A Brief History of Tina

"I thought this would go rather well with the meal" I suggested gently, holding out the glass to him, trying to keep my voice quiet and, I hoped, convincing.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked, somewhat nervously.

It was obvious I wasn't asking him about the wine. He sipped the glass himself, looking me over, then smiled.

"Timothy, I am VERY impressed, I thought you looked good on Monday night, right now I am absolutely delighted. I see an attractive woman. Very smart, well groomed, one who takes care of herself, who likes to look good and works at it. Very good indeed."

I glowed with satisfaction. 'Herself' He'd said 'herself'.

"Thank you, Uncle Jack, you don't know how much that means to me."

And I spent the whole of that evening, dressed, in company, happy. We had our meal, I served it, cleared away and then did coffee. We sat together afterwards discussing things, changes, then Uncle Jack surprised me.

"Timothy you really do make an attractive woman. Look, my car is still out, let's go out."

Out? Out?!! I was aghast at the thought, Jack could see I was beginning to panic.

"Hang on, Timothy, nothing major. There's a little woodland about half a mile from here, Emma and I often go there to relax in the evening, a short stroll along the path there, that's all I am suggesting. Nobody else around usually. How about it?"

So we did. Uncle Jack drove us there and we strolled side by side along the path, about 200 yards, then back towards the car. He could see I was thrilled by this until, just as we approached the car, another pulled up beside his and another couple got out. An older man, maybe nearly sixty, and someone I took to be his wife were headed towards us, hand-in-hand. Jack grabbed my hand, I was shaking.

"Timothy, calm down, just keep on walking, they won't give you a second glance I promise."

And they walked right past us, Jack acknowledged the man's greeting with a 'Good Evening' in reply, and we strolled on. I was relieved to sit in the car again.