The party was at the Manor House, this was in the centre of the village, next to the church. It was a large rambling Victorian house, in large grounds and was owned by an elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Perry. The house in the twenties, when they were young, was filled with a large family, they missed that, so allowed the house to be used for a party for the school leavers at eighteen, weddings and significant birthdays.
The parents ran the party, but lightly, allowing drinking and turned a blind eye to what was universally known as the 'snogging area' out of sight, behind the garage.
The parents and teenagers quietly acknowledged that the way it worked was the best for everyone. The dads ran a shuttle service to bring everyone there, and take them home, or, more importantly, to someone's home!
A local pop group was set up in the orangery, with a small marquee just outside in the garden giving shelter and allowing a little dancing.
Stuart and Angela got out of the car and walked the short distance to the house, the local policeman stood outside, chatting to one of the fathers, who was taking the tickets.
No ticket, no entry, no gate crashers. The policeman nodded to them as they entered. Stuart heard him saying that he would be on patrol shortly, returning later. Stuart smiled, knowing that the cop wanted the message to get around.
They walked in, past the oak front door. Some mums were taking coats. They commented on Angela's dress, one remarked on Angela's attempt to pin her long hair up, and offered to tidy it up. She took her upstairs, Stuart waiting behind, one of the dads got him a beer, they stood chatting at the foot of the stairs as others arrived.
Upstairs, the mum sat Angela down in a bedroom, where the coats were placed and looked at Angela's hair. "I used to be a hairdresser," the mum said, "before I opened the beauticians. Soon sort this out. Do you want me to adjust your make up, as well?"
Angela laughed, "I've never done this before," she said, "my mum said to use a little make-up, but I think I've used too much."
"Common problem," said the mum, "now look in the mirror."
Even Angela was surprised. "What a difference!" she exclaimed.
"Go downstairs now," said the mum, "and surprise them."
Angela walked to the top of the stairs, thinking that a final glass of wine before she came out, first time in high heels, and a staircase, were not the best combination for success! She held the banister tight and walked slowly down the stairs, trying hard to be elegant for Stuart.
Stuart stood at the bottom, waiting for her, looking at her beauty. She paused, nearly at the bottom of the stairs, mainly to keep her balance. The bar was at the far end of the entrance hall, one of the fathers was serving, he looked up, "Will you feast your eyes on dat?" He said quietly, in his Irish accent, his wife beside him crossed herself. The other father serving beer reached for his camera and took the shot, as Stuart raised his hands to Angela, and she put her free hand towards him. Angela walked down into his arms and kissed him. The band could see them and broke into 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. One mum turned to another and said, "She does look like Katherine Hepburn."
Her friend nodded agreement. "I wish I'd looked like that when I was eighteen!" She said.
Stuart got Angela a wine, they walked into the lounge and were greeted by their friends, some of the boys asked Stuart how long he had been with Angela, wishing they were him...
Stuart laughed, "Just today." He replied.
The girls were more interested in Angela's dress, jewels and make up!
Strangely, Stuart felt, there was no jealousy, just admiration.
The girls were also curious about Stuart, one asked him direct "How did a shy boy like you catch a girl like Angela?"
"She invited me to the party," he replied, "how could I refuse?"
Poppy, the girl, asked him if he was joining Angela in Australia. "No," replied Stuart, "she wants a gap year away from us. We might get back together when she returns, but there's no tie on either side."
Angela broke in, "The last one told me he was joining me in Australia, he wouldn't listen, so I dumped him, and rang Stuart."
Ann, one of the other girls, more alert than some others, said, "Stuart, you have changed, what happened, you are much more confident, I've never seen you with a girl before..."
Stuart looked at her, "It's all happened since Angela rang me to invite me here, I suddenly realised that I could not be shy for ever." He put his arm around Angela's waist and hugged her.
Ann looked at them both, "Stuart I have known you since you were nine, and that's the first time I have seen you touch a girl. I liked you, you were always ready to help us with our homework, particularly the maths. My mum was always asking me why you didn't ask me out. Something has happened to you. What?"
Stuart just looked at her, Angela came to the rescue. "My boyfriend is a hero, and he didn't want anyone to know." That started the inquisition, everyone was curious about what Angela meant. "And where are you going to university?" Angela said, looking at Stuart, Stuart knew Angela was going to tell everyone, remained silent. Angela said quietly, "Tell them about university Stuart, you promised me you would..."
Stuart cleared his throat, "I've been offered, er, got at place at Cambridge, Kings, to read medicine, I want to be a doctor." He said eventually.
Angela looked at him, and hugged him, "But's that not the only reason why I'm proud of you is it?" she said, "What else have you been keeping from us?"
Stuart remained silent, there was a chorus of "Come on tell us, what's happened,"
Angela came to the rescue, "Where did you get the award?"
"Buckingham Palace." Said Stuart, to his friends' amazement.
