Another significant stage in my journey after divorce. I think it stands alone as a story conveying the conflicting ideas behind such a fundamental expression of personal choice. It was a free choice, but not one made without a great deal of thought and another demonstration of my freedom to choose as I wish.
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'Can I come round for coffee this morning?'
It was a text from Joseph the following week after our threesome. When he replied, 'I'll have a friend with me.' I knew something was up.
We'd spoken on the phone a few times since that evening, mostly to see if I was okay and whether I'd thought the evening had gone well.
I'd told him it was all that I'd hoped for and Carl had been the perfect 'other guy.'
I tidied the house and around eleven 'o clock Joseph arrived with Rob, both of them in their work suits.
"Louise this is Rob, he's a friend from the golf club, I've brought him round because he's buying a house for his son and needs some advice on some renovations."
It all seemed slightly odd but I made coffee and all three of us chatted for over an hour. Rob was slightly older than me, tall, a bit grey, well built and an attractive smile. I learned in conversation that he was divorced too and luckily still on good terms with his ex although she had moved away up north nearer to her parents.
When Joseph signalled that it was time to go I wished Rob well and they both left leaving me still wondering why this had occurred completely out of the blue.
It all became much clearer the very next day.
'Did you like him?'
The text from Joseph immediately brought a suspicious smile to my face.
'Yes, he was very pleasant.' I replied, being annoyingly non committal.
'Then get yourself glammed up for Saturday evening, you're coming to my golf club's 'ladies' night. Rob's your partner for the night.'
I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. On impulse this sounded like an adventure and Rob looked an okay guy, or was it a match making exercise by Joseph?
I replied, 'Okay. I hope you're sending a taxi?"
The reply came back, 'Yes, he'll pick you up at 7pm.'
I took another moment to think about what was going on. Surely Joseph wasn't trying to match make. Did he want to end our fwb relationship? He knew my view on permanent emotional friendships. And then I considered another explanation.
This had something to do with my bucket list fantasy. In the most bizarre way my instinct did turn out to be correct.
At precisely 7pm the taxi drew up outside with Rob in a smart dinner suit. He greeted me with a, "Wow, you look great!"
I'd found my 'go to' dress for special dates. Red, velvety, low cut, clingy around the hips. It was one where not wearing panties didn't show any tell tale lines underneath, as much as some people might have frowned. Anyway I wasn't planning on having sex.
It felt awkward in the back seat, making polite conversation with a guy I'd only met for a coffee, but what happened next both stunned me and excited me.
"You do know what tonight's all about Louise?" he whispered behind his hand and away from the direction of the taxi driver.
I looked puzzled in the half light, "Not really, you're obviously going to tell me?"
He grinned. "Joseph told me about your bucket list."
My heart almost stopped beating and I said, "Oh my god," under my breath.
"Well, the guys you're gonna meet tonight are all wanting to help you out!"
"Fuck," I mouthed, and added, "oh god I'm really not sure I want to go through with tonight, how fucking embarrassing."
"Joseph thought it might be a good way of you looking over the runners and riders!"
He realised too late what he'd said and he saw my pained expression.
He gripped my arm, "Jesus, I didn't mean it exactly like that."
The taxi arrived and I got out probably showing more thigh than necessary. On the steps of the golf club was Joseph and his wife. He greeted us both and led the way inside, but not before he'd winked at me and managed to say, "You know why you're here I hope?"
I pulled a face and held onto Rob's arm as we went inside to the bar. I asked for a white wine and began a conversation with Joseph's wife Diane.
There must have been a hundred guests or so and after a short while we were called to sit down. It was then it all became apparent.
There were circular tables of twelve, and along with Rob, Joseph and Diane there were four other couples sitting at our table. Immediately I saw Carl with a woman that was presumably his wife. He did well in showing no apparent recognition and I managed to hide the fact that I knew him. I was so glad that nobody had any idea he and Joseph had fucked me silly.
However I knew straightaway I was on a table with all the guys who were lined up to fuck me in a gangbang! I thought I would hyperventilate! I wasn't expecting anything like this. I calmed myself before being introduced to everyone and Joseph did the honours.
"These are Derek and Judy." They sat the other side of Diane. Derek looked about fifty but was a tall guy who obviously kept himself fit, Judy was quite an attractive brunette but with thin lips and a furtive smile. They nodded and smiled.
"Then there's Brian and Sarah." Brian was much younger, about my age, with blondish hair and a suntan. Sarah was of similar age and was a red head, very attractive, with wide green eyes and who held your gaze continually. Both said "Hi," across the table.
"Then that's John and Yvonne over there." John was roughly in his forties, balding with a short beard, Yvonne was just a pleasant non glamorous looking housewife who'd made herself up with a little too much make up. John nodded and Yvonne gave a grimacing smile.
"Finally there's Carl and Josie, and that's about everyone!" Carl's wife was another attractive blonde with very large boobs in an overflowing dress. I wondered why he needed to seek satisfaction elsewhere. Carl said, "Hi Louise," and Josie gave a little wave.
Everyone seemed more or less familiar with the others and they all settled into comfortable conversations.
I leaned in towards Rob and whispered, "You sod!"
Everyone's eyes were on me but weren't on me! There were stolen glances all the time. The women were eying me as a potential partner for their friend Rob, but also like many married women, saw a youngish divorcee as a potential threat to their own relationship.