The Granny Flat by Karen Blayne

Oh by the way red tape first.

Be warned these short stories contain mature content or naughty bits and as such may corrupt you if you’re under 12, 16, 18, 21 or 25 depending where you live thus they are not suitable for you so put them back on the shelf and let them age for a year or two.

They were sort of scribbled for fun. They were first posted on asstr.org. If you’ve paid money for this book just be aware the author has not received any payment. In fact no one has permission to charge money for this book and copyright is retained by the author. ©2019 All copies must be of the complete document. Asstr.org accepts donations if you’re feeling rich or even if you’re not.

Luv Karen.

Sam carried his bride over the threshold. “So what do you think?” “It’s second hand?” “Well yes we could knock it down and rebuild but it is only ten years old and in a good established neighbourhood.” “How can you have a ten-year-old home in an established neighbourhood?” “The previous owner knocked down the old house and rebuilt it.” She wrinkled her nose “We could go green I suppose and recycle or reuse it?” “We could do.” “It would be faster to give it a good clean and fix it up than build new?” “It would indeed.” She wiggled out of his arms and set off to explore. “It’s not too bad. I like the bedrooms and en suites. We could have new appliances?” He nodded whatever his darling wanted she would have. They did a bit of quick shopping for a duvet, pillows and sheets then they camped out in their new home.

She called the maid agencies but no one was willing to provide a cleaner at short notice. She talked to the neighbours and they all said they had problems getting someone. “Mom where can I get a cleaner?” “I’ll have mine give you a call.” “It’s a long way out but I can send my daughter to help give it a deep clean as a special favour.”

Emma looked over the house. “It’s big, isn’t it?” “But cleanable on a daily basis?” “It took me an hour to get here on the bus and it will be more than an hour to get home, so on a daily basis not really worth it.” She looked at the disappointment on the girl’s face. “Why daily?” “My mother-in-law has high standards. I’ve seen her sniff at my sister-in-law’s house because there were fingerprints on the appliances in the kitchen.” Emma looked over the kitchen. “Are you changing anything?” She said looking at the fingerprints on the stainless steel fridge. “I thought I’d change all the appliances.” “I could ask around and see which stainless steel appliances didn’t show fingerprints. A couple of robotic vacuum cleaners and that would keep it under control so I just would need to come one day a week.” “I could pay you an extra fifty for travel if it’s just one day a week as well.”

“Now these carpets need cleaning. You could get a company in or.” “Go on?” “Well the home steam cleaners are very good these days and Jack’s shifts have been cut so I could ask him to give them a good go if you brought the steam cleaner?”

Jack steam cleaned the carpets and moved furniture and with Emma’s help the house slowly turned into a home. Mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to tea and afterwards Charlotte collapsed happy. Not a single word had been said about dust or fingerprints.

“We ought to have a house warming dinner? Say twenty guests, sit down meal, can we manage something?” Charlotte knew her limitations so would get the caterers in. She had Emma come in specially the morning of the dinner party so everything would be spotless. Then disaster, the caterers rang. They couldn’t make it. Emma found her sitting in a state of total shock. “It can’t be that bad?” “It can. I have no caterers for the dinner party this evening.” “You could prepare something?” Charlotte gave her a look. “Sending out for pizza won’t cut it?” “Not with the people who are coming.” “Well I have one menu I could prepare for you?” Charlotte looked intrigued. “Mom used to do one of the embassies and I’d get parked in the kitchen whilst she did her thing.” There was another look this time of more interest. “The chef often didn’t have a lot to do so he taught me a few courses. I should have the recipes on my phone somewhere. Mind you it’s been a day or two since I made them but I’m fairly certain I remember how.” They set off for ingredients then set to work in the kitchen working together. The meat was trimmed to half the quantity the other half was put to one side. Once the dishes were in the oven the trimmings were thrown together in a stew. “We could throw in a bottle of red wine in and call it a ragout. It should freeze nicely.”

The dinner party went well and afterwards Sam asked who she’d got to do the catering. “The caterers dropped out at the last minute so Emma, our cleaner, did it with me helping. She learnt from a chef at an embassy whilst her mother was cleaning there. Unfortunately she only knows one menu so I suppose I’d better do some cordon blue cookery lessons sometime.” “She sounds like a gem.” “She is.” Charlotte snuggled down against Sam and basked in his attention.

“We’ve hit a snag on the Hargraves contract.” “Does that mean our vacation has gone?” “It’s worth a few million if I can salvage it.” Charlotte wrinkled her nose “I don’t think I can cancel it. There were two prices and one was pay in full beforehand which was a lot cheaper as it was the off season and the other was more expensive but allowed you to cancel. I was saving money at the time.” “We could send Emma?” “I’ll ask her on Tuesday.”

“Emma you wouldn’t like to do me a favour would you?” “Go on?” “Sam has to stay to look after a contract that has gone wrong but we’d booked a vacation. I know it’s the off season but would you and Jack care to use the tickets? It’s all paid for and we can’t cancel it.”

Jack and Emma were boarded first and guided to two very comfortable seats. “How the other half lives eh Emma?” Emma gave a professional look over the seat pockets and seats. They could be cleaner. Still it was only for a few hours. “It’s nice to have a bit of room I must say.” Once they were in the air the steward came round and offered them a complimentary drink and a choice of snacks. “It’s a bit different up the front. Fancy not having to pay for each item and we didn’t get charged for baggage.” “Don’t worry.” Mentioned a stewardess “We charge so much extra for travelling first that we make up for it in the price of the ticket.”

At the hotel the doorkeeper looked at their luggage asked politely if they had the right hotel. Jack gave him a look, “Well we have a reservation I trust.” At the desk the clerk looked at their reservation then called a manager over for a quick conference. “Problems?” “I’m sorry for the delay. I was just confirming the change of name. Would you like a porter to carry your luggage?” “We’ll be fine thank you.” “Enjoy your stay.”

They caught the elevator to the twentieth floor. Jack had a firm hold of their single bag. Their’s was the last room on the corridor. Emma looked over the cleaner’s cart as they approached. “You’ve got the new lightweight vacuum cleaner I see, any good?” The cleaner gave her an odd look. “You must be in the trade.” She replied hesitantly “Oh dear am I that obvious? But yes I’m a cleaner normally but one of the families I do for had to back out at the last moment so we were given the vacation.” The cleaner looked at the door that Jack had just opened. “They must have money then seeing as you’ve got one of the nicest rooms in the hotel.” She stepped into the room and showed them all the amenities before bidding them “I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Jack looked round the room and bounced on the bed. “I’m not sure I feel at home here it’s all very grand. Do you think we’ll be expected to dress for dinner?” A look of horror came over Emma. “Surely not?” “We could sneak out and find a pizza place?” “Certainly not. We can’t afford it. Charlotte specifically mentioned table d'hôte was included.” “They’ll just have to take us as we are then.” After Charlotte had unpacked their few belongings and hung them up there was a knock at the door, she opened it to see the cleaner had returned with a trolley. “I hope you don’t mind but I recalled some guests left some clothes behind that might fit you.” “You mean we’re too scruffy for this place?” came from Jack. “No if you wish to eat in jeans and a tee shirt that is acceptable.” She turned to Emma “Wouldn’t you like to see him a Tux?” “We can’t wear someone else’s clothes. Shouldn’t you send them back?” Julie lifted a cobweb baby doll nightdress. “Our average male guest is somewhat older than their significant other. Rather than cause a divorce by sending something like this back to Mrs. Smith at her husband’s address the hotel policy is only to return things when asked. After a year they get thrown in the garbage. These were due to be thrown out last week but I hadn’t quite got round to it. If they fit you’d at least be recycling them.” “Put like that I’d better take a look.”

The suitcases were opened and the contents revealed. A little creased but with the steamer in the corner these were soon dealt with. Emma held one of the dresses up in front of her. “You could wear these yourself?” She hazarded. “Where would I wear such dresses?” “Who did they belong to?” The gentleman died of a cocaine overdose and his lady of the night took off in the night. The local police would like to talk to her.” “So neither will be demanding their clothes back?” “Precisely, when you go down to eat ask for José, he’s a friend of mine. He’ll look after you.” “I feel I should repay you in some way.” “You have already just by being here. It’s the quiet season for us so if you hadn’t come I would have been given fewer shifts. José is the same.”

Emma looked at the cobweb nightdress and slipped into the bathroom to change. Not bad she thought as she admired herself in the mirror. She stepped back into to the room. “What do you think?” Jack looked stunned for a moment then dashed across and picked her up carrying her to the king-sized bed. “Jack we mustn’t. It’s still afternoon we can’t in the middle of the afternoon. It’s daylight.” Jack threw his clothes off, “Today on vacation we’re being decadent.” Emma found his lust infectious and she tugged him quickly inside her to make the most of his lust. Afterwards they lay back on the bed. “She’ll know you know.” “Who will?” “Julie when she comes to tidy the room.” “Does it bother you?” “I suppose not.” She lent across and gave him a kiss on the nose. “Lunch sir? Once we get changed of course.”

That evening they got dressed up to dine. “Turn round and let me admire you.” Jack grinned and performed a pirouette. “Now you.” Emma turned round and the full skirt bellowed out round her legs. “Perfection.” He held out his arm “Now Mrs. Bryant shall we dine?” Giggling Emma took his arm and together they braved their way down to the dining room. The maître d'hôtel met them at the entrance. “Any special preferences?” “A waiter called José please.” “Certainly madam. This way if you please.” José smiled at them indulgently. “Julie mentioned you’d be along. I wouldn’t worry about the lady in the corner she’s just jealous you’re wearing a Parisian designer dress even if it is last year’s design.” “Heavens am I?” “That design was all the rage last year. Now then sir and madam would you care to choose from the table d'hôte menu?” A waiter passed carrying a burger on a china plate followed by a wine waiter carrying a glass of beer. “You may command a burger and fries but I wouldn’t recommend it. Pierre gets a little upset about being asked for them and the prices are premium. Beer is $50 a glass by the way. However, some clients like to show their wealth by commanding such things.” He glanced at Jack looking confused at the menu in French. “For you sir I suggest the second item down, basically a beef steak but don’t tell Pierre I said so and for madam the last item which is a light chicken-based dish. To start I suggest the soup and salmon for the fish course.” Jack looked relieved at having the decision taken away from him and Emma nodded her acceptance.

José felt like a little fun so he pulled a cart up behind Jack and poured him out a half pint of sparkling wine. He poured out a flute for Emma. “Now sir I thought you might like a sip of this. It’s fizzy at least.” Jack stared at it. “Lager?” José handed the flute to Emma who sipped it. “Champagne?” José nodded. “Mine as well?” “Of course sir.” “Can we afford it?” “In this hotel many wish to impress. One way is to order a bottle of vintage champagne but rarely is the bottle finished so I’ve given you the rest of the bottle rather than throw it away. In Julie’s words we look after our own. It was opened an hour ago so it has lost some of its sparkle but it should still be drinkable. Now if you’ll excuse me a young gentleman has just arrived and he looks the type who will want to impress his young lady friend.” José rotated the champagne bottle so the label was towards the newcomers. Emma heard the words drift across “Certainly sir, and to drink?” There was an almost imperceptible glance towards their bottle and another bottle of vintage champagne had been sold.

The maître d'hôtel glanced in their direction. Emma was tasting the salmon but rolling it in her mouth. Was something wrong perhaps? “Is everything to your satisfaction madam?” He enquired “The salmon has been cooked sous vid and I was just trying to identify the added herbs.” Well it was quiet so Pierre was dispatched to talk to Emma about which herbs he’d used. “You have studied cooking perhaps?” “No I just played in the kitchen at the embassy and Monsieur Desroche let me make the occasional dish to keep me quiet I suppose.” They had a discussion about which dishes she had prepared under supervision and eventually Pierre invited her to the kitchens the following afternoon. “José will arrange it all.” José blinked and then replied directly after lunch he would arrange it all.

“I didn’t know you prepared French food?” “Well at the embassy I was allowed to prepare a few dishes for twenty diners. It’s quite different to cooking for two. The kitchen has a wider range of gadgets for a start.” Jack grinned “I’m learning more about you each day.” Emma looked round to see if anyone was looking before putting her tongue out at him.

Strolling back slowly through the hotel, they heard the beat of Chuck Berry pounding out. Jack looked at Emma in a questioning manner and she nodded. Emma thought her flats weren’t ideal for dancing swing but they danced through two songs throughly enjoying themselves as they went to sit down to catch their breath one of the granddaughters arrived. “May I borrow him?” She asked Emma. “As long as I get him back.” Came the reply. She watched them on the floor get the feel for each other when she noticed a whispered request and Jack nod. They moved to a place here there was a little more room and their dancing grew wilder. It was the girl who was doing much of the moves and Jack although dancing made smaller moves until the girl was twirled upside down across Jack’s back but just carried on dancing. Jack surprised her by launching himself to turn top over tail whilst still holding his partner’s hand. The band extended the number but eventually it came to an end. “Thank you.” The girl said as they returned and a young man came up to her. “Hi Jerry I was just passing the time until you finished your conversation.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and led him away.

“Crazy moves, was it someone you knew?” “No but she’d seen me at a Boogie Woogie dance competition.” “This is a side of you I hadn’t seen before.” “Well I’m fairly strong and so one of the girls at school decided I’d be the ideal partner.” “And?” “Her mother offered to pay me to partner her darling daughter at her dance class as there were so few boys. I kept very quiet about it.”

The next evening they were seated in a more prominent table. “Why the change of table?” “Ambiance is everything here and the maître d'hôtel felt that madam’s Parisian designer gowns add to the ambiance besides which if I might say so sir is under sixty so has an attraction in his own right.” Emma looked round to see subtle glances were being cast towards Jack’s way by the granddaughters of many of the diners. “You mean I could rent him out as a gigolo?” “Well if you do run short of cash I’m sure the group of elderly widows in the corner would be delighted at his availability.” Emma grinned and this time it was Jack who put out his tongue.

Sam sat and watched the contract being signed. The stumbling block had been a misunderstanding but once he had gone through with both parties and explained his interpretation to them they had agreed that was what both parties wanted. Both sets of lawyers had finally agreed the document passed their inspection. Now finally he could go home to a few days off. He switched his phone off and headed for home. “The wander has returned at last.” “For the day or longer?” “I have no further meetings scheduled for the rest of the time I planned to take off. So what would you like to do?” “The truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” “Sounds expensive but go on.” “Just hide here, just the two of us doing nothing.” “Food?” “Emma made some stews which are in the freezer we could live the simple life. Go to bed early and get up late.” Sam started to get undressed. “Time for bed then I suppose.” “Sam it’s the middle of the day.” “So?” “Well respectable people don’t in the middle of the day.” Sam picked her up and carried her to the bedroom where he dropped her on the bed. He ran his hand up her skirt, exposing her thigh. “Mrs. Sinclair, you don’t look very respectable to me.” Charlotte got the giggles and he started to tickle her. Quickly it degenerated to a pillow fight and shortly after they started to kiss and make up.

On the afternoon before they left Julie popped by and asked them if they could spare the time to meet with one of the assistant managers. “She’s friendly.” Emma agreed and was escorted down to the assistant manager’s office. “Thank you for coming. I understand from Julie that the staff have been enjoying having you stay but I have a couple of questions.” “Go ahead.” “I understand you have been working with Pierre in the kitchens?” “It won’t get him into any trouble will it?” “No not at all, one of the problems we have is filling the hotel in the low season and keeping our staff occupied. I wandered if you thought Pierre could teach a small group Cordon Bleu recipes? We have a small kitchen and a class room we use for staff training.” “I think he could but I’d concentrate on just one or two recipes. I learnt one dish when I was a child from an embassy chef. One dish is fairly easy to learn but can be served at a dinner party.” “Yes I think I can see that. Now the other thing I’d really like you to do is write a review of the hotel for us on social media. I have a list of things I’d like you to include but in your own words please.” “Surely you can have someone ghost a review?” “Yes but these days we cater to a wide range of guests. One hesitates to think of where they money came from but we know where we’d like them to spend it and burgers with fries are so popular and profitable even if Pierre thinks they are beneath him. I understand he enjoyed teaching you so thank you for keeping him distracted by the way.” “So you’d like comments such as the skimpy bikinis round the swimming pool were barely respectable?” Emma dug him in the ribs and the manager laughed. “If it draws the punters in that’s all that matters.” “I could mention the four wheeled drive golf carts and the off road trail with the electric quad bikes were fun to drive.” “So that’s what you got up to in the afternoons?” The manager turned the screen towards them and passed them the keyboard. “Off you go.”

“So how was the vacation?” “Fabulous, I ended up trading recipes with Pierre. Being out of season I suspect he was bored anyway. One to his five so now I can pass them on but we’ll need a few more things in the kitchen.” “I like it.” “Jack looked longingly at a glass of beer so José gave him vintage Champagne in a half pint glass.” Charlotte creased herself with laughter.

“My period’s a week late and a pregnancy test is positive.” “Can you tell that early?” “Apparently want to try a test strip?” Emma blanched when she saw the result. “I never thought about it but my period’s late as well.” “Congratulations?” “No rather the reverse, it’s bad enough sharing Jack’s old room at his parents but with a baby as well and Jack’s just been given notice. He might keep his job but they are laying off at least two hundred so finding somewhere to rent will be a problem and I’m not sure how long I can keep coming all the way across town.”

Charlotte frowned. “There is a granny flat over the garage. It’s pokey but want to look at it?” They walked across and both looked at the dust lying around. “We could turn the robotic vacuum cleaners lose on it to start with. That’s if you think it will do. It’s terribly small. I think its only 2,000 square feet.” Emma looked round “It’s bigger than Jack’s parents.” “But you’d have to share a bathroom and there’s no basement.It does have its own garage and there is a sort of utility room behind the garage.” “How much rent would you want?” Charlotte blinked “You mean you think it would do?” “I think so but getting to work would be a problem and dropping baby off at my mum’s so she could babysit.” “I’ll let you into a secret half the neighbours are looking for a cleaner and if you combined you with those robotic things I think you’d do quite well and if I have a baby as well it is almost as easy to look after two as one. We can sort something out.” “Jack’s job?” “Well we were thinking of paying $40,000 for a landscaper so that money is available and getting someone trustworthy to do little jobs is impossible. Rent, forget it. It doesn’t earn anything at the moment and I’m sure it will be better if it’s lived in.” “I’ll talk it over with Jack.” “And I’ll mention it to Sam.”

“Well girl it will mean we get away from my parents and I think you’d prefer your own home especially with a baby coming. I’m not so sure about landscaping but I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.” They decided they’d move in as soon as Jack’s job came to an end. Emma decided they ought to put some money to one side since they weren’t paying rent.

“So this is one of the dishes that Emma was taught on her holiday?” “Yes do you like it?” “Definitely but tell me more about Jack. Has he got a trade?” “I don’t think so but Emma mentioned his old company were offering retraining packages.” “They aren’t paying rent, I wonder if Jack has thought about doing an apprenticeship?” “The company paying for the college course?” “And I might have a few contacts afterwards. We could throw them the odd bag of flour etc.” “Why?” “He might be useful as a handyman afterwards and it might make him feel more comfortable about money.” “I’ll talk to Emma.”

“Emma why is that glass jar full of money?” “Oh we thought we’d put a fifth of our income in the rent jar. Does that make sense?” “I’ll talk to Sam.”

“Right now if you leave it in the jar someone might steal it.” “Just let them try.” Growled Jack. “If I may suggest if we invested it in the stock market and used a tax shelter the money would grow more quickly.” “Could you set it up? And would it make our tax returns more complicated?” Asked Emma. Sam said he would and he’d see to the tax returns.

“I liked the jar. You know where you are with a jar.” “Yes but to keep on the best side of Charlotte and Sam we’ll do as he suggests.” Jack wrinkled his nose and nodded his agreement.

“At least we’re going through this together and have each other for support.” “Have you thought about using a midwife rather than a doctor?” Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “I suspect Sam will want me in a hospital with a team of gynaecologists on hand.” “Sounds a bit sterile.” “I’ll talk to my GP and see what she thinks. You might as well come too and get registered.”

“As far as I can see you’re both low risk so you’re probably as safe at home with a midwife as in hospital and to be honest personally I’d prefer a midwife.” They saw one and she talked them through what to do and what to avoid and answered their questions. They both decided to opt for a home birth, Charlotte thought it made more sense for Emma to give birth in one of the spare bedrooms.

The two babies were born within hours of each other. Georgina, Charlotte’s girl, just before midnight and Robert, Emma’s boy, shortly after four a.m. “Do they always come during the night?” asked Sam. “Four a.m. is the most popular time for spontaneous births but late evening is quite popular as well. I think they know the traffic’s clear if they need to get to a hospital.” Sam looked confused, “I was joking. There is a theory I was taught that in a hunter gather community it’s the only time when everyone is together so there is more support if needed. During the day everyone is away from the camp site.”

Sam paid the expenses for three short-listed nannies come to visit. He felt that the chemistry would be important and Charlotte and Emma interviewed them all then discussed which would be best. Emma was hesitant about putting her views forward but eventually they settled on a Portugese nanny. She was agreeable so Sam handed the other two some money for their time and thanked them for coming. Carolina was a graduate who had been unemployed in Portugal and so was hoping to improve her English and eventually get permanent residency.

“I’ve been reading up about child development.” “Don’t they do that by themselves?” Replied Emma. “Apparently chatting to them, narrating what you are doing helps.” “And it would help my English as well I suppose.” Georgina and Robert were talked to. Even Jack and Sam got dragged in to chat to them. “The more different voices they hear the better.”

“ I know we want to keep on their best side but all this talking to the infants I have my doubts about. I mean where will it all lead?” “I’m not sure but it will give your son an edge later on.” “For what purpose? He won’t have the money behind him. He won’t fit in with the moneyed set and neither will he fit in with the poorer set like us. Wouldn’t he be happier as a tradesman like me?” Emma lent in and kissed him. “I’m sure it will be fine and you never know he might even be able to fix your laptop when it hiccups.” Jack beamed thinking of the words restart now to install the update that always filled him with dread. “I never thought of that. We’ll carry on then.”

Sam looked pleased with himself. “I brought Jack a new lawn mower that snow blows drives as well. Charlie’s landscaper had one and said it was the best available so I brought one for Jack.” Charlotte wondered about it. “Emma, Sam’s just brought a lawn mower that blows snow for Jack to use. He seems terribly pleased with himself to have chosen the best so could you have a word with Jack to be tactful about it as I’m quite sure Sam knows nothing about lawn mowers.”

“Jack, Sam’s brought you a lawn mower.” “I suppose that means he’d like me to cut the grass?” “I think he’s willing to pay you the going rate but Charlotte thinks he doesn’t really know much about lawn mowers although he seemed pleased with himself for choosing it. Something about it blows snow as well?” “Sounds odd still we’ll see.”

The delivery truck towing a trailer pulled up by the house. “Where do you want it?” Emma suggested “On the drive?” “Done.” The driver unhitched the trailer’s ramp and drove off a big yellow something or other. Jack wondered across to see what was happening and looked startled at what he saw. “That’s a lawn mower?” He asked. “Well you could use it as one. Air-conditioned cab and the grass cutting bit fits on the front. You’ve got a set of accessories to go with it.” The hydraulic arm started up and pallets were unloaded from the flatbed onto the drive. “Right fine grass cutter.” He pointed to the first pallet. “Bush cutter, coarse angled grass cutter, heavy duty snow blower, snow plough, ice breaker, pallet forks, utility fork, angle broom, power rake, general purpose bucket and auger. Sign here please.” Jack signed. “What is it by the way?” “It’s a Wacker Neuson articulating wheel loader with accessories. Have fun.” With that he drove off.

Sam drove up back from work to see the drive cluttered with pallets and a large yellow four wheeled drive something or other. “Sam did you look at one before you brought it?” “No I just took Charlie’s advice. What are all the pallets?” “Apparently it has things that plug in the front.” “Charlie mentioned it did all sorts of different things.” “Does that mean I can keep it?” Asked Jack. “Well yes that was the idea. To save money I thought it would be quicker to use this than a small push mower.” “Well yes I could cut the entire street with this baby and clear all the drives of snow in the winter.” “Good then it’s not a waste of money. I suppose we could put all the bits in the back of the garage?” Jack shook his head before fitting the pallet forks on so he could move the pallets into the back of the garage. Later Emma asked him if it wasn’t too bad. “It’s the sort of thing men dream about for Christmas, the ultimate boy toy. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sam himself didn’t want a go with it.” “But it cuts grass?” “The big lawns yes, faster than a ride on mower.” “Do you want me to ask my customers down the street if they want their grass cutting?” “Go ahead.”

One of Sam’s colleagues was casually invited back for a dinner party that Charlotte had carefully planned beforehand to show off her latest dish she’d been taught by Emma. “You’ve thrown my table out.” “I thought it was extendable?” “No the balance of course and it’s short notice so whomever I ask will feel offended for not being invited earlier.” “Carolina and pay her overtime?” “I’ll ask but next time give me more warning.”

“Sam has invited one of his colleagues which has unbalanced my table so could I bribe you to make it balanced once more?” “Well I would but all I have is jeans and we aren’t the same size so borrowing something from you won’t work.” Emma looked thoughtful, “We are the same size so why not look through my wardrobe.” Carolina looked doubtful. “Come and look at them anyway.”

The evening dresses from the vacation were brought out of storage and examined. “But these are gorgeous. Did I get that right? They must have cost a fortune.” “They probably did. Parisian designer dresses and they didn’t cost me anything so try them on.” They borrowed Charlotte’s steamer to remove any lingering creases. Charlotte looked over Carolina’s evening dress with envy. “I must be paying you too much Emma. It’s an original isn’t it?” “The hotel thought Jack and I looked a bit down market so one of the cleaners was nice and came up with some abandoned dresses so I didn’t actually pay anything for them.” Charlotte turned to Carolina, “Sam’s colleague is not a very social animal. He sort of has a one track mind.” “Double pay to be charming to him?” “You’ll never manage it.” For double pay she was determined to manage it. “What are his interests?” “Interest only and at the moment it’s putting together a plan for wind turbines.” Carolina smiled to herself, you never know.

Michael had a distracted air about him when Charlotte introduced the pair. “You’re supposed to tell me I’m beautiful you know.” “Why? You already know it and I’m sure others have told you before me.” “Well I could bore you to tears with the trade offs between the different high voltage DC and AC systems over long distances.” Michael suddenly started to pay attention this was a side of wind turbines he hadn’t thought about in depth yet, getting the power to the consumer. The dinner party ran very smoothly other than Michael pulling out a notepad and scribbling notes. “Does Michael understand Portugese or something?” Charlotte asked Sam. “Not as far as I know but he seems very content in her company.”

“Michael has saying he enjoyed the food and I think he’s hinting he’d like to be invited again.” “I’ll see what Emma and Carolina think.” “Get dressed up again and have an adult conversation? I think I could manage if I can borrow another dress from Emma. I won’t even charge you overtime.” “Why not and we can prepare the main dish together.”

This time Michael was prepared and came with a list of questions. Carolina took one look at them “Today I’ll go through your questions but only after the dinner party and you have to take part in the conversation around the table during the meal.” Michael managed to blurt out “I never was much good at small talk.” “Well now is your chance to practise.” “An hour afterwards?” “An hour afterwards.” It became apparent to Charlotte that Michael had a very wicked dry sense of humour hidden away behind his single tracked mind. It was rather fun watching him look to Carolina occasionally for approval. “So how did you do it?” “Do what?” Carolina answered innocently but then relented. “He has a list of points he wants me to look at so I said I’d give him an hour after dinner if he was good at table.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Michael so relaxed before. Did you put something in his drink?” “No Carolina bribed him with an hour of talking over some points he wanted her to look at after dinner.”

“I’ve signed up Georgina and Robert for Montessori preschool in the mornings. Is that OK?” “We can’t afford the fees.” “No matter we’ll cover it but at least Georgina will have someone she knows with her.”

“What on earth is Montessori preschool?” Emma shrugged her shoulders “If it’s good enough for the English Royal family it’s good enough for your son, besides its free day care.” “I don’t think he has the right family connections to become King of England.” Emma picked up a cushion and threw it at him.

Carolina looked thoughtful. “I could prepare a Portugese dish?” “Want me to invite Michael?” “The thought hadn’t crossed my mind but it might help balance the table.” Charlotte gave her a glance and Carolina blushed.

The meal went well and afterwards Carolina went through Michael’s project papers and made comments. “I hope you got all your questions answered?” Murmured Charlotte as she passed them a coffee. “I think so but I’m sure I’ll have more for next time.” Charlotte wandered off. “What an odd thing to say?” “The children have been registered for preschool.” “So?” “I might have to find another job.” “Easy work for me.” “But I have the wrong sort of work permit unless you require a nanny. I could apply for the right sort but it would take a year or two and there is no assurance it would come through.” “Isn’t there anything that can be done?” “If we were married it would be easier.” Carolina lent forward and kissed him lightly on the lips then wandered off to the kitchen. “Did Emma mention one of her clients was thinking of moving to be closer to her grandchildren?” “Three houses away, why were you thinking of buying?” “No but Michael might. He’s sat in a state of shock at the moment.” “What did you do to him?” “Just mentioned if we were married it would be easier to get a work permit.” “I’ll go and tell him about the house coming up and how he could save the Realtors fees if he got it quick.”

Michael insisted on paying Emma a 1% fee on the house saying it was a lot less than an agent would have cost him.

The phone rang at two am. Jack sleepily answered it and started to get dressed when he put the phone down. “Who was it?” “The city snow clearing department. Two of their units have broken down and they heard I have a sidewalk snow blower.” “So?” He told her how much per hour they were offering and said they had four days work, twenty four hours a day if he wanted it. “You can’t work twenty four hours a day.” “Ring Josh and Allen up and offer them half the amount per hour for driving it and we can take it in shifts.”

“Jack isn’t very good at paperwork and the city want an invoice off him so they can pay him for snow clearing after the last storm.” “Did he do it by himself?” “No he had a couple of mates help him out.” “Let me talk to Sam.”

That evening Sam sat down with Emma and Jack and a laptop. “Unbirthday present, its three years old so the company has replaced it but it was the top of the line three years ago and I had a new SSD installed so it should be reliable. I loaded up some software and assuming you haven’t already formed a company I had my administrative assistant register one for you.” “Why would I want company?” “Charlotte mentioned you had two employees and you’re dealing with the city?” “Yes?” “It’s better if it’s done right. Besides if you take a dividend out of the company it’s a much lower rate of tax than if you get paid a wage.” Sam guided them through the program and inserted the worker’s names and their hours and rate of pay. Then created the invoice and showed Emma how to send it electronically. “Somehow I suspect young Robert will need to know a lot more about computers than I ever did.” “Now we need to set the deprecation rate and the value of the company’s assets.” Jack and Emma exchanged looks. “A pity you haven’t got half a dozen employees.” “Why?” “We could set up a benefits plan.” Emma looked at him in wonder “You mean a dental plan and so forth?” “It comes out of the company’s income before tax so not only does it insure against sudden bills but there is less tax to pay.” “So if I worked for the company that would count?” “Yes. The other possibility is if you know someone who can find their own work then pay them 95% of the contract value keeping 5% to cover the paperwork.” “I know a couple of cleaners who would be interested.” “And of course you could have a pension plan.” “But wouldn’t the fees be expensive?” “The Saskatchewan pension plan is low fee and open to any Canadian.” “Looks like I’ve just become a small business owner. I’ll talk to Josh and Allen but I suspect they’d be interested and we can make a bit more use of the yellow tractor. The City was asking if I’d be interested in sweeping the sand and grit off the sidewalks in the spring and when I mentioned the ice breaker for sidewalks the guy was quite excited and said he’d have to find a second unit to plough after the ice was broken up.”

“They’re six years old. That’s old enough to walk to school. It is only fifteen minutes walk.” “I’ll talk to Charlotte and see what she says.”

“You mean let them walk unaccompanied?” “Well there are two of them and as Jack says it’s better if they learn to be independent.” “They seem so young. I’ll talk to Sam.” “If they both carry a phone I don’t see why not.” “I thought we’d decided no smartphones.” “I was thinking of a flip open granny style one.” “I’ll have Jack hand them over and talk to them about the idea.”

“Right you two school is fifteen minutes walk away so you can walk to school. You’ll carry one of these each and if there are any problems you ring home using the speed dial.” Georgina looked at him then at Robert. “You don’t think we might get lost?” “Just don’t wear a red coat, stay out of the woods and beware of any bedridden grandmothers with big eyes.” Georgina eyes nearly popped out of her head. “He’s joking.” Blurted out Robert. “That was just a fairy story.” “Oh but you’ll be there anyway.” “Now both of you practise phoning me.” He made them ring his phone four times each then Charlotte’s phone four times as well. “Right you’re set.”

“Mom Jack says I’m not to wear a red coat when I walk past the woods to school.” “Since your coat is blue you’ll be safe. I take it he mentioned to avoid bedridden grandmas?” “How did you know?”

Georgina looked in horror as the old lady slipped and fell on the sidewalk. “Robert we need to help her.” They crossed the road together. “Can you get up?” The old lady struggled but couldn’t manage it. “We need your dad.” “Shall I run to get help?” “No silly we can use the phone.” Jack nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the number on call display. “What’s up?” “An old lady has fallen in the street.” “What’s the nearest house number?” Robert read out the number slowly. “Stay where you are and I’ll come to you.” He rang Charlotte and together with Emma they set off in Charlotte’s runabout. Georgina waved to them as they arrived. Emma looked the old lady over. “You don’t seem to have broken anything so what would you like me to do? I can call an ambulance or ask Jack to carry you into your home?” “I’d like to be carried inside please. My keys are in my bag.” Jack picked her up and carefully carried Mrs. Chung inside and put her down on the sofa. “I’d like to try to stand now.” He held her hand as she stood up. “There that’s done now I can sit down and relax a little.” “I’ll make you a cup of tea shall I or would you prefer coffee?” “Tea please.”

Georgina and Robert sat quietly wide eyed on the floor. “She’s got big eyes.” Georgina whispered to Robert. “Are you a grandma?” “Yes, would you like to see my grandchildren?” “What are you two thinking of?” “Daddy said we had to be careful of grandmothers in bed with big eyes.” The old lady smiled “You’re safe I only eat little girls in red coats with a hood.” Georgina’s and Robert’s eyes grew wider if anything. Jack laughed “The pair of you are safe.” “But how did she know?” “Fairy stories have been around a long time.”

“Here’s your tea. Now then what can we do for you?” “Don’t tell my son.” “Why not?” “After my last fall he’ll have me in a home and I don’t want to go. If he doesn’t do that he’ll demand I have a qualified caregiver in to check up on me everyday telling me what I can eat and what I can’t.” “But you need someone to check up on you in case you have another fall.” Interjected Charlotte “Why not have Emma come and do your cleaning?” “What she means is I could set you up with a couple of robotic vacuum cleaners and just drop by once a day for a few minutes. I’m not a certified caregiver and it wouldn’t cost very much.” “Or Robert and I could say hello each day on the way home on school days.” Emma ran a professional eye round the home “And of course I can send Jack up to cut the grass and keep an eye on things.”

“What are you having for supper?” “Bangers and mash? You?” “Salad stuff.” “We’ll eat at my place then?” “Yeah best let your mom know.” “Why I’m cooking tonight.” “Really can I try?”

“Mom Georgina wants to go to ballet classes.” “So?” “Her mum wants me to go as well.” “So?” “Mom boys don’t do ballet classes. Dancing is sissy.” “Would you call you dad sissy?” Robert thought about his six-foot tall dad who was built solidly. “No.” “Well he went to ballet classes and boxers go to learn footwork.” “Did dad really go to ballet classes?” “Yes his mother arranged it and he went under protest but he’s a very good dancer now. He was in the finals of a boogie woogie competition.” “How do you know?” “I’ve seen him dance and twirl a girl across his back.” “Wow you have to be strong for that.” “Don’t try it in the first lesson.” “Right mom.”

“Is our son really going pony riding?” “Georgina is but she’s afraid of the ponies but she’ll be brave if Robert goes with her.” “I never thought anyone in my family would ever go riding a pony. Come to that they both seem brighter than my nephews.” “Middle class up bringing.” “You don’t mind living in a posh neighbourhood?” “I have Charlotte and we are more friends than anything else.” “Let’s hope Sam doesn’t have to move for work.” “You mean save up in the good times and hope they last?” “Exactly.”

“Dad why do I have to study maths? It’s hard.” “Go and talk to Jack.” Georgina walked across to the granny flat. “Jack why do I have to study maths? I mean you work with your hands so why would you need maths?” Jack looked across to Emma. “First you want a successful marriage?” “Well yes doesn’t everyone?” “More than half the marriage breakups are over money. If you can budget then your marriage is more likely to succeed.” “They never told us that.” “Tell her about estimating a job.” Jack shrugged “Well yes I suppose. When a new job comes up I have to name a price on how much it will be and to do that I have to break it down then add up the time it will take and the materials and so forth. I have to estimate how long it will take based on the time of year and whether it will rain or not. If I can I mix in jobs I can do when it rains with ones I can’t do when it rains. If I get it wrong then there is no food on the table.” “Yuck so it really is useful. If there’s no food here I’d have to eat mum’s salads.” Georgina wandered off. “They don’t really decide where they’re eating based on what the choices are?” “I guess they do. However that might explain Charlotte sharing her fruit and vegetables with us.” “She does?” “She has a box delivered of organic fruit and veg each week which she says is far too much for them and passes some to me which means Georgina gets fed them as well.” “I did wonder we seem to have more around than I recall when I was younger.” “They are quite expensive and I doubt we could afford quite so many if she didn’t.”

“Alexis dear your cousin Iris is getting married in May and her mother writes do you have a boyfriend so she can get the numbers right for the caters.” “Write back and say yes.” “Do you have one?” “No but I will for the wedding otherwise I’ll get pitying looks and sympathy from all the aunts and great aunts. Your grand mother was married when she was sixteen so why are you taking so long together with the unspoken will no one have you.” “Don’t do anything rash.” “As if I would.” Now all she had to do was find an acceptable male. She wondered if Georgina would mind if she borrowed Robert for the day?

In class the next day she approached Georgina. “My cousin is getting married with a big formal wedding and I need an escort.” “I’d be delighted to escort you but wouldn’t your Aunts be in shock at two girls together?” Alexis closed her eyes and started to count to ten. “You can have Robert if you like. I can dress him up in a suit for you.” “I’ll ask him then?” “No need he’ll do it. Just text me the date and time I assume you want picking up? Actually why don’t you sleep over at my place the night before then Robert will take you straight there.” Alexis looked puzzled, she never did quite understand relationships and the Robert and Georgina was one she really didn’t understand. “Thanks.”

“Mom Alexis’s cousin is getting married at a big formal wedding.” “Is that the one who is always putting Alexis down?” “Yes.” “So?” “I thought Robert could escort her. He cleans up nicely and if she slept over here the night before I could do her hair?” “Have you spoken to Robert?” “No.” “It would be polite.” “Guess so.” “Isn’t she about the same size as Emma?” “A little slimmer I think.” “Have Alexis come over and talk very nicely to Emma about retro dresses.” “Emma?” “Emma.”

“Alexis mom thinks you should come over and spend the weekend with us.” “I had arranged to spend some time with Cathy.” “We could invite her as well?” “Your mom wouldn’t mind?” “Not at all.” Georgina recklessly committed her mom.

“So let’s get this right you’ll plan a formal dinner party for the first evening and I’ll play the role of interrogator.” “Caters and everything?” “No you can ask Emma very nicely to help you.” “Me?” “You have to start sometime and you’d better ask Robert at the same time and make sure he’s available for the wedding since I’m quite sure you haven’t mentioned it to him yet.” “Couldn’t you?” “No you do your own dirty work and if you want Robert in formal wear your dress allowance is looking healthy at the moment.”

Georgina knocked on the door to the granny flat and entered the kitchen when bid enter. “Alexis has to go to her cousin’s wedding and I thought she could sleep over first so I could do her hair but somehow it’s grown.” “Her hair?” “No, Mom thinks I should plan a formal dinner party first and I should ask you about a dress for Alexis.” “Now why would I be interested in you planning a dinner party?” “Please could you help me?” “Well I suppose so seeing as you asked so nicely and you can bring Alexis over when she comes and I’ll see what I can do. Have you spoken to Robert?” “Not exactly.” “Robert!” Robert came out from his bedroom and strolled up to the kitchen. “Georgina has something to ask you.” “As long as it doesn’t involve May 23rd that’s fine.” “May 23rd?” “It’s the big game.” Georgina looked crestfallen and Emma chortled. “Ignore him the season’s over and he never watches the games anyway. He’s just being awkward.” Georgina looked round for something suitable to beat Robert with. “Alexis thanked me.” He said quietly. “I should have asked you first?” “Might have been nice.” “Would you like to come to a formal dinner on Friday night with Alexis, Cathy, myself and my parents?” “Is a penguin outfit obligatory?” “You mean Dinner Jacket?” “Dinner Jacket, Monkey suit, penguin outfit same thing.” “I suppose so.” “He’d love to come.” “We could go shopping?”

“Dad always shops here.” They stood outside the store. “Do they rent?” “No I thought we’d just buy. It’s simpler. In we go but I get to choose.” “Sir, Miss?” “Formal morning and evening wear for Robert please.” “We could rent you know.” “But if we buy then on the morning wear side it will be obvious it is not rented.” “The image you mean?” “Exactly.” “Now are you after traditional or more modern? I’d suggest traditional style as it doesn’t date.”

Georgina looked him over carefully. He definitely looked good enough to eat. “Will I do?” “Definitely and I get to take you home.” The salesman’s lips twitched. “And for evening I suggest...” “Something that doesn’t take twenty minutes to tie round my neck.” “Nonsense I quite enjoyed tying it.”

They sat at the table, Mrs. Chung commenced an interrogation of Alexis but after the first few questions Charlotte intervened and had Mrs. Chung repeat the questions to her. This time the questions were parried and practically no information was given away. “See the technique. Now we’ll try again this time with Cathy being questioned.” Georgina didn’t do too badly but Alexis caught on to the technique and did very well against both Mrs. Chung and Charlotte. “There now you’re a little bit better prepared.” “And having eaten here I’m sure the wedding meal will be nothing in comparison.” “Georgina didn’t do too badly did she?” “But I couldn’t have done it without Emma. I hadn’t realised she knew so much.” “Are you expecting some hostility then?” Enquired Mrs. Chung. “That side of the family is a bit status oriented and has always put me down for being dowdy and not having a boyfriend so the idea is I’d use Robert as an escort to deflect comments.” “Let me see what I can arrange for transport.” “I’m staying here overnight before.” “That’ll be easy then. Something not too flashy, leave it to me.”

The next morning the girls walked across to the Granny flat and spoke to Emma about the dresses. “They’re old and twenty years out of date but see for yourself. I could never bring myself to throw them out.” Cathy’s jaw dropped, Alexis looked stunned even Georgina wasn’t expecting to see this quality of gown. “They must have cost a fortune.” “They did but they didn’t cost me anything. They are Parisian originals and the material and workmanship are very good. So if you think one might do?” “Might.” Whispered Alexis in hushed tones. “Shall we try the blue silk on you and see how it looks?” Alexis slipped off her dress and Emma carefully lowered the silk dress over her head. “Definitely retro and definitely a touch of class.” “So how does it feel?” “Sort of confidence boosting if that makes sense.” “When did you last wear it?” “On holiday, nine months before Robert was born.” The girls all blushed and giggled. Cathy looked it over very carefully “Would you mind if I raised the hem slightly?” “Or you could try a pair of shoes rather than barefoot?” “I could even wear heels to make this dress work.”

Alexis sat in front of the dressing table and peeped in the mirror. Charlotte stood behind her with a hair brush in her hand. “Now twenty years ago this style was all the rage.” Georgina looked on. “It would go with the dress.” “It makes me look different somehow.” “But do you like it?” “I’ll fetch Robert for his opinion.” “I’m in a dressing gown. You can’t let him see me like this.” “It is a very respectable dressing gown and I’m here to chaperon you.” Alexis nodded nervously and Robert was sent for. He appeared in his shirt with two black and silver Ascot cravats in his hand. “I’ve only got two left want to try tying it for me?” Georgina scurried across and very carefully tied his cravat and pinned it carefully with a jewelled tie pin. “There perfection. What do you think of Alexis’s new hairstyle?” Robert frowned and looked in Alexis’s direction. “Charming my dear.” “That means he likes it.” translated Charlotte.

Alexis stepped into the luxury car and sat down on the leather seats as Robert held the door open then walked round to the far side. “Now then sir if we’re to do this properly you leave opening and closing the door for the young lady to me.” The elderly driver spoke quietly over his shoulder.

At the church he drew to a halt then stepped round to open the door so Alexis could step out. The photographer started to take photos until the wedding organiser tapped him on the shoulder “That’s not the bride. She’s coming in a stretch limo. She must be a guest.” Robert stepped round the car and the capped chauffeur quietly and efficiently closed the door behind her before resuming his place behind the wheel and driving slowly off. Alexis’s dad stared at her for a moment or two before stepping forward to greet her. “Just look at you.” Alexis grinned back at him which was captured by the photographer. “Think I clean up well then?” Robert stepped forward “Pleased to meet you at last sir.” And shook hands.

The wedding organiser noticed the antique jewelled tie pin and turned to the bride’s mother “You didn’t mention one of the family had a Bentley?” “I wasn’t aware of it either.” They both turned back to look at the limo arriving at the church door. The bride opened the door herself and stepped out. The photographer looked to see if this was the right one and at an approving nod started to take photos. He’d have to photoshop the rust showing round the door frame of the limo.

The wedding ran smoothly, even the choirboys managed to sing at the right time and in tune. Afterwards the photographer took family groups by the church door. Even he recognised the difference between Robert’s outfit and the grooms and decided it was better not to include too many of him as his outfit looked far more elegant and restrained than the others but he motioned to Alexis and Robert to stay behind a moment or two at the end when he proceeded to shoot his standard set of bride and groom wedding photos at this church. Alexis was posed this way and that. “Now if you’ll both just sign this model release.” “Why?” “Well you two come across as the real thing if that makes sense and they’ll make really good photos to display to would be clients. With so many it has to be the soft focus lense and an hour with Photoshop to get it just right. I’ll send you copies.”

Alexis’s mother was questioned about Robert and his family. “Oh they’re just good friends. His father is in construction.”

“I bet she hired him from an escort agency for the day.” Robert overheard the catty remark so he slipped his arm round Alexis’s waist and deliberately kissed her. “Someone thinks you hired me from an escort agency.” At the sat down meal a few questions were hurled at Alexis’s head but compared to Mrs. Chung’s pointed questions they were mild and dealt with quite simply. Her dress was much admired. Yes it was an original but not quite the latest fashion.

After the meal the band started to play and the bride and bridesmaids looked round for the groom and best man. There seemed to be a shortage of males including her father so Iris dispatched one of the bridesmaids to seek them out. She found them gathered round the Bentley with its bonnet up listening to the chauffer explaining the differences between the English V8 and an American V8. “The S2 was the first to use a V8 and many of its design features evolved from the Rolls Royce Merlin engine used for the Spitfire, Hurricane fighter planes and even the Avro Lancaster Bomber. This particular model was handcrafted in 1960.” The men were fascinated by the tales and there was much shaking of heads about the heritage of the Bentley. “Gentlemen I’d better stop there as I suspect your presence is required inside.”

The wedding planner approached the chauffeur. “How can I hire this wonderful car?” “I’m afraid you can’t. The insurance doesn’t cover that sort of activity, just normal use by the family.” She mentioned the amount she thought she could get per day. “If the family runs into hard times I’ll be sure to let them know. She left her card just in case but accepted it was hopeless.

If Iris heard one more word about a certain car or any part of it from her groom on her wedding day she was going to commit murder. She turned to her father “And who would have thought they’d use wet liners and a gear driven cam shaft from the same design as the WW II aircraft engine.” Her mother dragged her off to one side. “You just have to let them talk it out of their system.” “But on my wedding day.” “Whose car is it anyway?” “Alexis mentioned Robert had arranged it and did you see her dress today?” Her mother gave a sympathetic sigh. “Why did she have to do an ugly duckling transformation today of all days.” She wailed.

The live band played and Alexis and Robert danced genteelly on the dance floor. Her parents watched from a side table. “I never thought that Alexis was interested in boys.” “I hadn’t noticed anything until now. I suspect she didn’t want to be shown up by her cousin and I’m not quite sure where she found her escort or that dress although she has slept over at Georgina’s a couple of times recently. I wonder if she has anything to do with this sudden transformation?”

“You dance very well.” “Thank you sweet maid. You aren’t so bad yourself.” They returned to the table where her parents were sat watching. The bride signalled to the band leader as she and the groom prepared to take the floor. They started to play a rock and roll number and the bride and groom started to jive, showing off with one or two fancy steps. “Would you like to?” “I don’t think this dress, my knowledge of jiving and so much energy go together but I can see someone on the far side looking at you as if to gain your attention.” He looked round then grinned in a predatory way. He took off his jacket and waistcoat and folded them on his chair. “Look after them for me.” He stepped across the room and invited a small slim girl to dance and together they took the floor. They moved slowly at first but then they seemed to sync their movements up and the pace of their footwork grew faster. The girl’s full skirt swirled in the air. They moved to give themselves more space and soon their moves were far more intricate than those of the bride and groom. Robert took his partner’s hands in his and stepped over them turning his back on her. She slid through his legs, popped up and they continued to dance. It was when he turned spun her upside down over his arm that the dance floor came to a halt as the other dancers paused to watch the display.

“Did you know he could dance like this?” Her mother asked Alexis. “No and I’m just glad it’s not me being swung around.” Robert did a sort of cartwheel that seemed to be part of the dance. His partner was lifted up and twirled over his back then he swung her round and continued dancing. The number ended and he brought his partner over to meet Alexis. Janet was breathing heavily more heavily than Robert. “Alexis meet Janet.” “ I take it you’ve danced together before?” “No actually it’s the first time we’ve danced together. He’s usually Georgina’s partner. I’m surprised to see him without her to tell the truth.” Janet looked closely at Alexis’s dress. “Is it genuine? I had a peek earlier and when I saw what looked like a panel of Venetian silk in it I thought I must be dreaming.” Alexis blushed “I understand it is genuine.” “It’s so I can’t think of words to describe it. I’m studying fashion and fabrics and I never thought I’d see some real Venetian silk close up.” “How on earth did you manage to coordinate so well if you haven’t danced together before?” Interrupted Alexis’s mother. “I’ve seen Janet’s routine with her usual partner and she did most of the moves.” “Yes but Robert makes it easy, he’s taller and stronger than my usual dance partner so it makes it easier to slide through his legs.” “But why?” This question came from Alexis’s dad. Janet looked towards Robert. “You’re with friends.” “My sister went to the same dance class as Iris and Iris was forever boasting how good she was having won a silver medal once and that my sister would never be any good. Then when she started to show her moves just now and seeing Robert was around I couldn’t resist having seen Robert and Georgina perform at one or two of the larger competitions.” “Janet is actually very good, we kept it to some of the simpler moves but I’ve seen her do much more complicated ones.” “Oh dear I wonder if any of us are going to escape alive.”

“I heard the in crowd are having a party at the weekend. Want to go?” “Not especially.” “Well I can’t go by myself.” “We could take Robert?” “OK.”

They took Charlotte’s run around with Georgina driving. Cathy was in the back as the front seat had more leg room for Robert. Georgina saw a boy with a walkie talkie waving to them to pull over. “I think we’re being waved off the highway.” They’d barely drown to a halt when a pair of muscle cars screamed along the highway. “Looks like the right place.” Robert said dryly. They pulled out and cautiously drove along to see the start line. Pairs of cars roared off together leaving a strong smell of Castrol R trailing behind. “There‘s an odd smell?” Robert grinned “Ah the sweet perfume of Castrol R. It’s a special oil developed for racing cars and some guys like to show off and use it in their motors.” Some seemed to be just seeing how fast they could cover a given stretch of road some seemed to compete for longer. They got out and admired the cars which seemed to be a mixture of retro muscle cars and newer muscle cars.

Cathy noticed one was electric and was matched against a retro looking Mustang. “My money goes on the electric one.” The driver of the mustang overheard and looked outraged at the suggestion. The electric pulled ahead from the start. “I thought Mustangs were fast?” “The electrics have four wheel drive, the Mustang only has two and although it looks good that one is a bit retro.”

The party was noisy and the drinks were flowing very freely. Cathy and Georgina’s dresses were the most conservative in the place. They took turns dancing with Robert on the dance floor as neither seemed enamoured of the other guys. Robert noticed the other girls all seemed to be wearing attention grabbing clothing and pressing themselves up against the guys suggestively, running their fingers over crotches. Backless cowl neck lines predominated, one had a back but was sheer with very little being worn underneath. He noticed two girls making out in an odd way, French kissing and running their hands up each other’s slit skirts but in a way that made it seem as if they wanted the male attention they soon received with two guys stood behind them groping their breasts.

The two girls took themselves off to powder their noses, an odd expression when Georgina didn’t bother with make up. He noticed the slightly above the knee flared skirt that had looked quite respectable earlier leaning back against a wall with the skirt hitched up round her waist. She was showing her stockings and garter belt and her guy was obviously rutting her. He wondered if he should get the girls out whilst he still could. He looked across the room to see a girl on her knees unzipping one of the guys. A second guy unzipped himself and held out his cock for her to blow as well. A glance round the room in the dark corners showed more girls on their knees with heads moving back and forth.

“So who will be the chosen one? God I hope it’s not me. Six guys in a gang bang isn’t too bad but there are twenty here tonight and I ached for days after only a dozen last time. I mean the front isn’t too bad but up your bum without lots of lubricant is painful even if the guy owns a supercar.” “I heard Matt is after one of the rich bitches who are here tonight. Apparently he’s furious that he lost a run to an electric car and not only that but she predicted it.” Oops he’d better keep an eye out. “Oh you look new. First time here is it? Sherry and I can show you a really good time. Especially if you have some white lady. Sherry will do anything for that. You’ll adore a good trip with us.” She ran her fingers over his hardening crotch. “If you’ll excuse me ladies my partner is coming returning.” “Hope she had a nice trip.”

Georgina and Cathy returned and Georgina led him out onto the floor. He tried to keep an eye on Cathy but they were jostled away from her. Then he noticed the contents of a small brown bottle was tipped into Cathy’s drink which she picked up and drained in one shortly afterwards. “Can you get Cathy away towards the powder room?” “Yes why?” “I think she’s been drugged.” Georgina guided Cathy away towards the front door. Robert lifted a gadget from his pocket and thrust it in a socket. It blew the fuse and plunged the room into darkness. There were screams everywhere. He lifted his gizmo back into his pocket then took off after the girls. Cathy was beginning to drop so he lifted her in his arms and carried her away to the car and slipped her into the front seat. “Now let’s leave whilst we can.”

They got her back to Cathy’s parents and Robert carried her in. “I think someone drugged her drink but we got her away before anything happened.” “Do we need to get her to hospital?” “She’ll probably just sleep it off and feel lousy tomorrow. I’d just keep an eye on her. Do you want me to stay with her?” “No if you could just carry her upstairs I can sort her out from there.”

Parent’s night and Emma was doing the rounds. “So which University have you chosen for Robert?” Emma blinked “We haven’t given it a lot of thought. Is he good enough?” “His grades are fine, one or two have scholarship that might help on the financial side.” Emma moved on to the next table.

That evening they had a family conference. “Mr. Thorn mentioned it might be worth thinking about Robert going to university. He’d be the first one in either side of the family.” “It can be very expensive. You have to buy books, then there is tuition, and living money.” They budgeted how much it would cost. “Don’t forget not earning any money for four years so add in minimum wage.” Robert looked at the numbers. “Well I could take out a student loan but I’d be years paying it back. I might get a better job but I think it’s too risky.” “We could raid the house fund? We have done it before.” Robert hadn’t heard of the house fund before. “What’s the house fund?”

Jack shrugged he might as well know about it. “Since we live rent free here in the granny flat your mother and I have been putting 20% of our income or what we might expect to pay in rent into what your mother calls a house fund so that if we lose the granny flat for some reason such as offending the family we’d have somewhere to live. We also have some savings in a pension fund but those we can’t get at before 55. The house fund is invested in the stock market and the only time we took money out was in spring 2008 when there was a lucrative opportunity for a year’s contract for two wheel loaders for a construction project.” “That’s when Josh and Allen started with us full time and we paid them partially in shares.” “There was a delay in getting paid and we started to get paid in spring 2009. We put some money back into the stock market but prices were still dropping. Finally after taking to Sam we crossed our fingers and put the rest back in and shortly afterwards the recovery started.” “It was quite frightening watching our house fund suddenly lose half its value but although I wanted to sell it all and put it in the bank Sam convinced us not to.” Added Emma. “It sounds too risky to me and I think you should keep it in the house fund.”

Emma talked it over with Charlotte “It’s difficult since I know how independent he likes to be. I’d offer to pay but I don’t think he’d like the idea of charity.”

“So guys what are we going to do about Robert?” “Can we do anything?” “Can we not?” “How much money do we have?” “Dad is talking about buying an apartment for me.” “Three bedroomed I hope then we can live together.” “If we pool our allowances?” “He’ll be furious.” “So it’s for his own good besides he knows his way round the kitchen.” “Really?” “Really.” “And if we go out to dine at a restaurant we can take him with us. I hate eating alone in a restaurant.” “Besides think about the sex thingy. I know there’s only one of him but we could share him.” Alexis looked at the others who nodded in agreement. “So this is what we’ll do.”

Robert read through the letter ‘Applications are invited for the post of trainee chef. Board and lodgings are provide together with a minimum wage. There is an academic portion of the training that meets or exceeds the Civil Service post-secondary requirement and the employee must continue to meet the grade requirements to complete the course.’ He passed it over to Jack. “Well a recognised qualification sounds all right. You’ll be the first in the family to gain one and they pay you. I have heard that if you want to later on you can count time doing college courses towards a degree.” “You mean it would get me part the way there?” “You never know you might even enjoy being a chef. It’s indoors in winter for a start.”

Robert filled out the application and mailed it off. Practically by return of post he had a letter saying he had been accepted. The letter asked for his bank account details for his pay and enclosed a key for an apartment with the suggestion he move in at his convenience. Furnishings would be arranged in good time but for the moment it was suggested he use a sleeping bag and sleeping mat until such matters could be arranged and a sum of money would be paid into his bank account to cover his travel and the costs of his food etc. until things were better organised.

Robert moved in and in short order a laptop was delivered for his use together with three double beds and sets of sheets, one for each bedroom. The door bell rang and he answered it to find Alexis, Cathy and Georgina standing there. “No?” Alexis kissed him on the lips and stepped inside. The others followed suit. “I like your apartment Georgina.” “What have I done?” He asked resignedly. “Nothing yet but we thought we’d like some company so we signed you up for our course.” “We pooled our allowances so we can afford to pay you whilst you study.” “You can’t do it?” Robert pleaded. “But the deed is done sweetheart you belong to us for the duration.” “You’re insane.” “You’re overwrought. Now think about it carefully you get to go to university to study maths like us for free. Heck you even get paid for it.” “And I couldn’t do without you.” Added Georgina. He recalled the granny flat and the words don’t offend the family. He capitulated.

“Where am I suppose to sleep?” “Oh easy, Sunday, Tuesday and Friday in Georgina’s bed, I get Monday and Wednesday and Cathy gets you on Thursday and Saturday.” Cathy undid the zip on Alexis’s dress and it pooled to the ground. “Like my underwear?” Alexis murmured moving in for the kill. She took him by the hand and led him to the bedroom. “There now kiss Georgina and make up.” “We thought about being away from home and with our hormones running high we knew we had to do something about this sex thing.” “But whilst we wanted the experience we didn’t want to jump into bed with just anyone. You never know what you might catch.” “So we thought we’d share you, four virgins together.” Alexis undid his jeans whilst Georgina stripped in front of him. “He likes your sheer underwear.” Laughed Cathy as she noticed his erection.

Alexis picked up an old teen magazine and turned to the article on ‘Making your first time special’. “It says here that males need less foreplay than females so typically rush things.” She looked up. “Kiss her again.” Robert gave Georgina a long lingering kiss. “My turn for a kiss.” Demanded Cathy laughing. “Now mine.” Added Alexis. She picked up the magazine again. “Get him to gently manipulate your breasts first with his hands and later with his tongue.” Georgina lay back on the bed and had her breasts paid attention to until she was starting to become flushed. “Her colour’s changed.” “Oh good, then Robert can move on to manipulating her lower tummy.” “Is that with his hands or his tongue?” “It doesn’t say but I should think his tongue.” “Which bit am I supposed to be suckling?” “I’ll demonstrate. Alexis lie down on the bed and slip your thong off.” Alexis raised her eyebrows, “You want our first time to be special don’t you?” Alexis lay back on the bed and Cathy lay between her thighs. Soon her mouth was covering Alexis’s most sensitive bits and Alexis started to moan. “Is she OK?” “God yes.” Cathy raised her head “Watch which bit I’m tonguing.” “It’s no good. Your hair is in the way.” “Move over.” Cathy’s mouth clamped down on Georgina’s most sensitive spots before Georgina could protest and moments later she felt she really ought to protest but couldn’t bring herself to do anything but moan. Alexis was more than partially aroused “You can practise on me?” Robert lowered himself and experimented with his tongue whilst Alexis directed him as to what felt the nicest.

Alexis was feeling very aroused now when Cathy interrupted by tapping Robert on the shoulder. “Time to swop partners. Georgina’s just about ready for you now, just slide it in.” Robert felt himself dragged inside Georgina by her hand guiding him inside. He felt her shudder beneath him and just as he was feeling close to his release Cathy interrupted again. “Alexis is ready now.” This time as he sensed her orgasm, he released his sperm inside her. “Cuddle them both and when you’ve recovered then it’s my turn.” Cathy slipped out of the bedroom and came back with a Magic Wand and set it on low. Well she wanted to be ready and receptive for him.

Finally Cathy sat astride Robert and moved up and down whilst his hands did interesting things to her breasts. Well at least she’d gone down on the two other girls. With a bit of glass or two of wine to relax them first and a bit coaxing you never know they might even be persuaded to eat her out or even a chain. Just imagine Alexis eating her out whilst she ate Georgina out. The thoughts were enough to flip her switch. “God that was quite something.”

Robert looked at the letter. “Who is it from?” Asked Georgina. He looked at the end “Your dad strangely enough.” He turned back to the beginning.

‘Dear Robert,

                 I’ve been a bit busy over summer but had meant to sit down with your parents and discuss your further education. You may not be aware but they have been putting money aside in an RESP for years but didn’t realise it was anything other than a tax shelter. There are more than enough funds available for you to take a university degree paying for both your fees and your living expenses. There are rules about how much tax is payable according to how it is taken out so I’ll need to go over this with you. Hopefully it’s not too late to register for this year. Remember to send me a copy of your fee payment as I’ll need it for your dad’s income tax. You are not to worry about your parent’s money, their company has been doing quite nicely buying property that has been partially built where the builder has gone under and completing it and it now has some thirty employees.

Finally say Hi to Georgina for me.

Sam’

“What does it say?” Robert handed it over. The letter was passed from one to another. Cathy looked up “But what does it mean?” “It means he’s independent.” Robert grinned “Precisely.” Georgina groaned “Not only that but my dad knows and if he knows then all our parents know as well. We’ve been outed.” “How?” “Well he brought the apartment with three bedrooms, he paid for the three king-sized beds and he knows both of you are living with me.” “So?” “Robert’s address is the same.” “My parents must have given it to him.” “Robert you can’t leave us.” Alexis implored. Robert looked over at Georgina “Would you like me to stay?” “Please?” He gave them all a hug and a kiss. “How could I leave the three prettiest girls on campus.”