Free Knowing Me Knowing You by Mandy Baggot

Hayley’s was more like Barbra Streisand.
    ‘ Right, now in a second Larry will announce you and you’ll be back on stage for the final surprise! ’ Becky said, doing a mini-jump on the spot.
    ‘ Surprise? Oh what is it? Oh Anthony, what do you think it is? ’ Hayley began to gabble in an Australian accent, her curly hair bobbing up and down.
    ‘ I don’t know Sweetheart but it sounds exciting, ’ he responded in an equally thick drawl.
    They sounded like they had just stepped off the tarmac of Ramsay Street .
    ‘ You won’t be disappointed but I can’t say any more, it’s just seconds away! ’ Becky said her eyes wide.
    ‘ I can hardly contain myself, ’ Kate muttered .
    H er head was beginning to pound with both the stress and the alcohol she had consumed in such a short space of time.
    ‘ Ladies and g entlemen, we have our two winning couples; please welcome back to the stage, Hayley and Anthony and Kate and Joel! ’ Larry’s voice boomed through the PA system.
    Joel took hold of Kate’s hand and they followed the Australian couple onto the stage to again be blinded by the lights and Larry’s silver suit.
    From the audience Miranda let out a loud shriek of almost genuine appreciation, Colin started bellowing and thumping his chest like an aroused baboon and Frank Peterson was clapping and yelling ‘ b ravo’ at every opportunity. Kate screwed up her eyes and tried to scrutinise Miranda’s hair as she flicked it around in Colin’s face, but the lights in the room were too bright and trying to stare over them was hurting her eyes.
    The Love Dove came up behind Kate and tickled her side with its wing. She span around and glared at it. The bird feigned chuckling, its wing over its beak and moved along the stage to Larry where it collected two glittering envelopes.
    ‘ Couples, as our winners tonight, not only have you won yourselves passes through to the regional finals next month, you have also won the contents of one of these envelopes that Lovey is carrying. Both contain super prizes but one is a little bit extra special. So Lovey , do your little dance, spin yourself around and then we will give our winners Hayley and Anthony first choice, ’ Larry spoke.
    Loud dance music began and the dove jigged up and down, shook its tail feathers and crossed and uncrossed its legs. It was all a bit pointless as the envelopes it was carrying under each wing never altered. Now really feeling the effects of all the alcohol she had consumed during the evening Kate let out a laugh at the desperation of the whole event.
    ‘ So Hayley and Anthony, which wing? ’ Larry questioned in a serious voice, turning to the curly - haired duo.
    ‘ Oh Anthony, what do you think? Left has always been lucky for you and we live on the left-hand side of the street don’t we? What do you think? ’ Hayley questioned her partner seriously.
    Kate couldn’t help herself, she was overcome . S he burst out laughing at the woman’s stupidity and had to grab hold of Joel for support as she rocked on her high-heeled shoes.
    ‘ Are you OK? ’ he questioned, holding onto her hand.
    ‘ Is she insane? Left-hand side of the street?! ’ Kate said out loud, holding her sides as she laughed hysterically.
    Hayley and Anthony gave Kate a short look of bemusement and then went back to concentrating their efforts on the Love Dove who was flapping his wings in a frenzied fashion.
    ‘ Do you want to sit down? ’ Joel whispered .
    ‘ No I wan t to see what’s in the envelope. H urry up and choose will you! ’ Kate ordered the other couple.
    ‘ We’ll have the envelope under the left wing, ’ Anthony decided finally.
    ‘ Left wing Lovey , bring it here, lovely, thank you. OK, drum roll please - Ha yley and Anthony, you have won - a voucher valid for twelve months for food from the Highbridge branch of Chunky Chicken . Y es, nuggets, strips, wings, chips and sides will all be yours on presentation of your voucher. Meals are limited to two