Chapter 1 McDonalds
"No tables as usual," I thought balancing my tray in my hand as I fending off the usual excited kids running around. Then I spotted a woman get up from a table in the far corner and gather up a toddler and several shopping bags into a buggy. I made for the empty table. The woman seemed harassed because the toddler wanted a different toy and wasn't about to leave without it. I was hungry so left her to it and cleared the debris of their meal from the table. By the time I sat down they were heading out of McDonalds. I had a vague impression of the back of a woman in a blue blouse and denim skirt with long chestnut hair down her back. Then I noticed her purse.
She had left an old, red, leather purse on the seat opposite me. Curious, I picked it up and opened it, feeling a bit guilty about prying into somebody's secrets but wanting to know more about her. It contained a little money; not enough to be worth nicking; a dog eared photo of the daughter I had seen and a single parent benefit book. I knew immediately that I had to return the purse for the little girl's sake. After all she depended on the single parent benefit. But it didn't seem that urgent so I finished my cheeseburger and coffee.
The benefit book yielded an address I recognised on a council estate not far away. Fifteen minutes walk brought me to Poplar Avenue. The garden was homely. Not scruffy but with kid's toys and an old football on the grass. There was no sign of a car or home improvements, just a bog standard 1930s council semi.
I knocked and a boy of about 10 answered. I explained what I wanted and he called upstairs "Mum, some bloke's 'ere to see you."
"What's he want," came back a melodious voice.
"Say's he's got your purse, like," the lad told her.
"Ohhh! Come in, whoever you are. I'll be down in a second."
I stepped into the hallway. The lad didn't invite me into the living room but just stood at the foot of the stairs watching me warily. I had a moment to form impressions. There clearly wasn't much money to go around. The carpet was threadbare and there was no lightshade. But it was clean and there were wild flowers in a little vase on the window sill.
Then she came to the top of the stairs. I knew from her benefit book that her name was Debbie. She was of medium height and build. . She wasn't a classical beauty with her glasses and no make up on. But her chestnut hair, falling softly over her shoulders, was striking and she had a nice smile.
"Sorry to keep you. I was just going to have a shower," she said.
I could see that. The top button of her blouse was undone and her skirt zip too. She seemed quite un-phased about being seen by a strange man in this state and made no attempt to do up her blouse. She just said, "Go on into the living room and make yourself at home".
I did. There was children's clutter and the furniture was obviously second hand but it was clean and the sofa, with a colourful throw to disguise its age, looked comfy. There was a chair opposite. She hesitated, looked at me, seemed to decide that I was safe and sat next to me on the sofa. I gave her back her purse. She was nervous. It was clearly important to her and as she grabbed for it our fingers touched. She seemed to find this reassuring and relaxed until her fingers were gentle. She carefully opened the purse and counted the money. Obviously she had to count the pennies and knew just how much should be there. When the figure tallied, she half turned and gave a radiant smile as she thanked me. That wasn't all. I also got a peek of a pretty, pink and white bra half covering two full, firm breasts.
"I'm going to play footie, mum," called the boy and ran out leaving the front door to bang behind him. Debbie had such an open face. Already I could read that she was thinking, "We're alone now."
I asked "Where's your little girl?"
"Upstairs, asleep. Do want a coffee?" she added perhaps to cover her indecision.
"Please," I said and she got up and went through to the kitchen. She left the door open and I noticed the supple, natural way that she moved. I wanted to be near her and went to help. She didn't let me but I had time to look around the kitchen. Clothes were drying on a horse. Amongst the kid's stuff I couldn't help seeing a pair of tiny, sheer black panties. My eyes made the connection to her body and she knew it. But she just smiled as though they were normal attire.