New Year In-Tent
WRITTEN BY LIN SILVER
Would their daring expedition be worth it in the end?
“We’ve made it!” said Babs in triumph as she dumped her rucksack on the stony ground.
“We must be mad,” Lizzie muttered, unrolling the tent. “It’s New Year’s Eve and we’re seeing it in stuck out here in this almost pitch-black wilderness in a tent.”
“Don’t be so miserable!” Babs scolded. “Remember, it was your idea!”
“Well,” Lizzie grumbled, undoing her sleeping bag. “It seemed like a good one at the time… but that was when we were sitting indoors, nice and cosy in front of the fire! It doesn’t seem so great now.”
Babs smiled.
It’ll be worth it, you know that. What a challenge, a New Year’s Eve we’ll never forget! And may I remind you of another thing you said – ‘it might be nice to give the parties a miss’!
“Well –” Lizzie sounded unsure.
“Where’s the flask?” Babs interrupted. “I’m dying for a cuppa. Maybe we should’ve brought something stronger, you know, to celebrate!”
“What’s the time now?” Lizzie asked, rummaging in her bag.
“Nine-thirty,” Babs replied. “Two and a half hours to go.”
“Nine thirty? Is that all?” Lizzie squeaked, pulling out two plastic cups.
“Don’t worry, we can crash out for a while now we’re here,” said Babs. “My legs are really aching. It was actually quite a trek, getting up here – but then again, it was all part of the challenge!”
Lizzie just grumbled, battling with the flimsy tent-pole. Babs helped her friend and housemate, saying, “Think, if we hadn’t done this we’d no doubt have been obliged to attend Janice Fisher’s boring old ‘do’ at the OAP club!”
Lizzie pondered.
“Hmm… see what you mean. What was the highlight of last year’s? Cucumber sandwiches, fizzy lemonade and an old twit in a tuxedo who really believed he was the reincarnation of Frank Sinatra?”
Babs giggled and tugged at Lizzie’s sleeve. “And when we escaped from that, we got hauled into Claire’s rave at The Plough and Trough!”
“Where I got mauled by Jean’s slobbery husband who decided after a dozen or so beers that he was God’s gift to women!”
“Amazing Jean was so tolerant about it all, with hindsight,” Babs mused.
“Well, to be honest I’d probably have been doing her a favour if I had run off with him!” Lizzie said with a cheeky grin. “Now, where’s that other flask? I want to fill my hot water bottle and sit here cuddling it. It’s freezing up here – must be minus ten!”
“Oh, stop it!” Babs chuckled. “It’s not that bad – hardly the Antarctic. I mean, it’s not like it’s even snowing – and we are on the cusp of January!”
“Is that what this area’s called?” Lizzie said, with fake amazement.
“No, this is the Pinnacle of –” Babs began, but Lizzie butted in.
“Look, look! Right over there, fireworks are going off!”
Babs squinted, and saw shooting stars illuminating the sky in the far distance.
“Already? Some people can’t hang on till midnight,” she murmured. “Nice, though, isn’t it? For us, I mean. We wouldn’t have been able to see any going off from home, or someone’s party. We’ve got a great view from up here.”
Lizzie nodded but remained silent, thinking longingly of the roaring fire in their semi and the TV footage from the Embankment in London when Big Ben chimed. Yes, this was madness.
Her best friend seemed to sense just what was going through her mind.
Babs grinned.
Just think how good we’re going to feel afterwards – when we’ve done it and won our fantastic prize!
“I’m trying to, believe me,” Lizzie grumbled, battling with the tent flap that kept blowing wide open. “This thing’s hardly better or bigger than an umbrella! Will we get to see the light of day or are we likely to perish in the wee small hours?”
“Lizzie, I did tell you to wear your thermals,” Babs reminded her.
“I am wearing them!” Lizzie glared. “Oh, for Pete’s sake – what time is it now?”
“Ten twenty,” said Babs.
The New Year sailed in while the two tired friends slept soundly in their tent.
Babs’ alarm went off at five thirty, and they both scrambled to their feet and stowed away their camping gear.
Other people were starting to arrive, but that didn’t matter; Lizzie and Babs were first in the queue.
Half an hour later, the giant shutters rattled up. Babs nudged Lizzie with mounting excitement.
“We did it!” she said. “And just think how lovely that three-seat recliner, which would normally cost an absolute fortune, will be in our living room!”
“Yes,” Lizzie agreed, elated now as the huge retail centre started opening its doors. “Happy New Year!”
Allison Hay
I joined the "My Weekly" team thirteen years ago and, more recently, "The People's Friend". I love the variety of topics we cover both online and in the magazines. I manage the digital content for the brands, sharing features and information on the website, social media and in our digital newsletters.
