Reverend Simon Morris cleared his throat as he addressed the group of people in the garden. "Everyone! It is so lovely to see you all here at this annual gathering at St. Michael's Vicarage. Normally, I hold the garden party on Saturday, but when I saw how nice the weather was going to be this week, I moved it back."
That wasn't strictly true. Saturday was his son Christopher's sixth birthday, and plans had been made to surprise him with a trip to Chester Zoo.
"Of course, today is not just a regular Thursday," the vicar continued. "1st August is Lammas Day. Lammas or 'Loaf-mass' (derived from the Anglo-Saxon Hlafmaesse) is an ancient English feast, held as a thanksgiving for the first-fruits of the wheat harvest. Traditionally, a newly baked loaf from the wheat harvest was presented before God within the mass of that day. While the ceremony ceased at the Reformation, reference to Lammas Day continued in the Prayer Book calendar, and the practice has been revived in some places in more recent years, including at our church."
There was much shuffling of feet and a couple of coughs, as the assembled guests hoped this impromptu sermon would soon end and the serving of food would begin.
Gordon sipped a beer and gave Mia a pained smile.
"He does this every single time. I took the day off work to come to this ruddy garden party. I'm gagging for a bacon sarnie, not a history lesson."
"Me too," Mia replied. "Jenna said she'd make this more bearable. Think she was getting some steak bakes from Greggs."
Gordon's face immediately lit up. "Ah! God bless your cousin. A true humanitarian."
Reverend Morris was still prattling on. "In the past week we've all enjoyed watching the Olympic Games..." He glanced round at the bored-looking guests. "Let's see. Tony! What's your favourite Olympic sport?"
"Sorry Vicar. I hate sport. Haven't seen any of the Olympics. It triggers me."
"Oh...right. Well, what do you like watching?"
"House of the Dragon."
"Ah...yes. Jolly good. I must get round to watching that," the vicar replied, utterly clueless as to what that was.
"Mind you, it's not as good as Game of Thrones," Tony added. "That was bloody brilliant. But they messed up the final season. Don't watch the final season. Daenerys was my favourite character and they just killed her off. Oops. Spoiler alert! I can lend you my DVD box set if you'd like."
"Er, that's very kind, Tony. Thanks. So...moving on. Not everyone likes to watch sport. My grandfather used to like birdwatching. He turned to Mrs Wilcox, who was sat with Norman the churchwarden. "Do you like birdwatching, Gladys?"
"Nay Reverend. I prefer watching men!"
Laughter broke out amongst the guests.
At that point, salvation arrived, in the form of Jenna.
"Here we go!" the redhead smiled, strolling into the garden with a massive cardboard box. "A job lot of steak bakes! Now everyone -- we've also got a buffet, and plenty of booze, so on behalf of Simon and myself, please enjoy yourselves!"
"Hallelujah!" Gordon shouted, making a beeline for the buffet table.
"Looks like I came at the right time," Jenna smiled at the organist. "Simon does get a bit carried away with his little speeches. Part and parcel of being a vicar!"
"Aye, tell him to do a shortened version next time," Gordon interrupted, piling his plate high with sausage rolls. He looked a lot slimmer.
"Been on a diet, Gordon?" Jenna added.
"After THAT embarrassing incident on Trinity Sunday when my trousers fell down in church, well it prompted me to get in shape! I'm not holding back today though. You've got to have some pleasures in life, right?"
"Oh absolutely," Jenna said with a wink.
A short time later, the party was in full swing and the guests were sat in little groups, chatting, Christopher and a couple of younger members of the church were kicking a football around, and Reverend Morris was doing his rounds, taking the time to speak to everyone. Little did he know that one guest in particular, had her eye on him and was waiting, like a shark lurking in the depths, ready to strike.
"Have you tried our home-made rum punch yet?" Jenna said, offering Mia and Gordon a glass. It's a little on the strong side. Simon got mixed up with metric and imperial measurements..."
"Ooh, nice," she said, eagerly gulping it down. "It packs a punch...pardon the pun!"
"Blimey that's strong," Gordon muttered. "I'd best refrain from having any more. I'm driving and I've already had two beers. You go ahead and fill your boots. I'm just going to have a chat to Norman. Er, any more of those steak bakes?"
"Sure, help yourself, Gord."
They giggled as he wandered off. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a football bounced across the buffet table and landed in the punch bowl, sending its contents splashing all over Mia's white dress.
"GOOOAAALLL!"
"Oh God no!" she wailed. "It's ruined! I only bought this last week!"
Jenna picked up the football and raised her eyebrow at Christopher.
"Sorry Jenna. But it was a penalty kick against Germany!"
"Try to be more careful next time, okay? Don't kick the ball towards here." She handed it back.
"Jen, my dress!" Mia shouted. "Ugh, kids!"