#set 32

VII: character gets flowers BUT there’s a threat on the note

Dear Carolyn,

Happy birthday!

I was planning on marking the occasion with a gift you’d actually like, but after the events of my own birthday, I thought it might gratify you even more if I continued this game you’ve started where we get things the other person will truly despise.

I’ve instructed Arthur to take a picture of your face when you open the box. Be a sport, and put one of these flowers in your hair to finish off the effect? 

Many happy returns. All my love, Herc

I: character gets a promotion BUT they are being exploited

She'd only been a stewardess for six months when someone noticed Carolyn was very good with numbers - three hours on a take-off delay with nothing better to do, and she'd refinanced half the company, to the tune of £50,000 a year - hypothetically, of course.

Given access to the real data, she said, she could do even more. She'd been balancing books in her father's sweetshop since she was thirteen.

Before long, she was dividing her time between flights and admin, but while they'd added some words to her job title, they'd neglected to add any figures to her salary.

II: character wins money BUT has an accident on their way to retrieve it

"All right Martin, you were right. I take it all back. You can fly a plane with your shoelaces tied together."

"Yes. Thank you. You see, we specifically said 'fly', so I knew that as long as I didn't have to land, it would be fine. I tricked you."

"Certainly, you did. How much did we say?"

"Five pounds."

"Ah yes. ...Do you know what, I've left my wallet in the galley. Better go and get your winnings before I change my mind - I'll take control."

"Great!"

"..."

"Ouch."

V: character gets an invitation to a party of the year BUT it’s on the same day as another event they wanted to attend

Arthur would understand, Martin thought, but that wasn't really the point. Actually, it would make him feel even more guilty - Arthur was the worst person you could let down, precisely because he would never hold it against you.

He sighed. "It sounds amazing, Theresa, honestly," he said, "But I promised Arthur ages ago that I'd be at his birthday, I can't miss it."

Theresa's eyes widened. "Oh, of course you can't! I had no idea." She looked thoughtful for a second. "Do you think you're allowed to bring a plus one?"

IX: character reconnects with a friend from the past BUT an argument follows

"Douglas?"

He swung round, rake in hand, ankle-deep in hay. The new vet stood in the doorway of the barn, backlit quite dramatically by the midday sun.

"Herc," he returned, more quietly. Less incredulous. He'd been fearing the worst ever since Carolyn had said the locum was 'Somebody Shipwright'. "It's been a while."

"I'll say," Herc agreed, stepping inside. "And you're masquerading as a farm hand now? I suppose, as covers go, there's less to lose this way."

Douglas's eyes narrowed. "If you're implying that I'm..."

"I'm not implying anything. It's good to see you."

VI: character’s crush kisses them BUT it’s to make someone else jealous 

Natasha was the most beautiful girl Douglas had ever seen, in all his fourteen years. He couldn’t imagine anyone more perfect. But she was Phil’s age, and he’d never seriously thought she’d look his way… until tonight. 

She found him outside Youth Club pavilion, and kissed him against the wall, deep and intense as if the dance going on inside and all the people there had simply ceased to exist.