‘Oh no, has Elsie broken down again?’
There was a slight pause. ‘She has, so I literally can’t move, but also metaphorically I can’t move on either. I feel like I need to make a stand for the common man against the establishment.’
‘And in this scenario, who is the establishment?’
‘I don’t know exactly, if I’m honest, but I feel a stand needs to be made all the same. And I’m going to make it. Plus my five thousand, seven hundred and eleven followers also want me to.’
Nora wasn’t sure this was a good idea. ‘Maybe we should do a bit more research and find out who does own the land that you’re currently occupying. That way you’d know what or who you were up against. If theperson leaving the notes is legit then you will need to get Elsie moved, and if he isn’t and it’s owned by the council or it’s designated nature reserve, then whoever is leaving the notes is doing it for kicks, which is all kinds of weird and you definitely need to get the hell out of there. I mean that’s cabin-in-the-woods territory,’ said Nora, almost spooking herself.
‘Don’t say that,’ said Dixie. ‘Campervan in a shady glade sounds so much nicer. And I appreciate your concern but this trip is all about me doing things for myself.’
‘I thought it was about making your parents proud?’
‘It is, by showing them that I can survive without their support and that I can do something worthwhile with my life. Being an influencer might not be a conventional job but I’m enjoying it and it’s bringing pleasure to others. And while I do want to make my parents proud, I think it’s probably more important that I feel worthwhile as a person.’
Nora was instantly worried for her friend. ‘Oh, Dixie, you are worthwhile. Please don’t ever think that you aren’t. You are the kindest, sweetest, wackiest person I know. Well, second wackiest after Renee. And by wacky I mean unique and in a good way. Are you sure you’re OK?’
‘That’s a lovely thing to say. I don’t think my parents see wacky or unique as good things. I think they thought I would have worked my life out by the time I got to twenty-six.’
‘I disagree. They are business people so they know that you have to stand out from the crowd and that iswhat you do. Plus most entrepreneurs start their businesses in their forties and are more successful for it.’ She didn’t have the stats to hand but Nora hoped that sounded positive.
‘Thanks. I thought that for now I would focus on how I feel about me,’ said Dixie.
‘That sounds like a plan. And, apart from worthwhile, how do you want to feel?’
‘Hmm, that’s the part I’ve not entirely figured out yet but I’ll get there. I have time.’
Nora sipped her drink. From what Dixie had told her, if the notes were serious then time was exactly what she was running out of.
The morning of the climbing weekend came around and Nora was waiting at the pick-up point for Jay to arrive when Trent swaggered over.
‘Nora, I was so pleased to see your name on the list. Have you had a change of heart about us?’ he asked with his hand on his chest as if he was about to break into the American national anthem.
‘Nope, no change of heart. Jay suggested it and I thought it sounded like fun.’ He didn’t need to know that she’d been checking the stats on outdoor climbing ever since she’d agreed to go and as they made hair-raising reading she had been having a lot of second thoughts, assuming you could have more than one second thought.
‘If you get scared, you only have to call and I will be there.’
‘We’re staying in a hostel so, apart from bed bugs, what would I be scared of exactly?’ she asked, thinking that really all there was to worry about was Trent, and the last place she’d feel safe would be anywhere near him at night-time.
Trent’s eyes darted about as if seeking inspiration. ‘The dark?’
‘I’m not five. I’m not scared of the dark. Are you?’ she asked with a smile.
Trent laughed, his usual tinkle that in no way matched the rest of him. ‘Me, I’m not scared of anything.’
‘That’s good then. Watch out for wild animals. Oh, and especially the bats with rabies, you should definitely keep an eye out for those.’ Technically the UK was rabies-free but there were occasionally cases of lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that affected the native bat population, so it wasn’t a total lie.
Trent was looking suitably terrified. ‘What? Flying rabies carriers? Are there any in the Forest of Dean?’
‘Who knows?’ said Nora. ‘Look, here’s Jay.’
Jay got out of an Uber and the driver heaved a massive rucksack out of the boot. Nora went to give him a hand. ‘That’s a lot of stuff,’ she said, attempting to lift the backpack. ‘Blimey, Jay. What’s in here?’
‘I didn’t think there was that much but I guess it all adds up and you don’t know what you’re going to need.’
‘Have you smuggled Bruce along? Or maybe Renee hopped in when you weren’t looking?’
‘Ha, ha,’ said Jay. ‘It’s Renee’s fault that there are afew extra things in there.’ He scratched his head. ‘I’ve no idea why she said I needed to bring an inflatable pillow and a hair turban.’
