The walk through the café proved to be more of a kid glove than a gauntlet, there were some disapproving looks but then there were as many searching, curious even envious looks, so, all in all, I felt ok about myself by the time I emerged, relatively unscathed, from, what I'd expected to be, the tunnel of shame.
'Hi David, it's Addy.' It's three days later.
'Oh hi Addy, how have you been?'
'I've been really good thank you. You?'
'The same thanks. I was only thinking about you just before lunch,' I replied.
'That long ago?'
'I know right, how could you be so far from someone's thoughts.' I laughed.
And how could such a boring and conventional conversation come from such unconventional meetings as I'd so recently had with this girl.
'So Addy, does this mean you swiped right again?' Thinking about it, I reckon that that particular analogy has run its course.
She chuckled, probably thinking the same. 'Yes I did. I was hoping for that adventure.'
'Were you now. I'm pleased. And how do you feel about having that adventure at my place?'
'I'd like that very much. If the invitation is still open that is.'
'Absolutely it is. When did you have in mind? Are you thinking sooner or later?'
'Sooner hopefully.'
No reason not to strike while the iron is hot, as the saying goes. 'Well I'm free tomorrow afternoon?'
She didn't hesitate. 'Tomorrow afternoon is great. What time?'
'2 o'clock?'
'I can easily be there for two, don't suppose you're too far away.'
'I don't suppose I am, I'll send you my address. Just follow your GPS, don't worry when you start disappearing into the woods, you're still on the right track.'
'Ooh, sounds a bit spooky.'
'Hmm, some people find it so, after dark anyway, especially if they haven't been here before,' I replied.
'Good job I'm coming in the afternoon then, 2 is perfect. Errrm. This might seem a bit weird, but can I wear whatever I want?' She asked the question in a nervous rush.
Oh I like the sound of this. 'Of course you can Addy. Whatever you want.' Considering how little she'd been wearing on our previous two meetings, this could prove interesting.
'Great. See you tomorrow then. Bye.' She seemed relieved, probably expecting questions or a silly comment. I do occasionally make silly comments, usually inadvertently, sometimes not. But, thankfully, not on this occasion.
'Looking forward to it, see you at two. Bye Addy.' And I cut the call.
I'd hoped she'd call, I'd even expected her to call, but, obviously, you can never be sure. There were a few reasons why she would call. Probably more reasons why she wouldn't. But it was three days since my gauntlet run and I hadn't seen or heard from her since, not that that meant anything, but it does sow the seed. But she had rung and now it was just a case of waiting to see what tomorrow brought. And what it was wearing.
The next morning I made a few preparations. I might not use them, it would depend on how it felt when she got here, but at least I'll have made them.
And she arrives, just as she said she would, at 2pm on the dot. My kind of girl.
I'm sitting in front of the house when she pulls up, but she half turns her car as she stops, leaving her to get out of it on the opposite side to me.
Then, having stopped the car, she just sat there with her head down. It looks as though she's having second thoughts about coming here and I remember her constant indecision when we'd met that first time.
After two full minutes her door opened and she twisted away from me. I stood and took a pace towards her as she climbed out.
She walked around to the front of the car and stopped.
Even when she'd still been on the far side of the bonnet I'd realised that she was wearing, what appeared to be, a black latex coat: so I'd had the intervening seconds to compose my thoughts.
And now that she's in full view I can see that it is indeed a latex coat. It's short, just below her bum, and cut in a loose trench coat style; with epaulettes, a fold over collar, a waist belt and buckles on the sleeves. The collar flap is fastened to her neck and the belt is cinched in and tied off at her waist.
I can now see that her legs are also fully encased in black latex; the figure hugging material really emphasises her thickly muscled thighs, her shoes are leather stilettos that are thickly soled with extremely high heels. Goodness knows how she drove.
She looks extremely nervous.
This is a very different Addy to the one I'd met and experienced at the gym, so, despite her comments regarding what she wanted from a relationship, the question about what she could wear today and my thoughts around her likes, this girl standing on my doorstep dressed head to toe in black leather and latex was way down at the bottom of my list of what I'd expected.
She had definitely come to play.
The obvious, and intriguing, question, to me anyway, is, what is she wearing under the coat?
I pause for a moment, looking at her. Then. 'Come here Adrienne.'