Fish and Finger Pie Ch. 6: (Enjoying the pleasures of older women)
I was sat at the back of the small bistro. It was pouring with rain outside and Victoria Street was a see of black umbrellas. I had used the bistro ever since I had moved to the city at the start of my course. I had gotten to know the Bangladeshi owners quite well and they allowed me to sit and sip coffee for a couple of hours whilst I looked through my notes and books especially when my flat mates were partying at home, which seemed to be a regular occurrence.
The owners had a rather attractive daughter who occasionally helped out by the name of Kajari. If the café were quiet, Kajari would sometimes sit with me and chat. I rather liked her but I had no designs on her sexually and neither did she on me, or so I thought.
It had been wet all day and the windows were steamed up. I was deep into the chemistry of the brain when there was a commotion at the door. I glanced up. It seemed that some female had slipped on the wet pavement outside the bistro. I put my head back in my books.
Kajari called out, "Carter! Get over here there's a lady who needs some medical attention and you're the nearest thing we have to a doctor."
I hesitated not wishing to get involved but a stern voice soon made me jump. Kajari's mother was not to be messed with, "Edward, you are needed..."
By this time, the female was sitting on a chair surrounded by some other passers-by. I walked up slowly, conscious that it had been drummed into us as young students that we shouldn't attempt medical procedures on our own. I looked down at the female. I reckoned she was in her fifties. She was immaculately made-up and wearing a skirt suit with some elevated heels on her shoes. Her long maxi-coat was splayed around the chair. I could see two rather large scrapes and cuts on her knees.
Kajari said, "I'll get the first aid kit..."
I looked up at the lady, "Hi, my names' Carter and I'm a medical student. Can I have a look?"
She nodded. I bent down as I felt the presence of Kajari next to me clutching a green first aid box.
There were holes in her expensive stockings at the knees. I raised my eyebrows, "Kajari, can you bring some hot water. I need to bathe these so I can see what I'm doing."
The female looked at me, "I feel such an idiot; I wasn't looking where I was going."
I shook my head, "Nah, don't worry. They look worse than they actual are. I'll soon have you on your way. I'm afraid you've made a mess of your tights."
She smiled, "Stockings, actually. I'll remove them if it helps?"
I nodded as she reached up under her skirt and fiddled around for a few seconds. I turned away but not before I had a glimpse of an expensive pair of black, silk French knickers...
I felt Kajari nudge me..."Give the lady some room, Carter..."
I looked away, somewhat embarrassed.
When I turned back, the hosiery was lying on her lap. I bent down and went to work. The cuts were superficial but she was going to have two nice bruises for a few days.
I patched her up with some antiseptic and a couple of band-aid plasters. I stood up. She smiled at me, "Thank you so much."
I nodded, "It's nothing. Have a soak in the bath when you get home and as long as they are not bleeding let the air get to them. They'll soon heal as long as you keep them clean. If they get infected make sure you see your doctor."
She stood up, smoothed down her skirt and wrapped her long coat around her. She turned to Kajari's mother, "Could you call me a cab?"
I watched as the lady left the bistro and got into a taxi. I went to the toilet and scrubbed my hands clean. When I returned, there was a fresh cup of coffee on my table.
Kajari smiled at me, "Complements of the house for being such a Good Samaritan."
I nodded my thanks, sat down and buried my head back into the human brain...I didn't return to the bistro for over a week.
As soon as I pushed open the door Kajari came over to me and thrust a piece of paper in my hands, "That nice lady you helped the other day wants you to call her. She wishes to thank you."
I sighed, "It was nothing; a few cuts and scrapes, that's all."
Needless to say, I'd put the whole episode out of my mind; too many other things going on in my life. I shrugged at Kajari, "A cup of coffee, Kaj..."
With constant exams and course work, socialising was the furthest thing in my mind. However, when I next returned to the bistro I got a right ear bashing from Kajari's mother for not being polite enough to return the call.
This time a fresh piece of paper was thrust in my hand. I turned it over as I sat down placing my books on the table. The note gave her telephone number and a name, Mrs Eve Ward.
On the following Friday evening as my flat mates disappeared off to yet another drinking spree, I popped down to the pay phone in bottom hallway of the student accommodation and dialled the number. It was picked up after a few rings.
"Hello, Mrs Ward?"
"Yes?"
"It's Edward Carter, the student who patched up your knees."
There was a sigh at the other end of the phone, "Ah, at last. I thought you'd never call."
I chuckled, "How are your knees, Mrs Ward?"
"Fine and call me Eve. Calling me Mrs Ward makes me sound so old."
We chatted for a few minutes and then she said she'd like to meet up so that she could thank me personally.
I protested at first but I was a little intrigued by this lady. We agreed to meet up for morning coffee the next day in the shopping centre.
I left early as my flatmates were finally crashing after a heavy night. I'd smartened myself up and actually ironed a tee shirt.
I was walking along the first floor towards the café when I felt an arm link n with mine, "Edward, thank you for coming."
I looked at this lady. She was elegantly dressed in a pair of trousers, boots and a puffer jacket under which she had on a white blouse.
She guided me into the café. We were shown a booth in corner. Eve squashed in next to me. She ordered a couple of coffees and pastries.
She asked, "How are your studies?"
I explained the complexities and demanding nature of my course. Eve asked intelligent questions making me feel very comfortable.
"I asked, "Where is Mr Ward?"
She sipped her coffee, "Passed away ten years ago. Had a massive stroke in the arms of his girlfriend in a hotel in London pretending to be on a business trip..."
My mouth opened like a gold fish but no words came out. Eve laughed,
"Oh, don't worry I knew he was seeing her a long time before he passed away. Anyway, he left me a lot of money and a share in his business."
I had to say something to fill the vacuum, "What kind of business is it?"
"Brokerage and fund management; don't ask me what it is. Something to do with stocks and shares."
I felt her legs press against mine; a tingle went up my spine.
She asked, "Edward, do you have a girlfriend at present?"
"No, not really." Rashmika flashed in front of my eyes. I continued, "There was someone but she's in Canada. I'm not sure how it will turn out."
Eve took my hand, "I'm sure it will be fine but I imagine you're a little busy."
I looked at her long fingers. Her nails were beautifully manicured with bright, deep red varnish. There was one gold band on the third finger of her right hand.
I looked at my watch, "Eve, I don't want to keep you."
She smiled, "No, no. I'm enjoying talking to you. Do you have anywhere to go today?"
I shook my head. She said, "Good, then you are mine for the day. There's a new exhibition at the art gallery. Would you like to accompany me?"
Now, you can write what I know about art on a postage stamp. I swallowed and shrugged my shoulders, "Why not. Perhaps you can teach me something; I only ever took an interest in the sciences."
I stood up and reached for my wallet. She shook a finger at me, "My treat..."
I had no idea what this exhibition was about; something concerning post-modern impressionism. It all went over my head but Eve seemed to know about what we were looking at. She tried to explain the ins and outs but I was none the wiser.
She pulled me out of the gallery, "Come on, I'm starving. I fancy a burger. Do you?"
The fast food joint was crowded but Eve managed to find a table whilst I ordered up some of the restaurant's finest cuisine. I was thankful to get out of the oppressive atmosphere of the gallery. She seemed to love the food telling me that she didn't eat this stuff often enough. Looking at her slim figure I told her it would be a bad idea to eat too much of it.
We laughed and giggled for a hour or so and then she took my hand,
"Edward, I have some decent food at home. Would you like to come back with me?"
Well, the thought of a good home cooked meal was far too tempting to turn down. I nodded and pushed away the remnants of my meal, "I'm all yours, Eve."
She smiled, "I do hope so, young man..."
Eve Ward lived in a large three-storied house in the Crosby district of Liverpool. The cab dropped us off outside the front door of this Victorian detached house. The driveway was covered in gravel that crunched as you walked. She waited for the vehicle to exit through the gates and then she pressed a button on her key fob and the gates silently closed as she opened the large double front door. The alarm tweeted our arrival. She deftly kicked off her shoes as she tapped in the code to disarm the system. I pulled mine off glad that my socks didn't have any holes in them.
She led me into a large front room with French Windows that led out onto a stone flagged patio with steps leading down to a well-kept lawn and garden. I was impressed.
"Sit down and make yourself comfortable whilst I put on the kettle." She handed me a remote control and told me to put something on the television.
She opened some sliding doors and a bright, white pristine kitchen appeared. She stood behind the island preparing dinner whilst she chatted. I learnt that she had a busy social life with the local Rotary Club and she played golf three times a week and tennis twice, weather permitting. She also had a personal instructor at the gym. That was how she looked so trim for her age.
She produced a bottle of wine from the cooler, "Is white alright for you?"
We sat together at the island ignoring the large, oak dinning table that I could see in the adjacent room. I could see her black, lacy bra under the blouse. The top buttons had somehow found themselves undone...
The food was lovely and I think I ate too much but a student grabs decent food when he can...
We watched several shows on the television and polished off the bottle of wine. Eve's feet ended up on my lap as she relaxed. I gently massaged her toes. Around eleven I made to stand up, "Eve it's getting late and I really should be going."
I felt her feet pressing against my lap, ""Don't go. There's plenty of room. Take the bedroom on the top floor. There's an en-suite bathroom with towels and a toothbrush. I've enjoyed your company. Don't spoil it by leaving."