Over the months I'd been visiting the local hotel gym I'd hardly ever seen anyone my own age (mid 30s), mostly retired people having a swim or a gentle workout. Most business or younger people seemed to prefer late afternoon or evenings, although only ever visiting between 10am and 1pm I probably had a blinkered view of the exact membership.
One day, after completing my round of cycle, rower and treadmill and finishing off with the pool to myself for half a dozen lengths, a man with a Scottish accent joined me.
After an awkward silence as we both swam our separate routes, he asked "is it always this quiet."
I replied that it usually was at this time, and we continued our swim.
I avoided any more conversation with him and then decided it was time I got out. Although I had successfully dieted I became a little conscious that perhaps he might look at me as I got out of the pool, and I wondered what he might think.
After deciding not to be so self-conscious I made the move and hurried to the changing rooms.
He was obviously a guest at the hotel as when I left he was confirming his room number to the receptionist, and as I walked down the corridor I saw that he had caught me up when I heard him ask "so is that the best time to swim here."
I smiled and replied that I thought it became busier later in the day. He asked if I was a resident and I replied that I was on a daytime scheme where I could use it for up to 2 hours anytime between 10 and 3, and that I only came in on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasionally Wednesdays.
He said that he was working down here and as he usually worked a late shift he sometimes got bored for things to do during the day.
We parted as he said "I might see you again then."
My face felt a little flushed, was I being chatted up?
I tried to put him out of my mind as I went about my business and for the next few times I didn't see him.
About 3 weeks later though I entered an otherwise empty gym and realised the only other person there was him.
Hello, how are you he asked.
Ok, I replied.
He asked if I wouldn't mind him using the cycle next to mine and as I couldn't think of an objection we started cycling together. He asked all the normal chatty things about weather, holidays, family, this location, where I lived, what it was like for shops and schools and things like that, and said his name was John Mc something, possibly mcmillan and I guessed he was in his early 40s.
I told him mine was Janine.
I noticed he was always looking at me as we spoke and I wondered what he was thinking, was he just being friendly or was he thinking other things. He decided he would also join me in the pool and as I changed into my swimsuit I smiled at myself thinking I've got a new friend.
Since my other friend stopped coming because she felt she wasn't losing weight I had to come on my own and I felt a little happier I had someone to talk to even though it was a man.
We said goodbye as we went to the changing rooms to shower and dress and when I said I was coming back on Thursday he said he'd also be there and would I mind if he joined me again.
I said I wouldn't, thinking what else could I say.
On Wednesday night I gathered my gym kit and swimsuit together for the following day and my husband asked where I was going with it, to which I replied to the gym. He seemed to have forgotten that I usually went once or twice every week such was his interest in what I did while he was at work.
"Hope there's no young men there seeing you in those," he said.
"Why, what's wrong with them, besides there's only pensioners if anyone at all," I replied, not mentioning the Scottish man.
"Phworr, short shorts, top hugging your lovely boobs and then a swimsuit so thin you can make out the shape of your boobs and nips as well as see your lovely arse and sexy legs, enough to give anyone a hard on."
I told him off for being dirty minded but then began to think about what if he was right and what if my "friend" had a similar opinion.
I'd never considered myself overly attractive, smaller than ideal at 5'3, not as slim as id like to be but apart from a tummy that needed a bit of work after having two babies I was otherwise ok and my legs and face were ok, and my less endowed friends always used to comment about what I lost in height I made up with by my 36d boobs.
The same sort of sequence began to happen every alternate week, met in the gym exchanged hello's, some chat in the pool and the sauna, said goodbye as we walked the corridor from the gym to the hotel entrance, me going to the car park, him staying inside.
I found myself becoming comfortable with our meetings and perhaps subconsciously made sure I looked presentable rather than wear my old track suit that I used to wear.
One day in the corridor he asked if I knew somewhere to catch a lunchtime drink and a bite to eat away from the hotel. I mentioned the next nearest place I could think of and he asked if I would like to join him. I became flustered, not knowing what to say, and blurted out "I have to meet someone soon."
He calmly said "ok, do you have an appointment after every visit here," to which I hastily and then regrettably replied "no just today."
"OK, how about Thursday then," he said.
What could I say? I hesitated trying to think of another excuse but my head was spinning and as I realised I was beginning to look stupid by not answering I said "errm, ohh, ok then, I cant stay too long though."
Thursday came and we ended up going for lunch, with me driving the short distance to the pub. It was very busy and I was nervous about being recognised. Wearing my jeans and a t-shirt I thought at least no-one will think I've dressed up for the occasion, like they perhaps might have done on some other occasions when I'd been to the gym knowing he'd be there.
He cleared his plate and finished his drink while I was only about half way through mine and asked if I wanted another drink.
I pushed my plate away saying I was full but if he wanted another drink I would buy seeing as he had already paid.
"No, no," he said as he got up and went to the bar, allowing me to catch up with my drink.
After we finished our drinks I made my excuses to leave and luckily he agreed, although I noticed he looked at the front of my t-shirt a few times after our meal. He thanked me for relieving his boredom by having lunch with him as he got out of the car, and we said goodbye and I drove speedily home, thinking what if someone has seen me in the pub with him or in the car, thinking how nervous I felt yet how silly I was as it was only a drink and a bite to eat.
I missed Tuesday (usually need to have a few days off every month) but went on Thursday and to my surprise he was there. He told me he had asked for longer assignments here, and when I asked why, he said "nicer people" and smiled.
I felt myself blush as I assumed he meant me, or it could have been the people he worked with. After our session we changed and then as usual he was lingering in the corridor to say goodbye. I noticed he looked me up and down approvingly and I felt pleased that I had put some nice clothes on before I came. I had a black and white check skirt that was a little above the knee, black low heel shoes, a white blouse with a deep half-circle neck that showed some of my cleavage, and the material was quite thin allowing my bra to be identified underneath.
He asked if he could take my bag to the car and I said it was ok as he already had his to carry.
He asked if I fancied lunch and I said I couldn't eat the big meals that the pub did.
He then asked if id like a quick drink in the hotel bar saying it was usually deserted before midday. As it was just approaching midday I decided it might be ok to have one drink.
We went in and sure enough it was deserted,
