For some reason the next morning I had a skip in my step. So did Terry and we canoodled in the kitchen before leaving for work. He incorrectly assumed that my mood was down to him expertly buggering me and is probably delighted to have such an amazing cocksucker, piss-drinker, anal whore for a girlfriend. I'm momentarily mortified to consider that he probably describes me in such terms to his friends.
Work takes my mind off everything until I get a call around lunchtime from Tim. Am I still available for the zoom meeting? I felt the same way, I mean, how could it hurt to take the call? I realised that I can't take it at work, and I can't take it at home while Terry was there. St. Jeanne is a few hours behind so we settled on an evening call on Thursday which should coincide with Terry's five aside soccer sessions. I felt a little guilty keeping him in the dark but really, he had no need to know what's going on until I make a decision. I put everything to the back of my head and went through the normal motions of my life and work.
On the day, I got home early to prepare. I wasn't sure what to wear. I was wearing a corduroy button front miniskirt, tight striped t-shirt and doc martens. It wasn't necessarily job interview attire but then It occurs to me that Karina will be nude. Maybe job interview attire wouldn't be appropriate either. I wasn't quite comfortable exposing myself though, not least because Tim would also be on the call. I waited for Terry to leave and I practically rushed him out the door, heart pounding. I got a text from Tim. He said that there's no obligation but that if I want to impress Karina, it might be an idea if I was naked on the call and that I needn't worry, I could arrange for my screen to be only visible to Karina and Tim will only get audio. I fiddled around with the settings and confirmed that this was the case and with minutes to spare decided to take the plunge and got undressed.
My laptop was on the kitchen table and it's only my upper half that was on display. Nonetheless I decided to get in the spirit and took off my skirt, panties and even my docks and socks. I made sure that no clothes were visible in the background and I took a breath and logged in. Karina appeared on screen. She was a stunning brunette with caramel skin. I knew she was 45 but she could have passed for a girl in her twenties with fresh skin and the most endearing dimples. She had large breasts with dark nipples that stood pleasingly prominent but put my own small pinker boobs to shame. Her blue eyes twinkled like the sea I could see in the background, a palm occasionally swaying into view. It put my gloomy bookshelf background to shame.
"Hi Jenny, I'm so glad you could take this meeting and can I just say that I really appreciate the little nod to our traditions. You are a beautiful woman and I'm glad that you are happy to share that with me."
"Thank you so much Ms Munier."
"Oh, you can call me Karina, you'll find that we are not so formal here."
There was a delightful lilt to her accent and I was drawn to her from the off.
"Tim here, Ladies, I just wanted to thank you both for the opportunity to help you guys get together. I think maybe I can duck out for now and you can come back to me if you need anything."
Tim signed out and Karina and I got talking about her company, my career, her exciting plans for the future and I was at once thrilled and yet a little torn. Karina seemed to sense it.
"Look, Jenny, I know you are passionate about this and I know you would be an incredible acquisition for our team but I can also tell that you have misgivings about life on St. Jeanne and that's ok. Its common."
"St Jeanne looks amazing, so beautiful."
"And it is, we think we have paradise right here."
"And I know it is your tradition, but it is hard to get my head around an island with no men at all."
"Would that be such a bad thing?"
"Haha, you know, it is something I have mulled over."
"Look, I'm not going to try and sell you on St Jeanne because I think the beauty and attraction of this place speaks for itself, but I would say that you will definitely be surprised at what it is really like here. On St Jeanne, there isn't a job a woman can't do. There is nothing to hold back any young girl from achieving her dreams. We have a vibrant culture, there is art, music, theatre, we have the finest restaurants and amazing street food."
As she spoke the place came alive for me. I had read the guide books and familiarised myself with the island's traditions. But the way she spoke just made it all seem more vivid.
"It sounds so incredible."
"You will feel free here, I can absolutely guarantee it. And look, if you find yourself missing male company, St. Colette is a lovely place, just a short boat trip away. We have very friendly relations with St. Colette and there is a great short break trade between the two islands. It goes both ways, If you walk down any of the old town streets at night on St. Jeanne you will hear plenty of Coletta accents. And St Colette hosts lots of partying Jeannettes."
"I'll be honest, I feel really excited. This would be a dream job for me."
"And maybe St Jeanne will be a dream home for you?"
"It feels like it would be. I just can't figure out how to square this with my self-identity. I mean, I don't think I'm a lesbian?"
"We don't think in such terms on St. Jeanne. I suppose we are all "lesbian" in your Outremer terms but here it is just normal. On our island it is normal for people to fall in love, to get married, to raise a family just like every other place. What I can say is that many of our visitors are not "lesbian" in your terms. Colettas come to spend time just around women, it's a different environment. Some find romance, some find flings and return to their men and some just come to have a good time, enjoy good company and return. The same is true of our Outremer tourists. What I can say is that everyone who comes here wants to stay."
"I have to say that part of me is intrigued."
"That's good Jenny. Look, here's what I suggest. Take your time to think it over but as with any career move, there is a sort of trial period where employer and employee get to know each other. Come over, stay with us for three months, see how you like working with us, see how you like life on St. Jeanne and Les Trois Soeurs."
"Well, deux de les trois soeurs anyway."
This elicited a laugh from her. If I did take her up on this offer, I had no intention of visiting St. Josephine, not least because I risked being enslaved upon entry.
"Quite! So, look, I'll leave this with you and we'll talk very soon."
It sounded so tempting.
"I am so happy you have got in touch with me."
"I'm also glad to have made your acquaintance. Think things over and we'll talk again in a couple of days. How is that?"
"That's perfect."
"Jenny, you're the girl we want."