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Chapter Seventeen
‘Enjoy yourselves.’Elsie held the door open as Evie and Jack slipped outside.
‘What animal are we rescuing tonight, then?’ Evie buttoned up her coat.
Chuckling, Jack paused and wrapped his arms around her. ‘None, hopefully. Hopefully, there aren’t any animals or birds or fish to be rescued.’
‘Or insects.’
‘Or insects. I wondered if you wanted to go into Trestow? The mop fair is in town?’
‘Is it? Have they got any decent rides?’
‘What do you mean by decent?’ Jack frowned. ‘They’ve got a carousel, a helter-skelter. They’re my idea of decent rides. A Ferris wheel at a push.’
‘How about Booster or Evolution or the Double-shot?’
‘Is that the one where you sit in chairs and get launched into space?’ He grimaced.
‘Ha-ha, not quite. I think the mop fair sounds fun.’ Evie sat in the passenger seat of the car.
‘Umm, can I change my mind?’ Chuckling, he started the engine.
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HOLDING JACK’S HANDas they made their way through the throngs of people, Evie grinned as Jack side-stepped and looped his arm around her to avoid her colliding with anyone. He really was kind and thoughtful. As they walked past the different rides, a million different songs battled to be heard above the loud hubbub of people chatting and laughing. Screams of excitement and shouts of ‘go faster’ floated into the crowds from the brave riders and cheers from children and adults alike winning huge teddies and bubble wands from the numerous game and raffle stalls lining the streets competed to be heard.
‘You don’t ever forget the smell of the fair, do you?’ Leaning close, Jack’s lips were close to her ear, his voice barely audible above all the noise.
‘The smell of hot dogs mixed with candy floss?’ Evie grinned. She hadn’t been to the fair for years, but as soon as they’d stepped out of the car and made their way towards the music and the lights, it had been as though she’d stepped back in time. ‘Oh, look, there’s the Double-shot. Shall we have a go?’
Jack looked up at the ride towering above them and shuddered.
‘We can warm up with the carousel or the hall of mirrors, if you’d prefer?’ Leaning close to him. She laughed.
‘Nope, if I can hunt injured crows and wrestle sheep to safety, I’m sure the Double-shot will be a breeze.’
‘Exactly.’ Evie led the way through the crowds of people towards the queue for the ride. Glancing across at him, she frowned. ‘Are you sure you want to go on here? We can stick to the calmer rides if you like?’
‘No, it’s fine. This looks... uh... fun.’
‘Honestly, I don’t mind giving it a miss. I’ve not been to the fair, let alone on a ride like this in years, so I probably don’t remember it properly, anyway.’
‘Two?’ The woman sitting in the small booth by the entrance to the ride held up two fingers.
‘Yes, please.’ Jack slid the money beneath the glass, took Evie’s hand and stepped up to the ride.
Evie followed Jack as they were shown to their seats. With their safety bar pulled down in front of them, Evie looked at Jack’s knuckles, glowing white in the flashing lights. Leaning across to him, she shouted to be heard over the beat of the music. ‘It’s not too late to get off.’
‘Nope. It’ll be fun.’ Frowning, he wobbled the safety bar, checking it was secure.
‘Okay.’ Leaning back in the seat, Evie grinned. She loved everything about the fair, the thrill of the rides, the atmosphere. It reminded her of her teenage years, freedom and testing her limits.
A high-pitched whirring blared through the speakers, signalling the start of the ride, and Jack interlocked his fingers with Evie’s, gripping tighter.
