[Pedro the Fisherman]

We had a coffee (“decaf for me”, insisted M) in the common room, now with about half a dozen folk sitting around. A very young blonde of about 20 came in and looked around “do we just help ourselves” she asked, pointing at the coffee. “yes, did you arrive late?”. “yeah” she said, “bloody trains!”. I detected an Australian accent and she came over and asked if she could join us. “ train from London broke down at Reading and by the time I got on another, the last train to anywhere near here had finished. Had to get a taxi and it cost me £90! And I missed dinner and the start of the course". Her name was Hannah and it was her first Level 1. She was just 20, (had cropped blonde hair and a very trim figure) and in the UK on a gap year. “how did you find about HAI?” I asked, and was surprised by the answer. “ my parents have been organisers of HAI in Australia since before I was born, so I know all about it. I'd never wanted to be involved at home, specially as a teenager, but now, thousands of miles away from them, I thought it would be a good chance to try it!”.
Hannah was offered a place on the large old sofa, next to M, who started quizzing her on what she knew about the organisation. It seemed M was unsure if she was getting involved in a cult of some kind!

The door of the common room opened again to reveal the ‘witch’, dressed in pink floral pyjamas, only a missing teddy bear would have made her look more like a small child that couldn't sleep, so came downstairs to find her parents! “ so this is where everyone is hiding, I thought we all had to have an early night". I said “it's not late" looking at my watch...to find I'd promised not to wear one! That gave everyone a chuckle and the witch got herself a glass of milk from the large jug in the communal chiller.

She crossed to the sofa and announced “make space for a little one, budge up" the last part clearly addressed to me. I squeezed myself up against the sofa arm, to allow her at least half a cushion to sit down. She squirmed into place, her soft pyjamas brushing my bare arm. She held her glass with both hands, just as a child might. Glancing down, I saw that the top button of her pyjama jacket had popped undone...or had been left undone on purpose. She really was a big girl there, despite her short stature.

The witch was listening to the conversation between Hannah and M. Hannah explaining again the whole ‘at choice’ thing, “it's quite empowering” said Hannah, “you make your own rules and nobody will think badly of you". The witch then broke in with... “so nobody has to get their kit off tomorrow then?” Hannah smiled and replied “it's up to the individual, as I said there is no right or wrong". The witch wrinkled her nose and came straight back with “oh bum, I was looking forward to seeing a room full of naked men!”. I leant across from my squashed corner and said “don't worry, the men will get naked, from my limited experience, it's the ladies who remain dressed". M added “well this lady will remain dressed anyway, what about you two?” looking left and right at Hannah and the witch. Hannah replied first “I'm keeping my options open, so will wait until the time comes" the witch, wrinkling her nose added “ seems like a good plan to me too".

With that, her milk finished, “I'm off, back to bed...looks like we ladies might need our beauty sleep tonight girls" smiling widely. M stood up and agreed “I'll come with you", she leaned forward, gave me a peck on the cheek “goodnight, see you at breakfast!”. That left just me and Hannah on the sofa and it felt a little difficult to think of a new topic of conversation, so I too excused myself and went upstairs. As I left, I saw Nick (who had been reading in the corner) get up and head towards the sofa. ‘good old Nick, same old tricks' I thought.
On arrival in my room, I found my roommate (a guy in his late 20s with a shaved head and gigantic beard) sitting up in bed, playing with his I-phone. “hi, I'm Josh, can't seem to get a signal in this bloody place". I agreed and reminded him about the rules, introducing myself at the same time. “oh crap, I'd forgotten that...doesn't seem to matter with this reception anyway!” said my new roommate. “so, tomorrow we all get naked then?” he leered “a few fit girls here this weekend...and a few old biddies too, but worth a fuck!”.

I didn't quite no how to react to this, but said “you've been on one of these weekend things before then?”. He shook his head “no but my mates have been and they have all scored big time, the older ladies love the chance of a young cock inside them...it's a doddle after the things that we get to do here apparently”. “sounds interesting” I replied, not wanting to get drawn into anymore of this.

Under the covers, the sound of Josh's headphones ticking music into his ears, I began to worry. There did seem to be more young guys here, than last time. Were they all here for the same as Josh? Would M or the witch be a target as older women wanting ‘young cock’?. I didn't sleep very well.

I awoke, having moved all my thoughts forward. I'm here to contact with lovely ladies, had I not turned down casual sex not 10 feet from this very bed, last time! I was no better than these young guys, I'd just didn't dare admit it to myself!
After a shower (Josh snored on, his headphones still playing by themselves, under his duvet) I went downstairs, M and the witch were already there, chatting like old friends. “morning!” said M, we've been having a lovely time, we've already been out for a walk, despite the drizzle!”. I grabbed a banana and sat down opposite them both. “we've been hatching plans" said the witch. “and they are?” I replied. “wait and see, they are um...flexible” chuckled M. “We've got to go up and change, see you later” she added and they both left, giggling in a conspiratorial way.

About half an hour (having had more breakfast!) I entered the room and collected M and my backrest and went to quiet corner to wait the rest of the course. M and the witch came in together, both wearing sweatshirt tops and shorts, M's looking very much shorter and showing almost all her legs, together with half her tummy. She slid alongside me, “the witch has lent me these, do they look alright?”. “They look fine, nobody dresses up for HAI” I assured her. “can you see my stretch marks?” she queried. I looked and if I looked hard, she did have quite a few stretch Mark’s around her tummy “my eldest is responsible for those...I hate them". I told her not to worry, at our age we all have wobbly, lumpy or scarred bits, it makes us what we are. Don't worry, you look fine!”. She frowned, “the witch is a year older than me and she has the body of someone twenty years younger...and she's had three kids!”.

I was surprised by that, I couldn't imagine the witch being a mother. My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the facilitators and the room was hushed into silence. The morning exercises passed up to the coffee break, M and I joined a small group comprising of us, the larger Nigerian guy and the lady from Norfolk from my first course, now a helper to control our discussions.
I looked for Hannah, she was in a group of younger people, including Josh and one of the Asian guys. Melanie was across the room, I wondered if they would be near me when the upcoming disrobe session happens, in about ten minutes time!

After coffee, we entered the room and were told to stand in a semi circle and to close our eyes, the moment had arrived and I found my heart pounding like never before. What was I going to do and (more importantly), what would ‘my' ladies do? In a few seconds, I'd know.