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Chapter Nine - Your Kongpob Suthiluck?

Hi readers,
Here I am with another long one.
Picture will come later because I don't know what to put yet.
Please enjoy.

"You must never do a tango with an eskimo,
No, no, no,
Oh dear no,
When a lady from Nebraska,
at a party from Alaska,
You must never do a tango with an eskimo.
             Never do a tango with an eskimo - Alma Cogan

"A nut? She called you a nut?"

A cool breeze ruffles the top of Arthit's hair, sending a chill down his body, making him pull the jacket he had on around him tighter. It was quiet as he and Frank made their way along a side street. The only noise coming from their shoes, slapping on the still damp pavement or the occasional car that would drive by. Although it was early evening, darkness had set in, making it seem later than it was.

"And that's not all". Arthit says, grumbling. " She thinks my store is in trouble. Now why would she she say that. There's more than enough business for us all".

The thought had been plaguing him for the rest of the afternoon.
It was a week before the Lantern Festival and they we're off to a party at Knott's.The whole gang was going to be there, including Bright, who had just arrived back from England. Arthit had actually been really excited about this night. With work at the store it had been a while since he'd seem everyone.

"We are fine."

Frank smiles at him and grabs his hand.

" You are more then fine". He says, giving Arthit's hand a squeeze. "Your absolutely fine."

Arthit smiles back as they approach Knott's apartment door. He can already hear the music and loud chattering coming from behind it.  He knocks loudly and a few minutes later the door opens and Tew, a young man in his early twenties, pops his head out.

"Oh! Hi". He waii's. "P'Arthit, Frank, how are you? "

They both look at each other before replying. "Fine".

Tew had been one of Arthit's juniors until he moved Universities in his second year. Arthit had been sad to see him go but knew he would still see him because of Knott's attachment to the young man. Tew became the spokesman for his year and it was Knott whom he had to report to, at the same time, every day. They bonded over reports and schedules. There friendship growing even after Tew left. So to Arthit it had been no surprise to see the bright eyed, young man.

Tew smiles at them both.

"Come in". He moves aside to let them in. "P'Knott's just inside. I know he'll be happy to see you" .

Thanking Tew they both walk in. 

The apartment was huge, stretching the full length and width of the building, taking over the whole of the top floor and packed with guests. Loud music could be heard over the happy chattering of people enjoying themselves. The walls were coloured a light cream decorated with metal framed pictures of famous artists or wooden shelves containing different volumes of books. The floor was of dark, mahogany wood, covered now and then with black rugs. Archways dividing each room, held up with dark wooden beams. It was like a maze, with each walkway leading off to a different part. 

Pushing through the throng, Arthit makes  his way in, he spots a small bar through one of the archways, staffed by a couple of barmen. Next to it is a large table set out in the form of a buffet. As he makes his way over to a seated area, he spots Knott talking to Prem and Tutah. A smile spreads across his face as an image of them still dressed in the red engineering jackets crosses his mind. Prem is the first one to see him.

"Well, look who's here? " He says, smirking.

Still with his hand in Franks, he walks over to the three men, letting go of Frank's hand to Waii at them all.