Breaking Her Own Rules

6

"Where are all the children?" I whispered to Denny as we sat down.

"Uh, the kids club."

We were sitting in the main hall, waiting for dinner to be called as I stuck to my water and Denny drunk his tea.

"They will be in soon."

"A kids club?"

"Yes. Something to keep them busy. I had a programme done up for the weekend for the workers children too."

"What do they do?" I asked another question.

"Horse riding, archery, animal care, arts and crafts, there is a playground as well. I don't know. I didn't do up the timetables, I barely read it. Why would I?" Denny asked me with a frown.

I withdrew back slightly. "It sounds fun, that's all." I pouted. Better than sitting here, listening to boring conversations about the real housewives and last week's football match.

Denny leaned closer to me and whispered. "I know talking about other people's lives, their children and whatever else pops in their minds about domestic life is boring, but it's something they automatically do as an outlet sometimes. Some of these people don't even know they do it."

I smiled as I tilted my head towards him and replied. "I guess the wires in the brain really do get fucked up once there is a ring on that finger and a baby in the arms, huh?"

Denny let out a low laugh as I sat back up, smiling.

"I guess so." He replied as he looked over to the group of people we were sitting with.

Their blank looks at us had them questioning what we were whispering about, I just hope they didn't actually hear what I said.

"Save that for later." A man said to us in a playful manner. I ignored the comment and looked back to my left, starting a conversation with that person.

It wasn't long before dinner was called and Denny stood up, taking my hand. "Don't take too much notice of them." He told me as we went to the dining room. "They won't be laughing when they realise I've put a cap on their drinking this year."

I chuckled to myself as we went to a table. Denny pulled the chair out for me as I sat and thanked him.

"Tomorrow, the retreat begins, officially, with a buffet breakfast, some group activities till lunch, family activities till about four, then there will be a wind down time before dinner, some games afterwards." Denny informed me.

"What of Sunday?" I asked him.

Denny frowned at me, but was still smiling. "I haven't read that time sheet yet." He admitted. "All I do is book the place, give the owner the numbers of guests and they do the rest."

I grinned at him. "No time to do it yourself?" I teased him.

"No. I have better things to do."

Dinner was loud and noisy. Between the chatter of people, topics about their lives and children squealing, I had managed to leave as soon as it was polite to.

"I'm going to bed." I told Denny as I whispered in his ear.

"Excuse me." Denny said to someone as he turned to me. "Okay. But you need to keep up pretenses."

"Such as what?" I inquired at him, my fake smile on my face.

Denny stood up and excused us as he took my arm and we left the dining room. As soon as we were alone, I had to ask.

"Keep up pretenses? Such as what?"

"Well, everyone thinks you're my girlfriend."

"And?" I placed my hands on my hips.