Past Present Read Free Page B

eight, and she hadn’t even started. First, she laid the table, it looked pretty, covered with a crisp, white cloth, and she placed a colourful bunch of small, scented flowers in a silver bowl at the centre of the table. A matching pair of silver bowls filled with perfumed water, and floating candles stood on either side of the centrepiece. She set the house lights low; the soft light enhanced the impact of the overall effect. The answerphone was still blinking, displaying the legend, 3 messages, but with no time to check it, it would have to wait. If it was urgent, there was always her mobile, but she hadn’t heard it ring or ping so whatever it was couldn’t be important.
    She busied herself with the meal, Horiatiki salad with warm rolls to start. Eleanor liked to use recipes that she could prepare in advance, which needed minimum attention. She had chosen to make her signature dish of luscious, hearty Irish stew for the main course; it could be left to bubble for ages and still tasted superb. For dessert, a slightly more risky Pavlova, which she’d decided to chance, if it went well it would be a triumph and she felt confident as she bustled around putting the final touches together.
    Happy that everything was under control in the kitchen, Eleanor went upstairs and changed into a stunning purple dress with a plunging neckline that displayed her firm, round breasts. She didn’t bother with a bra, but wore a waspie of the same hue, decorated with black embroidered flowers, fastening the suspenders onto black stockings. She chose sheer black panties, which displayed her pale arse cheeks through the semi-transparent cloth, completing the look with high, black patent stilettos and a pair of jet earrings. Leaving her hair tumbling in soft curls around her shoulders, checking her reflection, Eleanor was satisfied with the overall effect and went downstairs to make sure that everything was under control.
    He arrived punctually carrying a small holdall and a huge bouquet of flowers.
    “I’ve been to the gym.” He indicated the bag, before handing her the exquisite blooms.
    “Thank you, they’re beautiful. I do hope I’ve got enough vases to do them justice,” said Eleanor, making her way to the kitchen to put them in water.
    “The food smells delicious,” he called after her.
    Eleanor returned with cocktails, a Velvet Kiss for him with an extra shot of Gin and a Silk Stockings for herself. No need to mention the treble Tequila that she’d put into her own glass. She sat beside him, feeling a little nervous as she sipped her drink hoping it would hit the spot.
    “This is for you,” he said, handing her a slim black box, “by way of a thank you for giving me so much pleasure over the last couple of days.”
    It wasn’t Eleanor’s style to be twee about gifts, she loved receiving them. Her delight was obvious. She opened the box to reveal a stunning charm bracelet nestled on a bed of satin; it consisted of intricate, linked loops in white gold. Eleanor lifted it out, attached to one of the bracelet’s rings was a small charm.
    “Thank you, Matthew. It’s exquisite. Help me to put it on will you?” She offered her wrist.
    “I like these,” he said, fastening the clasp, indicating the loops of the bracelet yet to be adorned. “They have so much potential.” He sealed his words with a kiss, planted on the inside of her perfumed wrist.
    Closer inspection revealed that the charm was a tiny, heart-shaped padlock.
    “It’s fabulous, thank you, you’re too generous,” she said, kissing him warmly on the mouth.
    The meal passed in a haze of lively, flirtatious conversation. Obviously an experienced player, he told her that he had been divorced for fifteen years, and she didn’t let on that she had already heard the gossip about the way his wife had left him.
    Matthew didn’t seem bothered about the failure of his marriage and told her that it hadn’t been entirely unexpected. They had married young, had no