Chapter Two
“And out, slowly,” said Rae, bringing the breathing exercise they had taken Clodagh through to a close.
Clodagh felt her shoulders drop and her face cool. “Perhaps there is something in this yoga lark after all,” she said with a wink.
“You’re definitely feeling better,” said Rae.
They were sitting side by side on the floor of the lift now and Clodagh could see the condensation from the iced coffee cup dripping down Rae’s fingers. Clodagh followed the drops of water and imagined those fingers on her own skin. She shook her head, remembering where she was. Stuck. In a lift.
“Do you think anyone even knows we’re here?” asked Clodagh, looking up at the flashing alarm button.
“I should think so,” said Rae, their voice low and soothing. They rested their hand on Clodagh’s forearm. Far from soothing Clodagh, the action raised her heart rate, this time not through panic.
“I still can’t believe there isn’t any phone signal or wifi in here,” said Clodagh, trying to think of an appropriate response to how drawn she was feeling to Rae in such a bizarre situation.
“I guess it’s a Faraday Cage,” said Rae. “And yes, even as a hippy yoga teacher, I know about science.”
“Ha!” said Clodagh. “I feel I may never live this down.”
“Call it distraction,” said Rae, their eyes kind.
Clodagh definitely felt distracted, but perhaps not in the way Rae meant. She was all over the place. It was somewhere between the heat, being stuck in a lift and a recent break-up. But she wasn’t going to think about that.
Suddenly there was a banging above. Clodagh jumped, Rae’s fingers tightening around her forearm. The doors of the lift opened very slightly and then closed. Clunk.
“Hello?” came a muffled voice. “Is there someone in there?”
“Two someones,” yelled Rae. “It’s been ages. Are you getting us out?”
“We’re doing our best,” said the male voice. “The lift engineers came up blank so I’m here with the fire service.” There was another bang and then he spoke again. “It might be another half an hour.”
Clodagh felt panic rise again. “Half an hour,” she squeaked. She could see herself in the mirrored wall in front of her, her curly blond hair more dishevelled than usual.
“It’s ok,” whispered Rae.
“It’s not ok,” snapped Clodagh as her breathing sped back up. Her heart, beating faster and faster. The walls around her, closing in. Was she dying? For a fleeting moment she wondered if Rae knew CPR.
“Clodagh.” Rae’s voice was low and so close to her it might have been inside her head. “Clodagh, see if you can control your breathing with me,” they said.
Clodagh felt like breathing was becoming harder and harder and her chest was beginning to hurt.
“Clodagh,” said Rae again. “Look at me. Look at my eyes. You’re having a panic attack.”
Rae was crouched opposite Clodagh now, and they were holding each of Clodagh’s hands. “I want you to breathe with me,” they said. “That’s right.”
Clodagh worked hard to stop she gasped breathing. Perspiration was pouring down her face. But slowly, surely, she felt her heart return to a normal rhythm.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m not normally this much of a mess.”
“Shh,” said Rae. “Don’t be sorry. It’s fine.” They looked closely at Clodagh and rocked back on their heels. “You look like you need a hug. Would it be ok if I gave you a hug?”
Clodagh nodded, surprised to feel tears in her eyes at Rae’s kindness, despite Clodagh’s earlier rudeness and panic. Rae’s arms were strong and reassuring while also gentle. They smelled like sun cream and aftershave, and Clodagh could feel her body responding.
“Ok,” came the male voice again. Clodagh and Rae pulled apart. “We’ve worked out what the problem is, but it’s going to be at least another hour. I’m really sorry. Are you ok?”
“Yeah,” said Rae, “I think we’re doing ok.” They looked at Clodagh with a furrowed brow. “We’re going to be ok,” they said directly to Clodagh. “I promise.”
“Is that a promise you can keep?” asked Clodagh.
“Here, have some iced coffee,” said Rae.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Clodagh smiled uneasily. Another hour felt like a lot.
“Did you know,” said Rae, “that when we were at uni, I had a massive crush on you?”
Clodagh almost spat out her coffee.