Three Steps to Hell (12 page)

“Sounds fantastic, remember I’m watching my weight though.”

“Oh stop worrying Tom you have a great body, you always look perfect to me.”

“Thanks Jen, such flattery, I’ll get a big head. How about three o’clock. Do you think it will be warm enough?”

“Three’s fine Tom. Yes it’ll be fine, bring a warm fleece though. Can’t wait.”

Jenny had admired Tom for as long as they had known each other. After Helen had left him she secretly hoped an affair would develop between them. She had had no sexual relationships since divorcing her husband many years ago and her ex-husband had been her one and only lover. She found Tom an exciting man, the stories about his work intrigued her, she loved the fact that he was always so smart and well presented and although having a hardened exterior she knew he had a soft inner self and a heart of gold. Many an afternoon she would sit and daydream about how life would be if they were lovers, what it would be like to cuddle up naked with him in bed, to wake up in the morning and gently kiss and caress, to help him through the troubled events of his tiring occupation, to hold hands during long walks with the dog and to return home, strip each other naked and make passionate love then fall asleep in each others’ arms. Here I go again she said to herself, daydreaming, why can’t I find the courage to make the first move. Jenny had almost plucked up the courage on many an occasion but always feared total rejection. But why would total rejection feel any worse than being completely alone like I am now, she thought to herself. She spent the next hour or so preparing the picnic whilst attempting to mentally convince herself that this afternoon should be the ideal opportunity to pluck up the courage to tell Tom how she felt.

Having prepared a fine feast she put a bottle of her favourite red wine into the picnic basket and fetched the old groundsheet that she and her husband used to sit on during many of their picnics years ago. Then it was time to consider what she should wear. She wanted to look sexy but not cheap and be warm enough. A difficult combination. She hadn’t got the most fantastic figure nor was she herself a naturally attractive woman so she dedicated half an hour to doing the best she could with her hair and makeup. She studied herself in the mirror. “Mmm, not too bad even though I do say so myself,” she muttered to herself. She sighed deeply, “Go on girl, go for it, do something silly, tell him you want him.” If only she could find this confidence when it really mattered. The sound of her doorbell returned her mind to the here and now. She ran downstairs and opened the door to greet Tom.

“Hi Tom, I’m just about ready.”

She pointed to the groundsheet and picnic basket and said, “Can you put these in the car, I’ve even got some doggy treats in there for Misty.”

Tom loaded the car, leaving sufficient room for Misty to lie comfortably in the hatchback.

Jenny locked the house and got in the car.

“You’re looking nice,” Tom said.

“Thanks Tom, I try my best.”

“You’re a fine woman Jen, you should have more confidence in yourself.”

Jenny was quiet and thoughtful during the journey often looking at Tom out of the corner of her eye. How she wanted to put her hand on his knee or touch his strong hands. Mmm, a very handsome man, she thought to herself, if only I had the courage.

After an uneventful and pleasant fifteen minute drive they arrived at the reservoir which doubled as the local country park. It was a lovely spot and attracted many walkers and families on a nice afternoon. Plenty of well mown green areas, picnic tables and a small log cabin café. A bit early in the year for a picnic really but a glorious day. The ground was slightly damp but hopefully the groundsheet would cope adequately.

Misty jumped out of the back of the car as if she were a puppy again.

“Christ Misty you’re a bit excited,” said Tom

“I should think she is Tom, you haven’t really had much time for her lately, have you.”

“No, I know. I don’t know what I’d do without you Jen. Poor old Misty would probably die of boredom if it wasn’t for you popping round and taking her for walks.”

They walked from the car park towards the café and on a little further until they found a quiet well tended spot with a lovely view across the reservoir. Tom set the groundsheet down and they relaxed enjoying the fresh air, the warmth of the spring sun and the joy of watching Misty exploring and unsuccessfully trying to chase a couple of rabbits near a hedgerow. The reservoir was home to a local sailing club. Being a weekday there were just a few sailing dinghies on the reservoir. Tom watched as the dinghies sliced their way through the calm water and the occupants jumped from side to side frantically moving the sails to get the maximum thrust from the slight breeze that was blowing. Tom’s mind, for once, drifted into a state of peace and tranquillity.

Having failed dreadfully at rabbit hunting Misty collapsed exhausted on the bottom corner of the ground sheet, rolled over onto her side and enjoyed the modest warmth of the sun.

“Isn’t this lovely Tom?”

“Certainly is. If we had weather like this all year round it would be the perfect country to live in, not too hot, not too cold, just perfect.”

“A glass of wine or a cup of tea?” Jenny enquired.

“A glass of wine please Jen, but I’d better just have a small one as I’m driving.”

Jenny was enjoying every moment, secretly wishing that she could do so much more for Tom and care for his every needs on a daily basis. She poured a glass of wine and handed it to him.

Jenny watched Tom put the glass to his lips, how she wished that glass were her lips, she yearned to kiss him.

“You’re quiet Jen!” exclaimed Tom.

“Sorry Tom, I was miles away, daydreaming.”

“Thanks for suggesting this Jen, it really does me good to have the odd afternoon like this.”

Tom looked upon Jenny as one of his very best friends, he sometimes felt sad that he didn’t fancy her in a sexual way although he greatly admired her in the way that she always did her best to be elegant and feminine. They both sat watching the sailing dinghies, chuckling at the sailors’ attempts to make speed with so little wind. Tom sat resting his weight on his hands by his sides. Jenny amazed herself as she plucked up the courage to move her hand across so that it was on top of Tom’s, almost pretending that it was an accident. Tom made no effort to move his arm, an excellent sign as far as Jenny was concerned. He just glanced at her and smiled. Could this be the positive sign that Jenny was looking for? She started to gently caress his hand. He looked at her again, “Thanks Jen, you’re a lovely woman, I am so lucky to have you as such a good friend.”

Friend, she thought quickly to herself, but I want to be more than a friend. She couldn’t find the confidence to say this out loud, started to lose her confidence again, moved her hand and changed the subject.

“Time for a sandwich Tom.”

Jenny retrieved some sandwiches carefully wrapped in foil, from the picnic basket. Misty pricked up her ears at the sound of the rustle of the foil, sat up and looked at Jenny with sad hopeful eyes.

“No Misty not for you I’m afraid, lie down.”

Misty reluctantly lay back down, sighed and rested her chin on her front paws, her eyes glued to the movement of the food in case a piece of sandwich should happen to fall on to the ground sheet. Her eyes rarely left the food for a second.

Tom and Jenny got into a deep and meaningful discussion about the state of the country and the problem with today’s youths, after which both laid on their backs, became quiet and Tom dropped off to sleep for a while. After some time both started to feel chilly, the sun had disappeared behind some clouds and the wind had picked up a little. They packed up, gave Misty a bit of a walk and returned to the car. They’d both had a really lovely afternoon and arrived back in Tom’s drive at about 6 o’clock. Tom switched off the engine.

“Thanks Tom, I really enjoyed myself.”

“Hey, you did it all, preparing the food and everything, I should be thanking you.”

“There’s loads of wine left Tom, how about you coming in to mine and finishing if off with me now the driving is over.”

“Great, I’ll just feed Misty and settle her then I’ll pop round.”

Both went into their respective homes.

Once indoors Jenny went upstairs to the bathroom to check her make-up and hair, sprayed some perfume and returned downstairs to tidy the lounge.

About 10 minutes later Tom arrived and both sat on Jenny’s sofa listening to some old 70’s hits on the radio and enjoying a glass or two of a fine fruity red Tempranillo. Whether it was the wine or the day as a whole, Jenny finally plucked up some courage, placed her hand on Tom’s leg and started to slowly caress the inside of his thigh.

Tom was shocked and for once completely speechless. However, he didn’t want to speak because he was enjoying the sensation immensely and had stirrings that he hadn’t felt for some time. Jenny’s hand was slowly working its way nearer his groin when she turned, leant across him and kissed him firmly on the lips.

Much to her surprise Tom responded and for several minutes they had a passionate embrace. As Tom kissed her Jenny felt so warmed and full. Suddenly Tom stopped and said, “Jen, we need to talk about this.”

“No we don’t, don’t spoil it Tom, I have wanted you for so long but have been too frightened to say how I feel. You are a gorgeous warm-hearted man, handsome, kind, intelligent and very sexy. Please don’t stop.”

“But we have been such close friends for so many years and I don’t want anything to spoil that friendship.”

Jenny was amazed that she had managed to find the confidence to get this far. In for a penny, in for a pound, she thought. She kissed Tom again and tried with one hand to unbuckle Tom’s belt, which was proving more difficult that she had anticipated. She felt Tom responding, his hand unbuttoning her blouse and caressing her breast.

Again he suddenly stopped.

“No Jen, this is all too fast and unexpected, I don’t want us to both regret this.”

Jenny thought to herself, shut up Tom and just get on with it.

Jenny didn’t want Tom to think of her badly so she moved away slightly and sat quietly next to him.

“Sorry Tom. I know I’m making a fool of myself, I know you don’t fancy me.”

“You’re a fine elegant and wonderful woman Jenny.”

“But you just don’t fancy me,” she interjected.

“Let’s just take this slowly Jenny, I was enjoying that just as much as you.”

In honesty this whole scenario had quite shocked Tom. He was flattered to discover how she felt and to his surprise had enjoyed what had just happened more than Jenny had realised. In fact he was already starting to regret that he had called a stop to it.

“I’m just a bit confused, this has all taken me by surprise Jen but I’m really flattered.”

Jenny was now feeling embarrassed, got up and disappeared into the kitchen changing the subject completely by saying,

“I’ll put the kettle on Tom, I was hoping you would come back so I made a pie this morning. I’ll put it in the oven to warm up. You will share it with me won’t you?”

“Yes I’d love to.”

The rest of the evening went without event both enjoying a little more wine and in Tom’s case an abundance of homemade pie.

Tom helped with the washing and clearing up and then said,

“I must get back now Jen, thanks for a really lovely time.”

They walked towards the front door and faced each other.

“Tom, I’m really sorry about earlier.”

Tom put his hand to her lips and said “Hush you certainly don’t need to apologise.”

Then to Jenny’s amazement he put his arms around her, put his lips to hers and gave her the most heavenly kiss goodnight that she had ever experienced. She felt like she was floating.

“Wow,” she said when Tom stopped.

Tom turned, opened the door, turned to her again and smiled,

“Sweet dreams and don’t worry I loved every moment.”

“Sweet dreams to you too Tom, that was wonderful,” she replied.

As soon as he got indoors Tom sat down to reflect on the day’s events. Wow, he thought to himself, I didn’t expect that. Tom had never really fancied Jenny but was amazed at how warm and passionate the embraces were and what a great kisser she was. For once he was starting to have carnal thoughts about his long-term friend and neighbour and regretted not going further. Jenny also sat in her lounge but in a bit of a panic, because she thought she may have made a complete fool of herself, but that last kiss goodnight which was totally at Tom’s instigation, had brought a big smile to her face. Perhaps there’s a chance after all she thought. She hoped that their next encounter might lead to something even more heavenly.

Tom had spent a majority of his morning in a dismal grey and stale interview room interviewing a local low life about a series of house burglaries in Brampton. He had just charged, fingerprinted and photographed the prisoner and left him with the Custody Sergeant to be bailed to the local Magistrates Court.

Now in his office, he was trying to catch up with one of his many supervisory roles, checking the court files submitted by his Detectives before they went off to the Admin Support Unit for full Court preparation.

There was a knock on his door, which then opened.

“Sargie, how are you?”

“Hi Sweetface, what you up to?”

“Ooh, ducking and diving, trying to keep out of trouble, you know me.”

Tom laughed

“Are we going to have a pint after work today Sarge?”

“Yes, great Dave, about 6.30ish at the pub next door.”

“Okey dokey. I have just been talking to a couple of the Uniform lads downstairs Tom. Do you remember that incident with the motorbike a few days ago when we were on our way back from East Point?”

“Yes.”

“Well, yesterday the fire brigade were called to a motorcycle on fire the other side of the town near the British Legion Hall, Uniform attended as well and recovered what was left to the compound. I had a look at it and although badly damaged, by the position of the bent up number plate at the back and its general appearance I reckon it may be the same one!”