“Oh, we’ll have to give her lessons ‘Chelle!” Sue laughed.
I took the flowers and clothes to our accommodation, the flowers certainly helped make the front room look brighter and conquer some of the horsey smell from the sofas and carpet. I laid the clothes on my bed. It was clear that Edwin liked me, however, that made me nervous. Was he expecting something I wasn’t ready for?
***
I had a text later that afternoon saying Edwin would collect me at six. I rushed nervously to Sue who assured me she would help me with my hair and makeup. So at the end of the day, pink from a hot shower I sat being preened by the other girls. My hair was brushed and sprayed and Sue applied make-up, chiding me for fidgeting. As I stood up and glanced in the mirror I saw a grown-up lady looking back at me, no longer the down at heel groom. I felt nervous that I had better return by midnight to prevent it all turning back to a grim reality or perhaps a pumpkin.
The girls gathered as Edwin’s car pulled up. His double-take as he looked at me was something else. His mouth fell open and he was speechless for a moment as he approached me.
“I was expecting to meet Amanda, but instead there is this beauty.”
I blushed stuttering before falling into his arms. “I’m sorry, I really don’t do high heels.” He laughed, I could feel it rumbling through his body as he embraced me and then he reached down for a kiss. No, not ‘a kiss’, my first kiss. I had always imagined this moment, but nothing had prepared me for the reality. Our lips touched and he so gently allowed his tongue to explore my mouth. I gasped, my body tingling all over with excitement, I sunk into his arms and allowed him to guide me to the car.
“Are you crying, Sue?” Michelle looked up.
“No…” She sniffed, looking away to wipe her eyes. “I think our little chick may be flying the nest.”
***
We pulled up outside a theatre, again this was a new experience, I was like a child in a sweet shop. Edwin had booked a box so we were ushered through to a private area. To be honest, I don’t remember much of the play as we spent much of the time kissing and cuddling. Afterwards, he took me to a small restaurant.
“Not one I own.”
“So I can’t complain to you if the food is no good.” I giggled. Again the food was delightful, I did wonder for a moment what the girls would be enjoying, but put it from my mind as an amazingly complex dessert arrived with layers of cream and sugar. I smiled as I licked my spoon clean and just resisted picking up the bowl to lick that. “What?” I looked across to see Edwin chuckling.
“You are so delightful.” He smiled, taking my hand. His warmth and soft touch sent shivers through my body. “So natural, so unspoilt…”
I laughed. “Oh go on…” I smiled. “I’m naive and inexperienced, however, I think I am pretty spoilt.”
“You will be…” He smiled.
Again we chatted into the early hours, travelling back across London to his home. A nervousness passed through me, this too soon. He felt my tension. “I would like to invite you in, however, that is not an expectation on my part. I would love your company but we can stay in separate rooms if you are not comfortable, or my driver can take you back to the stables if you wish.”
“I’m just…” My voice faltered. “I haven’t…” He placed his finger on my lips.
“Shh…” He smiled. “We won’t rush things.”
In the end, we sat up and enjoyed more cuddles and generous kissing before my eyes started to close. I felt myself being carried upstairs, my last memory of the evening was being carried into a beautiful guest room and laid on the softest bed I’d ever felt.
***
I’d woken in that amazing white cotton bed, it was so soft I hadn’t wanted to leave. The sudden thought of clothes crossed my mind, I couldn’t turn up at work in the dress I had been wearing, however, I needn’t have worried, at the foot of the bed was a set of clothes, a smart polo and jeans. I came downstairs and Edwin was sitting in the kitchen. He stood up and kissed me.
“I have some work I need to do this morning. However, I have asked Maria to help you.” A lady who was bustling in the kitchen turned and greeted me, before placing a plateful of delicious-looking breakfast in front of me and fantastic freshly squeezed orange juice.
“Maria looks after me, don’t you!” She smiled. “And it was her selected the clothes for you, I hope there are suitable.”
“Oh Maria, they’re beautiful.”
“Now, I want you to have some new equestrian clothes, so Maria will take you somewhere with my credit card and she knows how to spend well.” He smiled.
***
I found myself travelling with Maria in her car, she was chatty and pleasant, I found out that she had worked for Edwin for some years and was his assistant and housekeeper. She pulled up at a posh looking shop.
“Here we are…” She smiled, glancing across at me. She saw my nervous expression. “What’s up?”
“Look this is all too much, I can’t go in there… I’m fine with what I have.”
Maria laughed, “Edwin would be most upset if you don’t get kitted out properly. Let him spend his money, he has enough of it and, if you make him happy… I have to say, I’ve not seen him so happy in a very long time. He was singing as he came down to breakfast. You will be very good for him…” She put her hand on my knee. “So, shall we spend? I need some new boots too,
