I never intended to write more on this fic, however I felt this chapter needed to be told.
The super sevens is an actual event here in S.A. I was lucky enough to help the organizers with it a few years back. I write this in memory of the man who started it twelve years ago and ran it for the next ten. He was a role model to me and many others in the dogworld and the show ring is no longer the same without him here. I was one of the lucky ones to know him personally, spending Christmas with him and many entertaining lunches listening to stories from before I was even born.
Like Charles Carson, he loved to put on a show, a man of great style and presence. You could always see him coming from across the grounds, in his bright red dinner jacket with matching shoes and belt. Like Elsie Hughes, he was born on a farm in Scotland and eventually came out here where he met the woman he referred to as 'the light of his life' and together they climbed to the top of the leaderboard in dogs and ran our most successful championship show holding club for many years. There will never be another like you, my substitute Granddad. Thank you for all you taught me.
Elsie was standing in front of her mirror, trying to decide on a suitable hairstyle for her evening out. Rufus, her Scottish Terrier, was all groomed and in his crate ready to go, her car loaded with her grooming equipment and she needed to leave in approximately fifteen minutes. If only she could find a suitable hairstyle. Her outfit had only taken her an hours walk round the local mall to find. She was wearing a shimmering green skirt suit that had tiny silver sequins around the edges and slightly higher heels than what she was used to.
Tonight was the highlight of the dog show calendar, the super sevens. Where the top seven dogs from seven groups came together to compete in a night of glitz and glammer.
Elsie considered herself lucky to have qualified for the second year in a row and for the first time ever she would have a date accompanying her. Charles had qualified in the puppy challenge with his bloodhound, Bruno, and they had booked a table together. It would be a nice change to be on the arm of her handsome lover (really, she was far too old for a boyfriend) instead of the arm of her grooming table*.
Eventually she gave up and did her hair up in her usual messy bun. Luckily with a few loose curls it still looked elegant and classy. Glancing at the clock, she quickly touched up her make up, grabbed her keys and number clip and headed for her car. She was now officially late.
(O)
"Elsie! You look smashing!" Beryl shrieked as she caught sight of Elsie across the room. Elsie looked up in alarm as the plump red headed woman made her way across the room dressed in a floor length black dress. They were in the marchelling room in the swanky hotel where the event was held. She had just got Rufus up on the table and was trying to brush out his legs when Beryl had called
"Thank you Beryl." Elsie said warmly "you look lovely as well. I had my eye on the very same dress. But I have to kneel and I have a black dog so it never would have worked."
"Oh the joys of having a fawn pug. I can bait it and wear what ever colour I choose."
"I envy you." Elsie sighed
"Oh dear, has someone let Beryl near the champagne again?" A deep baritone voice said quietly in her ear while a large wet tongue washed her fingers. She turned to find Charles standing there in his tux clutching the lead of Bruno who was now trying to cuddle up to Beryl
"Hey" she said softly, smiling up at him. He beamed in reply
"Ah the love birds are at it again" Beryl sighed "really it is quite sickening."
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Charles asked
"Not at all. But I still have to look at you two."
"Don't be silly" Anna said joining them "they look lovely together."
"Your response is based on your hormones." Beryl sniffed, gesturing towards Anna's bulging belly.
"Who's handling for you today?" Elsie asked leaning back against Charles "I heard John banned you from showing till after the baby is born."
"Its very annoying" Anna huffed "she doesn't go for anyone like she goes for me. But I've asked Gwen."
"Wise choice" Charles nodded, his hand coming to rest on Elsie's waist "she's very good."
Beryl looked the two of them up and down and grabbed Anna's arm
"Come on" she grumbled "I cannot bear to look at them any longer."
"What's got her in such a twist?" Charles asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched her go
"Nerves I think" Elsie answered "now shut up and kiss me hello."
He raised both his eyebrows at her before happily complying.
(O)
The thing about the super sevens was that everything was done to perfection. The entire colour scheme matched, from the black and white chairs to the red berry like decorations on the tables. Every knife, fork and spoon was in place, every napkin done into a fan and left on the silver plates. Then there was the ring, done up in bright red drapes with all the overhead lights centered towards it. Elsie could almost feel Charles's approval even though he was across the room from her helping Anna organize prizes. Their judge this year was a woman from Australia, who owned the top kennel of Flat Coated retrievers and had judged for many years. Needless to say Charles had been delighted to win the hound puppy group with Bruno, even though everyone knew he would. Now it was Elsie's turn with Rufus. Isobel Crawley was called in before her and she was battling to hold Rufus back. She wasn't sure what had gotten into him but he was dying to get in the ring. Eventually her number was called and they walked in; her with her purposeful walk and him doing little hops, twirls and generally refusing to walk properly. She knew from experience there was nothing she could do to stop him because if she did, he would stop dead and refuse to go anywhere. She only hoped that the judge would be able to judge him on the few correct strides he would throw in every ten steps or so. Needless to say she was beaten by Dr Clarkson's airedale.
"That was the funniest thing I've ever seen" Charles commented when she joined him at their table
"Oh shut up" she mock groused
"He looked like a hover craft"
She shot him her best glare and took a large sip of her wine
"Don't look at me like that, I know you're not really cross with him." Charles grinned before leaning in and whispering in a low tone "in fact, I know that you let him have all the treats in your bait bag."
She allowed her eyes to widen before also leaning in and whispering
"You might actually be right."
"Do stop flirting with me Elsie" he huffed "before I'm tempted to ravish you over this table."
"I would find that acceptable" she answered flirtatious. Unfortunately Charles had just taken a large sip of his own wine and choked on it
"Beryl would not" he finally gasped out.
"Ah well." She sighed sadly "you'll just have to kiss me and cuddle me while we watch best in show."
"I believe I can be persuaded to do that" he answered, winking at her. Unfortunately, by the time he had finished kissing her best in show was completed, leaving a very happy Dr Clarkson, a very put out Beryl and a very dazed Elsie.
*Grooming arm. Its a bent pole thing that we attach to our grooming tables to tie the dogs lead to if you want it held while you work on the dog.
Please review and let me know your thoughts! Any questions will be answered :)