Janet Kinsella was newly divorced and happily so. She had been married for 23 years, some happy, some not so, until she had found out that her husband had had a string of discreet but plentiful affairs. After confronting him, he announced that he found everything about Janet bland, nonsensical and boring. She had calmly packed his bags the following day whilst he was at work, put them in the garden, called a locksmith, had all the locks changed and then got in her car and driven to the coast. She stayed there for 3 days, ignoring her mobile phone and the endless calls whilst she decided on her next move. Decision made, she got back into her car and drove home to find the bags gone, along with her husband.
It had taken almost 6 months to reach a final agreement and by the time she received her decree absolute she had started to turn her life around. A haircut and a dye to get rid of the terrible grey took 10 years from her and reminded her of the person she used to be, all those years ago. She put almost all her clothes in the charity bin and went and bought a completely new wardrobe. Clothes that, 10 years ago, she would have run a mile from, but she had trusted the judgement of an old friend and had come home with bags full of skirts, well cut jeans, tops, lingerie and shoes. Heels, corsets, bras that gave her oompfh, stockings, it was all there. She smiled to herself as she thought about the deep sense of embarrassment she had felt as she tried it all on, eyeing herself critically.
Now, she stood in front of her full length mirror and gave herself the one eyed squint. Stood in her bra and panties she pinched her skin between her thumb and forefinger. She was not actually in bad shape for 46, although she had long remnants of bearing 2 children, the small stomach overhang, the ripple of stretchmarks across it. Janet turned around and looked at her backside, the definition of the curve poking out from under her jersey boxers which hugged her hips and the curve of her waist. The black showing off her naturally olive skin to its best advantage, her matching bra doing the same for her torso and shoulders, the gentle round of each breast, smoothing up to her decolletage. As she eyed herself she found that she was still nicely in proportion and fairly pleasing to the eye, although in her opinion, her thighs were too big.
Shrugging, she slapped each thigh in turn and watched it ripple slightly. Janet put on her skirt, which like her panties hugged her hips and she smoothed the material flat. Her blouse was black, in direct contrast to the red of her skirt and it caressed her breasts as she buttoned it up, tucking it into her skirt, reaching under her hemline to pull it down smoothly against her skin. Sitting down with her skirt at her thighs, she pulled up her stockings one by one, smoothing them to her legs. Standing, Janet pulled her skirt back down across her hips with the flat of her hands and finished off the ensemble with a pair of red 4 inch heels. Giving herself the final 'once over' , she picked up her travel back and walked down the stairs. Putting on her long red coat, she buttoned it and wrapped a scarf stylishly around her neck, letting herself out of her front door into the cold night air, she turned, double locked the door and walked down the steps to the road. It was 10pm on December 30th.
Janet hailed herself a taxi and sat back as it jolted around the streets. Finally reaching their destination, she paid the driver and let herself out of the cab. Closing the door behind her, she thanked the driver and turned on her heel making her way into the railway station. She stood and looked around, taking in all the people. There were less than she had originally thought there would be and she scanned the concourse, taking in the drunks, the lovers, the elderly. All hurrying off in different directions, down for the tube, across the station, sauntering or running to platforms for trains which were either about to leave or would still be there in 5 minutes time. Stations to Janet always smelt of the same things, diesel, people, cold air and for some reason, tobacco. It took her back to day trips with her parents to wonderous places and in turn her early trips with the children before they had been able to afford two cars, she suddenly lamented that they had not gone by train to more places, the excitement building as it made its way to its destination, the fields flying by, tunnels and bridges, watching cars waiting at level crossings as they sped past to places new and exciting.
Shaking herself Janet looked around for the person she was to meet. She had arranged to visit her daughter at university in Glasgow for New Years Eve or Hogmanay as the Scots called it. Mary had stayed at university each year for Hogmanay and Janet's husband had always insisted on staying at home in London. This year, was going to be different and Mary had insisted that her mother see the New Year in in style. Something that Janet was more than happy to do. So she had set the wheels in motion very quickly and decided to go up on the overnight sleeper from London. Mary had suggested that her mother bring Marys best friend with her, Janet was more than happy and 20 year old Emma was more than happy to split the cost and share a berth.
Searching carefully, Janet spotted Emma standing looking up at the departures board. She walked up behind her and smiled as Emma squeaked in fright as Janet greeted her.
"Hello Emma," her voice sounded overly loud suddenly despite the comings and goings of the station.
Composing herself, Emma turned. "Oh, hello Mrs Kinsella, I didn't see you there."
Janet smiled to herself and looked the girl up and down. Her hair was screwed up on top of her head haphazardly and she wore jeans, a sloppy top and a leather jacket which was open. The night air was having an obvious effect on the girls' braless breasts and her nipples stood out against the light fabric of her shirt. Janet smiled again as she remember her ex husbands comments about hanging hats. Taking notice of her surroundings once more she found that Emma was watching her with a quizzical expression on her face.
"Oh! Sorry dear, call me Janet, please. Are you ready?" She smiled and turned once again towards the platform where the train stood, carriages resplendent in blue livery. She walked down the platform, referring first to the guard who pointed the way with a smile, then to her ticket, mentally cross referencing the detail on the carriages and the ticket.
Behind her, Emma walked, appraising Janet. This certainly was not the Mrs Kinsella that she had grown up with. She was used to seeing sweatpants and t shirts and hair scraped up severely from her neck and face. This Mrs Kinsella actually swayed when she walked. Emma had simply not recognised her in her heels and elegant clothes, her make up and bags, striding down the platform with her head held high. This Mrs Kinsella was something to behold. As she was walking in a world of her own, Janet turned around and smiled.
"Come on slowcoach, I brought some champagne," she smiled. "It was supposed to be for tomorrow but I can always get some more." Janet held up a big bag and Emma heard the bottles chink together. She smiled and sped up down the platform to arrive at their carriage side by side. Looking up Janet smiled at the steward and held out the tickets, the guard greeted them both, stepped down and helped both Janet and Emma onto the train, lifted their bags and then showed them to their berth. Opening the door he let them go into their room, put their bags into the room with them and showed them where everything was. With a cursory nod to them both, the steward turned on his heel and walked out leaving them to get settled.
"Top or bottom?" Janet turned and smiled at Emma.
"Oh I don't mind, umm top." Emma replied.
Janet put her bags on the seat and moved to pull down the top one for Emma to put her baggage on. Emma moved and held onto the other handle, together they pulled the berth down.
"Well its compact but looks like fun," Janet giggled. Emma stood and watched her with a grin.
Janet kicked off her shoes and left them lying in the middle of the small floor-space. "Right, lets break open this bubbly," she smiled, "It will have to be tooth glasses."
"Oh I shall go and get some from the dining car," Emma replied giggling, "You open a bottle, I won't be long." She disappeared out of the door and turned towards what she hoped was the dining car.
