After all the vodka and such a hectic, pulse-racing day, I thought I might sleep right up until my alarm rang at 9.45 - leaving just enough time to be ready to welcome Debbie. In the end I was in bed by three am and up again at eight, and would have headed straight down to the kitchen for much-needed coffee were it not for the sounds of my younger brother readying himself to leave for school.
I used the fifteen minutes before his departure to take a quick shower after spending five minutes trying to untangle my hair, and untangle my thoughts.
I had acted in an incredible way the day before - incredible to me, at least - but just the thought of Debbie's arrival in an hour or so made my belly tingle in the most delightful way. I had no idea what had happened to me or what that now made me. Had I become bisexual, or even lesbian, in just a few hours? The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted nothing more than Debbie right then - and I didn't care one jot what that made me.
The clatter of the front door closing brought me out of my reverie and I went downstairs expecting a teenage-male mess. All of the downstairs rooms, however, were remarkably tidy and even the kitchen sink was free from the usual debris. On the table was a brief note saying that Ben was sorry to have missed me (I bet he was), hoped the house was tidy enough (it definitely was) and that he might try calling later. I shrugged and threw the note into the remarkably empty bin.
There was still more than an hour before my new friend was due to arrive but I readied myself for the garden and its lounger, pulling on the same bikini I had worn the previous day, which for some odd reason (hah!) was folded up on the chair by the kitchen door.
To help pass the time - and because of a very real thirst - I busied myself making a large pot of coffee, and then managed to slop almost half of it over the kitchen counter when the doorbell rang.
Leaving the aromatic brew to drip all over the floor I walked as fast as I could to the front door, trying my hardest not to run, and trying even harder to stop the surge of adrenaline from turning me into a gibbering wreck before I got there. Some chance.
I fumbled the handle open and threw the door wide without that faintest idea of what I was going to say.
It was only when my eyes focused properly that I realised it was the postman - and apparently a very happy postman. My bikini suddenly felt two sizes too small but over his shoulder at the garden gate stood a grinning Debbie, a tiny summer dress blazing as white as her teeth. The sight of her filled me immediately with incredible nerves and incredible verve. For her benefit, or maybe for mine, I plucked the small parcel that the smiling postman was holding straight from his hand, and gave him my own best smile.
"Anything to sign?"
"Er, no, it just had to be handed to you in person," The mailman wasn't nearly as fazed as I was, and he made no pretence of not eyeing me up and down - appreciatively, I'm actually, genuinely, happy to say, "And may I remark," he added, "I think you look great!"
I shrugged and maintained my smile, even as my hands started to tremble, "Thanks, I think."
Debbie appeared at the man's shoulder just as he was about to turn away, "Yeah, she's definitely suited to the sun - and that cossie."
"Thank you as well, Debbie."
We dashed inside before anything more could be said, and all my nervousness came crashing over me as I pushed the front door closed on the grinning postman. I turned slowly, willing my body to obey me, suddenly shy beyond belief - but also weirdly desperate to see Debbie in full daylight for the first time.
"Sorry I'm early, Dallas," she began. Then paused and gave me an even more thorough look over than the mailman had managed. She whistled, "Wow."
"W-w-wow?" I was full of sudden nerves. Did I look that shocking?
"Yes, wow," Debbie nodded, "I guess this is the first time I ever said something like this to another woman, but you look totally lush!"
My blush rose but my nerves were starting to calm at once. I looked at my new friend's little white dress with an openness I could scarcely believe, "Thank you - and I'm right with you on the first time thing. You look stunning."
And she did. Her hair was loose, hanging in wild, dark waves, a perfect contrast to the brilliant white of the little dress which clung to her lithe form. Debbie was no taller than me, no smaller, either. Her shoulders, bare in the dress, were wide and pale, her legs, long and well-muscled. Her eyes were dark and wide and her smile... oh her smile was dazzling. I had thought at first that she was nerve-free, confident and calm - but her lips quivered just a tiny but and her fingers were lightly clenched.
"You think so?" she asked. "Really?"
"Really, really."
"What... what's next? Other than the woods, of course?"
"I think," I managed, "that maybe we should get started as soon as possible out there."
"Really?"
I held out a trembling hand and breathed a sigh of relief when Debbie took it in one of her equally shaky paws, "Really. If I stay in here with you much longer we may never get out there."
Debbie's wide eyes widened further, "So... you're okay with... us? All that happened?"
I nodded like a demented insurance advertising dog, coming to the realisation that I had been dreading a demurral of any kind from her. I had to ask though, had to be sure, "Yes! But that is only if you are?"
I could feel the relief flooding through her from just the touch of her hand, and my own body reacted in the same way.
"Oh, Dallas! I am. Sure, that is. I was so nervous on the way here - all morning, in fact. That's why I'm early I guess. I just had to know. Know what you thought and... well, I guess I had toknow what I thought as well."
I understood and told her so, holding he hand tighter. "That makes two of us, I guess. I'm not sure I even let myself think properly, but now you're here... oh, fuck it Debbie - excuse my language - I can't believe how relieved I am all round!"
She laughed and the relief poured between her dazzling teeth, "Dallas, oh Dallas. You are seriously cute, you know? To me, I mean, right now."
"Likewise," I told her honestly, letting my feelings loose, "And risky or not before we get out there, I want... a kiss?"
"You got it. I need it."
We hugged and kissed softly, a tenderness so unexpected from just a day before when my life had been all wrong - without me knowing.
I let my hands wander down the back of Debbie's dress and realised with a thrill that she wore nothing underneath. I realised that I had never seen her naked before in full daylight and realised, too, that I was going to very soon. My kiss became more urgent and she returned the passion.
We broke the contact at the same moment and stared into each other's eyes.
"I think," I managed, gulping (really), "that we'd better get outside."