It was a dark, cold and wet night when I saw Elaine for the first time in twenty years. I had been trying to find my way back to my hotel. I knew my way from the industrial estate where the company I had been visiting was based. The problem was that we had gone on site visits from there and it had taken me over two hours to find my way back to the industrial estate.
Most of the units were closed for the night. I pulled in beneath a street lamp to get my bearings, anxious to reach the warmth of my hotel room where a hot shower and room service awaited me.
As I studied my street map trying to gauge the optimum route I became aware of a figure approaching my drivers window.
I glanced up and recognised her at once even after twenty years.
The Ice Queen we had called her. Although she was easily the prettiest girl in the 6th Form College we had both attended she was never known to have gone on a date despite having numerous invitations. At discos she would dance to the liveliest of songs but when the slow smoochy songs began none of the twenty plus guys pursuing her could find her. If at Christmas you did manage to claim a kiss it was always the chastest type imaginable.
I, for one, had chased her relentlessly, becoming her friend, her confidante always in the hope that one day she would see sense and melt into my arms.
When the final exams were over I never set eyes on her again. Until now.
I lowered my window, my lips forming her name "Elaine".
She beat me to it "Forty pounds in the car or one hundred overnight".
I stared astonished, it was only then that I noticed how she was dressed; her scanty top revealed a cleavage I could only imagine all those years ago and her skirt was as small as the belts she had worn back then.
I finally found my voice "Elaine?" I murmured barely audibly.
She flinched and frowned "I'm Cheryl, hurry up and decide, the law could be here any minute now."
"Climb in" I said releasing the passenger lock. She settled into the seat tugging her skirt over her thighs.
"That's better, drive while you decide what you want."
I drove, stealing glances as I did, there was no doubt, this prostitute was definitely Elaine, the source of many teenage fantasies.
"Well?" She demanded "What's it to be?"
I had no idea what had brought her down to selling her body but I felt that I owed it to our old friendship to get her away from these streets if only for tonight.
Despite my youthful lust for her I had no interest in buying what she was selling but I did want to help her if it was at all possible. "My hotel" I said finally.
"Cash up front" she cautioned me.
By now we were in a shopping area. I pulled in beside a bank and withdrew £250 from a cash point.
Climbing back in I thrust £100 into her hands; the notes disappeared into her handbag. I reached for my mobile phone and called the hotel.
Quickly I gave my name and explained that my wife had joined me unexpectedly, I tried to upgrade my single room to a twin but only an executive suite was available. Realising that this would include a large settee, which I could use as a bed, I accepted it.
"Which hotel are you staying at?"
I told her; her eyes widened "They won't let me in dressed like this."
I looked across, she had a point, her top was in fact no more than a white silk scarf through which her nipples were clearly visible. Seated her thong was clearly visible beneath the hem of her skirt.
I recalled that at the weekend my wife and I had gone out for the day.Anticipating bad weather she had put her long coat into the boot of the car and it was still there. Once again I climbed out of the car, retrieved it and handed it to Elaine. "Put this on, no-one will notice."
She smiled gratefully and I drove away. "So how long have you been doing this" I asked bluntly.
Her eyes went down "Long enough" she replied.
This was clearly not a conversation, which she wished to pursue. I flicked the radio on and drove the last couple of miles to the hotel. I booked in while she stood back, pretending to read one of the tourist leaflets.
In the lift and during the short walk along the corridor the tense silence continued.
The room was larger than I had expected having a living room, bedroom and bathroom. I dumped my case and picked up the room service menu and handed it to her "You look hungry, what would you like?"
She handed it back "A sandwich will do."
"I'm having a meal and I don't like eating alone, what would you like?" I insisted.
She walked around the room as I phoned the order to Room Service. I glanced across, holding the receiver "What will you have to drink Elaine?" I asked.
"A vodka and coke" she replied, then realising that she had answered to her real name she collapsed into an armchair, her eyes staring at me.
As I put the phone down she whispered "Who are you?"
I handed her a business card, as she stared at it I could see the years rolling past in her mind. "Dave? My God, I thought I was safe 200 miles from Newcastle."
"Well don't worry I'm not going to sell the story to the newspapers. I won't even tell your parents or sister that I've seen you. Now relax and tell me what has happened to you."
She grinned sheepishly "To the Ice Queen you mean?" It was my turn to look surprised. "Oh I know what you all called me. It didn't worry me, I had every intention of being a pure virgin bride in those days". She laughed "Look at me now."
"So what went wrong?"
She looked carefully at me "You really care enough to want to know don't you?" I nodded. "You always were different, you used to look at my face more than peeking at my bust. I always wondered whether one day you might be The One, but then I came here to university and you were just a fond memory."
"So tell me what happened."
She looked steadily at me "I might over dinner but first do you think that I will have time for a shower?"
