(So I finally posted chapter 11 as things start to get crazy as Christmas approaches. I'm probably going to be busy getting ready for the holidays but don't worry, I will still try to post another chapter or two before xmas. I hope everyone is still enjoying the story as Nikki and Helen storyline gets heated and some things are a little revealed...I left the darker side of the story from this chapter...but don't worry...it's never far. So enjoy everyone)
Chapter 11
"Maybe you need to look at it in a wider angle. Perhaps the killer sent letters. Did you get a lot of abusive mail?" Sean said.
"Yes we did. A lot of people send us all sorts of stuff. Sean, I could use some sympathy here. It's just that I'm living this all for the moment. Does that make any sense?"
"Of course, darling." Sean said, "Here, let me massage your tense muscles."
"I was going to include personal space. Why the hell are you here anyways? I told you I just wanted to relax alone." Helen said before hearing her mobile phone go off. "Helen Stewart."
"How are you, Helen?" Nikki said, her voice sounded tired.
"Well, I was just relaxing actually. It's been a hell of a day so far."
"Oh really. I was just going through the case evidence. Something doesn't add up."
"Do you need me to come over?" Helen said, quickly. She didn't know why but she wanted, no, needed to see Nikki tonight.
"Well, I don't want to interrupt what you were doing, but I'll leave that up to you." Nikki said with a slight hesitation in her voice.
"I'll be there shortly okay, Nikki." Helen said hanging up the phone.
Sean looked at Helen clearly annoyed with her. She always seems to run away when things get a bit heavy. "Why the sudden rush?" Sean said, his voice full of disappointment. "Who's Nikki?"
"Listen, I will explain everything later, but right now this case is too important to me." Helen said, clearly not interested in Sean's childish antics.
"I guess your case or should I say cases are always more important than me." Sean frowned in disgust.
Helen rolled her eyes at him. "Listen, you know what I'm about, I hid nothing from you, but if you're always going to complain then maybe it was a mistake agreeing to marry you."
"Don't be so rash, Helen. I was just making a statement." Sean said annoyed. He thought he was losing Helen and he didn't understand why. She was so cold lately and it seemed to him that she did not want him around. Was she having second thoughts about getting married in thought to himself? He wondered if she was somehow cheating on him. He did trust her but lately she did not want him around and they haven't had sex in two weeks. He knew she was under a lot of pressure from work and she seemed always tired but was that just smoke and mirror? His jealous nature started bubbling inside him.
"Not now, I need to get ready. Please be patient with me." Helen said, getting up from the couch and getting her coat. "Perhaps it's best that you're not here when I come back." Sean looked surprised and lowered his head in anger. He couldn't understand why Helen held her guard up. He tried to get into her skin but always found a wall in wait. He did not know what else he could do to get through her. It made him feel sick inside.
(Back at Nikki's flat)
Nikki heard a knock at her door and opened it to find Helen looking amused. "Jesus Nikki, your loft is bigger than the Queen's palace." Helen smiled at Nikki taking in her beauty. "Some modest living you say. I feel like a poor minion next to you."
Nikki laughed giving Helen a gentle squeeze on her arm then rubbing it slowly. "This is nothing compared to where I grew up."
Helen coughed. "Where can I subscribe? I could get used to this kind of living." She smiled. "When you mentioned you lived in warehouse converted into a loft, I didn't realise you meant the whole bleepin' warehouse." She said biting her lip. "Not made of money you say," she glanced up and rolled her eyes not believing a word Nikki said about her not being well off but comfortable. Clearly Nikki was more than comfortable. She didn't dare ask how many zeros were in Nikki's bank account as it didn't matter. One thing she knew for sure, Nikki did not like lavishing her wealth around like most rich snobs. She never met anyone as companionate and earnest as Nikki and it made her want to know more about the dark haired beauty. Helen smiled inwardly. Nikki was really beautiful inside and out. Her admiration for the dark haired beauty was beginning to invade her every cell. "By all means, share your wealth and make me your Queen." Helen giggled.
Nikki gave Helen a warm smile as her eyes glistened and her heart skipped a beat. "I have plenty of room if you ever want to stay over, and tell stories all night." Nikki said, looking at Helen for a reaction. Helen blushed. "Sometimes it gets lonely being alone in a big space like this."
Helen winked at Nikki. She was really happy that she called. She wanted to get away from Sean. She knew she made a grave error in agreeing to marry him. She always knew that she enjoyed being with Nikki a little too much. She just wanted to be Nikki's friend, nothing more she told herself. "If you ever get lonely, just give me a ring. I'm up all hours." Helen said smiling at Nikki. Once again Nikki managed to look even more beautiful with faded blue jeans and a white faded shirt that revealed her tan skin. She had to mentally shake herself from drooling.
Nikki wanted to say 'I'd like nothing more than to take you to my bedroom'. Helen was looking tired but her eyes always captivated her. If she didn't know better, she was beginning to fall in love with Helen Stewart. But she needed to brush that aside. Nothing good ever came from dating a straight or bi-curious woman. Nothing!
"Would you like something to drink, eat?" Nikki asked.
"Tea would be lovely," Helen replied as she made her way to the comfy looking couch.
"Have a look around, as I get the tea ready." Nikki said as she proceeded into the kitchen and brewed a pot of tea as Helen looked around Nikki's loft. It was neat and judging by the amount of books there were, Nikki loved to read. The place was warm and inviting, not messy and untidy as Helen kept her place. There were a lot of paintings and themed black and white pictures, and she liked the industrial feel of the loft with a lot of steam-punk and antique themed items. They all looked expensive, especially the orb chandelier and Victorian globe pendant. Helen was fascinated with Nikki's miniature clocks. It was evident that Nikki liked to collect items as a hobby. She had a lot of antique phones, type-writers, and Brass items like a brass hourglass what was simply beautiful. She was almost afraid to touch them.
Nikki made her way back and handed Helen a cuppa. "Thanks," Helen said as she took the cup of tea from Nikki. "I just love your Victorian stuff. Must've cost you a mint. And I was almost tempted to steal your antique brass hourglass. I don't know how much it cost you but it's gorgeous." Helen said running her fingers through her hair.
"Well, I need to spend my money on something. I love old antiques, steam-punk items. I just love old antiquity." Nikki smiled. "But I'm glad I've made an impression on you." She made a mental note to go searching for a brass hourglass for Helen.
"I could stay here admiring your stuff forever," Helen said, drifting. Losing herself in the many wonders that lit her eyes. She could see herself falling into Nikki's charm. Why was Nikki making her feel alive? Was she really attracted to another woman? She shook her head trying to forget those crazy notions.
"I could stare at your face forever too," Nikki whispered, barely audible
Helen turned her head towards Nikki. "What did you say?"
"I said, maybe we should talk about the case." Nikki lied. She didn't want Helen to know that her presence was making her feel warm, in fact, sensual. Maybe she was just feeling lonely. It had been a while since she was physical with another woman. Before she ward off women, Nikki was always looking for a shag, and many a shag she had which left her feeling empty inside. She wanted to be in a committed relationship.
"You still believe there's two killers." Helen said, as she sat next to Nikki on the large comfy couch. "Is that possible?
"Well, when two people kill they feed off each other. We'd see more of an escalation with each successive death, but here there's minor escalation. With each death as well, we'd see an exploration of two different people." Nikki stated. She was pleased that Helen decided to come.
"Some kind of foreplay." Helen joked.
"Well not in that sense. Sort of each person teasing the other to go further." Nikki said.
Helen looked at Nikki, "And you don't sense that here?"
"Here there's repression. Our killers lives in a definite set of parameters. Dominate and subservient relationship."
Helen looked up, "Dominance and submissive?"
Nikki smiled. "That's what makes the world go round, Helen. It's present in every relationship."
Helen brow furled, "Every relationship, eh?"
"In certain degrees. Take for example, you and your lawyer fiancé. One will be dominate, while the other submissive." Nikki said, as a matter of fact.
Helen grinned, sensing Nikki was heading somewhere with her description. "Which am I?"
Nikki smiled, then slowly ran her fingers through her hair. "Oh, definitely dominant. I suspect that you control your relationships even though it may not seem like it. You don't like to show your true self so you need to control all aspect of your life, probably due to the relationship with your father."
"But you don't know that for sure." Helen stated, watching Nikki move closer.
"No, but the manner of your denial just confirmed it." Nikki toiled. She knew Helen would object but she looked so cute acting like a child.
Helen pouted. "Okay, Nikki. What about us?" Their faces getting closer – inches apart.
"You and me?" Nikki asked. What would she say? Would she toil some more or give Helen a break?
"Yeah, you said every relationship." Helen stood firm waiting for Nikki to answer. In a way, she was curious to what Nikki would say.
Nikki squinted her eyes, measuring the moments before speaking. "That's a tough one to dissect."
"That's why I ask." Helen replied. "What's the matter, can't figure that one?"
"Don't know. But I suppose if I should examine it closely, I'd say neither. Both guarded, quietly fighting the other for submission."
Helen thought for a moment, "Good thing we're not a couple."
Nikki blushed. "Yeah, or I suspect heads would be rolling." Both women laughed at each other. "Although, I think together we could be a perfect match. What I mean, is that we would compliment each other if you know what I mean."
It was a nice feeling that Helen was enjoying. In truth, she enjoyed the company of Nikki over Sean. He was too clingy. Why she felt that way was another story that she didn't have time or energy to dissect. The truth would have to wait. "You think so Nikki." Helen looked into Nikki's deep brown eyes. "You really think we'd be a good match together?"
Nikki looked away for a moment. She didn't want Helen to see desire coming from her eyes. "Maybe," she said shyly. "Will we have a lot in common and we both are so very clever." Nikki grinned, flirting slightly.
"Yes we are," Helen replied seductively. She could feel her heartbeat race faster. Why did it race fast every time Nikki was near? Why did she get that warm feeling every time Nikki touched her? "You really have a cute grin when you smile." Helen said before she realised what she was saying. She blushed quickly.
Nikki smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair, bending her head slightly towards Helen. "Do you realise you have beautiful eyes, and a sexy Scottish voice." Nikki was pouring on her charm. She could at least flirt with Helen if nothing more.
"What, this little voice of mine?" Helen replied, smiling. She knew Nikki was flirting but didn't stop her. She enjoyed it. "How 'bout you," Helen raised her brow. "You have this calming, relaxing English accent." She laughed. "I bet you could read me to sleep with your soothing voice."
Nikki smiled and moved even closer. "I guess you'd just have to find out. I have a very large comfy bed as a matter of fact." Nikki winked. "We could enjoy some hot cocoa over roasted marshmallows by the fireplace. Definitely marshmallows. The jumbo kind." Nikki laughed.
Helen suppressed a smile then couldn't help herself from giggling out-loud. "Sorry Nikki, but I just had a vision of you wearing Spice Girls knickers on a bed full of marshmallows dancing to wannabe."
Nikki pinched Helen on the arm. "Oi, you silly bird. At least that beats wearing an old frock and dancing to a Tony Bennett oldie."
"Are you saying I'm an old boring chamber maid?" Helen sneered at Nikki as she continued laughing. "And I don't recall mentioning I'm wearing knickers at the moment."
"You dark horse. Shall I check to make sure you ain't pulling a fast one over me?" Nikki enquired. Removing Helen's clothes would be her pleasure.
Helen stopped laughing and breathed, "You needing bother, really." She couldn't believe how much fun she was having and didn't want it to stop. "You just need to trust me."
"Shant I Helen, shant I," Nikki said seductively. "It would be my pleasure to perform a strip search on you. That is if you don't mind my cold hands on you."
Helen saw the playful look in Nikki's eyes and knew Nikki wasn't joking. "Perhaps if you got me drunk and I ran a fever." She replied, grinning at Nikki. "Have you never been interested in men?"
"No, not my flavour." Nikki looked over at Helen with a grin. "I prefer Juliet and Juliet."
"But I thought," Helen said, hesitant as she searched for the right words to say.
"What, I just hadn't met the right one." Nikki replied looking over at Helen with an amused look on her face. "No, they do nothing for me."
"How can you be sure," Helen questioned, her forehead showing curiosity.
"The same way you are if you are." Nikki replied.
Helen laughed. "I'm not interested in women. Not in that way."
"Well, you should give it a go sometime. You don't know what you're missing." Nikki sighed inwardly. She wanted to lean over and kiss Helen and something told her that she would reciprocate the kiss. Nikki went to remove a hair from Helen's face and felt her finch. "Sorry, I was just removing."
"No, I was being a twat. I like you Nikki, I," Helen stumbled with her words. Her mind went blank. She really didn't how to respond and it scared her. She wanted to run from Nikki, yet she needed to be near the woman. It confused her.
"Maybe we should go back to the case," Nikki said, not wanting Helen to blush further. She knew Helen was being polite and she had to stop herself from doing something stupid. "Remember when Mason mentioned that 'her eyes lit with the fire' or something like that."
"Yeah, why do you ask, Nikki?" Helen said, questioning. She wondered where Nikki was heading.
"Something was bothering me so I did a little investigation the other day. I looked through the registrar twenty years back or so. I looked into fire investigation involving children, specific girls."
Helen was intrigued and impressed with Nikki. She wasn't just beautiful but extremely intelligent.
"Anyway, I found about ten similar cases matching that description. I thought we could go through them together." Nikki smiled.
"You're brilliant. Are you sure you wouldn't consider becoming a Criminal psychologist. You'd be excellent at it." Helen smiled over at Nikki. The more she spent with Nikki the more she enjoyed her company. But what did that say about her feelings?
"Well thanks for the vote of confidence. But I'm happy what I do." Nikki said. Sitting close to Helen was making her feel warm. "Maybe we should head over to the computer and go through them."
Helen and Nikki dissected every clipping and information about the fires. Nothing seem to fit and it was beginning to feel as if the investigation was heading at a dead end.
"Hold on," Nikki said, looking over one of the fire investigation. "This one is about an eleven year old girl who died in a fire eighteen years ago. 'Tragic fire, resulting in a death of a young child named Chloe Manchester. Cause of fire, accidental. Family devastated. Survived by parents and a twin brother." Nikki looked over at Helen who was looking intently at the picture.
"Nikki, what are you thinking?" Helen questioned as she looked into the deep brown eyes that were staring intently at her.
Nikki moved her mouse and double-clicked at the picture in hopes to enlarge it. She looked very closely at the picture and was gob-smacked. "Helen, look at this picture closely. Tell me what you see."
Helen bent her head and squinted her eyes, as if she saw a ghost, her eyes widened and her mouth opened. She turned her head towards Nikki, "Are you thinking what I am thinking."
Nikki laughed, a smile appeared on her face. "Is it a coincidence but that little boy has the same eyes as Mason Waters."
Both women looked at each other. "This could be a break we've been waiting for." Helen said excitedly.
"I'm not 100% certain, but I get the feeling Mason was silenced. He became a liability." Nikki said rather annoyed with herself. She wished she got the chance to talk with Mason before he was killed. Did they get Mason killed? She had so many questions and very little answers.
"If this is true and Mason is that boy in the picture, someone went a long way to cover their tracks and give Mason a whole new identity. But we need to be certain about this." Helen said looking at Nikki.
Nikki gave Helen a knowing look. "Look Helen, I think we should be hush about this."
"Yes, I think you're right Nikki." Helen said, licking her lips.
"About what?" Nikki inquired.
"I think our killer might be working in the police department as you predicted. Someone to go through all this trouble had to be someone who understood the law."
"Someone who knows about getting away with murder and who is clever enough to be two steps ahead." Nikki brow furled. What more would they uncover? And was there someone in their mist that was committing these murders.
"Bloody fantastic," Helen sighed knowing that the murder investigation wasn't a typical case. She knew it was dangerous and if they were not careful, some inexcusable terrors were bound to rear their ugly head. "Who the hell can we trust? This is shite."
"Then this is just between us Helen?" Nikki said putting her hand over Helen's hand. She felt a need to protected Helen. Her feelings for Helen were becoming deeper and she could not bear to think someone might harm her if they knew they were starting to connect the dots.
God your gorgeous Helen couldn't help think to herself. "I think we need a stiff drink, care to join me?"
"How can I refuse a passionate request coming from you?" Nikki joked seductively. Everything was shite but at least she was close to Helen.
"Did you just flirt with me," Helen questioned, grinning. "I thought I just saw desire in your eyes."
"And if I said yes," Nikki said, smiling, inching closer to Helen. "We're both gorgeous women, the full moon is out and nothing to stop us from ripping each other's clothes off." Nikki bore a wide grin. She was ready to laugh into a fit of giggles.
Helen sensing Nikki was pulling the covers over her head decided to play along with Nikki. "Be careful with me Nikki, I've never made love to a woman. But you're so damn sexy, I don't think I can refrain from jumping on your bones."
Both women looked at each other and then the giggles started, then a full blown laughter. What a crazy pair they made Helen thought. "So glad, you have a sense of humour Helen." As Nikki continued laughing.
"What can I say, Nikki," Helen stopped giggling for a moment. "You have such a comical sense of humour that it rubs off me."
"Careful, even Jim Fenner might enjoy this new you." Nikki joked.
Helen looked at Nikki with steel blade eyes, "Don't ruin a perfectly good moment with that sodding bastard."
"So you ready for tomorrow night." Nikki enquired.
"I'm glad you don't mind me and my friend tagging along. I need a night of heavy drinking and dancing."
"Cheers to that mate." Nikki said. "I might just drink you under the table. And you promised me a dance. I'm going to hold you to that."
(Saturday evening)
Helen took a deep breath and stepped out of her red Peugeot. She was still weary from the day. She didn't sleep much and she needed a night of heavy drinking. She needed to forget the case that was haunting her dreams. Butterflies were now circling in her stomach. She almost felt sick. It had been a while since she had been on an outing with friends she panicked. Nikki would be there. She wondered if Nikki was interested in her. Nikki did flirt recklessly and always made her feel uncomfortable. All these thoughts consumed her - she hadn't thought of these possibilities before. 'Shite' she thought, the nerves building up even more. She wanted to turn around and go back to her apartment, even stopping in her tracks to do so when she glanced up and saw Nikki sitting at the table drinking and having a deep conversation with Karen and Yvonne. She deliberated as to what to do but it was too late, Karen looked up and caught Helen's eye. She smiled at her and waved her over to the table
Helen walked tentatively over, very aware of her surroundings, glaringly aware of the bar staff and women who watched her as she walked, as if they had a chance. She placed her hands on Karen's shoulders and breathing deeply apologised to Karen for her lateness.
Karen glanced at her watch. "I am sure I can let you away with three and a half minutes," she joked.
Helen immediately relaxed as Nikki caught the attention of the waitress and asked Helen what she wanted to drink. Helen looked at Nikki's glass and said, "I'll have whatever you're drinking." Nikki asked the waitress to bring a pint of lager and vodka shots and motioned for Helen to sit beside her. Helen took a seat and said hello to everyone as she shifted trying to get comfortable.
"You look stunning," Nikki whispered to Helen as she shifted in her chair. She could feel Nikki's warm breath on her neck that sent shivers down her spine. Karen and Yvonne just smiled upon hearing Nikki's words.
"So are we here to get wasted or what?" Yvonne said loudly. "I keep getting looks from those big butch women sitting across the bar. As if they had a chance."
"Well if you like Yvonne," Nikki grinned. "I could lean over and kiss you passionately. Sure that would scare them off." The girls laughed. "Or perhaps, you'd much rather have Karen's tongue down your throat?" Nikki implied as if she knew something that they didn't.
"Yikes, forget that dear." Yvonne quipped. "I ain't no queer but I am sure they would get turned on watching two gorgeous women like us get it on."
"I reckon you'd be correct." Karen giggled. "It would be their fantasy to land someone as sexy as you." Yvonne blushed at Karen's words.
"Afraid Karen's kiss might illicit deep sexual feelings that you've locked inside," Caroline said, smiling over at Yvonne who looked like she was ready to lean across the table and strangle her. She had such a smart mouth.
"You lesbians are all the same." Yvonne smirked. "Been there, done that. Then again I suppose it's better than kissing you."
Caroline stuck her tongue out. "You wish."
Nikki jerked her head around quickly when she heard Yvonne. "Did you just say 'been there, done that?"
Yvonne just shook her head remembering an encounter a long time ago. "Don't sound so shock Nikki. You might want to close your mouth before the flies settle in."
Nikki turned her attention towards Karen. "Did you know this?"
Karen looked away as if to say she wasn't interested in discussing Yvonne sexual experience back in her younger days. "What does this have to do with me?" She defended.
"You're her best mate and you've never mentioned anything to me before." Nikki replied as if Karen was purposely hiding something from her.
"Leave it to rest. It was long ago and really Nikki, it's not all that shocking." Karen said dryly. She really wasn't interested in having this conversation and was a little surprised at Yvonne openness. Usually she was a closed book when it came to certain matters.
Yvonne laughed out-loud as if her sexual experience was something interesting. She didn't know why but she felt like sharing a little of herself tonight. "Okay, there was this one girl that I really liked and cared for…and well we both where curious and then one thing lead to another and before we knew or understood what we were doing, our clothes were off and we had sex. It didn't help we had too much alcohol in our system. It was just something I did and thought nothing much of it afterwards." Yvonne said, trying not to sound like it was a big deal. "Look, I was a wild child and quite rebellious in my younger years. I slept with a lot of blokes, and a few women, regardless if I was high or drunk. I'm not going to apologise for having a wild past as I would not have my Lauren."
Helen was shocked by Yvonne's revelation. She seemed so self-assured as a matter of fact. She knew who she was and didn't care if you like it or not. That was one quality she liked about Yvonne. She was a feisty competitor.
"So did you leave a trail of broken hearts?" Nikki laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "Does your Lauren know how wild you really were back then?"
"You keep her out of this Nikki," Yvonne save her a knowing look. "I'm sure there are some secrets you'd like hidden."
Nikki raised her hands up then said, "Alright, alright." She knocked her elbow against Karen. "Any other dark secrets you two are keeping from me?"
Karen slapped Nikki's back. "You're one to talk." Karen grinned as if she thought of something evil to say. She was about to say something before Nikki gave her a wicked evil glare.
"Don't even think it," she replied.
Karen looked over at Yvonne and smiled as they both sensed what each other were thinking. "I have no idea what you're getting at dear."
Helen looked over and Karen and Nikki and wondered what the hell they were referring too, but whatever it was, Nikki was adamant that Karen didn't open her gob and spill. It was fun watching them glare at each other. She was glad that she came out. She really needed fun in her life.
"Don't play innocent," Nikki glared and then shot a cold stare at Yvonne who was trying to suppress a smile. She knew Karen was toying with her about Helen. She did not want Karen to embarrass her as she knew she would. Caroline watched the interaction and had no clue what they were getting at. She turned her attention towards Nikki. She always found Nikki attractive, but tonight, seeing Nikki laughing and joking, she couldn't believe how incredible sexy she was without even trying. There was something different about her tonight. She knew she had no right to have these thoughts since she had a girlfriend but if Nikki was to tell her 'yes' she knew she would dump her girlfriend in a heartbeat.
Helen's thoughts wondered off as she thought about Nikki. She was so in deep thought that she didn't hear her name being mentioned. She turned towards Nikki and saw her deep brown eyes looking straight at her. Had Nikki been watching her all this time?
"Once they get pissed I am sure their real nature will be shining through." Nikki said to Helen, smiling.
"As promised," Helen said, "Keep the drinks coming and forget about the day's event."
Nikki smiled and turned to Karen as they discussed about Nikki's new puppy.
"That's could be a real problem, Nikki," Karen said laughing. "I guess you're going to have to do something about this before she gets into your knickers."
Nikki gave Karen a rigid expression. "Never-mind the knickers. She adores playing with the toilet tissue." Nikki exclaimed. "I came home one day and found tissue all over the place. I tried bribing her with treats but failed miserably. I've sent her away for a week to be trained properly since I don't have the time or patience."
"Well, apparently, whatever you've been doing with her, hasn't been working. Why don't you try a different approach?" Karen said, trying to sound encouraging.
"Such as," Nikki wanted to know Karen's bright idea. "Last time I tried to use positive reinforcement with her she bloody nearly attacked me when I tried to pick her up." Nikki said looking animated.
"Oi Nikki," Yvonne laughed. "Didn't you say that she was a puppy?"
Nikki looked at Yvonne with a scorn look on her face, "Yeah, well, she is, but still, she can be a little vicious puppy when she wants to be." Yvonne continued to laugh. "I don't want the bloody neighbours to get on my case, if she gets loose and starts doing her business all over the neighbourhood.
"Maybe you should move, Nikki," Karen said still grinning. "Find a proper Victorian home rather than a converted warehouse in a better neighbourhood. You could get away from the nosy neighbours, and the neurosis bored housewife that lives across you. Didn't you say, she's always flirting with you?" Everyone laughed.
"She isn't that bad, Karen, and besides, I like where I live. It's rather quiet and the neighbours stick to themselves." Nikki said distorting her face. "Besides, the bored housewife just needs a good shag."
"You're offering your services," Yvonne quipped. Helen couldn't contain her laughter as Nikki gave her a pinch.
"No, but maybe I should send her a box of dildos so she can keep herself occupied." Nikki giggled. She smiled over at Helen who was giggling herself. "Maybe I should give her your number Yvonne. Now that you've confessed to loving a woman you could strap yourself with a strap-on and give her a real good go."
Yvonne almost spat her drink over the table. Damn that Nikki was one funny babe. "Watch your tongue. Better still, you could give her Jim Fenner's number," she said trying to hide her giggles and turning away from Karen who was clearly annoyed.
Trying to change the subject Nikki said, "There's Mrs. Brownstone, she's an absolute doll, and every now and then she comes over with a fresh batch of cookies, as we zip tea, and talk about her unruly adult children."
"Sounds like a real boring time," Yvonne said smirking. "But I ain't the one living there."
"Oi," Nikki threw a peanut at her.
Just then Gina Rossi popped her head in, "Hello everyone," Gina said as Nikki watched her sit down. She didn't look too happy.
"Hi ya, Gina," Nikki answered. "I didn't expect to see you tonight." Nikki poured her a glass. Gina took the glass from Nikki.
"Well Mark bailed on me so here I am to have a fun time with my babes." She said frustrated.
"Sorry Nikki, I think I'll pass." Yvonne said as Nikki tried to offer her a glass.
"Are you sure, just one glass." Nikki looked over at Yvonne who shook her head. Nikki poured the beer into the glasses, and sat down comfortably on the chair.
Then Karen turned to Yvonne, "How is your Lauren doing."
"She's coming to visit me this weekend. She's in her final year at College." Yvonne said proudly.
Caroline nodded. She always thought that Yvonne's daughter was rather, sweet on the eyes. A bit too young, but she wouldn't kick her out of her bed if she offered. Nikki knew from the expression Caroline gave Yvonne that she was thinking about Lauren. Caroline confided in her that she thought Lauren was attractive, but from her understanding, she was straight and had a boyfriend, although, there were times when Nikki thought that Lauren was a little too friendly or rather flirty with her. She only met Lauren several times, but she always got this feeling that something didn't fit, but she could never put her finger on it. It was more of a feeling, something that she couldn't describe, or define.
"Is she still with that bloke, what's his name?" Nikki asked trying to remember.
"Ryan, his name is Ryan, and not a bad bloke, a bit too skinny, but he treats her right." Yvonne said. Lauren was the apple of her eye. She had a son, but he was more like his father Charlie, and she was very close with her daughter.
"Well, if you need someone to show her a good time while you're working, then I'd be more than willing." Caroline said smiling.
I bet you would, Yvonne thought. She was in no way going to let Caroline be alone with her daughter. She didn't quite understand Caroline's relationship with her girlfriend, only from what she had told her, but she found it a strange state of affairs. Caroline told her on more than one occasion, that she loved her girlfriend but wasn't in love with her, but that they had an understanding and that it worked for them. Still, what did she know? Everyone finds love differently. She didn't care about Caroline's sexuality when she first told her. They got along well enough and who she decided to bring into her bedroom was none of her business. Yvonne hoped that Lauren would inherit more of Nikki's personality traits; the determination that Nikki displayed would be good for Lauren, because as much as she loved her daughter, sometimes she would display a lack of direction. She knew that Nikki would be a good role model. And in many ways, Nikki reminded her of herself when she was younger. She always knew what she wanted and didn't care about other opinions.
"Hey Nikki, why don't you invite Lauren to one of your session," Yvonne said eagerly. "My Lauren would do well as a Clinical Psychologist."
Nikki cringed. She didn't mean too. Although, she didn't mind helping Lauren, she wasn't quite sure she wanted Yvonne being the overly mother type. Nikki worked on her own pace, and she knew that Yvonne would be, with good intention, a speed bump, tagging along like a good mother would do. She knew how Yvonne operated, once she set her mind on something, she's was like an eagle, waiting on her prey, executing with sharp precision.
"Maybe, Yvonne, but I have been very busy with this murder investigation." Nikki said hoping that would be enough to steer Yvonne away.
"Let me know then, 'cos I really do think my Lauren would be a lovely candidate, and I know she wouldn't disappoint you." Yvonne said nodding her head, all the while Helen laughed inwardly. She knew Nikki was being polite.
Karen laughed, "Yeah, Nikki, I think your charm is wearing off."
"Oi, you're supposed to be on my side."
"What would your vicious puppy say," Yvonne said, grinning and sticking her tongue out.
Nikki felt Helen giggle as she tried to keep a straight face. She turned to face Helen, her eyes squinted. "You're supposed to be my allied."
Helen tried to look away but Nikki wouldn't let her. "C'mon Nikki," still giggling. "I just didn't realise a little puppy would put a kink in your amour."
Nikki was going to make Helen pay for her words. She put her arm around Helen's shoulder and then started tickling her on her sides, which made Helen jump as she tried hard not to laugh so hard. "Please Nikki," was all she could mouth without giggling.
"Let's see where else you are ticklish." Nikki said, enjoying watching Helen squirm like a fish. Yvonne egged her on.
"Give her a good nibble on the ear," Yvonne said, "as I hear that will tip her over the edge."
"Don't you dare," Helen spat and she tried to push Nikki's arms down but they were so strong and she could feel Nikki's tension muscle. She enjoyed the closeness she was feeling even though she was being tickled.
Nikki raised her brow as if to contemplate a decision. She smiled a wicked grin at Helen as she bent over, inches from her face. Helen's face became flush and her heartbeat raced faster. "I'm more incline to bite her neck."
Karen and Yvonne laughed as they encouraged Nikki to be bold. In reality, they wanted them both to open their eyes and heart. Caroline was not amused by the friendly play as she was feeling somewhat jealous that Nikki was being very touchy with Helen. "You guys are just evil," Helen glared, and looking over Nikki with pleading eyes, but all the while enjoying the game.
Nikki continued looking at Helen who was no longer struggling. They both stared into each other eyes as if they were the only two people there. Nikki closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath and she knew that she was dangerously thinking about kissing Helen, but this was not the right place nor did she have any right to be forceful. She knew Helen was just playing along with her, although, if she was honest, she could see a little desire coming from Helen's eyes. Then Nikki finally released Helen and leaned back on her chair. "I don't want you to die from laughter because," she continued. "You might hand-cuff me for the trouble I caused. We can't have that, can we?"
Helen finally caught her breath. She was a little disappointed their fun ended. "Smart woman, Nikki. You've finally came to your senses."
"You two are so fickle," Yvonne said disappointed that the show was over. If she didn't know better she sensed sexual tension oozing from Nikki and Helen. She smiled inwardly.
"Shall we order some more drinks then," Nikki said. The evening fun just started and she wondered how she was going to keep her emotions under control. She pushed those thoughts aside and decided to just let the evening play out.