This is a true story, pieced together, from small snippets of information given to me by the central character. It came about because her husband had read one of my previous stories, and felt the events in my story were similar to what must have happened to his own wife. I say felt, because although his wife had admitted she'd had sex with other men; and he knew by her state, she'd not done it willingly. And for her part, she was so ashamed by her involuntary capitulation, that she couldn't bring herself to explain to him what had actually taken place. Apart from saying through her tears, "They both had me. No, it wasn't rape. I don't want to go to the police."
So with his encouragement, she contacted me, and gradually the story unfolded. I've changed the names of the people involved and the type of work place where she was employed. (Both of these to protect her identity) The actual conversations are my own words, as she couldn't bring herself to re-live the actual events. But whereas the words used might be different, the meaning behind them and tone in which they were used are authentic. As are the events portrayed.
I am a 5ft 2 inches tall, 23 year old, with shoulder length brunette hair and weigh just under 8 stone (112 pounds). I suppose you would say, petite. But up here in Glasgow they just say, wee lass. I have Smallish boobs but am told I have good legs and, well men whistle if I pass them. Oh and Ken (my husband) says I have a bum to die for. When my story happened I was working in a factory that manufactured flat-pack kitchens. This day I'd been sent by my supervisor up to the works manager's office. When I arrived at his upstairs office, I knocked and waited, fearing what he might want me for.
"COME IN." He called loudly.
As I opened the door I could see he was sat down behind his big desk. He pointed to a chair on my side of his desk, "Sit yourself down lass."
He picked up a glossy brochure, and handed it to me. It was a fitted kitchen and a woman with a big beaming smile holding up a dish dripping with water. She was obviously supposed to be tickled pink with having this wonderful new kitchen.
"What do you think?"
"About what? That isn't one of our kitchens, is it?"
"No. But the idea of the advert. A woman will pick up a brochure to look at the kitchens. But a man won't. But by putting her on the front, you're just as likely to get a man to pick it up. Then, what's he gonna say he's looking at when his wife asks?"
"I see. That's good thinking."
"You bet it is."
"I'm thinking about the same kind of thing for our stuff."
"What a glossy brochure?"
"Well no. I couldn't run to that, but just a single sheet, still a glossy picture, just something to lay on shop counters and the like."
"Sounds great. But isn't there some kind of copyright or something?"
"Only if we use their idea. But I think a girl with a clip board, all the little check boxes ticked. One of the bottom cupboard doors open, and her bent over, looking like she's just ticking off the last cupboard check."
"Yes, I guess that would work."
"It would say across the top, we get someone who knows what a kitchen is used for, to make sure our kitchens are going to delight our customers.
"That's really good."
"So are you interested?"
"Me? Interested in what?"
"Being the girl in the advert."
"You are joking?"
"No. My brother Max is a professional photographer; we have all the units we need. All we need is a sexy girl. And they don't come any sexier than you. Especially if you're bent over showing that bum of yours."
"Oh I don't think I dare."
"It's all above board. And you'll be wearing overalls."
"I don't know."
"You'll get two hundred quid, and the picture will only take two hours at most."
I sat there thinking, what would Ken say (my husband). Then knowing he'd recently lost his job, and money in our house was tight. I said, "Yes, I'll do it. Thank you so much for thinking of me for the job."
"That's alright. After all, we couldn't use one of the canteen ladies. Imagine if we got old Gladys to bend down looking into a cupboard, nobody would be able to see the kitchen units." Then he laughed, and I joined in. But in truth I didn't think it funny, just a nasty thing to say. Then he added, "Ok, run along, and once it's arranged, I'll let you know the details."
When I got home and told Ken, he at first looked a little concerned, but once he knew I would be wearing company overalls, and the pictures had to be respectable to appear on shop counters, he suddenly began to show real excitement and I'm sure more than a little pride.
The session with Max taking the pictures was done one Saturday afternoon, and it took a lot longer than Graham (Mr James had now told me to call him this) had said.