The gang – all of them – were very cross with Raymond. They kept telling him that it wasn’t his turn this year, and even if it was he was far too early.
We always go in alphabetical order, they said. And you have
to wait your turn. Aileen was first, then Brian. You’re an R – you’re way down
the list, and apart from that you haven’t been chosen.
“Why not?” said Raymond. “I’d be just as good as any of you
lot”.
“It’s not our decision”, said Karen. We have to do as we’re
told. If we’re chosen, we set off when the time comes. If not, we bide our time
and see if next year is our year.”
“And anyway”, said Larry, “It’s boy then girl then boy then
girl.”
“Which means”, said Rebecca, “That I’m the R this time round,
not you”.
“I can’t see why you’re in such a hurry”, said Simon. “You
may be all the rage for two or three days, get your name in all the newspapers
and be number one item on the 6 O’Clock News, but then you fizzle out and are
completely forgotten about.”
“Besides which,” said James, “It’s the height of Summer –
something Raymond forgets. None of us are likely to get an outing for weeks yet”.
A wistful expression came over Raymond’s weather-beaten face.
“I haven’t forgotten the last time I got the call”, he said.
“It was such fun. Back in 2013 – I went to Mexico, you know. They don’t muck
about down there. Ten whole days I got – ten! I got some speed up, I can tell
you. 125 miles an hour!
“Mind you, that wasn’t the first time I tried my luck in
Mexico. Back in 1989 … “
The others soon realized that there was nothing that could stop
Raymond from regaling them with all the details of his past triumphs. This was
a guy in both his dotage and his anecdotage.
Raymond certainly had plenty to talk about. His greatest triumph
– if that’s the right word – had been way back in 1983, and once he got going
on that story there was no chance of anyone else getting a word in edgeways.
It was only when the phone rang that he was persuaded to
stop. Olivia handed it to Hector, whose expression turned to surprise, then
delight.
“I don’t believe it”, he told the others after putting the phone
down. “I’ve got the call! I’m to set off for Ireland immediately then head for Scotland
and Northern England! See you!”
With that he left the room to get his bags packed. Iona perked
up considerably, knowing that she was next in line.
As for Raymond, he thought about calling his agent to see if
there was any chance of another outing in the Pacific – maybe the Philippines
this time? The Atlantic Storm Season was clearly not to his liking.
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