I enjoyed the peace and quiet of a solitary Saturday, alone with my thoughts. Did I feel guilty about my sessions with Howard? Not really, I was craving attention and affection. My suppressed sexual desires had been released and satisfied for now at least. Was it wrong to have a relationship with someone I now knew to be only twenty? Not as long as no-one else knew, I chuckled inwardly at that thought!
On Sunday there was a street market in a nearby town, the day looked fine and I caught a bus to enjoy browsing round the stalls. Some nice fresh vegetables were purchased and I enjoyed a lovely milky coffee in a café down a side street.
As I left the café I heard a wolf whistle, I turned to view my admirer. There stood Howard, grinning as ever and heading in my direction. He was helping a mate, Derek, to move into a flat in the town he explained. He asked if I was staying a while as they would be done soon and would be going out for a few pints.
I knew Derek vaguely as he occasionally came in the Royal Inn and he seemed a quiet enough man, a little older than Howard and his mates but pleasant enough. I saw no harm in agreeing and said I would meet them by the Town Hall in an hour so if that was agreeable. Howard said that was fine as they just had some furniture to move from his van.
I browsed happily without adding to my shopping and then made my way towards the Town Hall, Howard and Derek were already there and greeted me cheerfully. Derek suggested going to the Red Lion which was very close nearby and soon we were standing at the bar, I offered to buy the drinks but they would not hear of it.
They were downing pints of bitter at a good rate, even on halves I was struggling to keep up and it was almost a relief when last orders were called. No all day drinking in those days! Derek suggested buying a few bottles to take back to his new place and Howard agreed saying he would take me home later if that was OK, I was relaxed and having fun so why not?
The two men carried a crate of bottles we had bought as we walked a short distance to the street where Howard had spotted me earlier. Derek unlocked the door to the downstairs flat, explaining that he had been wanting his own place for some time as living with parents was no fun. The door opened into a small living room furnished with just a sofa, a radio and a television, we made our way in. The crate was deposited by the sofa and Derek disappeared into what I assumed was the kitchen saying he had a bottle opener somewhere.
I shrugged off my coat laying it on the carpet, Howard was by now lounging on one end of the sofa giving me lustful looks. I whispered to him that here was not the right place and he just smiled. Derek returned triumphantly holding out a bottle opener and telling Howard to get some bottles opened. He also held out a five pound note to Howard, saying it was for the help and the bet.
Howard took the fiver placing it in his jeans front pocket. I enquired what the bet was, did he have a bet on a horse? Derek laughed saying no not a horse but it looked like a sure thing! I was puzzled and asked Howard what the bet had been, he looked sheepish and mumbled something I did not catch.
I asked again, and recoiled in horror as he explained that I was the subject of the wager. Derek and he worked on building projects together and after one of my early visits to the pub Howard had said how much he fancied me. Derek had laughingly said he had no chance and the friendly wager had been struck. He tried to placate me by saying how much he liked me and had said nothing to anyone else, he said Derek had known when I agreed to meet them for a drink but he had not told him any details.
I was furious and made to get my coat and leave, Howard grabbed me by the arms pleading with me not to leave. He pulled me up against him kissing me and telling me had been stupid. No the stupid one was me. He persuaded me to just have one drink and he would drive us home, Derek had swiftly opened three bottles and pushed one at me urging me to have a drink. He assured me that the secret was safe with him, the bet had been settled and that was it.
Drink does strange things at times, half a bottle of fizzy beer and I was sat back on the sofa with the two young men either side of me already on their second bottles. By the time I had finished the first bottle and another had been opened for me I was feeling distinctly light headed and giggly now my annoyance had abated. Howard turned and kissed me lightly, Derek said he wished the bet had been the other way round and laughed.