Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CALLA
Bernie promised to see Liz home safely after the festival, as Ash was worried about her. She insisted we leave and spend some precious time together. “I was young and in love once,” she said.
Ash says his goodbyes to Scott and Angie before we leave.
They’re staying on for the rest of the festival and I’ll be joining them tomorrow afternoon once I’ve seen Ash on his way.
I’m sure they will both be a welcome distraction from the turmoil already finding its way into my stomach.
That’s if they haven’t killed each other before I return.
“How are you feeling?” Angie asks. Her usual brash voice replaced with a kinder tone.
“Let’s not talk about it,” I reply, tucked into Ash’s warm embrace. I glance up towards his blue eyes, trying desperately to hide the worry in mine.
“The time will go really quickly, I bet.” Scott breaks the silence. His voice is also calm, making me wonder if these two have come to some kind of truce to help me through these next couple of weeks.
“You know you’ve got to take my place, man. Keep an eye on my girl.” Despite Ash’s jokey tone, I know he means it.
“I can if you want,” Scott laughs. “Do you think it matters that I can’t play or sing a single note?”
“Excuse me, but I was getting on just fine by myself before you two came along. I don’t need looking after.”
A corner of his mouth lifts, before he says with a more serious tone, “I mean it. Look after your sister for me, Scottie.” Then Ash brings him in for a man hug.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here; whenever she needs me.”
I’m still getting used to Scott’s better side, together with the fact we’re related. The next couple of weeks should give us a little time to become better friends, although if Angie had her way, I’d keep Scott at arm's length.
“Excuse me?” Angie pipes up, interrupting the boy’s hug-fest. “I was looking after Calla well before you came on the scene, Knoxie. I’m not about to give up my post now.” She half-smiles, but this is her way of lightening the atmosphere.
“Is anyone listening to me today?” I laugh.
“No.” All three say in unison.
We share a gentle smile before Angie turns to Ash. “You don’t need it, but good luck, okay and be good.”
“Always.” He smiles, glancing my way briefly.
We decide not to take the car laid on for us as we planned to spend some time taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. We’re only twenty minutes’ walk from town as it is, so when we leave, we can walk across the farm fields and make it back in ten.
This is the first time I’ve been here and not camped.
I’m almost envious of Angie and Scott as they head in different directions to meet friends, although they are bound to see each other later—their tents are next to each other.
Actually, it’s probably best I’m not around.
I’m sure there will be fireworks between those two before long and not in a good way.
Ash and I swing our held hands while we walk and take in our surroundings. The layout changes from year to year, but the usual festival staple of flags, beer tents and food vans are everywhere, plus one of the newer attractions is proving popular—the skate park.
You can do anything you want here. Learn to dance the samba, experience yoga or take some time to paint.
Braebeach University has a tent where it holds lectures each day, but Ash steered clear of it.
He wanted to avoid his lecturers who might be there, knowing they will be disappointed at his decision to leave.
The outdoor cinema is playing Back to the Future, the rave tent is banging, and we’re just about to head into my favourite place. The silent disco.
There are three different DJ’s in here tonight, which means three channels on our headphones.
As soon as we get inside the tent, I’m laughing.
Of course, it’s quiet in here, but the dance floor is packed with bodies, freaking out to their own beat.
It’s bloody hilarious watching them until we get our headphones.
I’m on the green channel, listening to Le Freak by Chic, but Ash is on red so we are completely out of time with one another.
We’re both singing along to different tunes, but I’m sure my dancing is so much better than his.
I bet he thinks the same about his own moves.
We agree to change, both listening to blue now.
We couldn't have picked a better tune, I Got A Feeling, Black-Eyed Peas. It’s impossible not to jump and it’s instantly apparent who else is on this channel.
Turning in circles, almost everyone we see is singing along.
We briefly lift one earphone to hear the tones of the crowd.
It’s pretty hilarious, but then the infectious beat takes over again.
We just can’t help holding hands while we jump and make fools of ourselves.
A majority of the crowd are into this one, so we listen until it finishes.
We both flick the channels once again. This time, I’m on red, dancing a more mellow rhythm to Rivers of Babylon by Boney M.
When I look at Ash, he’s on the blue channel dancing to an altogether different beat.
He mouths, “Britney Spears,” then I get it when I lip-read, “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” while he rhythmically spanks the air.
We both finish on a classic, Smells Like Teen Spirit, by Nirvana. These guys are gods to Ash, so he gives it his all and the smile on his face is incredible. I bottle this moment. I don’t know how long it will be until I see him smile like this again.
I have no idea how long we’re in there, maybe hours, but the sky is pitch black by the time we leave.
We’re laughing uncontrollably, not drunk, just high on the adrenaline of music, cheesy or otherwise.
It’s a good time to get a drink, which isn’t difficult due to the number of tents selling alcohol, but the festival is quietening down a little, and the bars are closing.
We find a van selling cocktails and beers, and although they’re about to close, Ash persuades them to sell us a couple of takeaway beers.
“I wonder how Angie and Scott are getting on,” I say, pulling a scary face while we stroll slowly through the field.
“I doubt they’re together much. I get the feeling Scott isn’t keen on her, but he wants to end any bad feeling for your sake.”
I can’t stop myself from telling Ash how I really feel.
“I’m still not sure about Scott being my brother.
We’re trying to make it work, but I have times when I have doubts about trusting him.
Not yet. I wish I’d been more prepared to learn the truth, but then again, how do you prepare for something like that? ”
“I’m glad you brought it up. I’ve wanted to talk to you about this for a while.” Ash puts his arm around my shoulder. “I feel guilty I knew before you, but I hope you understand it wasn’t my place to say anything. It was solely down to Scott.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry if you felt caught in the middle, Ash.”
“Don’t be sorry, it was a difficult situation. Scott didn’t intend to tell you straight away, but he panicked when you started grilling him. He was planning on how to break it to you when he called and roped me in. He thought you’d appreciate the support.”
“I’m pleased you were there,” I say, running a hand over the ripples of his chest under his fresh blue t-shirt. “It was such a shock.”
“I get it,” Ash says, dropping his hand from my shoulder and slipping his arm around me.
We stop walking and he pulls me flush against his body.
He looks down towards me. “It’s going to take some time, that’s all.
I bet you have a lot of questions too. It’s a shame your dad isn’t here to answer them. ”
I shake my head. “See, there’s another problem.
I don’t think of Scott’s dad as my dad. My dad is the man who walked away from my mother when she was pregnant.
He is the person I never understood, and I decided at an early age, I wouldn’t give any time in my headspace.
If he didn’t want me, why should I bother trying to find him?
Now I’ve got to think about him differently, I mean, we’re not even related.
He’s just my mum's first husband I suppose and someone I feel sorry for. He must have been pretty devastated to find out the woman he loved—the woman he’d probably given up his own family for—was pregnant with another man’s child.
How hideous is that?” I ask Ash, knowing he wouldn’t have any answers.
“I reckon it would fuck any man up.”
“Exactly. What was my mum thinking?”
We’re about to continue our slow walk when I sense someone behind us. I glance back over my shoulder, to see two giggling girls.
“I think we’re being followed,” I whisper, but Ash seems completely oblivious until he turns around.
“Oh my God, it is you, isn’t it?” a petite girl with violet hair asks.
Ash looks at me with complete confusion before replying, “Who are you looking for exactly?”
“Ash Chambers, right?” she giggles.
“Err, yeah. Do I know you girls?”
I’m pretty confident he doesn’t. Both are giggly as hell and awash with excitement.
“We saw your set with the band—Koolum Law, right?”
“Oh, cool,” he responds, not really knowing what to say. It’s kind of cute.
“You were A. Maze. Ing. Wasn’t he Jackie?”
“Absolutely,” the brunette, with a similar bobbed hairstyle to her friend, drools.
Both must be a year or two younger than us but act like a couple of pre-teens.
Ash doesn’t know where to look. He sheepishly replies, “Thanks. I appreciate that.” There’s an awkward silence while the girls solely focus on Ash, so he grips me close. “This is my girlfriend, Calla.”
They cast their disapproving eyes over me, and with the most unenthusiastic tone, say, “Hey.”
“Cool,” Ash says again. I’ve never known him to be tongue-tied. To fill another silence while they busily look him up and down, he adds, “Thanks for your support.”