I dressed alone, my head still filled with the sight of her. I thought further about how those angled hips made had made her stand, helpless and ready for inspection. How her tummy seemed to fade away underneath her. How minute her ankles were. The exact shade of those blushing cheeks. That ivory skin. Her most intimate, heavenly place. I tried to clear my head, only for it to be filled again with even more vivid images.
It was all too much. I needed far more time than I had been given. Knowing that little nymph was bathing just yards away offered little comfort either.
By the time I was trying to tie my shoelaces, Claire had entered the bedroom once more. Her hair was still soaking wet, but she was unfortunately fully dressed. She slipped on her shoes, grabbing at her handbag at the same time.
‘Are you ready then? She chirped. ‘Come on. I can give you a lift as far as the boulevard’
‘No it’s fine Claire. Don’t worry. I’ll walk. The air will do me good.’
It didn’t of course.
Monday came around even more quickly than usual, and I found myself watching the clock click ever closer to eight. It took an age to do so, and as the figures finally changed, my eyes focused firmly on the doorway, refusing to stray anywhere else.
Claire appeared, right on time as usual, shaking her umbrella and rearranging her damp hair.
The raincoat. The blouse and skirt. The tea. The silence. All were just the same.
Except that the same could never be the same.
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