Julia had just reached her 45th birthday. It was a lonely one, as her husband of twenty years had passed on three years earlier. He had appeared healthy, but unknown even to him had suffered from a congenital heart defect. The end was both swift and surprising; he phoned her to say he wasn't feeling well and was on his way home. Three hours later she was desperately trying to find out what had happened to him when a police car pulled up outside.
She had only ever known one lover; John and now she had lost him. Sex had been enjoyable but their respective lack of experience meant that it was always pretty straightforward.
Very occasionally Julia would masturbate, but always felt both embarrassed and guilty afterwards. She never committed this act when her husband was alive.
Billy -- their son -- was now off at University, only returning home for the holidays. So, she spent most of her time alone. She hadn't worked for many years, both she and her husband had believed in the need for a parent (usually the Mother) to be at home for a child.
Left comfortably off Julia was, however, bored. She needed something to occupy herself and finally decided to complete the education that she had abandoned so many years before. Having made up her mind she became determined to go back to college and obtain her degree; a BA in English.
Julia made a number of applications before she was finally accepted for an interview at a reasonably local institution. But, the morning of the appointment became one of trial and tribulation. First; she overslept -- not by much, but enough to put her ill at ease. Then, the washing machine broke during a spin cycle. She had to extricate the sopping clothes and then spend time hanging them out on the line (at least the weather was in her favour). Then, when she returned indoors, she discovered that there had been a localised power failure and the clocks had stopped.
Originally, Julia had scheduled herself just over an hour to get to the college (it was only a twenty minute drive away, but she didn't want to take any chances). However, by the time she was ready to leave she only had thirty minutes left. Naturally, the day going the way it was, the car refused to start.
Julia felt like crying. Clearly, she wasn't meant to go back to education.
Just as she stood looking forlornly at the unfamiliar workings under the bonnet of the vehicle, she heard a loud engine noise. Looking up she recognised Steve, one of Billy's old school friends. He was a motor mechanic and nowadays rode a powerful bike.
Steve took in the scene and turned his bike around, pulling into the driveway behind the car. He dismounted and pulled of his helmet, his long, light brown hair catching the sunlight. His smile was almost as bright.
"Hi, Mrs Gill," he said. "Having problems?"
"Am I glad to see you Steve! The car won't start and I've got an interview in about twenty five minutes."
It took Steve no more than three minutes to ascertain that the problem was not easily fixable.
"Sorry, Mrs Gill. I can fix it, but it would take me an hour to get the part. You'll have to get a minicab."
"But there isn't time!" she wailed. "It'll take at least ten minutes for one to get here."
Steve scratched his head. "Well, it's up to you, but I could always give you a lift on my motorbike. I've got a spare helmet on the back."
Julia had always hated motorcycles and had expressly forbidden her son Billy to even ride on one, let alone buy one. But, it was her only hope of making it on time. It only took seconds to make up her mind, but the questions it then raised were still to be answered. She had considered that she should feel and act confidently in this interview and as a result had relied upon 'power dressing', which meant a suit consisting of skirt and jacket. But, for a reason she couldn't readily explain, she had donned stockings and suspenders. How would she be able to maintain her modesty straddling a motorbike?
It was an ungainly process and she hooked her handbag over her shoulder to keep it out of the way. Steve had started and then turned the bike around, waiting for her to get on, but there was no way she could mount without parting her legs. Fortunately, the skirt was lightweight and pleated, meaning that she had some leeway. In the end, she placed a foot on the pedal grabbed the hem of her skirt, front and back, between her legs and then swung her knee over. Once on, she attempted to tuck the material under her legs to keep it secure. Steve took off almost straight away, forcing her to grab around his waist for security.
Steve drove quickly, but safely, managing to use the bike's power and narrow profile to make up time. Meanwhile, Julia held on tight, leaning forwards against him. With her knees parted and her body leaned forward, she was pressing her pubic area into the leather seat. At first, the fear of riding as a pillion passenger was all that occupied her mind, but as she became more used to it she also became aware of the vibrations she was feeling.
By the time that Steve pulled up outside the college entrance, Julia was beginning to succumb to the effects of her journey. Much to her surprise she was feeling aroused. She stepped off, feeling a little dizzy and took off the helmet. She smoothed her hair which she had fortunately tied in a ponytail, before thanking Steve and hurrying inside.
After all the problems of the morning, the interview went unbelievably well. As part of her application she had been asked to include a short essay. The man interviewing her had been very impressed and told her that this meeting was a mere formality. When she left no more than thirty minutes later she was already assured of a place.
Julia walked out into the sunshine wearing one of the biggest grins of her life.
"Congratulations!" called Steve.
She was confused; firstly because she had not expected him to hang around, but also because she couldn't understand how he knew.
"I assumed from the way you came out skipping and smiling that you got accepted?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"Yep."
"Well, it's not absolutely certain yet -- not until I get the confirmation letter, but that should be put in the post later today."
"That's brilliant! Good for you."
"I owe you a great deal for getting me here on time, Steve."
"I tell you what, how about we go get something to eat in order to celebrate?"
Julia thought for a moment before replying. She hadn't had anything to celebrate for a while -- and moreover, nobody to celebrate with. At the back of her mind a little voice was reminding her that Steve was the same age as her son, but the front of her mind was telling her that it would be nice to be seen with a handsome young man. She was about to embark on a new academic life, why not try starting afresh with her social life?
"Um, OK then. Where shall we go?"
"I know this lovely little pub by the river. It does nice, simple food."
It was only then that Julia remembered the earlier bike ride. She climbed on, clutching at her skirt. Steve took off quickly again, but this time she didn't have enough time to trap the material under her legs. The folds flapped in the breeze as they drove. She clung on tight again and leaned into him. Every now and then she caught a glimpse of her own stocking tops and hoped that nobody else did.
