Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CALLA
When I was a little girl, my grandparents would take me around a few of the festival's smaller stages. We’d leave by the early evening before it got too busy, which meant I didn’t get to experience the crowd. Now, I love being part of those crowds as the festival gets bigger and better every year.
The heat is nearly unbearable as the midday sun hits.
It’s probably not the best idea to stand like loons in an unshaded field with blaring heat bouncing from every reflective stage light.
Still, as we get older, we slowly learn to protect our delicate skin.
The sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats are one of Angie’s better ideas although her tight denim shorts, orange cut-off vest and matching high top Converse shoes leave most of her skin exposed.
I don’t think it was a conscious decision.
Her aim was to create a chic festival look, although she is beautiful in everything she wears.
Scott has also got into the spirit of things with his Oasis T-shirt, charcoal grey camouflage shorts and silver bucket hat.
It’s a shame his round-framed, blue-tinted sunglasses are sliding down his sweaty nose while he tries desperately to keep up with Angie.
She has him carrying a rucksack, four foldable chairs in sacks and a blanket.
They didn’t have much to bring as they set up their tents on Wednesday like everyone else, but instead of staying, they went home until the festival got going today.
They don’t have far to come to meet me, but I wonder how they’ve been getting on so far.
I wasn’t sure it was a good idea for them to come here together when Ash first suggested it.
I know how much Angie can’t stand Scott.
Now, as I watch them coming towards me, I realise, my worries were valid.
Angie isn’t looking too happy at this moment in time.
“When the fuck, were you going to tell me?” Angie shouts before she is close enough to keep this conversation private.
“Tell you what?” I ask, genuinely confused until I look at Scott’s puffed out, bright red face.
“I’m sorry Cal,” is all he says at this point.
I look between them, Angie with her hands on her hips, waiting for my answer and Scott dropping everything on the grass to take a breather. Oh shit, this can only mean one thing.
“You’ve told her?” I question Scott, who rubs his hand over his face and silently closes his eyes.
“Yes, he has.” Angie pipes up. “I can’t believe you couldn’t tell me something so important. Jesus Calla, I thought we told each other everything.” She’s using the tone which usually scares the shit out of me.
“I’m so sorry. You know I would have told you if I could, but Scott and I needed some time to get our heads around it too.”
Her teeth grind together before she says, “Okay, I get that, but we share secrets between us all the time. Why not this major event in your life? You know I would keep it to myself, or do you not trust me anymore?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then why not talk it over with me, more than anyone else?”
“Angie—”
“No Calla, you don’t understand. I’ve always regarded you as more of a sister than a friend. It hurts, you know?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.” The hurt in her eyes is clear, so I take a step forward and put my arms around her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, that’s the last thing I want.”
She gives me a side-way glance. “You know what’s really bothering me?” I shake my head in response. “I want to know how my gorgeous, warm, best friend, has such a tosser for a brother.”
“Angie,” I warn.
“Oh, come off it, Cal. He was such a prick to you at school.”
“Under the circumstances, I understand why he was like that. It’s a pity you can’t—” and then I notice Scott making signals. He’s telling me to stop.
“What circumstances? There shouldn’t be any excuse for what he did,” Angie says, not noticing the horrified look on my face.
“You haven't told her everything,” I ask Scott.
“Just the bare minimum. I knew she’d go off her rocker.” He signals towards Angie who is now throwing her toys out of the pram. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell her in the first place.”
“Will you two stop talking about me as if I’m not here?”
I look to Scott who concedes. “Do me a favour, Angie. Can we at least try to get along just for the weekend? I’ll explain everything after the festival, but for now, please do this if only for Cal’s sake.”
Angie huffs and scowls at Scott before backing down. “Okay. But I’ll do it for Cal, not you.”
Scott is smiling as she turns to me. “And don’t think you’re off the hook either. I’m still offended I’m the last to know.”
“You’re not, I can promise you,” I reassure.
“Does Ash know?” she asks.
Shit. I take in a deep breath. “Yes, but—”
“Then I’m the last to know.” She breaks from my hug and storms off like a petulant child.
Scott and I walk behind her as we head towards the campsite to drop off their extra camping stuff and I whisper in his ear, “You could have warned me. I thought you didn’t want to tell her yet?”
“It all kind of came out—long story. Sorry.”
After our slight detour, we finally make it to the backstage entrance, flash our badges and head straight for the VIP tent where I left Ash a while ago. When we get in there, the band are nowhere to be seen. Instead, we note a few famous faces at the bar.
“Holy shit! Chris Heinz is here!” Angie says far too loudly.
Scott and I nearly die on the spot, everyone is looking. I grit my teeth, put on a false smile and say to Angie under my breath, “Keep cool.”
“And isn’t that the guy from Extreme Voltage?”
“Jesus, Ange keep it down,” Scott says, but it’s a step too familiar for her.
“You don’t get to call me Ange or Angie. It’s Angela to you until I’m convinced you’ve changed your ways. Just because Cal’s accepted you into her life, doesn't mean I will, and until I know everything, I’ll be keeping you at arm's length. Got it?”
“Loud and clear.” He raises a brow at me; his lips form a tight line.
That was embarrassing, and I feel for Scott.
He doesn't deserve this from Angie when she isn’t in full possession of the facts.
I know my oldest friend thinks she is being loyal to me, but sometimes, she has to remember there are two sides to every story.
I hope once she knows the truth, she might cut him some slack.
“Okay, now you’ve pissed on Scott’s fireworks Ange, let's calm down, shall we?”
“Why are you doing that?” Angie questions.
“Doing what?” I am so confused, but she is still clearly upset.
“You’re defending him. Why?”
“Oh my God Angie, are you going to have the hump all day about this?”
“Maybe longer, I haven’t decided yet.”
“Really?” I close my eyes for a second or two and after a deep breath, I say, “What do I have to do, to make this right.”
“Time is a great healer Cal, but I can’t put a time-frame on how long I’ll need to forgive you.”
There’s a reason Angie is a drama student. She’s damn good at it. “How about we calm down and I get you a drink. What would you like? It’s all free so you can have whatever you want, within reason.”
She eyes me for a moment then says, “I’ll come with you to the bar. I’m not staying on my own with this bell-end longer than I have to.”
I groan and roll my eyes. “Fine. Come with me then. Scott, what can I get you?”
“Beer for me. Any decent looking bottle will do,” he says and while I have his attention, I mouth “I’m sorry,” and jerk my head towards Angie while she looks the other way.
He smiles back and subtly raises one eyebrow. “I’ll go grab us a bench.”
We get to the bar and I order beers all round. It’s probably the safest bet alcohol wise.
I’m just about to go in on Angie and appease her some more when two guys approach from behind.
“Hey ladies, can we get those for you?”
We turn around simultaneously to find two, not unattractive, but still, unfamiliar faces behind us.
They seem harmless enough to be honest, but I couldn’t be less interested if I tried.
I just can’t be bothered to play games with anyone; however, I think given a chance, Angie would take them up on their offer.
“Ordinarily, yes, but as it’s a free bar, we’re fine, thank you,” I tell them.
The blonde one with rosy cheeks, grins. “Oh yeah,” then asks, “Where are you from?” Is he trying to chat us up?
“Right here in Braebeach. You?” I don’t want to seem unfriendly, so feel obliged to ask.
“That’s pretty cool, having the festival on your doorstep.” I note he didn’t answer my question.
“Yeah, we know how lucky we are,” Angie answers as if she’s getting bored with them already.
“So how come two lovely ladies are backstage all alone?”
“We’re not,” I add bluntly. “My boyfriend is in one of the bands playing the Freedom stage later.”
“Your boyfriend, huh?” The blonde guy smirks.
“That’s right.”
“Which band is he in?”
“Koolum Law.”
“Never heard of them,” the other guy with dark-hair replies, piping up for the first time.
Angie is quick to jump in. “Oh, you will. They’re gonna be huge. Their music is insane.”
The blonde one huffs and lifts his chin. “We’ll see.”
“Oh, we will see. So, come on then, what’s your story?” Angie asks. “Are you in a band too?”
“We are, but we’re not playing here. We do this part-time, you know, stage crew.”
“Stage crew, right.” Angie gives me a side-way glance while trying not to giggle.
“Who is it you normally go for beautiful? Are you a lead singer kind of girl or do you like drummers?” The blonde says, then his friend interrupts.
“Because you’d be in luck. Andy here is a drummer.”
“Good job I prefer a lead singer then.”
“I could make you change your mind if you fancy it.”
“She doesn't.” A deep growl comes from behind, causing the guy to almost jump out of his skin. He turns his head to find not just Ash, but Scott and Tommy too.
“Who the fuck are you?” Blondie asks.
“Her boyfriend, so it’s best if you two do one before I get you removed.”
“The singer, right?”