It was Wednesday morning and the twin cylindered BMW hummed as I made my way back to Lincoln. Once out of Nottingham's suburbs the roads were traffic free and I could open the bike up and enjoy the ride. Getting the BMW on the road had made it easier to visit Lesley and we'd agreed that on Tuesdays I'd come over and stay at hers. As long as the weather was good taking the bike was much more enjoyable and meant less strain on my long suffering Mini.
Lesley had arranged for us to meet Rachel and Pete on Tuesday evening for a pint and to talk about their engagement party which was the coming weekend. Instead, she'd spent most of the evening talking about Sunday's ride to the coast. Lesley had thoroughly enjoyed riding pillion and now everyone was going to hear about it, whether they wanted to or not. Rachel and Pete took it in good humour and they both seemed genuinely happy for her.
We did manage to discuss some of their plans for Saturday, which involved Lesley and me as part of the decorating committee for the party which was to be held in a village hall near to Rachel's parents' house on the outskirts of Nottingham. We were both looking forward to doing normal stuff as a couple so were happy to be included in the preparations.
When we'd got back to Lesley's apartment we fucked. Not like animals, but tenderly, then we'd fallen asleep in each other's arms. That Wednesday morning, I'd left her bleary eyed and still half asleep, telling her that I loved her and that I'd be back on Friday.
I made good time on the bike and was back at Ruth and David's by 8.00 a.m. too early for breakfast but with no time to go for a run. I changed out of my bike gear and into my work clothes then hung around the flat until I was sure I could smell cooking. When I opened the back door to the house I could see that Ruth and David were both in the kitchen. Ruth made a comment about the dirty stop-out returning for breakfast then asked how Lesley was. I said she was fine and told them about the preparations for Lesley's friends' engagement party on Saturday. I told David that the BMW was running sweetly and that he should try it, but Ruth quickly closed that topic down.
As I left them to get on with the decorating Ruth said, "Don't forget Wednesday club tonight. I need you to finish up by five." I turned round to look at them both, surprised that the three of us would be having this conversation but David smiled at me and rolled his eyes.
"I have no idea what's happening but I'll be there!" I said.
David left for Nottingham at around 4.00 p.m. and half an hour later Ruth called me in for a cup of tea and a chat. "I don't know how much you know about the world of publishing Steven," she said, "but having the right publisher is everything. A publisher has to invest in you with no guarantee of a return and although David's books are a safe bet now, that wasn't always the case. David's publishers are owned by a man called Daniel Davidson. Daniel's a self-made man. He started off with nothing and with the help of a couple of wealthy backers he built a large venture capital company in London. One of the companies they bought along the way was a publishing company and Daniel decided to run it almost as a hobby. It's small change for his company nowadays but it gives Daniel a certain respectability that his upbringing and his day job don't give him. We met him and his wife at a swinging party about fifteen years ago when David wasn't really having any success with his writing. Daniel had a thing for me and I did my best to make sure that I pitched David to him. It worked and Daniel's company became David's publisher. I'm not sure if Daniel has ever read one of David's books but I've lost count of the times he's fucked me."
"Ruth I'm shocked," I said in mock surprise.
"Well, anyway it all worked out in the end. The books sold, David and Daniel's wife also hit it off and Daniel and I kept seeing each other."
"I like a happy ending."
"Except," said Ruth. "Three years ago Daniel divorced his wife and married a girl almost 20 years younger than him. It was such a shame as we both got on so well with his first wife. She took a settlement and lives in Provence these days. His new wife, Kate, is a bit of a gold digger to be honest but what else can you expect when a thirty year old woman marries a fifty year old man. But Daniel's not stupid, he knows that. As for swinging she's clever enough not to say no to Daniel but shows no enthusiasm. We met them once and it was a disaster."
"I'm beginning to see where I fit in but what makes you think she'll be interested in me?"
"I don't know, I'm just hoping that maybe you can occupy her while I spend some time with Daniel."
"Well, I said I'd be your wing man so count me in but why are you making such an effort. David's a best-selling author now. I'm guessing any publisher would want him."
"It doesn't hurt to keep Daniel on side but if I'm honest I've always fancied him. He's an influential man and well, I find that sexy."
"Ok, so what's the plan?"
"Well, they are coming up from London and staying overnight. I'm going to cook supper for us all. I hope you don't mind but I bought you a shirt and some new jeans to wear." Then she added, "Oh a couple of other things. Kate only does separate room swinging so you'll be on your own I'm afraid and Daniel hates university educated people, he thinks they are all wasters. But don't worry I told him you head butted somebody in Nottingham the other week and he's curious."
"No pressure then! What time do you want me?"
"They are coming at seven so l'd say around eight"
"Great. I've got time for a run then!"
I packed my ladders and paint away, changed and went out for a run. I'd missed a couple of runs recently and was keen to get back into the swing of it even though the heat of the early evening was oppressive. I really had to push myself to keep up the pace but when I eventually got back it felt good to have made it round. I ran up the driveway drenched in sweat only to see a pale blue Aston Martin Vantage parked in the drive. Just as I drew level with it Ruth and her guests came out of the house to fetch their bags in.
"Oh, hi Steven," said Ruth, not expecting me to be there. "God, you look exhausted. Are you alright? This is Daniel and Kate by the way."
"Hi." I said. "Excuse the appearance it's a bit hot out there. Probably best if I don't shake your hands."
"No worries," said Daniel and extended his hand to shake mine. "You look like you could use a beer."
"To be honest I could do with several but I'll settle for a glass of water and a shower for now".
Daniel laughed. He was a big guy, almost six foot, but still reasonably trim for his age. Kate however remained silent throughout the whole exchange. She seemed a cold fish for sure, very attractive, very well dressed but she never smiled once or offered any acknowledgement. Just for a moment though I thought that I caught her checking me out.
"We'll see you around eight then Steven?" said Ruth, but as they made off with the luggage back to the house Kate stopped them.
"I'm sorry," said Kate. "I didn't realise that you were joining us this evening. I thought you were the handy man."
"I am and I am," I said. "Ruth and David have been kind enough to give me a job in the summer break from Uni and I'm systematically eating them out of house and home under the pretence of fixing up their house for them."
The penny dropped and Kate immediately softened. A smile came over her face and she stuck her hand out to shake mine. "Hi, I'm Kate, pleased to meet you."
I showered and shaved, drank plenty of water to rehydrate and then went to put on some clothes. The shirt Ruth had chosen was a plain white tailored shirt that was so well fitted it left little to the imagination. The jeans were a fresh pair of pre-shrunk Levis which also fitted well. I checked myself in the mirror then walked across to the house.