The Lover's Children novel Chapter 120

GEORGIE

I’ll buy him the gift.

And I know what he’d like. He told me himself.

Stockings.

Yes, I’ll buy them.

And I’ll wear them for him. Tonight.

A surprise.

Not just the stockings, but the things that go with it: belt and suspenders, bra and panties.

Nothing too gross…

Something pretty…

Tasteful, but sexy.

In the city centre, I head for the store where Borje and I fell out that awful day, but when I get there, I halt at the window display… Wicked Whispers - 18 Only

It’s so… tacky…

Can I help you, Madam?

Trying things on…

Sniggering behind their hands…

I walk to the door. Walk away again. Walk back.

I can't bring myself to go inside.

Does it matter where I buy it?

No…

Maybe another day…

Little steps…

And I flee for the safety of the nearest department store.

In the lingerie section, I browse acres of satin and lace. At least, the floor display area seems acres wide. The items of lingerie grow skimpier the more I look at them, obeying some unwritten law that the less material needed in the manufacture of the item, the higher the price.

Other women roam the aisles with me, some single like me, but often in pairs or with a husband or a boyfriend in the background, looking bored. One group of young women work as a pack, prowling the racks and shelving, exchanging laughter and comments.

Some of the colours blister the eye. A girl, barely out of her teens, holds up a teddy in pale peach and cream against herself. The boyfriend wrinkles his nose, rocking his open hand to and fro. She tries another, this time in fire-alarm scarlet, edged in black. He flashes brows, giving an enthusiastic nod.

Hmmm…

Not red…

A set in jade green satin, trimmed gold, is very pretty, but wouldn't suit my colouring. Another in blue…

Hmmm…

No.

Stay classic.

Plain black.

There’s plenty to choose from. A bra, lacy and tasteful, matches the belt and panties, laced at the side. Stockings, again in a sheer charcoal, with a line up the back to suit any Parisian fashion icon, make a good match.

In the dressing room between those take-you-to-infinity mirrors, I try on the bra and belt, struggling a little with the catches on the stocking tops. When I decide it's a decent fit, I try the panties too, struggling a little as I loop the laces into bows.

Then, I take a good look at myself. Sliding hands over my own silhouette.

Hmmm…

Wish I had a bit more at the hip…

And on the boobs…

Still, the under-wiring makes a bit more of what I don't truly have.

Maybe I should try the corset?

The curtain whips aside… "Oh, sorry!” The coat-hanger-laden woman backs off… “Thought you were my daughter. Wrong cubical…" She pauses, looking me up and down. "Looks great. Really suits you." She winks. "He won't know what's hit him." And she's gone.

Suits me?

Really?

I was doing this for Borje.

But…

As I survey my reflection, something flutters inside. Something warm and…

… and I realize, my breathing has quickened.

Oh… Wow!

*****

BORJE

I turn the key in the lock and push the door open. “Hi…”

Stepping inside, “Georgie?”

My apartment stands empty.

Damn…

Check my messages…

But tapping through, nothing’s come in. Not from her anyway.

Fishing out a bottle of bourbon, I splash into a glass, then, drink in hand, stand by the window, staring out over the park.

Will she come?

I have to assume she will…

… hope she will…

In the kitchen, I chop onions, drop them into butter in the pan and set them to soften.

She seemed happy enough this morning…

Was it because I had to dash for work?

As the onions turn golden and translucent, I add minced beef, turning the heat up high. Then, laying out the table, I set soft music playing…

Angle the blinds to filter the light…

Light the candles…

Plump the cushions…

Then, I stand back to judge the effect.

Flames flicker in small glass jars, their light glinting against ice in the wine chiller. The music is a trifle loud…

Got to be able to talk…

As I turn it down, from the kitchen, the bubble of a heating pan turns to the pop and sizzle of browning meat. A quickstep back to the hob, and I turn the beef, adding garlic, tomato puree and herbs, stirring until the mixture blups and burps. Popping on the lid, I delve into my groceries cupboard.

Penne or linguine?