Grabbing her small backpack, Amelia stepped down from the bus, still ecstatic that her uncle had offered her the use of his vacant holiday cottage in the coastal resort town. It was the start of the University spring term break. The tangy salt air tasted of freedom as she stopped and sampled the beach view from the bus stop.
She had methodically decided her two week itinerary during the ride. To erase the bustle of the busy campus, the modest young student just wanted the quiet of her own company. In two days' time, it was her nineteenth birthday and she was going to celebrate by shopping that morning for some nice seafood and ingredients. That afternoon, she would be content just to spend time with herself, savouring the aroma of her own cooking. Laying out a table for one, she would look back over the past two years with a nice fruity wine.
For the rest of the two weeks, 'in' events were to be sleeping, quiet music, a little tanning in the sun, walking, lazily swimming and perhaps a film. 'Out' activities were poring over any serious books at all, and even watching TV.
Settled in by five, she put a singlet and shorts over her one-piece swimsuit and set off for a dawdle along the beach. Sandals in hand, she let her soul be soothed by the different blues of the ocean water along the coast, rejoicing whenever her long hazel hair got caught up in the warm late afternoon air and wafted about her bare shoulders.
Amelia had wandered along utterly taking in her Eden for a good fifteen minutes. Rounding a headland, she spotted a tanned brunette in her early thirties emerging from the water twenty metres ahead, spinning droplets from her shoulder length hair. The pair spotted one another at the same time, and Amelia paused.
Amelia thought about turning around and leaving the woman to enjoy her slice of heaven in peace. But a friendly hand waved to Amelia from the topless bather before she stooped for her towel. Amelia let her own shy hand hesitatingly rose in reply. As the smile faded from her face, Amelia saw the woman turn her head towards a large walled villa on the rocky outcrop over the beach. She heard a loud shrill whistle and the name Benny.
Seconds later, a small grey dog came hurtling down the track. Towel over her shoulder, the skimpily clad woman walked to meet it. Picking it up affectionately, she let it excitedly lick her face. Dropping it back to the sand, she turned and gave Amelia a final wave before disappearing up the cliff track, the dog bounding about her until they both disappeared from Amelia's sight.
Suspecting the evening cool would begin settling in, Amelia turned back. She suddenly felt quite peckish. On her way through the town, she was enveloped by a delicious scent from the corner pizza shop. She made a mental note to return and buy a small gourmet pizza, a local newspaper and a bottle of wine when she got home. Two hours later after the meal, she indulged in some quiet reading and a crossword, then turned off the lights.
She awoke next morning around seven to a pair of magpies carolling outside. Lying in her own warmth for a while, she decided to extend yesterday's short walk. Breakfast was a cup of black coffee. Adding sugar and milk to her shopping list, she packed her one-piece costume, a bottle of water, sunscreen and a towel into her backpack. In an old short-sleeved shirt and shorts, she set off for the golden sand stretch again.
At the same point as the previous day, the small grey dog came up to her wagging its tail. Amelia knew it was Benny. Driven by a passing curiosity about the large walled villa above towering over the headland, she decided to try to get a closer look on the pretext of returning the dog.
Picking the friendly animal up, she trudged the short distance up the path till she reached a security gate. Taking a bold breath, she pressed the buzzer.
Amelia heard the woman's voice answer. Hearing that Amelia had her Benny, she buzzed open the gate and invited her to bring him up. As Amelia followed the winding path up to the porch, she saw the same attractive woman she had seen yesterday appear on the patio, dressed in a short white summer mini. Her brown arms extending, she cooed as she gratefully took the dog off Amelia while identifying herself as Sue and recalling their encounter the previous afternoon.
Patting the dog in Sue's arms, Amelia began raving about how much she liked the house and grounds. Fifteen minutes later over coffee, the girl started to marvel how natural the conversation was for two strangers. Eagerly, Amelia accepted Sue's offer to show her through the mansion.
Amelia took in the luxurious settings inside in genuine wide-eyed awe. As they wandered, the two women found themselves quickly liking each other. Sue invited her to share some cheese, fruit and wine on the patio for brunch. As they ate, Amelia answered all her questions, telling her she had just arrived, about her studies, being between boyfriends and why she needed this short holiday stay. She didn't feel like she was intruding when she in turn asked Sue what she did for a living.
The young woman indicated a large camera lying nearby, explaining she was a photographer who had just left the city agency for some years to strike out on her own.
"Do you mainly take fashion shots?" Amelia asked.
"No, not really," Sue whimsically mused. "Most are softcore shots, for internet sites or magazines."
"Softcore? Does that mean nude shots?" Amelia quietly murmured.
"Or just topless." Sue nodded, noticing Amelia's slight uncomfortable curiosity.
"How will your clients find out about you now, without an agency?" Amelia continued.
"Through ads in reputable agencies or trade journals," Sue explained. "Or from me hawking my portfolio around. I already have my first assignment. A model is coming here to do some shots with me here this afternoon."
"Here? Really?" Amelia asked.
"Yep. A softcore website has asked me to do a series with a model to see if they like me for future work," Sue excitedly continued. "She's due up here in three hours from the city."
"What exactly is softcore?" an unsure Amelia queried.
"I prefer to think of it involving scenarios that are a bit daring and sensual," replied Sue. "Why not see for yourself? Would you like to stick around here this afternoon and watch me work?"
"Could I? I won't get in your way? That would be great," exclaimed Amelia.
Amelia had wanted to ask a host of questions, her curiosity rising. How would Sue get around to asking a girl to take her clothes off? Instead though, she asked what Sue to explain exactly what she meant earlier by daring and sensual.
"Well, I enjoy taking the occasional shots that take my models outside their comfort zone," Sue replied.
"Does that mean it may involve danger?" Amelia put to her.
"Physical harm, never," Sue came back, her reassuring hand taking Amelia's arm. "But potentially new or scary mental scenarios, yes. Beyond being totally or partially nude, although that by itself can sometimes be quite scary in itself for novices."
Amelia wondered how anybody could be comfortable being nude in the first place, let alone do anything even scarier.
Sue took her camera and looked Amelia in the face. "Look, you have probably been told this, but you have a beautiful face, lovely brown eyes and seem to have an absolutely sensational figure, Amelia. Could I just take some shots of you? Just as you are? Here and now?"
"Me? Really? Are you sure? I mean, that'd be great," Amelia gushed in delight and surprise.
Sue walked over and picked up her camera. "Have you ever posed before?"
"Only snaps, and family portraits, I'm afraid." Amelia said apologetically.
