Scrap 76

SCRAP 76
Lunch is a better meal than usual, it being the last day. The cynic may think this is devised to give the camper the best memories of the camp so they come back again. There are even second helpings on offer, which Frank is happy to accept, despite having downed 4 pints of bitter and 3 packets of crisps beforehand.
‘Are you coming to watch us in the rowing race?’ Asks Janet, eager to show off her new-found skills. Frank controls a smirk as he replies: ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I watched the races last week and they were very entertaining.’
Scotty gives him a puzzled look as Frank winks in his direction and surreptitiously taps the side of his nose. ‘I’m hoping you and your mother will win first prize,’ adds Frank, ‘and if you do, I will give you a pound.’ Dawn seems shocked at this offer, but Heather is delighted and sure to make an even bigger effort. ‘Did any of you watch the races last week?’ Asks Frank, casually scraping the last of the custard from his bowl and licking the spoon. ‘No,’ says Mavis, ‘we went into town to do some shopping. We’ll all be there this afternoon though to cheer them on.’
‘What was that about?’ Asks Scotty, as the pals trail out of the dining hall, out of earshot of the others. ‘Well, last week the winning mums and dads got chucked in the moat.’ Scotty can see the funny side but not if he’s on the end of the jape. ‘Better make sure I don’t win then. Thanks for the tip.’ Frank adds, as if he needs to: ‘don’t tell Dawn though, will you.’
A crowd has gathered to watch the races and Frank is there with his cine camera at the ready, a new film in place. Dawn, Janet and Mavis join the others in shouting encouragement from the bank as the races get underway. The boys are disappointed when their dad comes home last out of a field of six boats, and he is jeered by the women as he climbs out, with a shrug. ‘I knew you should have taken me,’ grumbles John, ‘I can row much better than him.’
Dawn and Janet get the biggest cheer as they cross the finishing line way ahead of the opposition and enjoy rubbing it in. Frank happily hands over the winner’s prize and they wait for the final race and the presentation ceremony.
Scotty has noticed that in the last few minutes, there seems to be a large number of entertainments staff milling about. The winners line up to receive their plastic trophies and just as Frank has predicted, the winning mum and dad are swept off their feet and dumped in the filthy water, to shrieks of laughter from the crowd, and howls of indignation from the victims, who struggle to make a pretence of being good sports as they slither up the mud onto dry land.
Frank has captured the whole event for posterity and runs off as Dawn catches his eye and launches herself in his direction, shouting obscenities.
‘No wonder you told me not to win,’ laughs Jamie, who has never seen anything so funny in his life. ‘I can’t wait to see the film.’ Scotty smiles and thinks to himself: ‘nor can I.’