SO FAR: Recently widowed Maggie Roberts resumes her business career while looking for a new husband - and her endeavours look fruitful.
Fifteen minutes wasn't as late as Maggie Roberts had planned to arrive at the Marks's dinner party but as it happened it was perfect; she trailed two couples to the front door of Number 27. The men turned, their eyes popped and they greeted her, one purring "Oh hello?" while the other with a greater sense of daring said, "My God, what do we have here?"
The two females just thinned down their lips into bitchy hard-eyed smiles and said nothing.
About par for the course, thought Maggie, resorting to an old hockey term or was that golf; she couldn't remember? But no longer did she have to distract herself from being tempted to think badly of those two women because Fluffy emerged through the open front door, regally ignored the baby talk of the two half-crouching women and went straight to Maggie, dragging its body round her as if Maggie was her favorite possession.
One of the men muttered 'Bloody cats' and Maggie heard the two women muttering but if they were verbal barbs meant for her she didn't hear them. Give her five minutes in just their company and she would have them won over; she was that confident. Both were festooned with jewelry and commenting authoritatively on that was always a good icebreaker and she identified the drifting fragrance of one of the perfumes.
Lillian came to the door, seemingly floating on air, and looked quite stunning in lilac silk and matching headband. The hostess kissed the two female guests and through the babble Maggie learned that the obviously dyed blonde in her early forties was Beth and the graying plumper woman of similar age was Pru.
"After you, baby," whispered the more forward of the two males and Maggie hoped he didn't choke on all that saliva: quite obviously he was a man looking for someone to partner in adultery. That suggested he belonged to the fake blonde -- she sounded like a bit of a control freak.
"Tony, stand aside and allow this lady through," commanded Beth, confirming she liked being in control. Maggie in her LBD minced forward on her very high heels knowing by the deathly silence behind her it hadn't been a waste of time wearing seamed stockings with Cuban heels.
"Stop gawking, you two," Beth almost snarled. "Haven't you seen a young lady before?"
That putdown was perfect and Maggie, wondering how Lillian would greet her, deciding already she was rather fond of Beth who, like her, was prepared to treat men like dirt if they deserved it.
"Ohmigod, just look at you, my sexy darling; never have I seen a little black dress look so stunning when off the shop mannequins. Girls this is Maggie -- Maggie this is Beth Trotter my Bridge partner; her bark is to be ignore as she'd all soft and interesting beneath that faΓ§ade and this is Pru King, who's the epitome of a Pru and a dear friend of ours."
Then came the kissing, Lillian asserting hostess's right. Maggie said,"You look adorable, edible in fact, wrapped in silk."
Busty Pru pursed her lips and Maggie just touched them with hers, whispering "Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds" without any question mark; Pru's eyes widened.
In the better lighting of the foyer Maggie gained a fleeting but adequate glance of the very attractive Beth just before she kissed the older woman, who was holding back a little, on both cheeks. Then pausing to eye the choker, Maggie said wow and that she admired the deep ruby red color. "Venetian vintage glass -- 40's retro?"
"Yes, how clever of you," Beth smiled, establishing the bonding. Taking Maggie by the arm she said, "Come and let's grab a drink. I notice you're not wearing jewelry, not even ear-rings."
"Perhaps I regard my belly bar and lower piercing sufficient for this evening?"
"Oh God, you haven't had that lovely body of yours pierced, have you?"
"God no."
"Oh you tease; I feel I'm really going to like you."
The dinner party was a great success.
Peter didn't look a dork, left the other two men sounding simple-minded when it came to intelligent conversation and later in the evening when Maggie purposely brushed his knee with her hand under the table he moved away as if she'd shot him. Well, no extras for you this evening after coffee my dear, she sighed. She looked up into intense gaze of Beth and with a start realized extras might be available in that direction if she were interested, which she wasn't. She hoped Philip, Beth's husband, would get what he wanted from his wife this evening if only to keep the marriage alive; Beth had entered that difficult age span when it would be difficult for her to find a suitable man to keep up appearances and to be a satisfactory stepfather for her two youngsters.
Peter left first, kissing the other women and lumping Maggie in with the three men for a handshake.
Maggie left next and was kissed by everyone including Harry who was almost out to it through concentrating on drinking rather than the conversations.
Beth Watkins walked Maggie to the gate. "I think you've guessed I'm more than just attracted to you."
"Yes."
"Do you mind?"
"No, but don't ruin your marriage, Beth."
"I won't -- we've reached an understanding. Philip is happily balling his younger sister's best friend."
Maggie pressed Beth's arm and said she was sorry.
"Philip and I still do it."
"Really?"
"Yes, he's rather good at it but completely lacks emotion when on the job."
"Really?"
"Maggie, I'm not predatory but when you were talking to me in the foyer I knew you were just perfect for me."
"Really?"
"Oh God, those really response mean I disgust you, don't they?"
"Not at all. I find you attractive and interesting. If you want we can have lunch together next week -- I would welcome your friendship if you can accept it has to be without any add-ons."
Beth's mouth opened in surprise. "Really?"
They both laughed and Maggie gave Beth her email address.
As Beth leaned over to write down address, Maggie gained a faint smell of the fading fragrance of her new friend's perfume and stared at the beautiful line of Beth's outstretched neck.
"Beth -- don't write Philip off. According to my mum, men are like puppies and the good ones are perfectly trainable. I see emotions within Philip. I think I should introduce you to my mother."
"I'd like that; do you think she'd really want to talk to me about such a thing; older women regard sex as their private business and consider everyone should be the same."
"My mother is not yet forty-six."
"God, only a couple of years older than me. What were you -- a Love Child?"
"I guess so, but they married before I was born -- that was just on thirty years ago but he'd well gone now."
"Look, I'll lunch with you next week of course but I think your mother and you should join me at a girl's only weekend at our beach house soon. Perhaps I should add Pru, as although she's a friend-only, we've been together since we entered pre-school within a day of each other."
"That sounds perfect -- what about adding Lillian."
"Lillian, what would she know about sex?"
"Initially I was of the same view, but just recently she'd proven to be a real eye-opener with an attitude towards sex that will crack you up. Consider this, where do you have sex?"
"Now that I'm older, on the bed and occasionally on the sofa."
"Oh, you conservative woman. Wait until you hear from Lillian about her contemporary adventures with Harry."
"Harry? But he shuffles instead of walking; I'd be amazed to be told he's still capable of getting it stiff."
"I'll leave it to Lillian to enlighten you."
Fluffy ran ahead of Maggie but just inside the gate froze, looking into the shadows to the right of the front door.
"Is someone there?"
"Gee, Maggie, you have great eyesight. I parked around the corner."
"Why are you here, Peter?" Maggie bleated stupidly amid her rising lust stimulated by alcohol and engaging conversations throughout the evening.
Peter remained cautious. "You rather gave me the impression you were interested."
"Passionately interested and you just happen to be the lucky guy. Do you think we could do it, out her, under the stars?"
"On the lawn?"
"If you wish -- or there's a stepladder and a sturdy wheelbarrow at the back of the house."
"Huh?"