The Mirror
Chapter 10
Hey, you know what it's like when you've just stepped out of the shower, you're completely naked, and some fool knocks at the door? You run around like a headless chicken, you can't find your dressing gown, so you grab something... anything which might cover up your embarrassment. So what happens when you've been lying naked on a bed after making love, your senses are still tingling and you have to sort out whose underwear belongs to whom and where did you throw your top?
"My god! Who's that?" Joey giggled as she jumped off the bed.
"I don't know!" I hissed; my face, I'm sure, as red as a strawberry!
Joey giggled again and hurried over to the window.
"I think it's that estate agent guy! He looks a lot like that guy we saw earlier."
I grabbed a blanket from the bed and hastened over to join my lover at the window. Indeed; it was Doug.
"Shit! Quick! Let's get dressed!"
Joey giggled again.
"Can't we just ignore him?"
"No! What if he has a spare key?"
"You're right! I think he has!"
At that moment, I heard the key turn in the lock and the front door was pushed open.
"He's in!" I hissed.
"Just coming!" Joey suddenly yelled out.
"Oh! You are here!" Doug called up. "I thought you may have left. I did try to call Miss. Buckton's... I mean, Charlie's mobile, but she didn't answer!"
"My mobile's downstairs!" I whispered to Joey.
Joey grinned and tickled me. I giggled and squirmed.
"Stop it! Quick, we've got to get dressed!"
We hastily pulled on our shorts and tops; poking our underwear into our pockets, and I led the way to the bedroom door.
"Charlie!" Joey hissed.
I looked back at her. She quickly walked up and smoothed down my tousled hair and softly kissed my lips.
"There! That's better." She whispered.
I kissed her back and we proceeded to trot down the stairs together.
"I'm sorry, Doug! We got caught up with... something upstairs." I explained.
I heard Joey smirk quietly behind me as she ran her finger seductively down my spine. I could feel chills which her touch created and tried to control my voice as I explained to the agent that Joey had me enthralled with tales of her family history in this house.
I was suddenly aware that Doug was staring at my chest! I felt my face flush and began to get irritated. Okay, so he might fancy me, but did he have to be so deliberate with his eyes?
"Sorry... I didn't mean to intrude, it's just we've had an offer for this house; cash, and I thought I should let Miss. Collins know immediately."
My mouth must have dropped open in shock and suddenly I felt a chilly breeze, just like those I had experienced before, and I shivered. I looked quickly at Joey, who was staring at Doug.
"No sale!" She announced coldly.
"But, Miss. Collins! It's a cash sale! They are willing to pay exactly what you ask!" Doug said incredulously.
"No sale!"
"I-I don't understand!"
"I'm going to live here myself. I made up my mind just a short while ago." Joey advised calmly.
I turned to Joey and mouthed 'are you sure?' She smiled and nodded; her eyes slipping down to my chest. She grinned. I frowned back at her, then, turned to Doug.
"Looks like I've lost the house too!" I sighed sadly.
"Well, if you are sure, Miss. Collins, I shall remove it from our books immediately."
"Thank you, Doug. I will of course pay whatever fee is required."
"In that case, here is your spare key. I shall...err..." He glanced down at my chest again! "Be in touch!"
"Thanks Doug! Much obliged!" Joey called as he walked up the garden path.
Joey turned back to me and fell into a fit of laughter.
"What's so funny?" I asked with a frown.
"Just look at your top!"
I glanced down; to my horror, I had put it on back to front, not only that, Joey was pleased to announce that my bra was hanging out of my shallow shorts pocket and also, my nipples were pert!
Can life bestow anything more embarrassing?
Joey dug me in the ribs and kissed my cheek. I hadn't seen her happier than she was at that moment. Her brown eyes were sparkling with mischief and her hands, which were now leading me back up the stairs, were warm and inviting! She led me along to the master bedroom and pulled me inside, kicking the door closed behind us.
I lazily opened my eyes and looked at the window which faced the sea. I could smell the fresh, evening breeze as it wafted from the ocean. I heard Joey murmur softly as she lay in my arms; her softness like nothing I'd ever felt before. I kissed her hand which rested on my shoulder. She stirred slightly and I felt her mouth open a little as it lay against my breast.
After Doug's impromptu visit, we made love to each other, over and over until exhaustion claimed us, then, slept soundly for two hours. The evening birds were already chirping their 'goodnight' songs as remnants of daylight faded away into night.
Again, I heard Joey murmur before she stretched out her legs and turned her head towards me.
"Hello." I grinned.
Joey blinked a couple of times and grinned at me sheepishly.
"I thought I'd dreamt it." She said as her lips lightly brushed my breast. "It thought it was all just a wonderful dream!"
"It's no dream!" I assured her.
"Wow!" She grinned.
"Yeah, wow!" I laughed.
I wrapped my arms about her.
"I'd better be getting back home." I sighed.
Joey frowned and clung on tightly to my body.
"I don't want you going anywhere." She murmured.
"Ruby will start to worry! Besides that, why don't you come home with me as planned? Stay with me just until you can make this place comfortable." I said, and kissed her neck.
She studied my face for a few moments and then grinned.
"Okay. That sounds like a plan." Suddenly, her face became serious. "Charlie, when Doug was here, did you feel that cold draft?"
I looked quickly at my lover and nodded.
"Maybe it was a draft from a window." I suggested, knowing full well the window on the stairs was closed.
"Or maybe it wasn't!" Joey said quietly and huddled against me.
"Jo, do you believe in... ghosts?"
Joey was silent for a few minutes; hiding her face in my hair. After a few moments, she nodded.
"And do... do you think it was a...ghost earlier?" I asked, surprised at my own words.
"It was my mum!" She answered, quietly.