It was five minutes after the lesson start time and Joy had not appeared.
Ray had had butterflies all day knowing she was going to be his last lesson of the day but she had not come yet. She was usually on time so all sorts of things were going through his head about why she hadn't appeared.
They had been chatting about the lesson all week on the online game. She had not said anything about NOT coming. He checks everything is tidy. He combs his hair again.
Another five minutes goes by and there's a knock at the door. His heart skips a beat. The door opens, and it is her.
She explains she was caught in two sets of roadworks. He is so relieved. He pecks her on the cheek and she gives him a huge hug. She has a big basket with her. "It's a little picnic", she says.
"I know you don't like to eat while you're working so I thought as I'm your last one today, I'd treat you".
She said she had been practicing the piece I had asked her to practice. Ray knew she would, she was very diligent. She was wearing a cream broderie anglaise skirt, a red T-shirt, with cream open toed sandals. Her finger nails and toe nails were painted a beautiful shade of pink, matching her lovely lips. Ray was thinking she looks good enough to eat, you could forget about the picnic. Ray was feeling a little shabby in comparison as he was just wearing his usual work clothes, a T-shirt and shorts. He was tempted to dress a bit smarter but didn't want to draw attention.
Ray takes the basket. He puts it down on the polished table and looks in it. Joy has put in a mini bottle of champagne and some mineral water. They have some steamed salmon with salad, then some cheese. He was wondering if there was any dessert,as he does have a sweet tooth,when Joy brought out a plastic box. Inside the box there were eight tiny paper cake cases with single cherries in each one. Joy had coated them in dark chocolate.