Have you ever wished the earth would open up and swallow you? Well that was the way I felt on the evening of my birthday.
I had 'treated' myself to a night out. Well, there was no one else to 'treat' me and it was a Saturday, so I had no work the next day. So I went up to the cinema and saw the latest Bond film, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was classic escapism, totally improbable plot, glamorous women, madcap special effects, great!
After the film I went for, originally, a couple of drinks. I meant to get the bus, about half past six, head home and eat in my local Italian restaurant where they dish up some lovely pastas and excellent sauces.
So much for 'plans'. The first drink went down well and then, as I ordered the second, I saw this woman pass the end of the bar, on her way to the toilets. She was bout 5ft 6, black hair, shapely legs and a very nice bum.
"Do you like what you see?" asked a voice behind me.
I turned around to see a man, about my height and a little older than me, though that isn't hard at a mere 23. He was smiling and looked reasonably affable.
"Yes, I do like what I saw. She looked like a nice lady from the back and I hope to catch sight when she returns to see if she is as nice from the front."
"Oh she is, believe me. I know, I'm her husband."
Earth; open; now!!
"Lucky man. I hope you don't mind my admiring her from afar."
"I don't mind in the least. What are you drinking? G and T is it? Here, have another one and you can join us. Sandy, this young man was 'admiring you from afar' and I suggested he join us. Here's your vodka, and here's you gin, ...?'
"Sorry, Frank. Pleased to meet you both."
"Hi, Frank, I'm Sandy and this is Bruce," said the dark haired beauty beside me. She had returned as I spoke with Bruce and she had a beautiful smile in her voice and on her face as I looked at her in embarrassment.
"Come on, Frank, we're sitting over here. Now then don't worry, we won't bite, unless asked to."
Bruce had a smile on his face as he guided me to their table and sat down. Sandy then sat beside him on the bench and I took the chair opposite them. I was still not too settled in their company. There was some sort of undercurrent here which I could not fathom. What was the term? Ah, yes, a hidden agenda.
"So, Frank, what has you up in town this afternoon?"
"Well, Sandy, it's my birthday and so I went to see the new Bond film. Now I'm enjoying a drink and then I aim to go home and eat and listen to some music. What about you two?"
"Oh, we're out on the prowl, I suppose. You see we work most weekends as we run a small sweet shop, but this weekend we are having a refit so we are closed and, as it's Saturday, we thought we'd hit town for a couple of hours and see what we have been missing whilst at work."
"Luckily we came in here and found you, or you found us, whichever. Sometimes lady luck is with you and today she was." Brian was smiling, again, as he said this.
I was beginning to wonder what I was getting into. I needed a breather so I took their drinks order and went to the bar to gather my thoughts. Hell, they looked O.K. I just wish I could figure out what the unspoken messages were. They were obviously up to something but I couldn't figure out what. That was about to change.
"Frank, have you ever heard of swinging?" asked Brian, when I returned with their drinks.
"Well yes, I've heard of it but I don't see...."
"Sorry, pal, we're swingers. We saw you long before you saw us. We have been here a good twenty minutes longer than you. When you walked in Sandy just said..."
"Yummy! Him I like."
"... then she went to the toilet; and the rest is history."
"You were looking for me, or a least another man?"
"Yes, we were and we have found you and we hope that you don't mind. If you would like to join us for dinner we would be very happy to feed you and then we can go on from there, if you're game. It's entirely up to you, Frank, no pressure. If the idea doesn't appeal you are under no obligation. It's all up to you now. Cheers." Brian sipped his whisky and Sandy glanced at me with her lovely brown eyes and my head span and whirled.
Hell, I wasn't a virgin but I wasn't the most experienced 23 year old in the world and here was one hell of an offer. What would you have done? Well, I said yes. Come on, this was going to be 'different' if nothing else. Hey, you only live once, unless you're James Bond.