I hadn't seen or even phoned Cassie for ages. Cramming for the grades I needed to get my first choice of course at university took dedication, graft and time. I tucked myself in my room, living on cheese and sardine sandwiches, quarter pounders with a heap of fried onions and gallons of hot sweet tea, supplied by mom at regular intervals. I growled if anyone came near, even my sweet big sister - a beautiful blonde with hair down past her shoulders and the best cleavage in town.
Then came summer, the long wait for my grades, A*, A*, A, B. Chewed up with my need to pursue my chosen vocation, the rest of that summer was spent in preparation to begin my new studies at Lythton University. Books were my friends and the town library provided extra study material online. I'd left it until early September before I was in any mood to take a break. Then, of course, I needed cash ... cash which other guys had earned from summer jobs; cash which I didn't have.
The beginning of September was cool, which dulled my interest to travel anywhere. Out of the blue Cassie rang me, more to catch up on stuff and wish me well in my studies. As I said at the top, I hadn't seen Cassie for ages. There were many times we'd spent hours together as kids. My aunt used to regularly invite me over for a week or three during the school summer break. This was good for Abi, now 21 and my big sister by 2½ years, for it meant a break from the endless teasing and pranks I used to play. It was good for mom for she not only had to be peacemaker but feed me too. It was good for me, because Cassie was my age not an older sister and, above all, a best friend. I really enjoyed the countryside and just being with Cassie.
That was several years ago and sure we stayed best friends as cousins should do, but as we grew older the fortnights became weeks, became weekends and finally became the odd visit now and then when mom went to see her sister-in-law, my aunt. Of course I had school then 6th form college. I had other friends, the occasional girlfriend, rugby, swimming and numerous hobbies which mostly lasted for, on average, 3 to 4 weeks - which just about summed up my girlfriends too. Mom called them fads and fancies, I just dabbled and poked. I tried to learn guitar, to play chess, skateboard, ice skate and many other things. The swimming and rugby stuck. The other interests, like my girlfriends, came and went.
Mom took the call and shouted to me to take the call on the upstairs extension.
"Hi, Tony, it's Cassie."
It took me a moment to recognise Cassie's voice.
"Oh hi, Cassie, how's it going? We haven't spoken for ages."
"Great. How about you?"
"To be honest, I'm in need of a break. I've been cramming far too long and my head's all screwed up. I need a break but I've no cash."
"You know, Tony, I was thinking the same. I'm bored, I broke up with the jerk I used to call my boyfriend and I've not much cash either. I thought I'd ring you, catch up with what's going on."
"So how do we fix that? Any ideas then Cassie?"
"Well you could come over for a few days, like you used to do. I'm sure mom and dad could put you up in the spare bedroom."
Going away on holiday with my own mom and dad had kinda stopped completely. Abi had been in that mind too, a couple of weeks without mom and dad complaining about every damn thing was fantastic. At first it was fantastic. Then when favourite clothes got dirty, well they'd last another day or two. Pans and dishes stacked up, meals were burger and chips, pizzas, cheese on toast ... you get the gist. I guess that's when Abi and I stopped the teasing, petty arguments, blaming each other over trivial things. We learned to work together.
Once I'd stopped pranking Abi I started to actually enjoy having her around. Sure, the dishes stacked up, sure we still ran out of favourite clothes. But Abi could cook, knew how the washing machine worked, was someone who I could talk to and, most of all, Abi enjoyed those low cut sweaters and opened shirt buttons when my mates came around, even serving us cold drinks while we played video games, bending to carefully place the glasses on the low coffee table. Abi became the tease and entertainer.
As the time we were left to survive came to an end, Abi was the one who insisted everything was clean and tidy. Sometimes we finished literally minutes before our parents returned.
I'd already learned during summer stays with Cassie just how much we were growing up, we were changing, that girls tasted good once you learned how to kiss properly. And nobody really minded if you went skinny dipping in the lake occasionally.
It had started as just a dare. The small lake was ideal for a swim and to cool off during the few really hot days of the British summer. It was too tempting to resist when no-one was around and Cassie told me she had been there a number of times on her own. Who would know she was as naked as in the bath tub when there was no one to see? I guess I was nervous at first, even embarrassed, but I soon came to enjoy the freedom of swimming without restricting swim shorts.
I smiled to myself as our phone conversation continued.
"I'd like that Cassie. Perhaps we could do some walks, even camp out in a tent in one of your dad's fields." I suddenly remembered one time we'd set the tent up in a field recently vacated by some of his cows. There were cow pats everywhere. I just got used to the smell, it was part and parcel of country life.
"Tell you what, Tony, I'll speak with mom later and ring you back." Then we talked for ages, memories flooded back. Eventually Cassie hung up. I just couldn't wait for her phoning back.
When I stopped to think about it, it had been quite some while since Cassie and I had spent some time together alone, I guess as much as 3 years since we'd had some quality time together. She, like me, studied hard at school. She, like me, valued a good friend more than a casual relationship with the opposite sex. About an hour later my mobile rang.
"Mom says fine," said Cassie, "When do you want to come over?"
"As soon as you like."
"Tomorrow OK? "
"Sure, I'll tell mom."
Cassie rang back later to say all was well ... my aunt said I could stay as long as I wanted, a few days in fresh country air would be good for me. I packed all I would need and the following day I was on the bus to my uncle's farm.
"I told you to give Tony a ring," aunt Sarah had told Cassie. "You've been wandering like a lost soul for the last few weeks. At least you've got someone who likes being on the farm and going for walks. And if you get bored you can both help dad on the farm."
*****
Aunt Sarah was waiting near the bus stop on the main route at the very edge of their nearest town, ready to drive me the three miles into the countryside and 100 yards up the rutted farm track. Cassie of course was with her which gave a short time for us two to chat. Lunch was a salad with home cooked ham followed by home made cake. Like many farmers wives, aunt Sarah was an excellent cook.
Although September had started cool, the temperature was starting to gradually rise. By the time lunch was over and I'd chatted a while with aunt Sarah, Cassie and I decided to take a walk out.
"I'm glad you've come," said Cassie, "I haven't gone for a walk for ages. My last boyfriend didn't really like being out here and I much prefer having someone to walk with."
Cassie seemed to instinctively know what paths to take. I remember when I was much younger aunt Sarah went with us, just in case I got parted from Cassie and got lost. After a couple of years the escorting stopped. I'd a pretty good idea of a few landmarks to check if we separated, and I knew most of the wider paths back to the farm house.
