Chapter 6
Night falls so suddenly that I don’t notice the lanterns dangling from the trees have all been lit, leaving The Warren enshrined in a warm glow.
We’re all in agreement that now is the time for food, so I look around at the various food stalls to see what’s on offer even though I’m not particularly hungry.
Every part of my body wants to stay in the cocoon-like safe haven that The Warren has provided, but for Hennie’s sake I follow the others as conversation about the wonders and curiosities of Firecrest Festival ensues.
‘I thought it was my last day,’ Josh says. ‘I should make it clear that I’m not the most sturdy of men. I’m like a blade of grass. When the wind blows, I simply go down.’
‘Hey, I tried to catch you, you know,’ Owen offers.
‘Well, you didn’t do a great job,’ Josh snaps. ‘I will have the taste of wet festival mud burned into the back of my brain until my last breath.’
‘What does it taste like?’ Hennie asks, her voice wobbling with mirth.
Josh’s voice takes on an affected and haunted tone. ‘A strange combination of cow smell and feet. It has never left me. It consumes me.’ His head whips around at Owen fiercely. ‘Thanks again, Owen.’
‘Have you told them about The List?’ Owen asks Josh.
‘Oh, no. You’re not the only one on a mission, my cherubs.’ Josh pulls his phone out of his pocket. ‘And this mission has lasted a lifetime. Bear witness to the wonders of… The List.’
I lean forward with Hennie to read a long checklist on his notes app.
RANSOM
Sushi King, no matter how long the queue
Try every cocktail available (NEW ONE this year - MJ’s)
Craft something at the lakes (something for Cassie??)
Annual photo at the grand
Facetime AJ for that famous ‘High Stakes’ song
FRONT ROW for Cherry Wave
Get on TV at least once
The List goes on and on.
‘What does “Ransom” mean?’ I ask him.
‘Ah! The wondrous mystery that is Ransom,’ he proclaims, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. ‘It has eluded me for years. But no longer! For this shall be my year.’
‘Right.’ Hennie nods. ‘So… what is it?’
‘Oh!’ He grins. ‘It’s a club. Or a bar. Or something. Nobody really knows! Which is where the beauty lies. It’s a mystery. And apparently what it is changes every year. I’ve tried to get in probably a hundred times but never succeeded. I’m just cursed, babe.’
‘Don’t put yourself down, Ham,’ Owen says. ‘You’re just one man tackling a festival with love in your heart and meat in your bag.’
I snort unattractively.
‘What, is it like a members’ club?’ Hennie says. ‘VIPs or something?’
‘That’s what I think it is,’ Owen chips in. ‘Sounds like elitist bullshit to me.’
‘Well then, I look forward to reporting back to you what exactly is inside Ransom this year, my good friend,’ Josh replies with a wink.
‘Fine, Elliot and I will hold the bags,’ Owen says with a smirk.
Elliot huffs a quiet laugh. I wonder if he’s always this reserved, or if he’s less talkative than usual due to Hennie’s and my unexpected presence. He seems to be more of an observer, keeping a watchful eye over his friends.
‘How many times have you done this?’ I ask him.
His eyes find mine with faint surprise. ‘Done what?’
‘You know, Crest Fest.’ I nod at the ground in front of us as if it represents the festival.
‘Um, never,’ he says after a moment of hesitation. ‘This is my first time, actually.’
‘Oh, you didn’t want to come?’ I weave to my right to avoid an approaching herd of men and feel Elliot’s arm brush mine.
He smoothly moves to make space for me. ‘No, not exactly. I just didn’t really think Firecrest was my thing. I guess this felt like the year to try it out.’ His voice feels light and controlled, like he’s leaving out details. Only sharing essential information.
‘Fair enough,’ I agree.
It is somewhat difficult to process the transition of the stubborn man I met at Queen Ego to the quiet and generally less unpleasant man I’ve been attached to since.
‘This is your first Firecrest, I take it?’ he asks.
‘Oh, yeah,’ I reply. ‘That little phobia of mine tends to get in the way of stuff like this.’
‘I can imagine,’ he says, pausing mid-step to allow me to walk ahead of him through a more populated path.
‘Thanks,’ I murmur behind me.
‘So, how’s your first Crest Fest experience been so far?’
Gosh. He’s being very polite. Is he a journalist? Am I suddenly a guest on his podcast?
But when I turn to look at him, he’s got a new light in his eyes that borders on playful and I have to bite back a smile. He’s bloody aware of how my Firecrest experience is going now.
I snort a laugh, nodding down at the drumstick. ‘Oh, you know. A bit of music. A bit of competition. Just a touch of entrapment. Not exactly how I pictured today going.’
‘Trust me,’ he says, his voice like velvet. ‘Me neither.’
‘We’ll just see how it goes. Honestly, I’m excited to see what other blessings this weekend might bring us,’ I tease. ‘Maybe I’ll chip a tooth or get a hernia.’
He chokes out a surprised laugh. ‘I’m just sorry I’ve pissed you off so badly.’
‘Don’t feel bad, kid,’ Hennie says, appearing over his shoulder. ‘You just made a bad first impression on her.’
‘Any way of undoing that?’ he asks, studying me.
It’s possible he already is, but I stare resolutely ahead with a light smile.
‘Oh, no,’ she says with a laugh. ‘You’re fucked now. One must approach Nora slowly and carefully at first, preferably with a sweet treat being offered. Like she’s a horse.’
I love my friend dearly so I resist glaring at her.
Alas, I knew I would face the horrors.
The horrors at this particular moment: needing the bathroom.
I’ve been quietly ignoring the problem for a while, enjoying Josh and Hennie’s delightful and unexpected debate on whether TrainerTok can be trusted (apparently it cannot) but I’m starting to get desperate.
But one of us will have to let go of the stick in order to do this, (I hope) and I simply refuse to let that person be me.
I will not give in this soon and let this be the reason that I lose.
My bladder, a mere organ, will not take this from me.
We’re ambling away from the exit of The Warren when I see several painted toilets signs to our left, and prod Elliot’s arm lightly.
My voice is a nervous squeak. ‘Sorry to bring it up so soon, but I um… need the bathroom.’
His eyes flick to the toilet signs quickly, his face betraying no emotion.
‘Sure, of course. I’ll just hold onto it.’
I stare at him without humour.
‘I would never run with it.’ His voice is low and even. ‘I’m a man of my word, Nora.’
Interesting. Believable, almost. But I shan’t be fooled.
‘Nice try, champ, but there’s no way I’m leaving you out here with this. Even with Hennie. She’s strong but has little legs and won’t be able to chase you if you run.’
Hennie narrows her eyes at him with contempt, knowing this is accurate.
He tilts his head at me curiously. ‘You really think I would do that?’
I blink. What does he expect? I’ve barely known this guy for an hour.
Owen steps forward, adding to the discussion in earnest. ‘Listen, he won’t leave with it. Really. And we wouldn’t let him anyway.’
I purse my lips and eye the drumstick between us again. ‘I’d feel more comfortable taking it with me and meeting you here. You can follow me right to the door if you want.’
Elliot’s face twists into disgust. ‘You must know how grim those toilets are.’
‘I won’t hold it while I’m in there, don’t be obscene,’ I snarl. ‘I’ll just put it in my bag. And I can’t run away, obviously. Then we can resume as soon as I step out. Deal?’
‘Fine, deal.’ He doesn’t sound thrilled, but he motions to walk towards the first row of steps to the toilets anyway. With amusement lacing his raspy voice, he quietly adds, ‘That might be the first time anyone’s called me obscene.’
‘It might not be the last!’ I hear Hennie call as we make our way up the stairs.
This is truly awful. What a situation I’ve somehow cultivated.
I walk us to an empty stall feeling more uncomfortable than I ever have before and pause next to the door.
To my surprise, he really does let go immediately, going to stretch out his fingers with relief before crossing his arms. For a bizarre second I feel like I have a bodyguard when he gives me a nod.
I walk into the stall and lock the door behind me, pausing for a moment while I’m hypnotised by the drumstick sitting comfortably in my hand alone.
I take the opportunity to look closely at the dark scuffs all over it and the faded logo at the bottom.
I want to memorise every detail, but I know I should get a move on before Elliot gets impatient.
Slipping it into my backpack, I brace myself for the worst part of all festivals.
When I step out to see Elliot observing the entrance of The Warren patiently, I actually feel a wave of gratitude for him not making this situation more painful than it needed to be.
I thank him for waiting and he whirls around, eyes trained on me once more.
His gaze flicks downward looking for the stick and I notice a wariness in them as I gesture at the hand sanitiser station.
Once I’ve rubbed a decent portion of it into my hands, I retrieve the stick out of my bag and hold it up to offer the handle side to Elliot.
A gentle smile reaches his mouth and he grasps his side once more.