C.Stanford

Annual Talent Contest

The day of the Annual Talent Contest had arrived. It was almost the end of summer term and the adults queued outside Snookington School hall. Parents and carers chatted away about the their children’s prospects. Gronk and Munter arrived and looked at the queue and tutted. Without pausing, they walked nonchalantly to the front.

Pasty Thief and The Fish Finger Incident

Munter browsed a stall where Miss Whippet was serving customers. It was well-stocked by a local shop called The Wrong Pasty™ which sold pasties in identical packaging. The idea was for customers to have a lucky dip. Someone may want a steak and potato pasty but get a chicken curry one instead. The company was doing a roaring trade in the Snook.

Mingling

The Gronk-LaTwonks were there, of course. Gronk effortlessly held his nose in the air. Munter spread more false stories to Mrs Snoops and Mrs Snipes. Griselina scouted about for her friend. A limousine pulled up and the chauffeur opened a door toward the back. Evie alighted with a smug smile.

Village Show

A few weeks later, it was time for the Snook Show. It was always held on the village Green, which flowed between an arc of stone cottages and Snookington School. A small road edged with short wooden posts curved around the Green and several old oak trees spread their foliage. Birds tweeted and squirrels ran along the branches. It was early summer and the Green was brimming with tombola stalls, raffles, childrens’ rides and face painting. There was tug of war, fancy dress, an owner-dog lookalike display and the most peculiar shaped vegetable competition.

Victory

Steve tore over the grass to make up lost ground. And then it happened. Gronk slipped. His right leg slewed left and his left leg skidded right. Cross-legged, he arched in mid-air and his slender frame landed in a twisted heap just short of the finishing line. The other competitors seemed to break their stride to watch. Gronk scrambled on his hands and knees, clutching at the grass while Steve darted for the tape. They were neck and neck until Steve thrust his chest out with arms back and Gronk hurled himself forward. It was close. Too close. But Steve was first over the finishing line.

Tactics

“You look focking terrified,” Gronk goaded.

The Race

Eventually, it was time for the race. Gronk strutted masterly to the start. “I shall be victorious over all-comers… gosh, I’m so impressed with myself,” he commented out-loud, sensing victory.

Poshey Ladies

Clarissa and Lottie sat majestically in the front row, with knees together and ankles crossed. Clarissa’s scraggy-hair blew in the breeze while Lottie shifted in her uncomfortable chair. Their oversized hats restricted the view of the spectators behind. They smirked, knowing those further back were of no consequence. They were well versed in Snobbier-Than-Thou. Clarissa was looking forward to seeing her Kyffers in action, whilst Lottie waited with anticipation for Droggers to compete. Their husbands, Harvey and Hugo, could not be there as they were chancing other people’s money in SmogCity. Besuited in compulsory pinstripes and wearing their old school ties, those Old Snookfordians were too important to take time out of their high-flying SmogCity careers. Clarissa and Lottie hung to each of Miss Whippet’s words.

Sports Day

School sports day was a prestigious occasion in the Snook calendar. It was more about the grown-ups than the children. Much more. Illustrious bragging-rights went to the winner of the parents’ and carers’ race. Family pride was at stake in the annual quest for a champion. Posheys usually won the race as a way of reinforcing their natural advantage in life. Many entered the race, but some trained all year for it.

Brave

Lucy was having a good day. She had told Griselina what she really was at long last. The truth hurts, she thought. But she had let her guard down and never noticed who was approaching from behind. A heavy shove forced her into the wall of the school corridor. Gideon, Kyffers and Droggers were in her face.