Chapter 2
“You all ready for this?” Ash asked peering out from underneath his cap.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Kim joked “Now let’s get this party started!”
Ash sighed shook his head at her trying to hide to small smile that had formed on his lips. “What’s that for?” Kim chuckled.
“My girl you’re about the get the shock of your life once you see how much work is involved.”
Kim screwed her face up at Ash, “Party Pooper” she mumbled.
“Your very chipper considering your about to get on a plane.” Ash raised his eyebrow.
Kim’s face dropped Oh snap! She thought. In all the excitement she hadn’t even given the plane journey a second though. It was a well documented fact that Kim wasn’t a good flyer in fact holidays had been cancelled just before boarding because of her fear.
She took a deep breath, suddenly her throat became very dry, causing her to cough and her palms turned clammy.
“Nah it’s all good” she finally managed to force out, trying to sound calm and upbeat. They soon pulled up to the airport, parked the car and headed for the main building to check in. It was pretty quiet in there only a few people were in front of them waiting to check in.
“I think we got just enough time for a coffee and a cigarette before we gotta board. You in?” asked Ash.
“Of course, but I’m buying.” Kim stated, flashing a huge smile.
Over their coffee they chatted about life on the road, the other guy’s they’d be working with and the day to day routine of things.
“We try to rotate the jobs between us as much as we can so we don’t get bored, but don’t worry whatever you’re doing you’ll be working with me so I’ll look after ya!” Ash explained as he gave Kim a friendly one armed hug. “I’ve told the rest of the guy’s all about you, and they can’t wait to meet you. I must warn you though, being the only girl on the team your probably gunna get some stick, don’t take it to personally and laugh it off ok, otherwise it’ll be unbearable. Oh and feel free to give as good as you get.” Ash asserted.
“Oh I will, don’t you worry about that.” Kim laughed.
On the way to the departure gate Kim stopped off to buy some sweets and magazines to keep her occupied throughout the journey and the next few days, although Ash had done his best to let her know what she would be doing she still didn’t quite know what to expect and because she was a rookie she didn’t want to be spends hours just sitting around bored whilst everyone else ploughed on.
As they boarded the plane Ash continued to fill Kim in on the job, and a few inside jokes so she wouldn’t feel left out when she got there. He also brought her up to speed on a few house rules and tour bus etiquette like always locking the door when you get off so no one can sneak on and hide or steal momemtioms or equipment and sleeping with your feet towards the driver so if he braked hard you wouldn’t end up with whiplash.
Before she knew it Kim was touching down in France, it only took a little under an hour to get there and she didn’t realise how much Ash could talk, but she was grateful it made her not think about the fact she was in the air once. They managed to get through customs pretty quick and outside there was a car waiting to take them to the venue. The show wasn’t kicking off for another two days but Ash needed to be one of the first there so he could check over the equipment and venue and get a head start on things. He didn’t want to mess this up it was his first time running a crew he was super nervous about it and had over planned everything.
Once in the car Ash handed Kim a small gift wrapped up in shinny pink paper.
“What’s this?” Kim asked trying to not sound over excited.
“It’s nothing exciting so don’t go OTT on me but it’s just a little something you might need whilst on the road.” he answered as his cheeks turned pink.
Kim tore open the package to find a small pocket sized tool kit in pink, a key chain with her name on and a small silver torch hanging off it.
She looked at Ash slightly puzzled then smiled as he explained to her that things will break down all the time, so it’s handy to have these basic things on you to avoid a hold up just for a lose screw or blown fuse. Kim hugged Ash. “That’s really kind of you, Thank you so much.”
They after around 45 minutes they arrived at the venue, although the show wasn’t starting yet it was amazingly busy there were people everywhere. They jumped out of the car like excited little kids and grabbed their stuff out of the boot. “I’ll take you to the bus we’ll be living off, we’ll dump our stuff and you can pick a bunk.” Ash grinned. “Sounds good to me” Kim replied.
She really couldn’t believe her luck, she was in awe at her surroundings and she hadn’t even seen everything yet. She knew this was going to be the best time of her life and she just couldn’t wait to get started.
After a short walk they reached their new home for the next few months. There was a row of jet back buses with silver writing on them some were double Decker buses and at the back were a few single ones. Ash went straight over to the first single bus where he began talking to a tall dark haired guy who looked a lot older than them both.
“Kim, this is John. He’s part of our team and a good guy, so if you can’t find me for whatever reason just go to him ok?” Ash told Kim.
“Yeah cool” Kim nodded. She lent in to shake John’s hand, “Hi nice to meet you.”
“Aye nice to have you on board pet, be good to have a woman’s touch around the place” John joked.
Kim struggled to fully understand his broad Newcastle accent. “Hey! I’m not here to mother all you men you know don’t be expecting me to be cleaning up after you all” Kim jested. “I wouldn’t dream of it pet, I can see ya gunna fit in just fine.” he laughed turning back to Ash handing him some papers. “I’ll catch up with ya’s after ya’s ‘av settle in then.” Kim and Ash boarded the buses to claim their beds. Kim couldn’t believe her eyes. The bus was amazing it looked like a shiny palace on wheels, really far from what she expected. She was shocked everywhere was so bright, clean and new looking. There was a seating area with leather seats and a huge flat screen TV was positioned in front of them. You could watch movies, listen to music. It had internet access, a Playstion, small kitchen area, shower and toilet. At the back of the bus were the bunks. It was very claustrophobic down there. The bunks were small and cramped and looked a bit like a futuristic holding cell. Ash soon interrupted Kim’s thoughts,
“Grab a bed quick before the other’s come up.” He yelled.
Kim quickly grabbed the bottom bed closet to the door so she could get out quickly if she felt too trapped. God she was so excited she thought she’d burst, trying to take a few minutes to let it all sink in she jumped as Ash loudly spoke.
“Ok let’s grab a coffee and we’ll have a look around the venue see what it’s like.”
“Sweet!” Kim answered, still unable to remove the crazy grin taking over her face.
As soon as they got off the bus people flooded straight to Ash to see how he was and begin venting their issues, he was trying his best to listen to everyone but he really needed to see the venue. As best he could he gave out quick fix solutions so they’d back off. Kim felt a little sorry for Ash, he’d only been there 5 mins and was already swamped, maybe the job wasn’t as awesome for him as Kim had imagined.
They walked around for a few hours Ash introduced Kim to everyone and was able to talk her through what she’d be doing. It seemed so much easier to understand what he meant with the use of aids and seeing the stuff Ash kept referring to as a solid item. Just then a small stocky man appeared with a clip board and a head set looking rather flustered.
“Oh thank the lord your here!” he said, throwing his hands up into the air.
His voice didn’t match his appearance it was quite feminine, this caused Kim to let out a small giggle. Ash raised his eyebrow at Kim he knew exactly what she was laughing at and now all he wanted to do was laugh too.
“Al this is Kim, Kim this is Al. She’s our new recruit.” Ash announced.
“Lovely!” said Al “and I’m sure we’ll get to know each other well over the coming months, but at the minute we’ve got trouble.”
He showed Kim a quick grin before dropping his face back into serious mode and turning to Ash. Kim didn’t know if he was being funny with her or he was really panicking about something, but she gave him the benefit of doubt.
“What’s up?” asked Ash looking rather concerned.
“I’ve just had a message from the boys manager, and they’ve arrived early they want a full run through tomorrow, they’re on their way here now to sort buses and check out the venue before they go to their hotel. OMG Ash! What are we going to do? Some of the stuff won’t even be arriving till late tomorrow they’ll be so upset with us.”
Kim was locked in a trance as she watched the strange mans hands flying around everywhere whilst he explained the drama of it all.
Ash turned to Kim and whispered, “Drama queen!” shaking his head.
“Oh, I am not you cheeky devil.” the man spluttered as he slapped Ash’s Arm and kept rolling his eyes for effect.
Ash turned to Kim, “Look I just gotta go make a few calls and get sorted will you be ok for a bit?”
he felt bad for having to leave her already but didn’t want her to have to sit with him bored out of her mind.
“Yeah, yeah you do what you gotta do mate. I’ll be fine honest.” Kim quickly reassured him.
Ash handed Kim a walkie talkie which he pinched of the side of Al’s tight jeans.
“If you need me for anything, you can get me on this ok. I promise I won’t be long but it looks like we’re gunna be starting work tonight instead of tomorrow.”
He rolled his eyes trying to make light of the situation but Kim could tell he was getting stressed.
“It’s cool honestly, go and get sorted and I’ll go get another coffee. Looks like I’m gunna need it.” Kim Joked.
Ash nodded and walked away with the funny man. Kim watched him for a bit and laughed at him. Ash had not had time to get a haircut before coming away because of sorting Kim out so he was constantly fighting to keep strands of highlighted hair from falling into his eyes as he tried to calm down the over active man. Kim took a deep breath and headed for the coffee stand she knew it was going to be a busy time tonight and it looked like she’d have to work even harder at keeping Ash de-stressed.
She grabbed a coffee and headed outside for a cigarette before she started mucking in, who knew when she’d get chance for another break if things were so hectic.
Once outside a big black minivan came zooming past her, “Twat!” she shouted out as it nearly sent her flying back inside the arena.
She pulled up an empty box that had been left outside the doors to sit on. She had the perfect view of the entire goings on so she sat there watching the toing’s and froing’s trying to suss everyone out.
The black van came into view again. Bloody idiot! She thought. I don’t know how some people get driving licenses!
She watched as a very large man jumped out of the van and opened the sliding door. Two ladies got out they looked kind of important with big sunglasses, oversized bags and lots of papers everywhere. Then one by one 4 men jumped out, each took a huge stretch and jumped about trying to wake their bodies up.
As she placed her coffee on the floor and lit a cigarette she watched the antics of each man.
The first was a small dark haired man messing with what looked like a phone, he looked quiet tired but kept smiling all the time.
Then she noticed the next guy who was a little taller but she couldn’t really see his features as he was wearing a cap and glasses he looked quite chilled and laid back as he leaned up the black van and lit a cigarette.
Her attention was then caught by the very tall guy and his friend who were messing around pretending to do kung fu moves to each other; she let out a little giggle as the shorter man made some howling noises and adopted a karate kid pose.
Then it suddenly dawned on her who they were,
Frigg me! That’s never the bloody Backstreet Boys, WOW!
They’ve got old but defiantly aged well since I was a fan.
She continued to sit there sipping her coffee fascinated by the 4 grown men playing in front of her occasionally getting scolded by a small, dark haired lady who was trying to make some calls.
Kim soon drifted off into daydreams of her youth and lost friendships of the years she was a fan, until she was interrupted by Ash on the walkie talkie,
“Kim, Kim, come over to the main arena we’re ready to assign jobs now and get started.”
She picked up the black handset and brought it to her mouth.
“I’ll be right over boss.” She replied back.
She took a huge stretch and reluctantly headed off to get her orders for the evening leaving the entertainment she’d been watching to continue.
Chapter End Notes:
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