The Ned Wood Archive

I got real dizzy with a real rockin’ gang

Bruce Springsteen, Pyramid Stage, June 2009

Ellie

Ellie and Phoebe and Abi and Lauren are walking back past Greenpeace after grabbing something to eat. When they get to the crossroads, Phoebe decides she needs a wazz. So does Abi. And Lauren. Ellie tells them she’ll wait outside. Rather than just stand waiting, she wanders into the Green Fields towards the brass sounds she’s just heard. Coming towards her is a band of marching skeletons leading a conga line. This is like the opposite of that dance of death from the end of that old black and white Swedish film. It’s a dance of life. It’s infectious. You can’t help but join in. Maybe that is exactly like that old Swedish film. A trap. The master, Death, he leads them on.

She’s compelled to join in. And not just by the music. She’s spotted someone she recognises. Before she knows how, she’s joined in the conga line and she’s in front of that bloke who was staring at her in the Park yesterday. He’s got his hands on her hips and she can tell he’s trying to keep his balance. She turns around and smiles at him. Says something, but he doesn’t hear. He smiles back and her heart bounces against the front of her chest with the force of a Chloe Kelly penalty kick. Wow. Did that just happen? Was she mistaken or was that the look of someone telling her she was the girl of his dreams. How can it be that we can say so much without words?

The conga line whirls round the small field, in and out of the various obstacles, the wooden seats, the giant mushrooms, the flags, the bandstand itself. It’s getting faster and faster. She needs to focus all of her attention ahead of her – in the direction she’s going and on the bloke in front – just to stay in the line. She’s holding on grimly. At the same time she’s got a massive smile on her face.

“What. The. Actual. Fuck! Ellie!” It’s Phoebe shouting. “Come on. We’re fucken soaking.”

She turns and sees her three angry looking mates waiting. And as she turns, she loses hold and is thrown staggering towards them.

“Where’d you go? We’ve been waiting. FIFA Friendship Prize for you!” shouts Lauren. How long had it been? A minute? Two?

It’s only then that she notices that the rain has started again. More than just started, it’s making up for all that lost time. It is absolutely tipping down. She turns round to look where the Ska band has gone but only sees Phoebe and Abi and Lauren headed off into Green Futures. She automatically follows them, down the track and into the nearest tent. This one is selling degree courses in science and it is now crowded with festival goers dripping all over the scientific displays.

Ellie looks around. She’s looking for that bloke with the beard and the lovely eyes. She thought he would have followed her, but there’s no sign of him.

“What?” asks Phoebe. She’s looking at the massive grin on Ellie’s face. Phoebe can tell something has happened. She can read her mind. Ellie explains.

“You had a split second to decide what to do and you made the wrong choice. You should have stayed with that lot and followed them. It’s too late to go back now. Not with this rain and this tent being packed so tight you’ll not be able to get out. Seize the day Ellie. Make the most of any chance you get.”

She should say thank you Phoebe, that was what I was going to do before you shouted your head off. But she’s too happy to get narked.

“Oh I will, Phoebs,” says Ellie. “I will the next time I see him and I’ll be sure to introduce you as well.”