timed at 11.23pm was blurry but appeared to be a penis embedded in Tory's shaven haven. The third photo at 11.41pm showed a man in a business suit with his pants down in the car park of the mega supermarket. The final photo at 11.43pm was of the exit sign of the supermarket car-park.
'It's only been two days. How did you manage it?'
'Oh Lauren, seriously don't you watch any dating shows. People always meet in supermarkets. It was easy peasy. I thought you'd have come up with something much more difficult.'
'I can't believe you did it. I've got eight days before my summer sex break finishes.'
'How are you getting on at the library?' asked Tory innocently.
'You knew I was never going to meet a guy there. There's a no speaking policy; it's not like I can start a conversation with every good-looking guy wanting to borrow a book.'
'What about asking the library assistant or receptionist to help you find a book on depraved sex? That'll arouse serious attention'
'Given the employees are all women in their sixties, that's not a winning solution.'
'Think outside the box Lauren. Have some confidence. I hope I hear from you in the next eight days.'
It turned out Tory heard from Lauren the following afternoon.
'What is it?' asked Tory brusquely. 'It's bingo. You know I need to get my marker pens ready before Gran and I hit the crone coach with all the demented and dentured bingo bitches.'
'How does your Gran cope with you talking bout her friends like that?'
'Fuck's sake Lauren. There are no friends in bingo. I'd elbow Gran off her seat if I saw she was waiting on one number to call “house”.'
'I need to borrow Lucy.'
'Lauren, when you're a grown up like me you'll realise you don't borrow babies.'
'Come on, I need her help with this sex thing.'
'Has progress been made?'
'Not much. Built a plan though.'
'I don't remember my baby being a bargaining chip.'
'Tory this isn't a game. It's you and me. You helping me to have sex this summer when I've got a week left from tomorrow.'
'Mum's baby-sitting tonight. I can't disrupt the routine.'
'I can't believe how difficult you're being.'
'That child is the light of my life. The reason I live, the reason I breathe, the reason my heart beats,' professed Tory.
'Were all those reasons at the forefront of your mind last night when you were being rogered in a public car-park?'
'No, you've got me there.'
'Don't you want my minge to get an airing?' cajoled Lauren.
'Yes, but it is hard for me to overcome my competitive edge; especially on bingo night.'
'Fine. I don't need Lucy tonight, but I want her tomorrow morning. Can I pick her up at 9am?'
'Are you taking a sickie from work?'
'Playing the game Tory. Be proud and help me out here.'
'Sacrificing work for a shag, how can I refuse? She'll be ready, but if you're sealing the dealing in Lucy's presence make sure she's blindfolded. I don't want her psychologically traumatized by your whorish habits my friend.'
Lauren hung up, hoping the hint of a plan she had may actually succeed.
***
Up before the roosters crowed, not that there were any to crow in the centre of London, Lauren bathed, shaved, waxed and made herself genuinely ravishing. She had to appear single and not necessarily the baby's mother. Kids were a turn-off for men (if they weren't the fathers), thus her relationship couldn't be too close to Lucy.
An Aunty status would be fine with a dollop of MILF in the mix. Children's reading time in the library demanded Lauren to act out a mature, committed family-oriented but sexually starved persona for the concept to be executed.
If sex was on the cards she needed to be physically accessible. Strategically dressed, Bohemian could be sexy. A long flowing skirt would whisk up gracefully, but she'd need a tight top to get the cleavage taunting. Her big breasts were her best assets; if they weren't pendulous and pointy she wouldn't be securing any sex before summer ended.
Her reflection in the mirror was ordinary and plain. Her flat sandals gave her legs almost no shape, the flowing tie-dyed skirt contrasted with the tight, black, low cut t-shirt. This whole débâcle wasn't Lauren's style. Frankly speaking, current circumstances couldn't get much worse.
She'd scouted the library herself all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As it was summer holidays, the library dedicated an hour each morning to a children's corner reading session. The children were supervised as they listened to the enthralling story-teller, affording parents an hour to have a drink, smoke or peruse the library.
The children accompanied by responsible adults and carers had Lauren convinced the men in attendance were married. Tory had shrugged off her recent marital encounter stating the problem already existed in the relationship.
She claimed she'd done nothing to damage the marriage, but Lauren didn't think her actions would have benefited the couple in any way. She wasn't sure her conscience could handle her playing an active role in a crumbling marriage.
Reassuring herself it was a social come sexual experiment and only a one night stand, she girded her loins, placing Lucy in a chair to enjoy the literary entertainment. Lauren hugged Lucy; unlike her chatterbox, boisterous mother she was meek and easygoing.
She'd clocked the man; trapped him in her sights. Having briefly spoken under the guise of whether the 'tale time' session would be appropriate for her 'niece' Lucy. Stocky and solid with short cut brown hair and sparkling blue eyes, he introduced himself as Ben, assuring her his son, a similar age to Lucy, adored it.
Easing the pressure, Ben extended an opportunity to discuss the effort in occupying toddlers over a coffee in the library café, giving Lauren the opportunity to let him know she'd return the next day with her 'niece'.
Lauren was relieved when Ben dropped his son. He approached her. Lauren knew it was all going to go wrong. She would fail miserably. Her next move had never been included in Lauren's seduction repertoire, it was far more Tory's style, but she had to bite the bullet to rapidly increase the pace between her and Ben.
'I wondered if you might like to fuck me.'
Ben spat his coffee across the table.
'I know that's bold and probably the worst proposition you’ve ever received but it's genuine. I like you and I'd love to have sex with you. Today. I thought maybe the toilet. The security don't patrol it and the disabled one has plenty of space.'
'You're actually being serious?'
She nodded shamefully.
'No third date rule.'
'The end of summer has altered the rules for me.'
'I'm flabbergasted. I didn't have you down as that kind of girl.'
'What kind of girl am I? The boring English Rose. Mousy hair, blue eyes, translucent skin with a pear shape that can flatter no clothes.'
'I never said that,' he said, raising his hands defensively.
'Fuck me. Deflower me. Destroy what homely unexciting aura I exude.'
Without another word he stood and walked to the disabled toilets. Relieved no one had witnessed the discussion in the café, Lauren followed him, after ensuring the path from the café to toilets was free from spectators.
Upon entry, she was taken aback when he pulled her hair to tip her head, allowing his mouth to crush hers.
