The Class Reunion
Jonathan hurried through the doors of the pub, already an hour late. He shrugged off his pricey coat and, through the open entrance to the main room, saw a bunch of faces he hadn’t seen since forever. There was Mike Bailey, pouring brandy into glasses for himself and Pete Thorntonalways together, those two. Lifelong mates, sticking together through thick and thin, splitting every adventure, every headache, and the last slice of toast. Theyd even joined the same regiment in the army, came home together, too. That kind of friendship is rarereally, hats off to them. Heard they went in on a garage business together. Drink like fish though.
Is that Bonnie? Blimey, shes filled out a bit. Probably has three kids by now. She always wanted a big familyeven back in school shed round up the younger ones, look after them like some overworked mum, dragging them to the local museum every break time. It was her calling, honestly, raising kids.
Oh, and theres Alice Cartwright, carefully spooning salad onto her plate, with that distant, sad look in her eyes. Must be on yet another dietshes as thin as a rake and pale as if she hasnt seen the sun in months. Back in the day, she used to pester George Sutton who, despite his last name, was the largest kid in class and forever munching pastries. Alice would swipe his buns and force him to eat celery.
Olivia Sharp, now shes a real go-gettersaw her on telly a couple years back, picked as Teacher of the Year. Sharp as a tack, and raising a new generation. Good for her. Always had a lot of respect for people who know what they want.
Then theres Tom Newtonhes lost so much weight, looks poorly. Not liking that colour on his face, might check if he needs a hand. Ah, time really takes a toll on us, doesnt it? Its only at these rare get-togethers that we realise just how fast it slips away from us. Wait, whos this? Oh wow, Margaret! The school queen herself. Wearing a figure-hugging red dress, neck draped with a flashy necklace studded with blood-red stonessurely a gift from some wealthy hubby. She looks a million quid. That make-up could frighten a horsedefinitely on the prowl for a new man. No ring on her fingerdivorced, poor thing. Cant help but feel a bit sorry for her. All that remains of her fairy-tale is the necklace. Well, lets see what happens next.
Sizing up the crowd, Jonathan took a measured breath and stepped forward.
He ran a hand through his hair in the mirror, straightened his tie, checked his expensive watch, grinned and scowled at himself a few times, then made his grand entrance.
Johnny! Johnny, you old dandy! came the shouts all at once. Everyone rushed over, hugging him, clapping his back, shaking his hand for dear life. Who could blame them? He hadnt shown up, not even a peep, in twenty years! As if hed dropped off the face of the earthno sign of Johnny Parker anywhere. Come on, whereve you been! Tell us everything! Could hardly recognise you, matelook at you! They all shouted over each other, barely able to believe this was the same bespectacled beanpole from school. Lets have a drinkthe brandys cracking.
After weathering the welcoming committee, Margaret found her way over to him. She eyed him up and down, all admiration, and said:
Well, fancy seeing you here. Is it really you?
As you see. No doubt about it, Jonathan replied, proud as punch.
Youve changed. For the better, she purred, running her scarlet nails along his tie and plonking herself down beside him. Come here, handsome.
Of course. This Johnny was a far cry from the gangly, bespectacled, lovesick eighth-grader who went head-over-heels for Queen Maggie, not just a bit, but utterly hopelessly. Every time she passed by and glanced his way, he completely unravelledpalms sweaty, knees knocking. The nerd got teased relentlessly, picked on after school, landed with bruises and black eyes, but, fiddling nervously with his broken specs, he still adored herhis unreachable dream. Nothing could dampen his hope.
At the leavers’ do, hed finally plucked up the courage to confessbut she, lovely, proud, and cold as a diamond in her white ball gown, tossed her head and replied, I could only fancy someone truly worthy. And you? Youre just a nobody swot. Have you even looked in a mirror, Johnny? Off you go. Shed laughed, loud enough for everyone to hear, dropped the bouquet hed picked so carefully. That laughter haunted him. He went home shatteredhumiliated, heart-brokenand swore right then hed become strong, bold, wealthyand show them all. Yes, painfully sweet revenge. Then, of course, he botched his university exams and was drafted into the army.
He ended up in artillery. Learned fast. By chance, he befriended the colonels wife, who took a shine to the brainy lad who always helped out and gave solid advice, so she had her husband pull some stringshe got straight into business school, worked out in the gym, took up judo. Now hes the Finance Director of a company run by his old colonel and his mate. Talk about catching a lucky breakmaybe fate took pity on him, maybe he deserved that one-in-a-million chance. Maybe it was just relentless effortthe right place at the right time, whether it was a business deal, a championship, picking staff, or the love of his life.
His wife is simply wonderfulclever, beautiful, heart of gold. Three brilliant kids, and she runs their home like clockwork. When asked, What do you want for your birthday, love? shed always laugh and reply, Just you, darling.
They spent holidays together, had fun, went mushroom-picking in the woods, got soaked in the rain, kissed for hours on their country house balcony as dusk settled. Shes never been bothered with fancy thingsdown-to-earth and adored. Being with her was always a treat, unforgettable, pure magic. He loved everything about her, from her wild flaming hair right down to each freckle. Every night he raced home from work just to see her sparkling green eyes, hear her sweet voice. After settling the kids and feeding the family cat, shed curl up with a book of verse, waiting to whisper her favourite lines to him late at night. Hed never trade those moments for all the gold in England.
Margaret didnt have a clue, though. She spent the whole night watching him.
Hell be mine, she decided, and immediately swept him up for a dance. But he looked right through her and softly said,
I only dance with my wife. Sorry, but thats not you.
But youre not wearing a ring she exclaimed, grabbing his hand. Everyone turned to look, startled by how loud shed been.
I dont wear itits just in the waybut Im still married, Jonathan replied, strolling past her to the other end of the table. Sitting quietly the whole evening was another classmate, Faith Marshall. No one had paid her much attention, to be honest, just like at school.
Jonathan offered his hand, and she stood. Her dress was striking, stylish; a delicate gold pendant glinting on a slim chain. Her fiery hair was pinned back with a butterfly claspshe looked simply lovely. Suddenly everyone noticed how elegant she was as she moved through a waltz with Jonathan. When they finished, the room went quiet.
Well, all the best, everyoneits been lovely seeing you, Jonathan said, as he and Faith slipped out.
Wait, is Faith his wife? Margaret fumed, thoroughly flummoxed. That meek little Faith? She used to carry my books and do my homework. I only kept her around to look better by comparison. Sneaky cow.
You know it was Faith who organised all this? said Mike. Ordered the best brandy, toofair play. And Johnnydid you see his watch? Must be worth the price of this whole place. And he picked up the bill tonight, tooproper gent, thats our Johnny.
The music started up again, but Mike waved it off. Everyone fell into their own thoughts. Some were genuinely happy for their classmates success. Others regretted losing touch with Jonathan. The women couldnt stop talking about Faith and her good fortune, while Margaret seethed with jealousy. She remembered the awkward, bespectacled lad who trailed after her, but just couldnt fathom how hed transformed into this confident, impressive man.
Her ex-husband, Tom, had seemed the perfect catchhandsome, loads of money thanks to his dad, the works: a house, a car, a cushy job. But his endless affairs drove her up the wall. At first, she fought backepic rows worthy of the West End. Eventally, she grew weary of the dramaworn out, lonely, and so she started seeing other men, fooling herself itd dull the pain. In time she just fell into a pit of lies and misery. After six years, they divorcedmessy, and she got less than shed hoped: the car, the necklace (gifts stay, naturally), a two-bed flat, and a hollow kind of solitude. Now, she was hunting for a new Mr. Right, but men werent keen to bankroll her highness just for a pretty face. So it wenta cycle of whirlwind flings that fizzled out as soon as men saw her true colours. She kept plotting, hoping for brighter daysthat was her world since school. The world owes me, and Im its crown jewel.
Faith, meanwhile, soon found out Tom Newton was indeed unwellso she and Jonathan found the best doctors for him, and helped him get back on his feet. Six months later, he was on the mend, and still grateful to his friends. Sometimes, the right meeting changes everything.
We all come from our school days, shaped by old friends and fierce rivals. Some scars take years to heal, if they ever do. But looking back at school with nostalgia, we realise how naïve or petty our old dreams and resentments were. Time doesnt really heal, as the saying goesit just soothes the ache we carry deep down.
Take care of yourself. Dont waste your energy getting back at people who dont deserve it. Let them live in their own world, and you build your own, in your own wayeveryone has their own journey.
