My day job is writing, I am a copywriter which sounds like fun, and with the opportunity to work from home and control my own hours is pretty good, however it can be a lonely life writing rather tedious copy for websites and search engines, therefore, to keep me from going insane I write stories, usually messy ones, you are reading one right now.
I look to keep my two types of writing separate, my clients generally know me as a professional writer and the exploits of horse women, explorers and other ladies who get extremely messy is not what I get paid for or what would choose to share with them. Of course, it is all too easy to make a mistake, to do something wrong and truly screw things up... So, here is my tale.
***
She was one of my long term clients, She worked for a marketing company and often asked me to write content for their own clients. Her name was Holly, Holly Wood. I joked in my first telephone call, "Holly... Wood...." There was a pause. "Just like the place in Northern Ireland!" She laughed, a delightful laugh.
"I thought you were going to say 'oh like that place in LA' and I would have to politely laugh like it was unexpected!"
"Oh, I don't like to do the expected!" And it sort of started from there, Holly and I, we mostly chatted by email but sometimes had phone calls. It was always a bit flirty, it was just my style, nothing in it, but just a friendly approach.
It was a boring Wednesday, I was sending files over for her to review. I clicked on the titles, click, click, click - send. Done! I yawned, this had been a long job so I padded off for a coffee and a break.
Five minutes later I came back and there was a Skype message window open, I had not used Skype before to speak with Holly, but clicked it open.
Hol: Are these all the right files?
I paused.
Rich: Yes, they are all there...
Hol: Okay...
And she went offline. I thought no more about it, she was checking the files were right. I closed the chat window and went on to the next job, create a product review for some new IT thing...
***
It was some hours later, I hadn't noticed the passing of time but it was six o'clock. There was a ping and an email popped into my mailbox. HorseyHolly@mail.com - I didn't recognise the email address but opened the email.
Hi there Rich,
It is Holly here from MarCat, but I wanted to use my personal email.
I think you may have made a mistake, there was another file with those you sent today. I am a bit confused by it...
Perhaps we could chat?
Holly
Another file? I opened my computer and looked at the upload record, in the middle of the client files was 'Messy Riding Lessons' a wet and messy story of epic proportions packed with messy play, bondage and lesbians. Shit! I suddenly realised what I had done, in my haste I had sorted files and picked up one of my messy stories and sent it to a client.
I stood up pacing, what the hell could I do? There was a ping and I saw Skype had started ringing, I would have to explain myself as I saw Holly's picture as the icon. I clicked answer.
"Hello Holly..." I stuttered, fumbling to align my camera.
"Hi Rich." She spoke coldly, looking stern on screen.
"Look... I am so sorry, it was a mistake."
"I looked at the website."
My blood ran cold, she had looked at my personal website, the one which was supposedly ring fenced, it didn't have my name on it, but a raw file from me with the site name on the first page...
"What is it all about?"
"Look Holly, I am so sorry... This was a mistake. I am sorry if I have upset you. I am sure you won't want to use my services any more..."
"Look Rich... " She paused looking up. "Err..." There was a long pause, she giggled nervously. "I sort of..." She gulped. "I sort of liked the story."
"Oh...!" I paused. "What did you enjoy..." What was I saying! I watched the screen a smile played on Holly's lips.
"What is it with the mess?"
"Well. Some people find it sexy."
"Some people..." She smiled. "Do you find it sexy Rich?" She spoke teasingly.
"Err..." I slumped my shoulders. "Yes. I am ashamed to say."