For an instant, Sonya did not recognise Marianne with her coat on over her nurse's uniform. She looked tired and Sonya wondered if she should have come. Well, now there was no backing out and even if Marianne was feeling weary after her shift, she might enjoy having someone to unwind with. Sonya giggled as she thought of helping Marianne out of her uniform and wiping her down with a foamy sponge. She stood up quickly and hurried over to the young nurse before she left the hospital grounds and disappeared into the street.

"Hi there, Marianne." Sonya said cheerfully.

Marianne halted and looked at Sonya with uncertainty, then her face burst into a broad smile. "Hi, Sonya."

"You thought I had forgotten you?"

"Well, no, well I hoped you hadn't."

That statement reassured Sonya who, whilst sitting waiting had become a little concerned that the flirting had been nothing more than that and that Marianne had not been interested in taking it any further. It all seemed a little odd, doing something like this before they had even had a date, but she guessed you had to go with the opportunities that life presented.

"Good. It was just a bit awkward, you know, I didn't want to appear like your stalker, but I knew you'd not be going out and I thought if I didn't do something, well the time would be passed and I thought, well last week, I was busy with work and then I thought is a week too long, had I let too much time pass. I didn't want that…"

Sonya realised she was babbling, but Marianne cut through it.

"Me neither. This is excellent. Have you been out here long?"

"No, I found out the shifts when they let me out. The security guard came over and checked me out one time, but I said I was a friend of yours and he seemed to be satisfied with that."

"Good."

"Erm, well, I don't know what your routine is after work. It's breakfast time and I thought I could take you to breakfast, 'cause, I guessed, well, you would probably be knackered and, you know I could take that job off your hands."

"That sounds excellent."

To Sonya, Marianne's tiredness seemed to have been swept away. She was so pleased that she had done this, it showed that sometimes taking a risk could have good results. It had become clear in the past few minutes that like Sonya herself, Marianne was keen to develop this relationship.

"Well, I know a quiet caf�, it's a little walk."

"Sounds great. You don't have to worry, though, we can go down the road if you like. I'm not embarrassed, my colleagues know about me."

"I guessed that when you started flirting with me in broad daylight, it's just, you know, I wanted to get it right, you know our first, well date."

Marianne grinned. "So this is a date?"

For an instant Sonya worried, then became more confident. "Yes, yes it is. If you're going to work such odd hours, you're going to have to deal with having dates at odd hours too."

"Well, certainly, I have no complaints. You know, it's really nice to meet a woman whose willing to make adjustments rather than whining about me not being available to go out clubbing every week."

"Thank you." Sonya acknowledged that Marianne had paid her a compliment. "That's not to say I'm not going to take you clubbing, it's just well, I wanted to see you and when it's someone's worth seeing, then you're going to make the effort aren't you? Well, that's how I look at it."

"Thank you."

Marianne seemed genuinely touched. She looped her arm through Sonya's. Within a few minutes they were at a caf� and ordering a large continental breakfast.

"Well, this is a good choice. I can't face all that fried stuff when I come off shift, it sits on your stomach when you sleep. Croissants, now I haven't had them in a long time. Have you been to France?"

"Erm, yes, I think so."

"You don't seem certain."

Sonya laughed. "Well life's been so busy these past couple of years, anything I did as a child feels like it was decades ago. I guess I must have been there with my parents. Je voudrais … erm, Sonya. See I even remember some French." Sonya said, though uncertain when she had learned it.

"So, would you go back?"

"I suppose so, it's easy these days, you can take the train right there. It's Goa I keep thinking of. What do you think of Goa?"

"Certainly, that would be good, some nice warm sunshine, it's supposed to be laid back."

"I'm glad that you like the idea."

"Why, are you inviting me?"

Sonya again detected that mischievous tone in Marianne's voice. She guessed the nurse was testing the scope of what was on offer from Sonya.

Sonya could not stop herself blushing. "Okay, look, don't take this wrong, don't think the moment I met you I had our lives mapped out to retirement, but, yes, it's been a long time since I met a woman who I could even envisage, you know, having a holiday with."

"Sonya, God, I love your honesty. That's so refreshing. There's no need to apologise, I'll shout if I think things are going too fast. No, it's nice, nice that you could think of me with you on holiday. It's been a long time for me to be seen in that way. You know, I like a laugh, a good time, but I suppose like most people, also there at the back, I think about, well, I suppose settling down. You know, not meaning all fuddy-duddy, but you know, someone being around for more than a few weeks, someone you know will be there for the holiday next year. I am not saying this too well."

Sonya's body felt a warm glow. She gently reached out her hand to rest it on Marianne's.

"Well, on the first date, I can't promise the world, but you know, it's certainly something I am willing to explore, explore with you."

Marianne stretched forward and kissed Sonya. That felt so good. It seemed like ages since she had had a woman's lips pressed on her own. Like her childhood, the nervous teenage fumblings with young women she had encountered in recent years somehow seemed so distant now.

"That was nice." Sonya said.

"Well, you're nice. Nice, that's too weak a word. You're outstanding Sonya, I know it sounds hard, but I'm so glad you ended up on my ward."

"It was worth a few bruises to meet you."

"I'm glad you see it that way. It seems mad, you spend your life searching for someone and then they drop into your lap. It's just like all those grannies say."

"Was your granny a lesbian?"

The two of them laughed.

"I had better press on, I've got to get to bed."

"I understand, but, we can, well, do this again."

"Yes, of course, I'd love it, but don't hurry off yet. If this is a date, the least you can do is walk me home." Marianne said as she reached for her purse.

"Certainly. And I'll get this. No, it's not that I'm playing the butch, it's just, well good news, I got promoted. That's how I got today off, I'm on flexi-time. I worked late all last week and I got today off in return. You are now looking at a Recruitment Officer. More pay, everything."

"That's great." Marianne said with what Sonya could tell was genuine enthusiasm. "Well if it allows you to treat me, then I'm not complaining." Marianne's saucy side reappeared.

It did not take long to reach Marianne's flat. Sonya knew her friend, was she more than that, she hoped so, well, her girlfriend then, was tired and expected a kiss at the door nothing more, but tenderly Marianne took her hand and led her into the flat. In the hallway Marianne pressed Sonya against the wall and they indulged in a long kiss.

"I'm going to have a shower, I wondered if, well, you'd help me out."

"Sure."

"I'm so tired, could you, erm help me out of my things."

Sonya did not need to be asked twice. She slid off Marianne's coat and pushed it to the floor. Then she unzipped her work dress revealing dark smooth underwear below.

"It's only fair, I've already seen you naked." Marianne whispered in Sonya's ear.

Sonya fell to her knees and began unlacing Marianne's shoes. With her head at crotch height she could not help but grasp Marianne's panties beneath her teeth and tug them. Worried about tearing them, she lifted up her hand to help and slid down the panties over the hold-up stockings which quickly followed. Sonya lifted her head. The scent of Marianne's pussy so close to her face aroused her immensely. This felt so good, to be this close to a woman. Sonya's body shuddered as it felt as if it was reawakening from years of slumber.

"Patience." Marianne giggled as she dropped her bra playfully on Sonya's head.

Sonya stood up and Marianne grabbed at the sides of the long dark-blue shirt that she was wearing and pulled it off each arm. Then it was the turn of the spiral-patterned teeshirt beneath. In moments, her short hair was mussed and Sonya found Marianne busily removing her from her bra. As her released nipples butted against those of Marianne, Sonya gasped. Life was good. It was probably not even half-past-nine and she was being stripped by the woman who seemed more than happy to become her girlfriend.

Sonya was hungry for Marianne and pulled her in tight even while she was trying to undo Sonya's jeans. They kissed, their tongues tasting of coffee, chasing each other's as they pressed their bodies together. Then they broke. Together they tried to free Sonya from her jeans and tumbled to the floor. Marianne scrabbled after Sonya as she crawled towards the lounge in search of more space for manoeuvre. Marianne caught one then the other of Sonya's boots and she was glad she had worn pull-ons rather than laced. Then her jeans followed with Marianne grasping at her as if they were all that held her from plunging down a cliff face. Laughter was everywhere and Sonya felt it sweep across her; this was the most fun she had had in years, she was sure.

Now they were half into the lounge on the softer carpet and Sonya let Marianne turn her onto her back and butt at her wet pussy lips with her head and then in a reflection of her own attempts began removing Sonya's panties with teeth and fingers. Then she slid her naked body over Sonya's prone one. Every touch of Marianne's warm, soft skin on her body triggered lightning within Sonya. The sensation was almost too much. Then suddenly the feeling was gone. Sonya lay for a few moments wondering what Marianne's next tactic would be. Then she heard the shower and realised that she had received a clear invite to shower with this woman. Sonya did not need it repeated, the thought of Marianne's wet body brought back the fantasies she had had earlier. She jumped to her feet and hurried to the bathroom.

Marianne was already inside the shower and as she heard Sonya approach she extended a finger with an encouraging gesture. Sonya clambered in quickly feeling she was going to orgasm even before her body reached Marianne's. As she stepped behind the long glass panels she was greeted with a kiss. Then Marianne's shiny wet body was pressed against her. Their breasts brushed deliciously across each other's as Marianne embraced Sonya tightly and she completed the loop, marvelling at how good Marianne's skin felt beneath her fingers.

Then Marianne detached the shower head and Sonya gasped as she realised what was about to happen. The firm spray was played over her neck and her now excited breasts. She wondered if she could cope as the water was edged slowly down her body. Then it hit her clitoris and she jolted backwards, gasping for air as her body was rocked with a sensation that made it feel as if her brains had been shot from her skull. Sonya had no sense of where she was, it was as if she was floating, unable to control her body due to the pleasure that was filling it. Then as she was able to focus back on her surroundings and she stepped closer again to Marianne another orgasm took her as the touch of wet skin on wet skin sparked more climax. Her body tingled, as if every muscle was being excited and she could not stand still, making small moves to cope with the sparking within every nerve. It seemed such effort but she took the shower head from Marianne and slowly turned it on her partner, enjoying the shivery giggles that she gave as the water closed slowly on her sex.

Then Marianne shrieked and fell against Sonya. She could feel the thumping of Marianne's pulse as their bodies came together. Then as the shower head fell from her grasp, Marianne's waist came against hers and her pubic hair teased Sonya's pussy lips. She pressed in harder, their engorged lips making a kiss that quickly sent them back to climax. Time seemed to have stopped, they were seemingly in some place removed from the world, a bubble that held just them and this warm, caressing water.

Finally, with her legs weak, Sonya stepped back. The afterglow from the orgasms left her dazed. The Marianne's lips were on hers and she drank in their taste. Moments later the water stopped. Marianne stepped past her and jumped from the bath. Sonya followed and her body was wrapped with a warm soft towel.

"I daren't dry you." Marianne said with a laugh.

"No, I think you're right: another touch from you and I'm going to be knocked out. Though getting the kiss of life from you would be pretty nice. That was outstanding."

"I bet you're pleased you came to see me."

"One of the best decisions I ever made."

Sonya dried herself and went in search of her clothes. Having retrieved them and Marianne's uniform she returned to them to the bedroom. Marianne was already in a loose white top and baggy trousers, ready for bed.

"You look cute. I shouldn't keep you up."

"I'm glad you understand. I don't want to be shit come this evening."

"I understand. Anyway, I can't complain about the first date. I don't know about not getting to first base, instead I think we got shot out of the stadium."

"We'll wake up together very soon."

"I'll look forward to it. Now, to bed young lady." Sonya said and came and pulled the duvet back to let Marianne into the bed.

Once she was in the bed, Sonya pulled the duvet back right up to Marianne's chin and the stooped to give her a goodnight, or goodday or whatever it was, but a good kiss.

"Have a good shift. We'll speak tomorrow, yes. You can catch me before I reach work, yes?"

"Yes, Sonya."

"Sleep well, Marianne."

Sonya looked at her one last time then headed from the flat and out into the street. She wondered what she would do for the rest of the day and doubted anything could top the last couple of hours.

Three weeks had passed since Jane and Carole's first date. It had proved a little awkward initially having to work alongside Carole but that had worn off after a few days and a couple more dates. Jane had found that the buzz she had got going around being a lesbian, dressing like one, had faded, but she guessed that was normal once your sexuality 'stabilised' as it were. In its place, though, had come confidence and really good sex. Jane did not regret the missed years when she could have been making out with women, but she was certainly glad that she had realised what really turned her on while she was still young enough to make the most of it.

Once Carole had left Morcar things had got easier and she and Carole had settled down into a great relationship. Of course, Jane knew it was not going to be forever. This would not to be a relationship for life, but she was considering Carole as her girlfriend for now. She knew Carole would not be tied down, but that she was learning so much from her and that that would be invaluable for future relationships. She tried not to think about Tori in case things did not work out, but she was sure there were thousands of great women out there for her to explore.

Julian, who had come to fill Steph's place on a permanent basis was a nice enough young man. Jane thought he might be gay but was going to let him come round to that in his own time. She had a couple of photos of Carole from when they had been to Brighton the previous weekend and she was going to put one on her desk to see if it would provoke a discussion between them. Jane had to say that she felt proud now of her sexuality. She guessed it helped that she was in the profession she was and here in London. It might have caused more friction elsewhere even in the UK which now allowed same-sex marriages. As it was with her new status she doubted anyone at her work was going to cause problems. A Susan Turner had come to take over from Jane who now had her own office. It was more responsibility in her new position, but Jane found she could tackle it far easier than she had ever expected. She wondered if recognising her sexuality had helped with her self-confidence all round. Even if it was not, everything seemed to be coming together at the moment and she could not remember a time when she had been happier.

Jane and Carole had slept over at Jane's place. They tended to use Carole's when they were out clubbing and Jane's had become the location for slouching around, cuddling time, with nice lunches and DVDs and simply reading and talking. Carole was still sleeping, but Jane had found that the previous night's well, in fact, this morning's too, sex session had given her a real hunger that she was busily resolving now. There was a ring from the doorbell. She went over to it and looked at the face on the fuzzy monitor. It was Rachel and she had a man with her who could only be Rupert. Not for the first time did Jane shudder at the alliteration of their names. She was tempted to pretend she was not in, but did not want to upset her friend, so buzzed to allow them entry. She hoped this would just be a flying visit and that Carole would sleep through the whole thing.

"Hello, you." Rachel bubbled as Jane opened the door to her.

"Hi, come in. You must be Rupert."

"Yes, how did you guess?"

"Well, I imagine that, unless Rachel's not told me something, she only has one fianc�."

Rupert guffawed at that.

"Radical haircut, Jane." Rachel said looking rather disappointed. "Will it grow back before the wedding? We're all having ringlets."

Rachel seemed to be trying to catch sight of Jane's new earrings, but said nothing about those. For the moment Jane was glad her tattoos were concealed beneath the baggy top and jogging trousers she wore around the flat.

"Oh, right, erm, we'll see. Can I get you a drink?"

"A herbal tea for me and Rupert'll have a decaff."

Jane had neither. She went to the kitchen and dug out a dusty box of Earl Grey tea and simply made Rupert's coffee weak. She finished off making her breakfast of bacon sandwiches. As Jane returned from the kitchen Rachel and Rupert were talking in hushed voices but quickly ceased as soon as they saw Jane. She put the cups on the table in front of them. She sipped at her red grape juice with a naughty smile, she could not taste it now without thinking of Carole's tongue slipping some into her own mouth.

"So, how are things going?" Jane knew that if she got them talking about the wedding there was probably nothing more she needed to say.

"Oh, exhausting. The musicians we are having, you know, the trio of old friends of Rupert's, well they're going to be in Russia on the day of the wedding so we're having to fly them in. We're also having trouble sourcing the correct shade of flowers. There's problems with the roof at the first castle we were going to use so we've had to relocate to a manor house eight miles down the road, but I must say they are wonderful. The caterers keep ringing every five minutes. Another friend of Rupert's, Marcus, have you met him? Well, he's doing the website and there'll be a podcast of the event up so everyone can watch it at the reception. I wish you were still down in Salisbury, I could really do with your help."

"Oh things are busy up here." Jane knew she was not going to give up sexual encounters with Carole in exchange for stress of helping out Rachel from her self- imposed 'crises'. "I've been promoted, I'm now department manager. I've meant a lot of hands on you know, really digging into things." She added as a joke.

"Oh that's so good. I'm glad. I'm sure some men like a woman in a managerial position especially with the cost of mortgages these days. You'll have to see the men who are coming down to the wedding. I've already mentioned Marcus and there's Adrian too, he's made lieutenant…

Then Carole walked into the room and Jane felt suddenly self-conscious, certainly that she was unready to reveal her sexuality to Rachel. She worried what Carole was going to do next. Casually she ran her eyes over Carole as she walked closer. If she had ever had any doubts in the past, Jane was certain now that she was sexually aroused by women. She only had to glance at Carole in that dark blue silk top and with what she realised were her own leather jeans to feel turned on by her. She tried to shake off thoughts of peeling Carole out of those clothes and running her tongue over the body exposed. Then Carole dropped on to the arm of the chair and bent to kiss Jane on the lips. Jane's heart pulsed with embarrassment, but it was a sensation that warred with her enjoyment of this kiss and a strong desire not to upset this woman she hoped she would soon again be having sex with.

To Jane it as if she had been shot to the top of a church spire and so much air lay beneath her. For an instant she felt something like vertigo. It hit home very hard that this was what being an adult was all about. So far it had been comparatively easy. Of course she had initially found it challenging to deal with all that she had begun to feel and the realisations that had come on her in the past few weeks. However, somehow all the fear had been suppressed beneath excitement; a sexual buzz suggested that biting the bullet and pushing on to become a true lesbian would be rewarded with freedom and good sex. And, of course, it had been. Not for a second did she now regret coming to understand her sexuality. Yet, now it was like all the terrors had been bundled up together and unleashed on Jane at one go. She tried to hold down the feeling, telling herself she was an adult; she had made choices and she had no need to feel any guilt about them.

"Hello," Carole said to Rachel and Rupert, "I'm Carole, Jay's partner. I'm sure she's mentioned me."

Rachel looked everywhere but at the two women. Jane felt herself blush. She was angry at herself for that. However, even feeling like that it was clear it did not match the discomfort Rachel was clearly in. It was apparent, though, that Rupert's interest had perked up.

"I'm Rupert, Rupert Marston." Rupert said rather formally. "Rachel and I are getting married."

"Oh that's nice."

"Will you be coming with Jane?"

"We'll see: the only hat I look any good in is a baseball cap." Carole joked.

Rupert did not seem to get it but laughed anyway.

"I think we had better be going, Rupert."

"I've not finished my drink."

"No, we'll be late."

"Late for what?"

"For lunch." Rachel pressed, with an intensity.

Rachel stood and Jane did likewise. The two women went ahead into the small hallway leaving their partners behind.

"Why did you lie to me?" Rachel snapped.

"What? When?"

"You have been lying, letting me think you're straight and then you're one of those lesbians. Or is it just a game to freak me out? I told you should have stayed out of London; there are publishing jobs enough in our part of the country. Has this woman drugged you or something? You read about these date rape drugs, women can use them too, you know."

"Rachel, Rachel. No, this is me, this is what I am. I was going to tell you when you came up that weekend, but you were bubbling over with all the news about the engagement that it seemed wrong to bring it up."

Rachel seemed only marginally assuaged by that comment.

"That woman, she's somehow twisted your mind on things."

"As if that was possible. Do you think she's hypnotised me or brainwashed me or something?"

"Well, I've heard about it."

"Even if she has, you know what, I don't care. I've never been this happy in my life."

"You were never a lesbian. You fancied men when you were a student."

"It does not need hypnosis or whatever to change people's outlook on things. It's just that often it takes people a while to discover their true sexuality. It's not been easy for me, but I am now a lot happier. Anyway, Carole's not the first woman I have been with, there've been a couple more."

"What, you mean you go around picking up women for sex? How wrong is that?"

"Well, do you expect us to walk around in dungarees picking flowers and baking? We're adults, we have sex."

"Yes, but it doesn't work right, does it. It's like too sockets rubbed up against each other." Rachel seemed to shudder.

"Well, maybe you should try it: it's pretty good, I can tell you from experience. Anyway, if you want to know what to do I can send you a book."

"No. I've no need for that. I've got a man. I've got Rupert and we've agreed on no sex before marriage. If it was not for London and these, these women, you could have the same, a proper relationship. I'm not going to stop you coming to our wedding, though I'd prefer it if you did not bring any of these women with you, that'd kill my grandmother. It wouldn't be right for you to be a matron of honour, and if you insist on a haircut like that, then you wouldn't fit in anyway. You're still invited, I'll do that for the time we've been friends."

"Erm, well, I'm sorry, thank you Rachel, I never meant to upset you. We could have talked all this over calmly. I think you need some time for it to sink in."

"Well, okay, I accept that. It is all very new. I am sure it's a phase you're going through. Try and see if you can get a job outside London, out in the real Britain and I'm sure you'll see things differently."

Jane smiled weakly to humour her friend. She knew she was never going to see things differently, but she hoped her friend would.

"Time to press on." Rupert said from behind them.

Rachel's fianc� seemed a lot less fussed by the whole issue than she had done. Maybe he would win her round or maybe he was so dim, Jane wondered, that he had not realised what was actually going on. Jane realised she pitied Rachel a little. In moments they had gone and Jane headed back to the living room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Erm, well, afraid, excited, upset, proud."

"The whole usual range of emotions. Every lesbian goes through it sometime, maybe many times. You seem to have handled it very well."

"I tried my best. It was scary, but funnily enough I feel pleased I faced it. I feel suddenly as if I have grown up, just like that, now I am dealing with adult stuff. I thought I was before, but now it's for real."

Carole came over and hugged Jane. "Well I'm very proud of you, half the women I know would have gone, 'well I don't know who this Carole is, where did she come from?' or something similarly feeble."

Jane kissed Carole, glad she was there.

"What do you want to do now?"

"I want to get out there and look like a lesbian and kiss you in public and hold hands and then I want sex, lots of excellent sex, something we've not done before, something all grown up and very, very adult. But before that I want those trousers back."

"Well, you'll have to take them off me." Carole giggled running from Jane's grasp.

Jane pursued snatching at the body-warm soft leather she loved.