Craig lived with his mother, and since his fatherâs death four years ago, they had constantly argued over anything and everything. Craig had had enough and wanted to leave home, but working part-time didnât give him much money and he couldnât afford a place of his own.
Ted lived with two other roommates. He had grown tired of their untidiness and dirty habits, and wanted to move out; but Tedâs income prevented this.
Ted and Craig discussed their mutual problems over a coffee at their local youth club. The eighteen year olds decided that the best thing they could do was to find a place they could both share and at the outset, they agreed to set rules which they both swore to abide with.
Helen occasionally helped out at the youth clubâs coffee shop and overheard the ladsâ dilemma. She offered help by contribution of an old sofa, bed and cooker that were no longer required and was cluttering up our garage.
Two months later, and Craig and Ted moved into their two bedroomed flat in the city centre. Helen reminded her husband, Jack, of their offer to the boys and he arranged for a van to pick up the sofa, bed and cooker. The only problem was, was that the driver, Mark, was only available on Thursday, and Jack was working Wednesday night. Mark said it wouldnât be a problem, but he required some help to lift the gear and some directions to the flat.
Helen told the boys of the timetable and they agreed to take some time off their work to be available to help; Helen would supply the directions.
Thursday came, and Jack made sure the garage was free of clutter, and then went to bed exhausted. Mark arrived just after 10am and with the help of Craig, who was picked up by Mark at the local shopping centre, they loaded the van. There was no need for Helen to join them, but she felt she needed to help in some way, so she jumped into the van between the two lads.
Although Helen was only ten years senior to Craigâs eighteen, he viewed Helen as in a parental role. Mark, on the other hand, considered himself as a ladiesâ man and took every opportunity to flirt. With Helen sat next to Mark, her thigh touching his, he felt a stirring in his. He began to flirt with Helen; Craig sat silently, embarrassed by Markâs tone of conversation.
âSo, Helen, when was the last time you had a good man between your legs?â
âCheeky beggar, concentrate on your driving,â she replied with a blushing face. Mark had come up in our fantasies on several occasions, but that was just where it ended, in a fantasy. He was ruggedly good looking, muscular and very good with small talk. He had boasted frequently about his ability to get any woman in bed. I had no qualms with his claims; I had seen the man in action on several occasions in the local bar.
Helen looked straight ahead, occasionally speaking about the weather, the kids (we have a boy and a girl aged seven and four), and the state of the roads in the city. Eventually, the van pulled up outside the flat. Craig and Mark offloaded the van as Helen made a cup of tea for the boys. She organised where the sofa should be placed and made sure Craig had plumbed in the gas cooker correctly by ensuring the burners worked correctly. Then finally, she made up the bed, covering the mattress with cotton sheets, tucking in the corners just like she did at work (Helen was an auxiliary nurse as well as an assistant at the youth club).
âThat looks inviting,â Mark said, standing in the doorway to the bedroom. âHow about we christen it?â
âHmmm, I donât think so,â replied Helen as she fluffed up the pillows.
âThanks Helen, I donât know what weâd do without you,â Craig said, appearing at the bedroom door.
âHey, itâs no problem,â Helen replied, relieved that Craig had appeared.
The flat door slammed as Ted arrived. âSorry Iâm late, got held up sorting out a few problems with the lads. Howâs it going?â
âFine, just about finished,â Helen answered, âand youâre just in time for a cuppa.â
âHow about something stronger to celebrate?â Ted offered as he produced a bottle of champaign from a carrier bag.