By working at Kate's studio as well as Max's, and by being able to offer extras at the former, my income had increased quite considerably. So, being an ex-rich-bitch used to the better things in life due to my dad's generosity, when I stayed in Leeds without James knowledge, I upgraded my hotel. Moving on from the basic, but good value, Premier Inn, I started staying at the Park Plaza which, apart from being right outside Leeds station also had more facilities including a restaurant, bar and room service. I felt far more comfortable there.
Supposedly because Kate promoted me to her regular customers, or so she said, I got busy at her studio, which kept me in London. Anyway, Gretta was back in Denmark for two weeks which, of course delayed our date. Whilst she was away, I had James come down to my granny flat above the garage at mum and dad's mansion which, due to his business going bust was now being repossessed. Fortunately, he had put the granny flat extension in my name for some reason so that couldn't be repossessed at the same time and I got to live there rent and Mickey free, lucky me! Hence, my modest affluence!
After some diary juggling, Gretta and I found a date that was convenient for both of us. It was on a Monday evening after we had worked in Max's studio on both a one-to-one session and a group where we posed individually for a dozen or so photographers. I didn't mention this visit to Leeds to James.
It had been a boiling hot day and although the studio had A/C it wasn't very effective and when I was posing under the lights the sweat was running off me, so I asked the punter to wait while I dried myself with a towel.
"No leave it, Marie, it's sexy and looks as though you've just been fucked," he surprised me by saying, as he went on to ask about extras which I had to refuse as Max didn't allow them at his studio.
Gretta called as I was just out of the shower at my hotel.
"Still okay for dinner Jayne?"
"Sure, but I am not sure where or when," I told her, looking at my watch and adding, "what time?"
"No problem, perhaps be best to eat in the restaurant there, you're at the Park, aren't you?"
Hoping I hadn't screwed her evening up too much I agreed, although I had not eaten there before, but as she was more familiar with the city, I agreed to eat at seven-thirty.
"I'm wearing shorts," she considerately told me.
I had a quick shower and slipped into my new, pale grey bra and panties set and a pair of white, fairly tight, knee-length shorts. I pulled a dark blue, sleeveless linen blouse on, leaving the top two buttons undone, and slid on a pair of blue mid-height heels.
The restaurant was almost empty and Gretta was waiting.
"Hi, I got some white wine going if you're interested," she said as I sat opposite her at the table. She was wearing a crisp white tank top with a plunging neckline, tight beige shorts and brown, slip-on boat shoes.
We had a nice dinner, chatting easily about Max and the studio, how our gigs had gone today and telling each other about our backgrounds as we got to know each other better. The restaurant emptied around nine, so we went to the bar off the main lobby. It was as good as empty. We sat on stools at the bar and we both ordered glasses of the white wine we'd drank at dinner. The barman, a young very attractive Italian poured us two large glasses and left the bottle in a cooler in front of us smiling as he said, "Help yourself ladies."
The other people left the bar so there was only Gretta, the barman and me there.
"Can we get the Olympics highlights on?" I asked him, as I remembered the Olympic games were taking place in London.
"Not in here, I'm afraid I have to close in ten minutes."
"Oh shit."
"You can get it in your rooms though."
We looked at each other and Gretta smiled, "Pity I don't have one then?"
Also smiling, I added, "and lucky I do, so shall we?" as we looked at each enquiringly.
"Why not?" Gretta said looking right into my eyes.
"Can we order some room service here?" I asked the lovely barman.
"Sure, what do you want? I'll get it delivered."
I looked at Gretta. "Want to split a Chardonnay with me?"
Raising her eyebrows and grinning she replied. "Just one?"
"Ok, one each then," I grinned back.
"Look guys that will cost a packet - at least sixty pounds. We have to charge restaurant prices."
"Really?"
"Yep, but I could pop down the road to the liquor store and pick up a couple for fifteen or so and deliver that if you like."
We agreed to that and had only been in my room a few minutes when he brought the booze. Gretta offered him a drink but thanking her, he declined and left the pair of us alone.
"Hmmm," she said, smiling at me before going on with, "thought we might be on for a threesome there, he's lovely but turned us down so, he must be gay." She giggled, making me wonder if she would be up for that with James and me. He had been on about a threesome and asking whether I had been with other women quite a bit recently. I hadn't given him a definitive answer but left the question hanging.
Gretta laid on the bed, leaning back against the headboard with her long, bare legs stretched out before her, and I sat on a chair next to it. Without removing my heels, I put my feet on the bed not far from her hip. We settled down to watch the highlights from that afternoon's and evening's athletics. It wasn't very exciting, mainly field and no track events, and we spent more time chatting and drinking so by eleven or so one bottle was empty and we were losing interest in the TV.
"What's James think of all the travelling up and down from London, Jayne?"
"He's ok with it; well, with what he knows about, that is. We sort of lead rather separate lives."
"What, like an open marriage?"
