YET ANOTHER NEARLY TRUE STORY...... ( By Bridgemeister Gibson )

As I hinted in my last post,  every bridge player needs to possess a good memory, but even for those who are blessed with such a gift they can........on occasions........ be guilty of some very costly and embarrassing lapses.
I was once playing in a crucial promotion away match for the club's intercity 'B' team , which involved a rather painful two hour journey through some horrendous rain and snow. Most of the team had managed to arrive in time for the prompt 2 o'clock start , when our larger-than-life captain walked in with just seconds to spare.
As we were being allocated to our table positions, the captain asked : " Are we all here ? I can only count seven of us".
Immediately , one of the team then realised that his stand-in partner was missing. " Yes... where the hell is our ringer , and star player?  Christ almighty....  Larry Lightning Bowles wouldn't leave us in the lurch like this.....goddammit he's a professional and a real gentleman  ?  "
" No bloody idea " snapped a rather distraught and worried captain . " Was he actually down to play in this match ? "
" Yes ..." came the reply, "....and you were the one......you dozy bastard......who had agreed to pick him up....."