(Maria homes in on Claire)
Claire Peacock started her life in Coronation Street as a very sensible, very conservative young child minder.
She eventually married Ashley, the local butcher, took on Josh, Ashley's child from his first marriage, gave birth to Freddie and as far as everyone knew she was a very conservative, lovely young mum, faithful to her husband and the kids.
The only person that knew different was Sally Webster. Sally was also known by everyone as a caring wife and mother, but like Claire, she too had a secret.
In fact, they shared the same secret in that two to three months ago, Claire had gone for a chat with Sally and over coffee they had talked about the fact that Ashley had lost interest in their sex life and unbeknown to anyone else, Sally had not only told Claire how to spice things up, but she had shown her.
Claire's love life with Ashley had much improved, but she now much preferred to have time with Sally whenever they could and the two of them now took every opportunity they could to explore each others bodies.
Claire hadn't realised she'd said anything, but Sally had in fact shared her secret with Maria while she was having her hair trimmed as she knew Maria and Sarah were lovers and she felt she could trust Maria not to say anything as she was in the same boat.
From that moment on, Maria was on the lookout for an opportunity to talk to Claire and see if she would be interested in getting together with her. Maria and Sarah were still lovers, but Maria didn't regard it as exclusive, just a bit of fun between friends and she couldn't help but wonder if Claire might be game for a bit of harmless fun as well.
That morning she got her first opportunity. Maria was in the Salon alone as Audrey, the owner, was away on holiday and Maria had sent Sarah to the wholesalers to stock up on products for the salon.
Claire had booked a trim and Maria seeing the booking got rid of Sarah in order to get Claire on her own.
"Hi Claire." she said as the young mum arrived.
"Oh, morning Maria - where's Audrey?" she replied.
"She's gone away for a few days break, so it'll be me doing your hair if that's alright with you?"
"Yeah, of course it is."
"So, take your coat of and sit yourself in the chair." said Maria.
Claire took her coat off and hung it up. She was wearing a maroon 'just above the knee' length skirt and a very expensive looking silk cream blouse. Not the sort of clothing Claire had been wearing for the last few years.
As Maria stood behind Claire she couldn't help but notice that as Claire sat there her blouse was gaping slightly open between the buttons revealing a bit of her bra.
Standing in this position as she frequently did, Maria had seen bits of Claire's bra loads of times, but this time it was different. Instead of the tan coloured sports bra she was used to seeing, she was now staring down at the edges of a red lace bra that also looked quite expensive.
Maria looked up and saw that Claire had seen in the mirror where here eyes had been and she had a slight smile on her face.
"Did you enjoy the view?" she asked Maria.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry Claire, it's just that, well, standing here I've seen what you normally wear and to be honest, this is so different."
"Well I just fancied something different." said Claire.
"Don't I know it." mumbled Maria to herself. But because the salon was empty and quiet, Clair heard what Maria had said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" enquired Clair.
"Oh I'm sorry, but look, it's only fair and you ought to know. Sally and I were talking the other day and she accidentally let slip about what you and her have been up to."
"Oh shit." exclaimed Claire. "She promised she wouldn't say a word to anyone."
"Well she felt she could trust me because I'm in the same situation."
"Sorry." said Claire. "I don't understand."
"Well." began Maria: "As far as everyone else knows I only go out with blokes, but in reality I spend most of my time with Sarah."
"Well I know that." replied Claire. "The two of you work together."
"No, I mean we spend our time together in bed, having sex."
"O God, I had no idea." stammered Claire.
"Well, we sort of accidentally discovered we preferred sex with each other to having sex with blokes."
"You've kept that a secret." said Claire.
Oh well thought Maria, I might as well tell her the lot and see how she reacts.
"In fact, one night a few weeks ago we had a bit of a 'lock in' at the Rovers and Sarah and I had a threesome with Liz Macdonald. We've never done it with her again, but you see you're not alone in having sex with other women. I do it, Sarah does, Liz has, and obviously there's you and Sally."
"Well that makes me feel a bit better I suppose." said Claire.
"Have you ever thought about other women?" asked Maria.
"No not really." answered Claire. "Why."
"Well if you do, I'd be very interested. You're very pretty and I think you're now really sexy."
"Christ Maria, you don't beat about the bush do you?" said a shocked Clair.
