Page 48 of The Fete of Summer

“Why do I need two?”

“Silly boy. The other’s meant for the person who shares their heart with you.”

“Oh. Not sure we’re quite there yet.”

“Perfectly fine, Nathan,” said Doris, wrapping her veined hand around his and smiling. “Keep them safe until you’re sure.”

Nathan wondered if Jaymes would notice if he wore a ring on his right hand the way Doris had described. Then again, maybe that would be a bit too much, considering the circumstances. When he held one ring up to the light, he smiled.

“She’d have wanted you to be happy, you know.”

“Sorry?”

“Your mother. She’d have wanted nothing more than to see you happy and settled.”

Nathan popped both rings into the pouch and put them into his pocket.

“How well did you know her, Doris?”

“Everyone knew your mother, dear. She was friendly enough with me and the other ladies of the village. Refused to join in the gossip and never had a bad word to say about anyone.”

Right then Arlene Killroy burst into the room, a huge black bag dangling heavily from one hand, her designer handbag in the other. Apart from being weighed down, she appeared in unusually high spirits.

“Nathan. Be a dear, will you? Go and help Jenny with the projector equipment. We’re having a bit of a production tonight. Got some wonderful things to show you.”

Over the next twenty minutes, as Mikey and Polly arrived, everyone took instructions from either Jenny or Arlene to set up the hall. Anticipation ran high when they arranged the usual horseshoe of chairs around a low table of canapés and a selection of drinks, including beer and wine, with the projector and screen set up at the open end.

“Well, everyone,” said Arlene, clapping her hands to get their attention once everyone had settled. “We’re going to dispense with the usual agenda this month because I’m absolutely delighted to report that it’s all good news. Very shortly we’ll be showcasing some of the football team calendar, which, I am pleased to report, has turned out better than anyone could have expected. I’ll let Jenny talk more about that and some other amazing developments. In addition, I have a three-dimensional computer-animated walkthrough of the plan for the fête, something my husband’s department helped create, so you can see where every stall will be set up. And before I start, let me tell you that all village stores remain pride of place on the green. The last thing I’ll talk to you about is a couple of the sponsors I’ve approached. As usual, let’s open this up to any comments or suggestions. Now I’m going to hand proceedings over to Jenny.”

“Thank you, Arlene. So, if I tell you I was initially sceptical about this idea, I’m certain you’ll understand. I know some of you had doubts yourselves,” she said, glancing around, her gaze settling on Nathan. “Even in the studio, many team members had reservations. But I can tell you here and now that, as Arlene intimated in her introduction, I am both delighted and immensely proud of the result. Personally and professionally. What I’m going to show you tonight is only a draft of the final version—some of the twelve players still need to sign consent forms for us to use their images—but even so, I hope you see the quality and potential. Father Mulligan, can you get the lights, please?”

As the lights dimmed, Jenny prodded keys on her laptop until the first slide popped up. A plain white screen had the black wordsCrumbington United Uncoveredheading the empty slide.

“We’re still in two minds what to have here. Arlene and I wondered about a team photograph in the changing room, but logistically, that’s difficult to organise.”

“Pop along Sunday,” said Mikey. “Everyone’ll be there for the game against Christchurch.”

“A nice idea in theory,” said Jenny. “But a candid shot of the team without the professional touches of all the other photos is going to look out of place. To have that on the front cover might cheapen the overall effect. Once you’ve seen more, you’ll understand what I mean. I’m already considering having a collage of all the team shots in December. But for the cover, I’m actually thinking along the lines of having a monochrome shot of a recently vacated changing room. But let’s keep an open mind as you see the other photos. Okay, these are in no particular order. Let’s start with Ken Mills, the gym instructor.”

As soon as the shot appeared, Nathan understood exactly what Jenny meant. Professional. Pure resolution, skin tones and sensuality, the shot was exquisite. With the gym wall bars as a backdrop, a naked Ken scaled a thick braided rope held tightly between his hairy thighs, the corded muscles of his arms and defined furry chest, his feet crossed around the rope at the ankles and his handsome features in full view even though his concentration was fixed on a spot above his head.

“Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt,” whispered Polly, next to him. “Is that really young Kenny Mills? If so, I need to change my personal trainer.”

“Sorry, Polly,” Nathan whispered back. “But he bats for my team.”

“Of course he does.”

“Arby, dear. Can you give me a top up and some more ice?” asked Doris, holding out her plastic cup to him. “And I’m going to need a lot more if they’re all like this.”

The following photograph had everyone laughing. Mikey—stark naked with his hairless skin oiled liberally and caught by the studio lights—held a meat cleaver in his hand, which appeared to have just sunk into the surface of a thick wooden trestle to cover his groin area. With a startled but comical look directly at the camera, his other hand held the rim of his white butcher’s hat, which had the words ‘Fresh Meat’ plastered across the top in red. It looked as though whatever he was supposed to be chopping had just escaped. Either that, or he had just managed to avoid chopping off his private parts. But once the laughter died down, and at second glance, Nathan realised how Jenny had captured Mikey perfectly, his comical personality and his fantastic body, large and muscled, which dwarfed the trestle.

“Fresh meat, indeed,” said Polly. “What did your wife make of this, Mikey?”

“You’re the first to have seen Michael’s photo,” said Jenny.

“Well, when she does finally get a peek at this one,” said Polly. “Make sure your mother-in-law has the kids for the night.”

Everyone laughed, but with a quick look at Mikey, Nathan could see pride shining in his eyes. Sat next to him, he leant over and nudged Mikey in the ribs.

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