An Education - Purim

Postby KP Presents » Wed May 18, 2016 2:07 am

Tuesday 22nd March

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”


“Cathy, dinner’s ready!”

“Coming Mum,” I said as I put the copy of the Bible down. I’d been reading one of the books – partly for my upcoming Religious and Philosophy Studies exams, but also for rather more – personal reasons.

Anyway, I got up and walked down the stairs to where my mothers were waiting at the dining table. Mummy was still in her grey blouse and slacks that she wore when she worked for the taxi firm, while Mum had on a white jumper with a wide brown leather belt, a long brown ruffled skirt and her slippers.

“Come on Timmy – into your high chair,” Mum said as she lifted my little brother up and put him in his booster chair.

“Thanks mum,” he said in his little lisping voice as he was strapped in. We’d just celebrated his second birthday, even if he had only lived with us for just over 15 months now. Mum and Mummy had adopted him just before the Christmas before last, and he was really part of our family now.

“Have you managed to arrange the cover for Thursday Belinda?”

Mum nodded as we all sat down. “Margaret is going to look after the store for the day – she’ll lock up for me tomorrow and open up Thursday as well. How about the office?”

“Oh they can do without me for a couple of days,” Mummy said with a smile, “and you are going to have an overnight stay with your friend Andrew, aren’t you Timmy?”

“Yes,” Timmy said as his dinner was put in front of him, and he started to eat. We were having a pork casserole, but Timmy had a pork steak sliced up with some of the smiley potato faces he liked.

I actually felt a little guilty having pork tonight – but then I knew that was one of the things we would not be having tomorrow or Thursday. That was because Mum, Mummy and I were going to be spending the next couple of days away, at the invitation of Rebecca Boyle, at – well, I suppose a retreat is one way of describing it, but it wasn’t quite like that.

Maybe I should backtrack – you’ll have to forgive me, but I think this is the first time I’ve actually been asked to write one of these stories, so I may make some mistakes on the way- such as not making it clear who I am. Well, I’m Cathy – Catherine Harmer, and I’m very pleased to meet all of you properly at last.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself, so that you can understand the rest of this. I’ve been a friend of Jenny Craig and Mary Holmes for as long as I can remember, certainly since primary school, and now we’re in year 11 at school, with our GCSEs coming up. If you’ve been reading these stories for some time, you probably think you know me – the quiet one, who kind of acts as the voice of reason at times.

Well, I am – but that’s come a lot from how I grew up. I have two mums – Mum, Belinda Harmer, is my natural mother, and we do tend to dress in the same way and look a bit alike. My dad left when I was a baby, and Mummy joined us when I was in nursery. It had never once bothered me I had two mums instead of a mum and dad, and all my friends accepted it as well.

And I mean all my friends – especially Cindy Elsworth who lives in Maine. It’s a long and complicated story about how we met, but essentially we have a mutual friend in Alicia Bowden, and we’ve met a few times over the years. She has two mums as well in essence, so she understands me a lot.

And yes, before you ask, I do like the games we play as well – although for the longest time I felt a little left out of things for one very simple reason.

The boys.

Let me explain – Jenny Craig has been stepping out with Colin Hampton for a few years now, and her sister is dating Alicia’s cousin Bobby Holderness. Then Alicia started to go out with a nice guy called Martin, whose parents run a music store near to us, and Mary started seeing Mark Cottrell. For the longest time, it seemed like I was the only one who didn’t have a boyfriend – even some of the younger girls like Bobby’s sister Suzie had a boyfriend. But I guess it was Bobby and Suzie I should thank – and thank – for helping me to meet Sam.

If we are being formal, it’s Samuel Stewart, and his big sister works as the housekeeper at Wissenden Hall, where the Holderness family live. I first met him at a party there, and I guess we connected there and then. We’re both quite shy, if truth be told, but we got talking that night, and became really close after that.

NO – not in that way. None of us have in that way. What I mean is we quickly realised we really were soul mates – with one small difference. Sam was Jewish, and I – well, I’m not really religious, but I have an interest in that area, so there have been a few times I have been his guest at some of the festivals he goes to, while he’s been to a few concerts with me.

Which is why the three of us were going on a little trip, Timmy was going to stay with Alicia for a night, and I was reading that passage. Sam’s sister, Rebecca, had invited the three of us to join her and her mother to celebrate the festival of Purim, by joining them at a hotel from sunset on the Wednesday until Sunset on the Thursday. Apparently, this was an annual event for the women of the synagogue Rebecca went to as a girl, and her mother felt with the arrival of little Betsy she wanted to spend the time there again.

Betsy is her daughter – born just after Christmas, and a little beauty already. Suzie and Bobby’s mum was going to look after her while we were away.

So, the festival of Purim – essentially, the story of the Book of Esther, which is what I was reading before I was called down to dinner. Without going into the whole story, it celebrate the delivery of the Jews from the threat of what we now call a genocide at the hands of a jealous official of the court of King Aratxerxes of Persia during their exile.

I guess it does take an extra resonance in our modern world as well, but I didn’t really want to dwell on that. Rebecca had explained to me what was going to happen – how we would gather with the other women in the hotel by sundown, and there would be a reading of the Megillah – the Jewish name for the Book of Esther – by one of the rabbis – and then he would leave, so that only the women were present. There would then be a time to meet some of the other women socially, as well as a collection that would be taken and used to support families who needed extra help.

That’s apparently one of the obligations of Purim – to give to the poor in the community, and also to exchange gifts of food with each other. We already had the gifts wrapped, and would take them with us tomorrow. One was for Rebecca, and one for her mother. The third – well, all they would tell me was that it was going to be a surprise for me.

Then on the day itself, there was going to be a long party in effect, before a special meal at sundown in the hotel. So, in other words, a version of a girls only party, but with a bit more meaning.

“Drink please, Cathy.”

“Of course,” I said as I poured some squash into a cup, put a lid on it and handed it to Timmy to drink from.

“So you’ll come home at lunchtime tomorrow, and then we head off from here,” Mum said.

“That’s the idea – I wonder what else is going to happen?”

“I think,” Mummy said with a smile, “as with so much, we go in and join in as much as we can. But for now, we get a good night’s sleep, all right?”





Wednesday 23rd March

“Hey – ready for the ladies night?”

“And good morning to you Mary,” I said as I sat next to her in the classroom. “How did your date with Mark go last night?”

“I’m not complaining,” Mary said with a smile as Jenny and Alicia sat behind us. We then watched as Dr Frost came in and stood at the front of the room.

“Okay everyone – I know the Easter holiday starts at lunchtime today, but you lucky people have exams coming up much sooner than you want them to, so I’m handing round timetables for revision classes that will be taking place over the next two weeks. They are entirely voluntary, but I strongly encourage you to make use of them if you can.”

“If my aunt thinks I’m coming in during this fortnight...”

“That includes you Jennifer Craig,” she said as she handed each of us a sheet. “You can never be too prepared for the GCSE exams.

“Now, on a lighter note,” Dr Frost said as she went back to the front of the room, “the year 11 Prom has been announced for Friday 17th June. While I know that is some time off, I know the young ladies here may need some time to select the right dress for them, while the young men may need the same length of time to get up the courage to ask one of said young ladies out.”

Mark and Martin just turned and smiled at Mary and Alicia, while Jenny whispered “Colin already said yes.”

“What about Sam,” Mary whispered to me.

“I’ll ask him tomorrow,” I whispered back as the bell rang. Dr Frost said “Right – to your classes and enjoy your holidays.” Which was the cue for all of us to get up and walk out of the lab.

“Three lessons – three short lessons and then freedom,” Mary said with a smile. “So where exactly are you going?”

“All I know is it’s a country house hotel somewhere near Oxford – I’m going home to change, and then we’re driving up after that.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll have fun – but first, the agony of French...”





“Well, this must be the place,” Mum said as we pulled up alongside a row of cars. It was about four in the evening, and as we got out I looked at the ivy covered walls. I had changed out of my school uniform into a knee length black skirt with a white swirling pattern, a white blouse and flat shoes.

Mum was wearing a black leather jacket over a grey jersey dress, black leggings and flat shoes, while Mummy had on a long sleeved red Laura Ashley dress, with a grey cardigan over the top and red heels.

As she opened the boot of the car, I took out the two cases and we made our way into the reception area.

“Good afternoon ladies,” the woman behind the desk said, “how may I help you?”

“Hopefully, you have two rooms reserved in the name of Harmer?”

“Ah yes – if you would care to sign in?”

“Hey.”

I turned and smiled as I saw Sam behind me, wearing a smart suit, shirt and tie.

“Hey – I thought this was a women only place today?”

“Well, I’m helping with the reading – and I wanted to see you,” Sam said with a smile.

“So where’s your sister?”

“Rebecca – oh she’s talking to an old friend she invited as well. In fact, here she comes now.”

I looked to where Mrs Boyle was coming out of a door, alongside...


“Doctor Frost?”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed May 18, 2016 8:06 am

Nice!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed May 18, 2016 11:10 am

Great start!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby Tom Ford » Thu May 19, 2016 9:04 am

A very nice start, if I say so myself.

We get into Jewish Religious tradition, and it's nice for Cathy explain it all to readers who might be unfamiliar. And we get to see how Sam's family celebrate Purim.

So it would a ladies party, but with religious undertones. Still, I looked forward on how this sort of event could be turned into a tie up situation. With all the characters present, it would be interesting.

A nice nice introduction. Hopefully, it will set up many tie up scenes!

Looking forward to part II, KP!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Thu May 19, 2016 9:55 am

It's so nice to hear Cathy tell a story. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby The Wrapster » Fri May 20, 2016 5:45 am

A very interesting beginning! Looking forward to this tale's continuation!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri May 20, 2016 6:52 am

Cathy's fun!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri May 20, 2016 7:12 am

Great update!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby William F Somebody » Mon May 23, 2016 12:05 am

Lookin' good, KP! It's nice to see Cathy as a narrator for once. It would have a different feel to it, since it would be a Jewish festival. I'm glad there was an explanation of Purim, since a lot of readers would not be familiar with it.

Looking forward to more, KP! I hope they have good tie up games prepared for the event!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon May 23, 2016 2:21 am

Please please update really really soon!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon May 23, 2016 2:40 am

Hope you update soon!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby The Wrapster » Wed May 25, 2016 7:55 am

Olly, Olly Oxen Free!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby KP Presents » Wed May 25, 2016 11:48 am

Sorry folks - work pressure again. New part tomorrow...
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon May 30, 2016 3:36 am

Please post the new chapter soon!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby The Wrapster » Mon Jun 06, 2016 6:29 am

Hope you're back tomorrow KP, I miss you1

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby KP Presents » Wed Jun 08, 2016 3:26 am

“Good afternoon, Cathy,” she said as she looked at us. “I suspect you were not expecting to see me here, correct?”

“Well, no – I didn’t even know you were...”

“Well, I’m not exactly, but my parents were, so when Rebecca invited me I agreed to come. Rather like you and your mothers, I suspect – hello Belinda, Penelope.”

“Hi Jo,” Mummy said as they embraced each other, “so are you ready to see what happens?”

“I think so – but I really want to just have some down time, if truth be told.”

“All right then – there’s your key,” Mum said as she handed me what looked like a library card, “let’s go and unpack, and we will see both of you a little later.”

“So how does this work exactly, Sam?”

“Well, we have the reading tonight, and then a meal for you lot while the menfolk leave. Tomorrow is more like a holiday, so I imagine there will be lots of games and dancing, and a big meal in the evening.”

“Listen,” I said, “if you’re free later...”

“Well, we’re disappearing to a different room, so I’ll see you afterwards,” Sam said with a wink as we headed to the bedrooms.



Once I had put my clothes away, I sat down on the bed and thought for a moment. The last person I had expected to see here was Doctor Frost.

Actually, no – scratch that. If her wife Cassandra Craig had come, that would have been even more surprising. She’s Jenny’s aunt, and a rather formidable woman in her own right, but most definitely not religious. But still...

As I heard the knock on the door, I said “come in,” and smiled as Mummy came in.

“We’re heading down now – shall we?”

I nodded as I stood up and we made our way down the corridor, down the stairs and into a main room, where quite a lot of women were taking their seats. As we found ours, I was surprised to see what looked like an old football tattle on the chair.

“It’s called a grager,” Rebecca said as she sat with us, and held hers in her hand. “You’ll know when to use it.”

Well, we had to go with the flow, didn’t we? So we took our seats as Samuel and what I presumed was the Rabbi took their seats at the front with some of the other men.

The room went silent as the Rabbi came forward and said “Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us regarding the reading of the Megillah.”

“Amen,” we all replied.

“Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.”

“Amen.”

“Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.”

“Amen.”

I then smiled as Samuel came forward, putting on his reading glasses as he did so, and stood behind the dais.

“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces). that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him. When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.”

I already knew this was the reading of the book of Esther, so I listened along, still wondering what the football rattle was for. Well, a few minutes later, I found out as Samuel read “And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman...”

At the mention of Haman – the character many would consider the villain of this tale – all the women started to shout and spin the gragers round, making so much noise it drowned out Samuel. When I looked, I saw he was expecting this, and waited for the noise to die before he continued.

“ The son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman...”

Now I knew what was expected, as we joined in. In fact, every time Samuel tried to say that name, he was blocked out – and I realised it must be part of the tradition!

Eventually, Samuel said “Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.

“And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.

“And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

“And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.”

As he stood back, everyone smiled and said “Amen”. The Rabbi then came forward and said “Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, (the God) Who takes up our grievance, judges our claim, avenges our wrong; Who brings just retribution upon all enemies of our soul and exacts vengeance for us from our foes. Blessed are You Hashem, Who exacts vengeance for His people Israel from all their foes, the God Who brings salvation.”

“Amen.”

There were then some recitations, before the Rabbi nodded and the men left, Samuel smiling at me.

“Ladies,” a grey haired woman said, “the meal is served in the dining room.”



After we had eaten, we came back to find the chairs cleared away, and a small band sitting on the stage as they started to play music. As we went to sit at a table at the side, some of the women started to perform a dance, the others clapping along as they did so.

“Well, that was interesting,” Doctor Frost said as she sat next to me.”

“I was not expecting that noise, Doctor Frost...”

“Cathy, call me Jo, otherwise I am going to get very embarrassed very quickly.”

“All right – Jo.”

“As for the noise, Rebecca warned me, so I was ready.”

“Well, will they do the same tomorrow?”

“Almost certainly,” Jo said with a smile. “So are you going to spend some time with Samuel this weekend?”

“If I can,” I said with a smile, “will you excuse me for a minute – I need to...”

“Oh of course – on you go,” she said with a smile, as I stood up and left the room, both of my mothers deep in conversation with Rebecca as I visited the smallest room.

As I stepped out into the hotel lobby, I looked round at the quiet space, and started to make my way back to the room – only to stop as I heard Samuel behind me say “oh no you don’t, Ms Harmer – come with me please.”

“Well, if you insist...”

“Oh I do,” I heard him say as he took me by the arm, and we walked put the stairs. As we stopped outside my room, he allowed me to open the door and then we both walked in.

“Now then,” he said with a smile, “I need to make sure you stay out of the way while I steal something. Do you have any ropes with you?”

“No,” I said with a smile, “but I do have some scarves.”

“All right – put your hands behind your back.”

As I did so, I felt him crossing my wrists, and then suing what felt like a band of silk to bind them tightly together. I was then invited to sit on my bed, and I saw he had taken his tie off as he opened a drawer.

“Wrong one,” he said with a smile as he moved to the next one, and took out a long green chiffon rectangle. Kneeling in front of me, he used it to secure my ankles tightly together, making sure he took it between my legs as well, and then used a second brown rectangle to secure my legs together below my knees.

“You horrible fiend,” I said in a quiet voice as he cinched that binding, “what are you going to do to me?”

“What would you like me to do to you?”

“Oh I could think of a few things,” I said as he sat next to me, and then gently kissed me, my eyes closing as I kissed him back.

“Listen – have you got any tights? I could use them to tie your arms to your sides, but...”

“Look in the next drawer down.”

As he did so, he took two pairs of American tan tights out, and used them to bind my arms to my sides, one set below and one set above my chest. I wriggled round as he tied them off – it was tight, and certainly felt different from the usual ropes.

“So what is it you’re going to steal from me,” I said as he looked at me.

“Another kiss,” he said with a smile – and then he did just that, before he held a folded handkerchief in front of my mouth. I smiled and then let him put it in, before he rolled up a white headscarf, tied a knot in the middle and used it to gag me.

“Ndnwnwhttt?”

He looked at me, and said “whatever you want...”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Jun 08, 2016 5:54 am

Nice!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Jun 08, 2016 6:22 am

Nice ceremony!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Wed Jun 08, 2016 6:25 am

Welcome back, KP! It's been so long!! And we missed you! cheers

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby Tom Ford » Wed Jun 08, 2016 6:31 am

Welcome back, KP! It’s nice to you write the next chapter, and let me tell you, reading this one took me back when I was reading the book of Esther. I knew it was the basis of the holiday of Purim, but I never knew some of the aspects of it, like the hissing at the name of the villain, Haman, who tried to have the Jews killed because Mordecai didn’t bow down to him.

But Cathy isn’t that much interested in that, I think. She’s more interested in her current predicament. And Samuel is making sure that Cathy would not join the other girls so he could have some “alone” time with her, and have a good time.

Looking at it, I look forward to whatever it is Sam is doing. I’m sure he won’t apply any of the “special” ropes, though the tan tights was used above and below her chest. But how different does it feel from the usual ropes?

Nice chapter, KP! And I’m looking forward to more, as usual!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Jun 08, 2016 6:50 am

Great chapter!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby The Wrapster » Thu Jun 09, 2016 6:13 am

As Tom said, welcome back!! There is joy to see your new updates, here and on Mother and Daughter Moments! Like Tom, I'm also learning as I read this one. My late uncle, Dr. Michael Schafir, was the only member of his family to escape Hitler's death camps. His ex wife is my dad's sister, and she converted to Judaism upon their marriage, Purim is one Jewish holiday I knew nothing about until this tale.

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:33 am

Great update!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby William F Somebody » Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:36 am

As Tom and Wrapster said, Welcome Back, KP! It's nice to see you post another chapter to the An Education saga once more.

Looks like the holiday is getting under way, while Cathy is having her own little fun with Sam.

And yeah, the An Education series just turned four years old last May 30, 2016! Congratulations, KP!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:06 am

Please please update really really soon!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:18 am

Hope you update soon!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby KP Presents » Tue Jun 14, 2016 3:33 am

I looked at him and smiled, before I leaned over and gave him a kiss on his neck with my lips – and the silk knot rubbing on his skin. That made him giggle, and then he started to gently stroke me in all the right places.

As I closed my eyes and wriggled round, the two nylon bands rubbed on my chest in a very nice way. It wasn’t as intense as the last time Sam tied me up...

It had been two weeks ago, and he had called round to see me while my mums were out. It was a colder evening, and I was wearing a pair of blue leggings with a long white t-shirt, a pair of socks pulled up over my feet and ankles.

We were watching a film as he took my wrists behind my back, having first covered them with a pair of socks, crossed them and tied them together, and then tied the rope around my waist to keep them in place. Putting his hands on my shoulders, he kissed me on the neck, and then started to wrap some rope around my upper body, keeping my upper arms firmly against my sides, and taking it above and below my chest. Once he had tied the ropes off, he came and sat next to me for a few minutes, as we kissed.

He then asked if I wanted the special rope – one I had experienced a couple of times before, so I nodded and stood up as he tied that in place, then once I was sitting again he crossed and secured my ankles together, followed by my legs below my knees, cinching each of the bands. As my legs were forced together, I wriggled round, enjoying the growing feeling of helplessness as well as the way I was feeling elsewhere.

I then asked if he was going to tighten the bands on my chest, and he nodded as he tied some rope under my left arm, bringing the bands together. I closed my eyes as he did this, so I didn’t notice it was a long length of rope – not until he pulled it up and took the rope around the back of my neck, using it to tighten the bands under my other arm as the bands pressed even more firmly, my top really stretched out now over my chest.

I started to say something, but then he kissed me again – before he pushed a sponge in, the material expanding and filling my mouth as he taped over my lips. I then felt him pass a rope up my back, one end tied to the rope at my neck, and the other end...

Well, let’s just say as he caressed and stroked me, every move made me wriggle, every rub of the ropes drove me closer and closer to the edge – and then factor in that other rope, and...


Well, let’s just say when Mum and Mummy came back, Samuel had gone, and I had showered with my dirty clothes in the wash basket, and a very warm glow going through me.

“Crrffllsmmll – smnnhthr,” I mumbled as his hands caressed my chest, gently squeezing and massaging them.

“Oh I will be careful – sadly, I cannot stay too long, or else...”

I nodded in understanding, and then said “cnuutkthggut.”

Samuel nodded as he untied the scarf and took it out, the knot now decidedly darker and greyer. “Thanks,” I said, “if you don’t have much time, I think we need to kiss a bit more.”

Samuel smiled and nodded, before we came together...




“Cathy? Are you in there?”

I opened the door, wearing my pyjamas, to see my mothers standing there.

“I’m fine – Sam just wanted a word before he went off,” I said, “and I decided to get ready for bed after he had gone.”

“Fair enough,” Mum said, “we’re going to go down for breakfast at eight tomorrow. See you in the lobby?”

“Sure – have a good sleep,” I said as I closed the door, smiling at the memory of what Sam and I had managed to do...




When I woke the next morning, I stretched and yawned, and then had a long shower, before I out on a long white skirt, with a lace pattern on the hem. I then slipped on a shirt sleeved pale blue blouse, and fastened a brown leather belt around my waist, before putting on some brown ankle boots.

Making sure I had my purse and room key with me, I walked down to the lobby where Mum and Mummy were waiting. Mum was wearing a Laura Ashley style dress, with a red floral pattern, while Mummy had on a white blouse and pants.

“Good morning sleepyhead,” she said with a smile as I joined them, “ready for breakfast?”

“Oh yes,” I said as we went in, and joined Rebecca and Jo at the table. There was also a grey haired woman sitting there – Rebecca’s mother.

The breakfast was a light one, but all the women there were dressed in party clothes and dresses. Normally, when I see Rebecca, she is wearing a blouse and skirt or a grey dress, but today she was wearing a deep blue short sleeved dress and matching heels. Her mother was wearing a brown dress with a matching shawl, while Jo had on a green tunic and pants, which she said was from India.

Eventually, the woman who was leading the day stood up and said “Ladies – we gather in fifteen minutes for the reading and the observing of the Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot.”

“I presume that is the gifts?”

“Indeed,” Rebecca said, “we will see you in the main hall.”

“Come with us,” Mum said, “we have the necessary baskets in our room.”

I went back up with them and looked at the three wicker baskets. The rule for these baskets is that they contain two different types of food at least, which must be ready to eat or drink, and they reflect the wealth of the person giving. Well, we’re comfortable well off, so each basket had a half bottle of Kosher wine, packs of crisps and pastries, and sweets.

We took one each, and as I looked at the label I saw I was carrying one for Jo. We then joined the other women as they walked down, putting the gifts on a large table as we went in and sat down, watching as the room filled up.

Eventually, the woman who had spoken earlier stood up, and we followed the ceremony of the morning prayers and the book of Esther – and at least this time we knew to join in with the shouting and blotting out of a certain name.

As the last blessing was given, the woman said “To make known that all who hope in You will not be shamed; nor ever be humiliated, those taking refuge in You. Accursed be Haman who sought to destroy me, blessed be Mordechai the Yehudi. Accursed be Zeresh the wife of my terrorizer, blessed be Esther who sacrificed for me - and Charvonah, too, be remembered for good for suggesting to the King that Haman be hanged on the gallows.”

“Amen,” we all replied.

“And now, let the celebration of Purim begin! PURIM ALLEGRE!”

On cue, the young girls went to the large table and started to pick up baskets, walking round the hall and handing them to people as they looked at the name badges we were wearing. I was given a basket that had bags of popcorn and soft drinks in it, as well as some cakes, while both my mothers got a slightly more adult gift basket with wine.

As the last basket was handed out, the leader said “there are entertainments and games going on all day – but for now, go in peace. Purim Allegre!”

“Let’s put these back in our rooms,” Mum said, “and then we can come down and see what else is going on today. I believe there is going to be some sort of fair going on outside.”

I nodded as we went back up the stairs, and I opened the door to my room, placing the basket on the bedside cabinet and looking at it. I then stepped out of the room – and walked into Jo Frost.

“Hey Cathy,” she said, “enjoying it so far?”

“I am actually,” I said with a smile. “But I have to say again, I never expected to see you here.”

“Well, like I said yesterday, I tend not to announce the fact I’m Jewish too loudly. Given the line of work I used to be in, I need to be able to fit in wherever I can.”

As we talked, a tall blonde haired girl a little older than me walked past, smiling as she nodded towards us.

“She looks familiar?”

“That? She’s Rachel Goldstein – her uncle is a leading light in the Ministry of Defence,” Jo said. Well, of course she would know something like that. As she watched Rachel walk to the stairs, I saw she was serious, but when she turned and looked at me she had a smile again.

“Right – anyway, I’ll see you downstairs,” she said as her mobile phones went off. I heard her say “Little Mother? No sign so far,” as she walked off into the distance. For my part, I walked down to the other room and knocked on the door.

“Mum? Mummy? You ready to go down?”

There was no answer, and when I tried the door it was locked, so I presumed they had already gone downstairs, so I made my way down as well. The main room had been cleared of chairs, and a number of the women were dancing to the sound of the band from the previous night.

“Excuse me – it’s Cathy right?”

I turned to see the blonde haired girl standing next to me.

“Yeah – your name’s Rachel?”

“That’s right – listen, I know it’s an imposition, but can you come and help with some of the games for the younger girls? It’s only until lunchtime.”

“Just give me a minute,” I said as I went and told Rebecca what I was doing, before I went with Rachel to where the younger girls were gathered.

“All right girls,” she said as I and a few of the older girls stood round, “we’re going to start with a game of Blind Man’s Bluff. Who wants to be first?”





“I think I’m ready for some lunch now,” I said as I left the room with Rachel, watching as the girls went to join their families at the table. I saw Mum and Mummy at a table and walked over to join them.

“And where did you get to this morning,” I asked as I sat down.

“Private matters,” Mum said, and that was all I needed to know. “And you?”

“I was asked to help with some games,” I said as the grace was said for the meal.

“Oh? Who by?”

“Rachel over there,” I said as I looked at where she was sitting with some of the other girls. She looked over and smiled as the food was brought out, and we started to eat.

Once the meal was finished, I excused myself and made my way towards the toilets. I could see Rachel walking a little distance in front of me, and then entering the toilet. As I walked in, I could still see her in front of me – but with a masked man standing behind her, holding his hand over her mouth and a gun to her head.

“What the...” was all I managed to say before a leather gloved hand was clamped over my mouth.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby spetsnaz08 » Tue Jun 14, 2016 9:39 am

Trouble coming eh? Great update, I'm looking forward for the next.

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Tue Jun 14, 2016 3:53 pm

NIce!!!

Re: An Education - Purim

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:54 am

Uh oh. Trouble's brewing!