Regina liked routine. Nothing made her happier then days when everything fell into place perfectly the way it should in her diary. She had never married. Sure, she dated boys in college, but nothing ever seemed worth the commitment, boys mostly just got in the way of her routine. In fact she hadn't dated anyone since Henry was toddler. This didn't mean she was immune to the looks men threw at her. She knew she was attractive, and she used it to her advantage. Regina enjoyed flirting with men, she liked watching them fall over themselves to impress her. It made her feel powerful and confident.
Her schedule was hectic and she loved it that way. But nothing got in the way of her Sunday afternoon swim. She rented a lane from 3pm till it closed at 6pm. She had been going for so long now that she knew the staff and their rota better then they did! There were 4 lifeguards who worked 1 Sunday a month, therefore she saw a different one each week. Graham was the first Sunday of the month. He was a 30 something man, exactly how a lifeguard should look, tall, handsome, well built, and he flirted openly with her. Regina liked the way he stared at her butt when she entered the poolside and the way he tried to pretend he wasn't when she looked over at him. The second Sunday of the month was Leroy. He was 50 something, greying man. In his day Regina thought he might have been a ladies man, however his jokes are old and his flirting a little desperate. He seemed quite oblivious to the fact Regina had a face at all and talked directly to her chest. When she did catch his eye however, he had the decency to look ashamed. Third Sunday of the month was Regina's least favourite. 'Granny' as Regina called her, was on duty. She was a sour faced aging woman who didn't speak to anyone and blew her whistle when anyone swam to fast and made 'un-necessary splashing'. And the final Sunday of the month was a relatively new guy Robin. He must have been younger then Regina, maybe 26. He had far too much energy and pursued Regina like a bloodhound. Regina indulged him and played along with him, laughing at his quips and pretending his winks had an effect on her, but mostly she liked to leave him a gaping mess, by standing a little too close while dripping wet and or bending slowly to pick up her towel, she 'accidently' dropped. No matter what week it was Regina liked to know what to expect.
It was the first Sunday of the month and Regina was looking forward to some pleasant banter with Graham and a confidence boost. She arrived at her usual time 2.45pm and smiled at the nervous receptionist, Regina always forgot to read her name badge properly, Mary or Margaret or something. The pool was quite quiet on a Sunday, a few parents with toddlers in the children's pool, a handful of elderly people and on occasion a few people her own age. Regina always picked the deepest lane closest to the back wall, coincidently right in front of the lifeguard chair. Today was no different. She showed her members badge to the nervous girl and smiled as she was granted access. Regina changed and showered in perfect time to enter the poolside for 3pm on the dot. She smiled at the huge clock on the wall as if it had done it on purpose just for her.
Regina strode out confidently waiting to spot Graham at his usual post. She was slightly dismayed to see his chair vacant. She glanced around but saw no sign of any lifeguards or staff. Regina tutted in her mind, she was sure that broke some kind of law.
Her mood rapidly turning sour she headed for the steps into the deep end. A flash of red and yellow uniform caught her eye and she turned expecting to see Graham, she was however mistaken. It was a tall, blonde woman, wearing flip-flops and shorts, her hair tied in a messy bun, cradling a take out coffee cup. Regina was outraged that this woman could abandon her post to get coffee! Who did she think she was!? Was this her first shift? Did she not know it was her job to make sure no one was drowning!? Regina had a right mind to put this woman in her place or write a strongly worded letter, when the blonde looked up from her cup and straight at Regina. Regina stopped dead in her tracks. The woman was beautiful. That didn't seem to cover it; she was rugged and messy, yet perfect. She had a natural beauty that made Regina stare. The woman was watching towards her now, smiling. Regina shook her head trying to regain some sense of what just happened to her. Her mind was racing with questions but she couldn't hear them over how loud her heart was pounding in her chest.
'Hi!' The blonde says brightly, out stretching a hand as she finally reached her. She had a genuine smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye. Regina is instantly cautious.
'Hello' Regina replies, trying to remember how to put on her indifferent face, it's been a long time since she forgot how to use it. She hopes she isn't grimacing.
'Graham said to look out for you.' The blonde grins.
Regina is stunned by the grin plastered on the blondes face. Something in Regina really wants to wipe the smug look right off her face. She feels her previous anger resurface and she clings to it, glad of an emotion she can handle.
'Oh did he? And how exactly do you know it was me he told you to 'look out for''? Asked Regina coolly. Hoping to deter the annoyingly attractive woman.
'Well.' The blonde answered completely undeterred, 'You are most certainly the only woman here that fits his, rather detailed, description.' She said with a smirk to her coffee cup. With that she began to move towards her chair and the deeper end of the pool. Regina stood shocked for a moment at the blonde's tone, and at what Graham may have said about her. By now the blonde was a few steps ahead and back to cradling her cup, with the odd glance at the swimmers. Regina was suddenly very interested to hear what else Graham had said about her. She took a few quick steps to catch up, but found herself at a loss for words. She frowned to herself, she was never one to be without a witty remark or comeback. Regina closed her eyes for a second and pictured Graham, her confidence returned and she managed to gain some control of her thoughts.
'I don't suppose you'd like to share this description?' Regina purred, 'as long as it's PG, that is.'
The blonde chuckled, 'It most certainly was not PG! And he wonders why women don't wanna go out with him!'
Regina was left a little flustered; she had a strong feeling that this woman was not going to part with Graham's description without persuasion. Regina didn't really care all that much what Graham had to say anymore it was more the challenge of getting the blonde to say it.
'I'm sure it can't have been that bad,' Regina tried, 'I mean if he was willing to tell a fellow co-worker it can't have been unprofessional.'
At this the blonde snorted and laughed whole-heartedly. This bothered Regina, she didn't enjoy being laughed at. Her face must have shown this as the blonde abruptly calmed her laughter and tried to look apologetic.
"I'm not laughing at you, I promise, just the fact that my brother always chases women way out of his league.'
'Brother…!?' Was all Regina could blurt out. She felt herself begin to blush with what the siblings may have discussed about her.
'Yep. He got me the job, I usually work Wednesday, Friday, Saturday but I'm covering for him today. Do you come here often?' The blonde asked completely casually. Regina eyebrows shot up. Was that an obvious pick up line or a honest question?
'I… um… I come every Sunday.' Regina babbled. Since when do I struggle talking? Pull yourself together woman! The blonde seemed to smirk at the fumbled sentence, but hid it behind her cup.
'That will be why I've never had the privilege of meeting you before then!' The blonde said confidently.
'Likewise' Regina congratulated her brain for its fast thinking, it seemed the pep talk had worked. 'Well it was nice meeting you…?'
'Emma.' The blonde supplied.
'It was nice meeting you Emma, but if I don't start laps now I won't hit my target.' Regina smiled at Emma and turned to the steps of the pool.
'Don't I get to know your name in return?' Came a slightly nervous voice from behind her. Regina smirked, she had one up on the blonde.
Regina carried on down the steps and into the water. She looked up at the patiently waiting blonde and smiled her most suggestive smile. 'Why do you need my name when your 'brother' gave you such a great description?' And with that she pushed off from the edge of the pool and headed for her lane.
Emma grinned. The description Graham gave her did not do this woman justice. She shook her head. This woman is gunna be the death off me.
knew those words had to have come from Graham, yet she couldn't help the slight burn in her cheeks are the comment coming from the blondes mouth