Mary

Mary was laying out pool noodles for the aqua aerobics class when Glenda came in with Dallas.

“I’m going to get my togs on, thanks for walking me over, love,” Glenda said as she headed for the changing rooms.

Dallas wandered over and gave Mary a grin. He had a nice, friendly smile and an easy way about him. “Nan said you’re organising the Christmas party for the oldies.”

“That’s right. But some of them might take offence at be-

ing called oldies,” Mary laughed. “I prefer sen-agers.” “As in senile?” Dallas flashed another smile.

“No, silly.” She hit him lightly on the arm. “Seniors. Have some respect for those ‘oldies’. You’ll be there one day your- self, if you’re lucky.”

The door opened and Lois walked in with Viv and Helen. “Morning, Mary, we’re ready for our workout. Have you got some jazzy music for us today?”

“I’m on to it, Lois.” She bent to fiddle with the CD player. “This thing is on its last legs. I’ll have to use my phone for the Christmas party at this rate.”

“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about,” Dal- las said. “Did Nan tell you I do a bit of deejaying in my spare time?” He leant over and took the CD player from Mary to have a closer look. “This thing is shit. You’ll never get a de- cent sound from it.”

“As long as we’ve got music, I don’t think it matters too much what it sounds like.” Mary took the device back from him and fiddled with the buttons. “Though it kept stopping during the lesson last week.”

“Well, I’m here to offer my services.” He opened his arms wide and gave Mary another grin. “Whatever those services may be.”

The ladies, now joined by Sherry and Bets, had emerged from the changing rooms. “Are we getting started then?” Lois asked. “I don’t want to take my towel off if there are strange men present.”

“I could be strange.” Dallas winked at Mary. “Depends on what you’re into, I guess.”

“We’re into getting our class started on time, young man,” Lois said firmly.

“Could we talk about this later? Maybe over a drink?” Dal- las gave Mary his phone. “Here, give me your number and

“That’s really nice of you.” Mary typed in her number and handed the phone back.

Dallas pocketed it and gave them a wave as he left. “Don’t let them wear you out too much, Mary.”

“You don’t seem to mind that Bright can see right into the pool from his office,” Glenda grumbled as she plopped into the water next to Lois.

Mary glanced up. Bright was in his office, looking right back at her. He was scowling as though she was on a strict timetable and not adhering to it. She gave him an awkward wave that he didn’t return.

There hadn’t been any more sightings of the enigmatic sock thief and it still remained a mystery as to who it was and why they had been stealing odd socks. However, this seemed to be the main topic of conversation when Mary walked into the lounge that afternoon for the residents’ monthly meeting.

“All I’m saying,” Lois said, “is that we don’t know what they’re going to take next. I’ve been hanging my washing on a rack inside and my living room is really too small for that.”

Bright entered the room and everyone hurried to find seats. Mary sat down next to Helen.

“It’s probably local hooligans, Lois,” Glenda said. “I doubt they’re interested in your underwear.” She took the seat next to Jerry, beating Lois who had been heading that way. Lois scowled and went to sit on the other side of Mary.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the video footage and there’s been no unusual activity in the last few days,” Bright said. He was wearing a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up expos- ing his tanned forearms. “We’ve installed cameras outside the gates too and nothing suspicious has been recorded.”

“I could get Dallas to have a look,” Glenda said. “He’s an electrician.” She turned to Mary. “You could ask him when you go for drinks.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Bright told her. “Like I said, cameras have been installed and I’m checking them often. Now, can we move on with the meeting?”

There was another five minutes of discussion as Viv, who was chairperson, welcomed them all and asked if everyone could see, which led to debate about which optometrist of- fered the best service. Then while going through the apolo- gies, a further discussion as various ailments and illnesses were listed, along with talk of the Proctors’ upcoming hol- iday in Noosa.

Mary could see that Bright was getting frustrated. They managed to get through three items on the agenda before Viv called for a break for afternoon tea. Klaus proposed that they add chocolate biscuits for the meetings to the agenda and Bright ran his hand through his hair until it was sticking

“Is it always like this?” he asked, as he poured himself a cup of coffee.“Don’t have the tea,” he added, as Mary reached for a cup and saucer. “Janice made it and it’s not very good.” “It’s not Janice’s tea-making skills, it’s the crap teabags she has to buy.” Mary popped a sachet of peppermint tea

Bright took a SuperWine biscuit from the plate, went to take a bite and then seemed to change his mind. He cleared his throat. “It’s probably none of my business, but I over- heard Dallas on his phone earlier ...”

He was interrupted by Glenda who squeezed in between them to pour herself a coffee. “I’d be happy to bake a little something for next month’s meeting. Gosh, I think even Lois could make better biscuits than these store-bought ones.”

“That would be very welcome, I’m sure,” Mary said. “Some of those mince tarts would be good.” Klaus had a

“It won’t be Christmas next month,” Glenda said. “Mince tarts are only for December.”

“Are they? I’ll probably be on a diet by then,” Klaus said. “You could start now,” Bright muttered.

Klaus ignored him and turned to Mary. “Could you take me to the supermarket some time? I need to buy some carrots.”

“They’re not for me.” He peered at Bright as though he had only just noticed him. “What are you doing here? Is it

It wasn’t until later that Mary realised Bright had never said what it was that was none of his business.

Nearly six million dollars are spent during the holiday season on ugly Christmas sweaters.