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Authors: Roland Singleton

Tags: #GLBT, #Lesbian, #erotic Romance, #Contemporary

Am I Seeing Double 3 (3 page)

BOOK: Am I Seeing Double 3
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I commented on it when I finally got my breath back. Phyllis said she had to make up for time that would be lost, but I am sure that she was making sure that I came back.

From my side, she had no worries there, as I would hate to think of a life without them. Maybe they may move on one day, but that’s something I don’t like to dwell on.

 

I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see what the time was. I hadn’t realised I had been there that long, and it was high time I made tracks for the motel.

When I drove over to pick up Katey later, she was waiting for me on her veranda, giving me a huge smile and started walking toward me.

I jumped out of the car, walked to the passenger side, and opened the car door for her.

She pecked me on the cheek. “Merci beaucoup, monsieur.” Then she got in.

“You’re welcome. Any nice places here for dinner?” I asked as I opened my door.

“I know a couple.”

“I’ll leave
that
choice up to you, since your choice for lunch was excellent,” I declared as I slid behind the wheel.

“Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Katey replied.

“I did, very much so.”

“Well there is an Indian restaurant on the lake.”

“Lake? Where’s that?”

“At the back of town, I’ll show you, if that’s what you want.”

“That’s another thing I haven’t had in a while— a good Indian curry.”

“Okay, we’ll go there, then.”

“You okay with Indian food?”

“Sure. Particularly the way this chef does it.”

“That’s it then.”

With Barrickton, being only rather small, anywhere in town wasn’t a long drive, and with a few directions from Katey, we were soon in the car park of the restaurant.

We were ushered to a table for two by a young Indian woman in one of the prettiest saris I have ever seen. She seated us next to a full-length glass wall that overlooked the lake. The view was magnificent.

After the Indian woman had taken our order for drinks, I watched her walk to the bar, admiring her sari.

“Beautiful, hey,” Katey commented.

“Yeah, and the sari is rather nice, too,” I said and chuckled.

Katey leaned over and punched my arm.

“That’s what I meant, you idiot.” She glowered at me.

“I like admiring beautiful things and my present company is no exception.”

“That just got you out of jail, Buster,” she said now smiling. “You writers always have a way with words.”

 

The meal was delicious and as we ate, we watched the sun set over the lake, making the view even more picturesque.

We drove to the motel and seeing it was still early, we walked to the pub, had a couple more drinks and then went back to the motel.

 

In the morning, I drove Katey home kissing each other, saying goodbye. It was a touching farewell, but we both admitted that we had enjoyed each other’s company, and that we were both in non-committed relationships and it had been fun while it lasted.

 

Chapter Four

 

 

Finally, I was now on my way to see Jenny. There was no way I had intended to stay in Barrickton this long, and hadn’t foreseen the interlude with Katey before I left home.

Jenny lived in Nylandra. It was roughly forty kilometres northwest of Barrickton and around three times larger. It was like a hub, as many people came from the surrounding smaller towns to shop at the larger Supermarkets and Department stores. She was a receptionist for a real estate firm, called Roberts and Caldwell.

I entered the town at just on 10:30 that morning, and I stopped at the first service station I came to. I didn’t really need fuel since I still had half a tank, but thought I might as well fill up while I was there.

When I went in to pay the counter attendant, I asked him the directions to the local library. He said it was easy to find. It was only about 200 metres past the Commercial Hotel, on the right-hand side, in the main street.

As I drove down through town, I saw the sign, which read Commercial Hotel, about 300 metres in front of me. Then 100 metres before the hotel, I couldn’t help but notice another sign on the left-hand side that read
Roberts and Caldwell
. That was good. I now knew where to find Jenny.

I kept going and headed for the library. I would catch up with Jenny later, and see what she was doing for lunch.

The next large building, about 200 metres on the right, after the hotel, was the council chambers. That is where the library would be.

I found a one-hour parking spot a short distance away, and after I got out of the car, I grabbed two copies of my latest release from the car boot, tucked them under my arm, and headed off.

I walked into the library and approached the reception desk—the woman sitting at a computer looked vaguely familiar. Whether I’m right or wrong, or maybe it’s because I write, but I seem to pigeonhole people and their occupations. Here was a perfect example of what I would imagine a librarian to look like, and if she were to audition for a part in a movie, she would have an excellent chance of winning the part on appearance alone.

The woman looked up, as I got close.

“Mr. Singleton, how nice of you to drop by,” she said, looking somewhat surprised.

“We’ve met?” I asked. “I thought you looked familiar as I walked in.”

“I’m flattered,” she replied, “And yes, I was at your book launch in Barrington some time back.”

“Yes…now I remember. You spoke to me after, and commented on the movie of one of my books they screened here. Your comment was you didn’t think the movie was as good as the book, and I agreed with you.”

“That’s correct. You have a good memory.”

“For some things, but I’m sorry…I have forgotten your name.

“Justine Roberts.”

“Pleased to meet you again, Justine.” She then held out my hand, having an unusually firm grip, which is something I admire in a woman, and respect in a man. To me, there is nothing worse than a flimsy handshake.

“What brings you to Nylandra?” Justine asked.

“I’m just taking a break and catching up with an old friend.”

“Jenny Barton, no doubt. You two seemed to know each other very well when I saw you at Barrington.”

Nothing goes unnoticed in a country town.

“Yes, I’ve known Jenny since I was a struggling journalist,” I replied, “You know Jenny?”

“Yes, she works for my father.”

“I see, one of the partners in
Roberts and Caldwell
. You’re not into real estate?”

“I was, but Jenny took over from me so I could pursue my life’s ambition, of being a Librarian.”

I felt like saying that I could see why and she certainly looked the part, but instead, all I said was, “I see.”

“I was thrilled when Jenny walked in and showed her credentials. I went straight to my father, and begged him to let me go. It was perfect timing, since a position at the library here had only just become available.”

“Right, so that is why Jenny was able to get a job here so quickly, but that was some time ago.”

“Yes, ages. I’m now head librarian and have been for quite a considerable time.”

“Do you have any copies of my latest here?”

“No, they are on order and haven’t arrived as yet, but they should be here soon.”

“I have a couple with me, and I can leave them with you if you like.”

“That’d be great.”

I took the books from under my armpits, and placed them on the desk in front of Justine.

“Would you do me a favour, if you don’t mind? Could you autograph them for me please?”

“Certainly, not a problem.”

I wrote in them—
To my friend Justine Roberts
—and signed my name. When I had finished the first one, Justine dragged the book over, turned it around and read what I had written.

“So, I’m now friends with Roland Singleton,” she declared and giggled.

“You
are
now,” I replied and smiled.

“I’m honoured,” she replied and gave me a beaming smile.

Then, a woman came up and stood behind me, waiting to be served, so I excused myself and left. As I headed for the door, I couldn’t help but overhear Justine say, “Do you know who that was?”

Outside the library, I turned back up the main street, and headed to where I had seen the sign for
Roberts and Caldwell
.

When I walked into the real estate office, Jenny was sitting at a computer on a table, away from the reception counter, with her back to me. She must have sensed someone was at the counter, or maybe saw a reflection in the computer screen, because as she stood up and turned toward me, she asked, “Can I hel—Roland!”

“Yes, you can,” I replied.

“No, I was going to say,
can I help you
, and then I saw it was you.” She started to giggle.

“Well, you
can
help me. I’m short of company for lunch. What are your plans?”

“I have no plans, really. I was only going to try out the new snack bar, just down the street that opened recently.”

“I think we could do better than that—that’s if you’ll join me.”

“Why, are you coming apart?” She started to laugh.

“No, but I will be, if you keep making cracks like that.”

“Yes, of course, I’d love to join you, and we can pick up some glue from the hardware store to put you together and fill up the cracks.”

This time we both burst into laughter.

“No seriously, I’d love to have lunch with you.”

Then, she leaned over the counter and pecked me on the lips.

“I usually take lunch at one, but if you’re in a rush, I could probably take my break at twelve.”

“No, one will be fine. I’m in no rush. I plan to stay here at least overnight.”

“Good,” she said as her eyes lit up. “Have you booked into a motel, yet?”

“No, I was leaving that until I made sure you were still here, and if you were, I could look around for one while I waited for you for lunch.”

“Okay. Well there’s a nice little motel further down the main street, on the next corner past the Council Chambers, and one block further down and across the road on the corner of Maple Street is a pub.”

“Thanks, that sounds ideal, and I might check that out, too,” I said, grinning at her.

“I thought you might,” she answered and smiled at me.

“Right, I’ll see you at one.” I leaned over and pecked her on the cheek, and left.

There were no problems with the motel. They had plenty of vacancies.

I took my suitcase into the room and unpacked a couple of things. I went to the bathroom, then splashed some water over my face to freshen up a bit, combed my hair and then strolled down to the pub.

I had one beer and put a few dollars in a poker machine, to kill time while I waited, until it was time to meet Jenny. Even though I had a few wins, I lost over all, but not a lot.

I took my car to pick up Jenny, as I wasn’t sure where we would be going to have lunch. I was lucky I found a parking spot not far from her work.

The car, however, wasn’t necessary because Jenny had chosen a nice little licensed restaurant nearby. “What’s the big occasion up here,” Jenny asked, when we finally sat down in the restaurant.

“I am doing some research on my next book,” I replied and tried to look serious.”

“Oh, what sort of research?”

“I have to portray the efficient real estate receptionist.” I could feel my serious face beginning to crack, so I put my hand to my face to hide the smile that was starting to form, and coughed a couple of times.”

“I’m sure you could’ve found plenty near home.”

“I couldn’t find anyone, anywhere near as good as you.”

“Flatterer, and how would
you
know. You have never seen me work?”

I could see, by the look on her face, she was starting to see through my façade.

“You mean like the book we researched when I first met you,” she continued. “What was it called—How to have sex in fifty different ways?”

“Something like that.” I couldn’t hold my composure any longer and burst out laughing.

“You had me going there for awhile. I thought you were serious.”

“I was, in one respect, but it wasn’t research for my next book. It was personal. I wanted to see where you worked, and how you were.”

“That was nice of you, to come all this way to check up on me,” Jenny said and reached over and put her hand on top of mine.

“I thought it was the least I could do. You changed my life completely.”

“And you helped me move on from my cheating rat of a husband that I walked out on the night we met.”

“I’m glad you got help, too. I was a hopeless case with women before that, and I’m positive, I wouldn’t have met with the twins, if it wasn’t for you, and some help from the book.”

“You said earlier that you were staying at least overnight. Does that mean you could stay longer?” Jenny asked looking at me with a cheeky grin on her face. Her hand was still on top of mine, and now she gave it a gentle squeeze.

“It does. If I could find some congenial company, I could stay another day,” I replied.

“I’m not sure where you’ll find that sort of company, but I could ask around for you.”

“No, don’t bother. I wouldn’t accept any other company than the present, and only then, if it’s available.”

“It’s available, well and truly.”

“Really! You haven’t met Mr. Wright yet?”

“No, and quite frankly, I’m not really looking. There’s not much around here worth even considering, and with my past experiences, I’m somewhat hesitant to look.”

“Then maybe I’ll stay another day.”

“Great, I’m sure I could think of something to keep you occupied.” Jenny said and started to giggle.

“Yeah, I’m sure you could,” I agreed and grinned at her.

“Did you come straight through or did you stop at Barrickton.”

I told Jenny I had stopped there, and what had happened, and told her how unexpected it had been.

“That’s something I’ve always admired in you. You’re such an open book. There’s nothing secretive, about you, and no hidden agenda. There’s nothing I detest more and that is, lies and deceit, and my Gawd I’ve seen enough of that to last me a lifetime.”

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