«Hi, Jeff,» she whispered, giving him a playful glance. «Ready for trick-or-treat?»
«I’ve already given out a lot of candy,» murmured Jeff, looking at her with adoration. «Many children came into the police station for Halloween.»
«I didn’t know…» Vera stopped short, and turned toward a shelf, pretending to choose a product. Jeff did the same as two women entered the aisle at almost the same time.
Waiting for these outsiders to leave, Jeff, with an impatient sigh, rummaged through boxes of cookies as unnecessary for him now as a package of salt for a person suffering thirst.
The women stood not far away and started a lively discussion, and Jeff saw Vera give him a quick look. They did not need words. Pushing their carts, they left the aisle from different ends.
Passing a few aisles, they walked in parallel until they found one without people, and entered, meeting in the middle. They laughed, enjoying mutual understanding.
«Gosh!» Jeff giggled. «I feel like I’m meeting with a Russian spy.»
Smiling, Vera wanted to reply, but her face clouded again, for another man came into the aisle. He soon left, but Jeff sighed as his playful mood faded. He noticed Vera glancing at her watch, and asked her, «Are you late for something?»
«Almost.» Vera looked at him with an apologetic smile. «Tonight there is a Halloween party on campus – a short play, dancing after, snacks, et cetera. I’m curious to see it.»
«Can I go too?» Jeff asked unexpectedly, even to himself. Vera looked at him with compassion.
«Sorry,» she murmured. «It’s for students only. Bye.»
«I understand,» he sighed watching her go.
* * * * *
In the police station, Jeff sat at his desk and browsed through his papers. His shift was already over, but he just did not want to go yet to his empty home.
Then he overheard a colleague talking with his student son.
«Dad, you promised,» the student whined. «The whole party depends on you. Don’t wreck our Halloween.»
«The students’ party?» Jeff got interested. «What happened?»
«I foolishly promised my boy to take part in the play,» explained Jeff’s colleague. «But the chief gave me a lot of paperwork for tonight. I can’t, I really can’t.»
«Is it a difficult part?» asked Jeff, and they stared at him. «I mean, can I replace your father?»
«Great!» exclaimed the student. «All you need to do is just go on and say one phrase: „Your Majesty! Be ready for anything!“, then stand behind the royal throne. That’s all. It’s almost the last scene of the play. Just a few minutes. But the costume… it’s a knight’s costume, the whole-body armor. Not real, of course. It’s fabric. The helmet is aluminum. Is it okay with you?»