JENNIFER

I didn’t realise at the time that Jerry, the other poodle had already died, I do wish the dear lady had told me this was the exact same spot where Jerry had been planted, whilst digging I kept thinking Willy would have loved these bones. After an hour in the blistering heat I had finished the job and he was at rest. As I made my way to the shed to return the spade I saw a girl sitting on some stone steps that led up to the main lawn. I had seen her before on a couple of occasions, organising everyone about, but I had never got the chance to speak to her. She had long black hair in ringlets, quite slim and she was wearing the summer dress which was short sleeved, white with thin green horizontal stripes. I stood looking at her, waiting for her to look up, but she was miles away reading a book which was in the lap of her dress, kept there by her legs, which were a bit too far apart, she was twiddling her hair with the fingers on her left hand. I had to consider if I was being set up again, but decided to make a comment. I always liked to break the ice with the girls if only to reassure them that I wasn’t some kind of letch, and after all she was supposed to be a young lady! “Do you know you’re showing your unmentionables?” I said. Without moving or looking up she said. “That’s what I call my grandmother’s knickers, don’t be so rude.” “I’m not being rude I just thought you would like to know.” Once she had finished reading her page she closed her book with her knees, and gave me a look that said I’ve got the devil in me, and she wasn't joking. “Most boys wouldn’t have commented they would have kept me talking and hoped I didn’t move; what’s the matter didn’t you like what you were gawping at? Anyway what have you been doing you stink?” “I’ve just buried the last poodle.” “About time to, I for one kept lacing its food, don’t look so surprised, you didn’t have to put up with it, all it did was wee, yap and crap.”