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Green-eyed Blue-rumped Forktail, about 39mm long, and resting on a a one foot section of dead nine foot tule reed, a giant sedge.
The Tule Reeds (Schoenoplectus acutus) circle the swamp and are very common. Also where the term "tule ground fog" that blankets the Central Valley of California during "the rainy season" and when visibility is literally no more than ten feet in front of your car. I drove in it once in 1966, and will never again. Unfortunately, it really can't be forecasted. Btw, it's pronounced according to damselflies I know, "Tooley."
My winning entry on Happening category in Moducity contests in Model Expo 2016.
More in Cyclopic Bricks.
I dunno. I just like it. The signs and lack thereof. I remember walking and being drawn. It reminds me a little of home. It reminds me a little of a simpler time. A simpler place. It reminds me of Titusville... Thanks Dad...
Please forgive me for revisiting this saga so soon. For the thoughts of that witnessed moment in time which planted a seed for a story, still remains, still ticklingly entices my imagination..
And I think most of us know what a bugger an inkling like that can be...!
And the Chatwick in me had a yearning, actually no, a compelling, need to appease, so to tell the same story in a bit different take on the observed actions of the young lad I called the Hugger Mugger… had to be forthcoming post haste …
And So we Have.....
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The Importance of paper mache Princesses
Lucidity of Providence
I first noticed the lass whom I came to call the paper mache princess, as she slithered and swished about in the quite devastatingly pretty gown she was so winningly wearing along her youthful, but yet well appointed figure.
The gown was dyed the shade of fresh spring lavender, the satiny material, probably soft as a new borne downy chick, freshly shimmering and glistening as she stunningly exhibited it whilst wriggled in from the serving room.
My fancy was tickled by this, for my Sister had once worn a very similar dress , and I carried quite pleasant memories of the fun we had had shared that particular evening…..
But I only noticed this new lass’s apparel briefly though, for once I had her properly in my sights, her adorning jewels(rhinestone?) totally commanded my full and undivided attention.
For, see in my humbled opinion, it was silly for one so obviously saturnine, so quite gullibly young, to be wearing such shimmering sparklers! Though to truthfully admit, I had no real issues along those lines!
The sparkling jewels consisted of a thin silver plated necklace, matching dangling earrings and a thin bracelet worn around her satin gloved clad wrist.. , all were set with the fiery brilliance of (rhinestone?) diamonds.
Twas a pity someone darkly moody like that would be in possession of jewels so pretty.. She obviously had no inkling or care about em, in my observation of her, she probably could care less that she was wearing them, and probably had whined miserably about putting them on!
A hallowed mockery of all that is truly feminine.
An aloof paper mache princess who deserved to look more of a pauper in me own personal opinion...!
And that thought, I found to be quite enticingly entertaining on a personal level! Admittedly though, at that time, I was finding a great deal of my surroundings to being quite vexing.
But there was also a reason for my interests, for I will have to admit to possessing a bit of a rascally bird like, Magpie keen, interest in all things shiny!
And my curiosities had already been at peek height due to several other observations I had made upon my first arrival at the wedding reception: Including one subject in particular!
First off, the wedding was definitely upscale, and the wealthy Bride had chosen a rather unique venue for her reception.
Located in a rather daringly wrong side of the tracks area. The place was the site of an old brick, eel tinning factory that someone had cunningly restored and was princely offering as a uniquely posh reception venue for those rich enough to pay out the nose for something out of the ordinary. To me it looked like someone had extravagantly decorated up an old slummy red brick alleyway.
And as to why I was there..?
Well my friends, that’d be another whole tale in the tellin....
So, only tellin one tale at a time then......
Anyhows, there I was, dressed up in my best, and starting to do a bit of visually opportunistic prowling about amongst the well heeled guests who were making merry in the venues’ rather dubious surroundings…. When I saw him...
Him, the laddie, a young male of about 13, scampering happily about at the reception hall .
Something about his mannerisms drew my mind to him, so I discreetly asked around.
I soon found out he was the son of a single mother, both the bride’s sister and maid of Honour. So he was pretty much being left to himself, which explained things a bit.
The lad was also obviously across the threshold of young puberty: as was witnessed by some of his antics, not only with the touchy teasing of the younger girls present, but also in the way he was treating certain poshly dressed adult females, especially in sneaking up and giving his darling grandmother hugs from behind.
She though, thought it was cute and just laughed, and squealed happily, “look another drive by hugging”, or “thanks for the warm hugging honey, just lovely”, encouraging to no end the youth to keep his voyeuristic advances up.
But the grandmother was a short lady, his size, and I knew what was going on, even if the silly twit didn’t have a bloody clue.
The Lads arms, as he hugged his grandmother’s warm figure before running off, were brushing just under her perk breasts, molded nicely by the tight fitted mother of the bride gown she was attired in.
I also knew that , along with copping a titillating feel, he was also enjoying the tingling sensation from the slick thicke material of the lengthy, swishing gown the rather youngish ,stylish grandmother was wearing…
I watched, the lad as he performed this trick several times, holding onto the warm sweaty figure of his still perky, grandmother, before I would finally admit to the fact, I was jealous!
Jealous, for she was wearing some rather pretty jewelry of diamonds, real ones too judging by the fiery pinpricks of flashes they was giving off. Grandad must have spent a bloody mint on them.. For an Anniversary or an apology? There laid the rub..
And I would have given anything for a closer gawk at the ladies finer points, if one gets my drift, eh ?
Nudge, nudge... as they say...
It was while watching the lad yet again going and performing his hugger mugger routine from a bar stool, that my I first laid my eyes on the young paper mache princess in the lavender gown and wearing her own set of diamonds( rhinestone?). I don’t know when she had entered the reception’s proverbial stage, but she was one of the last lot to be leaving the room where the food service was laid out.
She was all of 16 years old, probably bitter sweet, and most definitely, caustically, immature!
She was with a second girl, 14 years I would guess, possibly a younger sister, clad in a thin dress of red silk that poured out dancingly below a matching jacket of velvet. She was wearing a glistening set of, faux?, pearls, and a (rhinestone?) brooch on her jacket, the bauble shaped like a colourful humming bird set with coloured gemstones.
They both stopped at the doorway, watching the dance floor with a peaking interest .
The live band had started up, and a group was upon the floor, swishing and swirling about in a quite pretty display of both colour and glitter that was being caught up in the dim incandescent lighting of the olde re-imagined factory.
I allowed my interest to follow this action for a bit, before curiously allowing my eyes to again seek out the pair of lasses.. Sneaking in close by the bar for a better, keener look over as I did so.
When I found them I saw that they had been joined by the huggy strap of a lad. He was standing close to them, and I caught him gingerly sliding his hand up behind the paper mache princess , chubby fingers tentatively rubbing along the waistline of the slick lavender gown being worn so winningly by the vixen of a sixteen year old.
She giggled and turned to him, her eyes giving an “oh, its you” look to the lad. Oblivious to the look, he started talking the pair up, and I saw them both shake their heads no at whatever he must have been suggesting.
Both girls petite earrings’ swaying in the light as their heads moved side to side . The Paper Mache Princess’s inset diamonds of her earrings sparkling madly, while her smaller friends bobbling earrings of Faux pearl gleamed a glistening pure white.
The pair turned dismissively back to the dance floor, and he stared them down from behind their glimmery sleek dresses for a few seconds, before he walked away, head bent down like something of an admonished puppy!
I felt sorry for the young git, red faced, as he was walking away,.
Then I suddenly realized that his course was taking him right past me.
Not sure why at the time, but suddenly I wanted to capture this lad’s attention. For I was Bored and feeling peevishly mused to try and do something to quell those copious desires I had been mulling..!
So I played it by ear... Something which in my profession that I tend to do a lot of!
Now, since, sleight of hand and misdirection are a couple of me talents, I reached into my pocket , thoughtfully fingering one of my ever-present coins of the realm.
As the lad , sad head down, sauntered droopily by me, I caught his attention by dropping a penny.
He obligingly retrieved it for me, and as he handed it back, I turned down my wrist, then took my hand to his ear, appearing to change the penny into a twenty pee piece… Which I handed the coin to the amazed lad for keeps. Thereby also gaining his full and undivided attention.
“Want to see another?” I asked, and he shook his head yes eagerly. I pulled out an also ever-present deck of cards, and had him ruffle them up a bit. Talking it up to him as I did.
The simple card trick would allow me to banter and hopefully my words would thus stoke the id of his sexually driven impulses whilst the ego thoughts in the lad’s head where following the cards. With my intents to flaring up the lad’s super – located in the deep recesses of his mind were certain male thoughts are often guiltily , forcibly, kept alone to themselves.
The first trick was an easy one that had him picking his own card from a group laid out on the bar. It was as I went through the motions, and watching his focus on the cards, I mentioned how pretty I had thought some of the dresses worn by the girls here were.
That opened him up royally...
I soon had him chatting away, eating out of my hand as I told him a subtly suggestive story of my youth, centering around the true enough episode where I had danced with my sister who had been wearing a dress very similar to the one worn by the paper mache princess....
A tid bit of a description that I knew would send his little pubescent desiring mind whirling .
I then, also with casual finesse, asked him quite a few questions about himself, about the reception, and particularly centered around finding out a bit more about the paper mache princess.
He readily came out with the fact that the paper mache princess, the one I had truthfully said was dressed like me sister had been , was nothing more than his cousin. He also volunteered tid bits about her that led me to believe that she could be a bit fey, but liked to pretend and daydream.
He also chimed in that he liked to play games like hide an seek with her and her friend’s, when she allowed him to!
Not playing now I asked? Seeing a light opening up at the end of a certain tunnel of my thoughts.
No he said, she said that she did not want to get dirty, her friend either.. Too interested in acting like proper ladies, dancing and watching, he added sadly..
“Quite boring.. he also added quite drearily ..”
That was all I needed to hear! So, agreeing with the boring part, I drew him close in the confidence of a co-conspirator.
Tells you what kiddo, let me explain how we used to play tag games when I was your cousins age.
I bet she will change her mind to play this version with you today! ( Actually, I know she would have no choice but to play his game once we were done with her!)
Really, he said, his eyes wandering and latching onto the two swaying young vixens, looking them up and down as I spoke.
Certainty ‘Mon garçon’ I said, and began to explain, taking certain inventive liberties with the details to ensure capturing this young man’s burgeoning lusting fantasies !!
I explained that as lads we would play tag by having the crooks steal something, then the person who was robbed would chase us like a copper until we either got away, or placed in “prison”
Cops and robbers see.. ever hear of the game.?
He nodded his head assuredly that of course he knew the game..!
I could also see I had grasped a craving interest within him, so I then happily continued on
“Now, the girls in our group would sometimes dress up and wear ‘cheap’ play jewelry, like your cousin and her friend over there. “ I lied convincingly.
He turned to watch the pair of proper appearing princess wanna-bees, both with eye appealing resplendence in their gowns, jewels and fine frills..
“Then us boys would sneak up and try to distract them, so we could teasingly come away with some of their play jewels without them catching on to what we were on about.
Then we would point out their loss after a bit, and the girls would give chase to us trying get them jewels back !”
He smiles, liking the idea.
I could see he was chewing on my words while still Drooling over the two pretty young lasses and their shiny frocks and ample shimmering jewels.... rather convenient having the real thing in sight when telling my stories I devilishly thought.
I had captivated his interest, and could see that he was earnestly watching his cousin ( whose necklace I should mention, was quite invigoratingly rippling small sparkles of fire around her throat as she was swaying to the music.)
I began with renewed relish, allowing the seed I had planted to grow, by explaining in detail how to draw his pretty lass of a cousin into the “Game”!
Both his and mine!
Using as an example, a story on how I had played this same game I was proposing on, while dancing with me own lavender gown wearing sister for reference. Actually it was a true enough story, only the young lass I had played it out on had not been me sister, and the gown, which most definitely had been soft as a new borne downy chick, had been of a shiny ripe peach colour!
I explained in simple detail how to approach his cousin, and what words would work best in convincing her that a dance was in order.
Then once they were into the dance, I explained in easy detail, the next steps to be taken to ensure his cousin would be a player for the next phase of the game, namely the catchy, touchy, tag part of it.
I could see the laddie was doing quite well, grasping the rudimentary idea of it all. And as he shook his head vigorously yes when I asked if ready. I gently pushed his back, propelling his quite noticeably Horney figure loose towards his innocent victim.
Go get em tiger....
I watched with growing anticipation as the lad moved in, eagerly approached his victim, then again sliding a hand on along her waist, successfully prying and fully capturing his cousins attention away from the dance floor. He started talking affably and I could see her dart a look back to the dancers,then to her 14 year old friend, then finally back to her cousin. Her jewels nicely sparkling in the low lights as she carried out this performance.
Then, bless the faux pearl laden pixie, for as I watched, the paper mache princess’s young friend most advantageously helped out our cause. Chirpily chiming in her two cents worth. saying something excitedly as she tugged at the cousins dress whilst pointing to the lad and the dance floor!
And ‘Bob’s your uncle!’ a few minutes later the pair of them were on that polished wooden dance floor, looking exceptionally cute as a couple, as they danced to a romantic slow tune whose name has since slipped my mind. The young darlings mimicked the adults around them by embracing closely against one another.
I waited and watched with baited breath, so many things could go wrong, and there was no good reason they shouldn’t. I began to think my ideas had been quite folly. Draining my drink, I made my plans for a quick get away to avoid any attention and have to answer rather awkward questions if things went awry.
But they didn’t!
As he had been directed, he bided his time, no hurry.
I watched with baited breath as finally his hand cunningly started the process of snaking up along the back of her sensuous dress, a bit quick perhaps, but maybe his partner was feeling his hormones actively running wild and was responding in kind.
For she had no issues dancing close, and no notice of the shenanigans of the creeping male fingers nimbly reaching up her back. I could see that her own gloved hands were firmly grasping her dance partners waist. The diamonds on her thin bracelet merrily winking back at me!
She seemed so happy, her eyes closed shut as she was into what ever fantasies young sixteen year old paper mache princesses, wearing pretty gowns and flashy jewels, have going on!
But I was also fairly certain that those fantasies of hers did not dwell any where’s near the reality of what was being played out on her in real life at that moment!
I looked around, Nor were any of the adults paying the pair any heed..
Even the Sixteen year old’s young Faux pearl wearing pixie of a friend was watching something away from the dance floor, her own fingers idly playing with the shimmery rhinestone brooch on her velvet jacket as she, with no shyness, was ogling a bloke in a tux snogging with one of the bridesmaids in a secluded corner!
I perked up, setting my empty glass down, casually picking out a handful of pub nuts from a jar at my elbow, I thought, this trick may actually bloody work!!
His fingers finally reached the victim’s primed objective, the one I had suggested, namely the thin gem studded necklace. The pretty jewels that laid flickering around the high, glossy neckline of his victims gown. That fiery necklace had been dangling and moving about with an easy sliding fluidity along down the smooth satin of its’ wearers gown, making it a fairly easy pluck for any amateur’s game!
The gem stones were set in a finely woven silvery chain, there should be no telltale snagging, no matter how jerky the chubby fingers were in making the attempt the lift them!
Obviously I had been thinking this through as I had been carefully watching my pretty paper mache princess. And just as obviously I was now vicariously living those day dreams through the lads antics!
So it was with an unabashed delight, that I watched as his fingers glided along the pretty baubles chain till the necklaces hook in eye clasp was located, and pulled up ever so lightly!
He did fumble a bit with the clasp,( his first time after all) but I saw him carefully peeking over her shoulder for a better look, and using one hand he managed to delicately unhook the two ends on his second attempt.
The fraternal twin ends lay loose there, glimmering for a few seconds, as they hung freely unclasped down her back. His fingers slipped back over her shoulder and slyly lifted a sparkly end up.
He then methodically began to slide the long necklace up along the front of his dance partners rich, lubricious, satin gown! It was easily slipped away, slither inly over her shoulders’ satin sleeve and free fell down behind her back where it dangled for a few precious seconds in his chubby fingers, before the lad secreted the shimmering thing of beauty into his pocket ..
I released my breath not realizing I had been holding it.. He had gotten away with it, pretty as one pleases. His fantasizing, gorgeously dressed cousin, hadn’t a bloody clue as to what had just transpired as she and her glittery necklace were naughtily being parted!
And just as important, no one else had noticed my little hugger mugger in action either!
His victim still had her eyes blissfully closed, and was leaning her head back in what can be best described as dreamy happiness.
Her earrings and bracelet sparkled on, as noticeable in their positions, as the place her necklace had been, now was not!
Her male partners eyes were wide, and darting around. I was worried that he may end up alarming the girl, so I rose, and managed to catch his gaze, and smiled giving a thumbs up. This made him grin, and settling down a bit, grasped his partner close and twirled on.
I smiled, feeling rather excited meself, for watching the lad in action had been like reliving the somewhat similar, long past, incident that I had used as an example, lying to him that I had played the game on me sister!
^^^^^^
Well , they finally finished the dance, it seemed like an eternity, but it was thrilling to try and catch glimpses of the cousins’ now bare neckline!
Finally they broke apart and he walked off with her to the opposite edge of the dance area from where they had started. I held my breath again, but he seemed to inherently realize that as part of the game, he didn’t want her suspicions raised by being quick to leave. God bless his natural budding adult male like deviousness!
When he finally left her and came over , he was grinning ear to ear like some Cheshire Cat.
“Well done lad, you played that brilliantly! Fun Like I said it would be” I praised and questioned?
He nodded , quite pleased with himself, and that pleasure was evident in more places than just his face!!
He most definitely was getting a “titillating feel” for the playing the game. A feeling I could very well understand from me own personal experiences!
I turned him around to face his cousin, his back now to me.
The young paper mache princess was back to aloofly standing, watching, on the outer rim of the dance floor. As we watched, we saw her young friend returning, regaining a position up alongside her
I gripped my hand upon the lads shoulder, speaking into his ear as he conveniently faced away from me..
I explained that he needed to go up and do next ..
Sneak up and hug his cousin from behind( I could tell he liked that!) , then as you tickle her a bit, say something like “now catch the tickle thief” , and then, see that door just off the loo?
He turned his head over to where I was pointing.
I knew that the door was an exit, leading upstairs, then outside to a small park.
“Break away before she can catch you,, and RUN! through that door, then out into the park .”
I turned him back around to face me , I wanted to really drive home the last bit…
I was smiling mischievously in his eyes, which brightened up as he warmed up to the ideas I was planting.
“Then in the woods you can hide and touch tag as she tries to get her necklace back!”, and I tapped his pocket with my free hand, jingling the contents.
“But remember laddie, the trick is not to show her what you took. Make her chase you, and if she finally catches you, make her search you for it, or have her cry Uncle before handing it over!”
“And as she is so occupied, try for an earring or bracelet to keep the game on. Or if her friends is close enough then snatch…..”
But I stopped, I could see all too well in his wide eyed glazed over look, that he had caught onto the gigs gist, and there was no need to say more with out risking my hugger mugger to become too prematurely excited before playing it out.
I looked up over his head to make sure the stage was still set…
I suddenly stiffened....
Ere now, look lad, I think your game is beginning, she is noticing the loss.
We both looked, the young friend of the sixteen-year-old was pointing to the paper mache princess’s bare throat. No need to hear the question.
Then as We both gawked ,the cousins gloved hand shot immediately up to her throat ,fruitlessly feeling around as her face contorted up in a horrifying gasp.
“Now lad I said turning him back around so he was facing the dance floor., quickly toddle up behind and give your cousin that hug to start it off! That’s a good lad!”
“I guarantee you she is going to play into your game now.” I said, sending the words off after him as he scurried stiffly off.
He was definitely carrying off with him a quite “hard” vested interest in the game at hand.
He approached the pair, both of whom were now looking about their feet for the missing necklace.
I saw him readily grasp, then pull up his Cousin into a slippery hug..
She jumped a bit ,alarmed!
But no blaming the sullen looking lass. Worries about her missing necklace combined with someone unexpectantly grasping her from behind, then feeling something hard being pressed up against her, would cause a bit of inherent distress for any poshly attired damsel!
Startled as she was, she stood stiffly in her fast waning shock, as her male cousin whispered into a bejeweled ear, then letting her go, the lad dashed off towards the exit as planned.
The two girls looked at each other questioningly, the pixy was holding her faux pearled necklace, the cousin a hand to her bare throat. They then stared at the fleeing cousin, before, in a shimmering, swishing, fluttering, flurry, taking off after the escaping lad.
I turned away and watched as he disappeared through the exit door by the loo.
The female cousin and her similarity dressed young friend, were following almost upon the lad’s heels, gowns whirling , and they too slipped through the closing door. I, probably for the last time, admired her taunting bracelet, as it flashed and sparkled, while she gripped to hold open the closing exit door..
All three had now disappeared from the venue without anyone a noticing.
I believe free booze, and the length of drinking time that the adult guests had been imbibing played a rather big part in that the trio of escapees were not paid any heed!
Babes in the woods, going beyond the security of the pale. I thought, making my way through the thronging crowd of merry guests .
I headed out towards the main exit located on the opposite side of the building from the restrooms.
Just before taking my permanent leave I looked around the venue again. The dim lighted red brick lined walls of the old ell tinning factory did indeed resemble an olde alleyway. And one can just imagine the types of mischief that would be going on in olde alleyways!
Reaching the outer walk I forced meslf to meander on till I had safely gained some distance, stopping as I came up to a patch of woods.
Where, next to an ancient Wytch Elm tree with its grotesquely reaching branches, started a thin path leading off amongst the trees towards the other side of the olde eel tinning factories building..
I stood there, and after checking around me, Pulled a chrome flask from a vest pocket.
I took a good long swig of ginger brandy in celebration of the moment!
“The path less travelled today mate! .”
Replacing the flask, I reached a hand in my suit coats pocket for me pipe and tobacco, .
Feeling as I did the now cold hardness of the quite genuine, quite expensive, diamond necklace that I had so quite easily lifted from the youths jacket pocket ( pickpocketing - another of my skills)
As I packed my pipe and then cupped my fingers as I struck a match to get it going, I allowed my mind a quick remembrance….
I played out how pretty that young lass had been in her peach satin gown. We both had been around 14 years, socially awkward as youths that age can be.. She had suggested the dancing, and I was amazed at the feel of her in my arms. Never had I felt anything so warm, so incredibly soft. And how sparkling her necklace had been. As we danced, and as I secretly admired her necklace, I remember meself subtly lifting the pretty thing up from her throat. Then it had suddenly unclasped, and I found meself pulling it off from around her throat and stuffing it in a pocket. She had had no clue, and I and me mates had used it’s loss to tease her before giving it back.
It had been a most satisfying newly acquired feeling for me at that age.... Which I had gambled would be the same feelings my young hugger mugger lad would also feel.
With a wry smile I wondered what my hugger mugger lad’s reaction would be as he would finally was made to give back the necklace. And what the overall reaction of the group would be when instead of the paper mache princess’s pricey diamonds in his pocket, he finds the small bits of pub nuts I had switched out with the necklace.
What I would have given to be able to witness that moment in time I thought , as I threw away the match and began puffing smoke from the lit pipe. I imagined what the three youths puzzled, gasping expressions would be like..!
Indeed, whose game had they been playing at?
I wondered if anybody would ever figure it out, or would it remain a mystery?
After a few puffs I looked in the direction of the park.. where I imagined the three were have gleeful adventures, for a bit anyways., and hopefully no further mis adventures...
I gave another long , thoughtful pull at me pipe...
Now, Just down that path would be that very park where at that very moment, a young lady clad in sleek lavender satin and sporting the remains of her dazzling collection of expensively brite sparkling diamonds ,was running about willy nilly in the woods.
Her eye catching gown and glistening, baiting jewels unsuspectingly openly exposed to the wilds outside, and fully unprotected by any observable means...
Not to mention there is also a spare, herself fetchingly attired in red silk and velvet. Herself wearing spiffen faux pearls and a glistening rhinestone hummingbird brooch!
It could very well be like taking away the proverbial candy from silken clad Babes...
Hmmm, a rather treasure trove of an opportunity indeed!
After a few minutes ponderings, I finally Let out an exasperated puff of smoke, as I regrettably shook my head NO..., no teasing my recently bestowed acte of providence, not by this Bloke.... and certainly not this evening !!
One in hand, I scolded meself ..
So, let it be Cheerio, I thought nodding down the side path of the woods towards the park in a solemn’ fare thee well’ salute..
And walking out into the glooming twilight of the evening, strode down the side walk to disappear into the misty aire..
Taking the smoking pipe from me mouth, I began Whistling the tune ...
‘Who put “Bella in the Wytch Elm”?
After all, who does not like coming up across a mystery?
“vade ad victor spolia”
Fini
My new home in Sherwood, Maryland, population 300, has a small-town 4th of July celebration every year. People say this year was the best one in a long time with more floats and kids. This is the winning float. I like the little crab boy in the basket.
Somehow I managed to forget my favorite shot of the day in my uploads... This was from the same market as the other shots today, in Riva San Vitale. This man was holding his ticket behind his back in before the numbers were called out. He didn't win.
England V New Zealand.
The One Day International at Trent Bridge Nottingham
www.nigelstewartphotography.com
Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate them very much! Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © Nigel Stewart all rights reserved
This is my Winning Cover photo for Vermont.coms- Vermonts Fall Foliage Facebook page from last year. It was the cover photo for Vermont Fall Foliage all year.Now a new contest is open for this year and they are using my photo to gain contest entries.
It was just blogged by Vermont.com letting people know their contest is open again for this year.
htttp://blog.vermont.com/2014-vermont-fall-foliage-photo-contest/
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© All rights reserved. All photos/images are digitally watermarked with Digimarc.
Somehow, this makeup effort worked really well. I thought anyway. Enough that I feel confident enough to post a selfie without the need to hide behind glasses...
A big, heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to enigma02211 for receiving the spot of THE ULTIMATE BLONDE BOMBSHELL for 2017! This year's competition was full of beautiful photos, and this photo takes the crown! Incredible job! You can view enigma02211's outstanding winning photo at The Ultimate Blonde Bombshell Winning Photo for 2017.
This is a truly captivating photo. Erin looks ravishing and sultry. She captures the definition of a true blonde bombshell! Thank you to every member of the Blonde Bombshell Fashion Royalty Doll group for making this such a fun and successful group this past year. I hope you visit in 2018 for more lovely blondies!! Also, congratulations to all the very talented photographers who have won "medals" in 2017. Your photos are so inspiring ♥ ! To see all the winners, please visit Blonde Bombshell Fashion Royalty Dolls Group. :)
Not a member? Ask to join! :)
Bernardo Cruz and winning whips form at the Les Gets Official Spank Whip-Off Championships
Find me on facebook @ Jeremy J. Saunders Photography
I miss your cold, black nose
Not to mention those funny toes
You had some wicked, winning ways
Just reminiscing on those days.
Black & white your colour scheme
You and I made quite a team..
My world is empty now but I can dream....
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Here is the winning entry from my Autumn 2012 LBD Contest. And here – for those of you who like an accurate record of these things – are the final results in the voting (doubtless even more eagerly awaited than the results of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year!). In the end, it was a clear-cut result:
Dress One 100 votes
Dress Two 79 votes
Dress Three 109 votes
Dress Four 92 votes
Dress Five 93 votes
To be honest, my expectation was that Dress #1 would be the winner, but you never can tell! Perhaps it was my sexily striped stockings, or my wild new hairstyle that tipped the balance for Dress #3? Or maybe the figure-hugging bodycon style? Who knows? Anyway, here I am modeling the winning dress!
BTW, the results of my Autumn 2012 Bodycon Dress Contest will be announced later this week! But bye bye for now! Kisses to all my fabulous friends!
xxxxxxx
Rebecca
A big, heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to ulianna1 for receiving the spot of THE ULTIMATE BLONDE BOMBSHELL for 2014! This year's competition was full of beautiful photos, and this photo takes the crown! Incredible job! You can view ulianna1's outstanding winning photo at The Ultimate Blonde Bombshell Winning Photo for 2014.
This is a truly incredible photo. Natalia looks so sultry and captures the definition of a true blonde bombshell! Thank you to every member of the Blonde Bombshell Fashion Royalty Doll group for making this such a fun and successful group this past year. I hope you visit in 2015 for more lovely blondies!! Also, congratulations to all the very talented photographers who have won "medals" in 2014. You are all amazing ♥ ! To see all the winners, please visit Blonde Bombshell Fashion Royalty Dolls Group. :)
NEW CONTEST BEGINS FEBRUARY 1st 2015! SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS NOW!
Not a member? Ask to join! :)
Celebrating the holidays in La Grande Oregon’s Award Winning Historic Downtown
Enjoying all the bright lights, decorations, and festivities in Downtown La Grande Oregon
Located in the heart of Northeast Oregon in the Grande Ronde Valley, the City of La Grande is surrounded by the Wallowa’s and the Blue Mountains and is the southern starting and ending point for the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.
La Grande’s award-winning downtown is the heart of this charming small town and is home to a burgeoning arts scene, a variety of local restaurants, and locally owned retail shops thanks to the dedicated revitalization efforts of the La Grande Main Street Program.
Home to Eastern Oregon University and a vibrant award-winning historic downtown, La Grande is an oasis of urban and cultural amenities in rural Northeast Oregon. With a population of 16,000 La Grande is the largest town in the three-county region and is the retail and recreation hub of Northeast Oregon with easy access to incredible mountain biking just minutes from downtown, breathtaking hiking throughout the Wallowa and Blue Mountains, skiing at Anthony Lakes, and endless outdoor adventures
For more information visit www.lagrandeed.com
Painshill is an award-winning 18th century landscape garden where you are invited to walk around a work of art. Winding paths will take you on a journey to discover a living canvas with beautiful vistas and dramatically placed garden buildings. Stroll around the Serpentine Lake, wander through woodland and promenade past follies, including the Ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent.
Names have been withheld, really, I quite had to😉
This story is rather hard to peg.
It’s basic skeleton is loosely laid out like an Ocean’s Eleven movie plot, but with far fewer participants…
At it’s heart, it’s a rapscallions’ tale,
at it’s soul, it becomes something much deeper…
Have you ever been cajoled into doing a task that is totally out of your comfort zone and experience? But asked in such a way that your very being cannot resist the urges to carry it out?
That is what this tale is all about, well sort of…
Please Read on….
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Chapter 1
Recess is over
“Sigh Here goes it then, He probably is still sitting and drinking scotch at the bar!” ……
I said this myself as I stood alone in a side court of the brick building that had once been an eel tinning factory in the late 1800s.
I had lit my pipe to help ease the wait as the stage was being set up inside, and also to calm down the reluctance I was feeling for my upcoming task!
As I had sent circles of smoke swirling upwards, I busied myself by looking around at the odd shapes in the aged stained red bricks, surprisingly graffiti-free!
After the eel business failed, the building had seen many uses: a church, field hospital during the raids, a restaurant, and now a photography studio upstairs and fancy reception hall downstairs.
One of my customers had given me tickets to attend this fancy-dress affair, being held in the reception hall. The chance to dance, imbibe in a rather nice selection of liquor, and french appetizers. Along with an opportunity to be charitable to OX Fam.
I had come willingly enough, but my enjoyment of the festivities had been somewhat dampened by being requested to carry out an unexpected task about an hour ago.
A task really quite unrelated to my line of work!
Sort of like a Queen’s Guardsman being asked to do step out of line and do an Irish jig was the way I felt over it!
So, blimey then, why did I agree to be cajoled into it?
Well please read on, all things will be made clear in the end, providing I can pull the bloody stunt off!
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So now I put out my pipe, knocking out the ashes against my patent leather shoe, brown, to go with my brown suit, brown silk tie and solid yellow starched shirt I was wearing out to that afternoons’ reception.
“I suppose, let’s find the Bugger!” I told myself with a slight hesitation, but with no whine in me voice ( for the record)!
I then promptly turned away and moved off, forcibly striding my way back inside…
I needed to see a man about a wager he was unaware that he was making as of yet!
……
Chapter 2
Enter the Lecturer
Ten minutes later I was back inside and had made my way through the chattering crowd.
I had said it the first time I had entered, and I repeated myself as I re-entered. I hadn’t seen so many attractively dressed ladies and refine, posh dressed males since the last BAFTA awards party I had been dragged too!
Not that I was complaining mind you, for I am just as much an appreciator of such a view as the next bloke. Especially in my line of business!
So I guess that is my excuse for not quite successfully keeping my focus on the task at hand that was inadvertently before to me...
But I finally managed an approach up to the long scarred oaken bar, after weaving my way amongst the countless numbers of mingling guests, all dolled up for the evening.
Once at my destination, I Ordered an old fashion (with rye ), and looked around.
He was still in his seat at the end of the bar, looking a bit more toshed, his hair and clothes a bit more hardscrabble.
Taking a long gulp of my drink, I carried it over and sat down on a stool next to him and said pleasantly.
” How is it going, Mate?”
He had been studying the dance floor, but with my greeting sighed and pulled himself away to look me up and down with a rather suspicious eye.
I met his gaze squarely, still smiling, avoiding the impulse to stare at the lit cigarette dangling from his lip. Being a pipe man meself , I was a wee bit opinioned when it came to sloppy cigarette smokers, especially those who left the bloody things dangle cheekily in their mouths at all times.
“Wotcher,” he said, a bit snidely I thought since I was just trying to be friendly.
“Do I know you then, Guv?” He quizzically added.
“ Sorry, Thought you looked like a bloke I knew up Manchester way,” I said apologetically.
“Not from there am I, guv !” He stated rather dismissively, as he then took his attention off of me and planted it back onto the dance floor.
I steadfastly plowed on…
“Well, one can’t always be right, can one?”
Then after no reaction, I finished my drink (easily downed, weak as it had been made )and placed the glass down, signaling the Keep.
“Just getting a drink, I see yours is out, whatcha be having then?” I asked as the bartender came up to us.
“Highball,” he said smartly, sneering at me, before turning back away. For some reason, I was not surprised at the bloke’s drink of choice.
If I had not had been given a job to do, and under different circumstances, I would have told the bartender to get him a ‘shirley temple’!
Instead, I placed the order, asking for an Irish whiskey, neat, for myself. I needed support!
I looked back at the man-boy sitting next to me.
He certainly was most interested in the goings-on the ballroom dance floor!
We were served our drinks.
He picked his up with taking his eyes off the dancers!
I took a long, gloriously settling, sip, letting the warmth settle right down to my stomach.
That’s better I thought, letting out a sigh, a bit too deeply probably, but my new acquaintance, with full attention still on the ballroom dance floor, paid my comments no heed.
He hadn’t asked me my name, which was fine by me, kept me from having to remember the one I would have had to make up.
Nor did I care to know this blokes name either, though I was harboring a pretty good guess that it would be a rather recognizable one, either mentioned from the telly or last weeks’ fish and chip wrappers.
But I could see I was losing the chap's attention!
I caught the Keeps eye and indicated a refill was in order for my new found ‘mate’.
“Pretty,” I said following his gaze as I pointed my glass out towards the dancers
“What ‘s pretty ?!” he stated sharply, still not diverting his eyes.
I noticed that they were a bit shifty, his eyes, like a sly, watchful fox, and that they moved with a rapid constancy. Think a young Trevor Howard with Peter Lorre’s eyes, and you have the chap to a T!
“The dancers, mate” I answered, “this lot is dressed rather elegantly tonight!”
He peeled his eyes off the dancers twirling and swishing about and turned slowly to me, a bit scornfully, “what did you expect guv, its full dress tonight, that’s why I have this bloody uncle’s monkey suit on, taint it?”
“Indeed sir” , I said agreeably with what I hoped was a winningly sincere voice.
Though down deep, to be honest, I felt this prig deserved anything but politeness.
Still, I carried on, trying to be friendly, remembering that if this was played right, the endgame would be a most satisfying one!
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Chapter 3
School is in session
T'is time, It was my turn to look away from his smirking gaze.
I took a sip of my Irish and looked out over the dancefloor.
It looked like something out of the ballroom scene from Shaw's ‘Pygmalion’( Or My Fair Lady)
I was looking for some in particular, a certain lady actually!
I soon saw her, and after watching for a few wistful seconds, I raised my glass and pointed her out to my drinking mate.
“That lass in the green is pretty,” I remarked, nodding in a direction by the far corner of the floor to where a rather petite, jittery appearing, lady with black hair, prettily clad in a shiny bit of a green gown. She was wearing large black glasses that were owlishly perched on her nose. She also was flaunting a rather nice little set of shimmering emeralds!
The petite lass was dancing with a bird-like bloke wearing, of all things, a scarlet red vest.
“Whotcher looking at Guv?” he asked, interest peaking up as he began eagerly scanning the room to see what I was on about.!
“That lass in greens satin, dancing with robin redbreast by the mirrors!” I pointed out, the added…
“Personally, I like the way her emerald jewelry sets off against her gown!”
He caught sight of them as the danced by one of the big reflective mirrors that lined the dance floors’ west wall.
He took the view in, and I noticed he had nearly drained his highball in one gulp and had set it down without a kind word, like say, thank you for buying..!
He was on his way to a real bender if he kept up with that pace I thought, eyeing the two other, empty glasses, already collected at his elbow on the bar top!
Which is right where we needed him to be! I thought as I nodded again to the barkeep to bring another round…
I looked back at my drinking buddy, I could see his shifty eyes flitting about.
“Whas'at” he finally stated sourly, “You like that gangly four-eyed bird dancing with cock robin? He snorted at his own ‘witty’ remark.
Then looking at me for a long second, he continued on...
“Like her jewels do ya than mate?” He said not bothering to hide the snide meaning in his comment! “Meself, Guv, I notice more than a sweetie’s bloody jewels!”
He again chuckled dryly at his presumed wit, I did not choose to join in, just sat there smiling to myself before speaking again.
“Occupational hazard I guess, noticing Jewels, I mean.”
I admitted, choosing not to expound on my drinking partner’s opinion.
“I own a small jewelry shoppe on a village green.” “Nothing much, but it pays one’s rent.”
That opened him up, just a wee bit…
“I guess than a gent like you would prattle on about jewels” “Is that what brings you alone here this evening?” “I ain't seen you out dancing with anyone.”
There was definitely insinuation behind his voice and though I would for the world like to put this bugger in his place, my responses to him would continue treading along a delicate path. I had to mince words if I didn’t want my emerging scheme blowing up in my face.
Which is why I would not be giving any quick replies!
So, after the observation was spoken, I let him continue on in his dry, sniping tone that I was beginning to realize was his normal manner of speech! For the upper class education this twit had had, he certainly had not grasped the proper way of speaking. Professor Henry Higgins would have had a field day with this bloke!
Let this nitwit lead himself into the trap, I thought to myself, this may prove easier then we thought!
So, I just smiled in acknowledgment as he spoke further…
“So, you just want a bit of a peek at what you sell guv!” he snorted, elbowing me before continuing on…
“Myself, I just like looking at the whole bleeding curvy package, ‘iffin you get my drift ! Though your green bird wearing them shiny bits you like, is a bit underdeveloped in my opinion! ”
Giving me a weaselly little grin, he again nudged me with his elbow, editing a mirthless cackling laugh!
Then, taking the last long gulp of his drink, wiping his mouth on a tux sleeve, he turned his attention raptly back onto the thronging occupants of the dance floor.
He didn’t signal for another round, which was probably because he was too cheap to repay me in kind!
So I again caught the Barkeep’s eye, we were becoming rather acquainted with one another, he came back over, and I indicated a refill for my friend, indicating I was still good with mine.
I believed I had now spotted the opening I had been trying to lead him around to! I took a deep breath and delved into the breach.
For our ploy, it was now sink or swim time!
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Chapter 4
History Lesson
When one is trying to do something for the first time, without prior practice, it is difficult not to make a mistake(s).
So, The Risk of what I was about to try was that I had just had the request sprung on me, without any forewarning or time to practice! If I made a single mistake or misspoke then my whole attempt would tumble down like a house of cards!
What I was trying to pull off was getting this smart-mouthed cockney git to make a wager with me, a rather unconventional one at that!
So, I just threw all caution to the wind, and began a buildup to reach my selling point!
I started with a question after he was served his fresh drink.
“So then, what do you do when you are not attending these rather posh affairs?”
I asked this, trying to keep a wedge in our conversation. Even though the answer was pretty obvious from the blighter’s manner of dress, and baby smooth manicured fingers!
“Nuttin” he said through gritted teeth, never diverting his gaze to me…
“Don’t hafta work like a regular blighter, gets a small allowance from me father don’t I! Not much though, old parental gents are too cheap by half if you ask me, livin in the stone age where an extra few quid is concerned!!”
He spat out the last few words.
So, this rich guys pup can always use a bit of cash I thought happily to myself!
“Shame” I sympathetically pretended to agree, “but still, cheers to being able to keep a roof over one’s head.” I raised my still ¼ full drink and clinked it against his glass.
We both drained our glasses in salute and I again ordered another round.
After we were served, my new ‘friend’ , out of the side of his mouth since his eyes were glued back on the ballroom dancers, stated wryly…
“You like’n them emeralds Guv? ”
I could see his eyes were again stuck on watching the girl with the unfortunately large eyeglasses, who was elegantly wearing,( in my own humble opinion), the green satin gown. The whole affair offset with her brite glittering emeralds.
He went on as if thinking aloud…
“Broad’s a bit too mousey for my taste, ole 4 eyes there, still, I wouldn’t say no to admire’ in what curves she has under that shiny dress!” And he let out another little guffaw at his crude witticism.
Crude, apparently being a trademark of all this Bloke’s remarks!
I choose to ignore his rather rude comment, and went on, trying to remain unruffled by my new friends' rather blunt outlook on the fairer sex!
As we both were watching her, I amiably made her the target of our small talk, gently leading him around to the query and wager I was leading up to…
“I admire any gemstones that I can sell my dear sir. But there are other things that I will also allow to command my interest!” I said casually, delicately, “
“ W’thats you on about then?” He asked, reluctantly taking his eyes from the dance floor and placing his attention fully back onto me, as he looked me over like he had just now noticed I was there!
I remembered thinking, yeah ya bleeding prig, three free drinks and not a thank you insight, ya haven’t even asked my name! Not that the one I would have given him would have been my own! Picked a winner here, I did!
But when I spoke, my words and manner of speech did not betray any of those thoughts!
“Well”, I admitted rather sheepishly, “In my line of work I come across many alerts from the constabulary about ladies who have had jewels come up missing, and am asked to keep an open eye out for them.”
He looked suspiciously at me.
“The bloody bobbies ask YOU about it?” he questioned.
“No” I admitted, “all jewelers receive the same circulars. But you see, the thing that piques my curiosity at these events is to try and catch one in action!”
“Catch one what guv ?” he asked quizzically.
“Thief!“ I announced in an ‘everyone one knows’ tone of voice’, pausing a few seconds before I continued on…
“You see lad, a good many circulars describe how ladies lose a bit of their jewelry at functions like these from time to time. It is assumed that the expensive pieces just had bad clasps, but me, I am not so sure that is the case, for it appears to happen far too frequently in these parts! Plus a lot of times they end up trying to be pawned at shoppes like mine, and the clasps looked fine. So are they just finding them lost on the floor, or is there something else going on!”
“What else would it be guv?” He asked, his sluggish curiosity, finally, peaking!
“Well,” I said, leaning into him rather conspiratorially…
“ I have come to the conclusion that there are a fraction of thieves out there that can lift jewels being worn by ladies, like these being worn here tonight, without being caught in the act! And I attend functions like these on the off chance to see if my thesis is correct!”
“Thesis?” my rather cheeky friend asked, not getting the drift. “
I sighed inwardly, thinking entirely to myself that we will be here all evening if I have to explain everything to this. most likely privately schooled, but still uneducated Git! I decided to go easy on the verbiage with him going forward!
“Thesis means theory lad, a belief that, say, our lady yonder in the green frock could be parted from her emeralds by one of her dance partners, if the bloke was of the mindset to acquire them in that manner! If you get my drift.”
He didn’t, so I calmly went into more detail…
“What I am saying is that since she wouldn’t be suspecting it, a dance partner, say, may have an eye for her necklace, and slip the emeralds away from around her very throat. Without her even noticing, until he was long gone!”
“ You sayin guv?” “ that that swarmy cock robin bloke dancin with that skrawny 4 eyed chick, maybe after her necklace?”
“Rot!” he smirked, taking his eyes off of the couple and onto me, “nigh impossible to do such a thing!”
He snickered at the thought, then added…
“Besides, If someone was that interested in nicking her jewels, why not just follow her out and do a complete job of it !?”
“A lot more risk involved being caught doing it that way Mate, not to mention it is rather obvious that she is being robbed! No, to do it this way a thief could come away scot-free with the goods without any suspicions falling upon himself.”
I stated in a quite logical tone of voice.
With his eyes back on the dancing couple, he questioned my reasoning…
“But a bloke would have to be a rather quick-fingered one like a pickpocket wouldn’t he now?”.
And have someone to practice on, I thought to myself before answering in a reassuring tone…
“Not A ‘toll my good sir,” I assured, “I think it could be done by anyone with relative ease, I bet even non-thieves like you or I could do it with some success, especially if the lady in question has had a bit too much to drink, or is nearsightedly clumsy !”
“Or both!”
he stated without thinking…
Then catching himself, he snidely went on questioning me…
Blimey mate, your still half-cracked barmy for even thinking that way!”
He sneered, but I knew a seed had been planted…
For I saw him take a long, speculative look at the lady fetchingly clad in green satin, still being waltzed merrily along the dance floor.
I also found it vexing that she was completely unaware that her nicely shimmering emeralds had become such a rather unscrupulous topic of speculative supposition over them being lifted off from her!
A topic that needed to become more than mere speculation!
So In conspiracy, I commented under my breath…
“Ten quid lad!”
“Whots that then mate?” He perked up while addressing me quizzically, “Tenner for what?”
“Ten quid Says I could lift that particular lady’s emerald necklace straight away, and not be caught out in the process?
He thought about it for one long minute, finishing his drink in the meantime. “Don’t know guv, the local Bobbies may frown upon that!”
I countered, trying to set the hook in deep, figuring a bit of creative lying would be in good order to ease away from his concerns.
“Not if I don’t get caught lad, and that necklace is only a cheap imitation. She probably got it out of a crackerjack box, and being chintzy, she wouldn’t be surprised at the clasp breaking away and it falling as she danced! If she would happen to even notice my amateur attempt, would she now?”
I could see he was mulling something over as I spoke, as his limp cigarette was bobbing up and down still clamped in his pursed lips. It was certainly a long time coming together, this blokes’ imaginary skills!
He nodded towards the lady in green, as she was happily being swished around the dance floor in all of her innocence bliss. Those brilliant emeralds of hers making a nice show of it, sparkling on like they were, just crying out to be noticed and admired, which they were, and perhaps soon that sparkling cry would be hushed out by admiring fingers!
“Suppose that gangly 4 eyed bird looks gullible enough to try it out on. Probably too shy, so won’t make much fuss when she catches you trying!”
He looked at me cynically...
“And make no mistake guv, you will be caught… and then I wouldn’t know you from Adam!”
He held out a greedy hand, fingers beckoning as he chortled …
So, the, with that said, make it two for one guv, I’ll hold onto your twenty, and you are on a bet!” He chortled.
And like that, the hook was set! Though, blimey, I had seen carp from the ‘Myths’ finally taking the bait with less subtly!
“Capital!” I acknowledged, “I appreciate a good challenge!”
But my newly found ‘Mate’ did not answer, his eyes greedily studying the £20 in his grasp!
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Chapter 5
Field Trip
I arose, straightening my jacket and tie, and looking over to where the lady wearing the green gown was blissfully dancing…. I commented under my breath, half encouraging to myself…
“You are on lad!”
And marched myself off to the dance floor without looking back, even when I clearly heard him smirkingly make a rude sound to my back!.
The current song was ending and I caught up with my quarry as she began nicely swishing her way off the dance floor with cock robin leading the way.
Gently laying fingers upon a scintillating satin clad shoulder, I touched her from behind.
She turned and fixed me with a rather fetchingly heart-tugging demure look of questioning upon her face from a pair of intriguingly hazel coloured eyes.
Said eyes were rather enticingly enlarged by being behind the thick-lensed black glasses she was wearing.
“Care to dance?” I asked, with some earnest, ( after all twenty quid is twenty quid)!
She smiled, laying upon me an aire of innocence that rather took me aback for an instance…, then said sweetly
“Sorry lad, I am a bit worn out just now !”
My heart dropped down to my feet at that!
Seeing my utter disappointment, then she continued with a perked smile, placing a gloved hand to her throat and playing with the very necklace, one which decidedly, despite my earlier comments, would not have come from a crackerjack box!
“I will be guess‘in that I can’t see what harm one more dance could do a girl, would it then ?”
She spoke with a rather soft sort of Irish brogue, that was the second generation at best, but had me hooked with its lyrical lilt!
She turned towards her waiting escort, who was casting daggers my way with his eyes!
She nodded to, raising her green gloved hand for him to take with a gentle dismissal, and then he begrudgingly left!
“Brilliant!”
I said with heartfelt meaning and led her back to the wooden dance floor as the orchestra was getting ready to start up playing music again.
A slow dance started up and I took her in my arms, keeping a discreet, friendly distance between us.
We made small talk, though I avoided talking anything about jewelry.
Trying to think like a thief would in this situation.
I was figuring in my mind that if the plan was to be carried out with success, I, and my victim, needed to stay well away off the subject of the jewels she was wearing!
I did, however, manage to steal several discreet glances at her necklace, a pretty thing.
It consisted of a thin gold chain, set with a single row of emeralds divided by small sparkly chips of diamonds. It had a loose lay around her neck, bouncing easily along with their perch, which was just nicely above the girl’s tightly satin clad chest!
All in all, a quite completely vexing show indeed!
Also, by how the necklace was moving loosely about, partially laying on the slick green satin of my partner’s gown, It appeared that one could slip the whole necklace off rather easily.
If I was to now be a quick, unaccustomed judge of such matters!
After a few random comments concerning the evening’s doings, I complimented her on her pretty hair.
Which it was, pretty I mean, strikingly black, falling softly down to her shoulders where its’ curled ends swayed with a most delighting motion.
Also, the long emerald earrings that kept peeking in and out as they swung merrily from her hair were putting on a rather playful show!
She blushed, turning her head down, earrings and necklace swaying out in a rhythmic beat!
By the purely innocent way, she bashfully responded to my compliment, I was encouraged to go ahead and proceed in winning my wager!
I removed my hand from around her waist and lifted a lock with my left hand in emphasis, taking the opened opportunity to study her necklaces clasp caught in the reflection of the mirror now conveniently behind her.
I re-set my hand upon her a rather sensuous feeling backside, gently laying it nonchalantly just upon her shoulder.
The way her eyes were closed in a basking manner, she appeared not to notice the change in my grasp.
She happily ate up my compliments, giggling with pleasure as she flicked her hair back, sending her pair of lovely, longish earrings sparkling alongside her enchanting face!
The whole effect was made even more lively with those eyeglass magnified, doe-like wide hazel coloured eyes smiling with pure pleasure!
She was quite a vexing, most charming thing, my dance partner, and the conversation flowed easily between us.
She appeared to be an absolutely sweetly trusting soul, and I, with some slight reservation, made the most of it!
My hand meanwhile was still rested upon her shoulder, and I slowly allowed it to travel closer to her necklace, watching for any sign of skittishness from my dance partner.
But she continued chatting away, accepting smiles from me as silent answers, which was just as well, for my mind was set on other things, and any conversation requiring me too think out an answer would have intruded on my concentration, hampering me on the way of acquiring her necklace, and winning of our wager!
But soon there were other emotions in play!
For her long green satin gown felt like heaven under my fingertips, and I was beginning to become pleasantly mesmerized by how the sleek material fluidly swished and fluttered around us as we danced.
Actually, I soon realized that so spellbinding was my partner, that I found myself almost convinced not to play any tricks and let the wager be lost!
But then I looked up and in the reflection of the mirror, saw the smug face of the git staring at me from the bar and decided I just could not let him win!
That cleared my mind, I will say, and rekindled my interest in seeing if I could do this!
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It was then I realized that the dance music was in its final chords...
I decided I had to go for it now!
So I forced out a comment about one of the blokes sitting at the bar ( far from my fellow conspirator!), her eyes sought and found the gent out, then she fetchingly giggled in agreement to my observation.
Meanwhile, my fingers had deftly reached up to the end of the gold chain hanging down from the clasp of her necklace.
Ever so slowly I pulled it down like one would a lampshade chain, and the whole affair obligingly came down!
The hinged clasp soon was captured in my grasping fingers.
At the same time, I was watching the necklace with its flickering emeralds and diamonds, from the front, as her head had been turned towards the bar.
I noticed how the necklace was moving up, smoothly slithering along with the sleek material of her pretty gown, praying it would not catch and draw her attention!
But the sparkling little beauty behaved, and gave its’ unaware mistress no fair warning!!
We twirled around and I led her to a far corner where a group of fake trees was clustered, giving me a bit of haven from the possibility of being seen making my final move!
The music started on its final chord, I probably only had a little over a minute to make good on my attempt!
I knew the type of her necklaces’ clasp, now wedged in my fingertips, and having worked on many like it, this one presented no problem.
So it was, with surprising ease given me nervousness, the diamond emerald necklace’s necklace’s clasp nicely popped open, leaving one end of the expensive necklace laying over her shoulder, resting like a shimmery snake in the green grass, as it laid out upon her sensuously shiny gown!
Then, in quick fashion, timing it perfectly as the song ended…
I bought her willingly into a friendly hug thanking her, whilst at the same moment whisked the necklace from around the neckline of her satin gown!
It came away, smooth as sliding a melting ice cube across the surface of a piping hot griddle!
It easily slipped off, then fell safely away and was securely stowed away into a tux pocket before we had fully broken apart.
Shamelessly I smiled into her eyes.
“Thank you luv, that was rather quite pleasant !”
I told her this in all sincerity as I removed my left hand from my pocket, and delicately took her green gloved one up to kiss adieu!
She looked down at our hands for one brief second, and I eyed the quite glaringly empty spot where her rather fine necklace of emeralds and diamonds had until so very recently had been dangling.
Could it really be that easy I thought curiously to myself!
Briefly wondering also what thoughts would be in a real thief’s mind upon successfully reaching this point!
She looked back up and smiled winningly at me as I innocently looked into her eyes
I could tell she was truly clueless as to what had just transpired!
She chirped back with her rich Irish brogue…
” Pleasure was all mine, to be sure, kind sir, thank ye for the quite lovely dance, but now it’s time for a restin of weary feet ya know.”
She slipped her hand, hesitantly I thought, from mine.
And with that, she turned and I watched for a rather few elongated seconds as she swished her way off, almost wishing to myself that at the last minute she would notice the necklaces’ absence.
And in my mind, I imagined being given a second dance as a reward for finding her lost necklace, or perhaps something even better may come of it … well worth losing twenty quid over!
But she didn’t notice and was gone, soon melting in with the crowd on the opposite fringe of the wooden dance floor.
And all my imaginings and desires evaporated with her…
I then finally noticed heart was pounding up a storm!
For there I was, standing there like a loon with a lady’s still warm necklace in my jackets’ pocket!
Some thief!
We hadn’t even exchanged names, which would have been a quite natural thing to do if one was trying not to appear doing anything out of the ordinary!
It’s a wonder she hadn’t noticed and start to wonder… Maybe she was? And I pictured how she had played with the necklace as I had asked her to dance. Blimey, I wasn’t out of the woods yet, was I!.
I forced myself to turn away, and head back before any undue attention was given to me,
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Chapter 6
Social Studies
I made my way quickly to the grinning git at the bar, intending on collecting my winnings.
“That was easy!” I lied as I regained my seat and took a long sip of my drink, trying to appear complacent over the entire affair.
“Codswallop”
He said unhappily, not bothering to reach for his billfold!
“ Knew the twit was gullible, but not that stupid, she never caught on, did she now? So You were just lucky then that’s all !? ”
“I was a bit lucky” I admitted.
“But it does prove true what I was saying earlier, and if a rank armature like me could pull it off, then just think about what a regular thief could do, rather proved my point, don’t it now!”
He drained his glass and set it down sharply before responding…
“It's not Cricket guv.”
He singled to the Barkeep by fidgeting with his empty glass, ordering another. Just for himself, apparently buying others a drink was not in this Blokes mindset, as well as paying off his depts!
He looked at me…
“Ya know Guv, I was just remembering there was a telly show where these were ladies marooned on an island. They got all themselves’ gussied up one evening with one of them dancing with this bloke she knew was a thief. She knew, and he still was able to take her necklace while dancing with her, as you did with that four-eyed twit! I would not have bet you if I had remembered that sooner. If he could do it, then I should have known any bloke could do so!”
I smirked to myself, I had seen that show also once, though I knew it was not a reality show but had been scripted with the actress being quite aware her necklace was going to be lifted ahead of time. I wondered if this blighter knew the difference!?
By the way, he still was grasping my £20, I realized that not only was the weasel not going to pay me for winning, but he was also making it look like I had cheated him to keep it!
“Bye the bye, what do you do now with her necklace guv?”
He asked accusingly, looking down at his fresh drink.
“Or are you one of them telly thieves… Maybe I should call the bobbies!?”
As he said this, he nonchalantly pocketed away my money!
I inwardly sighed…
“No worries lad, I’m just a jeweler like I said, I’ll turn it over to security at the door, found it just laying here on the floor don’tcha know sir… !”
“Security will return it to the lady, no harm done!”
Then, with a co-conspirator’s smile, I lied again...
“As I said me, lad, it’s a cheap bit of rhinestones! Otherwise, I probably would have been too nervous to accomplish it!”
He hesitated before answering, his eyes with a faraway look in his eyes!
I found myself wondering if this prig was contemplating trying to get more of my money!
This thought prompted me to say something, and as luck would have it, it turned out to be the key to opening up the whole affair!
I said, “Look, Mate, your right, she hasn’t even caught on like that lady you mentioned seeing saw on that ‘telly’ show!”
We both looked over at the lady in green. She had reappeared, joining a group at the far end, and no one is actually aware of anything amiss, let alone her innocent self!
Though I had to admit that I found the necklace’s absence from around her throat quite a glaring concern… But I remained calm about it!
The longer she took to notice, the less likely she would connect its loss with our dance, I reasoned with myself, almost feeling into the part of a suave jewel thief one sees acting out in the movies!
Turning to my co-conspirator, I admitted…
“Perhaps you are right, I may have made that wager knowing it was easy!”
He looked at me suspiciously, but I continued…
“Look now, I tell you, lad, women think their jewels are safe whilst being worn. The last thought any of em would suspect is that someone can lift their jewels off and be away..! That’s my theory on how thieves with light fingers could operate on in my humble opinion, and not only just to win ten quid on a bet!”.
I could tell that something was churning about in my now, quite liquored, friend’s narrow mind.
He turned his eyes back to our black-haired, hazel-eyed victim wearing the shiny green gown!
“Okay guv, you got away with it this time!”
“Tell you what lad,” I said turning the heat up on the situation as I pulled my wallet from a breast pocket, and counted out pound notes...
“Let us make it up to you! One hundred quid says you can do the same as I did!”
He picked up his drink, taking thoughtful sips, still studying my face, as his mind continued churning things about, before finally asking…
“And if I lose?”
I smiled, knowing the hook had been set!
“If you lose, then I will pay you twenty quid. So you will win no matter what happens, laddie!”
“Actually guv two Hundred if I win, that how sure you are I could do it? “
I whistled softly under my breath for emphasis, ”That’s about all I have !” I lied, appearing a bit hesitant.
“Com’ on Guv, a rich jeweler like yourself!” He nudged me again, and let out a snide cackle, a new cigarette dangling from a sneering lip.
“Anything but rich mate, but you are on!”
I pend my billfold and counted out the additional £100 in a pile, letting him eye up for a few seconds, the nicely thick pile of notes!
“All Yours,” I said,” if you dare try and are successful!”
I reached out my hand, he did not take it
“ And I pick the broad, right mate?” he stated.
“As long as it is not my lass in green” I answered.
He nodded in agreement, finally shaking my hand
And I shook his hand, watching a rather foxy grin spread all over his Weasley face, he openly drooled over the healthy pile of pound notes, his sodden cigarette bouncing up and down quite vigorously in his pursed lips.
Any idiot could see that he was up to something!
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Chapter 7
The A Levels Test
Not a good poker player, are ye lad I thought to meself, keeping my face in an easy grin that no way betrayed what I was actually thinking!
^^^
Feigning Curiosity, though I knew the answer I asked him…
“Whom do you have in mind?” I asked looking around with a conspirator’s aire?”
Soon I spied a rather easy mark of a gangly young lass, admirably wearing a tawny coloured taffeta gown, her tightly worn frock appearing as slick an easy a material to slip away jewelry from as the green gown my victim was wearing so winningly!
And this lass was wearing a simple, longish string of polished faux pearls, fastened with an uncomplicated hook –in-eye clasp! An easy, light necklace just begging to be lifted!
Now actually curious as to his seeing what this blighter’s reaction would be to this, I nodded his attention over in her direction, drawing his eyes from the money pile!
“That fetching lass over there in brown, one with the pearls, looks to be an easy enough one, don’t you think? Would you be eye’ in that one then?”
Not surprisingly, He shook his head no…
“Nah, as I said, I’ll choose one to my liking!”!”
As he said this, I watched as his eyes sought out and then nodded in the direction of a particular lass I had suspected he would choose…
“There, that one in blue near to your pearl hanger!” he smirked, “the one dancing with the prat in white!”
I looked over and acted as if I had just noticed her, though it had been pretty obvious that she was the one my ‘friend’ had had a watchful eye on all evening.
She was a diminutive lass, rather provocatively wearing a short sky bright blue dress of sleek silk, tightly outlining her rather pleasingly curved figure!
She was also openly sporting a nice collection of diamonds!
Authentic diamonds consisting, of a rather eye-catching bib like, 3 tiered necklaces that blazingly rippled fiery sparkles from around her throat!
Matching tiered earrings and bracelets, all equally glittering and sparkling with priceless prickles of colourful fire as she moved about almost completed the show!
She also was wearing a vulgarly large friendship diamond on her pinky, but all her other fingers were bare!
Openly appearing somewhat doubtful he could pull it off, I also kept mum about the fact her jewels being risky real, I wished him good luck!
Because, for one, mine at least obligingly had her necklace laid entirely along the collar of her gown, but this one in blue had a ruffled scooped collar, her necklace laid out above totally on the bare skin of her throat!
Granted the skin glistened with a bit of sweat, which may make it a bit more doable!
The pearls would have been much easier for him!
This one, I wouldn’t have picked her for a first attempt! Not even a second or third attempt!
It would take a master thief ( if they actually existed) to lift away that necklace off from a girl dressed as such! And despite all my assurances to my drinking mate, he was no master at anything, even sober, the caddish prig...!
That money may be as good as mine if I could pry his hands from it!!
But, in the seconds that my mind played this out, he had quickly gotten up and beelined to her, cutting in abruptly and sending her Brad Pitt look-alike dance partner, the one wearing the unfortunate white tux, scuttling off.
Subtly was not a virtue of that lad! “Bull in a china shop that one!” I whispered unbelievingly under my breath as I ordered one last Irish whiskey neat…
I watched with wonder as they danced, the lit limp dangling cigarette blowing curling hazy smoke into her face, and she scrunched her nose unhappily each time it did.
He made her dance close and had wrapped one hand, snake-like, up and around her shoulder, his lips whispering close in her ears.
She looked rather like a skittish colt but surprisingly appeared accepting of her unfortunate fate of a dance partner.
But, by Jove, despite all his cheekiness, lack of sophistication and his victim’s unease, the twit actually started to pull it off!
His hand traveled up along her backside until it reached flesh and gruffly trying to pry open her necklaces jeweled clasp.
I really don’t know how she never felt it.
But she didn’t and before one could blink (or wince), he had the jeweled clasp worked opened and had pulled the glittering necklace of diamonds moving with a shimmer up and over her slick silk covered shoulder!
His backside was now to me, and I watched the necklace, like a shimmering waterfall, drip dangling down from his fist behind her! Its glittering diamonds back-dropped nicely by the blue coloured shiny material of her dress. Surprisingly, no one else saw it in the seconds before he managed to stow it roughly away in a side jacket pocket!
I watched him turn her around in his arms until he was able to make eye contact with me, and I saw him give me quite the ‘thumbs up’ look of triumph.
He then abruptly left her, the half-drunk twit not even bothering to finish the song even, that much was he in hast to collect his pile of £200 in winnings!
And in that haste to make it back to the money pile, pretty much plowed over the green gowned lass standing in his way! The same one whose purloined necklace was now residing in my pocket!
As I saw this happing, I reached into that pocket and reassuringly felt that necklace with me fingers as I was watching it all unfold...
Now, so abrupt was the encounter on the dance floor, that the poor lass’s heavy glasses were knocked off, and she stumbled against him as she bent down to retrieve them... He pushed her unsteady figure aside, as she looked up to him for unoffered assistance, causing her to fall onto her knees.
As others came to her rescue, he walked away without a backward glance, and came over to me, smirking widely with an arrogant, self-satisfied look upon his (rather punchable at that point ) smug face.
I felt sorry for the lass in green as she picked up her gasses and was helped up by none other than cock robin in the red vest!
But red-faced with embarrassment, she left him standing there, and rushed off to take refuge in the ladies’ loo. Holding her glasses, squinting her eyes she ran up against a few guests as she scurried away in humiliating retreat!
Pay it up lad he said with a rather churlish grin… and I uneasily picked up the thick pile of notes and handed it to him.
I felt like saying something about his rudeness to the green satin gowned lass, but since I had been a rude one myself when I took her necklace, I let that sleeping dog lay quiet like.
Instead, I freely lied …
“Nicely done, old chap “Don’t forget to turn it in, I am sure the lady will eventually be a missing that very pretty piece!”
He slapped me on the backside as he gleefully counted my £ 200 worth of pound notes, looking all the world like a crafty cat who had eaten the gilded canary!
“No worries guv, she’ll get it back in due course!”
He was so sure of himself during the whole endeavor that I suppose warning bells should have been going off like gangbusters, but I gave no outward sign, my demeanor remaining icy calm, not an easy trick I will say, especially at that place and time!
I Just causally rose, and shaking his greasy, sweaty palm ( the one not tightly holding me money), lied again by sayin…
“Smartly played mate!”
I turned on me heel, my back to the bloke and walked off not looking back, letting out a long sigh of relief.
I had actually pulled the bloody spur of the moment scheme off!
I looked out onto the dance floor, marveling in the richly adorned dancers who her swishing and swirling about!
However, gone from the scene was a diminutive lass in blue, and still missing was my dance partner in green with the thick glasses!
I knew that off the pair of loos there was a back exit leading the rear parking lot, and I suspected she may have fled the ballroom using that as an escape.
“Pity.”, I said to myself, would have liked to have had a final look over at her, and her fine green-clad figure, lit under those dance floor lights one last time…!
So, I just continued dispassionately on, making my way back to the far side of the enormous chamber…
Quickly losing meself back amongst the throngs of gaily dressed, well liquored, unknowing partiers who were circling around the rest of the chamber…
Almost home I murmured happily…!
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Chapter 8
Grading on a Curve
I was meaning to leave the premises via a back exit, with its brick patio that led into the hedges surrounding the gardens.
As I went, I passed a non-caring security type on my way.
I did not wish to bother to shatter his bliss by stopping to hand over a lady’s emerald necklace, plus then having to take the time trying to explain how It happened to be in my possession!
So the lass would not be getting back her necklace in that fashion.
With a nod, I just walked casually by, a bloke with nothing to hide by all outward appearances.
That was me!
As I went outside, I felt the fresh breeze hit me face, and I breathed it deeply in, finally feeling free of all bother and worries.
I headed directly through the gated opening in the hedges, my final objective was reaching to the far side exit off of the lengthy garden that led off to the place where the red touring auto I drove was parked.
A bit of a walk, but amongst other things, It gave me time to marvel over how easily I was able to work through a situation that I was sure would Fail!
I made my way, slowing down a tad and admiring the flowers and rather ornate fountains that made up this hedged in proper little English garden.
I had one at home myself, behind the cottage, but nothing on this scale, just a brick path amongst some moss rose and lilies, with a rather ancient wrought iron bench overlooking a small stone-built pond in its centre.
I found myself automatically reaching for me pipe and pouch, figuring to contemplate with a long smoke as I walked. But immediately thought the better of it, time was, after all, still decidedly of the essence.
Soon enough, I reached my objective, then for the first time turned to look directly behind me, no one else was about!
I breathed a sigh of relief, it finally was over!
I turned and exited through the back gate…
I approached the curve that lined the parking lot when from another path off to the side I suddenly saw a shadow emerge, detaching itself from behind a tree.
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At the same instant, I was made aware of the sound of a quick swish of something silky, and before I could turn about, a very feminine set of fingers gently grasped my arm.
For the briefest part of a second, my mind pictured the young lass in sky blue, the one whose diamond necklace had been lifted as a result of my wager.
My ears met with a soft voice speaking in a lilting Irish accent, whispering cheerily behind me.
“Ta, my love, I’m here!”
I turned and looked again into those rapturing hazel eyes, prettily magnified by her heavy black glasses.
“Ta, here you are indeed !”
I enthusiastically agreed, and pulled her up against me, hugging into her sweet figure, my hands , openly this time, relishing in the splendid feel of her luxuriously soft, shimmery green satin gown, and the warm cuddling figure it encased!!
“Apparently, some turd stole me necklace while we danced !”
she whispered this playfully in my ear...
“ ‘ere now! By chance would ya know who the jester was laddie?!”
We broke apart, and as she stood there facing me with a rather smugly coy look about her, one hand on her chest, the other playing along her gown’s barren neckline. I gave her ravishing figure a quick once over before my eyes finally coming to rest once again on the empty neckline of her shiny green coloured gown.
“Indeed, I do “ I admitted, patting me tux outer pocket!
She gazed at me as I admitted my sin, a rather lusting look I knew, and melted for over oh so many times past!
Nice to know that feelings were still strong between us: after a five-year partnership before being married, and now a full 10 years vehemently lost in wedded bliss.
And what a lovely bride she had been… and still is for all that matters….!
I think her thoughts were going on about the same lines as mine, and may have led to us being rather a bit naughty right there an then under the witch elm tree that grew on the green lawn that separated the gardens from the parking lot!…. But!
But, shaking our heads clear in unison, we both turned back to peek into the still empty gardens…
Then we looked at each other directly in the eyes, and chuckling out loud together, proclaimed in sync…
“Let’s get going!”
We forthwith went to the auto, and I helped her slid onto the left side leather passenger inside our small, but quite fast, red coloured touring convertible.
Once she had slithered down, pulled in the loose ends of her long green gown, and nestled into the warm black leather of the seat, I closed her door.
I then promptly hopped in on the right, and fired up the engine into roaring life , and pulled off, leaving the place agreeably, as they say in the olde B.W. movies, in our dust...
About a mile down the road I looked up in the rear mirror, no one was following, but then, really why should they?
Though I was sure that by now there was some unsettling commotion going on back amongst several of the guests at the party we had both so recently left, there was really no way they could have logically connected me, or my wife, to any of it!
Suspicions, of course, maybe raised, but no one there knew enough about either of us to track down and ask!
With that thought in my head, I glanced over at my wife, saying rather with a cheeky tone of voice…
“Luv, we may actually have gotten away with this one!”
I saw my wife winningly smile as she pulled herself from what looked like deep thoughts, not breaking her gaze from the curving road ahead.
I stole another glance down at her clasped hands holding closed over an unseen object tightly within…
Catching my eye, she tenderly chided...
“Hush now dear husband, don’t go ‘an spoil this lucky find we worked so hard to acquire.”
At which point she opened her clasped hands so we could both have a look!
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I’ll end the chapter here for a bit of a mystery, though I am sure that anyone reading up to this point suspects all too well what we had come away from the party with 😉
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Chapter 9
Skipping Class, not for a smoke either!
My Wife’s green satin gloved hands, which had been clasped closed upon her gown’s shiny lap, were now opened a little and I peaked at the wild glistening of the 3 tiered bibbed necklace of quite genuine diamonds that lay nestled in her gloved palms.
Whistling, I asked…“I assume that those came from the gent’s tux pocket ?”
“ Quite she said, and a rather easy pick it twas , muggy bumping into me like he did!”, “ Rather a rude ‘un wasn’t he!”
She straightening her glasses in remembrance.
I chuckled in the memory of just how annoying the bloke had been, then said…
“Yes, most certainly was, rude, the self-centered wealthy young twit! Absolutely agree on that subject my love!!...plus the bugger smelled of something rude! ”
My eyes on the road, as I said this, I swerved to miss a clump of a cow’s by-product on the road, then continued on…
“It was a good plan! Played out just as you said it would! Sorry I doubted you!”
My wife, and partner in crime, smiled as I glanced over to her…
“Happy out!
When you first pointed out her diamonds, I knew that the spoiled missy’s necklace was the best take there by far of the other jewels stingingly being worn by any of the other ladies! And Bob’s me, uncle if those weren’t her maters anyways! “
I shook my head….
“Umm, possibly a bit too modern a setting for her mother, maybe a filthy rich admirer behind the curtains, so to speak...judging by the friendship ring she was flaunting about under everyone’s nose?”
My wife was still smiling, studying the brite necklace as it lay piled in her palm, a nice contrast, flickering diamonds on a green satin bed!…
Me pretty wife went on…
“Could be luv… but moer’ in likely ah disgustingly rich one than filthy he would be at that, judging by the quality of these diamonds she was wearing so flagrantly. One could see that without a jewelers' microscope!”
“But, of course, the fly in the ointment, was missey’s shadowing brother, watching her like a hawk from that barstool! The poor thing couldn’t enjoy herself properly, let alone wander off anywhere alone where a person like m’self could be expected to acquire a bit of them jewels in a proper fashion!!”
My eyes back on the road, I nodded in agreement, then with a sigh, I said…
“Yes and we both saw she wasn’t drinking and didn’t appear to be needing to use a powder room…”
“So we met up in that secluded side court to hold council, and agreed it was all up to me!”
She looked over at me, rather meekly...
“So, what better way than to have her brother take them, and obligingly deliver them to us?”
I sighed again, for dramatic reasons…
“ I know luv… at first, I was against the idea, especially since it placed me in the spotlight!”
Turning my eyes from the road, I gave both her, and the necklace she held, a brief, but warming, glance!
Then continued on…
”You, after all my lovely one, are the actress and pickpocket in the family!”
My wife laid a softly gloved hand upon my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze…
“ I was knowin you could do it luv, and the gambit was well worth its outcome if successful, which so far, it has!”
I chuckled…
“And it only cost us a mere £220!
I said this with triumph, for we both knew what the value of those diamonds would represent against a normal fortnight’s work to the year’s family income!”
My wife lowered her hand from my arm and laying it on my lap, squeezed my leg quite in a happy fashion.
As I, and the family jewels, both perked up at this, she snickered and commented….
“I think we are done for the weekend my luv, perhaps we should head on towards for home now, I think that I can ‘feel’ that you may be in agreement? “
Smiling outwardly at her words, I had to ask, half curious…
“What about the black-tie tomorrow night at the Regents’ castle then Luv?”
I was referring to the rest of our plans for the outing.
“Could collect a few gems other than diamonds to come home with on Monday?”
I was maybe a wee bit disappointed, which she knew by my next question…
“And I thought you still were a wanting the opportunity to play out the ‘Damsel in Distress’ routine we’ve been working on and had been originally planning on trying out today?”
I stole over a glance as I said this, half hoping I could change her mind and she would be game for it!
She slipped her arm in mine and drawing her sweet self-close to me murmuring, purposefully deepening her rich Irish brogue, purred…
”I think we have done a rather good bit of business for this trip laddie!”
As my wife, nestled up against me she looked up into my eyes before continuing …
I was smiling, for as she had moved, my ears caught the distinctly pleasant sound of rich thicke satin slithering along with fine leather! A rather richly provocative sound, to me, anyway!
Needless to say, my attention was now taken as my wife spoke on in her persuading fashion…
“Not often we have a big score this early! And its more ‘in enough, husband of mine, that we can afford to skip over the other things for now? New routines can wait, Don’t’cha agree wit me now m’ lad?”
She ended with a hopeful beckoning sort of look, a winning weapon that most wives are quite adept at using from their wily arsenal of emotional tugs….
I automatically smiled, never being one to resist that type of lure….
She saw that I was in agreement with my grinning face…
“That’s it then, I can see you agree! Darling, on Home to Badger’s Drift it is now!”
“And If you be want'in any more jewels stolen, you can continue to practice on me tonight!”
She had leaned up and over, as she whispered cheekily, her lustily breath tickling my ear while a long jeweled earring intentionally was allowed to hit me alongside a cheek.…the same cheek she than pecked a kiss upon!!!
Mission accomplished, She broke away and happily settled back into her seat as my voice finally found it’s tongue!
“ OK, Let’s not press our luck on, correct me, fine lass!”
I stated this in absolute agreement…and, feeling a familiar tingling start down between my legs, responded by letting my foot push the accelerator, causing the purring old engine to rev it up and add a bit of speed to our journey!
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Up Last
Chapter 10
Homework Prep
The car jumped in acceleration, I heard my wife beside me exhale a long, deep breath while reaching up and pulling down the visor and glanced at herself into the mirror.
I then heard her murmur.
”Have a watch for passer-byes willa Luv?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw her gently lift the diamonded necklace and carefully fasten it around her throat, letting it dangle down, whilst both of us then admired the rather dazzling, quite eye-catching results.
In a far off, wistful voice she said…
“I guess I do now feel it’s a bit of a waste to have bothered being this dressed up for an evening and not stopping anywhere else?”
I felt a sudden rise as I anticipated where her thoughts may be leading upon at the moment “
“ Ya know my love, we are going to be passing that muggy little bar on the wharf, the one we had a stop in on our last excursion, and…”
She let her voice trail off, and I knew it was for me to continue.
“Care to stop in again for a final drink on our way home?”
“And you can minx the natives with your finery, plus I am feeling a bit peckish..?... Sounds like a plan me dearest!?”
I asked with a wholehearted voice of agreement
She answered whilst still watching the reflection of the diamonds in the newly acquired necklace she was now wearing. The buggers were certainly screaming out their flickering brilliance in the mirror...
“Indeed sir, stop in for a bit of sup, a nip, then you can have a pull at your pipe and tell me how pretty I look!”
I chuckled while adding to her statement…
“A Jewel in the rough indeed you will be in there amongst the sometimes rather dicey patrons at the Poet and the Peasant Pub!”
Brilliant she said, leaning into me, her head gently resting on my chest, giving me an eyeful to look down upon! My eyes took a quick journey along the front of her rather perked features, tightly outlined by the green satin gown, as she grasped my arm!
My eyes also took in the emblazoned diamonds dripping down from her throat, wincing at the brilliant fiery sparkles of the magnificent necklace!
From a distance, they had stood out exquisitely from around the lass in blue’s throat, but up this close, they were almost too bloody blinding of an affair!
I knew full well along what lines my wife was half fancifully conniving up deep in her desires… And wearing that squinty necklace out into that pub was at the center of them!!
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I chuckled, knowing we both knew it would be a folly on, oh so many levels, to flaunt about any jewels we had managed to ‘acquire’ in such devious ways whilst out and about on our occasional jaunts we made into the public realm for such related purposes..!”
But I decided to make sure by saying…
“But you know luv, best not wear those diamonds around your throat into a waterfront pub, or anywhere else for that matter!
She was disappointed, but still said teasingly…
“Righto party pooper!”
Then added, lying through her pretty while teeth…!
“ I really wasn’t planning on wearin the pretty things, just joking really…!”
Breaking away she again slipped back into her seat, with a deep sigh of remembrance, before contemplating somberly with a shiver...
“Remember luv? That bloody party we went to for fun instead of working it over.
There we were, you in a tux, me in my best taffeta gown and real diamonds, enjoying ourselves for once… and in the course, letting our bloody guards down!
She took a long sigh, then continued, almost snarling out her words…
“Then go and ending that evening, while admittedly a bit tipsy, and certainly gullibly dressed up in my finest, only to meet that puppy sad-looking lass in the loo! Then while we were both in there, buying into her sob story!...
Then letting her lure me out alone by acting the good Samaritan to help her…!”
I could sense my wife gritting her teeth as she spits out the last bit…
“Then grabbed, waylaid and stripped of everything in a back alleyway by her thievin ruffian friends!!!” Well, I will agree, allowing that to happen once in me life was enough I’ll tell you that!”.
With a shudder, my now wretched-looking wife took in a deep breath after that outburst, then relaxing her expression, said in a more easy-going manner…
“Just say’n your quite right luv…! A second time may spoil the currant mood a bit anyhow, not to mention the loss of these pretties you worked so hard for, husband of mine!!”
(If anyone would like me to post the full separate story of how the back alley thievery event occurred, described briefly above, please let me know in the comments!)
Out of the corner of an eye, I had watched her unhappily undo the fiery necklace and place it back into her smooth lap, and then, as she still spoke, opening our car's glove case.
My wife reached in and popped open a small secret panel in the back. Pulling out a small, thin black velvet pouch, she carefully poured the sparkling necklace inside…
Then she pulled off her earrings, bracelet and rings…placing them inside also.
Then placed the now plump pouch back inside the hidden niche, and securely closed the secret panel. I heard her give a long sigh unhappily as she did so….. and knew her mind was heading into a darker corner of past experiences…
She patted my pocket which still held her necklace…
“Keep my emeralds safe then for me love!?”
Then she sighed…
“So tis agreed all around then! Stopping at the Poet and the Peasant pub for supper and a nipper, then it is off home to the Drift we go !“
Her mood shifting back, she exclaimed this part merrily!
Then she sighed happily while pulling off the owlish glasses she had been disguisedly wearing from their, perch and carelessly flipped them into the back-jump seat.
Then, reaching up into her hair, undid her matching twin emerald clips (placing them with a smirk into my jackets pocket), and pulled off her shoulder-length black wig, allowing her longish hair, the natural colour of sunset cerise, to freely cascade down from its long-held, tight bindings of a bun… The long black wig soon joined in the back with the discarded glasses.
She then nestled comfortably back into her seat, once again giving my ears a treat from the sounds of her gown slithering against leather, she exclaimed!
“Lead on, Macduff!”
^^^^^^^^^^^^
We sped off, soon putting many miles between us and the soon to be quite surprised, rather mangy cigarette slobbering, empty pocketed blighter!
The snarky brother to the now str
French athlete Pascal Martinot-Lagarde releases all his emotions at winning the 110 metres hurdles for France during the athletics World Cup at the London stadium. It was the only Gold medal won by France at the two day event. He was pleased to win!
Based on the 10 minute award winning short film of the same title, Normal People Scare Me is a feature-length documentary sharing first-person accounts of life and living with autism. Created by Taylor Cross, a 17 year old aspiring film maker with high functioning autism, Normal People Scare Me highlights 65 interviews conducted over the past two years by Cross, with interview subjects representing different levels of abilities on the autism spectrum. The film's interview subjects range in age from 9 to 57 years. Cross asks subjects questions such as "What does autism look like from your perspective? Do you like or not like being autistic?; What do you want to be when you grow up?; to Have you ever been teased? The courageous kids, teens and adults Taylor interviews offer powerful, poignant, and deeply moving insight to life and living behind the many faces and mysteries of autism. In one of Cross' most moving interviews, he connects with surfing champion, Izzy Paskowitz of Surfers Healing. Izzy is revealing in his honesty and perspective on raising his son, Isaiah who suffers from severe autism. Other interviews feature young aspiring artists, poets, actors, college students, and a quirky special ed. bus driver. These are among the fascinating subjects this film explores. Cindy and Janice are no exception. Both of these mothers have autism and have kids with autism. Four sets of siblings with autism are interviewed. Graham Nash provides narration in the film, and singer/songwriter, Taylor Dane sings film's theme song "Locked Inside of Me", written by Joey Travolta and Jeff Less. Cross' mother, Keri Bowers, a disabilities advocate, author, speaker and founder of PAUSE4kids a non-profit serving the developmentally disabled joins her son Taylor and Joey Travolta in the making of this film. The threesome continue to speak and share the upcoming feature film throughout the country. Panel discussion includes Q&A about the making of the film; alternative interventions for supports; and social and life skill training for those with autism in the dramatic and fine and musical arts.—Anonymous