No Control | Holding Me Ransom (Book 2)

55 - Lost In The Dark Of The Night

The bonfire on Saturday started at five o'clock, but we didn't head down until six. Harry said there would be food stalls there so we declined Anne's offer of dinner (she and Robin were staying in so the cats wouldn't be too frightened.)

I borrowed a pair of Gemma's wellies, wound a thick cream scarf around my neck, pulled on a woolly bobble hat and gloves, and walked out into the hall to see Harry wearing his trademark beanie, a thick green coat and his own pair of wellies.

"You look so cute," he grinned.

"Back at ya," I grinned back. "You're going to be recognised in about three seconds, though."

"Not if I stay in the shadows," he shrugged, and began tucking his curls under the bottom of his hat. "You ready?"

I nodded, and we said goodbye to Anne and Robin, got into Harry's car and drove towards the village. We managed to sneak into a parking space not too far from the entrance, and true to his word Harry kept his head down and his coat collar pulled up in an attempt to be inconspicuous. I paid for us to get in, and we took a leisurely walk around the edge of the field, checking out the food and drink stalls and keeping out of the light from the bonfire. We had loosely arranged to meet up with a couple of Harry's old friends, and although the event wasn't even remotely busy we couldn't see them, probably because we were lurking in the darkness out of sight.

"Shall we go on some rides?" I asked, after we'd completed one circuit of the place and approached the entrance again.

"Um... if you want," he replied.

"I love fairground rides!" I said excitedly, jumping up and down, and he chuckled.

"You're just a big kid at heart, aren't you," he teased.

"Yep," I nodded, and I grabbed him by his hand and pulled him over to a ride that had groups of cars that lurched from one side of a circle to another, while nineties dance music blared from the speakers. It was just coming to a stop, and I happily handed four pound coins to the ride operator and skipped over to a glittery pink car, Harry following behind. I pulled the bar down over our laps and Harry tucked his chin into his jacket and pulled his beanie down to his eyebrows.

"Are you cold? Or worried about being recognised?" I whispered.

"Both," he murmured. "Not that I'm bothered what people say about us. I just don't want the attention, that's all."

I glanced up nervously at the floodlight above us, and silently willed the attendant to start the ride. A minute or so later it began to move, and I shifted a bit closer to Harry as it began to pick up speed. I needn't have bothered. After about ten seconds it was in full swing and centrifugal force was squashing Harry against me so hard I could barely breathe.

"Sorry!" he shouted over the music, but all I could do was laugh, and enjoy the feeling of him pressed up against me. I relished any opportunity to have him close to me, in truth.

The night air was cold on my face as we were thrown about from side to side, and every time we neared the people standing by the railings I swept my eyes over their faces to see if anyone had noticed that one of the most famous men in the world was a couple of feet away from them. However, if they did they either weren't bothered or we had been whisked away before they could react.

The ride eventually came to a stop and I sprang out of the car and down the steps, Harry behind me.

"What next?" I asked, stepping out of the light to the side of a hot dog stand, out of view of the people queuing. "Do you want some food or something?"

"Er, yeah, maybe in a bit," he said vaguely. "Are you hungry?"

"I can wait until you're ready," I replied. "Shall we go on the ghost train or something?"