A Fragile Heart

They decided that we would go down to see the festivities on the first day of the week long Town fete, which had been run in this area for the last 200 years. It combined a growers market based around the town square, visiting Morris dancers, a street parade for all of the local school children, a fireworks night with a circus and carnival, and the grand finale was the barn dance in the Town Hall. The local pubs had lined up a variety of entertainment including a skittles competition. The Town really worked hard to show its best face for the week, with brightly painted seats, bunting, flags, banners, and flowerpots ablaze with colour. This brought visitors from miles around and was a boon to all of the local traders, who ran a trade show in the local park, on a small hill not far from the town centre.

The boys had decided to set up a stand there to display all of their woodcraft items. They had brought all of this display stock and some small sales stock in their old battered looking Toyota truck and stored most of it in the builders work shed at the back of our property. They pulled me along to see their stand on what was a bit of a murky day, with rain threatening to spoil the festivities. The field was well set up on high ground and I was amazed to see how well their work looked when compared with all of the other exhibitors .We had our photo taken for the local newspaper as my 5ft 4inch frame was dwarfed by my boys.

The boys then discussed staffing the stand, with each of them proposing to do a half day. Naturally John who was the brainier but sleepy head of the two, wanted to only do afternoons. In the midst of some anxiety about their transport, I was called in to do some arbitration before the roster was finalised, with a mix of single and multiple stand occupancy!

I headed off home with a neighbour as the boys both decided to stay on the stand for the rest of the day. I was delighted as this would give me a chance to do one of their favourite dishes, Roast Chicken. I began to get worried when they didn’t arrive back on time or call me, and was surprised to see them return in the local garage tow truck driven by a mechanic in scruffy dungarees and a baseball cap.

“Meet our Auntie Ann, the best cook for miles!”

As the mechanic greeted me with a thunderous handshake, the baseball cap was removed and a stunning black haired Amazon of a girl grinned at me. In her heavy duty boots she was just as tall as the boys, and her warm chocolate brown eyes could melt an iceberg. Her smile which appeared to be aimed right at me completely stopped me in my tracks, and I felt completely disarmed.

My heart stalled as our hands touched, and I lost a heartbeat while she got closer. Those alluring eyes smiled at me and as I welcomed her in she hugged me in thanks. I momentarily felt like a small child in the arms of an adult. A lingering light perfume mixed with the heavier smell of some type of garage fluid mixed together as I was nearly crushed by two of the strongest arms I have ever come across. My knees went weak and I had to hold on to her hips to steady myself. To regain my composure I somehow blurted out:-

“You must be the best looking mechanic in the whole county. It’s no wonder the boys invited you in. By the way, Annette is my name and these two rascals are my boys”
“My name is too long to say so I have shortened it to Jean, and I am the daughter of the Lord of the manor. May I say that I think you are far too young to be their mother!”
“Well, Jean you are very welcome to our home, and thank you for the compliment. The boys came to me when they were twelve, so I cannot take all of the credit for how grown up looking they are”

The boys nodded their agreement and responded:- “We have already asked Jean to the barn dance but she has turned us both down. She says that we are too young for her!”
“Well John, I am sure you will find another girl to ask while you are on the stand, but tell me what is the problem with your truck, is it refusing to go?”

“No, I was told when I bought it that the engine is bullet proof! It is just a mechanical problem with the axle. Jean says that hauling all of the extra weight of our furniture has affected the shock absorbers and axle coil springs so she will need to fix it for us”
“That’s right, Annette. I have towed it to my garage and I will get to work on it as soon as the parts arrive”

“Well Jean, let me know what it’s going to cost. If you can drop up the invoice to me here I will give you a cheque right away. In the meantime you are very welcome to some supper. You can sit beside me as these two can get a little carried away when they are eating.”
Jean slipped onto the kitchen bench beside me, touching my hand briefly as she sat down on the bench seat. My radar had suddenly switched on again for a moment, as I felt Jean’s closeness. Dormant feelings were threatening to come to life within me as the boys took over the kitchen table food platters, making short work of the accompanying roast potato, gravy and oven cooked vegetables.

The supper was a happy event with both boys gushing in their praise for the food and Jean joining in with amusement at their boisterous behaviour, as they tricked with one another over the last chicken leg. I promised them that I would tuck them into bed and read them a bedside story if they behaved.

“ Touché “ squealed Jean to guffaws from the boys.
“Now up you two boys go to bed while I see Jean out. You were up very early this morning to drive here. Don’t forget, clean your teeth and wash behind your ears!”The two boys groaned at this long standing bedtime command. They nearly swamped me with a hug as they jointly kissed me goodnight and wished Jean farewell.

I found myself blushing slightly as I invited Jean to a tour of my converted barn. Jean was genuinely interested to see how the conversion had gone, as she had admired it while the conversion was underway. She complimented me on the design of the decor, especially of the atrium area. As we sat down to chat I felt I could relax and trust her completely. Before I realized it, I had told Jean an edited version of my life story and the origins of my boys, as we enjoyed a well-chilled freshly made lemonade. She briefly told me about her college life, and her Aunt’s support for all that she did.

“Annette, are you the author of that book on the British suffragette movement?”
I just nodded yes.
“Did you know that the illustrious lady you portrayed was a relative of mine?”
“O, no. I hope I didn’t say anything hurtful or offensive?”

“No, not at all. It is a firm favourite of my aunt! Did you know that the lady you portrayed so well was shunned by my grandfather who was a peer at the time?”
“O Wow! I didn’t know that either. Did you read that book?”
“My Aunt recommended it to me while I suffered my way through university. It was one of the few books I enjoyed other than the engineering ones!”
“That’s amazing. I hope you don’t mind my asking but how is it that you come to be running a garage?”

“Of course I don’t mind. It has always been a ”Lord of the Manor” thing with my family, to have their own garage that they could call upon. My uncle, who is an Earl incidentally, ran it as a hobby just to keep his own cars in good order, until he felt it was time to let it go. It was about to come on the open market. I always wanted to do something in the engineering line and really wanted my own business.

My Aunt intervened on my behalf to help me get it. So I took it over and have run it as a business for the last ten years. We have built the place up and modernised it so that it can cater for everything from large trucks to small sports cars. We also have the agency for most makes of tractors now and I also got the maintenance contract for all the vehicles in my uncle’s and father’s fleet. We reckon that we can fix anything from an old Austin vintage automobile to a Zetor tractor, within reason of course!”

“Doesn’t your father mind you getting dirty in your garage dungarees instead of living a life of ease in the stately mansion on the hill?”
Jean thought for a moment while she formulated a reply.

“No! .... well, not really. I was a bit of a disappointment in the daddy’s girl role, as I didn’t want to dress up in flouncy dresses if I could get under a car instead. I also was a little uncooperative when it came to marrying me off to the nearest eligible bachelor. In fact I ran away to my aunt, before going to University and didn’t go back home”
“So where do you live now?”

“I have my own place not far from here which my aunt loaned me the money for. It’s the rambling old style cottage style bungalow situated just around the corner from the show field in the town. It looks out over my father’s land”
“Well you should get off home to your husband and family, as I have kept you too long”
“Actually I am single like yourself, but you are right. I am tired. It’s time to head home. It has been a long day”.

Jean gazed at me intently as she then asked ”How would you and the lads like to come to my house for a meal this week? I have a cook who can feed us all. She cooks the best lemon meringue I have ever tasted”
“That would be great. The lads really do eat like horses, so I would be really glad of a break from this constant cooking”

“Terrific. I will give you a call when she lets me know which evening suits her best. She works part time in the local pub and they are sure to be busy this week. Could you do me one favour in return? Please let the lads know that I don’t date boys at all, so it’s not just them!”
I gazed into Jean’s challenging eyes in a sudden nod of understanding. As Jean got into her tow truck, I quickly followed her. I climbed onto the running board of the truck, leaned in through the open driver’s window and quietly whispered in her ear:-
“Neither do I, goodbye”

Jean’s shock was suddenly replaced by a wide beaming smile and she blew me an exaggerated kiss as she waved me goodbye.

Later I chided myself when I got back indoors for revealing my preference for girls, as I didn’t mean for anyone in the locality to know my well kept secret. I was happy with Jean’s spontaneous smile though, which had flipped my heart from firmly closed to “open for business” briefly.

***

In the meantime Jean had a ridiculously smug grin on her face all the way home as she thought to herself maybe, just maybe she had a chance, but the question was should she make the first move? She mused about Annette, how tiny she was, how dainty her figure was, and how beautifully full her lips were. Could she have a crush on this girl already? What would it be like to kiss her and find out?

She mused about Annette, who she felt was a bit of a recluse. She knew she had two boys, and assumed there was a marriage breakdown somewhere in Annette’s past. Jean hadn’t realised they were adopted. Jean had seen her in the town on occasion but had never been seen with another woman, or indeed any “ companion” which seemed to corroborate Annette’s statement.

Jean who was always quick to action and very determined, began to muse on a plan to help her see a little more of Annette. She decided that the lovely Annette was now very much in her mind and on her radar. She decided there and then that to win the girl she would first have to do a good job on the truck, and feed the boys well!

*** Chapter 4. Her resistance is weakening.

I felt overwhelmed when the lads awoke the following morning, disrupting my own inner sense of peace. The boys were boisterous as usual, in a scramble for a shower and shave, before racing down for breakfast. Thankfully I had thought my barn conversion through and had ample shower facilities for multiple visitors and had left out a supply of towels for them both.

They came down ravenous with the hunger and had their favourite breakfast, porridge with a little honey, before tucking into an endless amount of whole meal loaf bread and sliced cheese, followed by a dash to the fruit bowl for mid morning snack material. I drove them both down to their stand and stayed for a while to see if I could get any groceries in the local farmer’s market to augment my rapidly diminishing food supplies.

Having picked up some fresh ingredients, I headed for the gourmet coffee stand. I was just licking my lips in appreciation of the excellent Latte when I caught a glimpse of Jean, who was earnestly trying to catch my attention. She looked great in a little makeup, a light lilac tight fitting top, with snug fitting jeans and pink sneakers. She was walking with more grace and poise than when she visited my home, and looked more like the upper class girl than a mechanic.

“Annette, how are you on this gorgeous morning? I have been talking to Billy and we have agreed on the estimate for the repair, so here’s your copy. Also I have been a bit naughty as my cook confirmed she can provide a meal for us all tomorrow night. So I invited them to my house. I did tell them not to appear without you. Hope you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. You have been very busy and that deserves a reward. What coffee can I get you?”
“Normally I like a creamy latte and these two girls make a really good one. But it’s so hot today I would like an iced tea please.”
“Would you like anything to go with that?”

“Yes please. I left the house without breakfast this morning as I needed to chase up on an early delivery of parts for your lads Toyota truck, so I am a bit peckish. How about getting me a big gooey cream cake?”
“O My! Could you really eat one of those really large cream slices?”

“Yes of course. If you worked in garage all day you might even manage one yourself! Mind you, your figure is so good you probably have loads of space for one cake. I wish my waist was as slim as yours. But even though I burn up lots of calories in work, I have inherited the family genes”.
“Nonsense, you look great today, I really like your top. By the way, even in the grotty garage gear you look good, and having been in the magazine business for so long, I know that is not as easy as it looks!”Jean’s very fetching blush went all the way to the nape of her neck, as she nervously moved her hand towards her hair at my compliment.

The cream cake was dispatched with all of the speed and gusto that I had seen my boys adopt when eating. I noticed one tiny bit of cream remained on her nose, and immediately temptation invaded my brain to do something about it. Jean’s comment brought me out of this quite enticing daydream.

“You will have to tell me what the lads eat as I need to get the fridge stocked. The butcher has some wonderful cuts of lamb. Do you and the lads eat meat?”
“Jean you have nothing to worry about on that score. I can tell you that the lads love their meat and vegetables, especially sweet desserts of any flavour or type as afters. They would eat cake all day if I let them! In fact, they eat anything that I have ever cooked for them, and lamb is a firm favourite, along with steak, burgers, pasta, chicken, spaghetti, pizza, ribs and anything else they can get their hands on. My father has a saying that “He’d rather lodge them than feed them” Mind you, my Mum adores them even when they eat her out of house and home!”

“Our local butcher will love you this week so! I will call in to him for some of that lamb. I will get some beer also as I noticed some in their truck. I prefer red wine myself, how does that suit you?”
“Lovely, I am looking forward to it. How should I dress?”

“You look absolutely beautiful as you are. But let’s go a bit chic as I don’t often get the opportunity to entertain”
“I can do chic! See you at 7pm, and by the way you have a little cream on the tip of your nose”

Jean raised an eyebrow towards me and smiled impishly before she flicked the offending cream with her fingers, sucking one finger between those luscious lips in the process. She provocatively arched her eyebrow and smiled at me as she lowered her finger to her chin. She then waved as she slowly walked away, giving me ample time to enjoy her figure. The exaggerated sway of hips appeared to be just for me, and I grinned as she looked back to see my reaction.

As I headed home I felt that I had been flirted with, and it was altogether a pleasant experience. I wondered “What if she likes me, what am I going to do about it? If she kisses me she’s far too big to stop, isn’t she?”

I could feel that I may not be able to resist an overture, especially if Jean flashed those eyes at me. She was so tall with big strong angular shoulders, she must be five feet ten or eleven inches tall, and made me feel like a diminutive Disney character. But she did have the most exquisite lips especially when covered in lipstick and cream!

*** Chapter 5. The Soiree

John and Billy came home to the barn delighted with their day at the trade show. They were pleased that the fine settled spell of weather had begun with its light fluffy clouds and blue skies. This had brought a steady stream of potential customers their way. They told me that they were looking forward to getting their truck back from Jean’s garage so that they could display some more pieces of furniture that had aroused a lot of interest.

Their natural good humour was overtaken by hunger when they finally washed up and got ready for their evening meal. I was amused to see their rivalry as they each tried to outdo one another to get to the table first.

I had prepared a large salad, followed by two T bone steaks for them and a smaller fillet steak for me. My deep fried onion rings and baked potato had been dived on, and I was glad that I had cooked second helpings when I saw how quickly they disappeared. I had also packed some Ice teas into the fridge for them for which I received two tremendous shouts of appreciation.

Billy informed me that they were invited to Jean’s and I explained that I had met Jean in the town while I was shopping for a quick coffee and was invited along. I told them that I was intending to dress up a little and expected to have a well turned out son on each arm when we arrived at Jean’s place.

I told them that they would need to have their lunch in the village as I was going to have my hair done the following day, and relax for the afternoon in my garden. They knew that I liked to sunbathe in the buff when they were not around so they nodded their heads in understanding that I was not to be disturbed. In turn they informed me that they had been successful in their attempts to get a date for the barn dance. They had made the acquaintance of the two girls from the gourmet coffee stand and had received a complimentary coffee each that lunchtime as they sampled all of the delicious cakes that the girls had on display!

They spent the evening happily playing table football out in the garage while I cleaned up the kitchen. Later that night as they headed for bed, I could see that the boys were happy with the way events were unfolding. I was delighted that they had met these girls as they did appear to be beautiful hardworking types, the exact opposite to me in my early twenties.

As I recalled Jean’s smile and those lips covered in cream I thought of using a bit of battery based stimulation but decided against it, for fear that my customary noisy climax may alert the boys to what was going on.

I dozed off to sleep with the memory of those luscious creamy lips only to awake the following morning very aroused indeed. I decided on a quick shower before heading down to prepare breakfast for my boys. As I soaped myself down with a large sponge, I studiously avoided going anywhere near my vagina which was still sending “come and touch me” signals to my brain. I would have to keep myself “legs crossed” to avoid any mishap at Jean’s!

The boys went off together to town, with Billy heading to the garage to check on progress. I dressed in a light cami-vest and shorts to go to the hair salon. I mused about what to have done as I had my current hairstyle for a while now and was contemplating a change.
I got my Mercedes sports coupe out of the garage and let the roof down. My boys had got two Beyonce CDs for me and I placed one into to my car CD player. My blonde hair billowed in the breeze as I headed for town humming along to a Beyonce Knowles song “ Get me bodied”.

I briefly imagined Beyonce in that underwear singing “ Best thing I never had” and had to drag my concentration back to the road. O what a woman ! That particular video had been my favourite “go to fantasy” for a long time now!

As I reached town I was greeted by the girls at the Gourmet Coffee stand, who waved me over. They somewhat shyly began to talk to me and asked for my help. It appears that they had met my boys during the course of the last two days, and admired the woodwork that they had seen. They were very interested in finding out about where the boys worked, and how long were they home for. As I chatted to them I was delighted that my boys were their chosen topic of conversation and I answered all of their questions about the boys likes and dislikes.

During the course of our conversation, I could sense that the two girls were more than a little smitten. Happy that I was helping the cause of true romance I headed off to my hair appointment. Two hours later I left with my new shorter style that I knew suited me so well but had been relegated in favour of a longer look lately.