Lady in Red

Lady in Red

She was halfway back from the city when she remembered. Damn! She had
promised Mick to visit the annual Show. They had missed it year after
year for as long as she could remember. "If we don't show up this year,
we'll be ostracised" Mick had warned. He was shorthanded in the Hotel
so she promised to look in, if only briefly.

It had been teeming rain since early morning. She had dressed for the
weather; a Burberry raincoat which covered her from head to toe, waxed
hat and shiny red wellies. "I must look a sight" she thought, checking
her makeup in the rear view mirror. Everybody was bound to be dressed
in their summer best. At least she'd keep dry. She pulled into the
showgrounds, gingerly seeking out the firm high ground in the field
which was now a sea of mud. She was relieved to see two or three
tractors standing by. She might need the help of one later if this
downpour continued.

The large Marquee was thronged to capacity. The enticing smell of
roasted coffee and freshly baked scones wafted out to meet her. She
wrinkled her nose in appreciation.
"Mrs Brown, so nice of you to come" gushed Mrs James, the wife of the
Council chairman, her flushed face wreathed in smiles. Within minutes
she had been introduced to half of the large crowd. It seemed as if the
entire village population had turned out. She noted Miss Fitzgibbon,
the postmistress casting covert glances at her red attire from behind
her half spectacles. She herself was dressed to the nines and sported a
large bunch of plastic cherries on a wide-brimmed straw hat. The old
witch would ensure that every female in the tent knew about her
wellies. "Mustn't let her bother me," she thought, "she'd never dare to
wear them". The image of Miss Fitzgibbon in shiny red wellies sent her
into fits of silent laughter.

The Public address system crackled into life. It was time for the
judging. Mr James wearing his shiny gold chain of office stepped up to
the microphone. He was flanked by the other judges; Fr.Murphy, the
Parish priest, Mr.McNamara the Headmaster and Rev.Woodward the Rector,
"We are delighted with such a great turnout and would like to extend a
hearty welcome to you all".

He hoped the complimentary coffee and scones compensated somewhat for
the awful weather. A buzz of appreciation and a spontaneous handclap
followed. Mrs Ludlow turned beetroot red and dropped a curtsey while
acknowledging the applause. Her scones and homemade gooseberry jam
always went down a treat.

Mr.James reeled off the names of the prizewinners in each category. Old
Tom had once again won first prize for the largest marrow. Mrs Murphy
O'Connor took first prize for the best fruitcake. Eventually he reached
the last item.

"Now for the prize for the Best Dressed Lady" he announced dramatically
as a hush descended. "The committee had great difficulty in arriving at
a decision as the standard this year was exceptionally high. So many
lovely hats " he added. Miss Fitzgibbon managed to blush and giggle at
the same time.

"We have kept the best wine till last" finished Mr James with a
flourish. "The prize for the best dressed Lady goes to???.. Mrs Brown
!??. truly a Lady in Red"???.

THE END