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point,” said Future Michael. “You won’t.”
    â€œThis is tricky, isn’t it?” said Future Jason, with a sigh. “We really can’t tell you much. See, you’ve got to just carry on and do the things you did, otherwise Michael and I won’t be in the right position to be here in your future nowand none of this works…”
    â€œBut tell me,” said Jason. “Do you have a magnifying glass?”
    Future Jason nodded shiftily and pulled it out. “Yes, because I remember you asking me. I brought Mark’s along. Leave it by the workshop door when you’re finished.”
    â€œI will,” Jason said as he took it.
    â€œAnd to answer your question about will you or won’t you,” said Future Michael, turning back to his other self, “Jason’s right. I can’t tell you a thing. Just let Jase get on with it.”
    â€œWhat a cop-out!” Michael complained. “Don’t tell me I actually listened to that dumb bird?”
    Future Michael’s eyes flashed with bitter anger. “Shut it.” He looked away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œYou’d better go,” said Future Jason. “Take care, and good luck.”
    â€œYou’re going to need it,” said Future Michael glumly.
    Jess started at his tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Future Michael was clearly dying to tell her something. But then Future Jason grabbed him and started to bundle him away.
    â€œDo we manage to get everything for Fenella in time?” Jess called after them nervously. “And Milly and me—weare all right, aren’t we?”
    â€œRight now, you’re with her at her dumb audition,” said Future Michael.
    â€œI wish we could tell you everything,” Future Jason called earnestly to Jess, “but we really can’t. Now quickly, you know what to do—get the sunshine and get out of here before we manage to muck up your future, our past, and who knows what else!”
    â€œYes, come on, let’s get back to Milly,” urged Jess, feeling strangely disquieted. She supposed that two Michaels and two Jasons side by side were enough to disquiet anyone.
    But as she led the way back to the little garden outside the workshop, a chill ran through her.
    Milly had disappeared!

Chapter Eight
    M illy raced down the path. The big town clock, towering above the surrounding houses, gave the time as five forty-five p.m. Everyone who had been at the auditions would be just about to find out what parts they were going to have! I’ll be able to listen in, she thought.
    Her heart pounded as she ran onward. She knew she had to be careful. If someone noticed that she was both inside and outside the hall…
    I shouldn’t be doing this, she thought. But something seemed to be pushing her on. She had to know if she got the part!
    She crossed the road and ran up to the gates that led to the church hall. But as she reached them she stopped. There was a group of people waiting outside the hall, and coming out through the doors were all her friends from the drama group! The auditions must have finished slightly early and the announcement been made. Milly hastily slipped into the cover of the bushes beside the gate—then looked at thedoors and caught her breath. Her stomach rolled over as she saw herself standing there—pale and stunned, eyes full of tears.
    â€œWell?”
    Milly jumped about a foot in the air as she heard Jess’s uncertain voice just in front of her.
    Jess—the Future Jess—broke out of the crowd of people in the parking lot and hurried forward. Future Milly hurled herself into her stepsister’s arms, tears streaking down her face.
    Milly felt sick, like she couldn’t remember how to breathe. The look of shock on her future face—and the tears—said it all. I won’t be Annie . The thought burned in her head. I