“Go mingle,” Josie encouraged them, “give these out. Let people get a good look at the menu!” Giggling, the girls did as she said, carefully carrying the trays around the collection of smartly-dressed guests on the school field. Kerry made a bee-line for her mum who happily accepted the drink and leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek, assuring her how proud she was of her and complimenting her outfit.

“Did you get lots of pictures?” Kerry asked excitedly.

“I certainly did!” her mum assured her. “And I got the cards of a lot of the photographers who have promised to send me samples of what they’ve taken today. I’ll record everything that’s on TV about this and I’ll get a scrap book for the press cuttings.”

“That’s awesome!” Kerry beamed. “Not sure if I’ll get to talk to you again before… you know! So I hope you get a good, tasty piece of me!”

“All of you is tasty,” her mum smiled warmly, stroking her cheek with the back of the fingers of her free hand, “but don’t worry! That nice lady Josie has promised there’s at least slice of rump with my name on it!” Happy and contented, Kerry set off again to continue her task. She rather wanted to give her mum one last hug but the tray made it impractical so she blew a kiss from a few feet away instead. Seeing this, her mum mined catching it and tucking it close to her heart then blowing her one in return.

“Ah, Kerry!” Mr Harcourt beckoned her over, beaming fondly like an indulgent grandparent, just as he had when he told her she had been selected. “Do come and meet Mr Hutchinson.” He indicated the grey-haired man he was talking to who had the good grace to look a little awkward at being introduced to a naked schoolgirl. “He’s chairman of the board of Governors, until the end of term anyway.” he continued to smile as both he and the other man accepted drinks from Kerry’s offered tray, “He’ll be stepping down to make way for some of the executives from Sidney’s. Mr Hutchinson,” he turned to his friend, “this is Kerry, our delicious volunteer representing our side of the school.” Kerry smiled politely. “I’m sure you’re looking forward to enjoying her as much as I am!” he exclaimed, apparently oblivious to the awkward expressions on the faces of the other two in the conversation. “You’ll be roasting for us soon, won’t you, Kerry?”

“Yes, Sir.” she replied softly, the smile fixed in place. At least the slightly sympathetic look the other man shot her told her that she was not the only one finding Mr Harcourt’s tone a little over the top.

“You’re a credit to the school, Kerry.” Mr Hutchinson raised his glass to her, his sincerity obvious in his tone. “And we all thank you for your contribution to not only making today a success but also to securing the future of the school and the local community for many years to come.”

“Thank you.” Kerry gave a little bob of a curtsey. “I guess I should…” she lifted the tray a little by way of explanation.

“Of course, of course!” Mr Hutchinson smiled. “And thank you again!”

“Such a delicious treat, that one!” she heard Mr Harcourt observing as she walked away, making no attempt to lower his voice. “Did you see how wonderfully meaty she is in certain places?” There was no reply from his friend but Kerry did not have to look over her shoulder to imagine his awkward, forced smile. “Quite delectable!”

Her principal’s words making her feel deeply uncomfortable, a feeling she questioned her right to under the circumstances, Kerry continued to pass out the drinks until Josie saw her and put a hand on her shoulder, taking her to one side.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her genuine concern showing on her face.

“Nothing.” Kerry tried to shrug it off with a smile.

“Hey,” Josie looked at her kindly but with a firmness in her voice, “I’ve worked with girls your age long enough to know when you’re not happy and what I’m seeing is not last minute nerves about how the spit is going to feel! Now, I want you to tell me what’s wrong. If you’re having second thoughts I won’t deny it’s a little awkward but we can…”

“No!” Kerry assured her quickly. “It’s just…” she hesitated for a moment. “Do you think we could talk in private?”

“Of course!” Josie nodded, taking the tray from her and passing it to a passing member of the catering team then leading her into the tent with both hands on her shoulders. Inside, Kerry was alone with Josie just as she had been with Hunter but it felt different this time. “Why don’t you sit down?” the kind woman suggested, pulling a stool out for Kerry and sitting down on another herself, crossing one leg over the other under her smart, knee-length skirt. “So, go on.” she smiled encouragingly. “What’s on your mind?”

“Well,” Kerry wrung her hands and looked down at her feet. “I don’t know if I should say anything but…”

“Please tell me.” Josie urged. “I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong!”

“Well,” Kerry sighed. “It’s Mr Harcourt. He’s…” she hesitated, looking for the right words. “It’s just… He’s kinda giving me the creeps!”

“I see.” Josie nodded, the expression on her face suggesting that she had already suspected this, or at least feared that it might be an issue. “A little too keen, huh?”

“Yeah.” Kerry nodded. “The way he was talking about me just now and…”

“I get it!” Josie assured her. “You know, I wasn’t keen on how you were volunteered. I’d wanted to do a bit of a talk in one of your morning assemblies and ask girls to put themselves forward then maybe hold a vote or something but he insisted that it would, as he put it, cause a bit too much excitement and he assured us that he and his staff could arrange what we needed more discretely. I must admit I was quite relieved when you did seem to be up for it. I was preparing myself for some pretty awkward conversations and worrying that the whole deal might end up falling apart!”

“Oh no, I wouldn’t want that.” Kerry promised sincerely. “And I’m happy to roast and I love that Hunter’s looking forward to my tit but, well, just promise me Mr Harcourt won’t get my fillet, okay? I have a feeling he’s going to ask for that!”

“I can certainly arrange that.” Josie nodded reassuringly. “Would it be okay with you if Hunter got to enjoy it?”

“Oh for sure!” Kerry grinned. “And the Mayor can have my other tit. She seems nice! And you will make sure my mum gets some of my rump?”

“Of course!” Josie chuckled. “That goes without saying! I hope it won’t bother you to hear that I’m rather looking forward to a slice of that myself?” The pre-teen giggled and assured her that she was very happy with the idea. “You know,” Josie mused, “I think we can see to it that all your choicest cuts will have been reserved in advance and Mr Harcourt will just have to make do with whatever’s left, even if he is the Principal! It’s not like he’s going to want to argue with Hunter, or with me for that matter, not with so much on the line! Don’t worry!” she winked. “There’ll be some strips of fore-arm for him, or some lower leg. Still a very tasty meal!” Kerry smiled, feeling better already. “You leave it to me, kiddo!” Josie stroked her face affectionately. “I’m pretty good at letting men know they’ve crossed the line and are in the dog-house without needing to cause a scene!”

“I bet Katie’s out there making deals with all the guests about what parts of her they’re going to get!” Kerry giggled.

“I bet you’re right!” laughed Josie. She looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled as if the solution to a particularly tricky puzzle had just occurred to her. “Here’s an idea!” she proposed. “You and Hunter seemed to hit it off pretty well, right?” Kerry nodded. “Well how about you think of yourself as a meal for him and everyone else as his friends who he’s going to share his leftovers with? Does that work for you?”

“I think it does!” Kerry nodded, smiling with genuine happiness now. “I guess we need to get me roasting soon?” Josie checked the time on her phone.

“I guess so!” she agreed, slipping it back into her jacket pocket. “Let’s go find Katie and give her the good news, if she hasn’t worked out a way to spit herself already, that is!”


To be continued...