Chapter 445

We were at the German embassy in plenty of time for the social hour before the fancy dinner was served.

Gordon was my escort; Phil and Robin were going as one couple, along with Hanna and Sylvester. I had a surprise for Vicky, Rachael and Bob.

Ambassador Schmitt had two sons - 15 rear old Aric and 23 year old Christoffer. I had arranged Aric to be Rachael’s companion and Christoffer to be Vicky’s.

I diplomatically explained to the girls that this was a social evening with dancing and mingling and that I had arranged partners to complete the gala experience for them.

Bob was trying not to laugh just as Ambassador Schmitt walked up with his sons. The introductions went smoother than I expected; I expected them to be awkward.

The boys were perfect gentlemen and knew the right words to put Rachael and Vicky at ease. It didn’t hurt that Aric ended his introduction to Rachael with, “You are beautiful.”

I had to admit she was, the dress the girls had picked out for her was perfect; not too much skin and short, but not too short for an official occasion.

It was the first time that I had seen Vicky decked to the nines in the new dress and shoes; she was beautiful as well.

When Vicky responded to Christoffer in German, he broke into a smile that said they were going to have a good time.

One more guest needed to arrive and when she walked across the floor, there was no doubt she was German. Tall and a natural blond, blue eyes and carried her self with pride that showed and was gorgeous. She was late 40s I guessed.

Ambassador Schmitt introduced Frederica Alder to Bob. “Bob, Frederica is your companion tonight; you two have a lot in common. Frederica is the head mistress at the Diplomatic University that almost all diplomats’ children in Uganda attend.”

I explained how the pre-dinner social hour was done. A small plate for finger food, walk around and socialize. The Schmitt boys had done this before and were showing the girls off and their knowledge of these official affairs.

Gordon and I made the rounds renewing old friendships from my previous stay. I introduced the members of my group as they came close.

The social hour ended when the first course of the food arrived. To my relief, no-one from my group had made any blunders that I knew of - so far - and everyone was smiling, so I was happy.

The embassy photographer was making the rounds snapping pictures, and later on would take a video of the dancing.

The main course was made of fantastic traditional German foods. I’d not had a traditional German meal since my time in the military hospital before being discharged. I ate modestly, not wanting to over do it because I wanted to dance to a few of the fast paced melodies. Desert was going to be held until a break in dancing.

There was a break after the main course then the band started warming up. That was the cue to move the grand hall for music and dancing.

The dancing started slow to give everyone time to warm up and get over the big meal. Then they went to the complicated and fast ones. I watched over my brood as I danced.

Aric and Christoffer gave Rachael and Vicky dancing lessons off to the side and out of the way of other dancers until they were comfortable with that particular dance.

Over the course of the evening the band would come back to the same style of songs so there were several opportunities to put the lessons to use.

To be honest, I enjoyed the ballroom dancing with Gordon, especially the fast paced dances that made me out of breath. When the band played the fast paced stuff there were only us younger folks on the floor, although several of the ambassadors and wives did try at least for one dance.

I wondered if there would be any interest in a club on the island. A dinner and dance club that catered to the ballroom crowd that met once a month type of thing?