Chapter 59

Archie flew in mid-air as the bungee cord pulled him with all its might back where he had stood moments before.

In line with the two other lads who were running down the alleys to his left and right he had confidently eyed up his inflated alleyway corridor. Archie had directly faced the cowboy hat which was just out of reach. It was only ten metres from his grasp. He had thought it would have been easy, but now he was not so sure. A different approach was required.

Archie crouched low. He would grab the cowboy hat if it was the last item on earth that required saving. In itself it was not a special hat. Made of a standard, dark-brown leather with a woven light and dark brown edging it did not shout out, but it was what the hat represented.

Archie took a deep intake of breath, put his weight forward and his legs were suddenly working overtime, as if he had been put in an ever faster spinning, hamster wheel. The blown up inflatable structure had not provided much grip. Archie had realised that to make any progress up the aisle he had needed to remove his socks so that he was bare footed. The once civilized naval officer and PhD student was nearing the cowboy hat like a ferocious pit-bull.

Archie was serious. He would not be denied his prize. He felt the pull of the elastic bungee cord around his waist and it was beginning to strain against the direction that Archie was taking. His legs were now working even faster, he felt the heat of his exertion all over him; from his forehead to his arms and legs and around the cord of the bungee line which was desperately seeking to bring him back to the mother ship of the start-line.

Archie dived forward using the momentum he had built up and flew through the air to land a couple of metres further forward and within grasp of the cowboy hat. He outstretched his hand and reached with all his might with his fingers. His arm felt as though it was going to dislocate, such was the force with which he stretched himself out.

The brown leather cowboy hat remained out of reach. The expression on Archie’s face was comical. He really could not believe it. The bungee cord now had Archie in its power. There was no running away from the elastic bouncing him back whence he had come. There were quite a few giggles as Archie flew backwards through the air, away from the prized cowboy hat and back to his starting position. He landed in a heap on the ground of his inflatable corridor. He no longer presented the dapper image he had just a few moments ago, as Lieutenant Archie Malcolm in his military pose, oozing sophistication.

Never to be outdone, Archie sprung to his feet. He had been within a hair’s breath, and maybe, maybe if he just moved the waist harness of the bungee a little further down and stretched a little more, the prize would be his.

His legs whirled even faster than before, his slim pit-bull pose attacking every inch of the blown up inflatable corridor. The onlookers changed their tune and willed him on. There was the start of a handclap which began to pick up pace. Archie seized the moment. He felt his audience willing him on and this spurred him to work even harder. Down the inflatable corridor he went, perspiring even harder, launching himself for the hat with such force that it seemed to flinch on its pedestal.

Archie stretched his fingers to their full extent and brushed the leather material. He was not letting this one escape. He reached up with his other arm. The hat was in the grip of his hand. He was victorious. His admirers began to clap. The cowboy hat had found its way to his head. He was asked to choose a card from the five in the man’s hand.

Archie was thinking that he had never won anything in his life. The last few moments had changed all of that. He was being hoisted against his will onto many of the students’ shoulders. He was still attempting to draw the card. Lifting it up to his eyes he read:

“You have won a romantic evening for two at Yves restaurant, Cropston, Nr. Winchester, Hampshire. This card entitles the bearer to £200 worth of spending for a wonderful, memorable occasion.”

Wow, what an evening that will be, thought Archie. He knew exactly who he wanted to spend it with.