Go watch a hockey match

After a quick lunch you decide to go for a walk. You head towards the school. You’d been told there was a hockey match on this afternoon, the 1st team are playing their first match of the season.

The hockey field is to one side of the school. There’s a few people hanging around, a handful of parents, a couple of the teachers. Oh, and Dr Stricture. She’s deep in conversation with a few parents but sees you arrive and soon wraps that up. She strides over, an intimidating presence, large, broad, vast bosom leading the way, her greying red locks a train behind her.

“Mr Smith, you here to cheer on the girls?”

“Dr Stricture, I had a free afternoon, so I thought I’d see what all the fuss was about. I hear some of the girls take this seriously.”

“As they should. The honour of the school and all. We have high hopes about the 1st XI this year, there’s several very talented girls in the team. It’s been five years since we topped the league. I hope this year will be the year we reclaim our place. We used to top it regularly when I was teaching the 1st XI.”

“You used to teach them?”

“Yes, when I first joined the school. Hockey was always my sport. I used to play county, even got picked for the national team a few times, although unfortunately I never got to go to the Olympics. That would have been an accomplishment.”

“Oh, I didn’t realise you were that good.”

“Yes. You don’t strike me as the sporty type.”

“No, I’m not.”

“But I’m glad to see you’re keeping in shape. It’s important that we set good examples to the girls on keeping in shape. We’re here not just to educate them academically, but also in the ways of life.”

Yes, you’ve lost weight in the last few weeks, losing flab, but gaining muscle. Strange, because you haven’t done enough exercise to warrant the few changes that have happened. Then again, you’ve been distracted by the other transformations. Maybe the loss of flab, and the gain of muscle are side effects of those.

Your thoughts are disrupted by the appearance of the teams, crossing the road and climbing to the hockey pitch. They’re escorted by Blair and Layla, both in sports gear.

“Why’s Layla dressed like that?”

“Oh, she’s one of the umpires.” Sounds suspicious to you.

“Wouldn’t she be biased?”

Dr Stricture laughs. “It’s important to show the girls impartiality, the taking part is more important than winning. Anyway, there’s two umpires in the game, and each school provides one. That way there’s an incentive for each umpire to be impartial.”

Both Layla and Blair notice you talking to Dr Stricture. Layla gives you her customary glower. Blair gives you a smirk.

“Well, I’d better go and give the girls a team talk,” Dr Stricture tells you. She doesn’t wait for an answer and strides off. She’s soon wishing the girls good luck, telling them to play to the spirit of the game, but also to go out there and win. Blair stands there rolling her eyes at the headmistress’ words.