I'd been out taking a walk, enjoying a fine Spring day. The sun was shining and the skies were blue and there was a light breeze. The only complaint anyone could have was that it was just a trifle muggy, much more so than one would expect on a day as fine as this one. I ambled down to a nearby nature reserve and spent a pleasant hour communing with nature while getting some gentle exercise.
Things changed with startling rapidity. The first I noticed of a change in the weather was a sudden gust of very cold wind. Time for little Sandra to be heading homeward, I decided. I wasn't dressed for a cold wind.
Stepping out from under the trees it occurred to me that it was somewhat gloomier than it had any right to be. Especially under a bright Spring sun. I glanced up at said bright Spring sun and found it had retired for the day, great black clouds taking its place. Where the hell had they come from so suddenly?
It was obvious that a storm was on its way. The clouds were moving surprisingly fast and I could see the amount of blue sky was rapidly diminishing. I set off for home, walking a little faster than I had on my gentle amble outwards.
I wasn't even half way home when the rain started. Just a light shower to begin with and I could put up with that, even if it was freezing. I just picked up my pace; not running but certainly moving along.
Next thing I know there's this great flash of lightning followed almost immediately by a clap of thunder loud enough to knock you of your feet. I'm no dill. I knew that the time between the flash and the thunder is a pretty good indication of how far away the storm is and almost no time means the storm is right here.
I turned to look towards the main storm and I almost died. It looked like a sheer wall of water was advancing towards me. Screw running for home. I just jumped the fence I was standing next to and made a beeline for the house and that lovely sheltered veranda. I jumped onto the veranda and turned around and a wall of water went marching past.
That rain was so heavy that you could just about swim in it. Trouble was it was also full of rocks which would have buried you. Hailstones, actually, but they looked like rocks to me as they pelted down. I was cringing back against the house, swearing I'd never leave the house again, even to walk to the letterbox, without checking the weather forecast. Then the house seemed to vanish from behind me and I was falling backwards, landing on my bottom.
As I sorted through the visual clues that surrounded me I drew the following conclusions. I'd been leaning back against the front door, apparently. Maybe I'd leaned on the bell or something, but someone opened the door. The open door meant I was leaning back against nothing and I fell backwards. Looking up I could see a very tall man standing there. There again, I suppose any man seems tall when you're sitting on the floor and looking up at him.
"It's a trifle wet and cold out there," he said. "Would you like to come inside? Oh, wait. You are inside. Would you like to stand up and adjourn to the front room? It's nice and warm there and far better than going back outside."
I couldn't argue with that. I scrambled to my feet, blushing, and followed him into the front room. He was right. It was nice and warm. He'd apparently seen the weather report and prepared for the storm by turning on the heating. Come to think of it my house was going to be freezing when I finally got back there.
"I'm Robert," the stranger said. "You can just call me Rob. That is my cousin, Andrew, more commonly known as that damned pest, Drew. Ah, as you don't know him you'd better restrict yourself to Andrew or Drew. If you get to know him better you'll eventually add the 'that damned pest' bit of your own accord."
Rob waved his arm in the general direction of an armchair and there was another man sitting there, smiling. I nodded towards him.
"Ah, hi," I said hesitantly. "I'm Sandra. I didn't mean to intrude. I just got caught in the storm and wanted to take shelter on the veranda."
"Bet she didn't check the weather forecast," Rob said softly, and I glared at him before remembering my manners and changing it to a smile. I was a guest, after all.
Looking at the two men I could see the signs that they were related. They were both big hefty men, around the six foot mark, solidly built, with dark hair, brown eyes, and a Roman nose. Also on the plus side, they had identical smiles, and they were currently showing them. I'd hate to think what they'd look like if they were frowning. Two brutal thugs, possibly?
"It appears you didn't make it to the veranda on time," Rob said. "You're rather wet. I think we need to get you into something dry."
"Um, no, that will be alright," I said quickly. "I'll be fine until I get home. The storm won't last all that long."
"Yeah, leave her alone," said Drew. "I like looking at women in wet t shirts. Especially when they turn transparent like that."
I gave a gasp of horror and looked down. I was wetter than I thought and that blasted t-shirt looked as though it just might be transparent.
"Did you know that your bra can't take the water either?" asked Drew quite cheerfully. "It's also transparent and a very nice rack is on display. May I compliment you on a fine set of breasts?"
Now I knew why he was called that damned pest, Drew.
"Um, if you've got a dry top I can put over these things?" I suggested.
"I'm certain that I can find something," said Rob, "but you really should take those off. You could catch pneumonia standing around in wet clothes."
"I guess," I mumbled, mainly because he was right. I was feeling cold and sticky with that t-shirt plastered against me.
"Excuse me a moment," said Rob and left the room.
Drew just kept looking at me, laughing quietly when I crossed my arms over my breasts. Then Rob was back with a towel.
"Right," he said. "Take off those top things for a start and we'll get you dried."
I blushed and reached for the towel but he held it away.
"No, no," he said quickly. "I'll dry you. Home owner's privilege."
"Excuse me?" I said indignantly while Drew laughed again.
