Anne was 38 years old, and had been divorced for two years. Her son, and daughter had gone to London, for a week to see their father. Anne was in Oxford shopping for wallpaper, to do the kids bedrooms, while they were away.
As she was going through the shopping centre, she saw young, Neil Verucci. Neil was eighteen, and had been in her sons class, at school.
Hello Neil, she said. Oh hello said Neil, I see you've been shopping. Yes, I'm just about finished, and then I'm off home. I hear your working as a painter and decorator, said Anne, In fact that's what I've been buying.Oh, said Neil, are you doing some decorating.
Yes the children are down in London, and I'm going to decorate their bedrooms while they're away. Neil asked if she was going straight home to Thame, and when Anne said she was, he asked if he could have a lift.
Anne said of course he could, but she had just a couple of things to get, at the supermarket first.
Fine said Neil, I've, just got to pop into Menzies, could I meet you in the car park.
As they drove home, they chatted about his job, and how Anne was going to decorate. Neil said that she should have asked him to decorate for her, as he wouldn't have minded doing it.
Anne said she didn't mind decorating herself, and any way, she couldn't, afford to pay for it. Neil said he would do it for free.
Anne said she couldn't let him work for free, she said, thanks anyway, but I'm going to do it over the weekend, and she didn't want to keep him away from Heather.
Heather had been Neil's girlfriend, for the last year. Neil said that Heather, had gone off, with another lad about three weeks ago.
Anne said she was sorry to hear that, as they had made a lovely couple.
Neil said that's what he thought, but that Heather, obviously thought different.
So, said Neil. I'm not doing anything over the weekend, so I wouldn't mind helping you to decorate.
As they came to Thame, Neil asked if she could drop him off, at the chippie.
Anne asked if he was not going home, for his tea, Neil told her, his mum and dad, had gone up to Scotland, to see his gran, for a few days. And he could look after himself.
Anne said she wouldn't hear of him having chips, after a hard days work, and he must come home with her, and she would make him something to eat.
After tea, as Neil was still wearing his white overalls, he said he would make a start on the painting.
Anne washed the dishes, and started to clean the house.
Anne thought about Neil. He had always, been ever such a nice boy, but he was growing fast now, and Anne thought, it must have been because of his Italian blood.
He was nearly six foot tall, with jet black hair, and as Anne watched him painting, she began to see him in a different light.
She began to have sexual thoughts about him, but stopped herself. She said that she was going to the co-op, as it was late opening, and would he like her to get him anything.
I could murder a shandy, he said. O.k., Said Anne, I'll get you something then. She went upstairs to change.
While Anne, was upstairs she thought about Neil again. Although he was young, she knew that most of the boys around his age, drank and smoked dope.
There was a rumor, that he had gotten young Heather pregnant, but it had turned out it was a false alarm.
As she changed, she didn't know why, but she put on some stockings and suspenders. When she came back from the co-op, he was nearly finished painting, and Anne said that he had been quick.
Well there wasn't much, just a couple of doors and windows, and the skirting board. Ill come round early, and make a start on the wallpaper.
Anne said she thought he wanted a sandy. I'm sorry, he said, I forgot.
Sit down, and I'll pour one for you.
I cant sit down said Neil, I've got paint on my overalls, and I don't want to get it on your settee.
Anne told him to go up to her sons room, and he would find a housecoat, hanging behind the door, and if he wanted, he could have a shower.
While he was in the shower, he fantasised, about shagging Anne, but knew, that a woman of her age, wouldn't be interested, in anyone of his age.
When he came down, Anne thought he looked handsome, with his black hair, sleeked back, and he had dark hairy legs, and his chest, was also getting hairy, from what she could see.
Thanks he said, I needed that.
You must have been sweating said Anne, I had no right, to let you start painting, after doing a hard days work.
That's allright, he said I don't mind at all. Here said Anne, as she passed him his shandy, this will quench your thirst.
He drank it in one gulp. Anne asked if he would like another, or would he prefer straight lager. He said he would prefer a lager, and Anne said she'd join him, if he didn't mind.
She poured a lager for him, and a snakebite for herself. He got up, saying he had left his cigarettes in his pocket. As he got up. From his chair, the housecoat opened enough for Anne to get a quick peek, at his Calvin Klein underwear, which looked fairly well packed.
He came downstairs again, and Anne suggested that he stay the night. He said he would if she didn't mind, as he didn't want to get changed into his dirty overalls again.
Anne said she would wash them for him, but he said it was a waste of time, as he would be using them again, in the morning.
They drank their drinks, and Anne asked if he would like another. Anne poured drinks, and then she deliberately sat opposite Neil.
Neil noticewd that she was looking down at the gep in the Housecoat, which was enough to reveal his crotch.
Anne saw that he had noticed, and blushed. i..iM s..sorry, she said. It's just that it can get a little lonely without a man around.
Neil said that he Missed Heather too, and knew what she felt.
he said that he would be be willing to sleep with Anne, if she wanted him too.
Anne was in a turmoil. She was silent for a minute, as she thought over his offer.
She made a decision and said, Neil, this has got to be a one-off. After this weekend it's finished. There's no future in it, and I want you to promise me, you'll keep your mouth shut.
Neil said, he'd never say anything, as he knew that Anne was a friend of his mum, and he didn't hang around Thame much anyway.
But you wont tell anyone, will you, said Anne.
No chance, said Neil. And anyway why should I say anything, as I would only spoil any chance, that I might get again, with you, or anyone else.
Good said Anne. That's being sensible, and mature.