It all started outside the school gates. It was an old Victorian school hall which had accumulated a series of flat roofed extensions as the village grew. Groups of young mothers stood chatting at the heavy cast iron gates, hung from the large brick piers with intricately carved stone capping, while waiting for their little bundles of joy to come bouncing down the drive.
Hannah was a single mum. She had recently moved into the village and didn't know anyone. She had gradually gravitated towards a small circle of slightly older mothers to avoid the immaculate make-up, competitive outfits and status sparring. Jessica, Emily and Lauren were old hands, but Olivia and Rachael were also new to the school run. The conversation was more varied and interesting. It didn't revolve solely around their children's achievements, celebrity speculation or last night's television.
It must have been around the autumn half term when Emily suggested getting together to discuss a book. Everyone thought this was a great idea. It would give them an evening out without the interruptions of kids or husbands. It would also force them to leave the housework and take some time just for themselves to sit down and relax. And so, the Book Group was formed. It met in each other's houses on the first Wednesday in every month. The host would choose the book and persuade their other half to make himself scarce. It was an easy-going arrangement. If you didn't like the book or you were struggling for time, you didn't have to finish it. You could just put it down and still come along to hear what the others thought about it.
They became quite a close-knit clique. It was almost like being back at college, having to think again and express their views and feelings. The group had been meeting for a year or so when Jessica, it had to be Jess, chose 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. They had all heard of it when it was first published a few years back, but no-one had ever considered reading it themselves. She said it should provoke some controversy!
Jessica lived in a modern detached house hidden behind a tall conifer hedge. That Wednesday was a wet and windy October night. Emily was so well wrapped up; Hanah had followed her down the street without realising it was her until she turned left into the drive. Jess greeted them both at the door in her exuberant high-pitched voice. She was a small brunette, casually dressed in a checked flannel shirt over a white cotton top and blue jeans. "The kids are both in bed," she whispered, taking their coats and waving them through to the lounge. There was an atmosphere of expectancy and giggling as the group gathered with their hot drinks around the circular coffee table.
Jess was right. The book did prove to be controversial. There was some consensus that it wasn't terribly well written and the characterisation was weak, but it was a page turner and they had all read it to the end, which hadn't always been the case with some of their book choices. Lauren was intrigued by the aspect of submission, but Emily and Hannah found it difficult to believe that Ana could have so little self-respect, to fall into such an abusive relationship.
"I can't understand how you can get pleasure from pain; either receiving it or inflicting it," Rachael declared.
"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other" Emily recited. "Jane Austen," she smiled self-consciously.
"It's not really pleasure though, is it," Olivia observed. "It's more sexual arousal."
"It's just an erotic fantasy, a piece of escapism," Jess said. "A little bit of guilty fun."
"But allowing yourself be tied up and whipped!"
Jess shrugged. "Haven't any of you ever done something to please your partner that you didn't particularly fancy yourself. Even if it did hurt a little," she added. The room was quiet as they trawled back through their sexual escapades.
"Tell you what," Jess suggested in her sing-song voice. "Rather than choosing another book next month, why don't we each tell our own erotic stories?"
Hannah expected the others would be uncomfortable with this, and waited for one of them to object. However, there was silence around the table.
"They would have to be kept confidential, of course. Nothing could be repeated outside the meeting," she continued. "And if you haven't got a personal story, you could just make something up."
Hannah was surprised there was still no dissention. Perhaps everybody was waiting for someone else to balk at the idea without seeming too prudish themselves.
"I'll go first if you like. We could meet here again next month." The group were all a bit stunned, but since they weren't the first to go, everyone left without voicing an objection. Everybody was waiting to see how it would pan out.
Jessica's Story
There was a buzz of anticipation when they reconvened at the beginning of November. It was a clear night and the temperature was starting to drop outside, but it was lovely and warm in Jessica's lounge. However, she was running late. She hadn't had time to change out of her office clothes and was wearing her pale blue blouse and black pencil skirt. Her smoky brown hair was still pulled up in messy bun. She had arranged for Luke to be out with his mates again, but he had volunteered to put the kids to bed before he left. She sighed heavily while setting the tray of drinks down. Jess chose to sit on the upright seat, as if she were still at the office, whilst the others settled into the more comfortable armchairs. She again insisted that everyone agree that anything said at the meeting was in strictest confidence. They all nodded before she would start to recount her story.
"Chris and Sarah have invited us round for a meal next Saturday," Dan, my ex announced, coming into the kitchen through the back door.
"Oh. That's nice," I called through to him. "It'll be good to get to know some of your new friends."
"Would you like anything to drink?" he asked, opening the fridge.
"No. I'm fine, thanks."
He sauntered into the living room with a can of beer and flopped into the armchair opposite. The can fizzed as he lifted the ring pull and took a long swig. "You remember the other night, when we talked about different partners we'd had before we got together?"
I nodded, putting down my book.
"And we fantasised about going with other guys and girls?"
"Yes," I said, guardedly. There was a pregnant silence while I waited for him to continue.
"Well..." he stretched the word out like a piece of chewing gum. "The idea got me quite hot. And I think it turned you on as well. Well, it definitely seemed so that night." He grinned and took another gulp of beer. "Anyway, I wondered how you would feel about actually trying it out?"
"What? You mean us having sex with someone else?"
"Yes," he said sheepishly.
"Where has this come from?" I asked incredulously.
"Well Chris and I were just chatting in the pub and....... it kind of came up."
