Highland Games (Part 2)
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Tuesday, 1 September
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It was another warm, sunny day and the trunks of the old oak trees cast crisp, black shadows along the path as Florence strolled towards her classroom after enjoying a late breakfast.
"Morning, love! Enjoying the sunshine? What are you doing after work, eh?"
She couldn't help glancing up at Gary leaning over the scaffolding, a cheeky grin spread across his face, the sun lighting up his tousled, blonde hair. She felt her cheeks flush bright red as she remembered her dream from last night. What had come over her? She didn't normally have such wild fantasies.
She hurried down the path, desperate to avoid him seeing her blushing. Whatever would he think if he knew what she'd been dreaming about last night?
She heard hurried footsteps behind her, and turned and smiled at David as he caught up.
"Morning, Florence," he said, breezily.
"Morning," she replied. She was always pleased to see clean-cut, boyishly good-looking David.
"Are those guys bothering you? I can have a word if you want," he said, seeing her red cheeks then glancing up at the scaffolding.
"No! No, really, it's fine, they're harmless," Florence replied. David must have thought her all-too-obvious embarrassment was caused by his shouting.
"Well, if you're sure. Listen, I'm glad I bumped into you," he continued. "The headmaster's thinking about having a summer ball out on the lawns here, and I wondered if you could help me come up with a theme."
"Wow, a summer ball, sounds fun," she said. "He needs a theme?"
"Yeah, you know, something classy like James Bond or Downton Abbey or something."
"Sure, I can have a think about that."
"I thought we could get together at the pub on Friday to discuss our ideas," David said. "Not just you, of course."
"Which pub?"
"The Fox and Hounds, do you know it? It's about a mile from here. I can give you a lift if you want. First round's on me."
"Aye, sounds good, do you want me to ask Jo and Edward as well."
"Yes, I was just about to say that. If you could all make it, that would be perfect."
"Right you are, Friday it is."
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Friday, 4 September
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"How about vicars and tarts?" Wicklow suggested.
"It's a wee bit tacky, no?" Florence replied.
The Fox and Hounds was pretty much as Florence had expected; an old-fashioned country pub with creaky wooden floors, horse brasses on the walls and a very limited selection of wines. They were sitting in the public bar, which was to the right when you came in. The other half of the pub was known as the saloon, and had more tables so was mainly used for dining. So far they'd spent at least an hour kicking around ideas for a summer ball, without coming up with anything they could all agree on.
"How about a seventies disco theme?" Jo said.
"And you thought my idea was tacky," Wicklow grumbled.
"How about a masquerade party like the ones you get in Venice? Everyone has to wear a colourful mask," David suggested.
"That's a possibility, although where's everyone going to find elaborate masks?" Jo said. "Or how about a black and white ball, so everyone dresses in only black or white?"
"Sounds quite classy," Florence said agreeably.
"Yes, although I'm sure we had something similar a couple of years ago," David added.
"How about Arabian nights?" Edward suggested.
"Well maybe..." David said, without much enthusiasm.
There was a prolonged silence while they racked their brains for other ideas.
"How about another round of drinks?" David said brightly. "Maybe we need some liquid inspiration, eh?"
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David leaned on the bar, realising too late that he'd dipped his elbow in a pool of spilled beer, as he glanced back at his colleagues. It was a pleasant change to have the two girls joining them, they certainly brightened up the old pub and its usual mixture of farm workers and retired couples. Jo was wearing a hot pink halter top over a rather tight pair of denim cut-offs, an ensemble that showed off her long, lean limbs. While Florence wore low-necked green and white sun-dress that emphasized her eye-catching cleavage.
"Um, two glasses of white wine, a whisky and two pints of best please," he said as the barman drifted over.
"Large or small glasses of wine?"
"Oh, I think large please."
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"Cheers," Jo said, trying not to pull a face as she took a sip of her wine. It was so dry that it made her eyes water. She leaned forward as she reached down, feeling around in her handbag until she found a tissue. Edward was sitting opposite her, and under the table she could see his pale and slightly knobbly knees protruding from a pair of baggy blue board shorts with broad yellow stripes down the legs. As she straightened back up, she grinned to herself as she caught him staring down her loose-fitting top, copping a look at her pert boobs. He quickly looked away when she caught his eye.
"Busted!" she thought as she grinned.
She knew he fancied her but was too nervous to make a move, which was kind of cute. She generally preferred older, more experienced men so he wasn't the kind of man she'd normally go for, but she supposed he was quite good-looking behind those thick glasses in an awkward, geeky sort of way. Perhaps he'd be fun to flirt with until someone else came along. Beneath the table, she quietly eased off one of her expensive sandals.
"How is it? Alright?" David asked, nodding at her wine glass.
"Well maybe it's an acquired taste. I hope that's Scottish whisky," she added, changing the subject and pointing at Wicklow's glass.