Instigations

by Kiki Archer

  “With her?” It was one of the things binding together their fake friendship - a mutual dislike of Kat sodding Spicer.

  Diane shrugged her shoulders. “Yes, why?”

  Fiona was fuming, how dare her best fake friend switch allegiances? She tightened her chintz scarf, hiding her large walnut shaped neck mole, and spun to leave. Stopping in her tracks and taking two steps back she added in Kat’s direction, “Just so you know, Diane calls you Spicer the Slit Sucker.”

  “I do not!” The outrage was poorly performed.

  Fiona nodded and flicked her neck scarf. “Sorry, no, what was it this morning?” She flared her nostrils. “That’s right, this morning Diane called you Kat the Crack Cleaner.” She hissed with her tongue and marched out of the room.

  Kat picked up the pen. “Okay, so next you fill in Activity.”

  ****

  Ben and Kat made the short walk home together, both asking the same question; where on earth had the summer holidays gone? It had been a long day, but it was always the same; returning to school and feeling like you had never been away. The chatter was upbeat and pleasant as they strode from the school along the wide cycle path towards Coldfield Park and the modern apartments that backed onto it. The gossip was there but Kat could sense his distance. He was a great guy and perfect partner for her best friend Lucy. Yes there had been a minor hiccup early on in their relationship, but now it seemed it would stand the test of time and Kat was pleased. Lucy deserved someone like him. He was a man’s man by anyone’s standards; tall and muscular, with the ability to grow an inch of blonde stubble moments after his morning shave. The students loved him and he cared about his job, always trying to make lessons memorable and fun. Yes, he was a keeper thought Kat, noticing his eyes glaze over once again.

  “Was it that bad?” She gently linked her arm through his brown bomber jacket.

  “What?”

  “Your first day back?”

  “No, no ... pretty good actually. Great new tutor group. Great examination classes.” He nodded his head. “Yep, all good.”

  Kat wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince so she squeezed his strong arm softly. “You just seem a bit preoccupied and I think you were going to tell me something this morning in the corridor before Diane made her embarrassing appearance.”

  He put his hand to his stubbled chin and stopped.

  Kat unlinked their arms and looked across at his troubled face that was pale with nerves.

  He finally spoke. “Shit Kat ... I think I’ve got a son.”

  Chapter Eight

  Kat and Freya were lying in the warm double bed, laughing about the events of the evening, having each arrived home with flowers and chocolates to celebrate the other’s first day back. Kat’s flowers had been the most spectacular but Freya had claimed the points for the best chocolates.

  “You really shouldn’t have,” said Kat once more, reaching out from under the duvet for a Bucks Fizz truffle. “It’s not like I have done anything good today.”

  Freya rolled onto her side. “I just wanted to say I love you.” She watched as Kat delicately nibbled the sugary chocolate shell from the truffle. “That’s all.”

  Kat paused and smiled. “Well I love you too and you deserve your flowers and chocolates. Coming out on day one of uni is something to really be proud of.”

  Freya looked across to her bedside cabinet at the arrangement of deep crimson roses and purple calla lilies. It had been a truly beautiful surprise, hand tied with luxurious gift wrapping and placed on her bed for her arrival. They put the bunch of yellow carnations that she had brought from the garage to shame. “So were there any new hotties’ in your class this year then?”

  “None that I accidentally kissed, no. And this year’s bunch will certainly not be able to live up to you guys, I can tell you that now. I don’t know if I’m getting old, but they all seem so young.”

  “No one with my level of mature alluring personality then?”

  “No! And I’m not planning on making a habit out of seducing my students.”

  “Is that what you did? Seduce me?”

  Kat laughed. “I think we both know that I didn’t stand a chance. Remember that time we played tennis and you stood in front of me and asked me to take a shower?”

  Freya pulled the pillow onto her red embarrassed cheeks. “Oh don’t remind me. I still cringe at that now.”

  “You shouldn’t, I was so tempted.”

  “Were you really?”

  “You know I was, but you know what?” She paused and looked at Freya’s pretty face, still slightly flushed from their gentle love making. “We would not be here now if I’d have said yes. But it would no doubt have been a highly pleasurable, if not somewhat elicit, shower.”

  “Do you really believe we wouldn’t be together now?”

  “No. We would have been caught out somewhere down the line and we would never have been able to hold our heads up high like we can now.”

  Freya sighed, “Yeah, I guess not. But I was gutted that you rejected me!”

  “I hardly rejected you.”

  “Well it felt like it at the time.”

  “Is that why you went running into Bea’s arms?”

  “We said we weren’t going to talk about that.”

  “I know, I’m only teasing. And anyway, I’m glad that I wasn’t your first. I’m glad you had a chance to grow in confidence with someone else.”

  “Okay, okay, let’s not go there please!”

  “Am I allowed to talk about the time you tried to hold my hand in the jacuzzi at Cross Hall?”

  “Only if I can talk about the time you dry humped me when we partnered at Judo.”

  Kat laughed. “Right, let’s call it a truce. Tell me more about uni.”

  Freya thought back to the people on her course and the way her new acquaintance, a Miss Renee Eves - as she had learnt when it was her turn in the circle - had been slightly over familiar. “Can I ask you something?”

  Kat edged up the bed and got herself comfortable at the padded headboard. They seemed to be spending most of their time in Freya’s room, enjoying the reprieve from Ben and Lucy’s noisy antics. “Anything.”

  “How does your Gaydar work?” It was an ongoing joke that Kat had the most sensitively tuned Gaydar, able to spot a lesbian, bi-sexual, bi-curious, or deeply intrigued woman from any given distance.

  Kat edged back down the bed and rested her head on her elbow looking deep into Freya’s green eyes. “Why?” she asked with mock suspicion.

  “You just need to teach me! Especially now that I’m out in the big wide world.”

  “Does someone at uni fancy you?”

  Freya flicked a piece of Kat’s blonde hair. “Don’t be daft! It’s just something I need to learn.”

  Kat smiled. She was pretty good at spotting when people were losing the truth. “I’m not sure I buy that, but anyway you don’t learn it, you just have it.” She smiled. “And I’m sure you have it, otherwise you would not be asking me this question.” She leaned into Freya and lifted her eyebrows in curiosity. “Come on, who is she? Who made you ask me the question about Gaydar?”

  Freya was the one who now pulled herself up to the top of the bed, out of sight of those knowing blue eyes. “There is no-one!”

  Kat rolled onto her back and looked up at the white ceiling and textured swirls. “Okay, if you really want to know, then it’s all in the eyes. Follow her eyes. What does she look at? Where are her eyes drawn? For example, you’re walking down the street with her. Does she glance at the man’s bottom in front or the woman’s?” Kat raised her eyebrows once again. “Or you go for a coffee with her and there’s a woman sitting at a table alone. Is your friend admiring the woman’s designer handbag that’s resting on the floor, or is she admiring the way the woman’s long bare legs are crossed at the knee?” Kat thought for a moment. “Does she eagerly await news of your latest lesbian escapades, with her eyes wide at the juicy details?” Kat coughed. “Does she f
lirt with you?”

  Freya sensed it was a question. “There is no-one!” she giggled.

  Kat joined her at the headboard and took her hand. “Or you have the other extreme where the woman is constantly talking to you about the men she fancies and how she is not at all bi-curious and how she could never imagine being with a woman-”

  Freya cut in. “Which obviously means she has imagined being with a woman!”

  They laughed together and Kat squeezed her hand gently. “There is something completely wrong if you go through the next three years of university without anyone fancying you Freya. I have been there. I have seen what it is like!” She smiled in remembrance. “Crikey, it was compulsory for us girls to snog each other during our sports beer circles!”

  “Really?”

  Kat laughed. “Yes, and some of the games of truth or dare got totally out of hand.” She patted the soft fingers wrapped around her own. “I would understand if you wanted to go out and experiment, there are so many amazing women and you are only eighteen-”

  “Almost nineteen.”

  “Well you’re young and fairly new to this and I don’t want you to look back and resent me for holding you back.” She meant every word.

  “How can you say that?” The shock was genuine. “You are all I want. You are all I need. Why would I waste my time exploring my sexuality with other women when I’ve already got the ultimate woman lying right here, holding my hand?”

  Kat smiled and wondered if she would ever truly believe it. She held the gaze and spoke quietly. “I want you to tell me. I’m not going to freak out or go crazy or anything.”

  “Tell you what?” She would never fully understand Kat’s insecurities, no matter how hard she tried. She was beautiful; stunningly beautiful. Kind, caring, smart, sophisticated, funny, generous. She was perfect in every way.

  “Tell me when people like you. When they come on to you. Please just tell me and we can talk about it. It won’t make me doubt you ... it will make me trust you further.” She tucked a wave of long chestnut brown hair back behind Freya’s warm ear. “Because it will happen ... trust me.”

  Freya didn’t know whether to be offended or flattered.

  Kat sensed the tension so returned to her teaching mode. “Okay, so anyway, the other part of Gaydar is being able to tell when the woman in question likes you ... and again it’s all in the eyes. It’s like a silent code between lesbians; you hold the stare for just that fraction too long. Both of you do it and it’s deliberate. You look ... you smile ... you maintain the look, until you both smile again.” She paused. “You smile that knowing smile. That lesbian smile.”

  Freya thought back to the way her new acquaintance had held her eyes.

  “That’s Gaydar.”

  “Are you ever wrong?”

  “I don’t think so, no.”

  Freya laughed and rolled over, easily straddling Kat’s flat stomach. “You are one shit hot teacher, you know that!”

  Kat spanked her backside. “You know I don’t like swearing.”

  “Oh yeah right Miss Fuck My Wet Pussy Right Now!”

  “Shhhh! Lucy will hear!” she laughed.

  “No way, they would beat us hands down in a shag-off!”

  Kat shook her head. “Right, enough! Recite an eloquent A-Level English poem for me please, my ears are not used to this vulgarity.”

  Freya whispered something into her ear causing a loud burst of laughter.

  Kat composed herself and looked into her naughty green eyes. “I love you so much, Freya Elton.”

  “And I love you too, Miss Spicer.”

  ****

  Ben closed the heavy apartment door, wondering if that had been the first of many lies. He felt dreadful but he needed to know. Padding slowly down the stairs to the communal lobby he rehearsed his speech. It was a long shot, but it was all he had. Crossing the empty parking bays he glanced back up to the glowing window of Lucy’s room. A shadow moved past the curtains and he felt a pang of anxiety. He stopped and seriously contemplated dashing back up to tell her everything. The only thing that made him turn back around and continue his walk was the echo of Kat’s words in his ears. Wait until you know, she had said; and she was right. Why go upsetting Lucy and dragging up the past for a faint whimper of a slight suspicion. He walked quickly along the damp pavement, guided by the soft glow of street lamps. Two minutes and he would be there. He dug his hands deeper into the lining of his favourite bomber jacket, comforted by its familiar feel, suddenly stopping and scrunching his fingers into a tight ball. It was more than a suspicion. Benny had to be his.

  The automatic doors opened and he narrowed his eyes at the bright lights. Great, he thought, the new girl is on. Turning left, he stopped at the jumbled family section of DVD’s and reached for a Disney classic. He tapped the empty case as he made his way to the counter. It was late and the shop would only be open for another fifteen minutes, maybe he could catch her off guard.

  Ben spoke confidently. “Dumbo! My son’s favourite. He has a bad cold and has not been sleeping well and I promised him a film tomorrow if he took his medicine tonight.”

  “And did he?” smiled the girl behind the counter.

  “Yep! So good old Daddy has to keep his end of the bargain.” Ben pretended to be interested in the display of popcorn, not really noticing there was an offer of three for two. He picked up two bags.

  “Ah sweet. I hope he gets better.” She indicated towards the popcorn. “Three for two.”

  He grabbed another bag and reached into his pocket for his wallet. Pushing each card up and frowning in confusion. He patted the back of his jeans and reached once more into his jacket. “Lisa gave me the card.” He shook his head, “Where did I put it?”

  She tilted her head in annoyance at the staff office behind her. “Sorry, but they say you have to have your card. It’s company policy.”

  He sighed and tapped Dumbo on the desk. “Benny will be so upset.”

  The girl’s face lit up. “Oh I know Benny! Cute little guy, likes to sample the pick and mix. Your wife came in this morning with him, brought back about five films!”

  Ben smiled convincingly. “That’s the guy.”

  The girl winked and checked over her shoulder. “Oh it should be okay, what name is the card in?”

  “Lisa Faith.” He held his breath, absolutely no clue of her married name.

  “16 Winterton Lane?”

  “That’s the one,” he nodded, handing over a ten pound note.

  She frowned, checking her buzzing computer screen once more. “He brought that Dumbo back this morning.”

  Ben kept his hand outstretched for the change. “I know! I should buy it really.”

  “Here, give him one of these from me.” She reached across the counter to the stand of lollies, pulling one out and checking behind her as she passed it to Ben. “That popcorn is way overpriced.”

  “Thanks, he’ll like that,” he said smiling. “Best be off.” He waved nervously as he made his way to the electric doors, dashing around the corner of the building and reaching for his phone. Opening up the notes application he tapped in the address. 16 Winterton Lane. There was no way he would forget, but he just wanted to make sure.

  ****

  Kat and Freya heard the loud click of the apartment door and the sound of Ben kicking his shoes towards the rack. It amazed them all how he was the only member of the group unable to bend down, pick them up and place them neatly next to the other slightly more delicate pairs. But to be honest that and the fact he always put the recycling in the normal bin were their only gripes; not bad for a man, they reasoned.

  “Probably went to get some more Trojans.”

  “Eugh,” shuddered Kat, gently stroking Freya’s bare back.

  “Do you have any idea how many of the girls at school fancied him?”

  Kat smiled. “I can imagine.”

  “Never did it for me though,” she grinned, lifting her head for a cheeky wink.

  �
��And what does do it for you?” whispered Kat, checking the clock and reaching down to dim the lights. She returned her hands to Freya’s body.

  “You,” moaned Freya, enjoying the searching fingers.

  “What in particular?”

  She buried her head into Kat’s neck and smelt her deep intoxicating perfume; a scent so consuming, never to be forgotten. “You know what does it for me.” She lifted herself onto her elbow and gently kissed Kat’s lips. “Teach me. Teach me how you do it.”

  Kat noticed a slight red tinge to Freya’s high cheekbones, so she whispered even quieter, “What do you want me to teach you?”

  “You know what.”

  Kat smiled and whispered, “The multiple orgasm thing?”

  She nodded. “Nobody has even been able to do that to me before.”

  Kat wondered when they would have the chat about her past relationships and conquests, but realised that that time wasn’t now. “Shall I talk you through it?”

  “Mm Hm,” said Freya already enjoying the sensations of Kat’s fingers parting her hair and massaging her scalp.

  Kat propped herself up on her left elbow and stared at the beauty of Freya lying on her back, half covered by the white duvet, with her eyes closed. She slowly started to touch her cheeks with tiny quiet kisses, using her right hand to lightly caress her neck. “Everything has to be slow, soft and delicate.” She continued the movement. “There is no teasing. It is just really slow. I will kiss your lips, your cheeks, your neck and your shoulders, always making sure my fingers are gently grazing your skin, sending quivers of anticipation across your body.”

  Freya breathed in. Kat was right. They were quivers of anticipation. It was an anticipation of the fingers getting lower and the kisses getting closer. She let out a soft moan.

  “You see, I’m not going anywhere and then taking that pleasure away, I’m just building that pleasure in all of these different areas.” She moved her mouth to Freya’s neck, biting ever so lightly with her teeth, using her fingers to trail up and down her right arm. “The most important thing is to be slow and gentle. I’m barely touching you but I know that you can feel every single contact like it’s deep and pressured.”