The following morning, we called John and arranged our travel. There were flights available for the next day and an early morning departure meant we could complete our journey to Teach Ceardaí without an overnight stay. I was glad, not wanting to face the inevitable disapproval of Helen, had we needed to stay under her roof. Martha arranged for Johnny to pick us up directly from the airport, saving us from the need to hire a car so our travel plans came together with remarkable ease.
After the arrangements were made, we took Eve back to her apartment, more for something to do than anything else. We found a pleasant young man busy repairing the door. It turned out he was a friend of Mike and a carpenter by trade. He had already repaired the cracks and was occupied in fitting new and more robust hinges when we interrupted his work. Eve repacked her case, which had been hastily thrown together by Beth the previous evening, and we returned home and spent the afternoon in the garden, keeping Eve occupied doing the small winter jobs that we hardly ever seemed to have the time to do. The outdoor work in the garden followed by a hot shower and a light evening meal, together with the prospect of 4am start to catch the morning flight drove us to an early night and I fell asleep quickly. I woke warm and comfortable, just before the alarm sounded, to the sound of Eve's gentle breathing as she slept between Beth and I. I saw Beth too was awake, but we lay quietly until the alarm rang, not wanting to deny Eve the rest she needed.
The flight was half empty and we had minimal luggage so within a few minutes of disembarking we found ourselves entering the arrivals hall. Johnny was there, waving cheerfully and we introduced him to Eve. He seemed very keen for Eve to sit in the front of the Land Rover with him, ushering Beth and I into the rear seats and dusting off the front seat as though suddenly ashamed by the state of his vehicle. I looked at Beth and could see that she too had noticed the tell-tale signs of the smitten male. The first part of the journey was comfortable enough and I dozed off in the back seat while Johnny and Eve were getting to know each other. But once we started on the boulder strewn track to the cottage, sleep of any kind was impossible and even Johnny became silent as he carefully steered the Land Rover round obstacle after obstacle.
By the time the thin plume of peat smoke from the cottage chimney became visible it was mid-afternoon and I was feeling a bit battered as the vehicle drew to a halt outside the gate I climbed stiffly from the back seat, and stretched, breathing in the stillness of the mountain air. The door to the cottage opened and Martha appeared, dressed in her outdoor clothes. She smiled in greeting and walked down the path to meet us. She seemed glad to see us, but her eyes betrayed her concern. Nevertheless, she greeted Eve warmly, taking her arm and walking with her to the door. Johnny, Beth and I followed behind, each carrying one of the cases.
Entering the warm kitchen, we found Martha and Eve deep in conversation and the smell of freshly ground coffee was more than wonderful. Martha had prepared sandwiches and we sat around the kitchen table enjoying the late lunch and drinking coffee. Of John there was no sign. He was resting, Martha informed us and would be down later. After we had finished our coffee Johnny departed. We said our goodbyes and watched the Landrover as it lurched its way down the track. I was not looking forward to the return journey, wishing suddenly that I had thought to pack my walking clothes.
We settled into our rooms. Martha had, understandably, given Eve her own room but I had no fears, there was nowhere safer than this cosy cottage, miles from anywhere. We showered away the grime of the journey and changed into our robes before congregating in the sitting room. Beth and I were sitting quietly, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the firelit space. The curtains were open and we watched in silence the shadows deepen as the pale sun dropped behind the hills. The door opened and Eve came into the room. Wearing her robe of china blue and with her hair loose she looked as lovely as I had ever seen her, the bruise on her cheek notwithstanding. Even as she started across the room towards us, the door to John's library opened and he stood for a moment framed by the doorway before slowly entering the room with Martha close behind. Eve stood transfixed, staring wide-eyed at the tall, robed man as he crossed the room. John wore a striking robe of rich crimson embroidered with arcane symbols, only some of which I recognised.
He came to a standstill in front of Eve and spoke to her gently in the deep resonant voice that I found so compelling.
"Sister Eve you are welcome here, Martha and I will do all in our power to make your stay with as comfortable as possible. You need only ask for anything you need. Beth and Hazel will have told you good things about us I hope." He smiled. "As you know I cannot see you with my eyes, but if you will give me your hands, I have other gifts which compensate for this lack." He held out his hands, palm uppermost and, shyly, Eve placed her small hands in his. John closed his fingers over her hands and as he did, so Eve gave a small cry of surprise and blushed a beautiful shade of pink.
John laughed, "You need not worry, your secrets are safe with me. But I sense that you have been hurt, your cheek is painfully bruised. It can be healed if that is your wish, and in that healing perhaps at least some of your curiosity will be satisfied."
Eve looked across at Beth and I, as though needing encouragement. I nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Yes, I'd like that," Eve said.
"Good," John said, "then perhaps we may call on Martha to help us." At this Martha rose from her chair and took John's place in front of Eve. Holding Eve's gaze in her own she gently placed her hand over the bruised cheek. Martha closed her eyes for a few seconds and then nodded to herself.
"Please take off your Robe." Martha's voice was sonorous, compelling almost hypnotic. Eve complied without demur, unbuttoning her robe, all the while maintaining eye contact with Martha. Eve slipped the robe from her shoulders, and I reached out and took it from her. Eve stood silently facing Martha, awaiting instruction. Martha's gaze travelled the length of Eve's naked body, perhaps looking for any other signs of injury. "Turn around for me," Martha said, and Eve turned. Martha gave Eve's back the same appraisal and then, nodding in apparent satisfaction, gently placed her hands on Eve's shoulders and turned her so that he two women faced each other once more.
After a moments silence Martha spoke, "You may now remove my robe," she said. Eve looked at me with the ghost of a smile on her lips. I was sure she was thinking back to that evening in our cottage when I had slowed her rush to take off my robe. It seemed she had learned her lesson. Eyes shining with anticipation she carefully untied the belt that held Martha's robe closed and, by sliding her hands beneath the enfolding fabric, opened the garment. Martha gave a small gasp of surprise and pleasure as Eve's hands deliberately traced the contours of her body to ease the robe from her shoulders.
Martha's pale skin and voluptuous curves stood in stark contrast to Eve's petite figure. Her full, rounded breasts were topped by delicate pale pink areolas and nipples, for now quiescent. My fervent hope was that my lips and tongue would have the opportunity to coax them into their full tumescent splendour. I shamelessly gazed at her glorious body, taking in her flat stomach, the fully shaved vulva, and the delightfully swollen outer lips of her pussy, like her nipples only a shade darker than her pale skin. I imagined myself teasing those tender lips apart and Martha's moans as I explored the secret places hidden within. I could hear Beth's breathing quicken and I knew that she too was aroused.
Martha glanced at Beth and I, as though she could read our thoughts, but she remained intent on her task. "You were right when you said that Eve was beautiful," she said, "it will be my pleasure to be the channel for her healing," and turning her attention to Eve once more she, ran her hands down the sides of Eve's body, pausing at her waist. Martha spoke quietly, "put your arms on my shoulders and keep them there," she said, and Eve complied, raising her arms as bidden and thereby thrusting her breasts invitingly forward. Martha sought them, splayed fingers gliding upwards over Eve's stomach until they reached the taut skin of her breasts. Eve gasped as Martha's fingers toyed with her nipples, coaxing them into swollen peaks. Eve's breasts filled Martha's hands, her long fingers massaged the firm flesh and engorged nipples as Eve shuddered with pleasure.
