“Oh, forgetful me!” John patted himself down. “I received an envelope of instructions to be opened when we arrived. I suppose now would be a good time.”
Leo scoffed. “Um, yeah, boss. Now would be a good time unless you like standing around in the cold waiting for some bumpkin to come murder us.”
Alfie frowned. “What the hell’s a bumpkin?”
“A yokel,” said Happy.
“Oh, okay. What’s a yokel?”
Cheryl tittered. “It’s someone who lives in the country. Like really in the country.”
“Oh.”
Maggie let out a cackle. “You lot crack me up.”
Leo frowned at her, making it obvious that he too thought she was acting weird.
John pulled the envelope from the inside pocket of his Burberry jacket and fingered open the seal. While he was busy, Happy came over to greet Cheryl. The ageing office manager was wrapped in an unfashionable sheepskin coat worn over light-blue jeans. It belied both his advancing age and lack of fashion sense. To top it all off, he wore an oversized badge on his lapel that read: NEVER GIVE UP. “It’s a nice surprise to see you here, Cheryl,” he said in a thicker version of the Bristolian accent John used. “Unexpected though.”
“Unexpected is right,” she said. “Maggie said she needed me to take her place then bloody well turns up. Can you believe it?”
Happy sighed. “Unfortunately, yes, that’s rather a Maggie thing to do. It wouldn’t have been personal, I assure you. She’s forgetful at the best of times, especially of late.”
“The whole thing is embarrassing.”
“I’ll bet, but you’re here now so there’s no escaping it.” He chuckled, but then grew serious. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’re settling in at Alscon. Everything going okay?”
“Yeah, great, thanks. I’m hoping this weekend might help me get to know everyone a little better. It’s nice to be a part of things.”
He nodded sagely. “Inclusion is key to morale.”
“Um, yep.” She offered a smile. Motivational epithets were part of Happy’s job, but he spouted them so often that they lost meaning. Last week, he’d told her that the key to a successful future was correcting past failures. It was perfectly sound advice, but she’d only been making a cup of coffee at the time.
John unfolded the letter and flapped it out in front of him. “Okay,” he said, clearing his throat. “It says, and I quote: Unburden yourself to reveal your destiny.” He looked up from the piece of paper. “That’s all it says.”
“Seriously?” Monty shuffled to keep his loafers out of the mud. “There’s gotta be more than that.”
John studied the paper again, front and back. “Nope. Nothing. Just that one sentence.”
“What if it’s, like, invisible ink or something,” said Maggie, “like in those old spy films.”
Leo smirked. “What spy films have you seen, Mag?”
She shrugged. “Austin Powers.”
“Ha! Austin Powers?”
“Never heard of it,” said Alfie.
They all chuckled, which led to Maggie blushing. “What? That’s a spy film, isn’t it?”
Leo shook his head, bemused. “Come on, guys, we need to think about this.”
“It’s one of those riddle thingys, I reckon,” said Alfie. He untied the thick scarf around his neck and redid it tighter. Despite having only one finger and a thumb on his left hand he used it deftly. Once again, Cheryl forced herself not to stare at the unusual appendage.
Ignore the hand. He’s a hottie. Just ignore the hand.
I’m going to Hell.
Monty scoffed at Alfie. “State the obvious why don’t you, bruh.”
Alfie sucked his teeth. “You mugging me off, bruh?”
“Yeah, bruh. What you gunna do about it?”
“I’ll knock your block off, bruh, innit?”
John clapped his hands as if trying to break up a dog fight. “Guys!”
“We need to leave our belongings,” said Cheryl, ignoring the banter war between the two salesmen and thinking out loud. It gained everyone’s attention.
Monty turned to her and somehow managed to belittle her with only a look. “What’s that, luv?”
“I was offering an answer to the riddle.”
Monty winked at her. “That’s the spirit. Now, let Monty have a stab at—”
Leo cut him off. “Cher’s right! We’re supposed to, I dunno, empty our pockets or whatever.”
John studied the paper in his hands and repeated the clue to see if it fit. “Unburden yourself to reveal your destiny. It makes sense! I think you’re onto something, Cheryl. Good work!”
Cheryl couldn’t help but smile. John was twice her age, and a bit of a dick from the little she knew of him, but he was a confident, successful businessman. To have him pleased with her was a nice feeling that she couldn’t deny. Even now, John was still smiling at her encouragingly.
The weekend had started well.
Cheryl’s nerves began to fade. She was having fun.
After several minutes’ searching, Alfie discovered a wicker basket perched atop the hay bales. Inside was a label reading: BELONGINGS (ALL).
Leo nudged Cheryl on the arm. “Looks like you were right. Nice going, Cher-bear.”
She grinned. “Yeah, it was nice!”
“Okay, everyone,” said John, taking on the role of leader. “Pop your stuff in the basket. I’m sure it’ll remain safe and sound while we get on with the game.”
Alfie looked uneasy. “Even our mobiles, boss?”
“Yes. We have to leave everything.”
“It’s probably to stop us cheating at the games,” said Happy. “Won’t be much fun if we can get all the answers from searching on Yahoo.”
Leo stifled a laugh and had to look away. It caused Cheryl to do the same.
“What about my fags?” Alfie asked. “I don’t want to be trapped in a room gasping for a cigarette.”
John grunted. “Then you best help us escape quickly. Fags, phones, and wallets all in the basket, please, everyone.”
Alfie did as he was told but made sure to sulk.
Monty produced an obscenely large mobile phone and plonked it in the basket. “I ain’t got no signal anyway. They better not scratch it though, I swear down. Seventy-quid a month that costs me, innit?”
“I’ve left my handbag in the car,” said Maggie, glancing at John anxiously. She suddenly seemed less excited. “Maybe I should go get it.”
John dangled his car keys and dropped them in the basket. “The key only works with my thumbprint. Your bag will be perfectly secure, don’t worry.”
“I got to get me one of those,” said Monty. “Maybe it’s time to upgrade the Range.”
Cheryl couldn’t tell if he was joking. “Change your car just to get an upgraded key fob?”
Monty frowned at her as though he didn’t understand. “The company’s top salesman needs the best, innit? People see the bling and want a piece of the action.”
“So having a brand new car helps you sell more tiles?”