"Sandy, can I call round for a girly chat?"
"Of course, something up?"
"Well, sort of, but later?"
"When then?"
"Say about nine?"
"Great, see you then."
Sandy's curiosity was spiked as she hung up the phone. Lucy usually only called round for a 'girly chat' when she had problems with Hugh. She was such a prude that the slightest thing of a sexual nature sent her into a flat spin. Sometimes she wondered how she'd ever managed to conceive two children. Most likely after a drunken party, with the lights out! Hugh was a nice enough chap but he hardly struck Sandy as the demanding type in the bedroom.
"Hi, come in." She held the door open for Lucy, who was clutching a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. This was serious, a girly chat and Sauvignon Blanc! They sat down, made a little idle chit chat over the first glass of wine and eventually Sandy ventured.
"So, what is it then."
"What's what?"
"The girly chat of course. You don't usually come round with a bottle of wine to discuss prices in Sainsburys. " Sandy poured them another glass. "Has Hugh suddenly developed a passion for being wrapped in clingfilm or what?"
"No, it's nothing like that."
"So what is it then?"
"Actually, it's Dad."
"Oh no, nothing serious I hope? He's not ill is he?"
"No, not at all. Quite the reverse actually."
"Good. Old Pete he's such a live wire. I swear if he was twenty years younger I'd do him."
"Sandy, please! That's my father you're talking about."
"No, I mean it. He always has that twinkle in his eye. I would have given him serious consideration: for a one nighter anyway. I bet he was a bit of a lad back in the day. He probably knew just how to get a girl going.
"Well it may not just be 'back in the day'!"
"What on earth do you mean? He's not still trying to pull is he? Randy old bugger."
"It's worse than that.."
"WHAT? Look, come on spill the beans. This isn't fucking twenty questions you know."
Another mouthful of wine, then Lucy drew breath, composed herself and started.
"It's like this. I got a call from the care home a few days back. It appears he's been seeing someone."
"Well I'll be ...No. No. Good for him. And anyway why not? They probably aren't getting up to much anyway."
"Sandy, she's ...she's a... hooker."
"Fucking hell, a hooker! Cunning Old Pete...fucking brilliant! Never a dull moment en? I really hope he's getting good value for his money."