Little Fingers! by Tim Roux Page A

invite him.”
    “ I thought he
got rather annoyed last year.”
    “ He did. More
than. He was absolutely livid.”
    “ Poor
Brian.”
    “ It was his
own fault.”
    “ Yes, it was
rather.”
    “ He won't do
that again.”
    They all
laugh.
    Apparently
Brian threw a chocolate gateau at Tom and hit Brenda straight in
the face. Sportingly, Brenda who was startled at first, recovered
her composure and burst out laughing, thus conserving the
reputation of fun-loving barmaids everywhere.
    “ No he won't
do that again. The cleaning bill cost him £35.”
    I am lost in
the conversation. I haven't a clue who Brian is and it is not
obvious to me why Brian should be throwing a cake at Tom, although
I do empathise. It would be a true moment of achievement to mess up
that edgy smug expression of his. I really do dislike Tom, while
being drawn to him against my will, my taste, my reason. There is
something in that wiry body of his that sucks you in. Something
absolutely physical. I am usually entirely averse to the charms of
men, I don't like him, but my body seems to crave him.
    “ Who is
Brian?” I ask.
    “ A friend of
Sam's.”
    “ More than a
friend of Sam's”, laughs Mich.
    “ Just a
friend,” Sam replies.
    “ Oh, come
on!”
    “ We can do
things together, and still just be friends,” Sam
retorts.
    “ Doesn't Tony
ever say anything?”
    “ Who is
Tony?”
    “ Sam's
long-suffering husband.”
    “ Rubbish. I
am Tony's long-suffering wife.” Sam giggles girlishly.
    Julie leans
forward towards me. “Sam and Brian have had a thing going for
years. Brian is married to Katie, who is really lovely and is a
good friend of mine. Sam married Tony because he is rich and
handsome, and she can do anything she likes with him. Brian hates
Tony - he thinks he is a complete wimp. Brian hates Tom
…….”
    “……… I know
Tom.”
    “ Yes, we all
know that.”
    “ Why would
you know that?”
    “ Everyone
knows what Tom is up to. He always latches onto the new face in the
village, especially if it a pleasing face. It is a territorial
thing.”
    “ I am not
having an affair with Tom, thank you.” I put the speculation firmly
in its place.
    “ Apparently
not,” Julie continues. “We are all waiting to see what will happen
next. Are you married?”
    “ No.”
    “ Divorced?”
    “ No.”
    “ Looking?”
    “ No.”
    “ Oh come on,
everyone is looking,” Melody declares aggressively.
    “ I am not
looking,” I reply flatly. “Only for peace and quiet.”
    “ Well, you
will certainly get that.”
    “ Will you
take a bet, Julia?” Mich asks me.
    “ Why?”
    “ For
fun.”
    “ What is
it?”
    “ Will you
take it?”
    “ I know all
about betting. What am I betting on?”
    “ I am betting
you.”
    “ About
what?”
    “ That you
will end up with Tom at least once.”
    “ Oh no I
won't.” Sam is watching me nervously. I do nothing to lessen the
threat in my composure.
    “ It's a bet
then?” Mich pushes me.
    “ I wouldn't
take your money.”
    “ But it is I
who will be taking yours.”
    “ Why would I
have anything to do with Tom?” I am genuinely puzzled.
    “ You are his
type.”
    “ A real
ball-breaker,” Melody adds, unnecessarily.
    “ No, a
challenge. Tom is a hunter. He loves a challenge.”
    “ He doesn't
stand a chance. Why am I discussing this?” I sweep the
room.
    “ Well we were
discussing Sam's love life, and it is a way of breaking the
ice.”
    “ Sam's love
life is an open book,” observes Julie. “Brian, Tom and Tony if she
has to.”
    “ In that case
she will hardly want me to end up with Tom.”
    “ Everyone
ends up with Tom, unless they are a les-y.” The question hangs in
the air.
    “ Mary
Knightly is a les-y,” smirks Melody. “And even she had a fling with
him.”
    “ Now, now,
Mel,” pronounces Sam. “Mary may have many, many faults, but she is
not a les-y. It's a shame. It would make her more interesting, and
give her an excuse for being a revolting little