Gaby Book 27 Smell of the Crowd by Maddy Bell Copyright© 2022 Madeline Bell Life has some certainties, birth and death of course, but the rest is a mix of Minestrone and Spaghetti, some of which we have no direct influence over. We can however decide whether we want Parmesan or other seasoning, we can give Gnochi a try, doesn't mean we'll like it but at least we'll know. Gaby has reached just such a point in her life, she knows she likes Pizza, she's not averse to Spaghetti or Lasagne but is Gnochi for her? The Gnochi in this case is doing the singing with BlauHase on a more serious level, as a 'hobby' its fine but could this be a change of career? Well you don't find out without trying so that's just what our heroine is about to find out in this, the 27th book of the Gaby saga.

She flicked the lever and the gear ratio changed, the sound of the sideways chain movement almost lost behind the competing 'rip' of the tyres on the tarmac and the slight quickening of her breathing. At seventeen, she'd been riding bikes for a good dozen years, racing the things for half of that, with some success it has to be said. But the high octane world of training and racing hadn't, at least so far, dulled her enjoyment of just going out for a ride.

The road continued its rise up from the Rhein/Main plain, not steeply but with enough grade that even someone of her fitness was starting to feel its effects. When her Dad nigh on insisted she bring a bike along on the tour she'd argued against it but she was glad he'd won that argument now as the endorphins kicked in. She stood on the pedals to keep on top of the gear, watching as her shadow barely moved on the tarmac, only the slight sway of the bike bearing testament to her forward effort.

The Taunus countryside slipped past, a familiar looking landscape to its northern neighbour, the Westerwald but here, the hills are neither as steep or as high, the whole feeling more open, less oppresive. Its not a region that she knew, well a couple of races north of Frankfurt barely count do they, so she was riding blind on new roads. Well okay, not exactly blind, the ADAC Reiseatlas of Germany she'd picked up when they stopped in Wiesbaden yesterday meant she'd been able to plot a loop through Taunnustein, the aforemention Wiesbaden and back up to Idstein, a pocket map provided by her Handy's camera.

Idstein, Idstein, Idstein. She hadn't really been paying too much attention when the whole Tour thing was being planned, still high from the Bonn concert she'd have agreed to anywhere. To actually be part of this whole thing was a real buzz, up on stage each night, strutting her stuff, belting out the group's sometimes eclectic repertoir – well who wouldn't want to be part of that?

Of course, reality has a way of dampening our dreams and in this case it was at their first stop, Boppard. The Stadthalle Boppard is nice but the Rheinhalle its not. On the other hand, they were the 'headline' act, fans of the two local bands playing support had helped fill the hall nearly to its thousand seat capacity, plenty of people had paid good money to see them play.

Last night it had been Rock für Wiesbaden, a venue specialising in, as you might guess, rock music, a smaller venue, a more hardcore audience. They'd done a good set, the crowd very vocal and the usual rendition of 'Luftballons' turned into a full on singalong. The issue as far as she was concerned, was that being more intimate it got very hot and sweaty, well I guess five hundred or so jumping, singing bodies are apt to do that.

No gig today of course, its Sunday so a day off hence the bike ride. Scheuer in Idstein is the next gig tomorrow night,she had thought they were going down to Frankfurt in the day – something about a radio show? But thats tomorrow, today, well today there was another hour's ride then later everyone was meeting to go eat, even a small town like Idstein had a few eating options, there was even a Maccy D's.

The road levelled off which prompted more gear changing as her speed went from low teens to close on thirty in just a few turns of the pedals. Not that that mattered, it was the sheer joy of the open road and well, who's gonna pass up the free speed on a downhill? The idea of ending her racing career had crossed her mind a time or two but giving up riding altogether, not gonna happen.
 

Of course, the BlauHase tour was being done on a budget, not so tight that they couldn't afford accomodation but said accomodation was needfully at the cheaper end of the spectrum. Having travelled for her racing quite a bit, Gaby was used to staying in two/three star rated accomodation, the rooms and food were often as good if not better than higher rated places – especially the big chains, not that Idstein rated more than a motel out by the autobahn anyway.

The Hotel Adler Turm was a typical family run affair just outside the Altstadt, fairly modern but still favouring the 'traditional' reliance on wood to decorate the public areas. The rooms were on the bijou side for one, okay, a little cramped for two but it wasn't like they were spending a lot of time up there. Likewise, the breakfast room cum bar was quite 'friendly' but the Fruhstück had been generous, the coffee passable, the rolls fresh from the oven.

Gaby used the tall white tower that gave the Adler Turm its name to navigate back, turning through the archway to where the groups vehicles were parked. It might've been a steady ride but she'd still covered nigh on a hundred K in the four hours she'd been out. The patron bike parking was in one of the garages at the back of the parking area, she'd almost made it back to the rear entrance when Nena, no, Misty appeared.
 
"Thought it was you.”
"You were watching?”
"Well its not like there's much else to do.”
"I need to shower, change and eat, where're the others?”
"Not seen them since breakfast, well not quite true, they did ask if I wanted to go with them.”
"Where to?”
"Some bar place Stefan knows.”
"Figures.”
"I got the laundry done, the hotel has machines down where you parked your bike.”
"Such a glamorous life eh? Guess I'll have to rinse this stuff out upstairs.”
"I never thought, I should've waited.”
Gaby gave a shrug, "No sweat, I'll do it in the shower then we can go find some lunch.”
"Yes Boss.”
 
"You know tomorrow?” Misty queried through the open bathroom door.
"Uh huh,” Gab replied as she tried to get her bib shorts to hang from the shower rail, "You got a 'claw or something I can borrow?”
"Sure, in my wash bag.”
"Thanks.”
"So tomorrow, you think we'll have a chance to do some shopping?”
"I think Anna Louise is counting on it. You need pads or something? I've got plenty.”
"Er nothing like that, just never been to Frankfurt before.”
“'kay, hope this stuff dries in here.”
"Sure we can use the drier tomorrow if not.”

Gab emerged clad only in knickers and bra, "You going out like that?”
"You sound like my mother,” Mist stated.
"Er, I mean, you look fine, but.”
"But its not how I usually dress?”
"Something like that,” Gab admitted.

Her friend was dressed somewhat ferraly, oversize T and short denim shorts over black fishnets, she'd got her hair in an intricate but messy braid with maybe more eyeliner than was strictly neccesary. Of the two Fischer sisters, despite or perhaps because of her illness, Claudia had been the one to break free of the standard German teen wardrobe, Nena sticking to a more conservative look. Gaby wasn't one to stand out from the crowd either, okay, Erdbeer's stage costumes were a bit risque and some of the Cosplay stuff too but otherwise her wardrobe was less than edgy.

"Look Gab, I know this whole singing thing is a sort of experiment for you, it is for me too, I know Nena can be a bit boring, I don't have a boyfriend, I don't really 'do' anything. But Misty, well she lets me try out different stuff, I might decide at the end that its not for me but like you, I want to give it a try.”
"I get it, I do, I only asked so I know what to wear.”
"Shitza, I can't help my self, always being safe Nena Fischer.”
"Nena Fischer is back in the Ahrtal, the person I see here is Misty, dresser, friend and assistant to the Star of this here shebang.”
"Thanks Gab.”
"Well if you're going punk chick guess I shouldn't be upstaged if I'm the Star.”
 

It was heading towards two by the time Misty and Gabs made their way into the Altstadt, not that it had taken long for Gab to get dressed but looking this, er, edgy took time to get right. Fishnets were pretty much an essential but Gab had gone for a thin layered short black dress and pigtails pinned into buns above each ear. They got a few strange looks but Idstein is close enough to Frankfurt, enough that it wasn't quite the hicksville it at first appeared.

Gaby was feeling quite self conscious but her friend at least seemed to be within her comfort zone.

"So where do you fancy?” Gab enquired.
"Everywhere looks a bit posh.”
"Your point being?”
"I know what I said earlier Gab's but I'm not sure I'm ready for a la de da restaurant.”
"There's a Maccy D's.”
"There is?”
"Yeah, I went past it this morning.”
"Well its probably more Misty than Die Drei Krone,” the hostelry they were currently stood outside. "Lead on.”
 

"How much further?” Misty complained.
"Not far.”
"You said that ten minutes ago”

In truth it was further out of the town, and uphill at that, than Gaby had thought. The burger place was in fact next to the motel by the Autobahn junction on a small complex which included the local Lidl and a garden centre, the latter open, the former not – well it is Sunday. It was however clearly the hang out for the local teens, well those who considered themselves a bit edgy at least.

BMX's and skateboards competed for use of some makeshift ramps at one corner of the supermarket car park, more youngsters complete with a CD player pumping out material from the darker end of rock were camped near the restaurant entrance. The girls received close scrutiny as they crossed the lot.

"Act confident,” Gab hissed to her companion.
"I'm trying.”
"You remember when we did that Cosplay thing at school, Max had to dress as a girl?”
"That was so funny.”
"It took some convincing to get him out of the Schloss, he was bricking it.”
"I thought he did really well, some of the others hardly tried.”
"I can be quite persuasive if I want.”
"You should dress him up again,” Mist suggested.
"He did wear hose at Analise' wedding.”
"Not quite the same thing but he does have good legs.”

By now they were at the restaurant entrance, having passed the peanut galleries inspection on the way. They slipped inside where several tables were occupied by families with younger children, another by someones Oma and Opa and a couple more who looked like the local piston heads. Yeah, just a typical burger bar on a Sunday afternoon.

 
It was over six hours since breakfast, a filched banana on her ride had got her back to the hotel but Gab was feeling a bit lightheaded now.

"A Royale XL Cheese Menu bitte.”
"To drink?”
"Er Sprite®, Mist? I'm buying”
"In that case, can I get the chicken salad and a strawberry milkshake?”
"No fries?”
"We are eating later Gab.”
“'kay.”

The server took payment and a co worker had most of the order assembled by the time Gab had her change stowed.

"Where're we sitting?”
Gab scanned the room, "Over by the window? You want ketchup or anything?”
"On salad? Really Bond, sometimes.”
"Well I want some mayo, meet you there.”

Royale XL Cheese, one of those uniquely German options on the menu, think a double cheeseburger but made with the bigger patty and bun with all the trimmings, the meal deal included large pommes and soft drink too.

"I don't know where you put all that.”
"Hmm?” Gab looked up from taking a bite of the oversize burger.
"If I ate all that i'd be the size of a bus.”
Gab swallowed before replying, "Maybe a campervan.”
"I like you too.”
"Was only kidding.”
"Yeah but its true, you eat what you like and still look like a stick, I look at a slice of torte and put on half a kilo.”
"Its only 'cause of all the riding and stuff.”
"Maybe, its still not fair.”
"So what are you after in Frankfurt?”
"I dunno, I'll know when I see it.”
"Dress? Shoes?”
"Maybe but stuff for Misty not Nena. So how're you getting on with the stage costumes?”
"Getting on? Okay I guess, got a bit warm in that place last night.”
"It was a bit sweaty.”
"Yeah it was pouring off me, I don't think the wig was helping.”
"It did need washing, it was a bit whiffy.”
"Good job we've got spare.”
 
They were down to the dregs of their respective drinks when the incessant buzzing of a Handy had Gaby searching her Handtasche for the source. Of course, the Law of Sod meant it stopped at the exact moment she found it.

"Your Dad?”
Gab opened the screen, "Max.”
"You not ringing him back?”
"Later.”
"You should do it now, it might be something important.”

Important like phone kissing no doubt.

Misty continued, "You might not have time later.”
"Okay, I'll do it.”

She re-opened the handset and hit speed dial oh one.

"Max.”
"Heya Gab, I just tried ringing.”
"I know, couldn't find my Handy, so what's up?”
"Does there have to be something wrong?”
"Guess not,” she allowed.
"So where are you, how's it going?”
"Maccy D's in Idstein and okay.”
"Something the matter, i usually can't get a word in edgewise.”
She sighed, "If you must know I'm feeling a bit, I dunno, out of my depth.”
"With the singing?”
"No – yes, well the whole thing really, did I make a mistake doing this?”
"You asking me?”
"Mum or Dad would just tell me what they think I need to hear so yes you.”
"Oh right. So how is the singing going?”
"Okay I guess, last night was like this Rock venue, a bit like that place in Mayschoß but bigger, sweatier and louder, at times you couldn't hear youirself singing.”
"Sounds pretty cool,” Max opined across the ether.
"Well I suppose it was kinda cool, I came off the stage shattered and we still had to drive to the hotel after.”
"Guess thats why they have those Tour bus things.”
"Not exactly in our budget, think the guys have slept in the van before now.”
"So how far was the hotel?”
"Dunno, an hour maybe, I fell asleep.”

"How're the new songs going down?”
"Okay I guess.”
"Only okay?”
"Most of the audience haven't heard BlauHase before so its difficult to tell really.”
"Hows Nena doing?”
"Okay, she's here,”she directed her next words across the table whilst putting the phone on speaker, "Max says hi.”
"Hi Maxxie, how's the Tal?”
"Still here, you've only been gone three days.”
"Feels longer, Gab's has been brilliant, look I need to make a visit, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it.”
"Take care Nen.”
"Misty,” she corrected.
"Yeah, look after our girl.”
"I will, bye.”

Misty left the table leaving just Gab and Max at either end of the connection.
 
"She sounds pretty chipper,” Max suggested.
"I guess, look I'm a bit worried about her, all this Misty stuff and you won't believe how she's dressed.”
"Is it sexy?”
"Max, I'm being serious.”
"So am I, well is it?”
"If you are into the whole punk goth thing it might be.”
"I've seen you dressed like that, when we've gone to concerts and stuff.”
"But this is Nena.”
"Misty.”
"Misty, whatever, thats just it Max its like she's trying to be someone else.”
"Maybe she wants to be someone else,” Max opined.
"Why?”
"Maybe she's fed up of being Claudia's sister, maybe she wants to be Nena, don't you like 'being' someone else sometimes? Is that you in the designer frocks when Mama drags you off to some fashion show, is it Gaby Bond up on that stage bellowing out rock songs with the guys?”
"I do not bellow!”
"You know what I mean Gab's.”
"I guess,” she allowed.
"So maybe Nena is doing the same, trying on Misty for size, to see how being someone different fits.”
"When did you get so wise?”
"Just saying what I see.”
"Hmm.”

"You asked if it was a mistake you doing this Tour?”
"Uh huh.”
"I think you know the answer to that, its not about you, its your friend that has you worried. Be there for her, I dunno, support her, she's looking out for you so do the same for Nen.”
"You still coming down next weekend?”
"Try keeping me away.”
"Max von Strechau, I think I like you.”
"Only like?”
"Don't push it buster.”
"Dad wants me in the restaurant so I need to go, look after yourself Gab, I'll ring after college tomorrow.”
"We might be working, some radio thingy.”
"Then I'll send an SMS.”

Misty returned as her friend, her face a full on blush, closed the call.
 

Maddy Bell © 11.01.2022