EPISODE EIGHTY-TWO
Jason Fumbled with the zip on the back of Lisa’s dress as they kissed. She pushed him away. ‘No, you don’t.’
‘But you’ve been leading me on all night.’
Jason looked like a toddler starved of sweets. ‘Come on, Lisa. Why not?’
She let her eyelids close, then opened them again, as if trying to control
herself. A melancholic performance. ‘I can’t,’ she whispered.
Undeterred, Jason gave it another try.
‘But you and me, we could make beautiful music together.’
Lisa tried not to laugh or throw up. She
controlled herself and said, ‘It’s not you, Jason. I want you.
I really do. It’s just
that...I’ve got something wrong with me.’
He eased away from her on the sofa and discovered he’d been holding his
breath. He let it out slowly before
asking her what she meant.
‘It’s not what you’re thinking,’ she whispered, leaning across and kissing his
cheek. ‘I haven’t got a sexually
transmitted disease or anything...’
‘Oh, I never thought...’ he began, but she interrupted him.
‘It’s just that I’ve got...well...strange sexual preferences.’
A grin crept back onto Jason’s face.
‘Try me. As long as it’s nothing
painful. I’m game for anything.’
A creaking sound, coming from one of the bedrooms made Jason suspicious. ‘What was that? I thought you said your flatmate was away.’
Lisa pressed herself closer to him. ‘She
is. I expect that was the water heater
in her room. It always makes that
noise.’ She ran a hand along his
thigh. ‘Now then: where were we?’
‘You were about to tell me what turns you on.’
Lisa giggled alluringly. ‘I hope you’re
ready for this.’
*
As Mike hurried downstairs, he heard a snuffling sound coming from the living
room. ‘Claire?’ he called out, poking
his head round the door. ‘Is that you?’
It took him a moment to spot her. She
was squashed into a crumpled heap on the floor in a corner of the room. A sobbing mess, she looked as if she’d been
that way for some time. He went over and
knelt down beside her.
‘What’s wrong?’
She shook her head erratically. ‘I don’t
know.’
‘What d’you mean, you don’t know?’
‘I feel...so...so depressed.’
‘What about?’
‘Everything.’
Her body shook as she took great heaving gulps of air through her mouth. Mike tried to calm her by stroking her hair.’
‘Please, please, sweetheart,’ he pleaded soothingly, ‘try to keep calm. There must be something wrong. Tell me about it.’
‘I wish I knew. I really do. But I haven’t a clue what’s wrong with me.’
‘Is it Andy. Or Chloe?’
‘No. Andy’s doing fine. He’s sorted himself out. It’s me who’s...’ She stopped and stared into space, tormented
by invisible demons.
Mike was torn. On the one hand, he was
deeply concerned, but on the other, having glimpsed the time on his watch, he
felt irritated that she was making him late for an appointment, and for no good
reason that he could fathom.
‘Why don’t you see the doctor.’
‘What can she do?’
Mike stood up, his patience wearing thin now.
‘At least she might be able to suggest...or give you something for
whatever it is that’s wrong.’
‘What?’
‘How should I know? I’m not a
doctor. But I’ve got to get off to
work.’
She suddenly spat out vehemently: ‘Oh,
don’t you worry about me. I don’t want
to make you late.’
‘Look, I have to get going. If you won’t
tell me what’s wrong.’ He shrugged and
pouted.
She stared at him, eyes filled with hatred, which surprised and frightened
him. ‘Well, go on then. Go.’
‘I don’t like leaving you this way.’ He
stopped in the doorway. ‘Promise me
you’ll go to the doctor.’
‘Yes, all right. If it makes you happy.’
It was on the tip of his tongue to say “no, it’s to make you happy.” Instead he muttered lamely, ‘I’ll call you
later. See how you are.’
*
I feel stupid,’ Jason protested, although he was panting excitedly.
‘Come on, sweetie-pie,’ Lisa urged, ‘don’t give up on me now. You’ve come this far...’ She drew bright pink lipstick carefully
around his lips.
‘I don’t think I can contain myself much longer.’
‘Shush. You’re making me smudge it.’
‘Hurry up.’
Lisa put the lipstick down on the coffee table.
‘That’s it. I’ve finished.’ He made a grab for her. ‘No you don’t. Keep your hands to yourself for just a
minute. I want to see what you look
like. Stand up. Move around.’
She saw that he was about to object, so added breathily. ‘Come on, Jason. I first got turned in by this when I went to
see The Rocky Horror Show. I promise you it’ll be worth it. I’m getting so turned on.’
Jason tottered precariously as he got up from the sofa, his size eight feet
squashed painfully into Lisa’s size six high heel shoes. He looked down at the stockings and
suspenders he was wearing and discovered it was turning him on.
‘Okay,’ yelled Lisa. ‘You can come in
now.’
Jason’s mouth fell open. He swivelled
towards the door as Vanessa entered, followed by four other ex conquests of his
from West Kent
College. They all had digital cameras, and he faced a
barrage of flashing bulbs.
‘I’ll get these photos run off in their hundreds,’ said Vanessa.
Another girl giggled. ‘We can email them
to thousands of people.
‘Have you ever seen such a wanker?’ said Vanessa.
The other girls whooped and cheered and giggled.