Long before Gordon Leesmith became the horny, outspoken church organist you all know and love from my Jenna stories, he was a shy, awkward eighteen-year old, taking the first tentative steps towards a career in music. As mentioned in Chapter 4 of "Jenna's Cousin Mia," Gordon lost his virginity to his piano teacher. Here, he recounts his first time...
Gordon smiled broadly as Mia's first lesson on the pipe organ came to an end. The mighty instrument was overwhelming, but his much-younger girlfriend had refused to let it intimidate her. He was impressed by her effort and determination. In time, and with a lot of practice, she had the makings of a very capable church organist.
The past few weeks had been an exciting time for Gordon. Mia had just moved in with him, after a lengthy stay at the vicarage. Her cousin Jenna was no doubt relieved, although Reverend Morris seemed quite sad that she'd gone. The only fly in the ointment had been the showdown with Mia's parents, who'd finally learnt the truth about why their daughter had quit university. As predicted, they'd gone nuclear. And upon discovering Mia was now in a relationship with another much-older man, they'd gone nuclear a second time.
The dust was finally settling, and despite the blazing rows, Mia's parents had been forced to back down and accept that their daughter wasn't one for being told what to do, and God damn it, she was dating this fifty-six year old church organist and no-one on earth was going to tear her away from him.
"How did I do, Gordy-pie?" Mia asked, as she switched off the organ, and the lamp above the manuals.
"You were brilliant, my little chucky egg," he replied, planting a kiss on her neck. "I know it's hard work, but trust me, you'll get there."
He was right. It had been hard, and her hands were aching from pressing down on the keys. But Gordon was an excellent teacher, and not just because he was her partner. He was patient, understanding and unlike some older people she'd worked with in the past, completely non-patronising.
"Gordy, how did you get to be such an amazing organist?"
"Well, it's an overused word, but practice. Lots and lots of practice over several decades. I didn't start out playing organs though. When I left school, I had my heart set on being a concert pianist."
"What made you switch to organs?"
"Ahh," Gordon began, slipping his arm around Mia. "That was down to my piano teacher. She...persuaded me that organs were better."
"Ooh. Guess she was in the wrong job then if she taught piano?"
"Haha, well she could play the organ too. She played one in a small church near Blackpool." He paused and let out a dreamy sigh. "Miss Fairfax...Harriet. I'll never forget her..."
Mia glanced at him and noticed he was blushing slightly. "Was she nice? I think you must have had a bit of a crush on her. You've gone red!"
"Aye, yes...all these years on and she still gets me a bit tingly. I had a crush alright...I lost my virginity to her...in Blackpool Tower ballroom, way back in 1985!"
Mia's eyes widened. "Oh wow. I'd love to hear more. If you're okay with telling me."
Gordon chuckled. "Of course. Seeing as you told me all about your first time with your university lecturer, it's only fair I tell you mine. God, it's such a long time ago...but you never forget something like that, eh?" He shifted about on the organ stool and began his tale...
July 1985
The silver Austin Metro pulled up outside one of several smart detached houses on a road in Lytham St Annes. Gordon glanced nervously in the rear view mirror, checking that his tie was straight. He had been looking forward to this night all week. Taking a deep breath, he climbed out of the car, locked it and headed up the driveway of his piano teacher's house.
The shy young man glanced round as he pressed the doorbell and waited. It was a pleasant summer evening. In the distance he heard the faint sound of music playing. Tears for Fears. Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
The front door opened, and he swallowed.
"Oh hello Gordon! Come in."
"Hello Miss Fairfax.
His piano teacher rolled her eyes. "Call me Harriet, please. I think we can dismiss with such formalities now, right? Seeing as tonight's going to be quite special."
He stepped inside, and almost dropped the music books he was carrying.
"You won't be needing those tonight," she said, taking them off him and putting them on the coffee table. "I'm taking you out."
Gordon blinked, scarcely able to process this information. "Um...out?" He could feel his cheeks turning red.
"You've passed all grades with flying colours. You've been an excellent and dedicated student. So I want to introduce you to a musical instrument that's a bit of a step up from the piano."
"Oh...I see." Gordon tried not to sound disappointed. He'd naΓ―vely assumed she was inviting him out on a date.
"Have you ever been to Blackpool Tower ballroom?" Harriet said, beckoning him to sit on the settee.
"No. My dad took me up the top of the tower when I was eight, and I've been to the circus a couple of times. Never been in the ballroom though. Isn't that just for pensioners?"
Harriet suppressed a chuckle. "I see. Then you won't be familiar with the mighty Wurlitzer?"
"The organ? Seen Reginald Dixon playing it on the telly."
Harriet smiled. "As you may have heard, Reginald passed away earlier this year. He was a very dear friend of my father. It's a shame you never got the opportunity to meet him. He was such a brilliant organist. Anyways, I would like you to see the famous Wurlitzer organ. I've arranged a little trip for us, seeing as we're just a stone's throw from Blackpool. I pulled a few strings. How's about it?"
"Oh, um, yes. It sounds great! Thanks so much!" Gordon mumbled, with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. He would much rather be wined and dined in a fancy restaurant than trail round a ballroom that reeked of the over-60s.
"Afterwards, we could grab something to eat," she added, rummaging in her handbag. "I expect we'll have worked up quite an...appetite."
The way she said that pricked his curiosity.
"Sounds good."
"Right, shall we get going then?" Harriet said, picking up her car keys. "I know you've just got yourself a car, but do you mind if I drive?" She winked at him.
"Um no, not at all!"
On the way to Blackpool, Gordon stole a furtive glance at his piano teacher's legs. Normally she was dressed like a granny. Frumpy brown skirt, flat shoes and white blouse buttoned up to the neck. Not tonight. It pleased him greatly to see her in a floral print dress that showed off a bit of cleavage. Harriet was thirty-five and unmarried, at a time when most women her age were married with children. He was puzzled as to why, as he found her very attractive for an older woman. She resembled Princess Anne a bit, and seemed to model herself on her, with a no-nonsense attitude and brown hair always scraped tightly back in a bun.
Blackpool Tower loomed up as Harriet turned onto the promenade. The area was crammed with tourists; day trippers making the most of the last hours of a pleasant Wednesday evening, before heading home.
"Loved coming here when I was little," Gordon smiled as Harriet parked the car. "During the school holidays in August. My parents took me to the Pleasure Beach, then the Central Pier, the whole lot. I enjoyed donkey rides on the beach."