Jan rose from her bed and gazed in the full length mirror hanging on her wardrobe door. What looked back at her was a bobbed blond haired, petite woman. Her fair, smooth skin and fresh complexion meant that she was often mistaken for a woman 10 years younger than her real age. Jan, however, was only too aware of her 44 years. She sighed and wondered where the time had gone. In her younger days she had toyed with the idea of modelling. She had the figure for it, if not the height, being a little over 5ft tall. Those were in the days of 'page 3' girls in the tabloids where good breasts counted for much more than long legs. She certainly had good breasts and still did. Perfectly shaped with small nipples that stood to attention when caressed. Her mind drifted to what could have been. Would she have become the next Samantha Fox or Linda Lusardi? Two of the UK's most well known topless models from that era. She liked the idea of being looked at, being admired, being wanted and being praised. Of course it was all just a silly fantasy. It never happened and was never likely to have happened. Her one main weakness got in the way, as it always did. Her confidence or rather the lack of it. It had always held her back. There was always a good reason she found for not doing something. They may not like me, I'm not good enough, I don't know how to start, what would my parents say, and a hundred more excuses and doubts.
She moved away from the mirror and laid her clothes out on the bed. She always liked looking her best and whilst she could not afford designer items, she made the best of what she had. It wasn't that she wasn't grateful for what she had in life. She had a loving husband and two teenage boys whom she was proud of. It was just her life was in a rut. Whilst she enjoyed her job as a home carer for the elderly, it was long hours and hard work helping them. Her life was just a repetition of routines; working, shopping, cooking, and ironing. Over and over. It was dull and she was fed up. She wanted something different. Something to get her pulse racing. She put on her tight black jeans along with her care agency uniform top and made for the door.
Mr Cooper peered through the net curtains as Jan parked her car outside his house. She had been caring for him for about a month now and he looked forward to her visits. She was a good carer, kind and interested in hearing about his life. Not like most carers that he had had before who just wanted to be in and out as quick as possible. Mr Cooper was also struck by how attractive Jan was. His wife had passed away some years back and he had never been interested in anyone else, but if he was 40 years younger than he wouldn't have been able to resist her charms. Her pink and white checked carer's uniform blouse was a tight fit on her slim body which accentuated the curves of her breasts.
After dealing with the essential business of preparing his meal and making sure he had taken his medication she flopped down on the sofa opposite him. He detected all was not well with her and when he enquired what was wrong and got the response that she was getting old he laughed loudly. He recounted to her all the things he had done when he was older than her, not that he knew her exact age but guessed at 30ish. He hadn't gotten married until he was in his forties. Jan was surprised at that and asked how they had met. He smiled and informed her that whilst they knew each other from growing up in the same village they didn't get close until they realised that they shared the same passion of drawing and painting. Mr Cooper rose slowly and slightly unsteadily went to the large oak chest of drawers in the corner of the room and got out a worn leather bound portfolio. He gave it to Jan and told her to look through it. Jan was amazed at the contents. There were wonderful sketches and watercolours.
She recognised some of the nearby landscapes. They were in incredible detail and still vivid colours despite their age. Mr Cooper pointed out which ones were his and which were his wife's. Jan could see the different styles but both, in her uneducated opinion, were clearly talented artists. The very last pencilled sketch was a portrait of a woman. She was sitting on a stool facing away but looking back over her shoulder. She was naked from the waist up and the outline of the side of one of her breasts was clearly visible. She had long fair hair which fell over her bare shoulders. She was beautiful. Jan recognised her from the family photos doted around the house but none brought out the beauty shown in this picture. Mr Cooper explained that this picture was his favourite one as it was the first that she had posed for him after much persuading. Jan congratulated him on his skill but also his fortune in having such a good looking wife.