“No. Four days a week, but it’s great. I can highly recommend it.”
“Not for me. I like my own company too much. And what the hell do you find to talk about?”
“Everything. Absolutely everything. I never realised how wonderful it could be sharing a life with someone. Let me rephrase that: sharing a life with someone you love. It’s the coming home, cooking dinner together, and then having a damned good bitch about everything before having phenomenal sex and then cuddling up to sleep. I never grasped how good it could feel.”
Phil yawned. “Terrific. Anyway, what are we doing tomorrow? Are we clubbing or have you managed to fix me up with a date?”
“Aha! Do you remember Rebecca’s friend, Elaine?”
“No, should I?”
Cass shook her head. “Well, she certainly remembers you. Apparently, you met briefly on New Year’s Eve, and you kissed her. Rebecca asked her if she wanted to join us tomorrow, and she fair jumped at it.”
“Great. So, which New Year’s Eve are you referring to? I’d have been totally pissed by midnight, and with a bit of luck I must have kissed about fifteen or twenty women.”
Cass laughed and rolled her eyes. “You cocky sod. Obviously, it wasn’t as memorable for you as it was for her. Apparently, she mentions you all the time. She’s quite obsessed. She’s nice, attractive, good company, employed, has her own home, and she can string more than two sentences together. We’ll meet at the restaurant and then go on to a club. Then it’s up to you. If you get lucky, our rooms are far enough away from each other.” Cass winked.
“That sounds great. It’ll be good to have some female company again. I’ve been so busy lately my private life has been zilch.”
“Excellent. I’ll give Rebecca the go ahead.”
They went back to Cass’s and kept chatting about life. Cass would always be her friend, no matter how different their lives were, and she missed having someone like that in Cauthwell. She didn’t miss London at all: the noise, the commotion, the drama. All better left behind. Later, when she eventually got to bed, she slept like a baby and thanked the lord she didn’t have one. Being with Cass was just the tonic she’d needed. It was like old times.
The following day, they headed off on a shopping spree. She did miss Oxford Street and Knightsbridge when it came to emptying her wallet, but if that’s all she lacked then there didn’t seem to be much to complain about. She ended up buying loads of clothes and accessories even though she could have lived without them.
Later, she and Cass headed for the restaurant. It gave her time to down a few aperitifs before Rebecca and Elaine arrived. She hadn’t been exactly nervous, but now she was nice and relaxed. And when they arrived, Phil honestly didn’t recognise Elaine. Shame, because she was damned attractive. She also had a great personality and a wicked sense of humour. Conversation was easy. They exchanged stories of Elaine’s career in the recruitment agency, and Phil’s move from London to village life. Everything was going swimmingly.
Cass held up the empty bottle of champagne. “Sorry to interrupt, but shall we order another, or continue at the club?”
Rebecca touched Cass’s hand. “The club. I’ll go and order a taxi.”
It had been a long time since Phil had been there, but as soon as she stepped into the room, she remembered how crowded it always was. There were plenty of clubs in the towns surrounding Cauthwell, but she hadn’t visited them. In fact, she didn’t miss them either. Surely she couldn’t be getting homesick for Cauthwell? Or maybe she could.
There were still a few seats, so Phil guided Elaine and Rebecca to a table whilst Cass got drinks. The music was loud, and it was impossible to hold any meaningful conversation. Later, after their voices were hoarse from shouting, Cass pulled Rebecca towards the dance floor. When the slow songs arrived, Phil asked Elaine if she’d like to dance. She nodded and smiled. They danced closely, and Elaine’s perfume was intoxicating. She caressed Elaine’s neck gently. It’d been a while since she’d felt like this. The jets of excitement in her stomach turned more sensual as she moved her hand further south. She pulled Elaine closer, and their hips swayed together in time to the music. Desire flooded her.
“Shall we go somewhere quieter?” she whispered into Elaine’s ear.
Elaine lifted her head and met Phil’s eyes. “Good idea.”
“We can go for a nightcap if you like. I have a key to Cass’s apartment.”
“What about my place instead?”
Phil kissed her on the cheek. “Even better.”
They said their farewells, and Phil hailed a taxi. This was working out well. She liked Elaine, even if she hadn’t been able to remember her. Perhaps they could remedy that and make up for lost time.
When they arrived at Elaine’s apartment, she took her on a tour. They stood in the doorway of Elaine’s bedroom, and that was enough for Phil. She pulled her towards the bed and Elaine didn’t object. For the remainder of the night, and early morning, they made love to each other, and the time passed in wave after wave of desire. Eventually, they’d fallen asleep, exhausted and appetites quenched.
Phil awoke and stretched. She felt rejuvenated, as if she’d had a sexual spa treatment. The sun was shining brightly through the window and bathed her in warmth. What more could she ask for? Possibly more of what they’d had.
Elaine rolled over and lay her head on Phil’s shoulder. She sighed. “Wow, that was fantastic. Have you been locked away for a year or something?”
“No. It’s just the effect you have on me.” Phil traced her fingers down to Elaine’s breasts. “I’m not sure I covered this area last night.”
Elaine groaned. “I don’t think there was any area you didn’t cover. But don’t let me stop you.”
She didn’t.
A little later, Phil managed to twist her wrist around and glance at her watch. It was ten o’clock. The movement disturbed Elaine, who was draped in her arms. She yawned and looked up at Phil.
“After all that pleasure, I think I need a shower. Would you like to join me?”
That was an invitation she couldn’t refuse.
They stepped from the shower and dried themselves off. They kissed, and Elaine mumbled something about coffee and drifted towards the kitchen. Phil watched her leave. She liked Elaine, a lot. Apart from being a great lover, she was chilled and sociable. She didn’t feel she had to put on a show for her, and she certainly wouldn’t mind repeating the evening sometime in the future. She gathered her clothes up, got dressed, and wandered into the kitchen. Elaine was standing by the sink, and Phil took a seat at the kitchen island.
Elaine pushed a mug of coffee over to Phil and took a seat opposite. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a lot to offer you.”
Phil laughed. “You had plenty to offer last night, and it was pretty damned perfect.”
Elaine waved her hand. “Actually, I meant breakfast. But I agree, it was terrific.” She walked around to Phil, kissed her lightly on the lips, then headed towards a cupboard and pulled out a pack of cornflakes. “They’re freshly made. Can I tempt you?”
“My favourite breakfast. I’ll re-phrase that, it’s my second favourite breakfast. You’ve already served the best part.”