Page 45 of Prove You Wrong

‘Just like you did on the last one,’ he encourages. ‘Go steady. I’m right behind you.’

With the scent of pine needles in the air, Nate and I work our way round more of the course. It’s thrilling, being so high in the trees, seeing things from a totally different perspective.

My torch beam flashes around, illuminating clusters of fir cones, hollows in tree trunks, and Nate’s easy smile when I turn back to check he’s still with me. It’s fun in a challenging, exhilarating sort of way. All the while, he’s patient as I fumble with the clips and wobble my way precariously from obstacle to obstacle.

‘I think this one of Santa loading his sleigh is my favourite so far,’ I say, taking in another diorama from our viewpoint.

‘I hadn’t realised Chunk had done so many different scenes,’ Nate replies with an impressed tone.

‘Did he do all this by himself? He’s done a brilliant job.’

‘He’s a bit of a genius when it comes to this place.’

We move further round the course and my confidence creeps up as my balance improves.

‘Now,that’smy favourite.’ Nate points out a huge Christmas tree, complete with presents underneath and a shining star on top. His arm brushes against me as he reaches past, his proximity making my skin dance.

‘Gorgeous,’ I gasp, taking in the scene and the trees surrounding us, bejewelled branches in rich reds and golds.

‘Sure is.’ Nate trails his hand against my shoulder as he pulls back. This guy.

‘Yes, definitely the best,’ I say, trying to focus on something other than the feel of him touching me.

We make our way over to another platform, the belay cable leading us round the wide trunk. In the distance, a mass of lights is suspended in the air and, as we get closer, I can see there are hundreds of stars on strings.

‘It keeps getting better and better.’

‘That’s the finale.’ Nate gestures over to it. ‘One last challenge before we get there, though. TheTerror Tunnel, as I like to call it.’

‘The what?’ I peek over my shoulder at Nate.

‘Easy with your interrogation light,’ he chuckles, lifting a hand to shield his eyes.

‘Oops. Why is it a … ? Oh.’ Moving my head torch away from Nate, I focus it on a rickety-looking crawl tunnel, slats of wood wired together in an unstable tube. The rough wood and wire cobbled together in a perilous fashion that makes my stomach twist.

Moving to the entrance, I squat down to peer inside. Like a wormhole through the canopy, it extends into the night where my torchlight dissipates, not quite reaching the end. Placing my hands on the rim, I push my head inside. ‘How the fuck … ’ My words fail as the tube banks away and I retreat with a gulp.

‘You’ve got this.’ Nate’s gravelly voice encourages me. ‘Keep low. Once you’re in, it’ll feel tight but you’ve got more room than you think.’

‘What if I get stuck?’

‘You won’t. Just work your opposite arm and leg, contralateral. Imagine you’re a lizard.’ I swear I can hear a smirk in his tone.

‘Lizard,’ I mutter, bracing myself at the entrance. ‘Couldn’t be something cute, like a squirrel?’

On my forearms and knees, I work my way along the tunnel as Nate’s chuckle echoes behind me and he calls out, ‘Geckos are cute.’

Trying not to think about how I’m only held up by ropes and skinny strips of wood, I keep moving. Glints of lights flicker through the gaps as the tunnel sways.

‘You’re going great, gecko.’

‘That’s not becoming a thing,’ I call over my shoulder.

With my arms burning, I finally emerge from the tunnel and give a whoop as I clip my carabiner on to the next section.

Safely on the last platform, I take in the gorgeous surroundings. Lights are festooned above me, fanning out and around like a circus tent. Trails of stars dangle from the branches above.

‘Knew you could do it, Gecks.’ Nate emerges into the golden light and I can’t even be frustrated with him and his nicknames. I’m just so happy we made it.

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