Delivery Notes

CHAPTER 4 - "YOU GOT WHAT I NEED"

The 7 of us walked the 5 minutes from the restaurant to the venue. I wasn't sure what to expect. I stayed close to Sally and the girls, the guys were ahead of us. Walking into The Hope and Ruin was a little overwhelming. It was Saturday evening, so it was rammed, loud and very warm. I looked up around the room, taking the whole experience in. There were fairy lights hanging all over the place, a giant disco ball and several oversized light shades were attached to the ceiling.

The room was full of trendy hipster types and looked down at my outfit and I felt a little overdressed. I slipped my bolero off and held it before I lost the space to do so. I followed Sally towards the back of the room.

The queue for the bar was heavy, I groaned inwardly, Sally didn't notice. I was not looking forward to being crammed in here. I felt a little claustrophobic.

I looked towards Toby. I couldn't help feeling nervous for him, I'd hate to have the pressure of everyone watching me on a stage, but he didn't appear anxious at all. He looked relaxed but focused as he was talking with Chris. He must have been discussing something to do with his performance. He carried himself different in here, he looked confident and in control. I supposed this is his job, I am the same when I'm in work.

He glanced over towards us and he noticed my bare shoulders and arms and smiled. Before I could return a smile, a big hefty guy pushed past behind me and a stumbled forward a little. I turned to glare at him but he actually did apologise so I didn't make a scene. I felt small and fragile in here, I and couldn't figure out where the stage was supposed to be.

As I tuned back to our group, I was surprised to find Toby standing directly in front of me. I wasn't expecting him to be standing so near, I felt a little startled.

Being this close, I could feel his body heat on my skin and I could smell him. He seemed taller standing so close to me, I had to crane my neck back to look up at his face. He's eyes were soft and his smile was gentle, but he looked a little worried.

"Are you ok?" He asked as he lifted his hand to touch the top of my arm, he stopped himself just before he touched me and pulled back.

"Yeah, it's just a little crowded." I couldn't hide the discomfort in my voice. This was more overwhelming than I thought.

"Do you and Sally want to come upstairs with us while we set up? It's less crowded and there's a bar up there. It shouldn't be open to everyone yet, so you'll have a lot more space."

"That sounds perfect," I replied gratefully. I felt my eyes light up. "Only if we're not going to get in your way or anything." He smiled warmly.

"No don't worry, you won't be in anyone's way." He chuckled as he nodded towards the back of the room where could see staircase I hadn't noticed before. I tapped Sally and Kim.

"Toby says we can hang out up there while they set up, wanna come up?"

"I'm meeting someone here shortly, you gals go ahead and I'll meet you up there in a bit." Kim smiled. Sally nodded in agreement but looked towards the busy bar.

"There's a bar upstairs I think. No queue." I suggested. Her face lit up with a smile.

"Thank god for that, I wasn't looking forward to fighting my way to the front of that."

She took my arm in hers and we followed Toby and the other guys towards the stairs. There was a fair few people waiting on the stairs for the upstairs venue doors be opened.

As Toby passed them, a few of the girls started chatting with him. They were beautiful but young, in their early 20's I thought. They clearly fancied him, and I could help feeling a little threatened. He was friendly and polite back but didn't show any more interest than that. That's was a relief. Then it occurred to me, I didn't know for sure if he was single or not. That was my impression, but he hadn't told me, and I hadnt asked.