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 reallydoeslet 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.
7
When we reach our friends, they’re discussing where to head next. Hennie makes her case to see a drum and bass group called Odyssey Hunters in the Light Teller’s area, which is filled to the brim with DJs, themed bars and bigger dance tents. Suffice to say I don’t know a single drum and bass band, but I support Hennie in her endeavours.
Owen is also keen to follow along, whereas Josh wants to explore the Jungle area which they apparently haven’t seen yet this year. I obviously want to follow Hennie wherever she goes. Elliot remains blissfully silent.
‘Why don’t we go to see Odyssey Hunters at Pulse and then if we have any energy we can explore Jungle after?’ Owen offers.
We all nod in agreement and as we head off I start to feel a chill on my arms. I manage to grab my jacket out of my bag one-handed, glancing at Elliot to see if he’s noticed I’m about to request a pause once again. I shake my free hand into one arm of it and to my surprise he relinquishes his side of the drumstick almost immediately, allowing me to put my other arm through. He quickly clutches his end of the drumstick again the second it emerges through the sleeve.
He must notice my surprised smile when he nods in a manner so business-like I almost feel the need to shake his hand again.
‘Thanks,’ I say stiffly.
We walk side by side on a short pathway next to the Tower stage between the Light Teller’s area and The Warren. The final act of the night is due to perform on the Tower Stage in a matter of minutes and small pockets of the crowd surge toward it, almost carrying us with them in the current.
I swear I can feel Elliot pulling the drumstick slightly towards himself. Is he creating an opportunity to snatch it?
I pull the stick back toward me with a little of my strength, not that there’s much of it. Elliot’s eyes cut across to me and then back to the crowd around us.
He leans closer to murmur in my ear. ‘I don’t want you to get lost in the crowd.’
‘That’s a little tricky when you’re glued to someone else,’ I counter mildly.
‘It happens when it gets busy though. Just stay close,’ he replies, his voice firm.
Despite myself, I’m oddly touched by his concern for my security. Resisting the urge to tug back on the stick for control, I let him guide it towards his body again, encouraging me to lean closer into his strong frame.
He successfully weaves us through an oncoming swarm of people as I concentrate on keeping my breathing consistent, and just as I think we’re safe, he leads me around another fresh horde.
It is, frankly, my nightmare.
But I have to acknowledge that his presence is absolutely helping. His movements seem so effortless and assured as I watch him lead the way. There’s something strangely enchanting about it that makes me not want to look away; of course, thatmight just be because I’ll do anything to avoid taking in my surroundings.
When we eventually come out the other side, it’s all I can do but to resist wrapping him in a grateful hug for navigating us seamlessly through hell. Not that I actually consider hugging him seriously… he’d probably karate chop me away from him.
‘Thank you,’ I offer gratefully anyway with a light tap on his shoulder.
His head snaps to where I touched him before fixing me with a wary look. ‘What for?’
It’s not exactly an unusual reaction to me, but honestly he could try to hide it a little better. The others have rejoined behind us now, engaged in their own conversation.
‘I don’t know.’ I fiddle with a lock of my fringe, beginning to feel silly for what I’m saying. ‘For getting us through a monstrous crowd unscathed and non-panicked, mostly.’
‘It’s the least I can do,’ he says evenly.
That is true. Although I suppose I’m equally responsible for this mess.
When we arrive at the famous dance hub of Firecrest, I feel more out of place than ever.
