This is a work of pure fantasy, based on some real life people.
Comments are always welcomed, so if inclined please do.
All characters are over 18.
~~~~~~~~
Us humans are creatures of habit on the whole, whilst we like new experiences and life enriching times, we still crave the same old routine too.
Travelling the same way to work. Buying the same things at the supermarket. Even dating the same type of person too.
I guess I'm no different from most in that respect, yes I'd been lucky enough to travel and gain lots of new experiences, but I still wanted and craved the 'same old routine'.
Maybe I got it from my Dad, who always visited the same newsagent every morning, buying the same newspaper. Or it could have been that the discipline of a military lifestyle for over 20 years, gave me that craving.
Who knows, but now having stepped out of the military, I found myself falling into a daily routine, at least during the week anyway.
I'd head off to work, then after collecting my vehicle, stop off at the same newsagent to buy a newspaper, typically the same one, on a daily basis. Before heading off for the day at work. I know that most get their news on line nowadays, but I've always liked holding something tangible in my hands, getting my daily fix of tabloid tittle tattle, just like my father before me.
The newsagent I used was run by a husband and wife partnership, both of them in their, at a rough guess, in their mid to late 50's. Him being the older of the two.
He seemed like a very curmudgeonly character, quite gruff, but also personable once you got to know him. She on the other hand was the opposite, open, engaging and always chatting amiably.
I learnt over time that he was called Tim and her Juliet. He was, dare I say a typical man, in that he cared little for his appearance. His receding hairline, paunch and fairly dishevelled look, told me he cared little about how he came across.
Juliet, on the other hand, was the complete opposite to her husband. No matter the time of day, she was always nicely made up, her long dark hair perfectly in place and dressed nicely too. A slim figure, nice legs and from what I could gather, quite big boobs. Whether she wore jeans, trousers or a skirt, it's safe to say she was very easy on the eye. Even if it was first thing in the morning when I visited to collect my paper.
As a rule it was Tim that served me at around the same time of around 0715hrs everyday, however from time to time, I'd be greeted by the fragrant Juliet instead.
I came to hope that Juliet would be serving when I stopped by in the morning. She always took the time to pass the time of day, well presented and it was a great way to kick off the day. I'd often find myself thinking about how she looked as I drove off. I could definitely think of worse ways to start the day, than a few minutes with the very lovely Juliet.
From time to time I'd see them both in the local pub, him looking the same as always. Dishevelled and thoroughly grumpy, a constant frown on his face. He'd raise an eyebrow in recognition and then go back to his drink.
Juliet, however was her usual vivacious looking self. Often dressed in a short(ish) skirt, legs crossed looking sexy as hell! Make-up in place, subtle not slutty, hair cascading down onto her shoulders or pulled up, but always in place.
A cheery wave directed my way when she saw me, or even a few pleasant words between us, before I left her and Tim in peace.
They did, I must say, make quite the odd couple, but who was I to judge who was with who. Opposites attract after all. I did though always look forward to crossing paths with Juliet, there was just something about her that made my heart sing, even as a man in my late 40's.
Personally I'm nothing special, a single, divorced man, no kids and with a decent job that paid ok, supplemented by my military pension. A reasonable looking bloke who still keeps in shape at the gym and by running.
I'd had no serious relationships since my divorce and was happy to keep it that way. I dated occasionally and had a reasonably healthy sex life as a result, but never sought anything serious.
As I said, I'd fallen into something of a routine and on the Monday of a new working week, stopped off to get my paper as usual. Tim looked up as I approached the counter, paper in hand.
"95p please Rob", he said in his usual brusque manner. I handed him a pound, took my change and left, not having said a word. It's safe to say if Tim had attended a charm school, he'd miserably failed!
And so it went on for the rest of the week, the day's drited slowly by, with no change at all. Friday dawned and off I went again, pulling up outside the newsagent, I switched off my van and without looking up, picked up my paper, produced a pound from my pocket, eyes glued to the front page of the paper, expecting a grunt from Tim, when I got a very cheery "Hiya Rob" instead.
It was Juliet! My spirits rose straight away, even more so when I looked up and saw her. As usual she looked great. Hair down, make-up on, dressed nicely too, a hint of cleavage showing today. Christ, Tim was a lucky man!
We had a quick chat, too quick for my liking, then another customer came through the door, so I bade her goodbye and headed off for the day. As I drove away I smiled to myself, what a great way to start the day.
The weekend came and went and soon I was pulling up outside Juliet and Tim's newsagent on a Monday. Stepping inside, I was once again greeted by the fragrant Juliet, not Tim. Again we chatted briefly, me trying not to stare at her cleavage, sure that she was showing off more than usual. I caught glimpse of a lacy white bra and felt myself stiffening at the sight, damn that woman was sexy. Excusing myself for work, I left with a substantial lump in my work trousers.
Tuesday dawned and once again I was greeted by Juliet, this time she was bent over adjusting something on a shelf as I entered the shop. A tight skirt covered her backside, dark nylons on her legs and a pair of tan leather boots stretched up to her knees. I leapt in my trousers, jesus she looked great. Gathering myself I got my paper as usual, once again trying not to look at her cleavage, before heading off, thoroughly hard in my trousers once again.
And so it continued for the rest of the week and the week after that too. Where was Tim? Not that I was complaining of course, Juliet was much easier on the eye than her miserable husband.
On the third week since I'd seen Tim, I decided to broach the subject of his continued absence and asked, "Hi Juliet, where's Tim? I haven't seen him for a few weeks, is he ill or something?"
Juliet looked up at me smiling, "Actually no, he's not here at all."
My puzzled look gave her the chance to continue, "I've thrown him out Rob, he was lazy, miserable and I couldn't be bothered putting up with him any longer. We're through, done and I've filed for divorce"
I opened my mouth to reply, but she went on, "The shop is in my name and my kids help out here when they can, so I'm managing ok anyway."
"Sorry to hear that Juliet", I replied, "it can't be easy. How long were you married for?"
"Don't be sorry Rob", came her reply, "I'm well shot of him, the kids agree too, they'd had enough of his grumpy face as well. We'd been together for 25 years, it was all ok for the first 15 years or so, then he just became obnoxious and downright unbearable. I honestly don't know why it took me so long to get rid of him!"
I was taken aback at the venom in her voice and spluttered, "Oh, well, um, I err see. Um have a good day and I'll see you tomorrow I guess, bye." I headed off and drove away, still shocked and surprised at her revelation. I honestly hadn't realised just how toxic a relationship they had, I knew they were polar opposites, but there never seemed a hint of anything like this, at least not in public anyway. Then again who knows what goes on behind closed doors away from the public gaze?
Over the next few weeks I became used to seeing Juliet first thing in the morning and whether it was sub conscious or not I began to notice what she wore every time, often complimenting her. Juliet never wore anything overtly provocative or slutty even, but I did notice that she wore skirts or dresses more often than before. Maybe it was a result of being free to do and wear what she pleased, who knows?
Often her legs were nylon clad, I always hoped she wore stockings, they were a particular weakness of mine and my ex wife often indulged me, knowing how much they turned me on. She also wore quite low cut tops, a nice creamy amount of cleavage often encased in a lacy bra, catching my eye most days.
A couple of months came and went when as usual I stopped by to get my paper, expecting to be greeted by Juliet, however she wasn't there. Instead a very attractive blonde lady stood behind the counter. She like Juliet was very nice to look at, shorter, but equally as pretty. She also bore a striking resemblance to Juliet, sisters maybe?
I paid for my paper and off I went.
Again the mystery lady was at the counter the following day and on Wednesday too. Stopping off on Thursday, curiosity got the better of me, "Juliet not around?" I enquired.
"She's away, taking a well earned break, the last few months have taken their toll on her," mystery lady replied rather frostily.
"Yes, I heard about her break up, it can't be easy and trying to keep this place going too," I gestured, waving my arms around. "Anyway, please pass on my regards when you speak to her."
"Who shall I say asked after her?" a raised eyebrow on the blonde lady queried, arms crossed defensively.
"Rob, I'm a regular at this time of day for my paper," I waved it in the air, as if to show why I was there.
She half smiled, "Right, ok", blimey she was quite terse!
With that I turned away and went back to my van and work.
I had the following day off, so didn't bother going in for my paper, instead had a lazy lie in, that's what Fridays off are for after all. Saturdays are usually, for me, clean up day's, I go for a run then tidy up the house, vacuum and the do the shopping, again routine in my life, giving me stability and comfort.
Once I'd eaten I headed off to the local for a catch up with a few mates, a game of darts and a pint of two. My life is indeed 'rock n fuckin roll'!
It was around 2000hrs that night, I'd had a couple of drinks and was stood at the bar, chatting to a couple of friends, when there was a tap on my shoulder.
I wheeled round to be greeted by the blonde lady from the newsagent. I smiled nervously, she'd been less than genial when I'd seen her on the Thursday. "Someone wants a word with you," she said, then turned around heading off through the crowd without looking back, disappearing from sight.
I stood my ground, drink in hand and waited, sure enough a minute later she reappeared, looking mightily pissed off.
She stopped in front of me, folded her arms, "Didn't you hear me? Someone wants a word with you..." then she turned once more. I didn't move, pint in my hand I stood implacable and waited. Just who did this lady think she was, ordering me about? I'd met her a few times, each of which she'd been borderline rude, so if she thought I was going to follow her she had another thing coming!
I turned back to chat to the blokes I was with, when another tap on my shoulder stopped me. I sighed, I'd had enough of this woman now, I dropped my head, put my pint on the bar and steeled myself, ready to give her both barrels.
Spinning on my heels, I opened my mouth and stopped! The lady I was expecting wasn't there, it was Juliet facing me.
"H, h, hiya" I stuttered, "I was um..."
"Expecting someone else?" she finished my sentence for me, smiling.
"Well um yes" I managed to reply.
Juliet chortled, "She does have that affect on some people."
I raised an enquiring eyebrow.
"My sister Annie, she's always been quite protective of me, even though she's my little sister."