Re: Mystery Email ( Part 49 November 30th )
Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:39 am
Part Forty-Nine
When break time came, Lexie quickly grabbed me by the arm to forestall any thought of retreating behind my screen. "'Ditty's mum's brought some great tasting samosas" she explained. With the extra attendees this week, it was a very crowded kitchen area. "Don't get too close to Rob, you might get fake tan on your clothes girls" Audrey laughed. "Don't worry, it's quick drying and should have soaked intro his skin by now" Anoushka reassured them. "So get as close as you like" she laughed. "I never expected to be getting to see so much of my neighbour" Audrey laughed in turn.
Alison came up with a plump black matron who had been a regular at the classes but had never spoken to me. Alison was flush from her triumph of being elected chairwoman of the guild, supposedly one of her incentives for roping me into posing for Sky's classes in the first place. "Rob, this is Angela" she introduced me. "You'll have seen her here before I'm sure." We exchanged pleasantries before Alison announced, "Angela is organising a special dinner here in the hall next week with the ladies of the Afro-Caribbean section of the guild. It's to mark black history month and they've invited a special speaker. She was wondering if you would be free to act as their naked waiter ?"
I was taken aback, the mounting escalations in my situation seeming to be never ending. This was one I had to turn down and used work as an excuse. "I'm so sorry but I'm on-call with my company next week, providing overnight technical support." Unfortunately for me, Karen had sidled over and overheard the conversation. "Don't worry about that Rob. I'll arrange for Martin to take the pager for the night. You can reciprocate some time" she said with a grin. "The company is always glad to reach out to all corners of the local community" she continued ingratiatingly. "Wonderful" beamed Angela. "I'm doing the catering and so me and Aditty will be here in the kitchen to look after you" said Anoushka. "I know one of the big themes this year for black history month is reparations for colonial abuses. Think of this as doing your bit to pay back Rob" Karen laughed, as the others enjoyed the joke. "Can I come ? I can help in the kitchen" Lexie cried. "We can always use an extra pair of hands I guess, if it's OK with you Alison" Anoushka replied. "As long as you do your homework first" Alison answered to Lexie's evident delight.
The second half of the class passed without incident. My mind was too pre-occupied with thoughts of what sort of occasion it would be next week. "Thanks so much for posing for us this term Rob" said Sky. "The ladies have all appreciated it and I've seen some of them making great progress. I'll have to think up a programme for next term !"
I used work as an excuse to decline Alison's invitation to Sunday roast this week and this time Karen did not intervene. I needed some time to myself to get my head together !
When break time came, Lexie quickly grabbed me by the arm to forestall any thought of retreating behind my screen. "'Ditty's mum's brought some great tasting samosas" she explained. With the extra attendees this week, it was a very crowded kitchen area. "Don't get too close to Rob, you might get fake tan on your clothes girls" Audrey laughed. "Don't worry, it's quick drying and should have soaked intro his skin by now" Anoushka reassured them. "So get as close as you like" she laughed. "I never expected to be getting to see so much of my neighbour" Audrey laughed in turn.
Alison came up with a plump black matron who had been a regular at the classes but had never spoken to me. Alison was flush from her triumph of being elected chairwoman of the guild, supposedly one of her incentives for roping me into posing for Sky's classes in the first place. "Rob, this is Angela" she introduced me. "You'll have seen her here before I'm sure." We exchanged pleasantries before Alison announced, "Angela is organising a special dinner here in the hall next week with the ladies of the Afro-Caribbean section of the guild. It's to mark black history month and they've invited a special speaker. She was wondering if you would be free to act as their naked waiter ?"
I was taken aback, the mounting escalations in my situation seeming to be never ending. This was one I had to turn down and used work as an excuse. "I'm so sorry but I'm on-call with my company next week, providing overnight technical support." Unfortunately for me, Karen had sidled over and overheard the conversation. "Don't worry about that Rob. I'll arrange for Martin to take the pager for the night. You can reciprocate some time" she said with a grin. "The company is always glad to reach out to all corners of the local community" she continued ingratiatingly. "Wonderful" beamed Angela. "I'm doing the catering and so me and Aditty will be here in the kitchen to look after you" said Anoushka. "I know one of the big themes this year for black history month is reparations for colonial abuses. Think of this as doing your bit to pay back Rob" Karen laughed, as the others enjoyed the joke. "Can I come ? I can help in the kitchen" Lexie cried. "We can always use an extra pair of hands I guess, if it's OK with you Alison" Anoushka replied. "As long as you do your homework first" Alison answered to Lexie's evident delight.
The second half of the class passed without incident. My mind was too pre-occupied with thoughts of what sort of occasion it would be next week. "Thanks so much for posing for us this term Rob" said Sky. "The ladies have all appreciated it and I've seen some of them making great progress. I'll have to think up a programme for next term !"
I used work as an excuse to decline Alison's invitation to Sunday roast this week and this time Karen did not intervene. I needed some time to myself to get my head together !