The number came up as 'Karen: Library girl.' Jenny answered it.
"Hi, it's Jenny."
"Jenny? It's Karen; from the library, a few Saturdays ago. How are you?"
"I'm okay," Jenny replied, "what's up?"
"Oh, well, I wasn't sure if you were going to call," Karen said, "so I thought I'd ring; you know, in case you'd lost my number."
Jenny smiled to herself;
"No," she said, "I haven't lost it." She could almost hear the tension at the other end; Karen was caught off-guard and didn't know how to react.
"Oh, okay, great," Karen said, "do you fancy meeting up for coffee sometime?" Jenny left a long pause before she answered.
"How about this morning?" Jenny said, keeping the older girl off balance.
"Um, yeah," Karen replied, "I can be in town in half an hour."
"Good," Jenny replied, looking at her watch. "Cafe Coho on Queens Road, by the station, at eleven."
"Great," Karen replied, "see you in half an hour." Jenny ended the call, leaving Karen looking at her phone. Jenny was pleased with herself; she had been in control of the situation the whole time and Karen was now on the back foot, rushing to get to the cafe, flustered because she'd had to call Jenny and unsure of herself because the situation had got away from her.
Jenny had been lying on her bed in her underwear and now put on a tight t-shirt and a short skirt, stepped into her trainers and was out the door in five minutes.
She walked along North St.,up Queens Rd and got to the cafe in twenty minutes. She was five minutes early and found a table where she could see the door. Right on time, Karen walked in. She was wearing a grey hoodie and tight jeans and looked around for a few seconds before she spotted Jenny. She sat down at Jenny's table and smiled.
"Hello," Karen said. Jenny smiled at her.
"Hi," Jenny said, "coffee?"
"A skinny latte, please."
Jenny went to get two coffees and brought them back to the table.
"How have you been?" Karen asked. Jenny smiled to herself. They had hardly exchanged more than a dozen words during the only other time they'd met but Karen was acting as if they had been friends for years.
"Fine," Jenny said, "you?" Karen laughed;
"Sorry," she said, "I'm a bit nervous; this is all a bit strange."
Jenny relaxed and took pity on the older girl. She laughed;
"It is, isn't it?" Jenny said. "Okay; why did you think that flashing me was a good idea?"
"I don't know what came over me but I fancied you as soon as you spoke to me," Karen said. Jenny interrupted her;
"What if I'd been straight? What if I'd been offended? If I'd reported you it might have been the end of your degree. What were you thinking?" Jenny asked.
"That's just it," Karen said, "I didn't think. I went to the toilet, took off my knickers and, when you looked up, opened my legs. I wanted to get a reaction from you." Jenny shook her head in disbelief.
"And I did, didn't I?" Karen whispered. Jenny laughed again, remembering the kiss and what had followed;
"I suppose you did," Jenny said. It was Karen's turn to laugh. They drank their coffee and chatted about their courses and the university. Jenny decided that she liked the girl and that she wanted to see her again.
"D'you want to go for a drink this weekend?" Jenny asked. Karen nodded;
"Great," Jenny said, "I'll let you know."
"Thanks for the coffee," Karen said as they left the cafe, "see you soon."
"I'll call you tomorrow," Jenny said as she started back down Queens Rd.
When she got back to Cath's Jenny told her Aunt about her meeting with Karen.
"That sounds like you did the right thing, love," Cath said, "where are you going to take her?"
"I thought about one of the bars up by the uni," Jenny replied, "they're cheap, and pretty safe places." Cath nodded her approval.
"Good; I'll pay for a taxi for you," Cath said, "I don't want you driving if you're having a drink and I know a few taxis who'll look after you." Jenny hugged Cath and leaned in for a kiss. They kissed, tenderly, and Jenny said,
"Thanks, Cath; what would I do without you?" She winked at her Aunt ;
"Cheeky," Cath said, grinning at her niece.
"Hi; are you still on for the weekend?" Jenny said into her phone.
"Sure," Karen said, "where d'you want to go?"
"How about Falmer?" Jenny said, "there's a DJ on Friday night."
"I haven't been there for months," Karen said, "sounds good."
"Great; see you there around nine?" Jenny said.
"If it comes to it, what are you going to tell her about me, about us?" Cath asked. It was early on Friday evening and Aunt and niece were eating dinner before Jenny went out.
"What I've told everyone; you're Cath, Mum's best friend, and I'm living with you to save money on accommodation," Jenny replied. Cath nodded her approval.
"Good; come on, help me clear this away. You have two hours before your taxi will be here," Cath said.