This story features two minor characters from an earlier one, Legal Affair, and is set some years later. It won't matter if you've not read that story, all the background you need is here. There is a long lead-in before there is any sexual activity, so if that is what you are after, look elsewhere.
It is based in Glasgow, Scotland. All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to living persons is accidental although the places exist. All sexual matters are consensual.
Going home
I managed to get back to my seat without losing any of the coffee. The train was nipping along at a fair clip and there was some movement that made walking tricky when carrying coffee and a small bag of goodies. I flopped down and watched as the countryside sped past whilst enjoying my treats and the passable coffee.
I was tired and thankful to be heading home. I'd been in London for a month running an advertising campaign, all aspects of it, and it was the first one that I'd led from start to finish. The clients had been happy this morning when they saw the final results, so I packed my bags and headed for the station. I'd been staying in a residential apartment, which was better than a hotel, but it had been non-stop and I'd had little chance to enjoy being in London.
I was pleased with myself and eager to see my mum and dad again. I still lived at home, unusual for a twenty-four-year-old but I had no desire to rush out and live on my own just so that I would have freedom. I had plenty of freedom and it would only be a problem if I wanted to entertain someone and that had not been an issue for a while.
My Aunt Helen had invited me for dinner with her wife, Rachel, on Sunday evening and I was looking forward to that as well. Helen wasn't actually my aunt; she'd been best friends with my mum ever since they sat together on their first day at high school all those years ago. She'd been there for me throughout my life and closer than most relatives are. She'd paid a fair chunk of the fees to send me to a private high school and helped me through University. I've never been in any doubt that she cared for me a great deal.
Helen had been in the police for years and leads a major crime enquiry team. She'd met her wife Rachel through work. Rachel was a senior Procurator Fiscal Depute who ran the prosecution team that carried out jury trials Glasgow's Sheriff Court.
I tugged open the ring pull on the can of pre-mixed gin and tonic and poured the contents into a plastic tumbler with some ice. It wasn't too bad considering but I'd earned it. The train kept up its pace as it sped through the Lake District and I briefly caught sight of a road sign indicating the direction to Penrith. I closed my eyes and thought back to the time that I'd been to CentreParcs not far from Penrith. I'd been ten years of age and it was the first time that I'd been away on holiday with Helen and without my parents. It had been Helen, myself, Rachel and her niece Molly. Molly and I had been friends for a few years by then, not close but we saw each other a few times a year. We'd got closer when we both acted as bridesmaids for Helen and Rachel and during that holiday, the year after the wedding, we became best friends. I'd gone to the same private school as her and she'd looked out for me.
Helen and Rachel had taken Molly and me to Florida the following year. It was quite an experience for the two of us and although we enjoyed all of the theme parks - we'd laughed and screamed on the big rollercoaster's, the week spent at the beach had been quieter, at least we weren't screaming as much, and it was even more enjoyable. The two of us had enjoyed fooling about in the sea and long walks on the beach which had allowed us to share our secrets and thoughts. We'd had plenty of laughs with Helen and Rachel and had also laughed at them, they were so much in love, constantly touching or kissing.
Sadly, as Molly was two years older than me, she went away to University in Manchester to study pharmacy when she was eighteen and since then we've only managed to see each other a few times a year. We'd been on holiday to Malaga together once and had a great time but things had never worked out for us to repeat it. We spoke on the phone a couple of times a month and emailed each other regularly.
It made me sad to think about her. Almost two years ago we'd met for dinner when she was visiting her parents for a few days. It had been a nice evening and I'd been very happy when I went to bed that night until it suddenly hit me; I was in love with her! I thought about it a lot for weeks, it was stupid; it had to be a fad, a fantasy, something unreal. But the feelings persisted and sadly I knew that it would never be anything more than complete insanity on my part. She'd never shown any interest in me. I could never bring myself to tell her or admit it to anyone; it was a secret that I couldn't share with her.
The change in speed woke me up. I'd dozed off. I recognised the buildings of Glasgow as we crossed the River Clyde below us and drew into Central Station. I collected my rubbish, gathered my handbag and suitcase before stepping onto the platform. I'd told my mum that I was on my way and assumed that she would meet me. After clearing the ticket barrier I heard someone call my name and was surprised to see Helen and Rachel waving to me.
"Hi Megan, welcome home, was it a good journey?"
"It was okay, but why are you here?"
"Your Mum and Dad are at the Royal Concert Hall tonight, to see the BBC Symphony Orchestra and asked us to collect you."
"I'd forgotten about that. It's kind of you and so nice to see you both."
"Are you hungry? You could eat with us and Janice could pick you up later, or we'll drop you off."
"I'm shattered and I'd like to go straight home, have a bath and an early night. Would that be okay?"
"Of course." We chatted about my trip to London and their recent trip to Barcelona, their third time.
Molly's break
I'd managed to get out of Manchester before the evening traffic went crazy and it was always worse on a Friday. It was a relief to get onto the motorway where it was a straight run right into the heart of Glasgow and I should be at my Mum's by about 6.30.
Work had been a struggle this week. I'm not sure why, my boss had been a lunatic but he always was so that wasn't new, it had just seemed worse in the last few days. My social life had been stagnant for months and the few friends that I had seemed somehow boring. Manchester was a great place to live and I'd loved it from the minute I'd arrived at University eight years ago. There was an incredible social life, all the big names played gigs there and there was no shortage of top-quality sport, but it had lost its appeal. I missed my family, I missed Glasgow and my friendship with Megan was at an arm's length.
Megan and I had met through our aunts when we were little kids. When they married, Rachel asked me to be her bridesmaid and Helen had asked Megan. We became much closer during the preparations and the following year Rachel, Helen, Megan and I went on holiday together. From then on we were about as close as you can get and both ended up attending the same high school. I left for University when I was eighteen and she still had another two years of school. Although we're still in touch it's not the same. I miss her but tomorrow we're spending the day together.
