The Donaldson Controversy (3)

“I think I’ll have a salad today,” said Miss Groves when we met for luncheon.  “What about you?” 

“Jacket potato.” 

“And filling?” 

“I’ll wait to see what’s available.” 

“That’s what I like about you, Otterence, you’re open to options.” 

“For that matter, what sort of salad are you having?” 

“I’ll wait to see what’s available.” 

When we were seated and suitably saladed,  Miss Groves asked, “What are your plans for this evening.” 

“I have an essay to write,” I said.  

“You’re writing your essay before your Bennett has arrived?” 

“I don’t have a choice,” I said. “The deadline’s approaching.” 

“It’s a shame,” she said. “I was hoping you would take me out to the Woodman.  A lady can hardly go to a pub on her own.” 

“I’d be happy to take you,” I said. “I can do the essay before we go out.” 

“Excellent. I’ll see you outside the Woodman at 7.30.” 

I worked hard on my essay, though was frustrated that I had to rely on Donaldson as my sole source ahead of the arrival of my Bennett from the library.  I was ready in good time, but although I arrived at the Woodman a few minutes early, Miss Groves was already there waiting. 

“You’re early,” I said. 

“I wanted to see how keen you were.”  She looked at her watch. “Two minutes early, not that keen.” 

“I was working on my essay.” 

“Must have been a fascinating essay.” 

I bought the drinks and we took seats by the window. 

“Oh look, a dart board,” Miss Groves said. “Shall we play?” 

“I don’t know how.” 

“I’ll show you.” So saying she took a set of darts out of her bag and we began a game.  However, we’d hardly started playing when Tom Watson and his cronies entered the pub and saw us. 

“Ah, the gentleman’s  game, darts. Do you fancy a wager Oblong?” 

“I don’t play,” I said, “Miss Groves is showing me.” 

“I’ll take up your wager,” Miss Groves said to Watson.   

“I can hardly play a woman?” 

“Why not, afraid of losing?” 

Watson looked to his sidekicks for support, but they shrugged uncertainly. 

“Very well, loser buys the next round of drinks for all five of us.” 

Miss Groves won us free drinks all night.  She outscored everyone she played, including Watson and each of his sidekicks, and thenceforth every darter the pub could volunteer. 

“Where did you learn to play like that?” I asked her as she beat her last victim. 

“Mother plays for the county. We play every time we go out.” 

After the pub I walked Miss Groves home. 

“Would you like to come up to my room,” she said, “I have something I’d like to show you.” 

“Of course,” I said nervously. 

I ascended the stairs to her apartment nervously. What could there be in her bedroom that she was so keen to show me I wondered. 

I didn’t have to wait long. 

“A Bennett,” I said, taking the tome from her bookshelf.  “You never let on.” 

“A girl’s allowed to keep her secrets,” she said. “You should read it,” she said. “It will help with your essay.” 

“I can take it?”  

“No, I’ll need it for my essay, but you can read the first chapter while I  get ready for bed.” 

It seemed a strange arrangement, but I wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity such as this.  I hastily opened the Bennett and started taking notes. 

I had progressed well, when Miss Groves returned from her bathroom adjournment stark naked. 

“What do you think?” she said. 

“You look gorgeous,” I said. 

“The Bennett, silly, what do you think of the Bennett?” 

“It’s good,” I said. “It’s a lot more to the point than Donaldson, less verbose.” 

Miss Groves climbed into bed as I was talking. 

“Well,” she said. “Are you joining me? You’re surely not going all the way home when you can sleep here.” 

“I don’t have pajamas,” I said. 

“That’s good,” she said. “I didn’t just invite you over to read my Bennett, you know. I want to see what you look like without pajamas. Well, are you coming into bed.” 

I put down the Bennett, undressed and climbed into the bed. Sans pajamas.