ready for bed. I have another day to get through tomorrow, don't I?”
***
Caleb and I were sitting together having our lunch in the staff canteen on Tuesday, when I got a call from Harriet on my mobile. I smiled as I took her call.
“Hey, Harry, how’s it going?”
She lived in the flat above mine, and we’d become best friends soon after she’d moved in, a few years back. She’d been an absolute rock since Drew died, and was one of the reasons I'd not moved out of my flat. That, along with the fact that I could sometimes pretend nothing had changed if I was still in the home that Drew and I had set up together - for a few precious seconds anyhow.
“I’m good. Just checking we’re still on for tomorrow evening?” she queried.
Harry and I usually got together about once a week whenever she was around and not jetting off somewhere in her job as a flight attendant. Between her, and my family, I was never allowed to wallow by myself for very long.
“Of course. I expect Stan will come along too - you don't mind having a threesome with him, do you?”
Caleb spluttered on his food as he looked over at me, which made me realise how my side of the conversation must sound to him. But his shocked expression was too funny for words, so I decided to play things up.
“No, of course that’s fine. You do know Stan is an unfaithful male tart who sneaks up to my bedroom when you’re out?” Harriet replied.
“That’s okay. We have an understanding, an open relationship, so I don't mind if Stan sleeps with other women,” I stated coolly.
Caleb stared at me, clearly gobsmacked that the little English mouse sitting in front of him seemed to have such a free-minded attitude.
“Okay, so you’ll be along at about seven, as usual?” Harriet checked.
“Sure, see you tomorrow. Looking forward to hooking up.” I finished the call and put my phone away, keeping my face impassive while I waited for Caleb’s reaction.
“So… umm... I guess that’s why you’re not coming to this golf club dinner Steve’s got planned for tomorrow evening. He said something about you having a prior engagement?” Caleb asked, looking rather confused and uncomfortable.
“That’s right, I have a date with Harry and Stan, and I didn't think it’d be fair to disappoint them at such short notice. But I’m sure you’ll have a great time at Steve’s golf club,” I said sweetly, as I struggled to keep a straight face. For my part, I was just relieved I'd got an excuse to get out of what would undoubtedly be a dreadful evening, as I imagined that Steve’s exclusive golf club would be filled with more of the same ghastly types as him.
“Look Faith, tell me to butt out here, but are you sure you know what you’re doing? How well do you know these guys Harry and Stan? I'd hate for you to get into something… risky,” Caleb asked hesitantly.
“I can look after myself. You don't need to concern yourself,” I replied somewhat haughtily, thinking him rather a hypocrite with double standards. I imagined in his book, it was alright for him to indulge in whatever type of bedroom activity took his fancy, but not alright for me, just because I was a female.
“Forgive me but you seem kinda vulnerable, and there are men out there who take advantage of vulnerable women,” he frowned.
I was about to tell him that yes, he should butt out - until I looked into his face, and saw what seemed to be real, genuine concern etched there. Caleb might be a player, but maybe he was an alright kind of a bloke as well. After that, I couldn’t keep up the pretence - I've always been a hopeless liar anyway.
“It’s okay. I’m just winding you up. You needn’t worry on my behalf. I’m not into any kind of kinky sex. Harry, aka Harriet, is my friend and neighbour, and Stan is my cat,” I confessed.
“Ah right. I see,” he smiled back in relief. “Jeez, you really had me going there for a
***
Caleb and I were sitting together having our lunch in the staff canteen on Tuesday, when I got a call from Harriet on my mobile. I smiled as I took her call.
“Hey, Harry, how’s it going?”
She lived in the flat above mine, and we’d become best friends soon after she’d moved in, a few years back. She’d been an absolute rock since Drew died, and was one of the reasons I'd not moved out of my flat. That, along with the fact that I could sometimes pretend nothing had changed if I was still in the home that Drew and I had set up together - for a few precious seconds anyhow.
“I’m good. Just checking we’re still on for tomorrow evening?” she queried.
Harry and I usually got together about once a week whenever she was around and not jetting off somewhere in her job as a flight attendant. Between her, and my family, I was never allowed to wallow by myself for very long.
“Of course. I expect Stan will come along too - you don't mind having a threesome with him, do you?”
Caleb spluttered on his food as he looked over at me, which made me realise how my side of the conversation must sound to him. But his shocked expression was too funny for words, so I decided to play things up.
“No, of course that’s fine. You do know Stan is an unfaithful male tart who sneaks up to my bedroom when you’re out?” Harriet replied.
“That’s okay. We have an understanding, an open relationship, so I don't mind if Stan sleeps with other women,” I stated coolly.
Caleb stared at me, clearly gobsmacked that the little English mouse sitting in front of him seemed to have such a free-minded attitude.
“Okay, so you’ll be along at about seven, as usual?” Harriet checked.
“Sure, see you tomorrow. Looking forward to hooking up.” I finished the call and put my phone away, keeping my face impassive while I waited for Caleb’s reaction.
“So… umm... I guess that’s why you’re not coming to this golf club dinner Steve’s got planned for tomorrow evening. He said something about you having a prior engagement?” Caleb asked, looking rather confused and uncomfortable.
“That’s right, I have a date with Harry and Stan, and I didn't think it’d be fair to disappoint them at such short notice. But I’m sure you’ll have a great time at Steve’s golf club,” I said sweetly, as I struggled to keep a straight face. For my part, I was just relieved I'd got an excuse to get out of what would undoubtedly be a dreadful evening, as I imagined that Steve’s exclusive golf club would be filled with more of the same ghastly types as him.
“Look Faith, tell me to butt out here, but are you sure you know what you’re doing? How well do you know these guys Harry and Stan? I'd hate for you to get into something… risky,” Caleb asked hesitantly.
“I can look after myself. You don't need to concern yourself,” I replied somewhat haughtily, thinking him rather a hypocrite with double standards. I imagined in his book, it was alright for him to indulge in whatever type of bedroom activity took his fancy, but not alright for me, just because I was a female.
“Forgive me but you seem kinda vulnerable, and there are men out there who take advantage of vulnerable women,” he frowned.
I was about to tell him that yes, he should butt out - until I looked into his face, and saw what seemed to be real, genuine concern etched there. Caleb might be a player, but maybe he was an alright kind of a bloke as well. After that, I couldn’t keep up the pretence - I've always been a hopeless liar anyway.
“It’s okay. I’m just winding you up. You needn’t worry on my behalf. I’m not into any kind of kinky sex. Harry, aka Harriet, is my friend and neighbour, and Stan is my cat,” I confessed.
“Ah right. I see,” he smiled back in relief. “Jeez, you really had me going there for a
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