Sarah and I usually went shopping together on Wednesdays, not for anything in particular, and usually not for me. I would normally stand there as she went through half the store trying things on. But today she picked out a few things for me. Some of it, I flatly refused to consider, but the beige skirt was nice, it came to just above my knees, and flared out a little.
"Try these on with it," she called through the curtain.
I saw a beige pair of court shoes come through the curtain.
"The heels are a little high," I mumbled back.
She didn't say anything she just shook the shoes until I took them. I pulled back the curtain and waited anxiously for her reaction.
"Good we'll take them," she said to the salesgirl.
In the cafΓ© I tried telling her I wasn't going on a date.
"Of course you're not mum. But you look better in 3 inch heels instead of those flat things."
"My flat shoes are comfortable," I protested with a pout.
She winked at me, "had your hair done though didn't you."
"I was overdue for a cut."
She chuckled, "and the lighter tint?"
"I just fancied a change, that's all," I mumbled.
"Oh don't worry mum I'm only teasing, your hair looks lovely. Its nice you made an effort."
"It's for me you understand, not for anyone else."
"Look I know you are a little worried, maybe nervous, but Simon is a gentleman. He's not going to leer at your big knockers all night."
My eyes shot round the cafΓ©.
"Sarah, please don't say words like that for everyone to hear," I said in hushed tones.
It was 7 o'clock when Sarah arrived on Thursday night.
"I'm not ready yet. Didn't you say 8 o'clock?" I asked a little flummoxed.
"Yeah, I just wanted to get here early so you wouldn't back out at the last moment, and to help you get ready."
"Sarah I'm a grown woman I don't need help, I, I'm not nervous, well a little I guess. But this isn't a proper date, I don't have to, well impress him or anything."
"I know I just want my mum to know I'm here to help, if she needs it."
"Well I don't," I stated, annoyed by her grin.
10 minutes later a rather pathetic call for help from my bedroom was made. She hugged me and smiled. Three times I did up the top button of my blouse, and four times Sarah undid it! I gulped at the pack of stockings she gave me.
"I haven't got a suspender belt," I mumbled.
"You don't need one they are hold ups," she said, as she took the pack from me and started opening it.
"Sarah, I'm not a tart, I'll wear tights, what if he gets the wrong impression?" I said with a bigger gulp.
"Oh, is he going to get that far then?" she said with a chuckle.
"Certainly not, and I would prefer it if you stopped all this suggestive talk," I said with an indignant huff.
"I know he's not, but won't it make you feel good about yourself?"
I looked at her a little puzzled.
"Well just think, there you will be in sexy stockings and he won't even know. I mean, you can sit there all smug about what you have hidden up your skirt knowing he doesn't know."
"OK the stockings, but not the high heels," I said, trying to come to some sort of compromise with myself and my daughter.
"No, high heels are a must, besides they are only 3 inch heels."
So there I sat in the pub waiting for Simon and James to turn up. Now I know I only said one drink but I kind of sunk the first in record time. My second wine was gone too. Still the butterflies in my stomach seemed to slow to a mild frenzy! The only thing that I didn't like was the perfume Sarah had sprayed on me when I wasn't looking.
"Oh my, there he is," I choked, as I grabbed Sarah's arm.
"God keep calm mum, just remember you are wearing stockings, and if he knew he'd be all over the place."
"As long as he's not all over me," I mumbled.
"Smile mum, you won't get executed."
I did smile, I couldn't bloody stop! I think my face just got stuck.
"Hi Sarah, Hi Mrs Brent," Simon said with a grin.
I felt a dig in my ribs from my daughter.
"C, call me Mary," I said, eventually.
James came over with the drinks and things settled down. The two men talked and played darts for awhile. I know that doesn't sound like fun, but I started to relax a little more. When Simon sat down again we chatted, at first he gave me simple questions with one word answers. Which again might sound strange or silly, but remember I hadn't been out like this for years? Not with a guy who fancied me, and a younger guy at that. Mr Kenny was OK, but he was a friend of my husband and me for years. So it was easier to talk to him. I hope that makes sense? By my fourth wine I felt more at ease, in fact I found myself thinking of my stockings, and what Simon would think of them. I had already noticed quick glances at my cross legs, several times! My hem was about 5 inches off my knee as I sat there. I had this strange feeling that Sarah might have told him something. Would my daughter have mentioned that I was wearing stockings!
"So what time do you want to go home mum?" Sarah whispered in my ear.
"Um, later Sarah, just one more drink wouldn't hurt."
Simon jumped up when he caught the end of what I said. I tried to stifle a giggle as his foot caught the leg of the stool. I think that was the moment that really broke the ice. He looked so embarrassed, but he laughed it off.
"I'll give you a hand with the drinks mate," James said.