Sarah Walters regarded the envelope with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. This was what she'd been waiting more than six weeks for, since she sent off her entry into the short story competition in a national magazine.
She sent the entry in under the romance section of the magazine, although she'd originally written it as an erotic piece. She decided to tone it down for this competition. She'd been writing for around twenty years without any success, but felt this was one of the best she'd written.
She tore open the envelope and read the letter. She squealed with excitement. She'd been short-listed for the final five in her category. The finalists were going to be judged in each of the four categories and the winners announced at a gala dinner in two weeks' time.
She was so excited; the dinner was to be held at a top London hotel, accommodation provided for all finalists, dinner and all expenses paid. She couldn't believe it. Then she remembered that Mike, her husband of twenty five years, would still be in Qatar, working on the massive building project. He'd already been away for six months and she missed him like crazy. She missed his humour, his thoughtfulness and care of her, but most of all she missed the closeness, especially when it lead to sex.
She thought about him now. She thought about the last time they'd been together. She'd popped over to see him and stayed in his very swanky hotel with hot-tub and all sorts of luxuries. They'd spent the weekend just relaxing in the room as it was too hot to go out and not much to do anyway. They'd taken all their meals in their room, used the hot tub and had wild sex in air-conditioned luxury.
Now all she had to console her was her faithful 7" 'Mr. Plastic' in the drawer by her bed, and made her way upstairs.
Later, she sat at her ipad and checked the details of the competition online. It listed the names of the judges, some of whom were quite well known. There was a panel of five in all, with a chairperson. It showed the pictures of each judge. The chairwoman was a well-known romantic author. If she could win the award it could open some very useful doors for her.
That evening, she sent Mike the news, sending him details about the award night and the hotel, and sending a link to give him all the details of the competition and asked if there was any way he could slip away for a few days to join her.
'I'm so happy for you my darling, but I'm afraid there is no way I can be there. We've hit some major snags and the client is on my back night and day at the moment. There is a danger we could slip behind schedule, with massive costs to my company.'
Later, they face-timed and performed some naughty things for each other before he had to sleep and she went to prepare dinner for herself.
The two weeks went by in a blur, and when the big day arrived, Sarah was ready. She's shopped for a beautiful outfit, a red, almost cerise-coloured dress, tight on her bust, which showed just the right amount of cleavage. As she had large hips and a full bottom, the result of two fine children who had now fled the nest, she had bought a dress which had a flared skirt. She also bought some new underwear as she felt the dress deserved it, even if she didn't. A plunging bra which showed off her ample bosom tastefully without being too slutty, with matching knickers cut high on the hip, just as she liked them. She thought about tights, but decided against. She thought about black stay-ups and decided that as her legs were nicely tanned, she go bare-legged. With her red three inch heels she set off the ensemble magnificently she thought as she made the final look in the mirror. Her black, shoulder length hair was nicely done by her hairdresser, and she felt like a million dollars. She hoped she didn't look all her fifty five years of age. Even if she didn't win, she was going to make the most of her evening in the spotlight.
She entered the room where the awards were to be held. It was a large room with around twenty large round tables set up with ten places. There were going to be a lot of people here. She looked at the seating plan, only to find that she was seated between two men. Her heart sank. Oh no, what sort of a conversation am I going to have? Sport? Can I discuss romantic fiction? This could be a long night.
Suddenly her phone beeped. She saw she had a message from Mike.
'Hi darling. Are you there?'
'Yes, I'm here just looking at the seating plan. Sat between two guys. Could be a long boring night.'
'I'm sure it won't be. Have a fabulous time. Message later. X'
She signed off with a kiss and made her way to the table. As she arrived, everyone was already seated. She saw the space between the two guys. Both were impeccably turned out in tuxedos and they both stood when they saw her. She quickly took in the contrast between the two men. The age difference was stark, one looked to be in his early fifties and very dapper in a George Clooney sort of way. The other man looked around thirty five. She was pleasantly surprised how 'nice' they both looked.
She introduced herself. 'Hi, I'm Sarah.'
'Hello' said the older man offering his hand 'I'm Bradley, or Brad if you prefer. I'm very pleased to meet you.' Their eyes met. He had a sparkle in his she felt sure.
'Hello Brad. Nice to meet you too.'
She turned to the younger man. He was tall, and looked like he could be a builder. Mike had been as tall and broad shouldered all those years ago when they first met. He had been more a manual worker then, but had worked his way up to management.
'Hi. I'm Ryan. I'm very happy to meet you.' He said, taking her hand. It was very soft. This was no builder, she thought to herself.
'Hello Ryan.'
They all sat and a hum of chatter went round the table, with each making introductions to each other.
'Are you nominated?' asked Ryan.
She regarded him as she answered. His sharp blue eyes were also like Mike's. The likeness was striking.
'Yes. I'm in the romantic fiction section. How about you?'
'Wow. Me too!'
'Really, that's unusual for a man. So we are in competition.' She said with a smile.
'Yes, we are. I do get some mickey taking from my pals from time to time, but I don't mind. I enjoy it. There are a few men who write romance for women, and men.'
They chatted amiably while Brad chatted to the lady on his left. Ryan was a PE teacher at a senior school. He certainly looked to Sarah as if he was fit. He was also a qualified masseur and ran a massage business in his spare time, at evenings and weekends.
'Do you have a large client base?' Sarah asked.
'Oh no. Only a few select clients, they keep me pretty busy.
'What sort of massage?' Sarah was now curious.
'All sorts; sports, full body, anything really.'
'Anything specifically for ladies?' she began teasing him.
'I have one or two ladies for whom I give relief from their pain. If that's what you mean.' He laughed.
He explained that he started to write romantic fiction when he and his girlfriend split. He considered it therapeutic and he'd continued. He enjoyed it. He also let slip that he liked to write erotic stories too. Sarah confessed that her story had started out as an erotic story of steamy sex and she'd edited it to make it a more mainline.
'What's it about then?' he asked.
Well, generally it's about a woman and two men.' She replied. 'She is faced with making a choice between two very different men. One is an older, experienced and knowledgeable man, the sort that has power over people, and the other, younger, less experienced who she can teach things to.'
'And which does she choose?'
'Well, the story doesn't quite say. I left it hanging at the end.'
'Can she have both of them?' asked Brad, suddenly intrigued.
'Well, for one evening, she actually does. In the original version anyway. '
'Wow. I think I'd like to read the original version.' Said Ryan.
'Well, let me have your email address and I'll send you a copy.'
They both laughed.
'And what do you write Brad?' she asked.
'Oh, I don't write any more. I used to. Actually, I'm one of the judges on the panel.'
'Oh.' She said, taken aback. 'So you know who the winners are?'
'No. I just make my choice and let the head judge know. Only she knows the winners.'
'So it's too late to even bribe you now.'
'Oh yes. It has been done. But I wish you luck. I thought your story was excellent.'
'Thank you.' She replied. 'I won't ask any more.'
Brad explained that he was now a businessman, running a successful art gallery and antique business. To Sarah he seemed very sophisticated and educated. She didn't however, feel intimidated by him. In her job as a PA to a CEO of a large car distributor, she'd dealt with many men at board level over the years and at her age, not much fazed her. She held her own in anyone's company.
The dinner was excellent and Sarah enjoyed the company of both men. They all chatted animatedly about literature and writers they all admired. They had a n awful lot in common. Also, she felt that both men were openly flirting with her. At first she was slightly uncomfortable with this as it rarely happened to her these days, but she was also flattered and enjoyed the attention. It could have been a boring, lonely evening. Sarah couldn't be more surprised that she got on so well with them and not a word of sport had been spoken. It was a good job Mike couldn't come. He'd have been bored to tears. Mike liked his sport and always found chances to talk about it.
Later, when dinner was finished, the head judge, the famous author, stood and banged a gavel on the table. The awards were about to start.
The first category, contemporary fiction was awarded, with a runner up followed by a winner.
Eventually, the romantic fiction category came up.
'And the runner up......said the judge. 'For One Fine Day...is Ryan Matthews.'
Ryan stood up. 'Wow' he said.
Sarah was very pleased for him. 'Well done Ryan' she clapped enthusiastically.
He went to collect his runner up prize and posed for pictures while the audience applauded.
'Now,' said the judge as the applause subsided. 'Our top prize. The romantic fiction short story of the year, for A Bouquet of Flowers.....'
'Oh lord.' Said Sarah.
'Sarah Walters.'
The room erupted in applause as she stood, and her whole table stood. She walked to the front of the room with the biggest smile on her face.
She accepted the award then spoke a few words of thanks to the judges, the magazine and the sponsors.
As she walked back to the table, all eyes were on her. Brad and Ryan were also smiling broadly.
