After Alison's party, Karl felt very unsettled. He'd felt both lust and troubled about his and Alison's summerhouse fling, and so he decided to phone her, to see how she felt. She answered quite nonchalantly.
"You ok?" he enquired.
"Yeah."
"You're alright with... you know, our little dalliance?"
"Yeah."
"It's just we were, a little less than safe."
"Yeah, so."
"So...?"
"Look it's no big deal, ok? I sorted it."
"Right. I was a little... concerned."
"Oh, please, no drama."
"Right, sure. So do you want to meet again?"
"Maybe. I have my mind on Sheffield now."
It was hardly a heartfelt tug of longing coming down the phone. Karl had expected it, but despite that, he felt empty and more let down than he had anticipated. Time to cut his losses.
"Yeah, I understand, no worries Alison. Give us a bell, yeah, if you fancy meeting up?"
"Yeah. Anyway, thanks."
"Thanks?"
"For the coaching. I've got my place at uni now."
"Yeah, nice one. All the best in Sheffield, eh?"
"Thanks. See you."
And that was it. It left him despondent, and Lucy's warning to leave well alone repeated in his mind. But he hadn't left well alone, and had not felt any better for it, albeit there had been an initial thrill at having Alison against the easy chair.
He decided to go out for a walk, and try to forget about everything. It was weekend and another week of work was approaching so he had to be settled for that. He left the house and walked up through the streets to the nearby woods. A chill in the breeze was apparent, even though it was mid August, there was the first hint of the cooling turn of the season. He wandered on some unmarked paths through the trees up to a ridge to take in the view from the hillside, before heading back. It was dusk and the light were on at home. He got home to hear raised voices, animated rather than angry. Was that...? Lucy! She was back!
He found her in the dining room. She turned towards him from a chair. "Hello, little bro."
"Hi Luce. Look what the cat brought in."
"- You by the look of it."
"- And you look lovely too."
"So, how's things?"
"Shit."
"Oh? What happened?"
Karl looked both ways, to signal he was about to speak confidentially. "Alison," he mouthed.
"You...?" He nodded. Lucy titled her head with a very slight shake and raised eyebrows which communicated "ok, so you've had sex with her and now regret it?" It was a skill of hers.
Karl opened his eyes wide, coupled with a tiny double nod, to acknowledge the fact. She sighed.
"Ooops."
Karl shrugged.
"Let's talk later," she said quietly. Then their mother called them into the lounge, to watch their favourite comedy on the television.
Later that evening, Karl gave a gentle knock and pushed the door open to Lucy's bedroom. She was sat up on the bed, with a book.
"So what's up?"
"Feel a bit fucked up about it all."
"Why's that?"
"Dunno". He paused and sighed. "Maybe I just hoped it would be a bit more fun, you know? I wasn't expecting romance and roses, but more just that we could muck about together for a bit."
"Aha."
"She's going to Sheffield."
"And wants to have a new start?"
"Yes, leave all the "drama" behind."
"So, not a great next step for you."
"No Luce, not really. Didn't feel that way with us." She pursed her lips in acknowledgment and nodded thoughtfully. She waited a moment to consider.
"You know, I am going down to London for the weekend in September. It's actually a bit of a laugh, because me and a few friends are going. We have tickets for a burlesque show on the Friday night. That would cheer you up!"
Karl snorted with a smile. "Sounds great. But how do I fit in with staying down there, then there's your mates, and getting tickets, and so on."
"Well..." Lucy began slowly. "I have a double room in the hotel." Karl felt a flush of adrenaline at the suggestion. "The show, I can easily get another ticket, and my friends couldn't care less. They're quite open minded."
Karl could not help a smile start. "So I just need a train ticket to London, then?
"Yes. Meet me at St. Pancras station."
"What have you in mind the rest of the time?"
"Oh, check out some museums, the odd shop, poke about Camden Lock." He could have made a suggestion, but left it at that.
***
It was a Friday in September, and Karl was on the express to London. He had checked out a little about the burlesque show, it was reputed to be one of the best in the country. As the flat countryside of eastern England flashed by, he mused about his imminent break with Lucy. Chances were she was going to notch things up again between them. His ready for that, a bit of sisterly assistance, although it meant acting undercover and feeling deviant. Even so, Lucy had managed to combine those feelings with a kind of confident reassurance. She may have wavered before, but once she had made her mind up, and their passion had ignited, he had not been left feeling insecure as he had with Alison. This time, with the burlesque show, he could sense that she was testing him by taking him to pastures new. He wasn't entirely sure he would feel comfortable at the end of the weekend.
Leaving Kings Cross station, he walked over to St. Pancras and hung around near the ticket halls as arranged. The place was thronged, with many people with cases piled on trolleys heading off to Europe on the Eurostars. Lucy appeared after a short wait, and stood out immediately. She had a body hugging black dress with a fishtail, black stockings, her dark hair was tied up, and she had dark eye shadow on. Karl growled inwardly.
"Wow, Lucy! Looking good today!"
"Thanks." She nodded to a couple of young women who stood close by. "Karl. This is Jules and Beth."
"Hi, pleased to meet you," he nodded to the women. Jules was a brunette, wearing tight black jeans and a crop top. Beth had auburn hair, and wore a blue polka dot party dress.
Beth spoke up. "Looking forward to tonight?"
"Yes, bit of a first."
"You'll love it."
"This way," motioned Lucy and they followed her as she led the way to the Underground to get to the hotel. She arranged with the other that they would meet within half an hour to go out for a meal before the show. Once in the room, Karl asked, "do they know we are brother and sister?"
"Yes."
"Ooh, so I'd better be careful."
"Well, yes, even if they are pretty broad minded."
"They think it's ok that you've invited me to a burlesque show?"
"Yes, why not? It's just a show with a bit of eroticism. I think they'll be too busy taking notes to worry about you."