The Lonely Goatherd – Chapter 7
By early evening, The Lonely Goatherd had filled up almost completely with sailors, nurses and other people from the town. There was music blaring and the dancing had started. Many couples were gathered together in the middle of the tavern, which had been turned into a large dance floor. Waltzes, polkas, and round dances taking place one after the other.
The day had been a hot one, with it being in the middle of summer and all, but with all the extra people in the tavern, the temperature was almost unbearable inside. Many of the men had taken off their jackets and rolled up their sleeves to cope with the heat and the women were trying to cool themselves down by fanning. However, despite the sweltering heat, everyone was having a fabulous time at the party.
Everyone, that is, except Georg.
He'd been waiting for Maria to turn up at The Lonely Goatherd all night, however she hadn't arrived. He'd seen a couple of her nurse friends, such as Margaretta and Sophia enter the tavern earlier in the evening but Maria wasn't with them. Margaretta had given him a friendly wave and a sultry wink as she'd arrived but then she'd been quickly whisked away by a bunch of sailors before he'd had a chance to catch her and ask her where Maria was.
Feeling at a bit of a loss, Georg approached Max, who was in a semi-heated discussion with Elsa over Max's plans to steal away her can-can girls and launch them into an exclusive world tour.
But as soon as Elsa saw the crestfallen look on Georg's face, she pushed Max aside and took Georg's arm. "What's wrong, darling? Aren't you having a good time?"
Georg grunted. "I would be, with the right company, that is."
Max scanned the room quickly. "Hmm… No Maria then? I thought you said she was coming?"
"So did I," Georg huffed.
Just then one of the barmaids came over and whispered something in Elsa's ear. She nodded briefly as the young girl left. Elsa turned to Georg. "Georg, I'm sure Maria will be here soon. She and I have spent a lot of time together over these past few months. She's not the type of woman to stand up a man. Something has obviously come up at the hospital that has delayed her."
Georg nodded faintly, knowing Elsa was most likely right. Elsa squeezed his hand. "But listen, darling. I need to attend to something. While don't you and Max sit quietly at one of those side tables and I'll have a bottle of my best brandy sent over while you wait for Maria. My treat."
Georg opened his mouth to protest but Max cut in first. "Good idea. And you know I'm always happy to accept anything that's free!" Max winked and pulled at Georg's arm, dragging him over towards the tables.
From the other side of the room, Margaretta was keeping a close eye on the Captain. She'd had a bunch of admirers already that evening but it was the Captain she really wanted. As long as she could keep Maria away, then she'd have her chance. But she was a little uncertain on how to approach the Captain without making it obvious that she was making a play for him.
As she was trying to work out her next move, she got the fright of her life when she heard someone whisper in her ear: "You don't stand a chance."
Spinning around in surprise, she looked around for the mystery voice. He was standing right behind her: young, tall, blond and very cocky looking. He was sort of cute, in a way, but she could easily imagine that he was the type of man who would turn into a pudgy old man with a toupee singing songs in a seedy nightclub and living off former glories.
"What on earth do you mean?" Margaretta asked him.
"Him. The Captain," the man pointed across the room to where the Captain sat. "I don't think you have a chance with him."
"W-what?" Margaretta was so taken back that the word just tumbled out of her mouth. But she quickly pulled herself together, trying to pretend she didn't know what the man was going on about. "I mean, what makes you think I'm interested in him?"
"Because you've been staring at him continually since you arrived."
Margaretta felt a little foolish realising she had been so obvious. But she didn't want him to know that. "And what's it to you if I am interested in him?" she replied a little offhandedly.
"No reason," he shrugged. But he looked her up and down in such a way that she had little doubt of his true intentions. Although her sights were set on the Captain, Margaretta did feel a bit curious about the man who was clearly flirting with her.
"Anyway, you are…?"
"I'm sorry," the man gave an apologetic smile and held out his hand. "I should have introduced myself first. My name is Rolf."
"I'm Margaretta," she replied as they shook hands. "So what about you, Rolf?" she asked. "Here all alone?"
"'Fraid so, little darlin'," he answered, sliding up close to her. "But I did have a girl back home once. Her name was Liesl. I used to deliver telegrams to her father and we'd meet in secret at the gazebo in her back garden."
"So what happened?" Margaretta asked.
"Well, her father didn't like me very much and then I got the calling to join the navy so I became occupied in far more important matters. And now I'm here."
"All alone."
"Yes all alone," he smirked. "But I'm sure hoping you'll help fix that." He moved even closer to her until his mouth was right up against her ear. "I have a room upstairs," he murmured.
Margaretta turned her head and stared at Rolf open mouthed before she let out a loud laugh. "And what makes you think that I'd just hook up with a perfect stranger?"
"Because it will be the best offer you'll get all night," he replied slyly. "I still don't think you have a chance with him." Rolf inclined his head towards the Captain.
Margaretta was annoyed at Rolf and felt determined to prove that he was wrong. "Well, let's just see about that," she replied, raising her eyebrows. "If you'll excuse me." Margaretta brushed past Rolf and began to make her way across the room towards the Captain.
"Well, hello Captain!" she said brightly as she approached his table.
Georg looked miserable. He and Max had already gotten through about a third of the way through the bottle of brandy that Elsa had sent over. He'd spent the better part of the night with his eyes glued to the front door hoping that Maria would arrive. But she still hadn't showed up and his mood was getting darker by the minute. He didn't particularly feel like having pleasant chitchat.
He glanced up at her. "Margaretta," he grunted in acknowledgement but then directed his focus back onto the glass of brandy in his hand.
Not being put off, Margaretta perked herself in the edge of the table. "Having a fun night so far?" she asked sweetly.
"Not particularly."
"Oh? Anything I could help you with?" She battered her eyelids seductively. Georg let out a deep sigh. He'd already figured out that Margaretta was one of the world's biggest flirts and he really didn't want to be on the receiving end of her attentions. Still, she was a friend of Maria's so perhaps Margaretta might know where she was.
"Actually yes, there is," he replied. "I was wondering whether you might know where Maria is."
Margaretta had mentally prepared herself for that question and she had a perfectly formed answer already waiting. "I'm sorry, Captain. But Maria decided not to come tonight. She was far too busy at the hospital and quite honestly, she said she is far too committed to being a nurse to consider any sort of romance on the side." While Margaretta knew she was lying through her teeth, there was enough truth to her response to make the story believable.
Georg felt crushed. Firstly just friends and now too committed to being a nurse to consider romance? Waiting around all night for someone who wasn't going to show up or return his affections suddenly didn't seem like the best idea in the world. Georg stood up stiffly. "I'm going back to the ship," he announced.
Margaretta panicked a little inside. If the Captain left, then she'd miss her chance with him. "Oh no, Captain! Don't leave just yet!" she pleaded. "The party is just getting started. Why don't you stay for a bit longer? Perhaps even come and have a dance with me?"
Georg closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, not interested in the slightest. But as he began to move off, Max grabbed his arm and spoke quietly to him so that Margaretta couldn't overhear them. "Georg, I'm sorry but it seems like Maria has made her choice. At least you know one way or the other. It's hard, I admit it but remember what we talked about earlier today? About there being plenty of other nurses that would love to keep you company? Well, Margaretta is here and all she is asking you for is a dance. You don't have to marry the girl or anything. Just stay for a bit longer and try to enjoy yourself a little."
Georg looked hard at his friend. Max was right: it would only be one dance and it might cheer him up. As the first strains of the Laendler floated through the air, Georg turned to Margaretta and held out his hand to her.
XxXxXxXxXxXx
At last Maria finished up at the hospital. The suturing had taken a lot longer than she'd first thought it would have and then a couple of other matters had arisen that she needed to attend to as well. Then as she was getting ready to leave the hospital, Sister Berthe pulled her aside for a little pep talk, or more accurately, a pep sing as the elderly matron had immediately burst into song – something about climbing every mountain and fording every stream, following every rainbow until she found her dream? Maria wasn't quite sure what she meant by it all, but she had a sneaking suspicion that Sister Berthe was telling her to go for it when it came to her relationship with the dashing Captain.
However, Maria had already come to that conclusion herself. The extra time at the hospital had also allowed Maria to think. Knowing how devastated she had been at the thought of not being able to see Georg that night made things very clear in her mind. Maria knew she was in love with Georg and, whether or not she should, she was determined to find Georg and tell him her feelings before he left the following morning as it might be her last opportunity to do so.
Thanking Sister Berthe for her advice and with her heart leaping with joy at finally coming to a decision, Maria was practically skipping as she made the journey from the hospital to The Lonely Goatherd.
XxXxXxXxXx
Georg and Margaretta joined the other couples in the large circle in the center of the tavern to dance the Laendler. Firstly he bowed then she curtsied, then they went for a little walk: one, two, three; one, two, three; one, two, three then step together. Step-hop, step-hop then turn under… Margaretta laughed as their turn was a little awkward. But as they repeated the move, the turn under was much more smooth. Following the other couples in the circle, Margaretta spun under Georg's arm until he caught her hand and they promenaded together.
Georg began to relax and enjoy the traditional Austrian folk dance as they waltzed side-to-side and promenaded around again. He smiled at her several times and he could feel the tension in his shoulders disappear as the dance went on. Margaretta then lifted her skirt as she hopped and jigged around him, while Georg clapped merrily in time with the music. Soon it was time for Georg to strut around Margaretta, still clapping before they pivoted so that he was in front of her. Along with all the other couples dancing the Laendler, the whole atmosphere felt fun and exciting.
But as soon as the music changed from light-hearted to serious, Georg felt the mood of the dance shift. There was an intensity in the air as the dance went on and he barely even noticed that the other couples had stopped dancing to stand aside to watch them complete the dance alone.
He placed his hand over his shoulder for Margaretta to catch, which she did and then she turned to face him. Moving backwards, their arms moved up and outwards in a large arc before they moved closer together to spin with their bodies pushed tightly together, one arm raised above their heads. Spinning one way and then the next, Georg felt Margaretta pressing her body closer and closer to him, her eyes gazing deeply into his.
He felt suffocated by her and her desperately wanted to get away. But instead as the music slowed and came to its conclusion, Margaretta threw both arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
Taken completely by surprise, Georg didn't pull away instantly but as soon as he did, his blood turned cold. For right before him standing in the doorway to The Lonely Goatherd was Maria.
The ashen and distressed look on her face told Georg everything he needed to know.
"Oh god," he whispered under his breath. He quickly tried to disentangle himself out of Margaretta's arms as he called out to her. "Maria!" But it was too late for Maria had turned and fled the tavern.
Margaretta, after having seen Maria leave the tavern, tried to make a grab for Georg's hand. "Captain!"
Georg whipped around, feeling a mixture of stupidity and fury at how he'd been lured into dancing with Margaretta. He snatched his hand away. "Not now, Margaretta! Haven't you done enough?"
Quickly grabbing his jacket from where he'd left it with Max, Georg ran out of the tavern after Maria and into the night.
As the murmured whispers and inquisitive looks from the other patrons came her way, Margaretta's face burned red. Her perfect plan to get the Captain had been foiled by Maria. And now she was left standing alone in the center of the room embarrassed. Taking a deep breath and holding her head up high, Margaretta slinked from the dance floor over to the side of the room. Thankfully with the next lot of music beginning, the other people in the tavern soon forgot about the spectacle and resumed enjoying the party.
Margaretta made her way over to the bar and was about to order herself a drink when one was placed in front of her. Looking up, she saw Rolf settling himself down onto the bar stool next to hers. "Bad luck," he remarked, lifting his own drink to clink with hers. "For a moment there, I thought you had a chance with him."
Margaretta quickly skulled her drink. "For a moment there, so did I." Rolf didn't reply but signalled for the barmaid to refill both their drinks. She left the bottle with them.
As they finished their drinks again, Rolf moved closer to her. He ran one finger up and down her arm seductively. "You know, my offer still stands. My room isn't too far away."
Margaretta looked at him intently, deciding what to do. Sure, he wasn't quite what she'd had in mind that evening and he was a little sleazy. But perhaps sleazy was what she needed after the night she'd had. Her lips curled upwards in a small smile. "Lead the way to this room of yours," she purred holding out her arm for Rolf to take it. "And bring the bottle with you."
A/N: Well Rolf and Margaretta.. who would have thought it? Will Georg find Maria and will Margaretta realise Rolf is a complete tool? Stay tuned to find out! Please review!
