Authors note.
Well here we go with another story.
More are on the way, i have about fifteen more to come, sorry if you are getting bored!
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The Village 04 - Yachting in Southern France
MONDAY afternoon
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They decided to walk over to the restaurant early at 11am and have a coffee outside, the gite was nice and had a shaded courtyard, but no sun.
Nicolle greeted them at the door. They asked if they could have a coffee outside, before lunch. Nicolle showed them to the terrace. It was hot and sunny, but cool in the shade. They chose a table in the sun, with an umbrella. "Going to be hot again." Said Denise happily.
"Wonder if it will be cool at sea?" said Beth, thinking of the cold North Sea.
"This is the south of France in summer," said Denise firmly, "they don't do cold!"
"Wonder what it's like shagging at sea?" said Beth, dreamily.
"We're going to find out!" said Denise, "Have you thought of swapping?" She continued.
"Swapping what?" replied Beth, "Clothes?"
"No, partners!" said Denise with a laugh, "Me with Pierre and you with Jerome." She continued.
"No, I hadn't." replied Beth thoughtfully, "But there's no reason why not, were not actually attached to them, are we, there just lovers and we are sort of mistresses. I did wash Jerome's cock in the bath last night, after we both got shagged in the bath."
"You should ask first!" said Denise in mock seriousness. "What's this about washing my lover's cock without me knowing?"
"His balls as well." said Beth, "I thanked him for giving my friend such a good shag!"
"Prostitutes, not lovers." said Denise, "They are paying us!" going back to the money.
"Yes," said Beth, "I thought that would stop after the first night. "did you get a tip?"
"Yes, "said Denise, "Fifty euro on top of the 250."
"Same here," said Beth. "Hope we've packed enough clothes in the suitcase." She said.
"Don't worry," said Denise, "I don't intend wearing clothes unless we go ashore. I'm going for an all-over tan."
Nicolle arrived with coffee and Monique. They greeted each other in the French fashion, with kisses on the cheek. Many at the meal yesterday had done this.
"May we sit with you for a while?" asked Nicolle, "We are ready for lunch, but the first reservation is not for an hour."
"Of course," said Denise. She noticed that there were four cups.
Monique served the coffee to all and sat down again.
"This French custom of kissing..." began Beth, she stopped unsure of what to say.
Monique looked at her seriously, "So you do not kiss each other in England?" she asked, "Your son kisses very well..."
'Don't go there,' thought Beth, "No," she said, as Monique and Nicolle laughed, knowing what was coming. "Yesterday, all the women greeted each other with a kiss, well several, two, usually, but some more. We got kissed several times, but not by all. Some of the men kissed each other, but not all, so what is the rule?"
Nicolle said "It is very complicated, it depends on whether the other person is a relative, a close friend, and where in France you are. The men only greet close relatives with a kiss, not friends, unless they have known each other a long time." She paused and continued, "Women above teenage years greet with kisses, but not younger ones."
Monique picked it up, "Around here, the senior person initiates the kisses, so my mother kisses me, and I respond, but I do not kiss my mother."
"Getting it wrong can be an insult, especially to the elderly." finished Nicolle.
Beth and Denise looked at each other, "I wish I had not asked!" said Beth.
"I have been speaking to Stuart'" said Monique.
"And me to Tom," said Nicolle.
"They are coming here by train a week on Saturday, when their course finishes, and they will stay two weeks."
"An extended holiday." Thought Beth.
"I will take Stuart to Nimes, where he can see the hospital and discuss jobs for later this year." Said Monique.
"You seem very sure that you both can get jobs there, "said Beth cautiously. "and where will you stay?"
"Oh yes," said Monique, brightly, "my uncle is the director there, there will be no problem with jobs, also my uncle owns several apartments. He has already promised me I can live in one, when I am in Nimes. There will be no problem."
"Ah, good." said Beth, getting it from her at last.
They chatted on for a while, then Nicolle looked at her watch and tapped Monique on the arm. "We must go now." Said Nicolle. They excused themselves and left.
"Looks like Monique and Stuart are planning their life together." Said Denise, not knowing what else to say.
"Well, I did wonder whether he would meet someone at university and live with them, people do, so why be surprised?" She paused, "This just seems so sudden."
"That's the way it can be." Said Denise, "One of my friends met a guy, who was in England on a short-term contract from New Zealand. Two months later she was married and living in New Zealand. She had no plans to settle down or have a long-term relationship... and bang!"
"Thanks a lot." said Beth laughing.
Denise looked at her watch. "Sun's past the yard-arm," she said, "let's have a drink." She looked around. Monique appeared.
"You would like a drink?" she asked.
They ordered wine. As Monique was about to go for the wine, Beth said "Monique how did you know we wanted a drink?"