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An Older Unmarried Daughter

By: Egmont0409



INTRODUCTION

A mother feels her duty is never done until the kids are all married off to lovely partners and her husband appreciates her work is done and decides to buy a smaller and more upmarket house. Well in some families have the financial means to achieve such cozy outcomes.

Minnie Maple was one such woman. Her son and two of her daughters had been married off well and the first grandchild was on the way.

A mother's duty is never done, sniffed Minnie, wondering about looking after grandchildren from changing diapers to them borrowing her car to go to post-college reunions. She sighed and her shoulders slumped but only temporarily.

With the new house almost ready for occupancy, Minnie had one persisting problem. Elder daughter Maggie, aged thirty-four, was still single.

"Maggie darling, are you really sure you're not the marrying kind?"

Maggie sighed as if hearing an old record on permanent replay. "Mother you know I'm just waiting for Mr Right."

And these days there endeth that conversation because Maggie would walk away, knowing the replay of the exchange that had happened so often would replay unchanged and progress no further than being primed for the next replay. For Maggie it was tedious, mind-blowing inconclusive muck-raking.

Could she be any clearer than that?

Maggie was no virgin. Nor did she always turn down dates arranged by her mom scheming with her cronies even if the guys looked totally unacceptable in every way although even Maggie herself had no clear idea what she liked or detested about males. It seemed none could ring her bell.

Surely all men couldn't be that bad?

All of Maggie's friends bar two were married and those two were being divorced and were scrambling to lock into another guy, silly cows. They'd rush in to claim the most promising prospect, knowing they'd be few, and would be eyeing the size of dicks while ignoring the size of the guy's brain.

"Women," Maggie sighed.

Then one day the always popular Maggie, manager of HR for a bank, was transferred to the head office in New York and so it was goodbye mom and dad. She leased a lovely but small one-bedroom apartment in Midtown East.

CHAPTER 1

The young guy said aggressively, "What's wrong with my application?"

Maggie replied, "From what I can see it is immaculate and a great credit to you."

The guy relaxed and grinned.

"The problem I have is lies with this security report in connection with your alleged involvement in an unsuccessful hijack attempt of an Armored Bank Delivery vehicle."

"I was framed and I was not prosecuted. You can't hold that against me."

"Oh but I do Mr Cosgrove. You did not face the court on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Nothing in this report says a word about the claims being false and you have been exonerated."

"You bitch. I'll push your smiling face back behind your ears."

Maggie pressed a button under the lip of her desk. A glass security screen shot up and bank security guards were automatically called. She pulled open her right-hand drawer and gripped the can of pepper spray in case the guy came at her round the screen but it wasn't required. The door burst opened and two hitherto bored security guards raced in with bared teeth and wielding sawn-off shotguns. One whacked the guy over the head and he fell.

"Jail or castration?" called one of the guards as Maggie lowered her screen.

"Dump him out on the rear land and invite him never to return," Maggie said, looking to see what her next appointment was. She yawned. "Please don't beat him and that's an order."

"Yes ma'am."

They all assumed she was married. Maggie sighed and went to the president's office to meet a bank client. When VIPs came to town and they asked for an attractive woman to accompany them to dinner the president often called Maggie. It was assumed but never stated a single woman like Maggie had to get her sex from somewhere.

Maggie thought the system worked perfectly. She could just have dinner and go home alone in a cab or if the guy looked okay and she was in the mood she might decide to go with the guy to his hotel.

All corporations with quality female staff provide such a service for their VIPs and give those females a clothing allowance. Some females are bi but Maggie was male-only.

President Guy Rowland provided the usual lie. "Maggie I know it's your usual night to go to Angelo's Restaurant tonight. This is Gerald Hart from Boston. Mr Hart asked me to recommend a good restaurant and I thought of Angelo's and that you would be going there."

"Oh hi Mr Hart. I would be delighted if you would accompany me. I really don't think any of us like fine dining eating alone."

"That is very kind of your Mrs Maple."

"Miss Maple. I've never married."

"Oh please excuse me. Actually Guy did say Miss Maple."

"You just wished to be sure Mr Hart. That is perfectly understandable. I shall be seated at Angelo's at 8:00 so don't arrive before then. It is better that you join me in case media cameramen are on the prowl. If the meeting occurred the other way round they might believe it was an opportunist meeting and therefore hint of scandal. A photo of you and me in your local newspaper could cause embarrassment for you."

"I rather think the women round my age back home would click their teeth and say, "God look at the incredible beauty the old coot Gerald Hart has landed."

"Oh Mr Hart, you are too kind," said the green-eyed brunette with awesome hair and great natural skin tones. "Until 8:10 of thereafter... don't worry if you decide on a no-show."

"Miss Maple, I shall be with you at 8:10."

Maggie walked out knowing her butt and the back of her legs would be under inspection. Angelo's was very expensive so she preferred someone paying for her wine and food. Guys always seemed to accept that line she should be seated first. If the paparazzi sniffed the hint of scandal they pounced, no matter what time anyone sat in that famous restaurant, who sat looking familiar or guilty and who he or she sat with. The assurance behind her fictitious protocol gave men the sense of danger they seemed to like lurking. She enjoyed doing it. Really men were such babies.

At that stage Maggie was unaware, as was the bank president, Gerald Hart was on the prowl to replace the wife he'd recently severed from expensively.

* * *

With Maggie on her back, her beautiful stocking legs spread almost at right angles, Guy couldn't believe the attractiveness of the pussy that glistened, facing him. Until now he'd never thought pussies looked good, for obvious seasons. But he tugged and whacked his dick without success.

"I'm sorry baby, I can't get it up. I think it's associated with the stress that bitch gave me in divorcing her."

"Don't worry about it; I understand," Maggie cooed. "Come on to the bed and finger me into release. That will give you some satisfaction won't it?"

"Hell yeah. God you have a magnificent body."

When Maggie was leaving Gerald tried to thrust a bunch of one hundred buck bills into her hand.

"No thank you Gerald. That is very kind. This is just a VIP service from the bank. If I were to accept money I would feel I was a slut. The bank provides me with a generous clothing allowance and I get to meet some great people, such as yourself."

"I'll never forget you Maggie."

Maggie smiled. They all said that didn't they, like the replay of a CD?

Gerald called her twice, sometimes three times during the next four weeks. They talked generally but each time when saying goodbye he always finished the same way: "I hope this strengthens our relationship."

On the Wednesday of the fifth week Maggie accepted a courier package addressed to her from Gerald. It contained a ring and letter, "Please come this weekend to my 56th birthday on Saturday night. Wear this ring if you consider yourself engaged to me or hand it back when you arrive."

The package also contained notice of airline booking for her on Saturday morning, returning Sunday morning, and accommodation at The Westin Copley Place.

Maggie's jeweler valued the ring at $40,000. That surprised her. She was going through a flat spot socially so decided to go, remaining undecided about the ring although she took it with her.

After settling in at the hotel Maggie called Gerald and he greeted her with delight and said come on out to lunch; he'd send his car for her.

Maggie arrived and Gerald was already waiting for the white Mercedes to pull up.

"Hi darling," he enthused and lifted up her left hand but Maggie said she had yet to decide to accept the ring. "It depends how today goes."

"Judge me by my friends rather than my family," he said hastily. "My two daughters have some conflicts about you."

"Well I never thought this venture of yours sounded like plain sailing."

"Damn right. Let's see how we go."

The ice could be felt as the two daughters watched Maggie walk out beside the pool, arm in arm with Gerald.

"Here she is girls," Gerald said proudly.

He'd already indicated Rose at thirty-five and with two children was only a year older than the woman being touted as her stepmother while Pru, who was very pregnant, was seven years younger than Maggie.

"I'll leave you ladies to chat," Gerald said, scuttling away.

Rose said coolly, "What the hell are you doing with our father?"

"Trying to be as pleasant as possible to make him happy."

"Maggie he was happy before he met you."

"That's a lie Rose and you know it. He was unhappy before he met me and I'd suggest he's not far removed from that status despite his bravado. I trust you don't blame me for the loss of your mother."

"Of course we don't," Pru said. "That marriage was over before we heard mention of your name."

"So you resent me coming to your father's birthday party?"

Rose scowled, "He intends proposing to you tonight."

"And do you expect me to accept Rose?"

"Yes you gold-digger."

"Name calling like that is naughty Rose. You ought to know better than that and to save you wasting time and energy I should tell you I don't scare easy."

"Wait till our brother gets here."

Maggie was surprised at that.

"Ah he's not told you about his heir. Dirk is CEO of daddy's group of companies."

"I can't understand why your father would mention two daughters and not that he had a son."

"Because daddy feels he can manipulate Pru and me but Dirk is tough and speaks his mind."

"I still don't see the problem?"

Rose sighed. "The family knows daddy is having erectile problems. Pru and I think it's a laugh daddy taking up with a much younger woman when he knows he has that problem that is frustrating him. Dirk will tell him straight not to be such a stupid fool. We only heard about you two nights ago. Dirk is on his way home from Dallas."

"Did you know daddy had an erectile problem?"

"I'm not prepared to discuss such a matter Pru, even with Gerald's children."

"Then leave."

"No Pru, as with any other guest I have been invited to your father's birthday party. What does one do to get a drink around here."

"White wine?"

"Thank you Pru."

"You stay and rest Pru," said her fiery red-hair sister. "I'll get drinks and juice for you and tell daddy to come out of his cave, that his girlfriend is too smart for you and me and there's no blood on the floor."

* * *

The party was in full wing when Maggie returned to the house four hours later. She saw a guy in a white suit and black open-neck shirt assessing her a couple of times and assumed it was the brother.

When Gerald had left her side to talk to three guys swapping jokes Maggie went up to the white-suit guy who was getting another whisky from the bar.

"Dirk Hart I presume?"

He turned in surprise and then scowled, "You have a cheek."

"What daring to use your name?"

He stared at her without displaying emotion. "Rose said you are a tough bitch."

"Are you sure Rose said bitch?"

"Jesus. Who are you? I ought to throw you off the property."

"Cool it Dirk. I would expect this is your father's property and he invited me here."

"None of the family want dad to marry such a young woman. His health could be failing."

"Ah, reasons at last. Thank you. All I received from your sisters was hostility."

"Can you blame them?"

"It was pathetic. In fact the whole damn lot of you are pathetic. I came here today, at your father's invitation, to meet his family and share in his birthday before making my mind up about accepting his proposal. I now sense that he wants me at his side just to show off like a trophy and you three adult children appear bordering on the edge of being called dysfunctional."

Dirk scowled.

Maggie opened her handbag and pulled out the velvet box and handed it across.

"Is the ring there?" she demanded.

He looked and said, "Yes it's here."

"Please hand it back to your father. Tell him I thank him for his kindness but this arrangement and the hostility of his children is not for me and not to bother attempting to change my mind. Goodbye."

"You are going now?"

"Yes."

"Good riddance."

"What a fucking gentleman you are not Dirk, or should I say Black Dirk?"

Maggie only had to wait two minutes before a cab arrived bringing people in. She rode out in it, probably being the first guest to leave.

Three months later the bank president mentioned to Maggie that one of her former hosting clients, Gerald Hart was about to remarry. Not unexpectedly no wedding invitation arrived for Maggie but early one afternoon she received a phone call from Rose Hart. 

"Yes Rose, I remember you."

"My brother and sister are with me in New York to see our father off on the Queen Mary 2 on his honeymoon."

"Oh he's remarried; I do hope it went well for everyone."

"Yes, it was a splendid wedding but that's not why I'm calling. We are seeing the new marrieds off late this afternoon on a transatlantic crossing and would like to meet you at a bar at 6:30. We'll have to leave an hour later for the airport."

"That sounds a very unusual request."

Rose laughed awkwardly. "I guess we are a little unusual as people. Please come."

"Very well." 

They decided on the bar and Rose was astonished when Maggie said her bank would have a limo waiting outside the bar at 7:30 to take the visitors to the airport.

"But why?"

"Because your father is one of our major clients. That's how I met him. Our bank president requested me to accompany your father to dinner one evening. Apparently I am considered of sufficiently high standard in speech, education, personality and conviviality to be suitable to host a VIP to dinner." 

"Oh god."

"What?"

"We thought dad had picked you up in a hotel or a casino."

"I don't go to bars by myself and have never been in a gambling joint. Until this evening then."

"Yes. Bye Rose."

Maggie thought what an odd call. They would unlikely want to kill her or beat her up now their father had someone else. But to meet them was still a strange request. She shrugged and resumed checking her training schedule for personnel working in treasury.

As soon as Maggie entered the crowded bar Rose came forward smiling and without hesitation kissed her as they exchanged greetings. "The others are over here... god what a crush."

In was okay in the booth.

Pru jumped up and kissed Maggie, patted her tum and said, "I'm getting my old figure back already."

"Oh yes, you are blooming. What did you have?"

"A girl. She was almost called Maggie but Tony won with Lily."

Maggie doubted that little story but one can never tell how the minds of people work.

"Oh how lovely. Hi Dirk, please don't stand on account of me."

Pru jumped in ahead of Maggie to sit facing her brother. Rose seemed to be the spokesperson so Maggie assumed it had arranged it so she sat facing Rose. A drinks waitress took their orders and Pru giggled, "This is New York... I wonder if her name is Bubbles?"

"Her nametag stated her name is Claire," Dirk said.

Maggie said, "Oh scanning the poor woman's bust and you just happened to notice the name-tag?"

Dirk grinned.

Maggie thought at least he grinned instead of scowling. Get a life Dirk. Ugh what a dark name.

"Maggie I am acting as spokesperson for the three of us," Rose said. "My brother and sister know what I'm about to say. When you visited our home we three acted like moronic stupid pigs in our dealings with you and for that we are truly, truly sorry."

"Thank you Rose. I take it you other two agree with what Rose has just said in apologizing."

"Yes," Pru said. "Sorry Maggie. I was a complete cow."

The three women looked at Dirk who appeared to be scratching his groin.

"Um Maggie. I totally humiliated you, or attempted to achieve that. Never, never in my life have I acted that nasty. I had no excuse to behave like that. I apologize but know I really must have hurt you with my comments."

"Thank you guys. Actually I was HR manager at that time and so in refusing jobs and firing people I had to have a fairly dense skin. I was over it before I got back to the hotel."

Rose asked, "If you were HR manager then what are you now?"

"HR Coordinator of our banks 212 branches. We are not a big bank because principally we operate as a business bank."

"That sounds a job with huge responsibilities."

"It's what I trained and have prepared myself for Pru. All jobs have to be done by someone."

Dirk grinned, "Modesty suits you Maggie." His sisters giggled.

God, Maggie thought. Dirk has just made a joke.

"Dad and his new wife are away for 14 weeks," Dirk said. "I have to return here soon on business. I was wondering...?"

Maggie smiled. "Yes I'd be agreeable to that. A hostess date or a date you arrange yourself?"

"What's the difference?"

"The first is a contract between the bank and me and then the bank and the VIP. The alternative is to date me directly as a personal arrangement."

"Oh the personalized date please. Yes definitely. I shall be in contact."

Maggie held out her business card and Dirk's sisters looked big-eyed at that exchange.

The group left the bar to find the limo waiting. Pru kissed Maggie and then hugged her and entered the car.

Maggie shook Dirk's hand while they both exchanged a bemused look.

Rose hugged and kissed Maggie and held out an envelope.

"This is from all three of us Maggie. There's enough for you to have a really big shopping day."

Maggie stepped back and said. "No thank you Rose. You guys have apologized and you have displayed signs of friendship. That's more than sufficient. Now hand back the others their money and perhaps dwell on the fact I really can't be as bad as I was painted. Please Rose."

"Very well. I hope we meet again Maggie."

The two in the back were looking very somber when Rose slipped in beside them holding the envelope. But when Maggie smiled and waved they waved and as the vehicle drew away Pru had opened her window and stuck out an arm to keep on waving.

Maggie decided she liked Pru and walked off to buy a cute pink dress for the new baby and a toy for the older boy. Stores were still open. She knew contacts were listed on bank files as a next-of-kin and found Pru's address there.

Three days later she received an excited call from Pru. "I hope I'm not interrupting the banking system of America but I have just opened your parcel... oh so cute. Timmy is already playing trains with his new dump truck; it's how he plays."

"Oh thank you. It's lovely hearing your voice again. And how is Lily?"

"Very well. She'd having her mid morning sleep. I'll tell her I called you."

"What? Oh," Maggie laughed. "Yes it must get lonely with just the little ones most of the day."

"I keep busy and do records research for the company in my free time. I'm on maternity leave for four months, longer if required."


An Older Unmarried Daughter



"They must prize you?"

"I would like to think so but will never really know; it's one of dad's company's. I'm company secretary; not bad for a 27-year old eh?"

"Oh very good."

"Maggie will you come and stay with me for a couple of days in a fortnight? My parents are in Europe and my husband Russ will be away two nights at a theater demonstration seminar. Being a young surgeon he feels the need to go. I actually don't require anyone here and could call on Rose of course or my mother but now you have chosen to relate to the children I feel... we'll you know."

"Yes I do, I think. You honor me Pru."

"Me honor you? Oh god, what a scream."

They both laughed and kept on talking for another few minutes.

* * *

Eating lunch alone because she was very late, Maggie thought it was strange she was befriending the much younger sister rather than Rose who are her age plus seven months. Why would that be? Oh yes, despite the smiles Rose still had the look of one hard bitch whereas Pru was the nicest one of the family and simply had reached out when Maggie had shown some signs of tenderness.

Maggie smiled over her coffee cup, oh how sweet. And then her face clouded. Christ the poor girl was missing her real mom, probably exacerbated as a result of postnatal stress. Maggie pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Dirk? It's the New York Maggie. You'll be busy so I'll make this brief and tell me to keep my nose out of family affairs if you wish. I have just been talking to Pru. She called because I posted her some baby stuff. You would give her a great thrill if you arranged your mother to visit her if that's possible, I mean your real mom."

"I see."

"What does that mean?"

"Um I visited Pru last night. In fact I stayed on for dinner and it occurred to me she looks less happier over recent weeks. Are you thinking its signs of depression?"

"I hope not but my thought is she wants her mom to see the new baby. Make it happen Dirk."

Maggie switched off her phone, just catching his call of "No wait!" No need to keep on talking to a guy who already had accepted what he must do.

Maggie returned from a meeting and listed to one of her phone messages and smiled: "Sorry you are in a meeting Mag. Great news. Mom's on an evening flight today from Chicago. She can't wait to get here. She said it was the first time she knew any of us wanted her. God we are morons. You are a beautiful lady Mag."

Maggie wept. Her father had been one of the few people to call her Mag. She called her mom and during the next fifteen minutes spoke to them both and felt much happier for making that effort.

CHAPTER 2

Flying to Boston Maggie thought Pru's husband Russell would have flown off to St Louis that morning for his seminar. Perhaps their airplanes had passed? Oh yeah? God rarely was she this excited, even when about to have sex.

Despite the huge airport bustle she spotted Pru waving, looking very much the young mother with Timmy, not yet two, sitting up on front of a two-tier stroller being told to look at Maggie

Maggie said hi to the shy youngster and the women hugged hugely and Pru was weepy, saying she was mean taking Maggie away from her work.

"No of course not; my VP is forever telling me to take time off. Although you and I have been talking every day that's nothing like the excitement this is generating for me. Please let me look at Lily and then take Jimmy out and see if he'll come to me."

"He will. Just unhook..."

"Pru, I'm an old maid. I have no idea how this new technology works."

Pru laughed and said god it was great having Maggie with her. "We are meeting all my friends with babies in the morning at Coffee House A-Go. We have become an institution there and the girls are so exited at the thought of meeting a New York banker."

"Oh Pru?

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Well if you work in a bank as an executive you must be a banker."

They giggled and Maggie then fell in love with the most beautiful baby she'd ever seen. She assured Pru as the accolades flew that of course she'd seen babies before, well a few.

Timmy went to Maggie nervously but when she said, "Now I wonder what I can find in this pocket?" he was won over completely and they went to the car with Timmy with an arm around Maggie and looking at her and saying mommy. Maggie felt that everyone in the entire airport was looking at Timmy and her.

Maggie told Pru to sit and relax that she'd drive.

"But this is a foreign car."

"I learned to drive a car on granddad's ranch when I was twelve darling and my first car as a banking executive in Philadelphia was a BMW. And don't worry about my finding my way round this village; I lived Boston four years working for my first degree and then my master's in banking and financial services management."

"Ohmigod, and me just a simple company secretary with a bachelor's in accounting."

"Don't knock it darling. On could almost think some employers find degrees irrelevant to their business but it's what's in the head and knowing how to use it that counts."

"Oh Maggie you are so awesome."

"If that's the case darling and you are attempting to compare, show me where are my babies?"

"Oh don't you dare talk to me like that; you are just taking your time, that's all."

"I hope you are right about that Pru. Give me a heading and there's no need to remind me I have precious cargo aboard."

"Fisher Hill."

"Good, I know it as I had a girlfriend whose parents lived there and the attraction for me was their swimming pool... indoor and heated."

The two women spent Friday evening having a lovely time just talking, and they walked round the central city next day with the children and had them home for the kids' afternoon sleep.

"Pru I hope you haven't told your brother or sister I'm here?"

"No, it's cool. Maggie is away at her mother and father's place upcountry because they'd asked to see the kids and Dirk has gone with a bunch of guys sea kayaking. Don't you like my family? Oh god, I ought not have said that."

"I just didn't want Dirk coming on me catching me unaware."

Pru looked curiously, waiting for elaboration.

"Pru promise to say nothing and do nothing by way of intervention."

"Yes, I promise."

"Dirk in his own time plans to make a play for me."

Pru looked astonished. "But Dirk is wearing himself ragged attempting to please two babes he is running with here, er not simultaneously."

"I've seen it in his eyes."

"Oh god, how can you be sure?"

"My profession is dealing with people, remember? I have been trained to read them."

"But what if you are wrong?"

Maggie smiled. "Then there would be no harm done. You are the only person who knows my thoughts so please..."

"Keep them to myself. Yes, I'll promise. God I can't believe what you've just told me. If you accept Dirk and something comes of it I will be out of my tree in delight."

Maggie smiled and suggested they talk about something else.

Pru said, "Good news. We are out of this house this evening if you don't mind eating at 6:00."

"No of course not."

"Great. We'll go to a family restaurant. I have expressed two days of milk for Lily so in a couple of hours we'll have a few drinks and go by cab to the restaurant where we'll have some more drinks. "I'm breaking out to have alcohol baby because you and I are going to have a swell evening although we are without men."

"It sounds lovely. I am really appreciating what my visit has meant to you darling Pru. I think we are becoming life-long friends."

"Would you like to become Lily's godmother."

"Oh Pru, may I?"

"I'll discuss it with Russ and let you know. He'll want to assess you."

"What for an operation?"

They laughed and Pru said the children were important to Russ and he'd want to satisfy himself about Maggie. 

"Fair enough. I shall visit you again for the very purpose of being interviewed by the father."

"It will take all of five seconds darling. Russ will take one look at you and will know. You are that kind of special person."

"God you are away with the birds and you've not had your first drink yet!"

* * *

At the airport mid Sunday afternoon the women each opened the rear door of the car. Strapped into his safety seat Timmy looked at his mother and then at Maggie and held at his arms to Maggie.

"God you disloyal son and heir," Pru snorted. "Trust you to pick the prettiest woman with her curly brunette hair and soft green eyes. I would have done the same thing had I been in your shoes pal."

"A young man's greatest possession on this earth is his mom," Maggie said, unbuckling Timmy.

She turned after extracting Timmy and looking over the car roof saw Pru already had Lily in the stroller and was dabbing at her eyes.

"Pru, I'm sorry. I heard someone say that on radio many years ago."

"I'm fine," Pru sniffed. "It is just one of the greatest things I've ever heard."

* * *

Maggie had arrived back on Manhattan feeling the place looked dull and unfocused compared with being with Pru and the kids.

Unfocused?

She sniffed thinking she knew what she meant. But next day at a meeting planning the upcoming round of performance and salary appraisals, her delightful time in Boston was pushed firmly away.

Eight days later Maggie was called to the office of the bank's president.

"Hi Maggie. This is Mr Dirk Hart who is here acting as his father's business manager with accreditation. We have finished our talks with Mr Hart and he expressed an interest in meeting you and learning what you do here at the bank. He assures me you know him."

"Yes indeed Mr Rowland and has father as well. Lovely seeing you again Dirk. Please come with me."

The two men shook hands and going down the stairs rather than the elevator to the floor below Dirk said, "Is it in order to kiss you?"

"Yes, you don't look to be unfriendly or posing a threat."

Dirk laughed and kissed Maggie as she stopped and turned. It was a long and sweet kiss.

"I have been longing to do that."

Maggie straightened her hair and said she had been waiting for Dirk to kiss her ever since she'd seen in his eyes the intensity had appeared to have for her on the evening when they were in that bar.

"I was powerless. You were so beautiful and nothing like the aggressively defensive woman I had remembered."

Maggie met Dirk in the bar of his hotel at 6:00 and they later went out to dinner. He expressed a preference for a steakhouse so she took him to one of the best.

"As they were walking from the restaurant, Dirk said he didn't want Maggie to go.

"You want me to sleep with you?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I have thought long and hard about this and now it's what I want. I have packed my toothbrush."

Dirk didn't touch Maggie in the elevator or the walk to his suite but they chatted. Inside the room he asked, "Coffee?"

"No Dirk. I believe we both want to be fuck."

At that Dirk grinned hugely and pushed his hand down the front top of Maggie's dress. "Thanks for that. I'd become so nervous thinking about doing it with you. You have been trained haven't you?"

"No never."

"B-but the bank's hospitality service"

"The bank provides suitable women to accompany men to dinner or to a show and then dinner. It is assumed the chosen females know which knife and fork to use and what a desert is."

"Er about sex."

"It's not forbidden but nor is it encouraged by the bank."

"I don't understand..."

"Definition: Hostess, a woman who receives or entertains guests in a social or official capacity Dirk. The bank would never align itself with prostitution. Further, I bet if we compared notes we'd find because you are a guy, you would have gotten laid three or four more times than I have, although I have no idea how I've arrived at those figures."

He grinned. "Probably thirty times more."

"Oh you're such a gentleman Dirk. Thank you."

She lifted her arms and Dirk pulled off her designer top and while he unbuttoned and unzipped her skirt she removed her bra.

"God what beautiful breasts."

"Play with them," said cooed, pulling his head down on to them.

Maggie was eager to get hold of his cock but had long learned to hold back; having a woman too aggressive or too forward seemed to unnerve some men and this could be one of them. Finally she got the fat knob into her mouth and she thought that would activate the sensors in her vagina and that made her almost climax. God not that early, she groaned and her negative thoughts saved the day.

Finally as her was gasping into his release Maggie curled her toes and launched into one of her most powerful ones ever, almost shunting the poor guy off the bed.

"Jesus!"

She replied sweetly, "Wasn't that lovely. Do you mind fetching towels?"

Later outside the hotel Dirk kissed Maggie and placed her in the cab and said they'd had a wonderful night but made no effort to make another date.

Maggie went home thoughtfully but not unhappy and next day looked for bank jobs in the Boston area. She later interviewed successfully and won the position of assistant manager at that bank's regional office in Boston.

After the interview Maggie called Pru. "Hi I'm in Boston. Can I come and see you sometime?"

"Oh lordy, you're back. Come now."

"That's great. Start expressing milk because I'm bringing a bottle of wine."

Pru flew at Maggie in excitement and whispered, "I'm sorry but both Jimmy and Lily are down. God, French Champagne; what are we celebrating?"

"I've landed a job in Boston, starting in six weeks."

"Oh god, great. But you are here a week early. The christening is not until next week."

"I know. I'll come back for it. There's no way I'll miss that."

They curled up on the sofa with the sun streaming through the windows and toasted to long life, happiness and ever-lasting friendship.

Maggie said, "I did tell you Dirk came and I spent part of a night with him but then nothing. Have you found out anything?"

"He was evasive. So I asked didn't he like you and he said of course he did. And then he wouldn't respond to any further probing. What I guess is he thought it was useless him being here and you being in New York."

"Yeah, perhaps. Well he's got this final chance. He'll see me at the christening won't he?"

"Yes of course. Only dad and his lady will be missing."

"That's naughty Pru."

"Um I meant dad and our stepmother."

"Good girl Your are blushing nicely and your figure is really back, perhaps better than ever."

She giggled. "Russ and I are fucking like cats on a hot tin roof. When you arrive here to live I will introduce you to guys if the mole has failed to rise out of his hole."

"Thanks and good health. A girl needs sex regularly."

"You need babies."

"Oh Pru, clucky again. I suggest you protect yourself and get back to work, at least for a while. Let your body build up again."

"What's what Russ is telling me. How do you know these things?"

"Because I'm an intelligent godmother-to-be."

When Maggie arrived on the day of the christening Rose met her at the airport with her two blondes. Tricia (7) and Savannah (6) inspected the new arrival gravely and were introduced.

"Mommy told us a beautiful lady from New York was coming to stay with us after the christening."

"Yes and you're not wrong Tricia," said Savannah.

"You two lovely girls may say anything you wish to me," Maggie said. "I don't bite."

"Are you rich?"

"Sorry no."

"Are you married?"

"Sorry no but perhaps I could marry your uncle."

Maggie heard Rose suck in breath.

"Uncle Dirk is too busy with too many girl friends to want to marry."

"I bet he is."

"I can't understand. Why do you think about Uncle Dirk? Mommy loses patience with him."

"Mommy will probably tell you because he's a man Tricia and men tend not to always give proper answers or take mommies seriously. Do you have new dresses to wear to the christening this afternoon?"

"Yes. Do you want to see mine?"

"Yes and Savannah's as well. Getting new dresses is so much fun isn't it?"

"Oh yes."

"What say I ask mommy if we can stop off and she allow me to buy shoes for both of you? Auntie Pru will love to see you both in completely new outfits."

"I can't believe this," Rose said, breaking her silence for the first time since they greeted. "I have been following this absolutely fascinated. Tricia has been a worry to us because of her reluctance to talk. Savannah does much of the talking for her."

"I believe it's no big deal Maggie. Tricia is the more sensitive child, right?"

"Yes right."

"Don't you notice how she has no reluctance talking about things that really interested her?"

"Yes, now that you've mentioned it."

Maggie laughed, taking Rose's arm while the girl's pushed Maggie's trolley. "I was an only child and from a young age I studied very intently how other children interacted, thought I would not have know the meaning of interaction. Also I tend to view children as little people, rather than children, although I do nothing to hasten away their childhood."

"What refreshing views... intelligent, beautiful original views. Oh god how I misjudged you that time. Oh why is my stupid brother ignoring you?"

"Pru believes it's because I live in New York and Dirk is rooted in Boston. I am in the process of shifting to Boston."

"Ohmigod, may I tell him?"

"Yes but I would prefer you didn't. If he's interested enough he'll find out. Men love making discoveries."

"How does Pru know about Dirk and you?"

"Because we talk on the phone most days and I've been to stay with Pru twice."

"Staying with Pru? But why haven't you stayed with us before this?"

Maggie looked away to reduce Rose's embarrassment. "I was never asked Rose but it doesn't matter."

At the car Maggie said, "You can sit in the back and talk to Tricia about matching her choice of shoes to go with her dresses if you wish and I'll keep Savannah prattling on. I know Boston rather well, having lived here for four years as a student."

"But this is an expensive Mercedes."

"I rent Mercedes, two models above this one, when I visit branch offices as part of my work Rose. But if you wish..."

"No, let do what you suggested. I really haven't been applying myself to the problem re Tricia have I?"

"That's you over the first hurdle Rose."

"Maggie you are awesome."

"What does awesome really mean mom?"

"Just let me get in beside you Tricia."

"Is Maggie boss?"

"Oh good one Tricia."

CHAPTER 3

Pru insisted the godmother carry Lily out of the church and Maggie had just handed the baby back to Pru, surrounded by members of the extended family, when Dirk said, "Hi Maggie."

They had waved when spotting each other in church. Dirk introduced the woman handing on his arm as Michelle.

Maggie said, "That's a beautiful dress Michelle."

"If you say so."

"Answer politely. Maggie is a friend of mine and of my family."

"Thanks Maggie. Can we get a drink Dirk?"

Wine and coffee, soda drinks and sandwiches were served in the church hall. Later when Michelle was explaining to the startled minister she had no concept of life after death Dirk said to Maggie, 'I apologize for Michelle's rudeness. She's one of two women I keep on hand for... um..."

"Convenience?"

"Oh yeah convenience. Do you like Boston?"

"Yes I love it. I spent four years here as a student."

"Really?"

"Well I could produce my CV for your perusal."

"No, god I must have sounded disbelieving. Well I was surprised about that. Would you come back to live?"

"Yes when you propose to me."

"What's that," Michelle said ominously, arriving at Dirk's side.

"Dirk had asked would I come back to live in Boston and I said yes, when he proposed to me."

"You cow."

"Michelle, please," Dirk said. "Maggie was only speaking in jest."

"Were you?"




An Older Unmarried Daughter



"Well the truth is I will locate here on transfer in just under six weeks. I'll be looking for an apartment this weekend, staying over Monday."

"Really?" Dirk said, eyes bulging.

"Pru and Rose know I'm returning."

"But why didn't I know?"

Michelle snapped, "She doesn't know you well enough to tell you."

"Oh but I've know Dirk intimately."

"You bitch, you liar."

"Shhhh Michelle," Maggie smiled, "We are in a church hall. Do you wish to be lynched?"

"Come with me Dirk," Michelle said, hauling him away to the other side of the room. "I'm ready to strangle the bitch."

Rose came up behind Maggie and whispered in a giggle, "I heard it all. I was standing behind you almost peeing myself."

Later the immediate family and very closest of family friends were at Russ and Pru's home having drinks and there was talk about getting take-outs.

Maggie tapped her glass with a cake fork and called for silence. "Everyone let's walk to the nearest restaurant and have mains and drinks on me."

"Maggie we cannot allow you to shoulder that financial burden."

"Russ I'm hosting dinner on behalf of my goddaughter. This is one of the biggest days in Lily's life so please don't dare tussle with her godmother although I thank you for your kindness for attempting to intervene. Let's go everyone."

Maggie heard Michelle say to Dirk, "I'm off, she won't want me there."

"Wrong Michelle," Maggie said sweetly. "Everyone who's here is invited."

Michelle and Dirk stared at Maggie as she went off to check that her goddaughter had something to put over the hood of the basinet to protect her from the cooler night air.

* * * 

Next day everyone gathered at Russ and Pru's home for early lunch because some people had long drives ahead of them. Everywhere Maggie went Tricia was sure to follow.

They'd disappeared and Rose found them and stood beside Pru watching Maggie talking to Tricia while changing Lily's diaper.

"Tricia," said her mom. "You've never shown interest in changing diapers before."

"That's 'cos Auntie Maggie has told me why we change baby and what happens if we don't and why we use m-moisturized wipes. It is so interesting knowing all that stuff."

Squeezing her sister's hand Pru said, "I think Maggie is providing to be an education for all of us."

Dirk arrived with the good timing most men have, when the food was being served. He walked straight up and kissed his sisters and looked around and went over and kissed Maggie without saying a word to her. When they parted Maggie stayed with her hand round his back and slowly he lifted a hand round Maggie's back.

Tricia said, "Auntie Maggie are you going to marry Uncle Dirk?"

The patio area fell quiet.

"Yes dear. Poor Uncle Dirk hasn't been told yet and will take time getting used to the idea before he does something about it."

THE END