Hello fewcastle,
I understand you have been trying to get El Capitan for the last two days but it doesn't seem to be downloading.
What happens when you try to download it? Are you getting any error messages?
Are you following the steps in
Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support
Note if it did download the installer would be in the Applications folder.
There's also some suggestions in
Troubleshooting the Mac App Store - Apple Support
Please look under, "If nothing happens after clicking Buy when purchasing an app" which seems to be what you are seeing.
Take care.