Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'No, not quite. We're cycling the entire length of the country without spending any
money, and I'm on the look out for a pair of shorts, instead of these suit trousers.'
'That sounds pretty crazy. How come you didn't just wear shorts from the start?'
'We didn't have anything at the start. Just a pair of boxer shorts. We didn't even have
bikes,' said Ben.
'You're kidding?' he said. 'So you managed to blag all of this stuff from people along
the way?'
'Yes.'
'That's amazing. You guys are mad.' He shook his head, unable to take it all in. 'I can
sortyououtwithsomeshorts.Comewithme.We'llseewhatelsewecanfindforyouboth.
You guys crack me up.'
He led us down a few corridors and into the PE changing rooms. It was the first time I
hadbeeninaschoolchangingroomintenyearsanditwaspleasingtodiscoverthefamiliar
smell of sweat, mud and Lynx deodorant.
Mr Smiddy unlocked the store cupboard and rootled around inside. (Incidentally, the
word 'rootle' doesn't get used enough these days). After he had finished rootling, he
emerged with his arms full of clothing and other random items.
'The only shorts I've found are for kids and they won't fit you. But don't worry I'll sort
you out with some. Is any of this of use?' he said, emptying the contents onto one of the
benches.
Never before had two grown men been so excited at the sight of a pile of other people's
neglected clothing. Mr Smiddy watched on with his arms folded, delighted to see our ex-
citement.
'A belt. Amazing,' I said.
'Wow, a Frodsham School t-shirt. Looks kinda retro.'
'Here you go, Ben. Sunglasses. You've been complaining about getting flies in your
eyes.'
'You are a legend, Mr Smiddy. Can we really have these?' asked Ben.
'Of course, help yourself to any of that. None of it has been claimed all year. I'll go and
try and get you some shorts.'
Mr Smiddy (it seemed wrong calling a PE teacher by his first name, especially as we
were in the school changing rooms), reappeared a few minutes later carrying a pair of the
skimpiest running shorts I had ever seen. They were made from a silky blue material and
were slit at the sides to allow full leg movement.
'Wow, thanks. Those look... errr... airy,' I said. 'Where did you get them from?'
'These are mine, but you're welcome to have them.'
'That's very kind, but I don't want to take your own clothes. I can try and get a pair of
shorts from somewhere else.' I should point out that this was a different pair of shorts to
Search WWH ::
Custom Search