Ada woke up to clear spring sun through her curtains. Was there any better way to wake up? She attended to immediate needs and tucked herself back into bed in anticipation of a lazy pre-breakfast read. One of her favourite authors had released a new book and she was halfway through a thriller. There was a knock on the door. Ada bade her guest to come in. She got a sharp shock as she looked up from her book to see Hecate walk in, stark naked. Ada shut her mouth and tried not to stare at anything but her face.

'Good morning' she said, trying to act normally.

Hecate smiled mischievously, something that made Ada's heart skip. She'd never seen the woman smile. She couldn't help noticing that her hair was long enough to guarantee some modesty. Released from the habitual bun, it flowed like a waterfall over her breasts. She came to sit on the bed, not stiffly on the edge but facing Ada in a familiar manner, tucking one leg under and leaning forward.

'Pendell was sleeping on my bed. He woke me up in search of breakfast.'

'I wondered where he was. I'll go and start breakfast if you're hungry.'

'Not at all. I thought you might be up though.'

'Did you sleep well?' Enquired her host.

'Absolutely. You've made the room so cosy; I fell asleep very quickly.'

'Wait until tonight. We'll need our beauty sleep after Dimity will run us ragged. Do yourself a favour and resist more than three shots or risk be out of action the next day.'

'And lord forbid that you take away any of Ursula's shine on her big day' said Hecate in a faint mocking tone.

'Quite.'

Ada changed the subject before they started on a bitch-fest about the bride. While it seemed quite out of character, Ada sometimes thought that Hecate had been within her rights to feel aggrieved against Ursula.

'I hope the nightgown wasn't uncomfortable. I thought you would prefer something more modest.'

Why oh why was she bringing up the matter of her guests' nudity? She could have kicked herself.

Hecate laughed. Ada felt her breath catch at the thrill of the sound of it.

'I prefer to sleep naked most of the time nowadays.'

'Oh.'

'Out of curtesy to my host, I usually wear something when I visit. But I hope you don't mind.'

'I'd like you to be comfortable while you're here' said Ada with a slight smile. She wasn't sure of what to make of this uninhabited woman Hecate had become but she didn't want to discourage it.

'I appreciate that. I've been at the mercy of people's expectations for as long as I can remember. I know I've been allowed to take advantage of your hospitality at such short notice but as I was coming to the wedding, I wanted to take the chance.'

'The chance for what?' Asked Ada levelly.

'To get to know you' said Hecate frankly. 'I would have liked to have got to know you better but I suppose I didn't know how to sharpen my social skills back then.'

Ada appreciated how honest Hecate was being. In all the time she had known her, she'd never volunteered any information about herself, much less any feelings she may have harboured towards the group.

'You seem so much more content now. It suits you' she said, not sure if it was the right thing to say. She had observed her guest the evening before. She had actually eaten dessert and enjoyed it. Ada had never seen her touch anything sweet before. And the way that she relaxed in the armchair when Pendell came purring and whining to inveigle his way into her lap. Looked at him with soft eyes.

'I know what all of you thought of me. And much of it was true. But I'm not as much of that person anymore.'

'You don't need to prove anything to me. Or to any of us.'

'I never knew what you thought of me. And I'd really like to know. I've wanted to get to know you ever since I met you.'

Ada dropped her book in shock. The meaning was clear enough. Hecate's body language was clear enough. She was sitting even closer, looking at Ada with those soft eyes and devilish smile.

Hecate knew it was now or never. No-one thought she'd had it in her, not least herself. Not realising that so much was simmering under the surface for so long had finally made her melt down in frustration. She couldn't explain the deliciously painful release of her soul when she'd finally given in to her desires, allowed herself to recognise that she deserved to indulge in what she wanted. She wanted Ada, she just hadn't known it then. The one person who had treated her with consideration all those years ago. She'd shied away from those playful eyes and saucy innuendo that was all the rage in the staffroom, everyone had thought she was such a prude. It took a while to realise that she was severely attracted to it. It had amazed her that someone with such a filthy mind could look so demure. She'd given it a lot of thought over the years and had found it an incredible turn-on.

'I…got the impression that you were terribly shy. Not in your professional abilities, in yourself. You weren't sure of how to conduct yourself and people were unsure around you because of it. Sometimes…it could be painful to watch. You looked lonely but you didn't seem to care about it. It was very difficult to try to understand you.'

Hecate looked at her with interest.

'Not once has anyone ever told me that.'

'Am I correct in thinking so?'

'Yes.'

Such a simple word. As Hecate said it, Ada saw her relax. Like she'd needed someone to realise these things about her. She had been shy. Painfully so. It had impacted on her so badly. And Ada had seen it.

Ada looked at her and smiled.

'Confidence looks good on you.'

Hecate said nothing in response. Just leaned forward.