Gary Smith and Carla Lund, were staying on a camp site in the Finchbottom Vale that was once a working railway station before it fell afoul of Dr Beeching and his cuts, in a place called Sharpinghead.
The two of them were staying in a converted signal box which was comfortable enough but because of the limited floor space it had bunk beds which didn’t go down well at all with Carla, she wanted a double bed and plenty of comfort and more than a little loving.
“What the hell are they?” she said when she saw the bunks
“A challenge” Gary replied flippantly but she was not impressed
“We’re not 13” she said,
It was not an insurmountable problem as far as he was concerned but she just wasn’t the adventurous type.
Although Gary could remember the time when she was, a time when she enjoyed a kiss and a cuddle in the woods back in the days when they were courting but she seemed to have forgotten just how much.
The bunk beds were bad enough but Carla really lost it when she realised there was also no toilet or bathroom en suite and the nearest facilities were 60 yards away.
She stormed out and left Gary to unpack and she was gone for hours, in fact Gary was already asleep in the bottom bunk when she got back.
The next morning just after first light he had to get up to the toilet, he wasn’t going to bother dressing but trotted the 60 yards to the toilet in his pants.
When he returned to the signal box he quietly closed the door and was just tiptoeing across the room when he spied, highlighted in the early morning light, Carla’s naked buttocks protruding from beneath her duvet and written on a post it note, stuck to one buttock was one single word “Sorry”.
And that was when he woke her in the dawn light and the adventure returned to their marriage.
Thursday, 22 June 2017
Those Memories Made on Teardrop Lake – (88) After Graduation – Manny and Crissie
(Part 01)
Downshire is a relatively small English county but like a pocket battleship it packs a lot in, a short but beautiful coastline, a channel port, the Ancient forests of Dancingdean and Pepperstock, the craggy ridges and manmade lakes of the Pepperstock Hills National Park, the rolling hills of the Downshire Downs, the beautiful Finchbottom Vale and farm land as far as the eye can see, from the Trotwood’s and the Grace’s in the south to the home of the Downshire Light infantry, Nettlefield, and their affluent neighbour’s, Roespring and Tipton in the North but it’s in the Village of Shallowfield where our story takes place.
Shallowfield lay on the southern edge of the Finchbottom Vale and Shallowfield’s fortunes had always relied largely upon forestry and agriculture for its survival.
In the post war years with rationing and a shortage of work a lot of people moved away, to Abbottsford, Abbeyvale and beyond, and it only barely survived.
And the community around Teardrop Lake fared even worse.
Only a few of the houses around the Lake were thriving, a lot of the houses had been rented out and those that hadn’t were in a poor state of repair, some too such an extent they were little more than ruins.
But by the 70s things were beginning to change, thanks mainly to tourism and an increase in leisure time.
More importantly these people had money in their pockets.
This trend was reflected by the fact that the derelict Shallowfield Lodge, which had been inherited by a young couple from Lincolnshire, Rob and Sheryl Brown, was turned into a hotel.
Its completion formerly marked the rebirth of Teardrop Lake and by extension Shallowfield.
Triplets, Dale, Manny and Paul Smith had just graduated from Abbottsford University and were spending the summer with their uncle Julius, who was the Vicar of St Jude’s church in Shallowfield, which was where they met the Nichols sisters.
They had been at their Uncles for less than a week when they walked up to the village green to attend the Village summer Fête, but even though they had only been there a few days they were not newcomers as they had spent every holiday there for as long as they could remember and had made a lot of friends among the younger members of the village population over the years.
The Fête was very well attended but despite not being strangers they didn’t really know many of the people in attendance but they thought they would take a look, show willing at least, so they went on a few of the side shows and drank a couple of pints in the beer tent and by late afternoon, a combination of too much beer on an empty stomach and the heat of the sun had left them all a little light headed so they decided to call it a day and headed back across the field in the direction of the Vicarage.
But they only got about half way across the field when they were two of the Nichols girls, Crissie and Sharlene and they turned in unison to see them tottering towards them across the grass, shoes in hand and ever so slightly tipsy.
The twin girls were not only sisters, but were also best friends, quite inseparable and Manny and Paul thought them very gorgeous, and had been in love with them foe three years, but alas when they fell for them the girls were only 15, even though they kept reminding them that they were actually 15 and three quarters.
Sadly that three quarters was not going to keep them off the sex offenders register if they did what red bloodied young men of 18 might think of doing.
But they were both lovely girls and he liked them a lot but they decided to keep them at arm’s length until they turned 16, unfortunately another opportunity never presented itself in the following three years so that seemed to be that, until that summer.
Crissie was the younger of the two by a few minutes, five foot two red hair and pale complexion and cutely freckled while Sharlene was an inch shorter with a strawberry blonde hair and alabaster skin.
They were both stunningly beautiful and wearing low cut summer dresses they looked even more so.
They tottered up alongside them, each taking an arm, Sharlene as always was flirting outrageously.
“Can we come back to the Vicarage Paul?” Sharlene said
“Then we could have another drink”
“It’s not like we’re drunk or anything” Crissie chipped in
“Can we?” Sharlene said again
“Please Manny?” Crissie added
“Ok” he said, “as long as you behave”
“What will you do if we don’t?” asked Sharlene
“Will you spank us?” Crissie said and giggled
“You’ll get us shot” Paul said
Being over six feet tall and being arm in arm with the two girls gave them a height advantage of more than a foot, affording them a wonderful view down the front of their low cut dresses, they knew they shouldn’t have looked but even for good Christian boys it was difficult to resist the temptation.
Dale who was the only one of the boys not to have a gorgeous girl on his arm looked on and smiled as his brothers struggled with the moral repercussions of ogling young girl’s breasts.
(Part 02)
Being over six feet tall and being arm in arm with the two girls gave them a height advantage of more than a foot, affording them a wonderful view down the front of their low cut dresses, they knew they shouldn’t have looked but even for good Christian boys it was difficult to resist the temptation.
Dale who was the only one of the boys not to have a gorgeous girl on his arm looked on and smiled as his brothers struggled with the moral repercussions of ogling young girl’s breasts.
Sharlene saw Paul looking down her top and giggled so he didn’t look away.
Then she compared she whispered to her sister about what Manny was doing and she blushed scarlet but made no attempt to prevent him from looking either.
When they reached the Vicarage Dale left his brothers and the giggling flirts outside while he went inside to get the drinks, which given the girls inebriation and his own light-headedness he decided not to fuel the flames with more alcohol, so when he joined the others on the patio, which was now in the shade and put a tray full of soft drinks on the table which on reflection was the wisest thing to do despite protests from the girls.
And then about ten minutes, Gail Nichols emerged through the garden gate and she was also wearing a summer dress, she was the older sister, and was the one that Dale had set his cap at, and thought she was equally gorgeous to her siblings, a few inches taller with a rounder curvier figure than her siblings, but for Dale she was perfection.
“Well no surprise to find Smith boys surrounded by pretty girls” She said
“Is that why you’ve joined us?” Dale said
“I’m not one of the pretty girls” she said coyly “I’ve just come to collect my sisters”
“But we’re having fun” Crissie protested
“I’m sure you sure but it’s time to go” Gail said
“Do you want a drink?” Dale asked
“Yes please” Sharlene replied eagerly
“Me too” giggled Crissie
“I wasn’t asking you two, you’ve had enough” Dale said “I was asking Gail”
“No thanks but another time when you’re not surrounded by pretty girls” she replied “mum and dad are waiting”
“As I said before you’re one of them” he said
“I’m not pretty,” she snorted
“No, you’re beautiful” he corrected her and she turned her head away coyly.
He imagined her coy denial about being one of the pretty girls was either false modesty or she was fishing for compliments.
Just at that moment the back gate swung open and Uncle Julius walked up the garden.
“Hello girls” he said jovially and there followed five minutes of light hearted chattering and then the girls went on their way.
The Smith boys watched them as the three girls tottered down the lawn and when they reached the gate all three turned and waved and Sharlene blew a kiss.
“They are sweet young things aren’t they?” the Vicar said
“Yes Uncle” Dale agreed but to himself he added “and I have a very sweet tooth”
For years he had fantasied about him and Gail and he looked forward to when he could turn the fantasy into reality as it turned out he didn’t have to wait too long, to his surprise it was the next day, that his fantasy was made manifest.
The day after the Smith boys entertained the Nichols sisters in the vicarage garden Manny and Paul went sailing up at Teardrop Lake while Dale remained at the vicarage catching up on his reading.
But by the time they had finished on the Lake for the day back at the Vicarage, Dale had put his book down for the day and was kissing Gail Nichols for the first time which turned out to be the first step on a life long journey.
But Dale wasn’t the only member of the Smith family to have a penchant for a Nichols girl but it was a week later before cupid hit the mark for a second time.
(Part 03)
When Manny woke up on Saturday morning he was alone, Dale had driven Uncle Julian into Abbottsford for the day and Paul was in Sharpington for a stag weekend.
As it was a nice day he left the Vicarage to take a walk up to Teardrop Lake.
He followed the Lane that ran parallel to the River Brooke as it flowed from the head of the lake and on towards Shallowfield and beyond.
He headed past the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel and then the lane joined the perimeter road which circled the lake and he took the northern side.
Teardrop Lake and the surrounding woodland was privately owned and divided into twelve parcels, each with one significant dwelling on it although there were a number of cottages dotted around the woods as well, some in use and some not.
It was both idyllic and peaceful, there was little or no noise pollution and although the lake was used there were no speed boats or jet skis, only rowing boats, canoes, dinghies and skiffs.
Manny and his brothers learned to sail on the Lake
But there was more to Teardrop than the lake, there were two follies, a Watch tower, and Olwen’s chapel as well as a waterfall, brooks, streams, a 16th Century Bridge and lovers leap.
He was just approaching the 16th Century Stone bridge when he started to feel the heat so he decided to leave the road in favour of the coolness of the woods in a dense area of ancient woodland, and followed the path that threaded its way through the woods which was a well-trod path that meandered its way towards the waterfall and he was halfway along the path, he heard a voice behind him.
“Wait for me Manny” the voice said, “wait for me, wait for me”
Manny turned around but he couldn’t see who it was
“Wait for me” they continued shouting a little louder this time and then crash, a girl came running around an oak tree and hurtled straight into him and they both ended up on the floor, the girl was the object of his affections Crissie Nichols.
“Ouch” she said rubbing her left knee.
“Are you ok?” he asked as he helped her to her feet.
“Just banged my knee a bit,” she said laughing
“I didn’t think I was that close to you”
She was a very pretty girl, five foot two red hair and pale complexion and cutely freckled and his heart soared when he looked at her.
“Happy birthday by the way” he said suddenly remembering.
“Thank you,” she said grinning
She looked very cute in a yellow lacey fascinator with small white flowers.
Crissie was wearing a very smart yellow outfit, consisting of double breasted jacket, a pleated flared skirt, cream tights, and a white blouse and court shoes.
“Aren’t you a bit overdressed for walking in the woods?” he enquired
“Yes, a bit I suppose” she agreed
“Is there a reason?” he pressed
“Oh yes, it’s my Aunties wedding” she replied
“So why are you here?”
“The reception is at the Lodge but it doesn’t start until three so I had a couple of hours to kill once the photos were done, and I saw you walk by so I thought I’d hang with you” she replied as she began to brush dust off her legs and was making it worse so he fished out a hankie from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Use that” he said “that will help for the moment”
Crissie rubbed at it and winced, but again it wasn’t improving things at all.
“Come on, come to the falls and we’ll get you cleaned up”
“Ok” she said brightly, as that was precisely what she had in mind when she chased him through the woods.
(Part 04)
From the spot where they collided they headed towards Shoe Buckle Falls, so named, so legend had it, after a 17th century fugitive Cavalier who was pursued into the forest by parliamentarian soldiers but disappeared in the vicinity of the falls and all they ever found of him was his shoe buckle.
The falls were not grand or spectacular but they were nice enough.
The water tumbled and spilled over the rocks gathering briefly in deep pools and then tumbling down again to the next pool.
It was dark beneath the ancient trees and refreshingly cool as the misty spray settled on them.
The rocks and trees closest to the falls were covered in bright green lichens.
“Bad luck having to share your 16th Birthday with a family wedding” he said as they walked towards the falls.
“Oh no it was great, I got loads of presents from the guests” she said “I think I got more gifts from friends and family than the bride did”
“Talking of family, where are Gail and Sharlene?” he asked
Gail and Sharlene were her sister and the latter was also her best friend and they were inseparable.
“They’re at the Shallowfield Lodge waiting for the wedding breakfast to start” she said just as they arrived at the falls.
“I don’t think the dirt is coming off your tights I’m afraid” he said
“Oh God mums going to kill me” Crissie said
“There’s only one thing you can do then” he said “go and slip them off and rinse them in the pool, and I’ll hang them up, they’ll be dry in plenty of time for the reception”
“You’re a life saver” she said and got up and went behind a tree
When she returned she had taken off her tights and was holding the wet bundle in her hand.
“Ok I’ll take those, you go and sit down by the water” he said “but sit on my jacket otherwise you’ll be having to wash your skirt”
“That wouldn’t be good” she giggled and sat down as instructed.
And then he knelt down in front of her and took his hankie from his pocket a wet it in the pool and gently washed the dirt off her knee
“So what are you doing for your birthday?” he asked as he worked
“Mum and Dad are taking me and to a swanky restaurant in Purplemere” she said very pleased with herself.
“This might sting a bit,” he said as her dabbed at a small cut he had reveled under the dirt on her knee
“Ooh” Crissie winced as she sat perched on his jacket.
“I wish I had a plaster on me” he said “it would stop you bleeding onto your tights”
“I have one in my bag” she said triumphantly “I was worried I might get a blister with these shoes”
She went in her bag and presented him with the plaster and he had his right hand under her knee as he applied it.
And then they sat on the rocks as they soaked their feet in one of the deepest pools until it was time for her to get back to the Hotel.
After she had put her tights back on they followed the path of the falls back down towards the perimeter road.
As they approached the old bridge she stumbled and he caught her before she slid down into the glistening in the water.
“Oops” she exclaimed and turned her face towards his and he decided to seize the moment and put his lips to hers once, twice and then a third time when their mouths gently sealed on each other’s and their tongues engaged.
It only lasted a few moments and when their lips parted he said
“Happy birthday”
In response she gave a heavy sigh and said
“Wow that was a great birthday kiss”
And then she reached up to him, “Again please”
But Manny put his finger up to her lips
“Too many kisses will make you late for the wedding breakfast” he said
“Again” she pleaded and their lips met again, but this time in a longer deeper more sensual union and when he broke away Crissie sighed again.
“You know what this means?” he asked
“Yes” she said and put her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth
“You’re my boyfriend”
“Yes you’re my girl” he confirmed and the after another kiss Manny walked her down perimeter road to the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel for the wedding breakfast and kissed her again.
While she was with her family he went into the village to do some shopping and later that evening he was waiting in the shadows when Crissie came out in response to his text.
“Here you are birthday girl” he said to her “I have a birthday gift for you”
“A present” she said, giggling and blushing to her roots
When she opened the little package to reveal a Gold locket and inside it read “To my girl Crissie”.
She threw herself at him and showered him with kisses
“I love it, I love it” she said and hugged him, after a moment or two she said coyly
Downshire is a relatively small English county but like a pocket battleship it packs a lot in, a short but beautiful coastline, a channel port, the Ancient forests of Dancingdean and Pepperstock, the craggy ridges and manmade lakes of the Pepperstock Hills National Park, the rolling hills of the Downshire Downs, the beautiful Finchbottom Vale and farm land as far as the eye can see, from the Trotwood’s and the Grace’s in the south to the home of the Downshire Light infantry, Nettlefield, and their affluent neighbour’s, Roespring and Tipton in the North but it’s in the Village of Shallowfield where our story takes place.
Shallowfield lay on the southern edge of the Finchbottom Vale and Shallowfield’s fortunes had always relied largely upon forestry and agriculture for its survival.
In the post war years with rationing and a shortage of work a lot of people moved away, to Abbottsford, Abbeyvale and beyond, and it only barely survived.
And the community around Teardrop Lake fared even worse.
Only a few of the houses around the Lake were thriving, a lot of the houses had been rented out and those that hadn’t were in a poor state of repair, some too such an extent they were little more than ruins.
But by the 70s things were beginning to change, thanks mainly to tourism and an increase in leisure time.
More importantly these people had money in their pockets.
This trend was reflected by the fact that the derelict Shallowfield Lodge, which had been inherited by a young couple from Lincolnshire, Rob and Sheryl Brown, was turned into a hotel.
Its completion formerly marked the rebirth of Teardrop Lake and by extension Shallowfield.
Triplets, Dale, Manny and Paul Smith had just graduated from Abbottsford University and were spending the summer with their uncle Julius, who was the Vicar of St Jude’s church in Shallowfield, which was where they met the Nichols sisters.
They had been at their Uncles for less than a week when they walked up to the village green to attend the Village summer Fête, but even though they had only been there a few days they were not newcomers as they had spent every holiday there for as long as they could remember and had made a lot of friends among the younger members of the village population over the years.
The Fête was very well attended but despite not being strangers they didn’t really know many of the people in attendance but they thought they would take a look, show willing at least, so they went on a few of the side shows and drank a couple of pints in the beer tent and by late afternoon, a combination of too much beer on an empty stomach and the heat of the sun had left them all a little light headed so they decided to call it a day and headed back across the field in the direction of the Vicarage.
But they only got about half way across the field when they were two of the Nichols girls, Crissie and Sharlene and they turned in unison to see them tottering towards them across the grass, shoes in hand and ever so slightly tipsy.
The twin girls were not only sisters, but were also best friends, quite inseparable and Manny and Paul thought them very gorgeous, and had been in love with them foe three years, but alas when they fell for them the girls were only 15, even though they kept reminding them that they were actually 15 and three quarters.
Sadly that three quarters was not going to keep them off the sex offenders register if they did what red bloodied young men of 18 might think of doing.
But they were both lovely girls and he liked them a lot but they decided to keep them at arm’s length until they turned 16, unfortunately another opportunity never presented itself in the following three years so that seemed to be that, until that summer.
Crissie was the younger of the two by a few minutes, five foot two red hair and pale complexion and cutely freckled while Sharlene was an inch shorter with a strawberry blonde hair and alabaster skin.
They were both stunningly beautiful and wearing low cut summer dresses they looked even more so.
They tottered up alongside them, each taking an arm, Sharlene as always was flirting outrageously.
“Can we come back to the Vicarage Paul?” Sharlene said
“Then we could have another drink”
“It’s not like we’re drunk or anything” Crissie chipped in
“Can we?” Sharlene said again
“Please Manny?” Crissie added
“Ok” he said, “as long as you behave”
“What will you do if we don’t?” asked Sharlene
“Will you spank us?” Crissie said and giggled
“You’ll get us shot” Paul said
Being over six feet tall and being arm in arm with the two girls gave them a height advantage of more than a foot, affording them a wonderful view down the front of their low cut dresses, they knew they shouldn’t have looked but even for good Christian boys it was difficult to resist the temptation.
Dale who was the only one of the boys not to have a gorgeous girl on his arm looked on and smiled as his brothers struggled with the moral repercussions of ogling young girl’s breasts.
(Part 02)
Being over six feet tall and being arm in arm with the two girls gave them a height advantage of more than a foot, affording them a wonderful view down the front of their low cut dresses, they knew they shouldn’t have looked but even for good Christian boys it was difficult to resist the temptation.
Dale who was the only one of the boys not to have a gorgeous girl on his arm looked on and smiled as his brothers struggled with the moral repercussions of ogling young girl’s breasts.
Sharlene saw Paul looking down her top and giggled so he didn’t look away.
Then she compared she whispered to her sister about what Manny was doing and she blushed scarlet but made no attempt to prevent him from looking either.
When they reached the Vicarage Dale left his brothers and the giggling flirts outside while he went inside to get the drinks, which given the girls inebriation and his own light-headedness he decided not to fuel the flames with more alcohol, so when he joined the others on the patio, which was now in the shade and put a tray full of soft drinks on the table which on reflection was the wisest thing to do despite protests from the girls.
And then about ten minutes, Gail Nichols emerged through the garden gate and she was also wearing a summer dress, she was the older sister, and was the one that Dale had set his cap at, and thought she was equally gorgeous to her siblings, a few inches taller with a rounder curvier figure than her siblings, but for Dale she was perfection.
“Well no surprise to find Smith boys surrounded by pretty girls” She said
“Is that why you’ve joined us?” Dale said
“I’m not one of the pretty girls” she said coyly “I’ve just come to collect my sisters”
“But we’re having fun” Crissie protested
“I’m sure you sure but it’s time to go” Gail said
“Do you want a drink?” Dale asked
“Yes please” Sharlene replied eagerly
“Me too” giggled Crissie
“I wasn’t asking you two, you’ve had enough” Dale said “I was asking Gail”
“No thanks but another time when you’re not surrounded by pretty girls” she replied “mum and dad are waiting”
“As I said before you’re one of them” he said
“I’m not pretty,” she snorted
“No, you’re beautiful” he corrected her and she turned her head away coyly.
He imagined her coy denial about being one of the pretty girls was either false modesty or she was fishing for compliments.
Just at that moment the back gate swung open and Uncle Julius walked up the garden.
“Hello girls” he said jovially and there followed five minutes of light hearted chattering and then the girls went on their way.
The Smith boys watched them as the three girls tottered down the lawn and when they reached the gate all three turned and waved and Sharlene blew a kiss.
“They are sweet young things aren’t they?” the Vicar said
“Yes Uncle” Dale agreed but to himself he added “and I have a very sweet tooth”
For years he had fantasied about him and Gail and he looked forward to when he could turn the fantasy into reality as it turned out he didn’t have to wait too long, to his surprise it was the next day, that his fantasy was made manifest.
The day after the Smith boys entertained the Nichols sisters in the vicarage garden Manny and Paul went sailing up at Teardrop Lake while Dale remained at the vicarage catching up on his reading.
But by the time they had finished on the Lake for the day back at the Vicarage, Dale had put his book down for the day and was kissing Gail Nichols for the first time which turned out to be the first step on a life long journey.
But Dale wasn’t the only member of the Smith family to have a penchant for a Nichols girl but it was a week later before cupid hit the mark for a second time.
(Part 03)
When Manny woke up on Saturday morning he was alone, Dale had driven Uncle Julian into Abbottsford for the day and Paul was in Sharpington for a stag weekend.
As it was a nice day he left the Vicarage to take a walk up to Teardrop Lake.
He followed the Lane that ran parallel to the River Brooke as it flowed from the head of the lake and on towards Shallowfield and beyond.
He headed past the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel and then the lane joined the perimeter road which circled the lake and he took the northern side.
Teardrop Lake and the surrounding woodland was privately owned and divided into twelve parcels, each with one significant dwelling on it although there were a number of cottages dotted around the woods as well, some in use and some not.
It was both idyllic and peaceful, there was little or no noise pollution and although the lake was used there were no speed boats or jet skis, only rowing boats, canoes, dinghies and skiffs.
Manny and his brothers learned to sail on the Lake
But there was more to Teardrop than the lake, there were two follies, a Watch tower, and Olwen’s chapel as well as a waterfall, brooks, streams, a 16th Century Bridge and lovers leap.
He was just approaching the 16th Century Stone bridge when he started to feel the heat so he decided to leave the road in favour of the coolness of the woods in a dense area of ancient woodland, and followed the path that threaded its way through the woods which was a well-trod path that meandered its way towards the waterfall and he was halfway along the path, he heard a voice behind him.
“Wait for me Manny” the voice said, “wait for me, wait for me”
Manny turned around but he couldn’t see who it was
“Wait for me” they continued shouting a little louder this time and then crash, a girl came running around an oak tree and hurtled straight into him and they both ended up on the floor, the girl was the object of his affections Crissie Nichols.
“Ouch” she said rubbing her left knee.
“Are you ok?” he asked as he helped her to her feet.
“Just banged my knee a bit,” she said laughing
“I didn’t think I was that close to you”
She was a very pretty girl, five foot two red hair and pale complexion and cutely freckled and his heart soared when he looked at her.
“Happy birthday by the way” he said suddenly remembering.
“Thank you,” she said grinning
She looked very cute in a yellow lacey fascinator with small white flowers.
Crissie was wearing a very smart yellow outfit, consisting of double breasted jacket, a pleated flared skirt, cream tights, and a white blouse and court shoes.
“Aren’t you a bit overdressed for walking in the woods?” he enquired
“Yes, a bit I suppose” she agreed
“Is there a reason?” he pressed
“Oh yes, it’s my Aunties wedding” she replied
“So why are you here?”
“The reception is at the Lodge but it doesn’t start until three so I had a couple of hours to kill once the photos were done, and I saw you walk by so I thought I’d hang with you” she replied as she began to brush dust off her legs and was making it worse so he fished out a hankie from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Use that” he said “that will help for the moment”
Crissie rubbed at it and winced, but again it wasn’t improving things at all.
“Come on, come to the falls and we’ll get you cleaned up”
“Ok” she said brightly, as that was precisely what she had in mind when she chased him through the woods.
(Part 04)
From the spot where they collided they headed towards Shoe Buckle Falls, so named, so legend had it, after a 17th century fugitive Cavalier who was pursued into the forest by parliamentarian soldiers but disappeared in the vicinity of the falls and all they ever found of him was his shoe buckle.
The falls were not grand or spectacular but they were nice enough.
The water tumbled and spilled over the rocks gathering briefly in deep pools and then tumbling down again to the next pool.
It was dark beneath the ancient trees and refreshingly cool as the misty spray settled on them.
The rocks and trees closest to the falls were covered in bright green lichens.
“Bad luck having to share your 16th Birthday with a family wedding” he said as they walked towards the falls.
“Oh no it was great, I got loads of presents from the guests” she said “I think I got more gifts from friends and family than the bride did”
“Talking of family, where are Gail and Sharlene?” he asked
Gail and Sharlene were her sister and the latter was also her best friend and they were inseparable.
“They’re at the Shallowfield Lodge waiting for the wedding breakfast to start” she said just as they arrived at the falls.
“I don’t think the dirt is coming off your tights I’m afraid” he said
“Oh God mums going to kill me” Crissie said
“There’s only one thing you can do then” he said “go and slip them off and rinse them in the pool, and I’ll hang them up, they’ll be dry in plenty of time for the reception”
“You’re a life saver” she said and got up and went behind a tree
When she returned she had taken off her tights and was holding the wet bundle in her hand.
“Ok I’ll take those, you go and sit down by the water” he said “but sit on my jacket otherwise you’ll be having to wash your skirt”
“That wouldn’t be good” she giggled and sat down as instructed.
And then he knelt down in front of her and took his hankie from his pocket a wet it in the pool and gently washed the dirt off her knee
“So what are you doing for your birthday?” he asked as he worked
“Mum and Dad are taking me and to a swanky restaurant in Purplemere” she said very pleased with herself.
“This might sting a bit,” he said as her dabbed at a small cut he had reveled under the dirt on her knee
“Ooh” Crissie winced as she sat perched on his jacket.
“I wish I had a plaster on me” he said “it would stop you bleeding onto your tights”
“I have one in my bag” she said triumphantly “I was worried I might get a blister with these shoes”
She went in her bag and presented him with the plaster and he had his right hand under her knee as he applied it.
And then they sat on the rocks as they soaked their feet in one of the deepest pools until it was time for her to get back to the Hotel.
After she had put her tights back on they followed the path of the falls back down towards the perimeter road.
As they approached the old bridge she stumbled and he caught her before she slid down into the glistening in the water.
“Oops” she exclaimed and turned her face towards his and he decided to seize the moment and put his lips to hers once, twice and then a third time when their mouths gently sealed on each other’s and their tongues engaged.
It only lasted a few moments and when their lips parted he said
“Happy birthday”
In response she gave a heavy sigh and said
“Wow that was a great birthday kiss”
And then she reached up to him, “Again please”
But Manny put his finger up to her lips
“Too many kisses will make you late for the wedding breakfast” he said
“Again” she pleaded and their lips met again, but this time in a longer deeper more sensual union and when he broke away Crissie sighed again.
“You know what this means?” he asked
“Yes” she said and put her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth
“You’re my boyfriend”
“Yes you’re my girl” he confirmed and the after another kiss Manny walked her down perimeter road to the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel for the wedding breakfast and kissed her again.
While she was with her family he went into the village to do some shopping and later that evening he was waiting in the shadows when Crissie came out in response to his text.
“Here you are birthday girl” he said to her “I have a birthday gift for you”
“A present” she said, giggling and blushing to her roots
When she opened the little package to reveal a Gold locket and inside it read “To my girl Crissie”.
She threw herself at him and showered him with kisses
“I love it, I love it” she said and hugged him, after a moment or two she said coyly
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Downshire Diary – (87) In the Club
Brian Myers was a thrice married and thrice divorced retired gentleman of leisure, 55 years of age and everything still in full working order, and he divided his time equally between the Lily Green Hollows Golf Club and the Sharpington Head Yacht Club.
Whichever venue it was he could normally be found in the bar or the restaurant and he was seldom alone, because he was a social animal.
Maureen Godfrey was in her late 40s and was a hardworking waitress at the Golf Club and was well aware of Brian’s foibles as she had been on the receiving end of his wit and charm on more than one occasion.
“Good afternoon ladies” she said addressing the two 50 somethings, Helen Cork and Katrina Last, sitting either side of him.
“And gentleman” she added in a tone that made it perfectly clear that she didn’t thing he was one.
“It’s nice to see you keeping such respectable company for a change” she continued then to the ladies again she added
“I hope he’s not leading you astray, he has such a lot of bad habits”
Helen blushed and Katrina gave him a knowing smile.
Maureen then gave him a look that said just stick with the old birds and behave yourself until I get off duty.
What she didn’t know of course was just how badly the two respectable old birds would have liked to behave with him had he given them and encouragement.
Katrina was at that very moment playing footsie with him underneath the table and Helen was fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat as she wondered what she had to do to catch her man.
What neither of them were aware of however was that Brian had eyes only for Maureen so after a very nice lunch in very pleasant company he decided to head for home to Highfinch and had a long afternoon nap to recharge the batteries before he got ready to spend the evening with the lovely Maureen when he intended to ask her to be the fourth Mrs. Myers.
Whichever venue it was he could normally be found in the bar or the restaurant and he was seldom alone, because he was a social animal.
Maureen Godfrey was in her late 40s and was a hardworking waitress at the Golf Club and was well aware of Brian’s foibles as she had been on the receiving end of his wit and charm on more than one occasion.
“Good afternoon ladies” she said addressing the two 50 somethings, Helen Cork and Katrina Last, sitting either side of him.
“And gentleman” she added in a tone that made it perfectly clear that she didn’t thing he was one.
“It’s nice to see you keeping such respectable company for a change” she continued then to the ladies again she added
“I hope he’s not leading you astray, he has such a lot of bad habits”
Helen blushed and Katrina gave him a knowing smile.
Maureen then gave him a look that said just stick with the old birds and behave yourself until I get off duty.
What she didn’t know of course was just how badly the two respectable old birds would have liked to behave with him had he given them and encouragement.
Katrina was at that very moment playing footsie with him underneath the table and Helen was fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat as she wondered what she had to do to catch her man.
What neither of them were aware of however was that Brian had eyes only for Maureen so after a very nice lunch in very pleasant company he decided to head for home to Highfinch and had a long afternoon nap to recharge the batteries before he got ready to spend the evening with the lovely Maureen when he intended to ask her to be the fourth Mrs. Myers.
Mornington-By-Mere – (87) Sleeping Arrangements
The Armstrong’s lived at West Side Farm on the other side of the village where there were a number of cottages and small houses on the Purplemere road and Dulcets Lane which formed the part of Mornington Village known as Manorside
While their kin, the Appleby’s and the Hancock’s had farms at the other end of the vale and they had all worked the land for many generations.
But they were very close knit families and every year they had a family holidays together similarly they often got together oh high days and holidays
So on Boxing Day of 2017 it was the turn of the Armstrong’s to host the Hancock’s and Appleby’s who journeyed to Mornington for a celebration meal.
All three had large families and when the children grew up and had girlfriends and boyfriends no one knew until everyone arrived exactly how many people they had to accommodate for food and sleeping births.
Given the distances involved and the fact that drink was normally taken in liberal quantities there was always a lot of people who stayed overnight which often caused a bit of a reshuffle on the accommodation front.
In the case of West Gate Farm it was further complicated by the fact that the lady of the house, Beth Armstrong, insisted that the unmarried couples sleep in separate rooms.
Mainly because she was a good Christian woman and didn’t want anything unsavory going on under her roof.
So the result of the segregation meant Peter Armstrong’s girlfriend Glenda had to share one of the spare rooms with his cousin Alana Hancock he was forced to endure their enforced separation on the lounge sofa as he had had to give up his own room for his aunt and uncle.
He found it difficult to drop off, partly because it wasn’t very comfortable but mainly because his head was rerunning the conversation he had an hour before with his girlfriend Glenda, in which she had told him she was breaking up with him.
But it wasn’t that so much that was troubling him because he had come to the conclusion that he didn’t actually mind.
After tossing and turning for about an hour and then just when his eyes were beginning to get heavy he suddenly had an acute need to pee so Peter tiptoed his way upstairs to the loo and relieved himself.
He was yawning as he stepped back onto the landing and was not really paying attention and so he bumped into Alana Hancock coming the other way.
There was an instance of recognition and then she pushed him back into the bathroom and planted a wet sensual kiss on his lips.
He had always had a soft spot for Alana but he thought she was out of his league, but that aside she was kissing him, however he immediately disengaged and said
“We can’t be doing that”
“Why not?” she asked
“My girlfriend is in the room you just came out of” he pointed out
“Not according to her” Alana said
“What?”
“Glenda told me she’d broken up with you” she said
“Oh yes” he said and kissed her
When they returned to their own beds Peter still couldn’t sleep but instead of his head being full of thoughts about his ex-girlfriend Glenda, it was now full to overflowing with images and thoughts about his new girlfriend Alana.
While their kin, the Appleby’s and the Hancock’s had farms at the other end of the vale and they had all worked the land for many generations.
But they were very close knit families and every year they had a family holidays together similarly they often got together oh high days and holidays
So on Boxing Day of 2017 it was the turn of the Armstrong’s to host the Hancock’s and Appleby’s who journeyed to Mornington for a celebration meal.
All three had large families and when the children grew up and had girlfriends and boyfriends no one knew until everyone arrived exactly how many people they had to accommodate for food and sleeping births.
Given the distances involved and the fact that drink was normally taken in liberal quantities there was always a lot of people who stayed overnight which often caused a bit of a reshuffle on the accommodation front.
In the case of West Gate Farm it was further complicated by the fact that the lady of the house, Beth Armstrong, insisted that the unmarried couples sleep in separate rooms.
Mainly because she was a good Christian woman and didn’t want anything unsavory going on under her roof.
So the result of the segregation meant Peter Armstrong’s girlfriend Glenda had to share one of the spare rooms with his cousin Alana Hancock he was forced to endure their enforced separation on the lounge sofa as he had had to give up his own room for his aunt and uncle.
He found it difficult to drop off, partly because it wasn’t very comfortable but mainly because his head was rerunning the conversation he had an hour before with his girlfriend Glenda, in which she had told him she was breaking up with him.
But it wasn’t that so much that was troubling him because he had come to the conclusion that he didn’t actually mind.
After tossing and turning for about an hour and then just when his eyes were beginning to get heavy he suddenly had an acute need to pee so Peter tiptoed his way upstairs to the loo and relieved himself.
He was yawning as he stepped back onto the landing and was not really paying attention and so he bumped into Alana Hancock coming the other way.
There was an instance of recognition and then she pushed him back into the bathroom and planted a wet sensual kiss on his lips.
He had always had a soft spot for Alana but he thought she was out of his league, but that aside she was kissing him, however he immediately disengaged and said
“We can’t be doing that”
“Why not?” she asked
“My girlfriend is in the room you just came out of” he pointed out
“Not according to her” Alana said
“What?”
“Glenda told me she’d broken up with you” she said
“Oh yes” he said and kissed her
When they returned to their own beds Peter still couldn’t sleep but instead of his head being full of thoughts about his ex-girlfriend Glenda, it was now full to overflowing with images and thoughts about his new girlfriend Alana.
Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (87) Yacht Club Rules
It was a beautiful summer day when Commander James Pendlebury drove towards the Sharpington Head Yacht Club.
He was on his way to buy a ticket for the Midsummer Ball which marked the end of the Regatta.
He parked the car in the member carpark and walked inside the Yacht Club and went directly to the office of Ivana Tombs.
Ivana was a very stern looking young woman with short brown hair who managed the commercial side of the club.
She never smiled and always peered superciliously over her specs at everyone, not a joyful looking person by any means.
He knocked on the door and was met with a surly monosyllabic response.
“Come” it uttered
So he went,
“Good morning Miss Tombs and how are you today?”
“What do you want Commander?” she snapped
“I’m very busy”
Trying to maintain his good mood he persevered.
“A ticket for the big bash please Miss Tombs”
“Do you by any chance mean the Sharpington Head Yacht Club Midsummer Ball?” she asked
“Yes that’s the one” he replied
“Just the one ticket?” she replied, “Not bringing a guest?”
“No just me” he replied “I figured I’ll just get lucky on the night”
“£90” she said getting up from her desk and preparing to walk over to the filling cabinet.
James made no effort to get out of the way and indeed narrowed the gap so she had to squeeze past him and rub her pert little bottom against him.
When she had got through the gap he followed very close behind her and positioned himself so that he could firstly stare down her gaping blouse at her beautiful lace cupped tits and then be in situ as she opened the draw and stepped backwards thus placing herself in his arms.
His position was perfect and she reversed right against him
“For goodness sake Commander Pendlebury” she barked
“I’m terribly sorry Miss Tombs, truly I am”
“£90” she snapped
He took out his wallet and paid her in cash, she took the money and along with the ticket she gave him a look that said
“Why are you still here? I have more important things to be doing”
“Good bye Miss Tombs and thank you” he said insincerely “Sorry again for my clumsiness”
But before he got to the door Miss Tombs got there first
“Just a word before you go Commander” she said quietly and started poking a bony finger in his chest
“If you do get lucky at the Ball on Saturday night and it’s not with me I’ll cut your rigging so you’ll only be able to take part in the ladies races next year”
Then she quickly glanced over her shoulder before she kissed him.
He was on his way to buy a ticket for the Midsummer Ball which marked the end of the Regatta.
He parked the car in the member carpark and walked inside the Yacht Club and went directly to the office of Ivana Tombs.
Ivana was a very stern looking young woman with short brown hair who managed the commercial side of the club.
She never smiled and always peered superciliously over her specs at everyone, not a joyful looking person by any means.
He knocked on the door and was met with a surly monosyllabic response.
“Come” it uttered
So he went,
“Good morning Miss Tombs and how are you today?”
“What do you want Commander?” she snapped
“I’m very busy”
Trying to maintain his good mood he persevered.
“A ticket for the big bash please Miss Tombs”
“Do you by any chance mean the Sharpington Head Yacht Club Midsummer Ball?” she asked
“Yes that’s the one” he replied
“Just the one ticket?” she replied, “Not bringing a guest?”
“No just me” he replied “I figured I’ll just get lucky on the night”
“£90” she said getting up from her desk and preparing to walk over to the filling cabinet.
James made no effort to get out of the way and indeed narrowed the gap so she had to squeeze past him and rub her pert little bottom against him.
When she had got through the gap he followed very close behind her and positioned himself so that he could firstly stare down her gaping blouse at her beautiful lace cupped tits and then be in situ as she opened the draw and stepped backwards thus placing herself in his arms.
His position was perfect and she reversed right against him
“For goodness sake Commander Pendlebury” she barked
“I’m terribly sorry Miss Tombs, truly I am”
“£90” she snapped
He took out his wallet and paid her in cash, she took the money and along with the ticket she gave him a look that said
“Why are you still here? I have more important things to be doing”
“Good bye Miss Tombs and thank you” he said insincerely “Sorry again for my clumsiness”
But before he got to the door Miss Tombs got there first
“Just a word before you go Commander” she said quietly and started poking a bony finger in his chest
“If you do get lucky at the Ball on Saturday night and it’s not with me I’ll cut your rigging so you’ll only be able to take part in the ladies races next year”
Then she quickly glanced over her shoulder before she kissed him.
Those Memories Made on Teardrop Lake – (87) Office at the Claremont Hotel
(Part 01)
Shallowfield sat on the southern edge of the Finchbottom Vale and was bordered on the other side by the Dancingdean forest and the town’s fortunes had always relied largely upon forestry and agriculture for its survival.
In the post war years with rationing and a shortage of work a lot of people moved away from the area and it only just survived and the community around Teardrop Lake fared even worse.
Only a few of the houses around the Lake were thriving, a lot of the houses had been rented out and those that hadn’t were in a poor state of repair, some too such an extent they were little more than ruins.
But by the 70s however things were beginning to change, thanks mainly to tourism as a result of an increase in leisure time.
This trend was reflected by the fact that the previously derelict Shallowfield Lodge, which had been inherited by a young couple from Lincolnshire, Rob and Sheryl Brown, was being turned into a Hotel.
From then on Shallowfield went from strength to strength which was echoed by the fortunes of the Claremont Hotel.
It was once the home of a wealthy Downshire family but like so many similar great houses in the county it fell into disuse as the fortunes of the owners suffered after the Great War.
It had had many reincarnations since then, particularly in the years between the wars and had been used for many things over the post war years but it wasn’t until the 60s that it became The Claremont Hotel.
However things had got tough in the Hotel trade with the success of Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express and so places like the Claremont needed to offer something extra to attract the guests.
In the early summer a new manager was appointed, Matthew Millward, and he was an instant hit with the locals because he was young, tall, dark and handsome, physically fit, well-toned and had a reputation as a fair minded guy, which had very much preceded him.
He was 28 years old and his father owned the Millward Manor chain of hotels and he was grooming him to one day take over the reins of his worldwide hotel empire, the problem was that Matt had no head for business and he felt that he was more of an artistic soul.
Which could possibly have been ignored but for the fact that he had broken off his engagement with the granddaughter of his father’s oldest friend.
However that in itself wasn’t what had him exiled, it was Elaine’s attempted suicide, not that his action had caused her mental meltdown, it was rather more her mental instability being the deciding factor that forced him to end the engagement.
So it was decided to send Matt to the Claremont Hotel where he could do no real harm until the dust settled.
When he first found out he was being sent to Shallowfield, Matt was very unhappy, he was a city boy, born and bred, and he viewed being sent to the country as purgatory, but no one was more surprised than he was when he found that he actually loved it, it was a beautiful place, it was quiet and the air was clean and he felt immediately at home.
(Part 02)
When he first found out he was being sent to Shallowfield Matt was very unhappy, he was a city boy, born and bred, and he viewed being sent to the country as purgatory, but no one was more surprised than he was when he found that he actually loved it, it was a beautiful place, it was quiet and the air was clean and he felt immediately at home.
After the broken engagement and the resulting fall out Matthew Millward decided that he would not under any circumstances get himself romantically entangled while he was on punishment duty.
But there is a very apt saying which goes “never on your own doorstep” which he had clearly never heard because on his first day he fell head over heels for the Hospitality Manager, Sarah Poole, although in his defence the feeling was mutual.
Although apart from two very passionate kisses, the first initiated by her and the second by him, and the fact they were hopelessly in love with each other nothing else happened.
She was five foot eight with short red hair, in a pixie cut, mesmerizing green eyes and a cute figure with curves in all the right places and long slender legs.
Sarah was 26 years old and wasn’t looking for a relationship either because she was married, albeit to an alcoholic who hadn’t had shown her any marital attention for two years but she was still married to him nonetheless.
Sarah had worked at the hotel for since she left school, five years in housekeeping, five more in hospitality, and for two of those as Manager and she loved her job.
Despite the fact that Matthew was sent to the Claremont as a punishment and possessed no head for business he surprised his father as well as himself by doing a very acceptable job of managing the hotel and had grown the corporate side of the business and it was becoming a very popular venue for functions.
This was as a result in no small measure to his decision to promote the former Hospitality Manager Sarah Poole.
This was after Martin Tyrer tendered his resignation, he had been a loyal employee of the Millward Manor group for ten years and had been the Assistant Manager at the Claremont for 5 of those and when the Manager’s vacancy came up he believed he was a shoe in for the job.
So when Matthew Millward was parachuted in over his head it was just too much for him to take.
It left Matthew in a very difficult position as he needed someone who knew the place inside out and Sarah Poole was the only person that really fitted the bill so he offered her the job.
Matthews father was particularly pleased with him, there had been no reported mishaps and he had turned around the fortunes of the hotel, and so he invited him up to Abbottsford for the weekend for a celebratory meal but as he was conscious that his success was due more to Sarah Poole’s efforts than his own he dragged her along as well.
(Part 03)
Matthew Millward’s arrival at the hotel had a massive impact on Sarah Poole, and not just the fact that she fell in love with him at first sight and the relationship that had developed between them after she had stolen a kiss on his first day.
She had been promoted from Hospitality Manager into the assistant manager’s position and she had been able to leave her alcoholic husband because she was living in the Gate Lodge.
Matthew had decided that because she had done such a wonderful job to such an extent that she was making him look good, coupled with the fact that he was in love with her, he decided she deserved a reward, and he knew just the thing.
In November Sarah had a week off to move the remainder of her possessions from her former marital home in the village to her new home at the Gate Lodge.
Her alcoholic, soon to be ex-husband Ken was still living there but had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly a few days earlier so she took her opportunity to strike while the iron was hot and remove every trace of herself from that unhappy place and then she was done with him for good and all.
While she was away Matthew took the opportunity to reward her for her hard work and so when she returned after her week off he intercepted her before she had a chance to go in his office.
“Good morning Miss Poole, how are you?” he asked pompously
“I’m very well Mr Millward” she replied in kind
“Did you have a good week off?” he said less formerly
“Brilliant” she respond and tried to go into the office
“No not in there, let’s go in here” he suggested indicating an adjacent door.
“I’m not going in the stationary cupboard with you just because you missed me” she whispered in case she was overheard by the unusually large number of people milling around.
“I’m not suggesting we go in there for my personal gratification” he whispered back
“So this is business?” she asked
“Very much so” he replied
So reluctantly, and still harbouring suspicions, she opened the door and the room was in total darkness and she was even more suspicious.
“It’s dark” she said stating the obvious
“Then switch the light on” Matthew said
“I don’t trust you” she said and reached her hand in and found the switch and when the lights came on her jaw dropped.
It was no longer a stationary cupboard, full of clutter, it was an office, a smaller one than Matthew’s but it was an office nonetheless.
“Welcome to the Assistant Managers Office” he said
“This is for me?” she asked in total disbelief
“Only until such time as I can find a better Assistant Manager” he replied and she punched his arm.
“Go in and make yourself at home” he said “I have a meeting in Abbottsford so I’ll see you later”
“Thank you” she said and touched his hand, she wanted to kiss him but there were too many people around, she would have to do it later in the day.
It was after nine when Matthew’s car returned to the Hotel and Sarah got up from her desk, she liked the way that sounded, her desk, in her office, and went out to intercept him.
“Ah Mr Millward, may I see you in my office?” she said
“Of course you may” he replied
“Is it entirely to your liking?”
“Oh yes I love it” she replied as she closed the door.
“What can I do for you?” he asked
“I need something” she replied
“What?” he asked
“This” she replied and kissed him and after she had taken the kiss
He asked
“Was that what you had in mind?”
But Sarah didn’t answer however the smile on her face spoke a thousand words.
Shallowfield sat on the southern edge of the Finchbottom Vale and was bordered on the other side by the Dancingdean forest and the town’s fortunes had always relied largely upon forestry and agriculture for its survival.
In the post war years with rationing and a shortage of work a lot of people moved away from the area and it only just survived and the community around Teardrop Lake fared even worse.
Only a few of the houses around the Lake were thriving, a lot of the houses had been rented out and those that hadn’t were in a poor state of repair, some too such an extent they were little more than ruins.
But by the 70s however things were beginning to change, thanks mainly to tourism as a result of an increase in leisure time.
This trend was reflected by the fact that the previously derelict Shallowfield Lodge, which had been inherited by a young couple from Lincolnshire, Rob and Sheryl Brown, was being turned into a Hotel.
From then on Shallowfield went from strength to strength which was echoed by the fortunes of the Claremont Hotel.
It was once the home of a wealthy Downshire family but like so many similar great houses in the county it fell into disuse as the fortunes of the owners suffered after the Great War.
It had had many reincarnations since then, particularly in the years between the wars and had been used for many things over the post war years but it wasn’t until the 60s that it became The Claremont Hotel.
However things had got tough in the Hotel trade with the success of Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express and so places like the Claremont needed to offer something extra to attract the guests.
In the early summer a new manager was appointed, Matthew Millward, and he was an instant hit with the locals because he was young, tall, dark and handsome, physically fit, well-toned and had a reputation as a fair minded guy, which had very much preceded him.
He was 28 years old and his father owned the Millward Manor chain of hotels and he was grooming him to one day take over the reins of his worldwide hotel empire, the problem was that Matt had no head for business and he felt that he was more of an artistic soul.
Which could possibly have been ignored but for the fact that he had broken off his engagement with the granddaughter of his father’s oldest friend.
However that in itself wasn’t what had him exiled, it was Elaine’s attempted suicide, not that his action had caused her mental meltdown, it was rather more her mental instability being the deciding factor that forced him to end the engagement.
So it was decided to send Matt to the Claremont Hotel where he could do no real harm until the dust settled.
When he first found out he was being sent to Shallowfield, Matt was very unhappy, he was a city boy, born and bred, and he viewed being sent to the country as purgatory, but no one was more surprised than he was when he found that he actually loved it, it was a beautiful place, it was quiet and the air was clean and he felt immediately at home.
(Part 02)
When he first found out he was being sent to Shallowfield Matt was very unhappy, he was a city boy, born and bred, and he viewed being sent to the country as purgatory, but no one was more surprised than he was when he found that he actually loved it, it was a beautiful place, it was quiet and the air was clean and he felt immediately at home.
After the broken engagement and the resulting fall out Matthew Millward decided that he would not under any circumstances get himself romantically entangled while he was on punishment duty.
But there is a very apt saying which goes “never on your own doorstep” which he had clearly never heard because on his first day he fell head over heels for the Hospitality Manager, Sarah Poole, although in his defence the feeling was mutual.
Although apart from two very passionate kisses, the first initiated by her and the second by him, and the fact they were hopelessly in love with each other nothing else happened.
She was five foot eight with short red hair, in a pixie cut, mesmerizing green eyes and a cute figure with curves in all the right places and long slender legs.
Sarah was 26 years old and wasn’t looking for a relationship either because she was married, albeit to an alcoholic who hadn’t had shown her any marital attention for two years but she was still married to him nonetheless.
Sarah had worked at the hotel for since she left school, five years in housekeeping, five more in hospitality, and for two of those as Manager and she loved her job.
Despite the fact that Matthew was sent to the Claremont as a punishment and possessed no head for business he surprised his father as well as himself by doing a very acceptable job of managing the hotel and had grown the corporate side of the business and it was becoming a very popular venue for functions.
This was as a result in no small measure to his decision to promote the former Hospitality Manager Sarah Poole.
This was after Martin Tyrer tendered his resignation, he had been a loyal employee of the Millward Manor group for ten years and had been the Assistant Manager at the Claremont for 5 of those and when the Manager’s vacancy came up he believed he was a shoe in for the job.
So when Matthew Millward was parachuted in over his head it was just too much for him to take.
It left Matthew in a very difficult position as he needed someone who knew the place inside out and Sarah Poole was the only person that really fitted the bill so he offered her the job.
Matthews father was particularly pleased with him, there had been no reported mishaps and he had turned around the fortunes of the hotel, and so he invited him up to Abbottsford for the weekend for a celebratory meal but as he was conscious that his success was due more to Sarah Poole’s efforts than his own he dragged her along as well.
(Part 03)
Matthew Millward’s arrival at the hotel had a massive impact on Sarah Poole, and not just the fact that she fell in love with him at first sight and the relationship that had developed between them after she had stolen a kiss on his first day.
She had been promoted from Hospitality Manager into the assistant manager’s position and she had been able to leave her alcoholic husband because she was living in the Gate Lodge.
Matthew had decided that because she had done such a wonderful job to such an extent that she was making him look good, coupled with the fact that he was in love with her, he decided she deserved a reward, and he knew just the thing.
In November Sarah had a week off to move the remainder of her possessions from her former marital home in the village to her new home at the Gate Lodge.
Her alcoholic, soon to be ex-husband Ken was still living there but had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly a few days earlier so she took her opportunity to strike while the iron was hot and remove every trace of herself from that unhappy place and then she was done with him for good and all.
While she was away Matthew took the opportunity to reward her for her hard work and so when she returned after her week off he intercepted her before she had a chance to go in his office.
“Good morning Miss Poole, how are you?” he asked pompously
“I’m very well Mr Millward” she replied in kind
“Did you have a good week off?” he said less formerly
“Brilliant” she respond and tried to go into the office
“No not in there, let’s go in here” he suggested indicating an adjacent door.
“I’m not going in the stationary cupboard with you just because you missed me” she whispered in case she was overheard by the unusually large number of people milling around.
“I’m not suggesting we go in there for my personal gratification” he whispered back
“So this is business?” she asked
“Very much so” he replied
So reluctantly, and still harbouring suspicions, she opened the door and the room was in total darkness and she was even more suspicious.
“It’s dark” she said stating the obvious
“Then switch the light on” Matthew said
“I don’t trust you” she said and reached her hand in and found the switch and when the lights came on her jaw dropped.
It was no longer a stationary cupboard, full of clutter, it was an office, a smaller one than Matthew’s but it was an office nonetheless.
“Welcome to the Assistant Managers Office” he said
“This is for me?” she asked in total disbelief
“Only until such time as I can find a better Assistant Manager” he replied and she punched his arm.
“Go in and make yourself at home” he said “I have a meeting in Abbottsford so I’ll see you later”
“Thank you” she said and touched his hand, she wanted to kiss him but there were too many people around, she would have to do it later in the day.
It was after nine when Matthew’s car returned to the Hotel and Sarah got up from her desk, she liked the way that sounded, her desk, in her office, and went out to intercept him.
“Ah Mr Millward, may I see you in my office?” she said
“Of course you may” he replied
“Is it entirely to your liking?”
“Oh yes I love it” she replied as she closed the door.
“What can I do for you?” he asked
“I need something” she replied
“What?” he asked
“This” she replied and kissed him and after she had taken the kiss
He asked
“Was that what you had in mind?”
But Sarah didn’t answer however the smile on her face spoke a thousand words.
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Downshire Diary – (86) Are You Wearing Stockings?
Carl Daniels was in Beiderbecke’s, a moody Jazz Club in a seedy corner of Finchbottom.
It was just approaching 11 pm when he arrived and he already had several drinks under his belt and he had just ordered another drink at the bar when he spied her in the gloom, and their eyes met across the room.
He did a double take because he wasn’t expecting to see her there in the club.
Sarah Hammond had seen him come in, she had been there for an hour waiting for him, and she was beginning to think she had dressed up for nothing.
Carl liked what he saw and was surprised by it, she was so different from “Frumpy” Sarah who he saw in the library every day, but she had caught his eye even as a frump but Sarah didn’t know he was hooked already.
She thought she had to dress like a vamp to get his attention.
“Are you wearing stockings?” he asked himself as she got up and walked towards him.
Sarah had to weave in between tables and as she moved slalom like, and she shuffled sideways through narrow gaps.
But stockings or not, Carl very much liked what he saw as she got closer.
“Do you like what you see?” she asked
“I liked what I saw before” he replied
“Really?”
“I’ve always liked what I saw” he said and without speaking she took hold of his hand and led him from the club and when they got back to his flat he got the answer to the question
“Are you wearing stockings?”
It was just approaching 11 pm when he arrived and he already had several drinks under his belt and he had just ordered another drink at the bar when he spied her in the gloom, and their eyes met across the room.
He did a double take because he wasn’t expecting to see her there in the club.
Sarah Hammond had seen him come in, she had been there for an hour waiting for him, and she was beginning to think she had dressed up for nothing.
Carl liked what he saw and was surprised by it, she was so different from “Frumpy” Sarah who he saw in the library every day, but she had caught his eye even as a frump but Sarah didn’t know he was hooked already.
She thought she had to dress like a vamp to get his attention.
“Are you wearing stockings?” he asked himself as she got up and walked towards him.
Sarah had to weave in between tables and as she moved slalom like, and she shuffled sideways through narrow gaps.
But stockings or not, Carl very much liked what he saw as she got closer.
“Do you like what you see?” she asked
“I liked what I saw before” he replied
“Really?”
“I’ve always liked what I saw” he said and without speaking she took hold of his hand and led him from the club and when they got back to his flat he got the answer to the question
“Are you wearing stockings?”
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