Unplanned by Natalie K. Martin

Author:Natalie K. Martin [Martin, Natalie K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781542034647
Google: dsJGzwEACAAJ
Goodreads: 61440404
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Published: 2022-09-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

When I open my eyes, I immediately know my nap must’ve evolved into a full-blown sleep. The brightness shining through the white canvas of the tent is brighter than it had been when I’d laid on the airbed for a short doze. I yawn and stretch my legs before sitting up. As soon as I do, my bladder screams at me and I wince. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night without getting up at least once for a pee, let alone the whole evening too. I must have been completely wiped out. A quick glance at my phone tells me it’s just approaching seven a.m. I pull the dress I fell asleep in over my head and reach into my suitcase for my bikini, deciding to look for the lake after I’ve had a pee. With my bikini on and a new dress over the top, I pack my phone into my toiletry bag, grab my towel and step outside.

The air is cool and crisp with a hint of heat building behind it as I make my way to the shower block. A few tents are unzipped and there are a few people around, but the camp is mainly quiet. I soak in that magical feeling of being awake in that liminal time before activity takes over. The dewy grass tickles the tips of my toes in my flip-flops and when I get to the toilet block, I’m surprised to see that they’re compost toilets that actually look pretty decent. I’ve seen and used much, much worse over the years. I take a couple snaps for Nina, including the witty handwritten sign explaining how to use the loo and then freshen up.

I’ve never really been a camping type of person. I’m much more at home in a hotel, guesthouse or Airbnb, but there’s something nice about stripping back to basics and having a view of the woodland to brush my teeth to. And while I’m not exactly stuck out in the wilderness of Alaska, it still adds up to the feeling of independence that’s been building steadily throughout my pregnancy. Look at me, here, camping at a festival, with a big pregnant belly under my dress. It might sound silly to some, but I’m proud of myself for being here.

After brushing my teeth, I set off to find the lake. It can’t be that far away and as soon as I’m behind the treeline of the woodland surrounding the camp, I can see there’s no danger of getting lost. There are signposts every few metres and soon enough, I emerge through the trees to a stretch of water that looks so enticing I almost want to run into it as if it were the sea.

The surface is still and as I step beneath it, the water glides over me like velvet. Apart from another woman taking a slow breaststroke, nobody else is here. I’m certain it won’t be this way for long. It might have been the music line-up that made most people book their ticket, but for me it was this.

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