ALL THINGS COME....... TO HE WHO WAITS
June.
Ulrika stretched luxuriously as the masseuse's strong fingers worked the weeks of tension and anxiety out of her back. On the table next to her Trudi was receiving the same care and attention from Inge, her eyes closed in bliss as the dark girl leaned into her shoulders, probing and twisting. Uli rolled her head and smiled at Inge.
'I'm so glad Luke arranged these sessions. It was good before the exams, but now they're over it's just heaven. The only thing is...' Trudi interrupted her
'The only thing is that Luke's gone.' Inge jumped.
'Gone? Where to?' Uli's voice quivered slightly.
'Just gone. He's gone to spend some time by himself, he said, and he'll come back at the end of the month when the results come out. He told Karl and me, and my mother I suppose, and he must have told you, Trudi, but it doesn't make me feel any better. Do you miss him too?' Trudi nodded.
'Yes. More than I thought I would. He's the most compelling man I've ever met in my life, and we've all gained from knowing him, but he's still a mystery. What I'd like to do is for us all to go somewhere after this and try to plan something for when he comes back, a sort of thank you. Olga's here this weekend and I'd like to ask her too. He did as much for her as for any of us. Inge, when do you finish work today?'
* * * * * * * * * * *
The four of them sat in a booth in Inge's favourite bar and sipped their drinks. Inge was the first to speak.
'Well, here we are, and all we've got in common is that we've had the best sex of our lives with Luke and he somehow taught each of us something important about ourselves while he was screwing us. I know my life's been better since I met him. And the other thing is that we're not jealous of each other. You were right about him, Trudi, and I agree, it's weird.' Olga looked up and nodded.
'He made me realise that I'm my own person, and I love him for that, but somehow I've never thought of keeping him just for myself, or myself just for him, for that matter. Uli, you've spent more time with him than us: what do you think?' Uli blushed.
'He's already changed me. I was a complete spoiled brat before, wasn't I, Trudi? The really odd thing is that I'm not embarrassed about admitting it. He's turned me into an adult, and he's showed me my sexuality without frightening me once, or pushing me, or anything. But I'm like all of you: I don't know what makes him tick. He's got his own rules but he won't say what they are.' There was silence, then Trudi stirred.
'He took me out last month and gave me dinner, to say thank you for everything this year, he said, and he'd booked a luxury room in the hotel and he fucked me till I didn't know what was happening. I came four times in an hour, proper ones, as if the top of my head was coming off, and he was so slow and sweet until right at the end that I was actually crying with pleasure. Sometimes I worry that he's spoiled me for anyone else. We need to do something special for him, all of us, but only after he's spent some time with Uli. He's on a promise to her and he won't be diverted from that. I'll bet you he's not with anyone at the moment. I've got the feeling that he always closes one chapter before he starts the next one'. The others nodded, lost in their own thoughts.
* * * * * * * * * * *
As I got off the train I felt a twinge of nervousness run through me. I'd got my colts to the starting gate and watched them take off, but as always, I hadn't been able to bear the idea of watching them come back tired and tense after each day's exams, nor wait with them through the agonising three weeks before the results were published. And there was always the chance that they'd collapsed and would make me look like a fool. It hadn't happened yet, but every year the same feelings of doubt battered me and I ran. With nervousness fluttering in the pit of my stomach I joined the line for taxis and tried to look unconcerned as we crawled through the evening traffic to the Fischer's house. To my complete astonishment Frau Fischer opened the door herself.
'Angela?' She smiled like a cat with a saucer of cream.
'Hello, Luke. It's a plot I'm afraid. Karl and Ulrika are in Salzburg. Bea's parents rang and invited Karl and I persuaded them to ask Ulrika as well, for a change of air; then I gave cook and Trudi a few days off, which shocked them rigid, and I sent Klaus away till the weekend. So it's just you and me for two days. The results are due on Friday, and my phone call telling you they'd already arrived was a complete lie. Don't just stand there, come in.' She stood back and smiled. She was wearing a tee-shirt and jeans, her hair was pinned up carelessly and she wasn't wearing make up. She looked completely wonderful. I gave in to the inevitable and stepped through the doorway.
'Thanks, Angela, what's for supper?'
'You're so clever. That's exactly it. I'm going to play house and have you all to myself for our last time. Supper's almost ready, and I'd better go and check it. Go and shower, then come down to the kitchen. Don't be too long.' She kissed the tip of my nose and hurried along the corridor. I shook my head and hauled my bag upstairs.
When I came down, showered and shaved and hungry, the kitchen was full of good smells and Angela was darting about muttering and adding pinches of this and that to bubbling pans. She caught my eye as I came in, and grinned cheerfully.