Beginning, Next Section
Part 1
"I shouldn't have been fool enough to bring my stupid mobile," William muttered as he shoved his phone back into his jacket pocket.
"The Paper I assume?" Michael queried. "They want you back at work?"
"As always, "William sighed. "On top of everything else it appears that Craig has gone into hospital with acute appendicitis."
"How very inconsiderate of him," Michael answered dryly. "Doesn't he appreciate that you're at training?"
"Knowing it can't be helped doesn't make it less exasperating," William replied with a grudging smile at his older friend. "I feel as though I've let you down... having to miss the first two days to cover for Caroline after her skiing injury, and now this."
"You know I appreciate that you could come at all, though it seems almost a waste to travel over four-hundred kilometres for just two days," Michael added, "there's no-one else who could cover for him?"
"Not with our current staff shortages. I wish personnel would pull their finger out and just fill those vacant positions, I'm past caring who they employ, so long as someone is doing the work. No matter what the staffing situation though, I've made it abundantly clear that I will not be available to work for the entire period of the camp."
"I have no concerns about that Will, you've not let me down in... how many years now?"
"This is my ninth," William answered with a smile as he though back to his first year of involvement with The Program at the age of nineteen.
Meeting the underprivileged kids with whom The Program worked had been a life changing experience for William Darcy. As the product of a very privileged and protected childhood - living in a wealthy suburb, attending the best schools, mixing with the 'right' people - he had grown up with a natural sense of his own superiority, viewing his own good fortune almost as a divine right, and taking for granted all he'd grown up with... but that was before he met Michael and the kids.
His first camp was an incredibly eye opening experience. Though he had never been encouraged to hold prejudices, it almost took him by surprise that these socially disadvantaged kids were, on the most part, interesting, intelligent and enthusiastic. He was amazed at their strengths, particularly after learning of the circumstances they often faced in their everyday lives, and he came away feeling quite humbled, full of youthful resolutions to readdress at least some of society's inequities, and determined to make a difference in the world.
"You know that the only reason I became involved that first year was because Melissa had volunteered," he laughed. "It's almost funny that our romance didn't even make it through the training week. Ah... young love!"
"Thankfully you have been less fickle in your relationship with The Program," Michael grinned. "Stayers such yourself are not easy to come by, and the work you're now doing on the board in invaluable."
"You know it's a privilege to be involved." William smiled back, "You have a great work here Michael and the difference it makes to those kids is remarkable."
"So will you drive home this evening?" Michael asked, self-consciously turning the conversation from himself. The work he did was for love, not for recognition or praise.
"I wish it were as simple as that," William groaned, "but I've promised Geoff, June and Sam a lift back tomorrow and I can't really ask them all to pack up a day early... so it might be best to leave them my car and to see if I can catch a train home."
"How did they get up here then?" Michael asked, thinking that there'd have to be a better way for William to get home than spending over five hours on public transport.
"Sam's brother dropped them here on his way to visit friends up north, and they're definitely relying on me for the return journey."
"Ah... it'd slipped my mind for a minute, but one of the trainees is heading home this afternoon and I'm sure she won't mind giving you a lift." Michael stepped out for a moment and sent someone off to chase up the potential transport, then settled down to talk with William about the current funding drive whist awaiting an answer.
They became so involved in the discussion, they'd almost forgotten they were expecting someone when the knock came. Michael stepped up and opened the door of his makeshift office.
"Liz, good of you to show up so quickly. How are things going now?"
To William listening in, his interest was a little sparked as Michael's question seemed rather purposeful, and not just casually polite. From where he sat he couldn't see the girl with whom Michael was speaking , but he could clearly hear her exasperated reply.
"Not wonderfully Michael, it's getting to the point where he's driving me insane! Every time I turn around he's there! - Are you sure you can't post either him or me to a different camp this year?"
"Sorry Liz, but it's a bit late in the picture for that. If I'd known there was a problem earlier..."
"Well, earlier I thought that I could handle him myself," the girl cut in, "but the man simply can not take a hint! I obviously made a big mistake in assuming he might have half a brain!"
"Are you sure you've clearly let him know you're not interested?" asked Michael. "You're not unconsciously giving out hopeful signals are you? This wouldn't be the first time your liveliness has given a young man the wrong impression."
"No Michael I'm not! ...and don't try to put the blame in this on me! I swear if I even once smiled at him it was purely by accident. Honestly, I have never given him any form of encouragement, and believe me, I have taken every possible opportunity for discouragement. He's just too stupid to understand! The other day he overheard me mutter to Jane that he was sharp as a ball-bearing, and he thought it was a compliment!!"
Michael just laughed. "He's an extremely good looking young man though Liz. You'd make a handsome couple"
"Are you trying to make me physically ill?" groaned Liz. "You know his looks are half the problem. He's such a pretty boy," her voice was clearly dripping with disdain, "that he finds it impossible to believe any female could think him anything but irresistible. Do you know what he told Janice about my refusal to date him?"
"I'm sure you're going to fill me in." Michael was obviously becoming increasingly amused at Liz's exasperated, but admittedly rather entertaining narration.
"He told her that I was repressed! Can you believe it?! - I don't want to go out with him and he puts it down to me having psychological hang-ups! The idea that it could be due to him being an odious, self absorbed, arrogant, mindless jerk doesn't even cross his tiny little mind - and that's not the worst of it... wait for it... he started lecturing Janice on her parental responsibilities! He told her she should insist that I go out with him, so he could help me overcome my problems with intimacy!"
Michael was laughing out loud by now. The picture of any young upstart trying to lecture Liz's step-mum was highly amusing. The lad must really be truly presumptuous to even attempt it. Janice was one of those rare human beings who managed to simply exude a quiet, but very real, authority and people with any sense tended not to question it.
"Well Michael, I'm glad my misfortunes are not all loss - you at least have found some enjoyment in them." Though her words might have seemed to contain censure, her tone was light and she didn't really sound at all offended. "So was that what you wanted to see me about?"
"Oh, I'd almost forgotten - come in. There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Michael stepped back, gestured for Liz to enter his office, and made the introductions. "William Darcy... Elizabeth Bennet, Liz... Will."
Elizabeth grimaced slightly as she realised her enthusiastic venting had not been in private. "Sorry, I didn't know anyone else was here."
"Think nothing of it," William smiled at her.
He had not spoken to the girl before but he had definitely noticed her, even amongst the myriad of young volunteers at this year's training. She had the kind of looks that couldn't help but catch your eye; a fresh, very pretty face with a knockout smile, long dark curls, and an excellent figure, and now she was quite near he was even more taken with her eyes which were full of life and intelligence. For a moment he almost felt a little pity for her hapless suitor.
"William is the reason I was looking for you," Michael continued. "He's needed back in the city by tomorrow but has to leave his car here for some friends. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind a passenger."
"I'd actually be grateful for some company," she replied, a little relief evident in her tone. "Charlie was with me on the way up but she's travelling back with Bill. I wasn't really looking forward to such a long drive by myself."
"I'll admit to being surprised at your Dad agreeing to you taking such a long trip alone." Michael said candidly.
"Well... Janice intervened on my behalf and convinced him that I really needed the car. My only other alternative was to travel with Bill and you know how I'd feel about that! She even arranged my 'prior engagement' to give me a sound reason to take my own vehicle."
"Are you telling me that this 'inescapable commitment' for which you have to leave early, is just a cover to avoid travelling with Bill?" Michael sounded a little put out. He could occasionally be a little precious about attendance at his training sessions.
"Guilty as charged," Elizabeth grinned sheepishly. "In cases like this, one has to be a bit scheming; just call it female ingenuity."
"Well, it's worked out well for me." William chipped in upon noting the slight look of disapproval on Michael's face. "What time were you thinking of leaving?"
"I didn't want to get away much later than five," she replied. "Will that be all right by you?"
"That'll be fine thanks," he nodded in agreement. "Where shall we meet? Here?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll see you later then." she answered, and with a quick conciliatory peck on Michael's cheek she was gone.
Part 2
"Yes, how on earth did you know?" Michael asked in surprise.
"I recognised him from her description," said William. "You know... the 'odious, self absorbed, mindless' part."
"He can't possibly be that bad can he?"
"Oh, he certainly can," replied William "I had him in my discussion and planning group yesterday. I have never seen a man more full of self-importance. He spent half of the morning confidently expressing opinions on matters he obviously knew nothing about, and was continually making irrelevant and condescending remarks concerning other people's ideas, mine not excepted. Midway through the morning Sam said something about me being on the board, and instead of trying to be clever with me, he moved on to obsequious fawning, and from then on he couldn't defer quickly or enthusiastically enough over anything I said. He is truly quite offensive."
Michael shook his head at William's confirmation of Elizabeth's opinion. "Maybe I should have treated her complaint more seriously. They're both going to be under your supervision at camp William. You won't mind watching out for her will you?"
"Not at all Michael. I think I could get quite some pleasure through keeping an eye on Elizabeth," William grinned. "Mind you I get the impression that she'll probably be able to handle him herself. Do you know her well? Has she been involved with The Program for long?"
"I know her family quite well. This is her first year with the northern division for camps, but Elizabeth has been part of our southern camp's team for the last two years. She also volunteers an afternoon a week to teach piano at the centre," Michael replied. "I'm surprised you've not run into her at some time. If you're interested in her at least it shows a better taste than you've previously exhibited."
"I told you, I was never involved with Caroline. " William shot back at Michael. "She just filled in when I needed a date for a few functions... But if you're going to play matchmaker you'd do better to try find me a woman, not a mere girl! How old would Liz be? Late teens... early 20's at the most. If I'm still single in five years time, you can give me a call about her."
"A bit too young for your taste then?"
"Michael, involvement in your camps has given me enough 'teeny-bopper' admiration to last more than five lifetimes. I certainly don't want or need any more!"
"Will, you are far too cynical about love altogether. You should loosen up a little."
"What, and follow your example by being into my third marriage before I reach fifty? No thank you! It's going to take a lot more than a pretty face and lively personality to get me to renounce the single life."
"Oh yes, what will it take then?" Michael grinned.
"At the very least it will take a woman who is more than you normally meet with. I've no argument with beauty or good humour, but more importantly she'll have to be well informed, discerning and intelligent. She'll also need to posses a moral integrity, and to hold things of value which I hold of value," William answered quite seriously. "I'm waiting for someone I can truly respect, and who in turn will respect and understand the real me."
"My goodness, this sounds serious!" laughed Michael, actually surprised to find this romantic idealism in William whom he had always considered to be more of a realist. "The problem I foresee is that if a woman of such quality really existed, she'd probably not be interested in you."
~/~
"The William Darcy?" Charlie asked Elizabeth as she watched her friend pack her belongings, "the one who'll be running our camp this year?"
"The one and the same," Liz replied.
"Ooh... He's cute, I wouldn't mind spending five hours alone in a car with him,"
Elizabeth gave a slight shake of her head. "That's your trouble Charlie, you don't mind spending any time alone with any male! Anyway, don't you think he's a bit old?"
"I don't get you Lizzy, he's absolutely gorgeous, and given the car he drives he must be loaded. If I were you I'd take this opportunity of showing him your sweetest and most alluring self. You never know what could eventuate."
"Give me a break, Charlie. I remember you gave me similar advice when we first met Bill," cried Liz. "Thank goodness I didn't follow it then, and I'm certainly not going to follow it now."
"Yeah, might be for the best. I hear he's a bit stand-offish." Charlie said.
"He seems nice enough Charlie, but comes across a little stiff for my taste," Liz replied. "I get the impression that it would take a long time to really get to know him."
"Well, Maria was on his team last year and she told me that he thinks himself above everyone else. He didn't join into many of the social activities, and generally kept himself aloof from the team," Charlie continued. "I suppose that explains why he only bothered to come up for the last few days of training."
"Probably had to work," answered Liz with a shrug. "Anyway, I'm sure he's done the training 100 times before, and as for joining in the fun, I dare say he'd be kept quite busy with the administration side of things, in just the same way that Katherine was during our last camp. Anyway... he'd be in the wrong demographic for a lot of the silly stuff that goes on - he must be in his late twenties at least."
"You might be right, and anyway, when a guy is so cute I can easily overlook his faults." Charlie smiled. "Bill's really not that bad either."
Liz rolled her eyes in disbelief. On all other subjects Charlie was perceptive and interesting, but somehow her mind seemed to turn off if there was a good looking man in the frame.
"Well then, if he's not that bad maybe you can keep him away from the admin. block at around five. I'd like to make a clean get-away before he realises I'm leaving."
"It will be my pleasure!" Charlie laughed.
Part 3
He smiled as Liz got out of the driver's seat. "Not exactly the car I expected you to be driving. I guess it's not yours."
"Not feminine enough for you?" she answered with an arch smile. "Actually it's my step-mum's, but it's the car I usually drive. What did you expect me to be driving? A little Jap number?"
"Well it'd be easier on the petrol tank for a start."
"Ah, but it has an LPG conversion. I wouldn't want to have to feed it real petrol," Liz laughed.
She watched as he easily lifted his heavy case into the car. Charlie was right, William Darcy was a very good looking man, on top of which he had an intelligence in his face and a natural grace to his movements. "I wonder if he has any younger brothers," was the thought that crossed her mind.
They began their long trip with very little conversation. Truth be told neither felt particularly comfortable after the exchanges they'd had earlier with their companions.
William was a little uneasy at Michael's hints about Elizabeth. Having a fling with a young student would be the last thing he'd desire, regardless of how attractive she might be. It was some years ago that William first began to tire of the games and superficiality surrounding the dating scene. It seemed to him that though the beginnings of relationships appeared to promise so much, the reality was that they delivered very little of real satisfaction. Eventually a cynical ennui had set in and though he still enjoyed the company of women, he was cautious of creating any expectations in them which he had no intention of fulfilling.
Elizabeth's uneasiness was of a slightly different nature, stemming instead from a wariness of how she might appear to William. Over the last few days she had noticed, and not without a certain disdain, how many of the female volunteers had acted around this man; unashamedly putting themselves forward, trying to court his attention. Charlie's suggestion that she should be her 'sweetest most alluring self' had only served to make her self conscious, particularly when coupled with Michael's charge that her own customary liveliness could sometimes be mistaken as flirting. Her self respect would not allow her to come across as some pathetically drooling female, desperate to impress, so she said little.
Nonetheless, Elizabeth's natural easiness could not be long repressed, and after a couple of light exchanges on nothing in particular, she began to relax. As the road took a turning more toward the west, Liz reached to the console for sunglasses and found they weren't there.
"William, Would you mind getting my sunnies out of my bag. I think it's behind your seat."
"No problem," replied Will as he pulled the bag up.
"They should be in the front pocket."
"Typical women's hand bag," mumbled William as he pulled the glasses out from under a note pad, purse, pens, hairbrush, perfume, tissues, a novel, and of course the requisite packet of women's sanitary products.
"Well, I don't know how you men survive without handbags" Liz smiled as she put her sunnies on.
"So you're reading 'War and Peace'?" queried William, looking at the novel he'd had to pull out.
"No, I just carry it around to impress people," Elizabeth replied with a light sarcasm. "Actually I'm really cross with it at the moment. I finished part one last week and before I started part two I did what you normally do, and read the back cover - have a look at it yourself."
William turned the book over and read the blurb. He was about to say that he couldn't see any problem when his eyes fell to the last sentence. " The cover shows a detail from 'Death of Prince Andrei' by Leonid Pasternak..." he laughed out loud. "Talk about a spoiler."
"I don't even know if I want to finish it now," Liz pouted, then smiled despite herself. "I was skipping the slabs of battles and strategies as it was - but the rest of it is quite a soap, isn't it? It gets you in."
"I remember really enjoying it," he replied. "It's been years since I read it though, and I think my motivation on starting to read it, was just to say I had. I miss having time to read solely for pleasure. Most of my reading now is related to work."
"What do you do?" she asked
"I'm a journalist with 'The Age'" he replied.
"Oh..? Re-wording press releases or putting together advertorials?" she asked with a teasing smile.
"Neither," he replied amused at her quickness.
"Oh well, fluff pieces then?" she laughed. "Or are you more into reflecting the political view that will further the interests of you paper's owner?"
"Ouch..." he laughed, "and to think most people are impressed with my vocation. No, I actually work in the news room, and I take my job quite seriously. I'm not as jaded as a lot of my colleagues... yet. And you...? I assume you're a student. What's your main area of study? Given your cynicism it's obviously something much loftier than journalism... philosophy perhaps... or medical research that's on the edge of finding a cure for cancer...?"
"Visual Arts," was her simple reply.
"Well, I can see why you're taking the high moral ground against journalism," he teased back. "Visual art is really going to change the world!"
"I'm doing it because I like it," she smiled at him, not at all abashed, "Besides, anything of beauty enhances our world."
"I'd have to agree with you there," he replied, withdrawing his eyes from her before she realised it was meant as an observation upon herself.
The two again settled into a silence but this time it was more comfortable.
"There's CDs in the glove box if you want to put one on," Liz said a while later.
William took out the compact disc case and began to examine the choices.
"Are these yours?" he asked sounding a little surprised.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"You have a rather eclectic taste in music for someone your age," he said.
"What did you expect? Spice Girls?"
He ignored her and continued to flick through the discs.
"Harry Connick, Dire Straits, Vince Jones, Natilie Cole, Pink Floyd, Les Mis... AH HA! Human Nature - A BOY BAND!"
"What's the note of triumph in your voice for?" she queried.
"Oh, finding a 'boy band' in your collection has gone a small way toward restoring some confidence in my ability to assess people. It's been shaken a little this afternoon... you're not at all who I expected."
"And who did you expect?" she asked in amusement.
"Please don't take offence at this, but before I was introduced to you I had you firmly in the 'beautiful but superficial' category," he replied. "Oh... and I didn't think you could very bright."
"What did I do to deserve that assessment?!" she cried, shooting him a dark look.
"Well..." William cautiously replied, "I'd only seen you with Bill Collins, so I thought you two were an item."
"Argh!" Liz shuddered.
"But I'm very willing to admit my judgement was totally off target," he apologised.
"So now you've met me you've transferred me to the 'ugly but deep' category," she laughed.
"Well, maybe I was not totally wrong," he corrected himself.
"Ugly but shallow," they both said together.
Suddenly alarm bells started ringing in Williams head as he realised it could appear as though he was flirting with this young girl. "Pull back William," he told himself, "before she gets the wrong idea."
"Now what did you want to listen to?" he asked coolly.
"Well obviously not the 'boy band', or that will only re-enforce your opinion of my shallowness - I feel like something with a bit of life in it. Is 'The Commitments' in there?"
"Yes... here it is." William replied, resolving to be polite but withdrawn for the rest of the journey. He'd had a lot of practice at staying aloof, but something about Liz had caused him to temporarily drop his guard.
He put the CD in, pressed play, and managed to suppress a smile as 'Mustang Sally' began to boom out of the speakers. They drove on without any significant conversation for almost half an hour and William began to feel a confidence that he hadn't given her the wrong impression. He was however, more than a little wary when Liz addressed him again.
"Are you tired?"
"Not really," he said cautiously, not knowing what she might suggest they do. He just wanted to get home without any delays or detours. "Why do you ask?"
"Would you mind driving?" she replied. "I'm wrecked. If I keep going I'll end up killing us both."
"That'll be fine, I'm sorry I didn't offer before."
"Don't be. I would have taken it as affront to my driving ability," she shot back with a quick grin, before pulling the car into the side of the road.
About ten minutes later William looked over at Liz curled up in the passenger seat, already asleep, and shook his head at his faulty assumption that she had been attempting to stretch out their time together. It seemed this girl wasn't particularly concerned with impressing him, which came as a bit of a relief... at least he told himself that relief was his primary emotion... despite it feeling oddly like disappointment.
Part 5
On returning to the car after paying for the fuel he found Liz had awakened, though she still looked a little weary around the edges.
"What's the time?" she asked sleepily.
"Seven fifteen," he replied. "We're getting close to half way. Have you given any thought to food? Do you want to eat on the way or would you prefer to stop?"
"Whatever," she replied, stretching herself a little. "How are you going? Do you need a break?"
"I wouldn't mind stopping for a bit but not here, it looks rather sleazy. Why don't we turn off into town and see what we can find."
"Fine by me."
The town was not particularly large but because of its proximity to the main highway it had several eating places. William was about to consult Liz on her preference, but looking at her in her uncommunicative 'still half asleep' state, decided he'd do better to make the choice himself. There was a cheery looking Italian place on a corner, so he parked the car just opposite, and stretched again as he stood up out of the car. He then walked around to open Liz's door, but she was already getting out.
As they went to cross the road William instinctively reached out and took Liz's arm. Liz was awake enough by then to be amused by this protective action.
"Do you think I'm a little too young to cross the road alone?" she queried. "I have done it before you know." But William didn't release her as he guided her across the street and toward the restaurant.
"Too close to sleep is more like it," he replied reasonably.
William took a table and began to peruse the menu as Liz excused herself to look for the Ladies Room. Unfortunately it took only a few minutes for him to have cause to regret his choice of eating place, as a group of rowdy young men was seated at another of the tables, and when Liz re-appeared looking more refreshed she immediately caught their attention, one of them not hesitating to sing out an invitation for her to join their party.
Elizabeth gave a slight shake of her head and began to move past them, but the one who'd called to her shot out his arm and actually restrained her. As William rose to his feet to intervene he noticed Liz smiling sweetly and talking to the young man... the rest of the table responding with hoots and hollers. Liz spoke again, giving the man a broad smile, causing her captor to quickly release her as the table erupted in derisive laughter. Liz casually slipped away and walked over to William who was still standing, a look of stupefaction on his face.
Elizabeth went to sit down but this time found herself restrained by William's hand.
"We're not eating here," he said.
"Oh, they're harmless," Elizabeth grimaced. "It's okay... really."
"It's not okay and we're not eating here," William replied. He did not seem to be treating the situation at all lightly.
"But I'm sure they won't bother us, and it's hardly polite to come in, use a restroom and then leave," Elizabeth offered.
"If they want to keep their customers they should learn to restrain their clientele."
Elizabeth was about to argue further, but the look on his face forestalled her and she allowed herself to be led from the restaurant.
"You shouldn't encourage that kind of behaviour," he said shortly.
"ENCOURAGE?" she cried, pulling her hand from his. "In what way did I encourage them?"
"You don't count smiling and chatting as encouragement?" William shot back.
"I wasn't smiling and chatting as you like to put it. I was diffusing an awkward situation - and it worked perfectly. What would you have had me do differently... scream and run away?!"
"You could have left it to me," he said. "That might have been smarter."
"And when did you become my keeper? It wasn't your problem! It was mine and I dealt with it fine thank you very much! What would have you done anyway? Taken all five on in hand to hand combat?!"
"Don't be stupid. I would have spoken to them reasonably," he grunted back.
"Which is exactly what I did. What makes you think your words would be better than mine?" she asked before stalking away from him, muttering to herself.
William couldn't hear much of what she said, but he did distinguish the words 'presumptuous' and 'patronising' amongst it all.
Elizabeth, now back at the car, cursed slightly as she realised William had the keys. She looked at him across the street and softened a little. He really did look concerned. He caught her eye and walked slowly across to meet her.
"I'm sorry I said you encouraged them?" he spoke softly. "I was just worried about you."
"And I possibly overreacted to your over protectiveness - but honestly, I don't know what else you'd expect a girl to do in those circumstances. You show fear and it only gives them power, but you'd be amazed what you can get away with using only a smile and a little finesse," she gave him a slight smile.
"Whatever you said it was obviously effective," he admitted, loosening up a little. "What was it anyway?"
"Ah, my secret," Liz laughed. "I might have to use it on you one day."
"Come on, do you want to just grab a pizza and we can eat it in the car? I think that little incident has woken us both up enough to keep driving."
"Okay," she nodded with a reluctant smile.
They wondered down the street in silence and slipped into a pizza parlour, William going to the counter and ordering. Upon his return to Elizabeth she broke the silence.
"You're the eldest in your family aren't you?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"You've got 'big brother' written all over your actions," Liz replied. "Typical older sibling, trying to take responsibility for everyone else."
"I'll hazard a guess you have an older brother?" William replied.
"No, an older sister and she'd take on the problems of the world if she could. Older children tend to be over achievers you know, very responsible, but with a tendency toward insecurity they say. This fits Jane to a tee. She's the best person in the world but she takes aboard blame for things she has absolutely no control over."
"And what about second children?" William asked, trying to move the spotlight away from the eldest. He was beginning to find Elizabeth's observations a little close to home.
"Often very different from older siblings. Take me for example - I don't have an insecure bone in my body, and I've been happy for Jane to direct me in many ways. I think it's a little harder for us to grow up as quickly. Were satisfied with leaving a lot of our responsibilities with our older brothers and sisters. It's a bigger fight for us to become independent."
"And you've won that fight?" he queried.
"I'm still trying," she conceded, "but I'm getting closer."
The pizza was soon ready so they collected it and walked slowly back to the car, William sitting it on the roof as he unlocked the passenger door.
"Do you want to drive?" he asked.
"Only if you don't want to." she replied. "Are we still friends?"
William gave her a smile. "If you still want to be."
"How could I pass up on the opportunity of acquiring a big brother", she laughed and gave him a hug.
William felt reluctant to let her go, and as they stood in such close proximity he wondered whether 'big brother' was the role that he really wanted to be playing here.
Part 5
It had also become clear to William that Liz had a way of getting under his guard. It didn't seem to matter how withdrawn he determined to be, she managed to break through the barrier. He really did enjoy her company... so this 'big brother' thing could actually be a godsend. It would give him the platform of a suitable friendship with Liz, without creating an awkward situation between them.
"If you're happy to accept me as a brother figure," he began upon settling himself into the car, "I hope you don't mind a little advice."
"Ugh! I knew it. You're not going to let what happened with those blokes drop!"
"Well, I can't help but feel you were a little naive in your reaction to them. Something like that can turn nasty you know," he said tentatively.
"And you think I'm not aware of that?" She looked directly at him as if challenging him go on. "I tell you a female doesn't make it to the age of twenty intact, unless she has some ability to read those situations... you develop a sense of what's dangerous and what's not."
Her smile reassured him that she was not really offended by his interference, so he pushed the subject a bit further.
"And a male doesn't make it to the age of twenty eight without an understanding of men and what drives them. I might be able to provide a little more insight into the situation than you think."
"Maybe you'd be more trusting if you didn't impute your own evil motives to others," she grinned back.
"I'm trying to be serious here," he couldn't help smiling. "Don't think you're going to intimidate me with your satirical little tongue. What was it you said to those guys anyway?"
Liz tossed up whether to keep deviating or whether to tell him the truth. She decided it'd probably end the 'advice session' more quickly if she just told.
"I said I was in drag," she confessed.
"What?!" The look of incredulity on his face was priceless.
"I implied the only reason he was interested in me was to explore what it was like on the 'wild' side."
"You don't expect me to accept he believed you were male!" he replied, the incredulity still heavy in his voice.
"No. Of course he didn't believe I was male..." she said, looking at him as though he had completely missed point, "...and neither did his friends, but do you think that was going to make any difference to what he'd get from his mates if he continued. As it is, he'll have to spend the rest of the night with them making jokes about his sexual preference. All I did was change the group dynamic so that it was working against him rather than me."
"Didn't it occur to you that questioning his sexuality could make him mad?"
"It has a lot to do with the delivery," she defended herself. "It's hard to explain, but if you show the right confidence and smile sweetly, you can get away with an awful lot."
"And what if it hadn't worked?" he queried.
"I think I was pretty safe. It was early evening in a public place, they weren't drunk, and you were only half way across the room," she answered.
"I thought it was your problem not mine!" he quickly threw back at her.
"Touché. You got me there!" she laughed. "Rest assured, if it had turned nasty it would have quickly become your problem as well."
"And what if you'd been travelling on your own?"
"If I'd been travelling on my own I wouldn't have been there in the first place. I'd have gone to a McDonalds drive-through or something. I'm not foolish enough to wander the streets at night by myself."
"Maybe you're not as naïve as I thought," he conceded. "My little sister could probably do with a few training sessions from you. Georgie is very unsure of herself when it comes to dealing with the male of the species. She had a bad experience last year and since then she has gone from reserved to excruciatingly shy."
"I'm sorry, so this explains your reaction tonight. How old is she by the way?"
"Perceptive aren't you. She's sixteen and a great kid, bright and pretty. I just wish she had a little more confidence in herself."
"Give her time, I'm sure she'll be fine, she has the support and encouragement of a loving family doesn't she?" Liz reassured him. "Any other kids in your family?"
"Yes, I've a twenty two year old brother, Richard."
"Is he cute?" queried Liz.
"A lot of girls seem to think so," he answered, a little disconcerted by her interest in his younger brother. "He seems to have a different girl every second week. How many in your family?"
"Well, there's Jane, she's twenty three and just engaged, and then I have two little sisters... half sisters actually, Mary and Kate who are six and four. My mum died when Jane and I were pretty young, and Dad married Janice about ten years ago."
"Was it hard to adjust?" he asked.
"Not really, Janice is great," Liz smiled. "Dad was working long hours and he employed Janice as a tutor for Jane and me. She was doing her masters at the time. It's funny, she's almost as close in age to Jane as she is to Dad. She only turned thirty four last month. I really can't imagine life without her."
"What does your Dad do?" he continued to question.
"He's a lawyer by profession, but he spends most of his time in consultancy work and in his writing these days."
They continued to talk as they drove along, their conversation wide and ranging, William finding himself surprised at the information and interests that Elizabeth seemed to possess. Elizabeth too, was definitely enjoying his company, and they arrived in the city having each learned a great deal about the other, and not quite believing the time had passed so quickly.
"You could drop me at my parents house" he suggested. "It's only 15 minutes away, and if you abandon me there I can borrow one of their cars and save you a significant detour. How much further do you have to go?"
"Oh, my flat is a bit over an hour away," she saw William's look of concern and went on, "but I don't think I'll try to make it that far. I've an aunt & uncle who live close to here, so I'll land myself on them for the night."
They shortly pulled up to a large, handsome home in one of the more exclusive northern suburbs. William wondered why he was so relieved that Richard's car wasn't parked in its normal place, and asked Liz to come in for a few minutes to refresh herself.
"No thanks, I think I'll just keep going. I don't want to land on the relatives too late. I'll just give them a call to make sure they're home.... Oh pigs!..." she said, sounding exasperated. "I forgot to recharge my phone. Do you think your parents would mind if I use theirs."
"It's a big ask, but for you I'm sure it will be okay," he smiled.
As William let himself inside and called out a greeting, a pretty young girl appeared to give her brother an affectionate kiss.
"Georgie, this is Liz," he introduced them. "We just travelled back from training together. Are Mum and Dad here?"
"Hello Liz, it's nice to meet you," she said softly and then turned William. "No they're not home yet."
"I'll just get us a drink, would you like a coffee or something cold?" he asked them. "Liz, there's a phone in the living room, Georgie will show you."
He disappeared to get their orders, leaving Liz to his sister. When he returned he was astonished to find them laughing together. They both looked up a little guiltily and it crossed his mind to wonder if they'd been speaking of him.
"Georgie was just telling me about her piano. I've suggested she could volunteer as a tutor at the centre, but she seems to think you'd be dubious about it," Liz smiled a challenge to him, "but I'm sure you'd like to see her extend herself."
"I'd like to do it in some ways," Georgie admitted, "but I don't know if I'd be any good at teaching."
"If you'd like to you could sit in with me for a few sessions and get an idea about it all." Liz offered. "You wouldn't have to take any students if you didn't feel ready."
Unfortunately the conversation ended there, as they were interrupted by a newly arrived, and very handsome Richard strolling into the room.
"Hi, everyone... and who have we here?" his eyes made an appreciative appraisal of Elizabeth and he swung himself down next to her on the couch.
William made the introductions and watched in dissatisfaction as Richard then turned the weight of his considerable charm toward Liz. Elizabeth left soon after, but not before handing a phone number to William's persuasive brother.
Though William was usually amused at Richard's way with women, for some unexplained reason he was feeling far from happy at this development... that is until he happened to glance at the phone number left sitting on the coffee table, and recognise it as that of a well-advertised Pizza delivery business.
Part 6
"Pull yourself out of it man!" he said aloud.
It was ridiculous. He had spent a few hours with her over a month ago, and now he couldn't get her out of his mind. Elizabeth had attracted him far more than he liked.
His logic told him he was being stupid, and once again, he determined to overcome this foolishness. He wasn't a schoolboy with adolescent dreams, he was a man with grown-up ideas and needs. He had determined years ago that which he required in a partner and he wasn't going to waste any time pursuing what could only be a dead-end relationship, with a mere girl.
He turned his mind to less frustrating musings, and thought of his family. He was looking forward to catching up with them all tonight. His busy work schedule, combined with other commitments, had conspired to keep him away from them for longer than usual and he hadn't been over to enjoy a family meal with them for weeks. He pulled up into his parents' driveway, anticipating good company and pleasant distractions for the evening. On entering the house he found his mother alone.
"How's everything going?" he asked, giving his mum a kiss. "Where's the rest of the clan?"
"Richard's out with friends, but your Dad and Georgie should be home soon. He picks her up when he finishes at the office," Anne Darcy smiled. "It really works out very well."
"What works out well?" William asked, a little confused. "Where does he pick her up from?"
"It's Thursday," Anne replied, as though it explained everything.
"I'm still not with you Mum. I think you're going to have to give a little more information."
"Oh...? I thought for sure you'd know," his mother replied, looking a little surprised. "Georgie's started teaching piano with The Program. Weren't you the one who introduced her to Liz?"
"Yes, but this is the first I've heard of Georgie teaching. When did this all happen?"
"Well, it just goes to show you should keep in better contact with your family," Anne Darcy said pointedly. "This is all ready her 4th week there. She actually starts with her own students today. It's wonderful to see all the hard work she's invested in her music going to such good purpose."
"I didn't think Georgie would have been brave enough to take something like this on, William answered. "Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea; I'm just surprised."
"She was very nervous when Liz first rang her about it. She doubted her capabilities. I don't know what Liz said to convince her to try, but I'm glad it worked. Georgie's absolutely loving it."
"Liz seems to have a way with people," William said, thinking to himself that it was a bit of an understatement.
"She certainly does," Anne agreed whole-heartedly. "She's a delightful girl, and a wonderful role model for Georgie."
"So you've met her?" William asked.
"Yes, Georgie brought her home for dinner last week. If you hadn't been too busy to make time for your family you'd have been here too. We had a lovely evening."
"Doesn't she live on the south side?" asked William, very much regretting the workload that had kept him away the preceding week. "How did she get home?"
"Oh, Richard drove her. He seemed very eager to volunteer for the job," she answered, giving William a meaningful smile. "A girl like that would do him the world of good. If she could work half the magic on him that she'd worked on Georgie, I'd be a very happy mother."
William was unsure of how to react to his mother's notion, but he was spared from the necessity of reply by the entrance of his dad and Georgie. The latter was more animated than he'd seen her in a long while. There was a definite spring in her step as she entered the room and a happy smile overspreading her face.
"I assume it went well then?" her mother offered.
"It went wonderfully! The kids are just so cute. They were really excited too... Oh, hi Will," she threw in as an aside. "I've four of them. None of them has ever had lessons before, so I dare say I'll be able to keep ahead of them."
"Well, dinner's ready to be served up. You can fill us in on all the details while we eat," smiled her mum.
That is exactly what Georgie did. She described each if her new students, and what happened in their lessons in detail. William listened to her narration with amusement. He could appreciate why his mother was so thrilled with Georgie's new interest. It occurred to him that it was probably doing her more good than it was doing her students.
"This is a great project for you to be involved in," said William encouragingly. "There are huge waiting lists for most of the services offered, so people who are willing to give up their time and use their talents for the benefit of our kids are truly precious... I'm sure you're a wonderful teacher too. I'd choose you any day over some crabby old spinster witch."
Georgie smiled her thanks, while Anne protested that Miss Cravit, Will's old piano teacher, was not a witch.
"You never had to have lessons with her! She always put on that 'nice old lady' act when you came to pick me up, but I lived in fear during the lesson. I probably have permanent psychological damage," teased Will. " So Georgie, what made you decide to try your hand at teaching?"
"You remember Liz mentioning it the night you came back from training?"
He nodded.
"Well, she rang me up about it a few days later. I don't know exactly why I agreed to it. It was just hard to say no to her... she seemed so confident I'd be perfect for the job, so I suppose I didn't want to disappoint her. I sat in with Liz's lessons the first week, and took on a bit more responsibility over the next two weeks, and this week my reward was my very own students."
"And you weren't nervous when you started to take on more responsibility?"
"A little, but Liz was pretty reassuring... it's hard to be self-conscious in front of her," she tried to explain. "Somehow she makes me feel at ease... do you know what I mean?"
"Yes Georgie, I believe I understand very well indeed."
Part 7
William sat in his temporary office at 'The Programs' northern campsite. He was appreciating the silence of the moment, knowing full well that this might be the last peace he'd get for almost two weeks. The volunteers would start arriving within the next hour and the children would arrive on the following day. He'd just finished going over his programming, the time tables, the group allocations, the rosters and the like. As this was his third year running camp, he felt reasonably confidant that he had everything in order. He'd taken the time to allocate Liz and Bill Collins to groups and activities that would have them as far from each other as humanly possible. He'd heard from Georgie that Liz was still having difficulty shaking him.
Despite the difference in their ages there seemed to be a real bond developing between Liz and Georgie. That Georgie thought the world of Liz, was obvious. That his whole family thought highly of Liz, was obvious. He'd not seen Liz since their journey together two and a half months ago, but he'd often heard her mentioned by various family members. His parents appreciated the effort she put into encouraging Georgie, and Richard appeared to appreciate Liz's whole package.
William didn't know if he was looking forward to having her around for the duration of camp or not. He'd been perturbed by how long it had taken for him to put her out of his mind after their last encounter. It was Richard's interest in her that had finally given him the strength of purpose to dismiss her from his thoughts. He was not about to get in-between any girl and his younger brother.
"Regardless of Richard, any relationship would have been inappropriate," he thought to himself again. "She's not what I'm looking for."
His thoughts were interrupted as William heard a car pull up, and the babble of young enthusiastic voices.
"Here we go again, " he murmured, as he stood up to greet his volunteers.
Two hours later the whole of the team collected at the dining room for their evening meal and to go through all the final organisational details. William had seen Liz at a distance, but not to talk to. Determined as he was not to single her out, he found himself, however, disappointed at not having had the opportunity to properly catch up with her. He now watched her across the room, happily smiling and chatting with the girl sitting next to her. He turned his mind back to his responsibilities, and went through the camp's program with the team, expertly and efficiently explaining everything. He couldn't help but notice Bill Collins was still trying to move within Liz's orbit, but she was managing to keep a reasonable space between them. He also noticed with amusement that Bill seemed angry when the programs and rosters were given out. He'd obviously hoped to spend more time with Liz than the program was going to allow. Liz on the other hand, was overjoyed with the timetables and group allocations. On approaching William after the formal part of the evening was over, she thanked him for taking the time arrange things so much in her favour.
"What makes you think I had anything to do with it?" he asked.
"Because no timetable could have worked out this good by accident, and because I know enough of your 'big brotherly' instincts to appreciate you could not leave me at the mercy of that 'little slime' for the whole duration of camp," she smiled. "I'm truly grateful. How are things with you anyway? Are you surviving all the camp preparation on top of your work load."
"After what I've been through at work the last couple of months," Will replied, "camp is going to be a breeze. Craig actually came back to work last week, so things should be a little better when I get back."
"Yes, your mum told me that he developed septicemia after his appendectomy... So you've been short-staffed for a couple of months now. That should add to the excitement of a newsroom."
"Excitement wasn't the word for it." Will grimaced. "We'd just had someone resign, someone transfer, and another go on Long Service Leave. It's amazing the rest of us didn't end up on stress leave. So while I was otherwise occupied by my demanding workload, you decided to take over my family?"
"It wasn't a hostile take over if that's what you're worried about," Liz laughed. "I've enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them."
"Re-arranging the time-tables and rosters was the least I could do for you after what you've done for Georgie." William smiled. "Thankyou for taking the time with her."
"I haven't done anything for her," Liz protested, "except maybe con her into helping me out with piano lessons. She's great at it too, a natural. The kids love her."
"You've done more than that, and you know it. She'd been so withdrawn. This whole piano teaching matter has been great for her self-esteem. Mum says she's also feeling happier at school and coping better with things socially."
"That's Georgie's doing not mine!" Liz replied. "I don't see how I can take credit for it."
"You don't?" William asked. "Can you tell me why then, when I asked Georgie about her new-found forwardness, she told me that 'you can get away with a lot of things with just a smile and a bit of confidence'?. It sounded very familiar to me."
"I wonder where she got that from." Liz asked, with a mock look of innocence on her face. "Anyway, she needed to branch out a bit and start spending less time with that nasty, catty, little group she called friends. With their constant criticism and back stabbing, no wonder she was feeling so insecure."
"I don't think her insecurity was all related to her friends," William remarked, amazed that yet again he had dropped all his barriers in the presence of Liz. He couldn't believe he was so easily discussing his sister's difficulties with this girl.
"I think they have far more to do with it than you realise," said Liz. "If I were you I'd discourage her from anything but superficial contact with them. Did you know that it was her 'friends' who spiked her drink that night, and when she started feeling sick they sent her home with that Wickham jerk? They thought it was a great joke."
"She told you about that?" William was astounded that Georgie had opened up to Liz so much. Even his parents didn't know about what had gone on that night.
"She needed to talk to someone, poor kid. She blamed herself for letting it get as far as it did. I think she was too embarrassed to bring it up with you again. I'd hate to think what might have happened if you hadn't turned up to protect her."
"I still have nightmares about that." William said softly, wondering why he didn't mind Liz knowing everything.
"She's a lovely girl William, and I think she's starting to accept that she's not responsible for what happened. She was only guilty of being too trusting, and she won't quickly make that mistake again. Still, you can see why she needs to be encouraged in her new friendships. They're a nice group of girls she's breaking into now."
"Thanks for telling me this Liz. I'll take every opportunity I can to encourage her in the right direction."
"That'd be great. You know she thinks the sun shines out of you," Liz smiled, feeling relieved that she had shared the responsibility she felt toward Georgie with William.
With that, Liz directly turned the discussion to more light-hearted subjects. William was called away soon afterward.
At the end of the evening Will was left to reflect that all it had taken was one short conversation with Liz, and he was more drawn to her than ever. Then on remembering Richard, he groaned inwardly and cursed his inability to control his feelings.
Part Eight
The next few days went smoothly. The demands of camp life didn't give Will much time to think of Liz, much less spend time with her. They'd spoken only in passing, Liz always ready with a quick smile or smart comment. He'd watched her as she related to the other volunteers and the children. She seemed universally liked and genuinely appeared to enjoy spending time with the kids. A lot of the volunteers spent more time paying attention to volunteers of the opposite sex, than they spent on the kids. This didn't overly concern Will, it was what you'd expect when a group of people that age got together. Liz though, didn't indulge in the blatant flirtations that went on. She was friendly and open for sure; he found it hard to put his finger on what made her different, but that she had something extra he was sure. He still however, was not willing to act on his growing attraction. He wasn't yet willing to compromise his principles.
Day four arrived and the children were all to have some time away from the campsite. Half of them were going to the beach and the other half were going hiking. The following week the pattern would be reversed, with the children going to the alternate activity. The busses to the beach had already left when William became aware that Bill Collins was not on them as he should have been.
"Bill, what are you still doing here?" William asked annoyed.
"Well, it occurred to me that the group going hiking was greatly lacking in experience. I'm very expert when it comes to hiking and survival techniques. I've been involved in the sport for years. I've been to the Himalayas you know. This group obviously needs someone with my expertise along with them," Bill said, expecting William to be very impressed. He also thought that this would give him an excellent opportunity to impress Liz with his great abilities in this area.
"The kids are only going to be walking along established tracks," Will shook his head in disbelief. "It's not acceptable to change allocations of duties without my consent. Our insurance requires we have a certain ratio of leaders to kids, especially where swimming is involved. If Marie hadn't decided to go to the beach at the last minute you could have completely stuffed up their outing."
"Well maybe you should make us aware of such things before they become an issue," Bill puffed.
"I shouldn't have to!" answered William in exasperation. "When I did the staff allocations I took it into account."
"You did all the allocations yourself did you?" sneered Bill. "So that explains how Liz and I ended up with no time together at all. You want her for yourself don't you? Well I'm telling you now, it won't be worth the effort. You'll never get her into bed. She's got real problems in that area. Isn't able to express herself, if you know what I mean."
William was taken aback by this crudity, but he retained a cool exterior.
"I'm going to have to talk to you later in regard to our policy on sexual harassment. Right now however you better join the group for the hike. I'll see you in my office at five thirty.
"Oh, don't play the high and mighty moral ground with me!" Bill began, but he was cut off abruptly by William.
"I said we'd talk about this later, Go now!"
William walked away fuming, angry at Bill's presumptions, angry at his slurs against Liz, and angry at the accusations regarding his own motives in separating Bill from Liz. He pushed the anger from his mind as he approached the leader of the group about to leave for the hike.
"Greg can I've a quick word... Bill Collins has decided of his own accord, that he should be in your group today."
"Just great!" Greg replied sarcastically.
"I'm sorry Greg. I would have prevented it if I'd known. I'm going to have to pull Liz out of your group too. She's been having difficulties with unwanted attentions from Collins," explained William. "Can you tell her we need her artistic skills here, to help prepare the hall for our 'Medieval Banquet' tonight. That can be our official reason for her not attending the hike."
"Sure William, I'll send her to your office?"
"That'd be great. Don't take any garbage from Collins. Let him know straight up that you're in charge," William instructed before heading back to his office.
A few minutes later Liz turned up with a relieved smile on her face.
"I believe I owe you another debt of gratitude. Thanks for saving me from what could at best been a very trying day."
"I can't get over that man," Will replied in exasperation. "I don't think I've met anyone as overtly offensive in my life."
"We're of the same mind there!" agreed Elizabeth emphatically. "Now, how am I to be employed?"
"Can you report to Samantha down in the main hall. She's in charge of preparing the decorations for the Banquet tonight. Tell her that I've sent you down because of your Visual Arts expertise. I'm sure she'll be pleased with more help."
Each year the camps worked on a theme, and this year it was 'Castles and Courage'. The kids were really getting in to the spirit of things. Tonight they were going to be dressing up in costumes they had been making in craft times, and having a banquet. Sam did a marvelous job creating atmosphere with her decorations. Liz now looked forward to working with her.
A few hours later Will wandered down to the hall to see how things were shaping up. Things were already starting to look magic. A fake stone archway stood over the entrance. A silver cardboard suit of armour stood in a corner, lightweight 'weaponry' hung on the walls next to paper and paste tapestries, and the windows were becoming stained glass creations thanks to cellophane and sticky tape.
Sam looked up as Will walked over, congratulating her and her teams efforts.
"It's starting to shape up well. I'm pleased with the way it's all coming together. By the way, where did you find Elizabeth?" she asked. "She's a gem. I want to know why she wasn't allocated to me from the start."
"She mentioned she was a Visual Arts student, so I thought she might be of use," he smiled.
William walked around the hall taking in the details. It impressed him very much. He eventually seated himself beside Liz, who was working on intricate 'stained glass' creations to go on the windows, and they settled into easy conversation; William occasionally lending Liz a hand as they talked.
Eventually they were interrupted by the arrival of Michael who was doing his regular rounds of the camps.
"This looked absolutely terrific!" grinned Michael, as he sat down at the table with Liz and Will. "I assume everything's going according to plan. Would you like to fill me in on the details?"
Michael and Will talked on about different aspects of the camp, with Liz occasionally joining in. Michael was finally satisfied that everything was up to his standards, and the conversation turned to the more mundane.
"Kath's not with you?" queried Liz eventually, asking after his wife.
"Not this time. We're actually trialing separation." Michael answered, as though it was of no concern.
William was fully taken aback by the revelation. This was Michael's third marriage and Kath was a lovely, supportive wife. He couldn't understand Michael's lack of commitment in marriage. He was very concerned but remained silent.
Liz didn't have so much tact. Kath was one of Janice's a good friends, and all Liz's family thought highly of her.
"What's your problem Michael?" she cried in exasperation. "You seem to be a normal intelligent bloke, who deals with life in a rational manner, except when it comes to marriage!"
"I wouldn't expect you to understand at you age," said Michael.
"Well explain it to me then." Liz pushed.
"Sometimes things just don't work out." Michael answered, patience heavy in his voice. "Sometimes you grow apart."
"That's tripe, Michael. You're talking as though people are some horticultural product. 'We grew apart' as though we have no choice about which direction we grow in. We're different to plants Michael. We have minds and wills and choices."
"When your older..." Michael began to defend himself, but he was interrupted by a volatile Liz.
"Cut the age crap Mick. Try faulting my argument, not me. Are you saying that we have no control over the direction of our lives?"
"I think circumstances dictate a great deal of our lives. Sometimes things just happen." Mick replied, not willing to really think on what Liz was saying.
"Come on. You don't really believe that do you? How could you put so much of your heart into 'The Program' if you thought that our efforts made no difference to our destinies? You wouldn't be in your job if you really believed that." Liz stated. "Would you like me to get a 'Life's a Bitch, and then you die!' sticker for the back of you car?" She added sarcastically.
William was watching this exchange with fascination, and with increasing respect for Liz. She was right. Age wasn't the issue here, she might be young but it was obvious she'd thought deeply on serious subjects.
Liz noticed that William was watching her intently, and hoped he wasn't disapproving of her forthright views. It occurred to her suddenly that Will's good opinion meant a lot to her. Still, whether Will found her ideas naïve or not, she held them very dearly. She knew that she'd be selling herself short if she didn't tell Michael how she felt. She had a great deal of affection and respect for both Michael and Kath, and it seemed to her it would be wrong to react to their situation in a way that implied it didn't matter.
As the two men walked back to Mick's car a short time later, Michael challenged Will.
"You thinks she's right don't you?"
"As a matter of fact I do Mick. Think about what you're doing. Two failed marriages could be just bad luck, but three failed marriages smacks of bad management and wrong priorities."
"Why should I take any advice from a bachelor and a young girl?" Michael asked with a wry smile.
"Because we truly care about you," came Williams's simple reply.
As William watched Michael drive off to find the group at the beach, his mind was more on Liz than on his friend. She really was the girl he'd been waiting for, beautiful, caring, smart, a joy to spend time with, and she felt deeply on things that William also held dear. He should have recognised it earlier, and not have made judgements about her based solely on age. He was about to turn back and seek some more of her enticing company, but stopped as he saw Richard's car pull into the parking area.
Part 9
William suffered a pang of conscience on seeing Richard arrive. He'd forgotten for a moment about his brother's interest in Elizabeth. He had deliberately not inquired as to how far Richard's relationship with Elizabeth had progressed. Still, he thought it was a reasonably safe bet that they'd be getting along fairly well. Richard tended not to waste time where women were concerned. The fact that Rick had made the effort to drive up to visit was no doubt an indication that there was an understanding between he and Liz.
Will waited as Rick parked and greeted him as he stepped out of the car. Involved as Will was in his own thoughts, he was completely taken by surprise as Georgie appeared out of the passenger seat.
"Hi Will," she smiled as she walked over to hug him. "I nagged Richard until he agreed to drive me up for a visit. I'll be old enough to join the team next year and I wanted to see what it was like. Have the kid's exhausted you yet?"
"It's not the kids that are the problem," Will replied. "It's the volunteers - and if you're serious about coming on the team I'm a bit concerned about how I'll cope next year."
"Stop teasing," laughed Georgie. "It doesn't seem too stressful here. It's very tranquil in fact."
"There's only about five of us on site at the moment. Half the kids are at the beach and the other half are hiking. They're not expected back until 3, so you have just over an hour and a half to enjoy the peace and quiet, then you'll get to see first hand what stress really is. If we go now we'll be just in time to scrounge some lunch," said William as he began to lead them toward the hall.
"Well Georgie, you've dragged me up here on false pretences," said Richard. "You promised me tens of nubile, energetic young women looking for excitement."
"I did not!" protested Georgie.
"Well, you did say there might be some talent up here."
"I was talking about my talented little piano students," said Georgie innocently.
"Look what's happening to our little sister," Rick cried. "She'll twist anything to get her own way!"
"Patience Rick, patience," laughed Will. "I assure you we have many lovely ladies on team and they will be back shortly."
"But it cuts down my working time considerably," complained Rick. " I suppose the 'Ice Queen' is off with the children."
"Ice Queen?" asked Will
"Oh, it's his pet name for Liz," Georgie explained. "He's still in shock that she won't go out with him."
"She won't?" asked William, his interest fully caught and his spirits greatly revived. "I always thought she was a bright girl and now my opinion is fully confirmed."
"Thanks for the sympathy," Rick laughed. William was relieved to see Richard didn't seem really concerned.
Liz was still feeling agitated after her confrontation with Michael. The problem was that she didn't know if she was most upset by Michael's attitude to his marriage, or by her concern that her outburst may have made William think she was impertinent or naïve. She was shaken out of her thoughts by Georgie calling out to her upon entering the room. Liz flashed a brilliant smile at the Darcys' as they walked toward her; she hugged Georgie and accepted a kiss on the cheek from Richard.
Shortly after this the four were sitting down together for a late lunch. Georgie asked heaps of questions about what was going on at camp, and was particularly interested in how two of her little piano students were going. Liz was able to fill her in on all the details. Richard too, joined in the conversation with a bit of teasing and a little flirting. William though, was unusually quiet as he took the opportunity to observe the others. That Rick and Liz got along well together was obvious. He was however, unable to discern if either of their feelings went any further than friendship.
After Georgie and Rick left to have a quick look around the campsite, Will took his chance to ask Liz about why she hadn't accepted a date with Rick.
"I hear you keep turning down my little brother. Are you trying to string him along a bit to get him really hooked?"
Liz was pleased when he spoke to her. She'd noticed his silence throughout lunch and wondered if it was due to disapproval of her earlier behaviour.
"I think Rick's great," Liz answered, "but he's too smooth by half. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Were you like that when you were younger?"
"Not that bad, as far as I as I remember," laughed Will. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, I was just wondering if there was any hope for him. You turned out O.K."
Liz paused for a moment as she took her courage in her hands. She wanted to ask him about what was making her feel uneasy. "Will, do you think I was wrong in speaking to Michael the way I did?"
It was the last question Will had expected. He'd been occupied so much by his the discovery of his own feelings, and his concern about Richard, that he'd completely forgotten about Michael.
"Not at all. I think Mick needed to hear it. I admit I was surprised at your forthrightness, but I think you were right."
"So you don't think I was rude speaking to him like that?"
"Not at all. Why would to you think that?"
"Because you looked so severe at the time, and you hardly said anything at lunch," Liz answered.
"I was cross with Michael," he explained, "and I had other things on my mind during lunch."
"Well," smiled Liz relieved, "I'm glad you're not cross at me."
"Who could be cross at you?" Will laughed.
Meanwhile, outside enjoying their view of the countryside surrounding the campsite, Rick and Georgie were in conversation.
"Does Will seem O.K. to you?" asked Rick.
"Come to mention it, he was pretty quiet," answered Georgie, suddenly concerned.
"Do you think he likes Liz?" Rick inquired.
"Of course he does," said Georgie. "Everybody does."
"I don't mean 'like' her. I mean like her." Was Rick's reply.
"But Rick, don't you like her?" Georgie was starting to sound worried.
"Yes, but I like lots of pretty girls. I'm wondering if Will's finally falling for someone."
Part 10
When evening arrived the excitement in the air was almost tangible. Candles lighted the hall. (A very brave move considering the number of young boys in attendance. They were drawn to naked flame quicker than any moth.) The kids, already over the moon because of their costumes, were awestruck by the appearance of their hall. Little princesses in their sparking crowns or tall cone hats with scarves drifting down from them, squealed and giggled in delight. Samantha had done a wonderful job at rounding up 'princess' dresses for all the girls. She had raided three schools drama departments, on top of Op-Shopping till she dropped.
The boys looked very heroic in their cardboard breastplates, decorated with lions or dragons or weaponry of various kinds. They fenced with their cardboard swords so enthusiastically, they had to be told time and time again, to settle down or their swords would have to be left outside the hall.
Georgie and Liz had enjoyed a hectic afternoon helping finish the decorations, playing games with the kids, and finally helping all the little girls ready themselves for the banquet. Georgie, who had never had the opportunity of working with children prior to her involvement with 'The Program', particularly loved it. She was in her element with these little ones who responded to her attention with excitement and affection. One of her little piano students had hung onto her from first sight, claiming her as a special friend, and jealously reminding the other children Georgie paid attention to, that she knew her first.
Richard had spent most of the afternoon 'assisting' a very attractive blond with her duties (much to the chagrin on a few young men who'd been competing for her attention since the training weekend.) His suspicions regarding William's feelings, coupled with the fact he was getting no-where with Elizabeth, allowed him to transfer his attentions with little regret.
William's afternoon had been far less pleasurable. His counseling session with Bill had been like an exercise in beating his head against a brick wall. Collins however, had enough vanity to eventually realise that being asked to leave the camp on the grounds of misconduct would be humiliating. He ungraciously agreed to stay away from Liz, but not without again making some very offensive accusations about her. Will had to fight to stay objective in the matter. Although he was not a man who tended toward strong physical impulses, it occurred to him more than once during the interview that it would be a real pleasure to just lay this man out flat on the floor.
He arrived at the banquet feeling angry and frustrated, but his mind was lifted from its black thoughts on entering the magical room, and on seeing Georgie waving to him indicating she had saved him a seat. Liz however, was occupied serving tables with the other 'wenches' (as Richard quickly labelled them) and didn't get to join them until after the meal, when the entertainment began.
They had a minstrel teach them some songs, followed by a jester, a conjurer, a juggler, and a medieval drama that was very reminiscent of Monty Python's Holy Grail. The evening was pronounced a huge success as the tired children were led off to prepare for bed.
Richard seemed in no hurry to leave his blond, so Georgie joined a group of the younger volunteers as both William and Liz went separate ways to supervise the bedding down of their young charges.
Liz returned about three quarters of a hour later to find William sitting by himself with a frown in his face, seriously regarding Georgie who was animatedly involved in conversation with a young man. Liz smiled and walked towards Will, who found himself awakened from his contemplation by a soft hand on his arm.
"She's fine you know, nothing could be safer than a busy room with both of her big brothers watching over her... Well, one big brother anyway," she amended as she looked over at Rick who's full attention was affixed by his pretty companion.
Will's skin still tingled from Elizabeth's light touch. He'd felt an undeniable sense of loss as she'd withdrawn her hand. It took control to appear casual in his reply.
"Taking up mind reading now are we? You know, you could become a very uncomfortable companion if you attained too much skill in that art."
"No skill involved," Liz laughed. "Your concern was clearly written all over your face. Still, I remember you telling me when we first met that you wished Georgie was more confident."
"Yes, but it comes as a bit of a shock to the system. She seems to have grown up all of a sudden. I was happier earlier watching her playing with the little ones on the floor."
Georgie looked up and on seeing Liz and William had returned, excused herself from the young man to walk over and joined them.
"There's no way you're keeping me away from here next year," Georgie informed Will. I haven't enjoyed myself so much in ages. I wish we didn't have to go home."
"You can take my place," Liz laughed. "We're not quite half way through and I already feel like I could sleep for a week. I hope you don't mind if I say my goodnights and head off to bed."
"Not at all, it's time that I dragged Rick home anyway," Georgie replied.
"Pleasant dreams," said Will. "See you in the morning."
The next few days gave William little opportunity to spend time with Liz, let alone any time alone. The demands of camp life kept them both busy. Will knew he had to find a moment to ask her out, he'd given up on finding the right moment, all he wanted now was any moment.
Late on the sixth day Will was taking a walk and thinking things over. Half of the team had the afternoon off, and Will assumed Liz had gone into town with the others on their 'R & R'. He was feeling a little at sea in regards to how he should approach Elizabeth. It had been a long time since he'd played the dating game and he was unsure of how to proceed. In the past he had only to respond to some pretty strong signals that the girls were giving out. He did not however, know how to read Liz. He knew she liked him, but his major concern was that she still had him in the 'big brother' role. Although they got along very well when together, she never seemed to particularly seek out his company or look for his attention. For the first time he could recall, he did not feel completely secure of his reception if he made his feelings known. He was beginning to see big 'proceed with caution' signs in relation to Liz. He didn't want to stuff things up.
It was with real pleasure he then perceived the object of his reverie sitting, leaning on the trunk of a tree, reading. He quietly walked toward her.
"Are you hiding out here," he asked, and laughed as she jumped on his speaking to her.
"Oh, you scared the life out of me. Things were just getting tense in my book," she responded.
"Isn't the light getting a little dim to read by?" He queried.
"It's still O.K if you angle the book in just the right direction," Liz laughed.
"I was about to head back," Will said. "Do you want to join me?"
"I feel like hiding for just a little longer," Liz replied. "Why don't you join me?"
Will smiled and swung himself down beside her.
"I thought you would have gone into town with the rest of them," he said.
"And miss this chance for some solitude. I don't think so," she replied. "How are you holding up under all the demands of camp? I notice you didn't take your half day off."
"No, I had just a few too many things to see to, but I did get this opportunity for a walk. It's different for me though. I'm not dealing directly with 'wall to wall' kids. It's the adults I have to keep my eye on."
"I'd take the 'wall to wall' kids any day." Liz responded.
The two of them remained talking for some time until the dying light made them realise that they'd stayed too long. William stood up, reached down a hand, and helped Liz to her feet. They began to wander back toward the campsite slowly, both reluctant for this time together to end. Liz, distracted by her thoughts, was not attending to where she was going and stumbled on a tree root. She instinctively caught hold of Will to steady herself.
"Drunk again?" teased Will. "Come on, you'd better give me your hand. If you injure yourself our insurance premiums could go through the roof."
As they walked back hand in hand, Liz found herself disconcerted. She was sure William only felt a brotherly affection towards her. He was almost eight years older than she was, and far out of her league. Still, although she was fighting it, she was beginning to have feelings for Will that were more than platonic. Situations like this didn't make things any easier for her. She resolved to be calm and casual, a resolution easier made than kept. She was not about to make a fool of herself by assuming there was more to Will's simple displays of affection than an easy friendship. Due to the confusion of her feelings she felt it might be best to keep a little distance between them for the remainder of the camp. She wasn't about to set herself up to be hurt.