Lorraine was accustomed to do her main shop travelling to the supermarket by the number 25 bus.
In her forties, slim and petite she had looked after herself and boasted good health. Much to the envy of friends who said she was the sort of person that, no matter what she eats, never puts on weight, but Lorraine claimed it was exercise too and keeping away from the temptation of smoking and excess drinking.
But although her friends envied her they did not know the real Lorraine, and how she felt so lonely and unwanted. She'd been worried about reaching the age of forty and with a bad divorce behind her she missed the warmth of a man in bed. Her late husband was so passionate which left her with an empty resilience.
Like so many working women she led a busy life, which at least helped keep her mind away from all the bad thongs that had happened to her.
Of course she had the charisma with which she could charm any guy to her fold. But that was never enough, she could not consent to casual relationships or one night stands simply to satisfy her sexual pulls. She needed a lot more than that, she could get that when she used her vibrator before she slumbered, feeling the pleasure of its presence neatly placed inside. It was a poor substitute for the real thing for sure but is suited the purpose temporarily until she could find her right guy.
She was looking but resolved to take her friend's advice and stop looking, and then it might happen.
But something happened on a rainy Monday that she could never have foreseen. Having just boarded the bus it pulled away before she was seated and then came to a grinding halt when a motorist blatantly appeared from nowhere almost colliding with the bus.
In consequence Lorraine, two bags of shopping and all; went sprawling backwards landing in the lap of a guy approximately ten years younger than she. Many of the canned purchases came tumbling from her shopping bag and rolled noisily down the corridor and beneath the seats. But fellow passengers came to the rescue, gathered them and passed them back to Lorraine One of them joking she was on a roll.
She managed to sort herself with the help of the guy she had landed upon. She apologised if she had done him any harm but he was more concerned about her.
"Is everyone alright?" cried the driver from his cabin, "sorry about that, a learner driver came out in front of me!"
"I shall be fine thank you" Lorraine said to the driver and others concerned. "it was just a bit of a shock that's all and very embarrassing."
The guy she'd fell upon helped her to her feet and eased her down on the seat next to him. He smiled warmly and said he was glad she was alright.
"Are you sure you are not hurt?" enquired a person behind. "You have every right to claim against the bus company you know."
"I shan't bother, it was evidently not the driver's fault, But thanks" Lorraine replied.
Telling her daughter, Susan about her ordeal she treated it like it had all been a bit of a laugh. But Susan didn't laugh and Lorraine was thinking perhaps she should not have mentioned it.
"I do wish you would listen to me for once and let me drive you to the supermarket. You are not as young and sprightly as you used to be mum."
"Go on. Rub it in. That is utter nonsense, Susan; you know my feelings about that. I do loathe people, who, because you are older, offer you a seat in the bus, or take your bags for you and place them on the rack, as if you were past it. I am only 49 for heaven's sake."
"They are only being nice mum."
"Maybe but I pride myself in managing my own affairs and show them I am quite capable, we are all living longer these days."
"Even so, sometimes I do feel guilty for not living with you any more mum."
"Don't be, you have your own life to lead and you love your man."
"That could have been really nasty if that guy hadn't of cushioned your landing."
"Jack you mean? "
