by June Tate
After, he held her in his arms. Connie lay still, confused but elated. Confused because she hadn’t been prepared for the sudden pain, but elated as her passion surfaced and she responded to his whispered words as he reached his climax. Yet something was missing. She felt unfulfilled but in her innocence she couldn’t understand why.
‘Never mind, darling,’ he said. ‘It takes a while. Next time will be better.’
She wondered how.
Eventually, they dressed and, leaving the room, took the lift and walked out through the reception. Connie looked down, feeling embarrassed, as she passed the desk, wondering if the girl behind it guessed what had just happened. But walking along the front, and stopping at a small restaurant for dinner, soon dispelled such feelings. It was so good to sit at a table with an older man who seemed so sure of himself.
They decided not to have a starter and ordered steak with mushrooms and chips.
John smiled as the waiter left with their order. ‘I still can’t get used to being able to order meat after so long. Thank God they derationed it last year! I think it was the thing I missed the most.’
She laughed at him. ‘That’s typical of a man. My dad was always complaining about the same thing. He kept chickens, but in the end he was sick of eating them.’
John flattered her during the meal, boosting her confidence, telling her how lovely she looked, how thrilled he was that at last they were able to be together away from prying eyes, and how happy she made him feel.
‘If it wasn’t for my daughter, we could spend the rest of our lives together,’ he said as he took her hand in his. ‘But you do understand my situation, don’t you?’ he asked. ‘After all, I have been honest with you from the beginning.’
What could she say? He’d never led her to believe he could offer anything other than an affair. ‘Yes, I do understand,’ she replied. But deep down she wished he was free.
That night, when they made love, she had her first orgasm and understood how much better sex could be.
When they arrived back at the station in Southampton, he caught her by the arm. ‘I’m off to the gents,’ he said. ‘We can’t be seen leaving together. I’ll see you in the shop tomorrow. Here’s your ticket.’ And he walked away.
His sudden departure took her by surprise, and she felt abandoned and deflated. Miserably, she trudged to the exit and walked up Commercial Road and home.
John Baker emerged from the gents, put his suitcase in the left luggage, went through the exit, bought a platform ticket, re-entered the station, sat on the platform and waited. Half an hour later he got to his feet as the next train steamed in, and when he saw his wife and daughter alight from the train, he walked forward and met them. He kissed his wife, Kay, then picked up his daughter, gave her a hug and said to Kay, ‘Hello, darling. Did you have a good time?’
‘Yes, thanks, it was lovely to spend time with Mum. She was so pleased to see us. What have you been doing on your own?’
‘Not much. I missed you both, the house seemed very empty.’
Connie put her key in the front door and let herself in, and the first person she saw was Madge, her grandmother.
‘Well, did you and Betty have a good time together?’
Connie felt the colour flush her cheeks as she answered, ‘Yes, thanks, Nan.’
Madge studied her granddaughter. ‘Why are you looking so shifty, girl? What have you been up to? Nothing good, I’m sure!’
Connie turned on her. ‘Why do you always look for the bad in people? We had a good time doing nothing in particular. We just had fun, but you wouldn’t know anything about that would you, Nan?’
‘Don’t you speak to me like that young lady,’ Madge snapped. ‘You show me a little respect!’
‘I might say the same to you,’ Connie retorted and walked out of the room, fuming as she made her way to her bedroom. Putting down her case, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t look any different. The fact that she’d recently lost her virginity didn’t show, thankfully. Lying on her bed, she closed her eyes and relived the days and nights of the past weekend. At least she wouldn’t get pregnant, John had taken precautions. She wondered when he’d take her away again. Then she thought of Sam. What would he think of her if he ever found out about her trip to Bournemouth? She didn’t think he’d like it, but after all, she told herself, she was free to do as she wanted. She was young and wanted to enjoy life before she got old and miserable like her grandmother. She chuckled softly. No matter what happened to her as she grew old, she’d never be like that!
Three
The following day at work, Connie kept looking for John doing his rounds, but when she didn’t see him, she casually asked another assistant where he was.
‘Oh, he’s on holiday for a week,’ she told her. ‘He said something about going to Devon as his little girl loves playing on the beach there.’
She was shattered. He’d made no mention of a holiday during the time they’d spent together. Now he’d be acting the faithful husband after sharing a bed with her! How could he do such a thing?
‘You all right, Connie?’ asked Betty as she walked back to the counter. ‘You look a little pale.’
‘I’m fine,’ she answered. But she felt humiliated.
In the workshop of the racing team called the Cheetahs, three men were in a huddle, drinking tea and smoking. There was an air of secrecy about them as they spoke.
‘So what exactly did you see?’ asked one.
The man whose motorcycle helmet rested at his feet said, ‘Not much to be honest. As soon as I stopped I saw the three of them and some girl sitting staring out of the door at me. If I’d lingered, they would have come out and asked me what I wanted. They didn’t recognize me, fortunately, as I had my visor down.’
‘We need to get in somehow and take a good look at the car. Sam Knight is a bloody clever mechanic; he’ll know how much he can get out of a souped-up engine. He’s a bloody genius when it comes to cars.’
‘And behind the wheel,’ added another.
‘Well, he’s not going to bloody well beat me!’ snapped Jake Barton, the team driver. ‘I’ll use whatever means I have to stop him standing on the winner’s podium. That’s my place!’
The other two looked at each other and grimaced. Jake was a sore loser, and Sam Knight was his Achilles heel. Jake was jealous of the other man’s success, which he wrongly believed should be his alone. He was a good driver but he was wild and let anger rule his head when driving, which had led to him receiving several warnings during his racing career. The rest of the team worried that this battle with Sam would end up with Jake being banned from racing altogether, and then what would they do?
‘Forget about Sam,’ one said. ‘We have a good car, and if you drive well, you won’t have a problem at all.’
Jake flew into a rage. ‘What do you mean if I drive well? Are you saying I’m a bad driver?’
‘For Christ’s sake keep your hair on, will you,’ said his teammate. ‘All I’m saying is if you were to concentrate more on your own car and driving, instead of this insane obsession with Knight, you’d do much better!’
Jake was on his feet in seconds, and before his teammate knew it, Jake had floored him with a punch, then walked out of the garage cursing loudly.
The second man helped his friend to his feet.
Holding his jaw, the victim swore. ‘Fucking madman! I’m in two minds to walk away from him and the racing.’
His friend walked over to the sink and ran the cold tap on a cloth, then, after wringing it out, he handed it over. ‘Here, put this on your jaw, it’ll help with the swelling.’
‘One day I’ll do for that bastard!’ the injured one said. ‘I’m sick to death of hearing how good Jake thinks he is and how he should be a winner. Let’s be honest, he’s no match for Knight, no one is. The man’s a genius on the track. He has talent and is a born winner. It’s only a matter of luck if he gets a bump that takes him out on the track and enable
s someone else to take first place. You know it and I know it; unfortunately, Jake won’t accept that fact. Well, sod him! I’m off to the pub for a pint, want to join me?’
They locked up the garage and left.
Connie’s mood was lifted when she returned home to find that Sam had written her a letter:
Dear Connie,
I am so sorry to have neglected you this week, but as you know I’ve been working away. I’ve missed you, lovely Connie, and to make up for it I’d like to take you out for the day on Sunday. I’ll pick you up at eleven in the morning. If this doesn’t suit you, leave a message at the garage.
PS. Wear a pair of trousers and a coat and bring a swimsuit and towel.
Lots of love,
Sam xxxx
Connie danced around the room, thrilled to read that he’d missed her, and she couldn’t wait to see him.
‘You’re looking pleased with yourself,’ Madge, her grandmother, remarked in her usual sour tone. ‘From that boy, is it?’
Connie just raised her eyebrows and tapped her finger on the side of her nose, and left the room.
‘Cheeky little bugger!’ Madge raged.
‘For goodness’ sake, what is it now, Mother?’ Dorothy Morgan emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth.
‘Your daughter, that’s what! She doesn’t have an atom of respect for her elders.’
‘Perhaps if her elders stopped trying to pry into her affairs, she’d feel differently!’
‘Don’t you talk to me like that, madam, just remember who I am.’
Dorothy was at the end of her tether. Her mother-in-law had been difficult all day, and she’d had enough. ‘As if I could forget! You remind me at least once a day. Now you think on as to who I am. I am married to your son and you live in my house. I cook for you, do your washing and ironing, clean up behind you, none of which is appreciated, and then you try to make my daughter’s life hell as well!’
For once Madge was speechless.
‘And what’s more, I’ve just had about enough of you and your moaning interfering ways! Much more of it and I’ll be asking your own daughter to house you. You know, the one that hardly ever comes to see you!’ She strode out of the room.
The old vixen was deeply shaken by her daughter-in-law’s words, and she sat quietly thinking about the tirade that had just been delivered. She knew she was lucky when George, her son, had taken her to live with him and his family, after her husband’s death. She had been so relieved because she honestly didn’t think she could have coped on her own – not that she had admitted such a thing. She also guessed that Dorothy couldn’t have been too happy about the arrangement though. What woman would be? It certainly wasn’t an ideal situation. She had to admit she’d been well looked after and she hardly had to lift a finger herself. In fact she’d never offered. But she certainly didn’t want to leave and live with Eve, her daughter who’d never had time for her. In fact, if push came to shove, she doubted if Eve would have her! She slowly sipped her now tepid cup of tea. She’d better pull her horns in for a bit, she decided.
On Sunday morning, at eleven o’clock sharp, Connie heard the roar of an engine outside and rushed to the door, calling goodbye over her shoulder. Once outside she realized why Sam had stipulated her wearing trousers. He was sitting astride a large motorbike. He grinned at her and handed her a helmet to wear. Then he instructed her how to sit on the back of the bike.
‘Put your arms around my waist,’ he told her. ‘That way you won’t interfere with my driving. You need to relax, and when we corner, lean with me. OK?’
‘You won’t go too fast, will you?’ she asked nervously.
Chuckling, he said, ‘Don’t worry, Connie. Do as I ask and you’ll be perfectly safe. Ready?’
She nodded and tensed as he moved away slowly.
‘Relax,’ he called over his shoulder.
He drove the bike out around the streets to let her get the feel of being a pillion passenger until he felt her begin to relax, and then he slowly increased his speed. As they left the town and headed for the country, she felt exhilarated. Sam’s body sheltered her from the wind and she leaned against his back. As they cornered, she leaned with him and the bike until she felt at one with him and his machine. They turned off the main road and she read the sign – Hillhead – and then she knew why she would need a swimsuit as they headed down the road leading to the beach.
Sam parked the bike and helped her off the back. Her legs felt stiff, and she staggered against him. He caught hold of her and laughed. ‘You’ll soon get used to it,’ he said. ‘Can you swim?’
‘Yes, I love swimming.’
‘Good, that’ll help loosen those muscles.’ He opened the panniers of the bike and took out a towel and packed sandwiches, plus a couple of bottles of lemonade. ‘Come on,’ he said and led her to a spot among the sand dunes.
It was a warm balmy day and they took off their coats and undressed beneath their towels, before heading for the water, running down the sand and both plunging into the waves.
Sam was a strong swimmer, she discovered, but he made sure she could keep up with him, never pushing her beyond her limits. They cavorted in the water, splashing each other before eventually returning to their place in the dunes. Sam rubbed her down with her towel, before insisting he cover her with sun oil.
‘I can’t have you getting burnt,’ he insisted.
Not that Connie minded, feeling his strong hands on her back, arms and legs. Then he pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that since you stepped out of your house,’ he said. ‘I’ve missed you, lovely Connie.’
She kissed him back. ‘I’ve missed you too.’
‘Come on, let’s eat,’ he said, ‘I’m starving!’
They tucked into the sandwiches and some fruit he’d packed, then lay back enjoying the warmth of the sun as it dried them.
Sam told her of the car he’d been working on and about a forthcoming race, then he asked her what she’d been doing.
‘Nothing exciting,’ she lied. ‘Just work.’
He gathered her into his arms. ‘Well, I’m back now and I don’t think I’m away again for some time. ‘He pulled her closer. ‘I’ve got a week to make up for.’
Connie was pleased they’d found a quiet place not overlooked by others as his kisses became more fervent and his caresses more intimate. But there was a tenderness about him as he touched her, as if she was someone to be cherished and nurtured. There was a limit to his caresses, making sure he had her approval.
As for Connie, her body cried out for him, but she couldn’t let him know in case it spoiled his illusion of her. She felt she would have disappointed him.
He caressed her cheek and stared deep into her eyes. ‘Oh, Connie, if only you were a little older.’
‘What on earth do you mean?’ she asked.
‘I so want to make love to you, but I have to respect your innocence.’
What was she to do? She longed for him with an ache that was unbearable, but he thought of her as untouched. She gazed back at him. ‘Someone has to teach me how to be a woman,’ she said softly.
He chuckled and said, ‘This is true, sweetheart, and it would be my pleasure, but let’s not rush things. We have plenty of time to get to know one another. Come on, let’s go for a swim. I think it’ll do us both good under the circumstances.’
Feeling totally frustrated, she followed him down to the water and plunged in. At least he’d called her sweetheart, and that was something.
On the way home, they stopped off at a restaurant in Lyndhurst for a meal, and whilst they ate Sam told her a little more about tourist car racing, of his dreams of becoming a racing driver as a profession as well as owning his own business, dealing strictly with racing cars, and she realized just how deeply he cared about this world of which she knew nothing.
‘But isn’t it dangerous?’ she asked with a worried frown.
‘Yes, I won’t lie to you. It isn�
�t the safest of occupations, but I could be run over by a car in Southampton’s High Street,’ he proclaimed. ‘I’m good at what I do, Connie. I get behind a wheel of a car and I’m focused on the race ahead. It’s not something you can do lightly.’ He paused. ‘Do you think you can understand how I feel about racing? Because if you’re going to be my girl, you have to take me warts and all.’ He took her hand in his. ‘Well?’
‘Whatever you did, Sam, I would still want to be with you.’ She squeezed his hand.
He beamed at her. ‘That’s wonderful! But I have to warn you, when there is a race looming I have to spend a great deal of time working on the car, which means if you want to be with me you’ll have to spend a lot of hours hanging around the garage. It’s a lot to ask of a girl.’
‘Not if she really likes you.’
‘I’m so glad you said that. Come on, let’s get the bill and we had better get you home. How about taking in a film tomorrow night? It helps me relax after a hard day, and at least I get to hold you in the dark.’
‘That would be lovely,’ she agreed.
Outside her house, Sam took her into his arms and kissed her. ‘We are going to have some exciting times together, lovely Connie. I’ll meet you outside the cinema at six thirty tomorrow.’ He put his finger under her chin and tipped her face upwards. ‘And if some other man comes on to you, tell him you are already spoken for. Right?’
‘Right!’ she said and kissed him.
She watched him drive away and went inside, smiling to herself.
‘Have a good time?’ asked her mother. Her father peered over his paper at her, waiting for her answer.
Lovely!’ she said. ‘We went to Hillhead and had a picnic then swam. On the way home we stopped for a meal.’
George Morgan spoke. ‘Someone was telling me in the pub about your boyfriend,’ he said. ‘Seems he’s a good driver and a bit of a star on the racing track.’
Connie was delighted. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, seems he’s got a future there. I hope he doesn’t drive fast when he takes you out, Connie?’
