It was a dry and bright, mild Friday morning in April. Paul’s school (Balgreen Primary) broke up yesterday for the Easter holiday, but my school (Royal High School Edinburgh) finished today. Our parents were both working double shifts at the hospital to cover for shortages, so I convinced them Paul would be safe at home on his own – he definitely wouldn’t be able to get into any mischief! LOL
We were in the conservatory finishing breakfast. We had breakfast television on the TV and their clock reported forty-eight minutes past seven.
Not having school today, Paul was not in school uniform. He was wearing a light grey Hibernian FC (Edinburgh’s football club) hoodie and Jungle Camouflage combat trousers with black trainers.
I was wearing RHSE school uniform white blouse with black RHSE logo on the chest and a black school tie, with a plain black skirt and black tights with black leather shoes.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” I asked, putting my empty cup on the tray and standing up.
“It’ll be great fun!” Paul replied, virtually leaping out of his chair.
“Get yourself ready.” I instructed. “I’ll clear the pots.”
Paul went inside the house and upstairs to the bathroom and his bedroom, in that order.
I gathered the pots onto the tray and carried them into the kitchen. I stacked the dishwasher and set it going.
“I’m ready!” Paul announced cheerfully, carrying a bulging jade green Balgreen Primary School bag as he returned to the kitchen.
I followed Paul outside into the back yard. It was a large, square-shaped yard with the back of the house at the bottom, the garage on the right and tall and thick hedges at the top and to the left. A shed stood in the top left corner. There was a line of wooden decking along the back of the house, with a white garden table and four white garden chairs. A large tree stood in the centre of the garden.
Paul had been out earlier and put four tent pegs in the ground and tied a rope to each, forming a square.
“Make yourself comfy.” I suggested, as we approached the tree.
“OK!” Paul agreed, sitting in the centre of the square.
Paul laid flat on his back and spread his arms and legs out in a St Andrews Cross.
Kneeling down carefully on the grass, I tied the ropes tight but not too tight round Paul’s ankles and wrists, stretching him out taut but not too tight in a St Andrew’s Cross.
“How’s that?” I asked, standing up and admiring my captive. “Ropes ok?”
“Just great!” Paul replied appreciatively. “Thank you so much.”
“I need to go for the bus.” I announced, heading for the house.
I went inside the house and up to my bedroom. Being one who likes to take a pride in her appearance, I was stood facing my dressing table as I lifted my RHSE school blazer off the chair and put it on.
As I straightened my blazer, I caught sight of the Prefect badge on the left collar and smiled. I am 17 and a Prefect at the oldest and (in my parents’ and my view at least) the best school in Scotland and I have just staked my “little brother” out in the back yard! LOL. I doubt my teachers would be laughing if they knew! LOL.
I picked up my bulging black RHSE holdall (not the gym bag) and I went downstairs and locked the kitchen door behind me as I stepped outside. After making sure the sliding windows from the conservatory were locked, I went over to my captive brother.
“I’m going now.” I announced, standing beside him with a beaming smile on my face. “Don’t get into any mischief!”
“You are so funny…..not!” Paul retorted, returning my smile.
I made my way down the driveway and Gareth was waiting for me at the bottom. We headed for the bus stop and made our regular journey to the Royal High School, Edinburgh.
The day was a pretty “run of the mill” Friday at the Royal High School Edinburgh, with my usual teachers and usual fellow students in my usual classes.
However, my “dark secret” gave this day a “buzz”. I wondered if this is what it’s like to be on illicit recreational drugs. Well, I had a mischievous and slightly evil smile on my face most of the day so some people must have been putting two and two together……….? LOL
I suppose I should have gone home during the lunch hour to check on him? It’s a 35 minute bus ride each way from my home to RHSE! It’s not a hot day and he’s tied in a safe position so let him stay there!
I had a nice lunch break with Gareth and other school friends, laughing and talking. The hour was over and the bell went, so it was back to class.
The afternoon was not much different from the morning. I was pleased with top mark for an assignment in English.
School finished for the week at 15:15, as it had done for years. We all wished everyone a happy weekend, said our goodbyes and made our journeys home.
Gareth and I were sat upstairs, on the left about halfway down the bus. As I said its usually a 35 minute journey, but negotiating the way through the centre of Edinburgh on a Friday afternoon can often put the journey to 45-50 minutes, and this would be one of those Fridays!
The bus finally reached our bus stop. We rang the bell as we got up, made our way down the stairs and to the door, and got off when they opened. Still chatting, as he had been doing since we left school, Gareth and I walked down our street, carrying our bags.
Gareth’s family and my family were next door neighbours. We had adjoining driveways with just a small wall separating the two. Dropping our bags on the ground, we gave each other a long and loving hug, even though we’d be seeing each other after tea to go to karate class. We finally released each other, and picking up our bags, Gareth walked up to his front door and let himself in.
With a beaming smile on my face and humming a tune to myself, I walked down our driveway and turned left into our back garden.
Not surprisingly, Paul was still staked out on the lawn. It was a mild and sunny day but with a light breeze so he wasn’t tied out in the hot sun!
Dropping my bag by kitchen door, I walked over to Paul and stood beside him, smiling. My “darling little brother” returned the smile as he saw me approach.
“Had fun?” I asked cheerfully.
“It was great!” Paul replied appreciatively.
I knelt down and untied the ropes. Although the ropes weren’t too tight, he had been immobile for eight hours! He sat up rubbed the feeling back into his wrists. Standing up, Paul pulled the stakes up and walked a little unsteadily towards the kitchen door.
Paul put the stakes and ropes back in his gym bag as he entered the house. I picked my school bag up as I entered the house.
Gemma
