3 comments/  12209 views/  2 favorites

Freddie Flits & Dips Here & There

By: Egmont Grigor



* The setting is England.

CHAPTER 1

The coach was full as it left Oathaven and headed north for London on the annual outing of the Women Against Family Violence Society. Husbands accompanied their wives or partners except for widow Marion Fanning who brought along her eldest, 20-year-old Freddie, a university undergraduate seeking a degree in banking and finance.

The tour leader Francis, new and second wife of the Rev. Percy Ives, had been ticking off arrivals on her clipboard as they entered the coach and looked around anxiously for the last arrival. Freddie ran from across the street chewing at a piece of cardboard-like pizza that he decided tasted like shit rather than the alleged 'chopped ham and cheese in gravy'.

"Are you Freddie Fanning?"

"Yes babe, and who are you?"

"Tour leader Francis Ives, Mrs." There was no emphasis on the title of Mrs.

"Simply stunning," Freddie said and boarded.

Marion Fanning was sitting next to Iona Stewart. She glared at her son and said, "You're late" and all the older males smiled, recalling that even sons out of their teens remain under contrived female dominance.

"I saw no reason to hurry as I knew you'd not allow the bus to depart without me."

The women who heard that sighed, thinking another egoistical male bound to heap trouble on a poor unfortunate woman who fell besotted by his unruly blond hair and sharp blue eyes and who stupidly would say yes to his proposal of marriage. 

Freddie went to the back seat that went the full width of the vehicle to the one spare seat and offered a bite out of the pizza to the woman next to him. She snorted and complained to her barrel-like husband who exchanged seats with her. His suit smelt of beer and cigarette smoke so Freddie turned to the woman on his left. She swallowed and whispered to her husband. They swapped seats so Freddie now had a thin guy in a suit that smelt of mothballs sitting on the other side of him. He was unimpressed and had no idea what the two men and their wives thought. He wished someone more human was sitting next to him like...er...that Mrs Ives. God, what a honey she was -- she'd be not much more than thirty and married to that dour beanstalk minister.

The tour through the Modern Tate gallery of art from 1900 quite fascinated Freddie and his interest caught the interest of the tour leader who'd become a little miffed by comments from others in the party such as 'Revolting', 'It's ridiculous making women look like this' and 'A heap of codswallop'.

"Oh this is magnificent Mrs Ives. I'm so glad I joined your tour."

"Why did you join the tour Freddie?"

"Mom wanted someone to accompany her and my two sisters wanted to do other things."

"And noble Freddie stepped in and said something like 'Mother, I'll not leave you unattended'?"

Freddie smiled. "Actually I said yeah because she said if I came with her I could have the car for four Saturday nights."

The minister's wife giggled, hitting an alert button within Freddie. He looked and caught the beautiful smile. God, she was so choice.

"Call me Francis. You are my only bright light in this party I'm afraid Freddie. Some are critical we are not viewing earlier art, others wished we were at the Albert and Victoria Museum and some of the men expressed the wish to be at a pub."

"Philistines Francis."

She took his hand and squeezed it. "Yes and thank you for your understanding. Sit with me at lunch."

Freddie watched the long-back Francis walk away, her short auburn hair dancing just above her shoulders and the cute ass was a joy to behold. She had little flab and that would be why her boobs were almost invisible; they'd almost certainly be small. Freddie wondered if she were lonely and was feeling strongly the absence of sex being married to a pious 50-year-old. Nah, the lucky sod would be all over her in nightly hip-thrusting ruts that took him halfway through the night. Freddie, addicted to one-night stands, found himself taking a mild interest. He actually wondered what Francis would be like pushing into her...

"That's a piece of art I didn't think you would be interested in," his mother said. "I thought you would be having your tongue swell in your mouth while you panted over the nudes?"

"Ah no, my interest in art is global," Freddie said, still looking in the direction where Mrs Ives's ass had been but now found Picasso's Three Dancers in focus.

"This is boring. I wish we were looking at pre 1900 art with religious themes," complained his mother, wandering off arm-in-arm with the haughty Mrs Stewart, at least she acted haughty whenever Freddie was around. Perhaps she was his mother's secret lover? His mother and sex? Nah. Oh shit, she must have been into sex to have three children and you don't get a kid with the first spew of seed. She must have been fucking as if there was no tomorrow. His mother? Christ, what was the world coming to?

Freddie wandered on wondering how many times a week Francis and her clergyman did it. Fifty-three? Three? Suddenly there was Francis walking back towards him. She smiled and he asked, "How many times a week do your husband and you do it?"

That wiped the smile from her face. Freddie was sorry about that. Was he insane?

He apologized, pathetically. "It's all this surrealism around me."

Francis was now blushing. "It's okay, quite a reasonable question actually from a stranger."

Freddie looked at his feet and willed them to take him through the floor.

"It's perhaps the most astonishing question I've ever been asked."

He tried in vain to answer.

"You know what?" she smiled.

Freddie shook his head dumbly.

"I've never counted." She walked on, laughing.

"Oh God," he murmured. "This is the worst day of my life."

No it wasn't. He remembered that occurred when he was fifteen. He'd masturbated into the bathroom sink and decided to go for a record four times. He was red-faced superheated and groaning near to release but was having difficulty coming. He heard a noise and looked up to find his mother and two sisters in the doorway, hands over their mouths giggling. He'd forgotten to lock the door. One of the filthy bitches must have sneaked a look and gone off and bought back the other two females. To cap it off, rather than shoot a huge load into the basin to impress the family his dick went limp on him. That ending had been total humiliation.

Freddie moved on, head down, embarrassed at having said that to Francis and aghast she'd had to dig probably to the limits of her generosity to make light of it. Well, wasn't she the right kind of woman to be married to a clergyman. She was an angel. At that Freddie, still head down almost knocked over a woman who began to fall backwards in the collusion.

"Get your hands off me you male hedonistic creep," snarled the feminist, probably a feminist lesbian of limited brainpower, thought Freddie as he had his hands smacked away.

"It was an accident and had I not arrested your fall you could have been hurt."

"Brenda would have preferred that rather than be handled by a man," said her 200lb companion.

"My sincerest apologies. Freddie lied, "I had just seen the Michael Masturbator-Fuchs painting of lesbian women being stoned to death and the enormity of that crime weight heavily on me and I accidentally walked into you."

Just as the two women moved in on Freddie, Francis arrived miraculously and grabbing Freddie by the arm said, "My apologies ladies. This patient has escaped the confines of our supervised party from the Home of the Criminally Insane. I must take him into personal custody. My apologies if he has caused you distress. Please stand aside and allow us through."

The gawking women parted and Francis apologised again as she frog-marched Freddie between the women, his right-hand held up painfully between his shoulder blades.

"The likes of him should be castrated," said one of the women.

"Oh that has been done," Francis said sweetly and the two other women cackled in laughter.

Francis whispered, "Keep walking and don't struggle to get free. If they complain you will be detained for questioning."

Freddie seized the moment. "Ease the pressure and push your breasts against my arm and I'll gladly walk a hundred miles like this."

He cried "Ouch' as Frances applied more pressure and said, "Your mind seems preoccupied with sex. Perhaps I should strip you and give you a real birching."

Freddie had always thought of trying a birching but not by this tough bitch.

She loosened the pressure and he didn't attempt to break free. "You were a silly boy taking on those two women; they were just itching to smack you around the gallery."

"How do you know that?"

"I was coming up and heard your stupid attempt at apologising and that riled them, knowing you were being politely offensive. I saw them exchange glances and then the cruel smiles."

"Fuck me, you were brave."

"Yes, a little but I had to be inventive and managed that."

"Yes you were all of that Frances. I apologize for being rather a pain for you."

"Nonsense, your are the only one in the group not full of complaints. Most of the men would rather be in a pub and most of the women want to be at the Victoria and Albert. Now off you go -- follow the group to where were are having lunch."

She let him go and pushed him off with her chest. Freddie was sure as that because despite clothing, there is nothing softer on a guy's back than a woman's breast. He grinned; he'd purposely said, "Fuck me" in emphasis when speaking about her being brave and there had been no reprimand. She seemed to always be coming back to check on him. What was going on here?

There were forty-eight people in the party and they split up to go to three pubs for lunch.

The Rev Ives suggested everyone line up behind him, or Mr Faraday or Mr Redgrave to end up in parties of sixteen to go to different places for lunch. Freddie lined up two persons back from Francis. She turned and saw him and smiled and that sent his pulse rate scampering. Mrs Stewart then asked for permission to speak and several people called go ahead. She went to the front and said, "Several people have said to me why don't we visit the Albert and Victoria this afternoon, have dinner in The City and go home late. I have spoken to the driver who called his depot and was told that was accepted providing we cough up another one hundred pounds. I'm prepared to pay that."

"No, no," Francis said, darting to the front. "Would the team leaders please collect two pounds off everyone except those wanting to return home straight after lunch. They can go by train."

Everyone wanted to stay on and coughed up.

The Rev Ives chose the Dog and Whistle and Francis looked at Freddie and patted the seat beside her for him to sit but Mrs Thornberry pushed past and took that seat. Freddie turned before Francis could catch his eye and then took a table by himself after ordering a pint of best bitter at the bar and hunched over it to sulk. Then the unbelievable happened. He heard Rev Ives say, "Look at Marion's son sitting over there by himself. "Go and sit with the young chap Francis."

Freddie could hear her footsteps approaching and then thought he detected the sandalwood and orange fragrance of her perfume. She draped a hand over his shoulder and said, "Oh you poor boy, all alone."

"Sit opposite me, not beside me otherwise I could be tempted to grope."

"Oooh."

She took her time walking to the other side of the table.

"Like a beer."

She screwed up her nose.

"I'll get you anything you like."

She said vodka lime and soda.

He fetched it. She took a long sip and said, "I've become a little attracted to you."

Freddie said oh yeah, was that good or bad?

She answered bad, very bad. She was married.

He leered and asked what was she going to do about it and she said nothing and asked what was he going to do about it.

"Dunno. I'll have to give it some thought."

"Oh no Freddie. Please. You can't. It would cause such a ruckus."

"Well, we'll have to be clever, won't we?"

She flushed and he thought she really was quite pretty, despite her freckles. A long neck, very kissable lips and her eyes often carried a surprise look that really appealed to him. The body was slender but she did have some breast development and he thought her belly would be flat and she wouldn't shave, perhaps not even trim so an auburn bush was likely.

During the remainder of the afternoon he thought a great deal about surprise in her eyes, kissing those kissable lips and thinking recklessly about an auburn bush.

Dinner was forgettable. A group of the men exercised their natural-born dominance by demanding everyone go to a beer hall that featured a few two-bit stage presentations. As expected the women countered but were unprepared and with superior judgement nominated six other alternative places but it was agreed the party should not split in London at night and the women failed to agree on which one of their nominations they should select so the inevitable happened. The party went to a smelly beer hall where the food was cheap and forgettable, the entertainment was third-rate and coarse and the beer flowed like water and as the evening wore on tasted like it and the alternative drinks favoured by the women were a callous rip-off.

Most of the tour party staggered as they returned to the bus, feeling a little talkative, amorous or sleepy so most would sleep on the journey home of more than three hours to their small town in South Devon.

* * *

Tour leader Francis Ives had circulated amongst her charges at the beer hall, exercising her desire to cultivate leadership qualities to be effective in support of her husband's flock, or at least this element of it. She'd noted Freddie appeared to have only two glasses of wine. Why was he retaining his sobriety? Those around him, especially the men but also a few of the women, appeared to be in real party mood.

Freddie intrigued her, well flattered her really. A woman of thirty-two would find it flattering to have a 20-year-old coming on to her, wouldn't she? Even if she were married and a minister's wife to boot? Francis evaded answering her questions, already caught out by a jump in her breathing rate and the hot flush sweeping her body. She'd dropped out of divinity studies early on and transferred to complete a BA in sociology instead. After graduation she became a voluntary worker for her local church while applying for jobs and began to notice Rev Ives was taking more than a passing interest in her. His wife had died eight months earlier, seven weeks after being knocked down on a pedestrian crossing by a lorry.

It wasn't a courtship. Percy walked into her at doorway, held her and apologised and she looked up at him in surprise and he kissed her. She was lonely so kissed him back. The next time they kissed he touched her left breast, the next time he put a hand in to fondle it and so she pressed in hard against him and felt his erection against her pubic bone. He asked hoarsely did she want sex. Of course she did. She wasn't a virgin and had missed her regular shafting at university. She nodded and he said well they better marry so she nodded and the betrothal was announced from the pulpit and suddenly she was somebody and her popularity increased enormously. Now young Freddie wanted to fuck her.

Yes, thought Francis. Why pretend to be naïve. She knew the signs. She wouldn't yield, no definitely not. 

As the evening wore on she thought well perhaps it was fortuitous Freddie was interested in her. Clearly he was a young stud but they'd have to be very careful. Her problem was she wasn't getting enough sex. Percy had been great for the first four or five weeks, into it night and morning and sometime straight after lunch. But now five months on since their marriage they were doing it regularly three times a week and she guessed it would fall to twice a week soon. Heavens, she was only thirty-two and needed it more than that. Still three times was sufficient to achieve their plan to have the first of their two children. The late Mrs Ives and Percy had not managed to conceive. It was still too early to be suspicious Percy might be at fault. Well, Francis knew she was in prime time for pregnancy so perhaps fusion with Freddie could be...er...fruitful. The problem was how could they fuck surrounded by this crowd, half of them doing their best to become half-drunk or even worse.

Sitting with Freddie and the coach driver watching the final show -- the three of them drinking coffee with no alcohol glasses on the table -- Francis said to Alec the driver he would have to make several comfort stops on the way home.

"Yes Mrs Ives, I have that built into my schedule. This is standard practice when on tour with parties who indulge in the demon drink that later cries to be let out."

The three of them laughed and Francis noted Freddie had a lovely smile and great teeth. For the first time in her life, without being worked up sexually, she really did want a guy to have his way with her. No -- she didn't mean Alec their driver who appeared to be around sixty-five.

As the coach moved off Francis jumped up and urged everything to join in a sing-a-long. She had a lovely voice and started off with a popular tune the older folk would know, 'Amazing Grace'. That got almost everyone away and after an hour when it was quietening down the driver turned off most of the light. The church deaconess Mrs Brown came down and asked Francis if she would kindly sit by Mr Brown because she'd like to chat with Percy. 

As she neared the back of the bus Francis peered in the gloom and saw Freddie was in the corner of the back seat and one of the men off the back seat was stretched out in the aisle snoring. She quietly asked the couple next to Freddie to move along and then sat beside Freddie. The nearest person Mr Manning had his back to Freddie and was pawing his wife who didn't seem to mind. Francis couldn't believe how this was all working in her favour. It was as if it were meant to happen. It now depended on Freddie. 

Francis knew she had to strike fast. She removed her coat and placing it over her lap sat down beside Freddie and said hi. 

He smiled and whispered, "Hi gorgeous" and that's when she kissed him and kept on kissing him, holding the back of his head so he couldn't pull away after the customary twenty-second kiss. She opened her mouth and in went his tongue like a guided missile. Heavens, men were so easy to seduce, she thought.

Freddie had seen Francis walking to the back, pause beside Mr Brown's seat and then come on. She whispered to the couple beside him and they moved along, God, she had practically ignored him all night and now wanted to sit beside him. The cold bitch was coming alongside to apologise. Why the fuck was she removing her coat; some of the people had been complaining the heating was set too low? She said hi and then kissed him, holding his head against hers, signalling this was no friendly kiss. 

Her aggression hurled Freddie into defensive mode. Okay, he'd been openly flirting with her early in the day but then she cooled off and he felt all at sea with a big bunch of boring old folk, she being the only person to have really switched on his light. But he couldn't fuck his mother's minister's wife. His mum would murder him. No, he definitely could not. Then Francis' mouth opened, his tongue knew what to do and as their tongues entwined he knew that was Francis saying to him fuck me but work me up first and take care not to attract attention.

His cock rose to the occasion.

Freddie placed a hand over a breast. Her hand went over his, not to pull his hand away but to indicate it was welcome to stay. He kissed her nose, her eyes, her ears and she stroked his face and made just the slightest of sounds at the back of her throat. He wormed a hand under her top and up under her bra. The tits were small and very firm and the nipples although small were rubbery hard of a woman waiting to be fucked. Freddie sunk the same hand down over her belly, over the pubic bone and straight into hair. She'd taken her panties off -- probably at the beer hall. She had planned to be fucked. Her legs parted and the hair at her opening was moist, very moist.


Freddie Flits & Dips Here & There



Oh, how was the lucky boy! Then to Freddie's dismay Francis pulled away and spread her coat over her as she turned back on to him as if preparing to go to sleep. Freddie had time to only grit his teeth in rising anger, or more like despair, when her hand reached across and pulled his hand on to her pussy. Her skirt was now over her waist. The now very much interested Freddie got the message loud and clear. After squishing two fingers around in her pussy, taking his time to begin an orderly, well-executed invasion designed to make Francis feel good about herself and to think how lovely he was not tearing into her as if she were a harlot -- Freddie had been tutored by older women -- he pulled away and hauled out his cock and gave it a couple of quick tugs, confident he had enough length to complete the job in their awkward and restricted position.

Freddie ran his hand down her lower back and into the furrow and heard Francis' muffled squeal as he ran a finger around the first orifice before continuing down to the now heated and wet lower orifice. The lips of it were swollen and although pressed tight because of the position of her upper thigh his fingers gained easy entry and covered in juice he pulled them out to lubricate his bloated dick that was at the ready.

The penis practically charged forward on its own volition and Francis assisted, knowing what was coming, and lifted up her inner thigh without raising her lower leg too much to become obvious in the gloom should any prying eyes focus on her.

She stupidly grunted aloud as he entered and again when Freddie powered his hips forward on the thrust to drive it home. But no alarm was raised. As far as Freddie could see everyone else in the back seat was seated unmoved. The big back of the guy next to Francis had slumped, indicated the guy probably to have fallen asleep when feeling up his wife; Freddie fancied he could smell pussy juice from that direction. He began to slowly drive into Francis. She reached for his hand and pulled it up over her breasts hidden under the coat. Obviously she wanted to be fondled while being fucked. She turned her head and they kissed and she then lay back and began rocking back into him, timing her movements to make it quite obvious she was no novice at having a cock inside her.

Feeling the heat generating between them, enjoying the moment to the full, Freddie wondered whether to shoot inside her or over her hip. In time they neared their climaxes; he swelling and she gasping into the palm of her hand she lifted her head back up to him. They tongued lasciviously and as they pulled away she whispered, "Shoot inside me big boy, as much as you've got."

Freddie bucked against her bucking and mouth open obeyed her implicitly, leaving him gasping and feeling drained, wondering if he were losing his eyesight.

"Stay quietly, leave it in me," she whispered.

Later Francis left him, going to sit next to Mr Brown. When the bus lights turned on at the first 'comfort stop' outside public toilets, Freddie looked to the front of the bus. Percy was one of the first persons to stand and he manoeuvred to look to the left of the aisle to where he could see the sleeping head of his wife alongside Mr Brown. Fewer than half of the passengers went out to find comfort.

Freddie settled to go asleep, keeping the fingers smelling of Francis against his nostrils, thinking older women were really something. On of his junior tutors Patricia Briggs often looked at him with an unmasked expression. She was twenty-six so he'd ignored her but obviously she was looking for a guy. Perhaps he should begin dating her. She was big into tennis and swimming so probably could fuck like a run-away train and with Freddie being only twenty she might regard him fondly as her toy boy. Oh Patricia baby what powerful looking lips you have.

* * *

Back residing at university after the mid-term break Freddie moved in on Patricia, slowly and with what he thought was great finesse. They were in a bar in a group after the end of day lectures and he and Patricia were proceeding very smoothly until the two others conversing with them broke away.

"I was wondering whether you'd like to take in a movie with me tomorrow night Patricia."

"What with you?"

"Um, that was the idea."

"What's brought this on? You've never shown any interest in me?"

Freddie had a choice to say somebody had told him (a lie) she was a great fuck or chose something more acceptable to her."

"Um I've always shown a peripheral interest in you but had this girlfriend back home. I arrived home for the midterm break to take where we'd left off but her mother handed me the Dear Freddie letter."

Patricia looked slightly interested. "What do you mean where you two had left off."

Freddie knew she'd find a coarse answer acceptable, as she was now curious. Women could always be milked when curious. An older woman had taught him that.

"She and I used to fuck like rabbits."

Patricia turned almost puce and slapped a hand over her mouth before crying, "Oh Freddie."

Freddie pounced. "So no movie tomorrow night?"

Sniffing and straightening her back Patricia said, "Of course I'll go to a movie with you tomorrow evening Freddie. Or should we skip the movie?"

Freddie allowed her to see him lick his lips. Her eyes widened. He said, "Um, yeah. Let's skip the movie and head straight to a restaurant."

"God thanks for the reprieve and not going straight into it and making me feel I was a slut."

"What, are the guys where you live a little tardy?"

"My parents are rather affluent so the guys tend to hold me in esteem with a couple of exceptions."

"Well dear Patricia; I think you have no idea of what constitutes sluttish tendencies. From my observations I've seem you consistently acting with decorum. I simply thought you had been warned about me and that's why you treated me with distain. Now I can see it's purely a case of good breeding."

For a moment Freddie thought Patricia was going to seize him and kiss him. But she just smiled at him, hugely,

In the restaurant Freddie pulled off his slip-on shoe and sock and pushed his foot between Patricia's thighs. She looked at him alarmed.

"Keep calm," he whispered. "Pull your panties aside and push my big toe in."

The reaction was one of three possibilities Freddie had considered; she threw her drink at him (it mostly missed) and fled the restaurant. 

The forties-something waitress came over and said, "You horny toad. Put your sock and shoe back on and eat your meal. I'm off at 9:30 and you can take me home. The children will be asleep and my husband is on night shift."

Carol was her name. She declined to take Freddie into the marital bedroom so he plumbed her deeply over the lounge sofa. She just loved it, telling him her husband had such a small dick it was a wonder he'd sired their three children. When she tried to suck her husband it kept slipping out of her mouth.

"And me?" Freddie had asked. Carol, almost blue in the face with have so much of him down her throat could only answer in a muffle.

The next day Patricia nodded to him when he greeted her and then looked away, sitting away from him as far as he could in the lecture room. The lecture was international financial markets and at the end of it the lecturer Joanna Wallace asked Freddie to stay behind.

"Fanning, your marks are only middling."

Freddie smiled. "And you have a sure-fire way of improving them."

"Yes, in my digs after dark twice a week for one-on-one tuition."

"And the better I fuck you the better my gradings?"

"Oh, you understand the system. How refreshing."

In her late thirties, Joanna had huge floppy tits that Freddie tried unsuccessfully to flip over his shoulders when ploughing her but never succeeded. The first time he attempted it she thought he was so funny that she'd discharged so massively she'd thought she'd peed. But no, Freddie had just hit the spot.

They stayed together all term and ate out not caring who saw them together. Universities tend to be a promiscuous society. At the end she had to scale back Freddie's marks because his marks were into genius level.

CHAPTER 2

Freddie boarded an aircraft for Fiji at the end of term in mid December to join Uncle Gary, his mum's older brother and wife Miriam and their youngest daughter Anita who'd only recently turned eighteen. The Jamieson's were from Australia and had booked the holiday and invited Freddie to still join them after finding his mum thought the summer heat in Fiji at that time of year would be too much for her.

Miriam Jamieson met Freddie at the international airport to accompany him on the 12-set seaplane to the island resort. Freddie found his aunt remained unattractively overweight but her personality remained infectious and she still had that great laugh. She was okay, much better than the surly Uncle Gary.

There was an hour's wait so they went off for coffee after confirming their arrival at the depot for the amphibious aircraft.

Over coffee Miriam turned apologetic. "There has been a mess us with our bookings. We arrived last night to find we have been given a two-bedroom bure instead of a three-room one. It will be three days before a three-room bure becomes available. We were so angry but after a family conference decided to accept it. Initially Gary and I agreed Gary should share your room but Anita said why bother, she didn't mind sharing a room with you and that room had twin beds. So we decided to allow you the choice between sharing with Gary or Anita."

Freddie reached across the table to take Miriam's hand. "Why wasn't there a third option for sharing -- you with me?"

She squeezed his hand and laughed. "Funny that, none of us voiced that option. Actually Gary and I tend to go a little wild on holidays once he's relaxed, so I best stay sleeping with him. Now this is why I'm here to talk to you in private. Gary and I are a little worried. Anita has become a little slut with guys and it was always a possible she'd try to get you into her pants anyway. Gary wants me to tell you if it happens you'll have no problem from us. This is very embarrassing talking to you like this but someone has to do it and Gary elected me to be the one. Can you understand what I'm saying?"

"I think so. Cousin Anita was likely to be trying to fuck me anyway unless some more appealing males were available. You two think it therefore makes no difference if Anita and I sleep in the same room."

"Yes, that's it. Now we have no way of knowing whether Anita will be attracted to you but looking at you I'd say the answer is a big yes, and the fact you are her cousin won't hold her back in the least. I know of course you could refuse her and make her grumpy all the three weeks we are here but I have to say I hope that doesn't happen. I just want you to know Gary and I will accept how you choose to act."

"Well, she'll have a hard time making headway with me. I remember her as being skinny with a spotty face and being very boyish."

Miriam smiled. "I'm afraid you might be dead in the water Freddie. My little girl is all grown up into the woman I'd always wished to be. She's exceptionally gifted in sports, has won two beach beauty contests and is academically a high achiever. If she wasn't such a slut she'd be perfect."

* * *

Anita towelled off the sweat and as the seaplane looped around to land upwind in the bay said to the three young wives who'd befriended her, "Here comes my mum with my creepy English cousin."

"Male or female?"

"Male Trish. He's doing a banking degree so your Toby could be interested in him."

Trish and her two companions laughed and Trish snapped, "Not in that way you dirty-minded bitches."

Alice asked, "How long is it since you've seen him?"

"He was seventeen, three years ago."

Pam giggled. "You both may have gained sexual maturity since then. God, he'll blow a wad into his underpants as soon as he lays eyes on you."

They all shrieked with laughter and with the sweat either dried off with the towel or by the sun, they walked off the tennis court to the bar for drinks and a light lunch.

"We must start off three hours earlier tomorrow," Pam said. "We could get sunstroke finishing up in this heat. Does cousin play tennis?"

"Probably. According to mom he's into sports and everything he does is done superbly."

"Everything?" Trish said in a husky voice.

They all laughed like a pack of women on the loose.

Pam, a New Zealander, said if he was okay at tennis they could get a tournament going with their three husbands who played tennis. "If cuzzie is any good we could be in trouble Anita because I sense you were playing today far below your potential."

"Christ Pam, it is only social tennis. You didn't expect me to screw you did you?"

The other three women looked at Anita's body and none of them reacted when Pam said softly, "Now there's a thought." 

The women were on to their second drinks when they heard Pam suck in breath and they looked to where Pam was looking, the entrance. The broad-shoulder guy with a tapered waist, showing abs, dressed only in baggy short, looked at them, smiled and began walking to them.

"Oh god, he's here to fuck us all," Pam whispered.

Anita rose unsteadily to her feet, her tanned face turning pale.

"Anita?"

"Freddie?"

"My god, you're beautiful," he said, and four pair of female nipples rose to attention. He held out his hand but Anita brushed it aside and smacked into him and gave him a full kiss.

"Way out. Are you pleased to see me?"

"Pleased beyond belief," Anita said huskily as her three companions looked at the new arrival almost carnivorously. 

"Ladies, you can tell by the white skin this guy is from wintry England. He's my cousin. Freddie this is Pam, next to her are Alice and Trish. Welcome to the tropics. I'll come back with you now." 

They women greeted Freddie and watched enviously as Anita took his arm. She said, "We'll probably see you guys in the bar after dinner tonight with your husbands."

"What husbands," said Trish, and they laughed.

As they walked back to the bure Freddie looked at Anita's breasts, lingering until she noticed.

"It's a tennis dress. We had been playing tennis. Pam and her husband Richard are from New Zealand, Trish and her husband Owen are from San Francisco, and Alice and her husband Ted are Australians working in Hong Kong."

"Those ladies seem nice people. May I say you have become very beautiful?"

"Well it happens," she said, "and you're not too bad yourself."

She showed no sign of being predatory.

"You are sleeping with me. Is that why mom went to fetch you here -- to have a quiet word with you? It seemed an expensive way of doing it."

"My figuring it she got herself so anxious about it she couldn't think straight. Actually she said sharing your room, not actually sleeping with you."

"Do you want to sleep with me?

"That would depend on your attitude."

"Oooh, I love that answer; so considerate. I bet she told you I couldn't care stuff whether or not we were cousins."

"She did mention it."

"Thank you for being honest with me. Did she say anything else?"

"Only that she and your father are not unduly concerned if I can't stop myself and attempt to seduce you."

"Oh god, aren't we a civilized family? That would be her reason for going to Nandi, to have a good heart-to-heart with you and probably to break the boredom. Do you like my mother?"

"Do you mean sexually?"

"God no." Anita began laughing almost hysterically. "God no," she shook, clinging to Freddie for support.

"She has a lovely personality and I find her laugh attractive."

Looking at him closely Anita said she thought he'd turned out to be a very nice man.

"Are there are rules you wish to make about us sharing the room. I notice it has its own bathroom?"

Anita said no.

"You mean I can watch you undress?"

She giggled and said if that's what it took to get him off then yes, of course he could watch her undress. "I can't wait to see your dick; it bet it's big, as you have broad shoulders.

Freddie just smiled, wondering if he'd just learnt something new. The other thing he'd learned after meeting Anita again was yes, he'd very much like to screw her. 

They had one of the bures set into the rain forest, some fifty yards above the beach. They could see Anita's parents just entering the sea for a swim. Anita came up behind him, breasts pushing into him. She was nude and reached a round to hold his nipples.

"I'm going to have a lovely holiday," he said, dropping his shorts.

Anita grabbed the exposed erection and they dropped to the floor. 

"I'm protected Freddie," said the slut. "Do you also give it up the arse?"

Freddie delayed his answer, remembering how those older women with Anita had looked at him, all staring at him sexually. God, he'd return home a wreck.

* * *

Freddie returned home two weeks early for urgent follow-up medical attention. The three husbands had chanced upon Freddie enjoying a group fuck involving their wives and Anita. They'd taken him away and beat him up, breaking his jaw in two places and their stomping had left him with broken ribs and internal injuries. As soon as he was fit enough to travel his aunt sent him home.

When university resumed Freddie returned and Patricia took and helped feed him broth as his jaw was wired with the two breaks healing well. Her new boyfriend Archer didn't like it and his jealously intensified when Patricia invited Freddie to go home with her and Archer at the weekend.

When Archer found himself alone with Freddie he fumed, "You lay a finger on Trish and I'll push that wired jaw through to the back of your throat." 

"Archer, take a look at this?" Freddie said, unbuckling and pushing down his pants and underpants.

"What are you doing you faggot," Archer roared and stopped and muttered, "Jesus Christ."

What he saw was a heavily bruised crotch.

"What disease is that?"

"It's bruising you idiot," Freddie sighed. "Those irate husbands who broke my jaw and ribs and split my spleen also attempted to pulverised my scrotum."

"Oh you poor sod. In your present state you can't lick cunt or fill it and shoot."

"I had my first unassisted ejaculation this morning. Obviously it's all in working order; it was the power of the extra-stiff erection that awoke me before my balls exploded."

"That's great but really Freddie, one should not talk to another guy in such detail. It makes one nervous. We must find you a fuck when we get to Baden."

"I thought the village was called Owen-on-Brook?"

"It is. Baden is the name of the manor house built by Patricia's great-grandfather."

"Patricia lives in a manor house?"

"Well her family does. Her father is Viscount of Baden, Lord Briggs."

"Good heavens, so she is titled, er...?"

"She is the Honourable Miss Patricia Briggs but is formerly addressed as Miss Patricia Briggs.

The weekend was largely a great bore for Freddie. Lord Briggs -- Harry to his cronies -- practically ignore him but Lady Briggs, who was just forty-four, was one of the women who were very sympathetic and he spent quite a bit of time with Thelma as Lady Briggs preferred to be called, listening to her playing her grand piano or playing her favourite CDs and videos. 

When it was time for the London party to return south Thelma kissed him goodbye and whispered sweetly, "You must come again and come for me."

Freddie caught her wicked smile and the shock pulled at his wired teeth painfully. He walked away thinking fuck Patricia's mother? No, not ever. Er not unless she applied pressure.

He received a letter from Lady Briggs the following week. The notepaper and envelope carried the family crest.

'Dear Freddie

It was so lovely having you as a house guest. You are a very impressionable young man. I trust your jaw improves a little more each day. Please reply when it is totally healed. I have become sweet on you Freddie. THELMA.'




Freddie Flits & Dips Here & There



He wrote seven weeks later when receiving a full clearance from his surgeon. 

Although he received no reply Patricia invited him home the coming weekend. "Mommy specifically asked me to invite you."

"She probably likes me," Freddie smiled openly, and his frankness almost smothered Patricia's suspicion. But then she frowned, "Are you aware my mother has affairs?"

The shock hit Freddie and he felt it on his face. "Good heavens."

"Well now you know."

"What if she makes a hit on me?" he asked, interested in Patricia's reaction.

"You'll be lucky. You're not high enough up the social ladder. Mummy's only use for you would be to collect her clothes from the dry cleaner's."

The comment 'You'll be lucky' intrigued Freddie. Her mother was fairly good-looking and had a hard looking figure through her horse riding and squash and tennis but she was old enough to be a grandmother. Yuck! But then, what was it like seducing an experienced older woman?

* * *

Eight guests made up two tennis teams, leaving Freddie as odd-man-out because he didn't want to risk the chance, however remote, at catching a hit by a ball or a racket on his jaw with the knitted bone yet to harden.

Lady Briggs who was arriving back from walking her two dogs said, "If you're not playing tennis Freddie come into the village and carry things for me."

Patricia went to Freddie and whispered, "This is it -- she's decided to seduce you. She has a small cottage just outside the village she uses for some of her assignations. Will you fuck her?"

"Would it upset you if I did?"

"No, you've gone through a rough time. I understand she is very good. You probably deserve some good loving after those varsity whores you've associated with."

"You are so kind Patricia," Freddie said, not saying he'd noted nothing distinguishable in bed between the so-called varsity whores and Patricia.

* * *

"You don't rent out this cottage?" Freddie asked, moving across the kitchen/dining/living room to look into the small bedroom almost completely filled by the king size bed. Thelma had poured two glasses of red wine and was sitting at the kitchen table.

"Come give me a kiss and a big hug Freddie and then have a drink with me and we'll go."

"Sure."

He kissed Thelma on the forehead and pulled her against his chest briefly, disappointed she'd apparently rejected him as a conquest indicating they'd leave shortly. Or perhaps, just perhaps that was a lie?

"How old are you Freddie?"

"Twenty."

"Christ, this is cradle snatching. I thought you'd be two or even three years older."

"Were you eighteen when you had Patricia?"

"I'd just turned nineteen when she was born. Our other two children are at boarding schools. I'd come to Baden as a weekend house guest in a party. On the first night his lordship knocked on my door and the second night he knocked again and I became a regular guest and once he had me pregnant he married me, being a widower."

"That's a lovely story."

"What?" Thelma said, adding it was meant to be a confession or perhaps a pragmatic explanation to a new friend.

"I think it's a romantic little story. Are you wanting to seduce me?"

Thelma gasped. "Don't you want the lead up?"

"Whatever you wish. I desire to be seduced Thelma. I am rather experienced but have never been with an older woman."

She laughed and said she thought she'd approved him saying an older woman and not an old woman."

"You skin looks great and you walk athletically and your breasts appear firm."

"God, have you been undressing me in your mind?"

"Yes. Stand on the table and strip Thelma while I enjoy the sight and sip wine."

"God you are callous."

He smiled, "You don't have to oblige but remember, the sexier you get me the better I'll fuck."

Without a word Thelma climbed on to her chair and stepped on to the table, unpinning her long brunette hair. When her breasts tumbled free there was some sag, but not much.

"They must be in great shape for your age group."

"They are and thank you. I invite you to pull out your dick and play with it, then I won't feel I'm doing this in isolation."

Freddie unzipped and fished it out. He watched Thelma drop her long black skirt and saw she was wearing stockings and a suspender belt but no panties. "How long have you been grooming pussy?"

"Almost five years. It has become fashionable. Harry prefers it clipped; he didn't like it when I once shaved it bare."

"You have a nice looking cunt."

"Well don't let it dry out or get cold."

"Climb down."

Freddie removed his jacket, trousers and underpants and leaning her back over the table, placed his jacket under Thelma's head and kissed her soundly until her tongue was snaking around his. He then performed cunnilingus while she cooed and groaned. Leaving her not quite coming, Freddie ran to the bathroom for a towel and wiping his face inserted his cock carefully, Thelma gazing at him wide-eyed. He then rammed her, holding up her outstretched legs until she came with a huge and indelicate cry, passionately mixing groans with swearing.

After Freddie cleaned her up Thelma held out her arms and he carried her into the bedroom where they rested and rutted over the next two hours. They arrived back at Baden half an hour before scheduled lunch. Lord Briggs was still out with older guests riding through the estate.

Thereafter Freddie often spent weekends with Thelma in her flat by Tower Bridge until she tired of him. The parting was sudden and brief. When Freddie arrived at the flat as arrange Thelma met him at the door, dressed, and handed him an envelope. "Freddie, it's all over between us. I had a lovely time with you but have met an older fellow. Don't be mad at me. Please accept this gratuity. Goodbye."

She closed the door, leaving Freddie closing his mouth and looking a little miffed and so far not having said a word. He yelled 'Bitch' and turned and stomped off and went to the nearest pub for a beer. When he'd cooled down he pulled out the crushed envelope from his breast pocket intending to rip up the cheque. But aghast at finding it was for five thousand pounds he decided to bank his gratuity.

Freddie went home the next weekend to stay with his mother and on Saturday afternoon when walking to the pub for a beer he met the delightful clergyman's wife Francis Ives.

"Come for a drink in the pub."

"Do you mind if we went to the tearooms instead?"

"No, of course not."

As they sat Freddie wondered if she'd find time and somewhere to go and screw. But she was acting so politely and with no sign of an inner flame burning that he decided to back off. As they stood on the footpath outside the tearooms, Francis suddenly grabbed him and kissed him and still hugging him said, "Thank you darling Freddie. Thanks to you I'm four months' pregnant. And thanks to you my husband is the proudest man in the village."

"You mean either on the bus or those four other times we did it I impregnated you?"

"Yes Freddie. Mission accomplished. I'd really appreciate if you try to forget we ever had this conversation. Now I have to go. Goodbye Freddie."

"Goodbye Francis and good luck rearing your child. I'd like to keep in touch but it will be best I don't."

"Thank you Freddie. You are such a sweet guy."

CHAPTER 3

Freddie's ability to find and satisfy himself in the arms of cooperative women extended to studying meritoriously and he graduated with an MSc in global finance and banking degree and was recruited in his final year at university by a small bank. He became bored with the stuffy bank about the same time he'd worked his way through the choice of available women including married women who accepted he was such an attractive cad. He found a job with a construction company and that offered a more stimulating career, as several career paths were open to him. The company was a subsidiary of an international mega-company based in Singapore.

Wisely, apart from two exceptions Freddie stayed away from the women on the payroll to indicate he was a clean living chap. He didn't want to alarm his superior, who would have disapproved, knowing when the time came for internal promotion he'd need her endorsement. Two years on when he'd failed to attract the only type of offer that interested him -- a senior appointment -- he talked to Priscilla Abercrombie about his failure to attract attention. Mrs Abercrombie gave him an instant reply.

"I've fielded three enquiries about you but interest subsided when I confirmed you were not married but I said I thought you were not gay and the way in which you connect with females appears remarkably strong."

"So if I were married the call is likely to come?"

"Oh yes -- either married or in a stable relationship with a sociably acceptable female."

Freddie kissed the startled director of project planning coordination, a church elder, and went off to the pub to plot his future. A sociably acceptable female, in his view, meant a well-educated woman who conversed with ease, looked presentable and behaved relatively passively and smiled agreeably when in conversation or making eye contact. That meant the woman couldn't be everything so it meant she would perform indifferently at sex but too bad, there always was pussy to be found on the side.

That night in his tiny flat -- rents in The City [central London] being horrendous -- he went through the names of all the females he could recall having known and liked. He ended up with five names. The first two had recently married and the third was delighted at being called and said yes she would like to go out again with Freddie.

Marj (Marjorie) was fun but to Freddie's disappointment let it be known she was still on the prowl for an acceptable husband, a fellow who had style and untold wealth. A couple of past females had called Freddie a git without style or morals so he thought because of that and without having wealth let alone untold wealth, that put him out of the picture with Marj. And then it happened. A sad faced woman about his age came up to them and Marj introduced Kate to Freddie and her eyes flashed with interest momentarily before clouding again as she turned away.

Kate's divorce had just been finalized. She was still talking to them when Marj yawned and said it was time for her to go. Freddie grabbed his glass to drain it but Marj, bless her, hugged and kissed Kate and said she'd leave Freddie to cheer Kate up. "He's good at that, being interested in women to see what he could get out of them."

"No, I'll escort you home," Freddie said gallantly.

"No stay with me Freddie," Kate appealed. I'm greatly in need of male company."

"No it is proper for me to escort Marjorie home."

He excused himself to go to the toilet and it worked. When he returned Marj had gone.

"Tell me about yourself Freddie."

The woman appeared interested and Freddie worked hard at being pleasant and interesting, never once referring to her broken marriage or asking where their kids or did she go to bed with casual chaps like him. No, he played the perfect intellectual gentleman until she yawned. He excused himself to get rid of processed beer, giving her the chance to disappear. But lo, when her returned she was still there and talking to his company's director of operations Clive Perkins and wife Sally. When Freddie picked up his half empty glass from beside Kate he noticed Clive give him a peculiar look. They had been to the theatre and were going through to the restaurant for supper. Clive invited Kate and Freddie to join them but Kate decline saying they must be running along.

"Well goodnight Lady Catherine," Sally said and Clive said, "Ma'am, Freddie."

"God that would have been a boring ninety-minutes with that jerk although Sally is okay. What do you want to do?"

Freddie decided she wouldn't have said that without reason. It could be a big fat hint. So he said softly, "I suppose you have missed male company in bed since the break-up began?"

Kate looked at him and sighed. "Thank god Freddie you're not stupid. Let's grab a taxi."

He'd noted Sally had called Kate Lady Catherine but decided not to seek an explanation.

The apartment in Marble Arch was huge and beautifully modernized and decorated. "This is the ex-marital bed but we can go to another bedroom if you wish."

"Here's fine Kate -- plenty of real estate to roll around in."

"Oh Freddie," Kate said, removed her coat and then dress to display a remarkable good figure. A little boyish if one wanted to split hairs but Freddie dropping his pants and showing Kate what he had in his hand, had in mind other hairs to split but it turned out she shaved.

After Freddie had heated Kate up by licking her close to bursting point after they'd kissed and groped robustly, she grabbed him and stuff it in, sighing, "Ah, it's been a long time since I've ridden a big fat cock."

"Since the split with your husband?"

"No, his was long and thin."

She blurted like a lost calf when Freddie grunted and came inside her and she followed half a minute later and sighing, "Ease off Freddie. I've climaxed. God that was beautiful."

Sweat was oozing from them both and juices were oozing from her and yet she could describe that as being 'beautiful'? Freddie was rather pleased about that. So many women didn't really like to 'perspire' as they called it and avoiding mentioning ooze. Sally just lay on the towel she'd thoughtfully provided."

Freddie thought Kate was energy-driven and readily called a spade and spade, judging by her foul language when she ascended into her climax. He decided to see how far he could go with her, scooping up some fluid from her cunt so she would be aware what he was doing. She momentarily prevented his dripping fingers pushing into her mouth to state, "Only if you will allow me to dribble into your mouth."

He nodded.

Kate sucked Freddie's fingers and then leaned over him and dribbled into his mouth. Freddie had intended to wipe his face and spit into the towel but she continued leaning over him and commanded, "Swallow you evil pig!"

He obeyed and Kate kissed him deeply and said, "You're very okay Freddie. I'll have a pee and we can fuck some more."

Later he went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"I'd asked for water," she said although not complaining and was told wine naturally contained 85-89% of water. 

They clinked glasses and Freddie accepted Kate's invitation to stay the night.

He asked was the apartment part of her divorce settlement.

"No, my grandfather left me this whole building and the one even larger building directly opposite. They are serviced apartments, rented mainly by company executives and tourists."

"Wow, that's a handy type of granddad to have."

"My brother and sister received country estates and initially I thought I got the rotten deal because I was granddad's favourite. But these two properties return a grand income while my brother and sister are appalled at the amount of taxes they have to pay on their inherited land."

"Yes, I'm aware that happens. So what do you do?"

"Potter around, paint and socialize mainly. I own an art gallery but am rarely there, just when trouble occurs or when we are having drinks and nibbles to open a new exhibition."

"I heard Sally call you Lady Catherine. What was that about?"

"I'm the elder daughter of the Earl of Dunstan and confidentially I am estranged from my parents following unseemly dispute between us over property; enough said. Upon my marriage to Rolf Simons, a commoner, I chose not to retain my ladyship title out of respect for my husband who of course remained a plain mister. Some people such as Sally have chosen to believe that following my divorce I've reverted to my former title when in fact I have formerly registered my name as Miss Catherine Marks, which is our family surname but prefer being called Kate Marks. I ignore correcting people who call me Lady Catherine as they insist on knowing why I'm not Lady Catherine Marks. It is just too bothersome attempting to get some people to understand."

"It's really not their business to try to understand."

"Exactly. Stating no, I'm Kate Marks appears unacceptable to many of them."

"Thank god I'm a commoner."

Kate giggled and said she could understand that. May I ask you something?"

"Yes sure."

"In the pub Marjory told me you were currently unattached. The truth is I'm lonely and from what I have just experienced I like the way you er..."

"Fuck?"

"Yes. So would you like to knock around with me for a bit?"

"Oh yes. And I like the way you enjoy sex. You appear to have all the attributes I privately desire in a woman."

"You are such a nice man Freddie. I feel you'll help me to feel whole again."

A fortnight later Kate and Freddie were in the pub when Clive and Sally Perkins came up to them on their way into the restaurant. Sally asked them to join them for a meal and when Kate said yes Sally laughed and said dining with Lady Catherine would be such an honour.

"And what about with Freddie"

"Oh yes, Freddie as well. Are you two together?"

"Not completely living together as we flit from one apartment to the other," Freddie said. "Could I please point out Sally that Kate prefers just being called Kate Marks. She has dropped her title."

"You mean Kate Dunstan don't you?"

"No Marks is her father's family surname."

"Is that correct Kate?" Clive frowned.

"Yes Clive. More and more people are back to dropping a title on me and it's become such a pain. Freddie has been so good at simplifying the situation without getting into precedence as I do when attempting to explain the situation. I am very fortunate to have Freddie."

Freddie saw Clive's eyebrows lift and two days later Freddie Fanning and partner were invited his company's quarterly cocktail party hosted by the chairman Sir Athol Armstrong and wife Lady Armstrong.

Kate sent Freddie into a bit of an emotional spin when she said the date clashed with the annual meeting of her arts society of which she was vice-president.

He groaned, "What time does your AGM start?"

"Seven-thirty."

"Hurrah! Our cocktail party starts at 6:00."

They compared addresses and found the events were only five miles apart. Kate agreed she could attend both -- "I'll just slip away from your cocktail party and no one will notice. I suppose you want me to dress glam for it?"

"Yes, oh yes. This is my first chance to be noticed and to show although I'm not married I'm in a stable relationship with a female."

"Oh a requirement for a promotion?"

"Yes, do you mind?"

"No, you have been so good to me; this is my chance to help you." She smiled and said there would be an interesting revelation but resisted pressure to tell Freddie what it was, said she wanted it to remain a surprise until the night.

Freddie said his desire was to secure a transfer to the international head office in Singapore where he would become an executive who'd be liable for a job offer to anywhere on the globe under the auspices of the parent company where it operated projects or was undertaking new projects.

"Overseas postings?" Kate said, eyes widening. "That would mean the end of us."

Freddie smiled and said there were options: he could withdraw from seeking job offers overseas or Kate could sell her gallery interests or place Penelope the current CEO in absolute control plus establish an incentive of a performance bonus and would then be free to accompany him overseas.

"I could of course decide the third option of walking away from you was the best solution."

"Yes Kate. I'd not like that but it is an option."

"Well we have something to think about. It is unlikely anything will happen overnight."

"True and Kate, believe this. At present my thinking is while I'm ambitious about rising within the conglomerate I'd put you ahead of career. You mean that much to me."




Freddie Flits & Dips Here & There



"Oh god, that's almost a declaration of love."

"Agreed," he grinned. "It comes very close."

"I've had the fear you'd ditch me for new blood."

"That's related to that dent in your confidence arising from your marriage break-up and is understandable. Go on, admit we are having a wonderful relationship."

"Wonderful? I'd call it near unbelievable. You have made me feel whole again my lovely man."

Freddie went from work to his own apartment to shower and dress formerly on the evening of the cocktail party. He went by cab to Kate's apartment building, calling her to say they were approaching and she was waiting in the foyer. At a glance Freddie saw her fair hair now had blonde highlights and the hair, piled high, appeared to emphasis the blue of her eyes. She wore a black coat and so was unable to see her choice of dress. It was also rare for her to have full make-up like this.

"You look very beautiful," he said, adding colour to her face as she gurgled, "Thank you kind sir."

At the coat check at the hotel Freddie watched as Kate uncloaked and drew in breath. She was in a deep blue dress and for the first time he noticed the matching shoes. It was a halter deep v-neckline dress trimmed with sequins, leaving the back bare with a shirred empire waist. Below that on the top of the flared A-line skirt were more silver sequins. 

"You are a princess -- where's the tiara," he whispered, drawing a lovely smile from her. 

"You needed my support tonight and so I'm attempting to perform at my best," said the 29-year-old, three months' Freddie's junior. "I'll feel a fool appearing in this outfit at the society's AGM."

"Then keep your coat on," Freddie suggested and Kate said what a very practical suggestion. It was a cold night and the meeting room would probably be inadequately heated.

Sir Athol and Lady Armstrong were at the main entrance to the lounge and greeting guest and as Freddie and Kate approached Lady Armstrong threw out her arms and shouted "Kate" and drew the young woman into her arms.

Kate pulled away after being kissed and linking arms with the hostess said, "Aunt Edith, may I present my very dear friend Freddie Fanning, who holds a senior position in the London company. Freddie has been hugely responsible for pulling me out of mild depression. Isn't he lovely?"

"Yes indeed. Good evening Freddie and thank you for attending to my dear niece. Her mother is my sister."

"Now what's this hold up -- by joves it's Kate and isn't she a pretty picture," said Sir Athol, kissing Kate. "I heard this young man being introduced. You are our deputy director of project coordination here in London for all of the UK aren't you Freddie?"

"You are very well informed Sir Athol. Indeed I am. At this point I believe it's polite to say you run a tight ship as chairman."

"Oh, grovelling to the chairman are we young man?" he chortled." No, I accept that as a well-intended compliment. Earlier I was speaking to your superior Priscilla Abercrombie who tells me she views you as a rising star. What is your ambition young man?"

"To be blooded in on international projects sir and then to come back here to London one day to be managing director."

Sir Athol laughed and said that was ambitious. "If young Freddie goes international would you go with him Kate?"

"If the location appealed and I was asked to accompany him I would consider it uncle."

At that point Sir Athol was pulled away to welcome the line of waiting guests and hadn't indicated he'd heard the reply. But Lady Armstrong had heard. Freddie heard her whisper to her niece: "Going abroad would get you well away from that dreadful ex-husband and your father who foisted him on you."

When Kate turned to check whether Freddie had heard that, he'd anticipated and was staring at a woman with an enormous bust that appeared in danger of toppling her. Kate took his arm and whispered, "I'm sorry mine are not of that more playful kind."

"What? Oh that? I was wondering had she consider breast reduction."

"Liar. Let's find if they are serving champagne."

* * *

Early one morning Freddie received an urgent call from the chairman's office. Miss Hunger said she was speaking on behalf of Sir Athol. "The international appointments board meets today and one of the candidates from the US has withdrawn suddenly because of a health scare. Sir Athol asks that you take his place at 4:00 today in the half-hour interviews for international assignments."

"You mean to join International in Singapore?"

"Sir Athol distinctly said for international assignment. We have your CV so could you arrive here with an updated work record and personal report from your head of department. You ought to think about where you'd like to be stationed because with other interviews over the next two days, being early in the process means you'll have rather a good selection of locations on offer."

"Thank you Miss Hunger I'm off to have my hair cut."

"You are very privileged young man. Ask Mrs Abercrombie right away to prepared her report on you."

Freddie arrived back with his hair trimmed and called Kate who was in her sunny kitchen painting. Her landscapes painted from photos were good enough to fetch between £80 and £125 when sold through the gallery she owned.

"What took you so long to call me with this news?"

Scratching his head, Freddie said, "What do you mean?"

"Aunt Edith called with the news not an hour after you left for work this morning."

"I have called you haven't I?"

"Yes," she sighed. "Now off you go for a haircut. This is very exciting for you."

"I've just had my hair cut."

"Good boy."

"Kate, if I make the grade in appearing before the board I will be offered location options and will impress more if I can give an immediate decision. Please give me a list of countries you'd consider accompanying me if I had the opportunity of going there."

"I've already decided. The USA, Canada perhaps, the West Indies, Australia, anywhere in Europe and Hong Kong."

"Oh great, that's a major selection. I could land something in one of those places."

"Where do you want to be located darling?"

Freddie's heart jumped. She had pet names for him but that was the first time she'd called him darling. She'd decided to go abroad with him if he were selected! 

"Some parts of Russia and France or Australia."

"Well I'd have to think long and hard about Russia. I would think top choice for me would be Italy."

Freddie said he'd keep that in mind and when pushed said Australia was his first choice.

Facing the board nervously, Freddie was helped to relax by being asked what he thought about his work and his goals. His reply that his goal was to be managing director in London raised smiles.

A Canadian said he'd have to grow in statue within the organisation to achieve that goal.

"This is my next step sir, an endeavour to gain quality international experience and working hard and gaining a reputation for being an accomplished problem solver."

"Well expressed Freddie. Ambition is one of the qualities we seek in grooming the new generation of our leaders. I come from South Africa. Would you consider an assignment in my country?"

"Yes sir."

"What about the Congo?"

"No sir."

"Excellent judgement Freddie."

Sir Athol who chaired the panel sat and tapped his fingers, taking no part in the probe by the panel that lasted forty minutes.

When that concluded Sir Athol said, "Please withdraw to the anteroom Freddie whilst we have a short discussion. In this crop of applicants you are our youngest candidate by far so you received some extra grilling and I'm pleased at the way you coped. You must understand the number of candidates being assessed out-number the positions we have on offer, so some candidates will leave here empty-handed."

"I understand sir. But if I miss out this time I'll be back."

"Thank you Freddie."

When recalled, Freddie did his best to appear confident.

"The report of your superior who sees you as a rising star has interested us Freddie. You really should be blooded in serving a couple of years at HQ in Singapore. But we have just secured a small contract that means you being involved from the very start."

Freddie's heart sank. It would be a small project in Russia and he'd be working on infrastructure. It would be cold and remote and Kate would refuse to go with him. And then he heard Sir Athol say, "This project is a new four-lane highway incorporating twenty-three bridges in Western Australia and you would be based in Perth, third in seniority as project logistics coordinator. Does that have appeal?"

"Yes sir. I have been involved in logistics coordination so know what the job is about and this project is a good start for me. I was not expecting to start on assisting to build a dam or petroleum refinery. I accept."

Everyone laughed at Freddie's frankness and his obvious delight. He thanked the board and Mrs Hunger escorted him out. As the parted the elderly woman whispered, "You must have outside influence. Sir Athol had earmarked that project position for you in an endeavour to reduce resistance from some board members you were too young and inexperienced for international construction at this point."

Freddie called Kate. "I'm heading for our favourite pub. Meet me there."

She screamed with delight. "You've accepted the position in Western Australia!"

"Yes, but how did you know?"

"Aunt Edith went through the board's agenda and said she had no intention of me being sent to an uncivilized location on our first foreign assignment. She chose the motorway project, as we'd be based in Perth and that is a lovely and fairly modern city. She's been there several times as one of her best friends who came to England for her advanced university education lives there."

Freddie spluttered. "Are you saying your Aunt Edith fitted up the board?"

"No, of course not. But she told Uncle Athol what she wanted."

"So my appearance before the board was purely window dressing?"

"Oh no dear. Someone had to appraise your technical readiness, so you must have impressed. Why are we meeting at the pub? I have champagne here."

"Neutral ground darling. We need to talk seriously."

"Oh god, you've just called me darling. You want to make an honest woman of me before we go abroad."

"Ah, you're rushing it Kate. Yes, so arrive here looking pretty because I wish to begin the discussion on our future together. We both know we have been simply coasting along with no planning."

"With no planning? You've not noticed I've changed to signing my paintings KF have you?"

"What's the significance of KF?"

"The initials of my married name -- Kate Fanning. Christ and you have been placed with significant responsibility for construction of a half a billion-dollar motorway. I certainly better go with you. Freddie are you listening? Freddie?

"I'm here Kate," Freddie mumbled. "My mouth is having trouble working. Obviously there's no need for the preliminaries because you have it sorted. Get the champagne ready and prepare for a proposal of marriage. I'm in love with you Kate."

"Kate: Are you there Kate?"

"Oh god, this is so emotional," she sobbed. "Hurry to me my love."

THE END