Sometimes when I look back over the two or three years since this incident happened I wonder if it really did or if it is just the imaginings of a man in his older years. But then I unlock the bottom drawer in my office desk and the proof is there waiting for me – a tiny, lacy, black thong, long since dried out from the juices that once covered it but which still acts as a memento of a very young, very sexy, very special lady!!
This story came about as a result of my son-in-law being asked to go over to Germany for a training course which would last for 6 months. He is employed by one of the European supermarket chains that have begun to take a foothold across the UK in recent years. At that time he was the manager of one of their smaller stores but the company obviously had their eyes on him for greater things when they suggested the intensive course at their German headquarters with a view to making him an area manager and eventually even more.
Initially the plan was that his wife, my elder daughter, would stay behind with the two children whilst he spent the time in a hotel with the occasional trip home, but then it was suggested that there was the option of a six-month rental of a private house and that the whole family could make the trip. That left my daughter and son-in-law in a quandary, the thought of this all-expenses paid trip was so appealing but their two small children were still in junior school and taking them out of school and their other activities for a period of 6 months would cause problems. The eventual solution was originated by my wife.
"Why don't the two of you make the trip whilst we look after Jack and Sophie. We managed to bring up three children of our own without any problems and I am sure we can cope. And besides it will be good for the two of you to get away alone for a bit."
The idea sounded good. Simon worked long hours at the supermarket and a "second honeymoon" might be good for their marriage. Added to the fact that we adored our grandchildren and took every opportunity to spend time with them it seemed a solution that would suit everyone and provide minimum disruption to the children's schooling.
We held a couple of meetings to iron out the details and then everything seemed to fall into place. We would move in to our daughter's home for the period of their six month's absence. They only lived 5 minutes away by car. The children would be able to keep their own bedrooms in the 4 bedroom house and be close to their friends. My younger daughter still lived at home with us and so she could look after our own house, feed the cat and no doubt enjoy her independence and the chance to have her boyfriend over to stay as and when it suited them.
I was already semi-retired, working just 3 days in the week, and would have time to help with the school runs etc. My wife had not worked for many years. She did some volunteer work for the local hospice and enjoyed trips out with friends but between us we had plenty of free time and energy to make the whole thing work. Or so we thought.
It was hard to find a flaw in the plan and everyone seemed suited and so the appropriate arrangements were made. My son-in-law's employers would, very generously, give us an allowance to help with things and in no time at all we were waving goodbye to Jane and Simon as they made their tearful farewells and headed off to the airport.
The children seemed to cope very well. The first couple of nights were a bit stressful but once we all got into a routine things went well. The nightly calls from their parents in Germany reassured the children and they were also able to speak via the web cam.
The only problem which seemed to develop was for my wife and I. Whilst we had brought up 3 children of our own we were no longer as young as we had been, both now in our mid 50's, and we had got used to the freedom that comes once your family have grown and become independent – going out without the need to plan childcare – staying in bed in a morning after a late night - things we had started to take for granted. Plus the increased work load of more washing, ironing, cooking etc had come as a bit of a shock to our systems.
Still there was nothing to do but grin and bear it. The 6 months would soon pass.
Then someone made the suggestion of getting in some outside help – a nanny / au pair sort of thing. As I have said, my son-in-law's employers were happy to foot the bill for any reasonable expense and the idea started to sound more practical. But where would we find someone for what was now less than 5 months of employment?
The solution came the following Friday evening as I was discussing the matter with a few friends as we enjoyed our Friday night drinks in the local pub. One of them had a neighbour whose daughter was looking for some casual work before going back to full-time education later in the year. It seemed she had done some work in a nursery nearby and whilst she had no qualifications she seemed perfect for the position. I passed my number on via the friend and waited to see if anything materialised.
On the Saturday morning my wife and I were discussing the matter, in between resolving the grandchildren's breakfasts, homework etc, when the phone rang.
"Hi, is that Mr Fielding? , this is Stacey, I understand you are looking for someone to give you a lift with your grandchildren"
Stacey sounded very young but very confident and bubbly and so I made arrangements for her to call round that afternoon for a chat and to see what could be resolved.
2pm arrived and with it Stacey – right on time. I opened the front door to see her lovely smile and sparkling eyes. For the minute her other attributes had not come to my attention. She was exactly as she had sounded on the phone, bright, bubbly, enthusiastic and young, even younger than she had sounded on the phone. But one thing the telephone call had not told me was just how pretty she was. Pretty in a way that seemed both innocent and yet experienced. Pretty from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Pretty in a way that made men's pulses race and their hearts beat faster.
Both my wife and I warmed to her as we enjoyed a cup of tea and some biscuits and the fact she asked to meet with the children gave us reassurance that she was not just out to make a few pounds over the summer months.