Outside, Katie was easy to spot, holding court with a group of journalists and school governors, clearly charming them with ease and inviting them to imagine her meat turning golden brown over the coals. Near by, members of the catering team were applying a fresh coat of oil to the spits so that they would slide smoothly through the two delicious young bodies.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Josie smiled, stepping into the middle of the group and putting a hand on Katie’s shoulder, “but our little meat-girl here has an important appointment that I’m sure she doesn’t want to miss!”

“Ooh it’s time?” Katie exclaimed with excitement. “Bye everyone!” she waved and blew kisses enthusiastically with both hands once Josie had relieved her of her tray. “Enjoy the barbecue!” With warm an affectionate chuckles, all the adults she had been talking to assured her that they would and wished both girls happy cooking. Hunter was already waiting by the roasting pit and, as they headed towards it, Kerry saw her mum giving her a thumbs-up and waving her camera which she knew was meant as a promise to get lots of pictures. Although a lot of her family had attended the press conference, only Katie’s mum was down on the field and the younger meat-girl waved cheerfully to her.

“All set, ladies?” Hunter grinned when they arrived.

“Sure thing!” Kerry grinned back at him, looking up into his handsome face with her shoulders back and chest pushed forward but then her face fell a little as she saw Mr Harcourt pass his drink to whoever the woman he had been talking to was, asking her to hold it for him, and begin to weave his way through the guests towards them. “Here we go…” Kerry sighed.

“Don’t worry!” Josie squeezed her shoulder while exchanging knowing looks with Hunter as two of the assistants went to fetch the spitting frames and began to wheel them forwards, fighting with them somewhat on the uneven surface of the field and the rolled along on wheels very similar to those on a supermarket trolley. “I’ve got this!”

“Oh wonderful!” the principal gushed, clasping his hands together in delight the way he often did when delivering good news or announcing a prize in assembly. “Time to start the cooking, I see?” He looked hungrily at the two young girls, his eyes unmistakably drifting down to the plump treat between Kerry’s legs in a way that Josie would have thought a little uncomfortable even if Kerry had not told her about the way he made her feel. Yes, the girls were meat and were there to be cooked, eaten and enjoyed just like every girl served up in her restaurant and its sister branches around the world but, like those other girls, they were still people and deserved to be treated with a degree of respect, especially at this stage when they could still technically back out and go on with their lives! “I wonder,” he continued, apparently oblivious to the judgement in Josie and Hunter’s eyes, “if I might be permitted to reserve a certain select portion? To stake my claim, as it were!” he added with a chuckle, clearly proud of his mid-level pun.

“I don’t think that’s especially appropriate under the circumstances.” Josie replied with a polite smile, feeling the pre-teen physically recoil from his gaze. He had not even asked Kerry herself in a way the might be considered friendly and playful, he had directed his question to the adults as if the girls were already nothing but food. His smile faltered, this answer clearly coming as something of a surprise.

“I’m sorry?” he asked, a visible puzzled.

“Oh I mean no offence!” Josie assured him with a smile that did not extend to her eyes. “But we have a lot of important guests here today. Mr Roebuck, for example, has flown all the way from Los Angeles to be with us! Not to mention the Mayor, all the school governors and the gentlemen and ladies of the press. There will be plenty to go around, don’t you worry, but I don’t think it would be a very good look if the host reserved to most coveted cuts for himself, would it?”

“Well no…” Mr Harcourt agreed awkwardly. “Quite. I was just thinking… No,” he shook his head and at least had the good grace to look embarrassed. “You’re quite right! Well,” he quickly recovered, smiling and clasping his hands together again, “I’ll leave you to it! All the best, girls!” Kerry and Katie both smiled at him politely as he retreated.

“Thank you.” Kerry whispered to Josie so softly that she was practically mouthing the words.

“I told you I’d take care of it, didn’t I!” Josie winked. “Now, let’s get you spitted! I think Hunter’s getting a little hungry!”


To be continued...