The Taming of the Tights

IT’S ACTUALLY HERE. THE Big Night Out in the Woods. The Woolfe boys have been out in the woods, setting up for tonight. There are going to be specially lit areas and a bonfire. There’s logs as seats around the fire for everyone to sit on and The Blind Pig has provided pies, peas, and punch. Everyone is due to arrive at six thirty when it will be nice and dark.

Bob has made fire torches to light people’s way through the woods to the bonfire. Jo said, “I helped him make them, so I think if we call the fire brigade nice and early, perhaps about five forty-five, there’s a good chance that some of the forest can be saved.”

In the dance studio at five, Monty gave us a pre-performance pep talk. He was very excited.

“This is our chance to show our neighbors the magic of theater and performance. It’s going to be marvelous. A cornucopia of music, dance, love, food. Sidone and I will do our wedding feast dance scene; the lovers united at last. And we have a special little surprise for you.”

We all looked at each other. And Monty tapped his nose.

Flossie said, “He’s not going to wear his pink onesie, is he?”

Monty went on. “Music galore! The Iron Pies. The Jones. Harold Dobbins and his Iron Men’s drumming group. This night is going to be one to remember. No one who sees it will ever forget it.”

We were all excited. But me especially. I would be seeing Charlie again. I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to say to him all week.

I couldn’t imagine what was going to happen next. Normally, I can imagine everything: pantaloons, shrew bands, flouncy shirts, being a shrew. But when I think of actually being Charlie’s girlfriend . . .

We got changed into our costumes in the dorm. Flossie and Jo got togged up in their jesters costumes. Flossie was practicing her juggling and Jo was hitting us with her rubber dumbbells. I was wearing a floor-length purple velvet coat over my green tights. Dibdobs said that the coat had belonged to her great-grandmother. It felt lovely.

Vaisey had helped me with my Kate makeup. She said, “I’m going to do a sort of silvery purple line around your eyes. I think you’ll look really lovely.”

Even Lav, Dav, and Noos wafting about practicing their songs as “The Biancas” couldn’t annoy me.

As we set off to the bonfire I gave my Tree Sisters a big hug. I yelled, “We are all showing our inner glorwee, just as Honey told us to!!! Yaroooo!”

The stars came out early and it was like being in an enchanted forest. The woods were heaving with people. Young and old and Mr. Barraclough. The Iron Pies were there dressed up in Viking horns and long cloaks. Ruby came scampering up with Matilda.

Matilda had her leather cap and a ra-ra skirt on.