A Costume Party

It recently occurred to me that I may have given people the wrong impression about my brother in law. Reading through my writings, you might think I find Burdock Rowan Ivory untrustworthy and that I don't really like him much. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am sometimes wary of his tales, and Rowan will be the first to admit that he can be his own worst enemy with his practical jokes. That does not mean I dislike him. I want that on record.

The truth is, years ago Rowan and I were very good friends. We'd go out with Chris Snow-Warren, Charlie Furbanks and assorted others, visit places like Jimbo's Coffee Bar (sadly no longer there) and talk about all sorts of nonsense. Rowan told the best jokes, and we wasted many an hour enjoying ourselves once we'd finished work for the day.

On an early visit to Rowan's home I met his sister, and she seemed nice. That said, things always seemed to get in the way so I didn't get to spend too much time in her company. I now realise that Rowan was being a little overprotective - but as time went on and Rowan got to know me better, he relaxed his attitude. In retrospect, I think he had decided that I was a good match for Cecile, and started to work in my favour. This was clearest with an occasion we now call the Costume Party. I shall explain.

o 0 O 0 o

One night at Jimbo's, Rowan and I were hanging about after the rest of our gang had left. He gave me a friendly punch on the arm.

"Hey, Jack. I have a favour to ask."

"Tread carefully, Rowan. I remember your last favour. Buying some of your beetroot bubble bath - remember? I'm lucky I wasn't the first to use it. Newton's only just forgiven me now the bright pink has worn off."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I got the quantities wrong. But this is nothing like that."

"Go on."

"It's Cecile's birthday in a couple of days. I've been planning a costume party."

"First I've heard about it."

"That's because it's a surprise party. Cecile doesn't know anything about it. All the invitees are sworn to secrecy. Even they don't know who else is coming."

"Unusual."

"Yeah, well I'm unique. Thought you knew that, Jack."

I had to smile. Rowan was one of a kind. "Okay, you loon. What's the favour?"

"I overlooked something when I was doing the invitations. I invited Cecile's friends, but didn't think to invite anyone to keep me company. I will need someone there to keep me sane."

"Sane? I think you might be too late there, mate," I said, watching him curl his lip in response. "But your sister won't want me there. Remember? You said Cecile thinks I'm an idiot."



Rowan actually looked embarrassed. "Ah. Not strictly true, Jack. I told all our gang the same thing, knowing what young rabbits can be like. When you're trying to take care of your only sister..."

"She didn't call me an idiot?"

"No. And I regret misleading you now..."

"Lying."

"Okay, okay. But I know you better now. You're a decent guy, Jack. And I could really do with some good male company at this party. What do you say, eh? Pretty please?"

He looked so earnest, I thought his request worth considering. "Okay, give me the details."

With a wide smile, Rowan began listing his requirements. "First, we need to find you a costume."

o 0 O 0 o

I'm still not sure how I ended up in a knight's costume. Rowan mentioned something about chivalry but I didn't fully understand. It was something to do with obscure legends that Cecile enjoyed reading about, but the main reason was that it fitted in with the theme of the event.

The costume party was to be held in the village hall, but Rowan said he wanted me to wait in the adjoining kitchen area until all was ready.

"It'll be dark," whispered Rowan, "so be careful when you go in. You won't be alone, so wait until someone puts the light on. I'll have to leave you a bit whilst I go and get my costume. You'll like it."

He ushered me into the darkened room and I didn't move too far. I didn't expect him to be too long as the door closed behind me, but then I heard the key turn in the lock.

My heart sank. "Rowan," I muttered, "what are you up to now?"

The light came on and I looked around the room. At first I thought I was alone, but someone emerged from an alcove and a lovely face stared at me. It was Cecile.



"Jackson Butterglove? Is that you, underneath all that... metallic stuff?"

"Er, yes," I said, a touch unsettled, raising my visor. I then remembered why she was there. "Happy birthday."

She raised a perfect brow and regarded me curiously as she walked across the kitchen. "It's not my birthday. It's Christian Snow-Warren's birthday." She paused. "At least that's what my brother said."

"It's not Chris's birthday either. It looks as though Rowan's played a trick on both of us." I looked at her, elegant in her costume. "Lovely outfit, by the way."

She looked down at herself and smiled. "Thank you. I take it Rowan also conned you into wearing that... what is it, exactly?"



"A knight, apparently. It's part of the obscure legends that you... don't read about, do you?"

"No. That's Rowan's thing. This dress is also supposed to be something of that nature."

"When will I learn my lesson about your brother?" I said, rolling my eyes. "I think he's locked us in too. Do you have any idea why?"

"No." She sighed. "No doubt everything will be made clear soon. Is it definitely locked?"

I reached out and tried the door knob. "Yep. Locked."

From the corner of my eye I noticed Cecile straining her neck to look at my costume. "There's something on your back," she said. "Here, turn around."

I twisted so that Cecile could reach the item she'd spotted. When I turned back she was already  unfolding a piece of paper. With the cutest frown I'd ever seen she remarked that the paper was a note addressed to her. She read it out.

"It's from Rowan. It says, 'I'm sorry Cecile. He's not an idiot. I am.'"

"He told you I was an idiot? And he said that you thought that."

Cecile found a seat and lowered herself gracefully. "No, he was the one that said it when I asked about you, months back. I should have realised."

"That he was trying to protect you?" I said as my thoughts whizzed. She had asked about me?

"Yes. Ever since our dad died we have been both mother and father to each other. I can't be too mad with him considering what he's given up to keep us together. Still, despite having been unfair to you, I think this note proves he regrets it."

We continued to discuss Rowan - how he'd intended to channel his adventurous nature by traveling Sylvania but had given up the idea to stay with his sister. Talking with Cecile was comfortable so I don't think either of us noticed when the conversation morphed so that we were talking about each other. And we did talk. For hours.

We were so engrossed we barely heard the click of the lock and only looked up when we became aware of Rowan standing nearby.

"A good night?" he said, and I could tell he was being especially wary before his sister.

Cecile stared at her brother and the silence mounted. She waited until Rowan visibly squirmed and then she smiled and winked at him. "Yes Rowan. I believe he is."

o 0 O 0 o

And that's how Rowan's "costume party" became my first date with the gorgeous rabbit who would become my wife. For that reason alone, I could never dislike the mischievous bunny who is Burdock Rowan Ivory.

He had tricked us both, but we had our revenge. You see, I still had the rest of that beetroot bubble bath.

o 0 O 0 o