Chapter 14
I met Tannhäuser the following Saturday, in the Tate.
So John, ‘Did you see Greg?’ I asked.
‘No. I took your advice and put him off.’
‘Was he difficult about it?’
‘Not at all. He muttered something about a new job he had to concentrate on, but I should contact him as soon as I am in town.’
‘What next?’
‘I want to meet him, with you, and we try to talk some sense into him.’
‘Ridiculous notion!’ I couldn’t believe the man’s naivety.
‘What is your idea?’ he asked.
‘I don’t need one. He is leaving me alone – at the moment.’
I didn’t tell Tannhäuser that I would be working as Greg’s boss within a few days, that he couldn’t return to the USA at the moment without facing retribution from his father-in-law, that we had enough on him to ruin his already shaky reputation. I didn’t tell him, because despite all the car
Chapter 15Greg and Tannhäuser’s BDSM date took place the next Friday. I wasn’t interested. I wasn’t sure why Greg mentioned it before he left work that afternoon, but I did relay the information to Dianne. She seemed worried.‘Come round for nibbles and a drink tonight,’ she ordered.‘Is that to make sure I don’t weaken and go to Plaistow?’Dianne laughed.‘I am sure you are not so daft as to keep an assignation with Greg and Tanny in a dodgy BDSM club. You hold a senior position in an international engineering consultancy company. There must be some grey cells with ‘common sense,’ between your ears. No, Connie! I know you won’t go near Plaistow tonight. Nevertheless, to make sure you don’t weaken, drop round, around nine. Madeline should be asleep by then.’I hesitated. Wimbledon to Hampstea
Chapter 16Monday came. No Greg. His first late mark. At least he has one human quality.I had meetings all morning. When I returned to the office, Dianne reminded me Greg was still missing.‘Is it time to try his mobile?’ she asked.‘Definitely.’I waited while she dialled. No reply.‘Perhaps he has quit our fair and lovely isle,’ Dianne offered.‘I’m not sure that would be so good. Before Greg goes we need resolved issues. Greg’s power over me, will resurface and come back to haunt me. He may as well be in the office. He will be in touch.’On the way home, I received a text from Greg.‘Sorry! Had to throw a sicky, as you people say. See you tomorrow.’With nothing resolved on that front, and as Abe was out until late on a case, I stopped off at my
Chapter 17Dee had a stroke of luck with her new job. Her boss was away for a fortnight, and needed the phone answering professionally during his absence. Thus, Dee had plenty of time to organise Greg’s defeat at the hands of Freya. I knew little of what was going on, just that a major group visit to Silly Suits would be necessary. She booked us in for a personal fitting the following Friday evening, after hours. There was a further surprise. On that Friday, as I returned from work and was walking towards Abe’s garden gate, I saw in the distance two black women hauling suitcases. I looked a second time and was sure they were Mave and Cath. They grinned and waved and I walked past the gate towards them.‘This must have an ulterior motive, or are you merely on holiday?’ I asked as we exchanged hugs.‘Abe has a job for us. Client pays the flight, so we
Chapter 18. Contains sexual content. Abe and I were lost in first love. But all things slow down and it occurred to me that we hadn’t resolved his bigamy. I slid off and lay beside him. ‘Is your divorce through yet?’ ‘Ah,’ he said. I waited. Surely there was more. There wasn’t and despite all efforts, I slipped into a deep sleep enjoyed only by those with a clear conscience. I forgot to ask again and Abe had a business trip to New York. ‘Be careful. Greg might still have his heavies out, looking for us.’ Abe made reassuring noises, I was reassured, but looking back, he said nothing of importance. My day was busy and it kept me from dwelling on my man being away. Nevertheless, Dianne spotted my absent mindedness. ‘Anything troubling you?’ ‘Abe is away – gone to New York.’ ‘I see,’ she interrupted. ‘Was that wise?’ ‘It’s probably OK, but I’d rather he
Sexual content 1 - The Flirts ‘Connie! You look like you have seen a ghost!’ ‘A ghost would be fine, Dee. I could put it down to too much cheese or a raunchy kipper.’ My PA Dee was wide of the mark. I was not about to put her right in the middle of a busy hotel lounge and bar. I caught my reflection in the mirror behind the drinks. I was relieved to see I looked like I’d seen a ghost. The truth would have left my cheeks burning and given the game away. I moved conspiratorially towards her. ‘It’s much worse than a ghost. I’ll tell you later. It’s too public here,’ I whispered in her ear. Dee could have waved at a waiter. Instead, she took my hand and headed for two vacant stools at the bar. We ignored the calls of friendly derision about girl stuff and doing things in pairs. That was good-humoured banter and came from the engineers, who were celebrating our new contract, we
Sexual content 5. Dee How often does the phone ring at six in the morning on a Thursday? It was Dee. ‘Sorry to wake you, but I have a plane to catch and your message sounded important.’ She then called me a faithless fig for dropping out of her life. We chatted, I explained the circumstances, she was unimpressed, the minutes were ticking and then she came to the point. Phew! ‘So, let me get this straight. A bloke takes advantage of you in a train, you enjoyed it, and you want to see him again.’ ‘That’s about right.’ ‘Sounds like a typical male-thought-cliché to me. Walk up to him on the platform tonight and tell him you want a date. He won’t be surprised.’ ‘Can’t.’ ‘Why not.’ ‘I always had my back to him.’ ‘You mean you wouldn’t recognise him? That was a real fernfick. You’ll have to walk up and down the platform and see if anyone
Sexual content 7.Alarm Bells By the time I was strap-hanging my way north on Monday morning, I was on fire with enthusiasm for this woman – Inanna – my soul sister. She had stirred dissent wherever she went and was closely connected to war and to Venus, the Northern and Southern star, the same entity but discontinuous when observed – a bit like the rush hour on the Northern Line, whichever direction you take. That was her character. She was the wickedness of the big city, without shame or apology. Pulling out of Clapham Common, it came to me – the cause of my disquiet. No man would have told Inanna to wear blue stockings and turn to the glass, facing the rear, and await a man’s pleasure, at her rear. Inanna called the shots. Men worshipped at her body, once she had chosen them. As difficult as it would be to deny him, I knew I would not undertake my return journey on
Sexual content 9.Inanna Wins How was that? Golliath Typical bloke. Always needing praise and reinforcement. And he can’t spell his own name. I replied. It was a bit disappointing really. You more worshipped the cloth than the flesh. Try again tomorrow and be a bit more intimate – bolder. Incidentally, you have only one l in Goliath. Bluestockings The reply was not long in coming. Fuck the spelling! Have you any idea, Bluestockings, what it is like living on the edge with you, on the train home? That was not my problem. I had worked hard enough to get it this far, to overcome my inhibitions, become as bold as Inanna. Things were improving. I could do some work during the day as w