"You should go with her."
"No, I don't have the time. I need to finish the painting by the end of the week."
"Take it with you."
I hadn't thought of that. Sophia was right, it could be completed anywhere. Sir Cedric Pattinson had commissioned me to do a painting of his prize horse, 'Lansdowne Lad'.
I had spent yesterday at the stables, taking all the photos that I needed, so I was ready to start. But would it be better if I stayed at home, without any distractions?
"I'll think about it."
Then our Daughter joined us.
"What have you two been talking about?"
"That course you are on. Your Mother thinks I should come with you."
Emma squealed with delight, and then she gave me a tight hug. I had to push her away so that I could breathe.
"Thanks Daddy. That's made my day."
I looked over at Sophia, and she was smiling. I'll think about it, had just become a yes.
Now that it had been decided, I needed to call the hotel and book a room. That might be a problem, so I rang them straight away.
"You need a single room for six nights, starting tomorrow. Is that right?"
"Yes. My Daughter already has a reservation. Emma Wilkinson."
"We are very busy, but let me check. I'll put you on hold."
It was a while before he spoke again.
"You're in luck. There was only one room available, and now it's yours."
The next day we had a late breakfast, and then we set off at midday. It was Sunday, so we weren't expecting a lot of traffic, but it was still going to be at least a five hour drive.
It ended up being nearly six.
"Hi, Walt and Emma Wilkinson."
I got a big smile from the receptionist, but it quickly turned into a frown when he checked our reservations.
I looked at Emma, I could see that she was as concerned as I was.
"We have had a problem with the East Wing early on today. A small fire," then he quickly added, "But there is no danger now. However, it's closed until further notice."
His smile was back, but it was now forced.
"So what are you trying to tell me?"
"Don't worry Mr. Wilkinson, we do have a room."
Both of us picked up on the 'a'.
"We have put in a fold up bed."
He was now looking at me, waiting for a reaction, and I could tell he was worried. It wasn't ideal, but it wasn't the end of the world, so I decided to cut him some slack.
I gave him my best smile, and then I said, "I'm sure we can manage."
That took him by surprise, and he was lost for words, until he said, "Thank you," and I could tell that he meant it.
We decided to leave everything in the car, and go and see the room first. It was nice, but it lacked character. Functional, was the best way to describe it. However, I didn't mind. It met our needs. That's what I thought until I tried my bed. It was a bit too short for me, and it wasn't that comfortable. What had I said to Craig at reception?
"I'm sure we can manage."
Emma could, in that big bed of hers, but now I wasn't sure that I could.
After getting all our stuff from the car, we decided to eat. The hotel had a restaurant, and it was supposed to be very good.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"No. Is that a problem?"
The maรฎtre d' gave me a look that said, "Nothing is ever a problem," and then he smiled before saying, "I will take you to your table."
We took our time choosing the wine, and even longer selecting the food.
"You haven't told me anything about the course."
"That's because you never asked."
She had been smiling when she said it, but her face became serious when she started explaining the course to me. I tried to look interested, and I really tried to understand it, but I failed on both counts. She worked for a large multinational investment bank. The course was to help her with her ambition, of one day becoming a Derivatives Trader. After only five minutes I had to stop her.
I shook my head, then I said, "That's as much as I can take. You get your brains from your Mother, not me."
She laughed, then her serious face was back.
"Daddy, you're not stupid."
"I know, but your Mother is the clever one."
Then the main course arrived. As we ate, I thought about Sophia. We had met at a party when I was twenty one, and as soon as I saw her I wanted her in my bed. She was beautiful, but after talking to her, I realised that she was also very clever. Somehow I managed to charm her, and she agreed to see me again. I couldn't believe my luck. I was a beach bum, scratching a living as an artist. If I sold more than one painting in a week, it was a good week. She was older than me, twenty nine, and she had a proper job. She was an Accountant.
"You're not eating. Your food is going cold."
"I was just thinking about your Mother, and the first time I saw her. You are a lot like her."
That pleased her.
"Daddy, can I ask you something?"
I just nodded.
"Why did she agree to marry you?"
She was trying to keep a straight face, but I could see the hint of a smile, so I knew she was teasing me.
I shrugged my shoulders, and then I said, "I have no idea."
That made her laugh, and then she reached over and held my hand.
"I'm glad she did."
While we were waiting for dessert, I thought about what Emma had said. I had once asked Sophia why she had married me. She thought about it for a while, and then she had said.
"Your rugged good looks. Your sweet personality," then she looked down at my crotch, before adding, "And your eight inch cock."
She wasn't laughing, so I knew she was being serious.
"That's not enough for a good marriage."
This time she did laugh, before saying, "It is for me. Especially that big cock of yours."
We then surprised a lot of people, probably ourselves as well, by staying married. I was now forty three, and Sophia fifty one. Some of the passion between us had gone, and that big cock of mine wasn't getting as much action as it would like, but it was more than made up for by having Emma. She was twenty one now, and she was our pride and joy.
After finishing the meal, we went to the bar. I made a couple of beers last a long time, and Emma stuck to coke.
We got back to our room at ten.
"I need to go to sleep. That course tomorrow is tough, so I need to be at my best."
"OK. If you change in the bathroom, I'll change here."
It didn't take me long to get ready, but it was fifteen minutes before Emma came out of the bathroom. She was wearing one of the dressing gowns that the hotel provides. When she got to the bed, she untied it, and it slipped from her shoulders onto the floor. As she got into bed, I looked away, but I had briefly seen what she was wearing. Then when I turned my head back, I saw more, because she was getting out of bed.
"I forgot my phone."
Then, without the dressing gown on, she walked towards the bathroom. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was wearing a low cut bra, and small tight knickers. She wasn't there long, and as she walked back to the bed, I watched every step she made. When she got to the bed, she didn't get in, instead she sat on the edge of it, facing me.
"I'm nervous about tomorrow."
"You'll be OK."
"I know, but this course is important to me."
Then I couldn't help it. I looked at her breasts. There was a lot of cleavage on display, and I could even see the outline of her nipples. I knew that I was staring, but I couldn't help it.
"Daddy, I can tell that you don't approve of what I am wearing."
She must have seen me looking. But it wasn't disapproval I was feeling, it was something else. My mouth was dry, and I had to swallow before answering.
"I guess it's what somebody who is twenty one wears," then I shook my head before saying, "It's not what your Mother wears to bed."
That made her laugh.
"But she is old, very old."
I just smiled. I didn't regard fifty one as being old, but obviously she did. She then stood up. When she was back in bed, I got out of mine, and I turned the light off.
"Daddy?"
"Yes."
"You're lucky that I didn't shock you."
"What do you mean?"
"Because normally I don't wear anything in bed," then she giggled.
"Good night Emma!"
She giggled again, and as she did, I felt my cock stiffening.
When I had seen her in her revealing underwear, she had reminded me of Sophia when we first met. Nice size breasts, a slim waist, and a full bottom. What Emma was wearing, was something that her Mother would have worn at one time, but not now. However, that wasn't the problem. It was the lack of excitement in our marriage, especially in the bedroom, that was the problem. Sex was now once a week, normally on Saturday night. It was good, but not special. We made love like two well-oiled machines. We both knew what buttons to press to get the other going, but we had pressed them too many times. The spontaneity had gone. Sometimes I just wanted to climax so that I could go to sleep.
Seeing Emma like that, had made me yearn for those early years with Sophia. I tried not to think about it, but it was difficult. I thought I was never going to be able to sleep, but eventually I did.
When I woke, it was early, and my body was stiff. Then, when I got out of bed, I had to sit back down again. My back was sore. It felt as if I had been kicked by a horse. That made me think of Lansdowne Lad, and the painting that I needed to start today. Should I leave it until Tuesday? No, I really needed to get on with it. I was forty three, and only just getting a name as an artist. This painting could be a turning point. I was never going to be a Francis Bacon, making mountains of money, but I could become well-known. Up until now, Sophia has been the main bread-winner. Whatever meagre amounts I have earned, have just been a bonus. If this painting was well received, what I could charge would increase, and so would my self-worth.
I took a long shower, enjoying the hot water on my aching back. Then, after dressing in the bathroom, I went back to the bedroom. Emma was now awake, and sitting up. Her bottom half was under the sheets, but her top was on display. Her breasts, covered by that small bra, looked as impressive as they had done last night.
"Make me a strong coffee. I need some caffeine before I get up."
The kettle took forever to boil, and then when it did, the lid rattled. As I put the coffee cup on her bedside table, she turned her head so that she could kiss me. It was supposed to be on my cheek, but it ended up on my lips. I quickly pulled back. It had been brief, and accidental, but it had sent my pulse racing. I looked at her. She was shaking her head, and smiling.
"I've told you before. No tongues."