A Tea for the Tillerman Acte 3

A Tea for the Tillerman

Acte 3

 

Tea Party Shenanigans

 

The next hour and generous half were spent in a blur of social mixing, handing out and receiving compliments alike.

 

Most of which were genuine. For there were some rather pretty outfits being worn and equally pretty baubles. Ginny held her own against them, while I sometimes felt the pauper.

 

We had made a full circle before finding ourselves at the tea table standing next to mum, as we finally partook of the refreshments now fully laid out.

 

Mum was not much company, however, as the seemingly never-ending stream of guests, making their way in line, stopped to talk with her first.

 

Ginny and I, sharing a knowing look, grabbed ourselves a goblet of red wine each and fled to the sanctuary of the back garden for some relief and solitude over being social butterflies.

 

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Ginny and I go into the garden drinking from our goblets of wine. These were not our first drinks of wine, plus what we had had at the pub, and I’ll admit we were both a bit light-headed and giggly at this point.

 

Cleo, the neighborhood cat, is sunning himself by the small pagoda. Ginny gives me her goblet and bends down to pet the lazy fat bugger who probably last caught a mouse some 3 of his lives ago.

 

As she petted the scoundrel, Ginny’s dangling pendant was dripping in its’ display of brilliant, gloriously fiery cascading sparkles.

 

As I stared at the mesmerizing show of her necklace. I became aware of giggling young girls close at hand.

 

Ginny was still absorbed in petting the loudly purring Cleo, so I went off to find the source. without saying anything to disturb the pairs' bliss.

 

In the very backside of the garden, there is a white wrought iron bench. This was in the area I called the secret garden since it was surrounded by shrubs on the house side. My brother and I played many a game in this area, and in the wooded acres on the other side.

 

That was where I pinpointed that the giggling was coming from.

 

Feeling it was a time to be clandestine, I snuck up and peered through a gap in the shrubs…

 

There were three of them.

 

Twelve-year-old Estella, little Claire, and oddly enough, the “Wood Bead lady”. There was no sign of Mrs. Shannon or Gabrielle.

 

Apparently, the trio was playing a game of keep-away.

 

Claire was running between the other two as they tried to catch her. She was holding the wood beaded necklace that the “Wood Bead Lady” had been wearing. Estella soon captured the squirming tyke and taking the wood beads from her, gave them back to the waiting adult. Then Claire squirmed free and was hoisted up by the “Wood Bead Lady”. Estella then went to the bench, facing away from the pair.

 

“Wood Bead Lady” then put Claire down and pointed out Estella.

 

Giggling, Claire went over to Estella and pulled at her dress, holding her arms up to be held. Estella bent down, her black and white striped taffeta dress shimmering, and picked her up. Claire ran her arms up and hugged Estella.

 

As she did, the little nymph nimbly unhooked the rhinestone necklace and let it fall away from Estella’s throat.

 

Indicating she wanted down, she ran back behind Estella, scooped up the necklace from the grass, and went to the waiting “Wood Bead Lady” who pick her up, tickling the squealing child.

 

An odd game I thought, but at least the lady was keeping the toddler (and Estella)out of mischief.

 

I debated going back to gather Ginny and show her for a laugh, when I realized a sudden, undeniable urge, to go potty was making me tingle.

 

I slinked away, not wishing to disturb the happily playing group.

 

I go back and see that Ginny is still sitting on the pagodas’ steps petting Cleo.

 

I hailed her.

 

“Hey luv, I need to freshen up”

 

Ginny, sitting comfortably, hesitatingly asks if I need her to come along.

 

I laugh, coming up alongside the steps.

 

“No. I'm a big girl now...

 

I pick up her now empty goblet and walk away, saying…

 

“I’ll bring us back some refills”

 

I whip back around, giving Ginny and smirking eye…

 

“You just stay here and play with your pussy.”

 

Giggling, I dodged the pebble she threw at me, and lifting my skirt with my free hand, scurried off as quick as my heeled shoes would let me.

 

 

Heading back onto the green of the party area, I was soon waylaid by one of the guests, Cassie, who was a friend of Ginny’s mum.

 

I had not realized she was coming, for it was her first time here at one of our teas.

 

She was smashing in the looks department. Her long brown hair was tied in the back with a fancy pleat. Cassie was wearing a midnight black taffeta high-necked top with 3/4 length sleeves. A gold pleated satin skirl fell swirling from her waistline.

 

She was strikingly wearing a lovely gold necklace set with real diamonds and garnets that lay sparking along her downy soft top’s neckline, a very pretty thing I thought it was. Matching drop earrings, bracelets and rings completed the show.

 

After greeting her( shaking my leg in discomfort) she coincidentally asked me where the ladies' room was.

 

We had some rentals set up behind a hedge near the house for the guests, so I offered to lead her there.

 

Reaching them, Cassie asked me if Ginny was here today. Answering yes, I told Cassie where I had left her, giving her quick directions before apologizing that I really had a pressing errand. And that I would meet her there.

 

I circled the house, entering by the front door. In my room, I opened the drawer where I kept the case for my better jewellery. Lifting the lid, I pulled off both my rings, undid the bracelet, and laid them all inside. Making it to my bathroom in the nick of time.

 

I was in there, indisposed, for a long while.

 

Once I was finally through I freshened my makeup and headed back through the kitchen. Weaving my way amongst noisily working caterers.

 

Just outside the back door, I was intercepted by mum, who was still by the tables, calling me over.

 

She asked me to locate the reading glasses that she had left in the sunroom.

 

I go to the sun room searching, finally finding them by Papa’s wet bar.

 

Smirking to myself, I poured a shot of ginger brandy, and happily downed it.

 

Feeling rather warm inside, I picked up the errant reading glasses.

 

As I picked them up I could see out the long side windows Mrs. Shannon talking to some friends. Gabrielle was with her, the necklace glistening. I did not see Estella.

 

A silly game they had been playing I remember thinking to myself.

 

I scurry back outside, handed mum her readers, and listened in polity after she introduced me to the ladies with whom was chatting.

 

I broke away, snatched up full goblets of wine, and began my journey through the gauntlet of guests to collect Ginny.

 

It was then I remembered I had left my rings and bracelet inside my open jewellery case. I hesitated going back for them before deciding not to, I had left Ginny alone long enough.

 

It was then I spied Claire being carried by her new friend, the “Wood Bead Lady”, followed by that sly Estella.

 

They were approaching a 30-something lady, standing alone like she was waiting for the return of friends.

 

She was winningly wearing a long, very sleek, very tight, purple silk sleeveless dress that appeared to have been poured over her figure.

 

Claire was set down as the two ladies began chatting, with Estrella standing off to one side listening in.

 

As I passed I saw out of the corner of my eye that Claire had reached up her arms and the lady in purple silk was bending over to pick her up. The sapphire and diamond gemstones of the crescent moon-shaped silvery necklace she wore around her throat rippled flashily in the sunlight.

 

I passed them without a second thought, my mind focused on not spilling wine, as I made my way to rejoin Ginny.

 

I reached the pagoda where I had left her but found it deserted. Not even Cleo remained.

 

I went to the secret garden area, but it too was now void of anyone.

 

I started to walk the long way around the gardens trying to find where Ginny had gotten off too.

 

I had just passed one of the trimmed hedges when a hand is placed on my shoulder and I hear Ginny's voice from behind me, and see her arm reaching for one of the wine goblets I was holding

 

 

“Lost my pussy, didn’t I luv, then lost you ?” She giggled in my ear as she came up along sides me.

 

“Got bored waiting for you to come back, didn’t I? Been looking for you.” She said to me as a way of explanation.

 

We stand there drinking our wine as we watch the moving crowd of guests spread out upon the green lawn. Sun shining up in a cloudless blue sky. A perfect day.

 

“Lovely wine this “ Ginny said.

 

I turned to her smiling, meaning to ask if Cassie had found her.

 

But she had read my mind apparently, for she started to tell me that she had seen her mum’s friend, Cassie, holding Claire, talking to the odd lady we had met, the one wearing that turban. I didn’t want to interrupt them, you can guess why. So we will have to seek her out later…. What’s the matter?”

 

Ginny stopped her story, seeing the look on my face.

 

For, as I had faced Ginny, I had frozen, not really hearing My friend's words.

 

I brushed my fingers upon the vacant front of Ginny’s dress, just above the rhinestone dragons' clutching claw.

 

“Ginny, Where's your necklace?”

 

Eyes opening wide in horror, her hand shoots to her bare neck, feeling in vain around her throat.

 

“Buggers, it’s bloody gone!”

 

Next up the last Acte 4

 

A Most Curious Conclusion

 

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Done