Page 31 of Winning Winnie’s Hand

And do you know what you’re trying to accomplish with your festival, Matt?

He scowled at his own thoughts betraying him.

Of course he knew. He was trying to bring the magic of the medieval era into the twenty-first century. To share his love of cracking lances glancing off metal armor, of being immersed in a past that was filled with chivalry and tales. He’d accomplished it once before. Surely he could do so again without a pompous American barging in on his territory.

His thoughts continued to barrage his mind until he drew a deep breath of the cool, Yorkshire air. He was in a right sour mood that afternoon. He needed a distraction, something to make him feel joy again.

Pulling out his phone, he checked his messages as he trekked across the wet grass. To his relief, the lads had messaged.

He scrolled down the feed, smiling as he did so, allowing the conversation between his three college friends to fill his mind and ease his stresses.

Cedric

Hope the festival goes well for you today, Matt. Keep us posted.

Graham

Good luck, mate!

Finn

How could it not go well for our boy? He’s the greatest jouster in England. Of course, he’s the only jouster in England…

Cedric

Who’s he supposed to use that jousting thing against then?

Graham

It’s called a lance.

Finn

Hellloooo.

Finn

*GIF of Alan Tudyk with bright red hair pulling a face*

Matthew shook his head with mild amusement at their quoting of A Knight’s Tale. They often did so to wind Matthew up, and he typically could take the teasing. But the mention of the movie today brought Winnie back to his mind, so he chose to ignore mention of it altogether.

He read the rest of the messages, Finn updating them on his grandparents’ health, Graham speaking about his latest white water rafting trip, and Cedric informing them of how his injury sustained on the football pitch was nearly fully healed.

Matthew read each update with real interest. The four of them had made the most unlikely of friendships from the early age of thirteen—Matthew, an English chap, rich and bookish. Finn, an Irish boy thrust into Eton’s arms and kicked out within a year. Graham, a Scottish lad with a determination to live life to its fullest. And Cedric, a Welshman and poor sheep farmer’s son who just so happened to land a scholarship at one of the most prestigious boarding colleges in England.

Over the years, despite the physical distance between them, their friendships had only grown, being kept alive by frequent messages and multi-yearly get-togethers where they participated in charity runs in their respective countries.

This time, they would be gathering in England, and Matthew couldn’t wait to host them all at his home again.

He responded to each of their messages before finally addressing the ones referring to himself.

Matthew

Thanks for all the support, lads.

Matthew

Ced, I hope you were kidding about it being called a “jousting thing.” Have I taught you nothing? Guess it’s time for another history lesson. I’ll be sure to have updated courses for each of you while you’re here.