Web of Desire (24 page)

‘So,’ her father said, walking into the room with her mother in tow. ‘You’re in love?’

‘Yes, Dad,’ Mandy murmured, her dark eyes looking up at him.

‘What’s this girl like? How old is she?’

‘She’s amazing, Dad. She’s beautiful and good company and … she’s eighteen.’

‘Rather young, isn’t she?’

‘Well …’

‘I hope she’s not the butch type with shaved hair and …’

‘She has long blonde hair and she’s extremely feminine.’

‘When do we get to meet her?’

‘Well … whenever, I suppose. I mean, I haven’t actually decided because … I wanted your opinion.’

‘Mandy, love is a very rare thing. Most people never find love and, if you’re sure that you love this girl, then we’re happy for you.’

‘Really?’ Mandy said, grinning.

‘We’d both rather see you with a young man but … What’s her name?’

‘Jackie.’

‘OK. What do her parents think?’

‘There’s only her dad. Her mum ran off years ago and … her dad is fine about it. She has her own house and …’

‘So will you bring her round to meet us?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘I have to say that this has come as rather a shock, Mandy. We were hoping that you and David … Well, we thought that …’

‘David has obviously spoken to you.’

‘No – no, he hasn’t. We could see the way you two were together at the barbecue. When he said that his girlfriend was young and had long dark hair … You were holding hands and gazing at each other, so it was pretty obvious.’

‘David wants me, but … I don’t love him, Dad. It’s as simple as that.’

‘From a man old enough to be your father, you’ve gone to a young girl of eighteen?’

‘I already knew Jackie. I was torn, in two minds.’

‘And now you’re sure?’

‘Very sure.’

‘All right. Well, I hope you’ll be happy.’

‘I know I will.’

‘Why don’t you stay here for the night?’ her mother asked her.

‘No, I … I think I’ll go back to the flat. Thanks
anyway
, Mum.’ Leaving the sofa, Mandy kissed her mother’s cheek and then hugged her father. ‘I’ll see you both soon,’ she said, walking to the front door.

Leaving the house, Mandy felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. But, strangely, she was still in two minds about moving in with Jackie. Her parents had accepted the way she was, Jackie’s father was happy … This was a big step, she thought as she walked back to her flat. She knew that she was going to have to let Jackie know one way or the other tomorrow. She couldn’t keep the girl waiting any longer. David was still waiting too, she reflected anxiously. What would he say when she turned him down for a girl?

Eleven

AS SHE TIDIED
and cleaned her flat, Mandy thought about the future. She had to come to a decision, she thought for the umpteenth time. The time she’d spent with Jackie had been amazing, and she wanted more, but … She sighed as the doorbell rang and wandered through the hall, checking her long dark hair in the mirror on the way. She should have contacted David, she reflected. She’d left him wondering, hoping, and that wasn’t fair.

‘Oh, Paula,’ she said, opening the door wide. ‘Come in.’

‘I was just passing,’ Paula said, walking into the hall. ‘I thought I’d call round and … and have a chat.’

‘Oh, right. Er … would you like some coffee?’

‘No, I’m fine, thanks. Mandy, the things we did …’

‘Ah, you want more,’ Mandy said, giggling.

‘No – no, I don’t,’ the girl replied firmly. ‘I lied about having lesbian relationships in the past. I’m not that way inclined at all.’

Mandy frowned. ‘So you didn’t enjoy it?’ she asked her.

‘No, it’s not for me.’

‘Why did you lie, Paula? I don’t understand.’

‘Oh, I don’t know. To be honest, I have big problems.’

‘Come and sit down,’ Mandy said, leading her into the lounge. ‘I think you’d better tell me about it.’

Wondering whether the girl was about to admit to lying about everything, Mandy sat in the armchair as Paula settled on the sofa. Paula’s make-up was impeccable, her miniskirt and blouse immaculate, but she looked tired, her expression pained. Fiddling nervously with her long blonde hair, she was obviously very worried about something, and Mandy wondered whether Henry had told her that he’d been to the flat and had sex with Mandy. To steal her friend’s man wasn’t a good thing, she reflected. But why had Paula lied about enjoying lesbian sex? Why make up crazy stories like that? There again, Mandy too had dreamed up crazy stories of debauched sex.

‘I have to move out of my house,’ Paula sighed.

‘But why? It’s your place, so … Are you selling it?’

‘It’s a long story. I need a place to rent. I have to move out tomorrow.’

‘God, Paula. I don’t understand … Where will you go?’

‘I don’t know. It’ll take a while to find a place, and then I’ll need references and … I don’t know what I’m going to do.’

‘What about all your men friends? Surely one of them can put you up until you find a place?’

‘I don’t … No, no, I can’t do that. I was wondering whether you could put me up?’

‘Well, I …’

‘I know that it’s a lot to ask. But I’m at my wits’ end.’

‘Paula, with all your money, why not go into a hotel for a while?’

‘No, you don’t understand. I have money, yes. But it’s all tied up at the moment.’

‘What about your other house? The big house that you rent out, I mean.’

‘I … I can’t throw the people out, can I? Can you put me up or not?’

‘This has come as a shock,’ Mandy sighed, reckoning that Paula had been thrown out of her house because she hadn’t paid the rent. Paula didn’t have any money, nor did she own property, but she was Mandy’s friend. ‘Would you be interested in renting this place?’ Mandy asked her.

‘Yes, but … Are you moving out?’

‘Yes, I am. It’s taken me a long time to decide, but I’m moving out tomorrow.’

‘That’s brilliant, Mandy. You’ve bought a house, then? You said that you were looking for a place.’

‘I haven’t exactly … Yes, I’ve bought a house.’

‘You must be doing really well.’

‘Not as well as you,’ Mandy said, smiling at her friend.

‘Yes, well … Will you be leaving the furniture?’

‘Yes, of course. If you recall, I said that I’d only bought this old stuff as I was going to rent the place out.’

‘Yes, I remember you saying. Well, this is amazing. Who would have thought that I’d end up renting your flat?’

‘What about your house? What’s happening there?’

‘I’ll be renting it out soon,’ Paula replied awkwardly. ‘It’s a long story and … I have to have some work done on the place. The roof is leaking and …’

‘This is great,’ Mandy cut in to save the girl from having to come up with more lies. Feeling impish, she grinned. ‘At least you still have your new Mercedes,’ she said.

‘Yes – yes, I have.’

‘And all your men friends?’

‘Yes, they’re still hanging around. Mandy, I don’t have any cash for a deposit. I’ll be able to pay the rent, so don’t worry about that.’

‘I don’t need a deposit,’ Mandy said. ‘I’ll work out the rent and get my solicitor to draw up a contract. Like you, I’m a businesswoman and I like to do things properly.’

‘You’re a successful businesswoman,’ Paula sighed, hanging her head.

‘So are you. God, you own a huge company and … Anyway, I have a few things to do.’

‘Yes, me too. I’ll bring my things round tomorrow morning, if that’s OK?’

‘Do you need a hand?’

‘No, no, I’ll be fine. Thanks, Mandy, I really appreciate this.’

‘That’s what friends are for. I’ll give you the key tomorrow and you can sign the contract and … God, what a turnaround.’

‘Where is your new house? I’ll have to come and have a look once you’ve settled in.’

‘Yes, I’ll … I’ll let you know.’

‘OK, I must go. By the way, I’d rather people didn’t know that I’m renting your place.’

‘People?’

‘Well, Jackie … There again, you never see her.’

‘If I do see her, I won’t say anything. Don’t worry, Paula.’

‘Thanks, Mandy.’

‘No problem. I’ll see you in the morning.’

As she walked Paula to the front door, Mandy couldn’t believe her luck. The flat rented out to her best friend, she was now free to … Realising that she’d made her decision, she bit her lip as she wandered into the dining room and sat at her computer. She couldn’t change her mind and let
Paula
down, she reflected. Now she was going to have to move in with Jackie. Unless she went back home to her parents, she mused. Or she could move in with David and … God, no.

‘Hello,’ she said, answering the phone.

‘Hi, Mandy,’ Jackie breathed huskily. ‘Have you recovered from our night of passion?’

‘Yes, I have,’ Mandy replied, with a giggle. ‘You wore me out.’

‘So, have you given any thought to—’

‘I’ve just found a tenant for my flat,’ Mandy cut in.

‘You’re going to move in with me?’

‘Well … I haven’t quite decided. I mean …’

‘It’s OK, take your time,’ Jackie said softly.

‘I have a couple of things to do before deciding.’

‘I’m at work, so I can’t chat for long. Paula hasn’t turned up yet.’

‘She’s been round here. She left ten minutes ago.’

‘She’ll be here soon, then. Did you say anything about us?’

‘No – no, I didn’t. Jackie, I don’t want her to know about us.’

‘Neither do I, so don’t worry. So, when will I see you?’

‘Tomorrow, I think. I might ring you later, if that’s OK?’

‘I’d love you to ring me later, Mandy. I must go, bye.’

Mandy replaced the receiver and knew that she had to get on with her work. The web site was going well, but she didn’t want to get behind schedule. If she did move in with Jackie, she wanted to earn her own money and be self-sufficient rather than rely on the girl to survive. At least the rent from the flat would pay her mortgage, she reflected happily. Her thoughts turned to David – she felt bad about him. She should
have
contacted him and … Grabbing the phone, she called him.

‘I thought you’d disappeared from the face of the earth,’ he said.

‘Sorry, David. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a free moment. So, how are you?’

‘I’m fine. I rang several times last night. I thought we were going to meet and …’

‘Sorry, I was … I had to go out.’

‘I’m still waiting for you to decide,’ he said quietly. ‘Is that why you’re calling? Have you come to a decision?’ he asked her expectantly.

‘No, I … I need to see you. We need to talk.’

‘OK, where and when?’

‘This evening. Let’s go to the river pub.’

‘I’ll pick you up at seven.’

‘Yes, that’s fine.’

‘You won’t let me down, will you?’

‘I’ll be waiting for you at seven. I promise you, David.’

‘Great.’

Hanging up, Mandy knew that she had to meet David. He’d been good to her, and she couldn’t dump him over the phone. This might be her last day of freedom, she mused as she switched the computer on and got down to work. She was going to have to let Gary know that she was moving out, but she’d worry about that later. Reading an email from a potential client, she realised that her work was piling up. Business before pleasure, she mused, replying to the email.

David arrived at seven o’clock wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and a huge grin. As she sat beside him and he drove to the pub, Mandy reckoned that he’d assumed that she was going to move in with him. He didn’t stop smiling and chatting about the future
until
they’d reached the pub. Locking the car, he suggested a walk along the river bank to their special spot, and Mandy knew that he wanted sex.

This wasn’t going to be easy, she thought as they sat on the short grass and gazed at the river. She had to tell him that she wouldn’t be moving in with him, but she didn’t want to hurt him. Hoping that they could still be friends, she wondered whether to dream up some story or other about moving away. But she didn’t want to live a lie. Her parents knew the truth, so it was only fair to tell David.

‘I’m going away,’ she said softly, immediately wishing that she hadn’t.

‘But … where to?’ he asked her, his dark eyes frowning.

‘I haven’t told Mum and Dad yet. I’m going to rent my flat to a friend, and I’m going to stay with a girl I know.’

‘What, locally?’

‘About twenty miles away. I’m moving tomorrow.’

‘I see,’ he sighed. ‘So you’ve decided against living with me?’

‘For the time being, yes. I want to get my business off the ground, David.’

‘You could have your own office at my place.’

‘No, no … Living next door to Mum and Dad would cause complications. I need a year out, just to work on the business and …’

‘I can wait a year,’ he cut in, smiling at her. ‘I’ll wait as long as it takes.’

‘David … It might be never.’

‘Then I’ll live in hope.’

‘You’re making this very difficult for me.’

‘I know, and I’m sorry. I should have realised that a young and beautiful girl like you wouldn’t want to be with an old man like me. Enjoy your life, Mandy.
You
never know, the day might come when you change your mind. When you’ve lived and loved and cried … well, as I said, I’ll live in hope. So, how about that drink?’

‘How about making love first?’

‘Mandy, I …’

‘Don’t you want me?’

‘Yes, that’s the trouble.’

‘Then take me.’

Reclining on the grass, Mandy closed her eyes as David unbuttoned her blouse and exposed her naked breasts. Her nipples rising in the relative cool of the evening air, standing up from the dark discs of her areolae, she let out a sigh of pleasure as he leaned over and sucked each ripe milk teat in turn. He was a lovely man, Mandy thought as her arousal soared. But thoughts of Jackie haunted her. The girl would be at home, wondering whether Mandy was going to move in with her. Had she phoned? Mandy wondered as David’s hand slid beneath her short skirt and his fingers pulled her wet panties to one side. Perhaps she’d gone to the flat looking for Mandy?

As David slipped a finger deep into her tight vaginal sheath, Mandy arched her back and gasped. No man was a match for Jackie’s expertise, she thought dreamily as her clitoris swelled and her juices of arousal flowed. She could feel David’s hardness pressing into her hip as he massaged her inner flesh and sucked on her sensitive nipple. Then again, Jackie’s vibrators had been incredible but were no substitute for a solid cock. To feel a man’s cock driving deep into the wet heat of her tight vagina, his spunk bathing her cervix and flooding her sex sheath …