnerved by the empty noise that blared into her ear and Fenne wandered if she had been hung up on.

'I'm sorry, Miss Meer, but that's not something that we would be able to negotiate with. When we were contracted by the festival, it was only for videography purposes. We have no place to suggest for artists,' the translator said with a hint of regret.

'I-Is there someone I could talk to? Someone from the festival?'

'No, Miss. That could jeopardize our own contract with the festival.'

Fenne knew what she had to do and she knew she was going to have live with the worst secret on her conscience. She was glad that everyone was downstairs before she stepped out onto the balcony. If Joost found out about what she was about to do, Fenne would never hear the end of it.

But she couldn't sacrifice what she cared about the most. Her career could expand or shrink at any point, there was no room in Fenne's life to start changing things because of poor timing.

'Then I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline the offer...'

'Are you sure about this? We pride ourselves on having some of the best equipment and people on our team. We were certain that you were going to be joining us for this, Miss Meer.'

'I-I know and I'm eternally grateful, but... I'm happy working with Joost Klein. I'm not ready for the big productions, yet.'

Another silence ensued and Fenne hated the feeling in her stomach.

'We're very sorry to hear that, Miss Meer. We will keep you on our radar if you ever want to work with us in the future.'

'Thank you. Once again, I'm sorry, I just... I'm not ready.'

A lie.

'We understand. You have a good day, Miss Meer.'