Chloe Rides Again Pt. 05

This series is a sequel to the earlier work "Riding With Dirty Girls." You can probably get something out of the sex scenes in isolation, but to fully enjoy the story you really need to read Dirty Girls first.

This is a work of fiction. A figment of the author's imagination. It is not meant to be big on realism. It's a fantasy. The culture around world-class women's cycling probably isn't a hotbed of lesbian lust, but wouldn't it be fun if it were?

All characters are fictitious, and any that are involved in sexual activities are over 18.

***

Part 05: Meanders in Flanders

I was grumpy. I'd returned from Italy to discover that Auntie Flo had come to stay. Yes, my monthly female curse. I suppose I'm luckier than some women, in that my periods are not particularly bad or painful, and they only last four days as a rule, but they still make me feel washed out and listless, which I hate, and turn me into Mrs Ratty.

'Well, it's better than it arriving just before the weekend,' said Licia when I moaned about it. 'This way, it will be gone by Saturday.'

'Yeah, you're right, as usual,' I sighed.

I'd phoned her on Tuesday night, mainly to grumble about the course for the upcoming Gent-Wevelgem race, but also about Auntie Flo, of course.

'Have you done the Gent-Wevelgem?' I asked her.

''Yes, two years ago. It was a lousy day. Wind and rain like you wouldn't believe. I finished in the Autobus.' (a group of riders who form right at the back of the field -- behind the peloton -- for mutual support.)

'The profile looks rubbish. It's basically flat for 90-odd kilometres, then there's a flurry of sharp little hills for 40km, then 35km almost flat to the finish.'

'Yeah it is like that, and the first 50km is out towards the North Sea, so it's often into a bastard of a headwind.'

'The women's doesn't even start in Gent, it starts in Ypres. Why the hell they don't let us ride the same course as the men is beyond me...' This was a favourite bone of contention with me. One I liked to gnaw on relentlessly.

'Remind me again why we're doing it?' I asked.

'Because it was on Molly's list and you said "OK then."

'Oh yeh, I did, didn' I?... Bummer.

'She laughed. 'Molly will just say it's character-building. It'll make you a proper Flandrienne.'

'She will say that... Speaking of Molly though, there's some good news. She says you can come with me and stay at her place Friday night.'

'Oo, nice. Time with sexy, sexy Molly.'

'You noticed then?'

Well of course. I'd have to be blind not to see she's still F. A. F.' (Fit As Fuck) 'Will Fanny be there?

'Don't know. Their relationship is pretty... varied. Even I don't fully understand it. They are both happy with it though, so I don't question it.'

'Are you still... intimate with Molly?'

'I wouldn't keep that from you babe.' No. Not since we've been... together. I'm very close to Molly - I have a lot of affection for her -- and I really like having sex with her. I wouldn't like to have to give it up permanently.'

'You don't need to. I know how close you are. I wish I was that close with my coach, but him being a bloke, that's not likely.' She cackled.

'Molly's ace. She seemed quite excited when I suggested bringing you...'

'Really? I'm flattered. Are we heading for threesomesville?'

Depends on the Fanny situation maybe, and whether I can kick Auntie Flo out in time, but I wouldn't rule it out.

'Anyway, clear it with your team and book a flight to Brussels for Friday. Mine lands at 10:35.'

Woo hoo! Yes Cap'n. I'll text you my ETA.

I ended the call with a grin on my face. I can't stay grumpy for long talking to Licia.

Her WhatsApp message came within an hour: 'Flight to BRU booked for Fri. ETA: 12:15pm. Threesomesville here we come!'

I sent back a laughing emoticon and a thumbs up. She was being presumptuous about the threesome, but it was a tantalizing prospect.

So, her flight was a little later, but not TOO long to wait. I was sure Molly wouldn't mind.

Despite Auntie Flo, I tried, as always, to press on with my training as normal, but I was curiously lethargic this time. More so than usual. It was a disconcerting feeling, because my periods don't usually affect me all that much. I wondered if the sheer volume of sex I'd been having that month had some bearing on it. The mysteries of the body, eh?

Anyway, by the time I flew to Brussels on the Friday, Auntie Flo had also flown, but she'd left me with a persistent lethargy that I couldn't shake off. I even fell asleep on the plane while reading something on my phone and dropped it on the cabin floor. The stewardess picked it up and handed it back with a smile.

I'd already told Molly what time Licia's flight was due, so when we met up, she took me to one of the many coffee bars for a chill. She was looking hot, as usual, with fitted black jeans, and a stylish wax cotton jacket in a lovely burgundy colour.

'Love the jacket, Molly,' I said, 'and the boots.' They were very chic ankle boots in grey suede, with a side zip, and a very subtle Cuban heel.

'Thank you,' she smiled. 'You look lovely too. You always look lovely.' Aww.

Given that I was just wearing blue jeans and a fleece, with trainers, it was a compliment I was happy to take.

We talked about the upcoming race, and I tried not to be too scathing about it. Molly admitted it was not one of her favourites, but being a Flanders race, she was almost duty-bound to defend it against disparagement from outsiders.

We moved on to talk about Licia and how our relationship was going, and I told her about having to cut back on the sex before Trofeo Binda. 'I know she's not at my level on the bike, but she has so much ENERGY.'

'Yes, I have that impression of her. One of those people who is always bouncing.'

'That's an interesting way to put it but, yes.'

The time flew, and we got up to go and meet her in arrivals. The board said ON TIME, and sure enough she bounced in, right on schedule, wearing her colourful Tibetan jacket and snowboard-style trousers, with a Schwalbe cap on her head.

Her look is nothing like Molly's - nothing like as chic and stylish -- but I love it anyway. I got a little zing in my tummy, just from seeing her.

There were hugs and kisses all round, and we headed for Molly's car, and the drive to Waregem (not to be confused with Wevelgem, where Sunday's race would finish). I just knew Molly would have a stoofpot on. She always makes one when I go to stay with her, and sure enough when we entered the house there was the unmistakeable aroma.

'Yay, stoofpot,' I beamed, and clapped my hands. Licia was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Finally she was going to get the chance to sample it.

Within half an hour, Licia and Molly were in the kitchen, having a discussion about the differences between a stoofpot, a hochepot, and an Irish Stew. Molly was saying, 'They're all just words for a stew really. There's no fixed recipe. This one I make has either chicken or rabbit, and I make the stock from gueuze, a kind of rustic local beer. I only use oude gueuze -- the unsweetened kind.'

Licia was nodding. Hanging on every word, taking it all in. I could imagine that a Molly-style stoofpot would appear when I was in Ireland before long, though where Licia would get gueuze from I don't know. Maybe it could be made with Guinness...? Now there's an idea.

It was great to see them together. Such a contrast, physically, but two of the most gorgeous people in the world to my eyes, and it made me super-happy that they were getting on so well.

But, there was a small elephant in the room. When we sat down to eat, I said 'No Fanny today Mol?'

'No, she and Marianne are going to see a film. It's a tragicomedy. Doesn't appeal to me at all.'

'Fanny and Marianne?' I asked.

'Yes. Don't read anything into it Chloe, they are good friends. They do hang out together sometimes.'

'They knew Licia and I were coming though, didn't they?'

'Yes, of course.' She gave me a withering look.

I decided to let the subject drop. I didn't really know how the relationship between the three of them worked, especially now Marianne was out, but I didn't need to worry it like a dog with a bone. All I wanted to know was whether Molly was thinking what Licia and I were thinking.

'So, Molly...' I looked at her with a fruity smirk.

'Yes, Chloe.' She said, nodding and pre-empting me.. 'Do you think I'll be able to resist temptation with you two in the house? You two? So young, fit, gay and sexy? And me? Not quite so young, but pretty fit, gay, and horny?' Come on...'

'Fit as fuck, actually,' said Licia.

We giggled. There was a delicious fizz of sexual excitement in the air.

Molly turned up the heating. 'Let's get the place warm so we can watch some porn in the nude,' she said. It's a great way to build up excitement.' As if the excitement needed building up...

We didn't strip off immediately, we gave the heating a chance to do its stuff, and just sat on the sofa and chatted. About sex of course. At this point, there was no other subject.

'I always thought you were hot, Molly,' said Licia. 'Back when you were at the top and I was an Under-23, I used to try get a glimpse of you in the showers. It was handy that we raced together in the same race. I was never anywhere near you in the races, obviously, but we were in the showers at the same time. Once, I was in the cubicle next to you, and I got myself off, just knowing you were just the other side of that thin partition.'

'That's very flattering,' said Molly, 'I don't think you knew how cute and sexy you looked to me back then.'

'Really?' said Licia. 'You noticed me?'

'Of course. You were the rising star from Britain -- before Chloe came along...' Licia rolled her eyes. 'Great things were expected, and yes, you were cute. Still are.'

This was fascinating. Licia was being very candid -- I think deliberately. It was a way to push Molly's buttons, and it certainly seemed to be working. And Molly was giving the same back.

When all this took place, if Molly was, say, 31 (when she won her 2nd world cx title) Licia would have been 19, and I would have been a youngster of 15... about the time I first took up cyclocross. It made me realise that Licia is significantly older, though she never seems it to me.

Anyway, the flirting between them was stimulating. They'd admired each other years ago, and now here they were, about to, fulfil old fantasies. I almost felt like I should let them enjoy it alone, just the two of them.

I'm joking. There's no way I was missing out on a piece of THIS action.

Licia was saying 'I never thought I'd be in your living room, about to get naked with you. It's insane.'

Molly smiled. 'And look at me! Old and past it, with two young babes...'

'Hey, hey, stop that,' I rebuked her. 'You're not old. You're not nearly old. You're one of the sexiest women I know -- of any age -- and us two "young babes" are lucky to be here with you.'

She grinned. 'Come on, let's get naked and watch some porn.'

We all stripped, and Molly moved the sofa nearer to her wall-mounted TV. We sat in a row, with Molly in the middle, and she navigated to a film she said was a particular favourite of hers.

One of the most off-putting things about porn, to me, is that when you are trying to find something good, you have to endure inescapable flashes of cocks, and blokes doing their animalistic humping thing. Ugh. I kept my eyes closed until the film started.

It was a lesbian threesome, with three very beautiful women, two of them young, perhaps 20-21 and the other in her 30s. I could see why she'd chosen it.

The "story" was that the older woman was introducing the younger ones to the joys of lesbian sex, and she had them both lick her pussy, while she lay on a sofa, legs akimbo. Her breasts were amazingly firm, with super-pointy nipples, and her pussy was pink, wet and fleshy. I loved the way the younger women to turns tonguing her while the other watched. Their fascination, and their arousal looked genuine. If it wasn't, they were very good actresses.

Molly's hands drifted to our pussies as we watched, and ours drifted to hers. Soon, we were all fingering each other, with Molly getting the benefit of both my fingers and Licia's. Our moans joined those of the older woman on the screen.

Licia was first to come, with a delightful little whimper, and I wasn't far behind her. Molly's fingers are magical.

There was a pause, as we recovered from our orgasms, then we resumed our attentions. Licia got down on the floor, and I did the same. It was inevitable. Why watch the double licking on the screen when we could do it for real.

We copied the young women in the film, taking turns to lick and finger Molly's delectable pussy while the other watched. 'Oh my God this is so fucking hot,' said Licia, and she was right.

When she used her long tongue, I could almost feel it, as if she were doing it to me. That feeling is so familiar to me now. Molly seemed to be enjoying it, judging by the gorgeously rapturous sounds she was making. They were certainly more raw and convincing than the over-exaggerated caterwauling on the video.

We paid no further attention to the porn. It had served its purpose as a component of our arousal, but now, we only needed each other.

Eating Molly's pussy is always a treat, but being able to also watch Licia do it was something extra special, and as she rose towards her peak, we did our pincer movement thing, trapping her engorged clit between our fluttering tongues and sending her soaring into a sensual cosmos.

As she floated gradually back to Earth, Licia and I enjoyed an extraordinary slippery-slidey tongue kiss, then I sucked her tongue, which I love. Mmm, Licia's tongue with added Molly... fucking delish.

Licia got up and lay next to Molly, with a groan of pleasure, and they kissed. I stood up and looked at them, smooching salaciously, legs askew in the careless abandon of sexual gratification. They were nothing alike, except for one thing -- well, two things.

Their pussies were remarkably similar. Both had similarly dark pubes, contrasting with pale skin, both had prominent, almost meaty inner lips, and both had deep pink pink inner flesh, rubescent with arousal. LIcia had even started trimming her pubes a little less, once she realised my liking for them, so now, I had two rather lush bushes at my disposal. Mm mmm, my mouth watered again.

Licia wanted mine though. Molly seemed in a bit of a daze, a bit spacey, but Licia lay on her back and said 'Queen me, babe ' so I crawled onto the sofa, inserting my knee between them and straddled her face. She wriggled down a little, and said 'Fuck my tongue ' Ooohh, shiver.

That tongue is a wonder. She stuck it out, vertically, and I sank down on it, feeling its amazing muscularity parting my lips. It's a pretty good fit in my tight little vag, and I savoured the feeling of it as I lifted myself up slowly, then sank down again until my wet lips squished down on hers. She gave a muffled moan, and I lifted myself up again, paused, then sank down again. SO fucking lewd and horny.

'You like that?' I said, and she made a slightly gurgly sound of approval. She loves tongue fucking me, and I was loving indulging her prurient hunger, just moving slowly up and down on her tongue. Each time my lips pressed down on her mouth, her tongue curled, just flirting with the edge of my spot, and I wiggled slightly, rubbing my clit against her upper lip.

Molly had revived now and was watching us avidly, her fingers teasing her own clit. 'Oh wow, this is so hot to watch.' She breathed. The caterwauling continued on the TV, but we weren't taking a blind bit of notice.

I knew from past experience that Licia's tongue gets tired though. She can't hold it stiff forever, and after a while she gave a little moan and I lifted myself up. She swallowed, then said 'Fuck my face...

I keep my pubes neatly trimmed. Although I enjoy a lush bush, I like the look of my neat one, and Licia does too. She says it could win a pussy beauty contest, and I paused to let her gaze at it, showing off by pulling up on my mons with my fingers, making my clit and my inner lips stand out.

Another advantage of shorter pubes is that my inner lips can be seen more clearly, and I loved watching them riding over her mouth and nose as I began to fuck her face. I was so very wet, and I deliberately rode right up to her hairline, thrusting my hips forward and rolling from side to side, trying to coat her whole face in my slippery goo, cos I know she loves that.

She couldn't really speak much, but she was able to gasp out. 'Oh... fuck... yes... fuck... me... oh... oh... fuck,' in between my pussy sliding over her mouth.

Molly was wanking like fury now, her eyes like saucers as she gazed at us. In fact, so was Licia, her fingers pumping in and out of her squelching pussy as I fucked her, and it didn't take long before the air was filled with our pre-orgasmic cries of pleasure.

Predictably, Licia was first to surf the climactic crest, her hand fucking her pussy so hard it made her whole body shake, and that was enough to send me into orgasmic overdrive. I raised myself up and finished myself off in a similar way; pumping my fingers in and out of my tight hole in a frenzy. My climax was wonderfully sustained -- it seemed to last for minutes -- and my pussy drooled long strings of gooey sex syrup all over Licia's face, as she lay with her mouth wide open, catching my essence as it dribbled out of me.

'Oooohhhhh fuuuuuckk... Molly's orgasm arrived violently and she slammed her head back onto the cushions, over and over, as her legs thrashed wildly. 'Fuck... fuck... fuuck...' she cried out, almost desperately, as she came. - It was obviously a good one!

I flopped forward against the sofa's backrest, and we all lay there panting. Shattered by the release, the outpouring of lust and lascivity. It was intense. A meeting of 3 towering libidos. It was bound to be spectacular.

None of us moved for long moments. I slumped there, drooling on Molly's sofa, still straddling Licia, who had her head turned and my abdomen pressing down on her cheek. I realised I had to move, so I stirred myself and got to my feet. We were all moans and groans, but they were good moans and groans. Moans and groans of ravishment.

We took turns in the bathroom, then dressed, loosely, and Molly opened a bottle of wine and some snacks. Well, cheese and biscuits actually. Since I've been going to Molly's, I've acquired a real taste for Belgian cheeses, like Postel, Nazareth, and Passendale, and Molly served us all these. Delicious. In fact, I have to admit... I had some of the latter lurking in the fridge back home in Scotland.

We relaxed on the sofa for a while, watching a bizarre Belgian game show, which was one of the best comedies I've ever seen, and the fuzzy feeling of contentment was just unbeatable. The post-sex glow. Even the cheese and wine tasted better.

Contented we may have been, but that didn't mean we couldn't get horny again. After the mad game show, something less riveting came on, and we inevitably started talking about the scintillating sex we'd just had.

'That's a long-harboured fantasy fulfilled for me,' said Licia. 'Eating your pussy...' Molly chuckled and looked a little embarrassed.

'I loved watching and being part of it,' I said. 'It was so friggin hot

'I could tell you were very turned on, Chloe,' said Molly. 'Your come was amazing. I've never seen anything like it, except in porn, and I just assumed that was fake.'

'Have you never come like that Molly?' I asked.

'Well not quite like that, no.'

'I think I'm getting wetter as I get older,' I mused.

Licia looked thoughtful. 'I think you -- or we -- are getting wetter as we get more horny and have more sex. Maybe the porn girls get like that because they do it so much. Some it IS fake, by the way.'

'I'm not talking about the fake squirting, which is just pee. I mean real drippy, drooly girl juice. It's usually on cam sites, rather than in studio porn.'

'You've obviously studied this, haven't you Mol?' I chided her.'

'Oh I've had a long time... I'm very experienced,' she smirked.

Before I knew it, there was certain warm, moistness in my pants again... D'oh, and they were clean on. 'Oh, God, I'm horny again now...'

I wasn't the only one. They both murmured, 'mm.' We all got rid of our damp knickers again, and three pairs of legs parted almost involuntarily, overlapping each other. Our hands slipped between them once more, and we started wanking, slowly and gently. Just savouring the divine sensuality of our wet flesh.

We must have made a provocative sight. The three of us in a row, reclining with bums on the edge of the sofa, eyes closed in sexual rapture and hands playing with our pussies.

My thumbs toyed with my pubes and I had a sudden impulse. I sat bolt upright and said 'Sit on top of Molly, Liss.'

They opened their eyes, startled. 'What?'

'Sit on top of Molly, I want to eat both of you...' She jumped up, grinning. Molly seemed a little bemused, but she'd soon get it.

You may recall, we'd done this before, in Zurich, when Licia and I had presented Marianne with two pussies to eat. Now, I wanted to have the pleasure of a pussy feast. I was greedy for both those lush bushes.

Licia stepped astride Molly and sat down on her abdomen, then shuffled forward to bring her pussy right on top of Molly's, and I grabbed a cushion and knelt on the floor between their legs. 'Oh,' said Molly. She got it.

It really was a rare treat to see those two hairy pussies so close together. Molly's pubes are a shade darker -- virtually jet black -- and Licia's inner lips are a little more prominent, but they both presented me with a mouthwatering repast of glistening pink flesh.

I'm a very visual person and the sight of those two delicious pussies, spread thighs, and their elegant feminine hands was making my own pussy go ZING. And the contrast between Molly's wiry black pubes and Licias pale bum cheeks... OMG.

I moved in and rubbed my nose against Licia's clit, then up, to inhale her scent and feel her pubes. I tongued her dribbling hole, fluttered against her clit, then moved down to Molly's equally delectable sex.

The aroma of hot, wanting pussies made my head swim, and the heat of engorged aroused flesh felt torrid. Almost sizzling hot.

I alternated rapidly between the two of them, using all my experience to give them maximum pleasure, using my fingers as well as my mouth, and their moans and sighs, and their ever-oozing wetness told me they were in 7th heaven.

As for me, I was immersed in an elysian dream world of double pussy delight, especially when Licia lay back on top of Molly and skewed her body to one side so they could turn their heads and kiss. Just achingly horny.

As their orgasms approached, their fingers joined the party, swirling over their clits and sharing the joy with my tongue, while I used my hands to finger both of them, driving their pleasure higher and higher and higher...

When they got there, it was an orgasmic epic. Licia's climax started first, and she was still wailing like a banshee when Molly joined her. The tumult must have lasted at least a minute - two if the exquisite, jerky, juddery aftershocks are included.

I'd been so absorbed, so immersed in pussy paradise, that I had completely neglected my own need, but now, I flopped back against the armchair and fingered myself to a climax that was quick and intense, making a little pool of syrupy pussy drool on Molly's wooden living room floor.

It took us a while to regain normal composure, and when we did we were all incredulous about the intensity of our sex that night. I mean, I always knew a threesome with Molly and Licia would be awesome, but fucking hell...

We straightened up the room, and ourselves, and headed, yawning, to bed, Licia and me in the spare room. It was only 9:45pm but we were all shattered.

Licia was asleep in seconds, even before I'd turned off the bedside lamp, and I propped myself up on one arm and looked at her. So lovely. So devoted to me, yet so open to our wild sexual adventures. I was so lucky to have found her.

I clicked the light off and snuggled up to her, nuzzling her ear lobe and making her murmur. I inhaled the scent of her skin, felt her warm leg with my hand, then drifted off into the most sublime slumber.

***

Gent Wevelgem.

Although the race start in Ypres was only about 40 minutes drive from Molly's house, Team Lyon had decided to make a weekend of it, travelling there on Saturday, and staying until Monday, when I would fly back to Scotland.

We were all travelling there together in the Lyonmobile on Saturday afternoon, and Molly had invited Fanny and Marianne for lunch. They arrived about 1pm and we set about demolishing the delicious meatballs and pasta Molly had made -- got to have pasta the day before a race.

Feeling a little cheeky, I asked Marianne how her love life was going, and she sighed. 'Well, it's not -- not yet anyway. Very difficult to meet lesbians... What do I have to do? Wear a rainbow badge? Put a karabiner on my bag? What? All the lesbians I know are attached or way too young for me.'

Licia and I looked at each other. We'd honestly never had that problem. 'I met my first girlfriend through my cycling club in Allerside,' Licia said, 'and you know how I met Chloe. I think sports clubs and groups are a good way to do it.'

'You say they're too young Mari,' I said, 'but not necessarily. They're not too young to have a bit of fun with. As we've said before, you really could join the free girls. You'd be very welcome.'

'Nooo, I'm not on the tour.'

'But you could come to all the races. Even if Mol and Fanny aren't going, you have a car. The next few rounds are all within driving distance.'

'Mm, maybe I could...'

Everyone was nodding, and I could see the idea held some appeal for her.

'So who ARE the free girls now?' Molly asked. 'It's all changed a bit, hasn't it?'

'Yeh, it's changed. There are three new couples; Liss and me, Maisie and Sabina, and Helen and Lucy, but we're all determined to keep the free thing going. Then there's Marlen, Pam, Stella, Aimée, and Gigi...'

'Plus anyone else we can turn,' said Licia with a wicked grin.

'Wow, it's still quite a group then, hm?'

'Yep.' I smiled happily. 'It was Maisie that rebooted it. Sent everyone a WhatsApp - we'll have to add you to the group Marianne.'

She smiled. I was sure she'd grab the opportunity. I was already looking forward to fucking her again.

We prepared to leave, and it was strange having no bikes on the roof of the Lyonmobile. I missed my 'cross bikes. The team bikes I was riding with Canyon-Zipp, great though they were, didn't feel like "mine."

Fanny sat in the passenger seat, and Licia and I got in the back with Marianne. She was in the middle and we couldn't resist having a bit of fun with her. I squeezed her right thigh with my hand, saucily, then Licia did the same to her left one, making her giggle and murmur. She was wearing a pair of running tights, and her thigh felt wonderful. Smooth, supple and strong.

We did it again, but this time both together, and higher up, then we slid our hands up, all the way to her groins, so they framed her vulva and made a startling camel toe. She gave a little gasp, and Molly looked at me in the rear view mirror. 'What are you up to back there? Chloe Lyons, I can see the look of mischief on your face.'

'Nothin,' I smirked and looked out of the side window.

We'd awakened Marianne now though. She put her hands on our thighs, and gave me a sidelong look. If we weren't in the back of Molly's car, this could have led to sex very quickly. I could almost feel her sexual desire. 'Later,' I whispered.

We were passing through Wevelgem where the race would finish, and Molly drove the last 30 kilometres in the opposite direction to the race, so I could have a look at it. Licia already knew it and said it was 'flat as feck.' It was too, and we passed a shocking number of huge cemeteries for the war dead from the WW1 fighting that took place around here. My verdict? Horrible.

Our team hotels, and the one Molly and co were staying in, were happily close together near the race start in the centre of town. I took my bags up to my room, saw that I was rooming with Helen again, then met up with Licia, Molly and co for a look around town.

I didn't like Ypres (Ieper in Flemish). Although the events of WW1 are now more than 100 years ago, the place is still full of museums and memorials, and there is still a huge tourist industry sustained by the war history.

It's impossible to come here and not be touched by WW1. Even the Kemmelberg, the biggest climb on the Gent-Wevelgem course, is a battle site, where hundreds of thousands of foredoomed soldiers lost their lives. The whole thing cast a pall over the race for me.

I returned to the hotel for dinner, and listened gloomily to the plans for the race. Despite the little flurry of climbs near Ypres, the race is predominantly flat, and a bunch sprint finish was considered a distinct possibility. Everyone knew Tera was no mean sprinter, but also that Marieke was usually just a bit better. Main domestiques were to be Helen, Marlen, and me, with Selina and Mia as secondary support.

We heard that Suzy had fallen off her bike in training and hurt her wrist, so she wasn't riding, which meant one less rival for Tera, but also left Lucy as team leader at Amstel-Rabo. Nobody said much about that, but I thought it was very interesting. I knew that Lucy was quite capable of competing for the win, even in a sprint.

The weather forecast was not uplifting; 10 degrees C with a 70% chance of rain, and a north-westerly wind. It looked like we were going to get the headwinds the race is infamous for on the run up to the North Sea coast. Oh joy.

After dinner, I went up to the room and lay on the bed. Helen went up too and we had a little chat about the race. She had done it multiple times and her opinion of it was similar to mine; it was a bit rubbish. 'Don't underestimate that bunch of climbs in the middle of the race,' she said, 'they really can break up the peloton.'

We lay on our beds, phones in hand, and I texted Licia to see if she fancied meeting up for 'a little drink or something.'

'No, I'll have to give it a miss babe, sorry. I'm not feeling good. I think I'm coming down with something.'

'Oh no. What, a cold or something?'

'Yeh, I've got a splitting headache and blocked nose.'

'Bummer. Get an early night and see how you feel in the morning.'

'Yeh. I think I will. Night babe.'

Hmph. Coming down with something. Hope I don't catch it, I thought.

Helen was smiling happily as she looked at her phone. She was obviously texting with Lucy, and sure enough, within 5 minutes she jumped up and said, 'I'm off to meet Lucy.' She stopped before she left though and came back to kiss me. 'Thank you, Chloe. None of this would have happened without you.' I smiled and squeezed her hand. I didn't think it was all down to me, but it was nice that they had got together. I was happy for them.

So, that left me lying there alone and at a loose end. I could have just had an early night, but I didn't feel like that, so I called Molly to see what they were doing. 'We are just having a drink here in the hotel. Come and join us.'

I walked across the park to their hotel and found the three of them in the lounge/bar. They were in high spirits and, since they weren't involved in racing, alcohol was helping. I got myself a fruit juice and we chatted, initially about the race, which Molly had won four times, but then onto other riders, the free girls... and sex.

'Do you really think any of them would be interested in me?' Marianne said.

'Too bloody right they would. Me for a start...'

She chuckled and gave me an elfish look. 'Thank you.'

Molly and Fanny were observing this exchange, but didn't say anything. Unlike in Zurich, there was no attempt to foment a sexual liaison. Maybe because Licia wasn't here, or maybe just because it was the night before a race and Molly was wearing her coach hat.

We chatted on, amicably, sometimes a little indecently, and I observed Marianne with interest. She was wearing jeans and trainers, with a tee shirt, so not anything provocative, but I could appreciate her curves and, now I was familiar with them, even the bagginess of the tee shirt couldn't disguise her tits. Yes, she was very fuckable.

About 10pm, Molly said, 'Bedtime, I think. You've a tough race tomorrow, Chloe' (coach hat again).

'OK, just need a pee before I go.' Cheeky kisses all round, then they departed upstairs while I headed for the ladies loos.

While I was peeing, I heard someone else come in, but they didn't go into an adjacent cubicle. I didn't hear a tap running or anything. Just silence. How strange.

I finished, pulled my pants up and exited the cubicle, then -- OMG - Marianne was standing there. 'Oo, Mari, hello. I didn't expect to see you. Does your room not have an en-suite?' I turned to wash my hands, and she came up behind me and put an arm around me, pulling herself hard up against me.

'Of course it does, but I wanted to see you Chloe. I want you Chloe.' I struggled to push back against her, and I turned to protest, but the next thing I knew we were kissing. A mad, rabid, hungry kiss. I was right when I said she was a strong girl. She crushed me to her, bending me back against the washbasins until it hurt. Her tongue was a whirling serpent, invading my mouth, and our hip bones bumped together as she thrust herself against me.

I struggled to fend her off, saying 'Stop Marianne, you're hurting me, and she released me and stepped back, looking chastened.

'Sorry Chloe, I didn't mean to hurt you. You've just got me so hot!' I want you so badly. I haven't had sex for over a month and I'm hurting. A lesbian beast has been awakened in me, and it wants YOU.'

Wow. She really had it bad, and I sympathised because I get like that myself sometimes. So horny, yet no amount of wanking will take away the desire. She was desperate for actual sex, desperate for me. And did I want it too? Of course I did. Her initial fervid advances had lit my fire. Any doubts, reluctance, even thoughts of Licia, were swept aside. My God, an ardent woman like this is just irresistible to me.

I stepped forward again, put my hands on her hips and kissed her. A gentler kiss. A kiss of acquiescence. She didn't need more, and she took my hand and led me to her room.

We undressed rapidly and she came to me and took me in her arms. 'Thank you.' I kissed her again, first on the cheek, then softly on the mouth, then down her neck and onwards to those gorgeous soft, full breasts of hers.

I lifted them in my hands, and took one of her nipples between my lips, sucking and squeezing it gently and she shivered and gave a little moan. I moved to the other one and swirled my tongue round and round it, drooling my saliva all over it and marvelling at the contrast between the softness of her breasts, and the firm rubberiness of her nipples, which were bursting with arousal.

I pushed her back until she fell onto the bed, then I continued kissing my way down, over the slight womanly swell of her stomach to her neat little thatch of brown pubes. I pushed her legs apart and wriggled between them, and she bent her knees and let her thighs fall open until the tendons at her groins defined the shape of her vulva beautifully. Her labia parted slightly, giving me a delicious glimpse of her pink flesh, her girl goo, and her erect clit. Beautiful.

I spread her wider with my fingers, fully revealing her deep pink engorged flesh and I just teased her with a momentary touch with the tip of my tongue. She groaned and breathed 'Ohh fuck.'

I knew how desperate she was, so I didn't tease her for long. I was hungry for that pussy too, and I began to eat her, avidly. She was very wet, very hot, and very noisy, whimpering, moaning, and gasping as I worked my magic on her wonderfully sapid sex.

There is something overpoweringly delicious about eating a hot, aroused pussy, drooling with love juice, and it still astonishes me. It fills me with a prurient, lustful voracity in a way no food can. Not chocolate, not ice cream, not the most succulent of fruits, not even Molly's stoofpot. It is simply ambrosial.

Ostensibly, I was pleasuring Marianne, but in truth I was probably getting almost as much pleasure from it as she was, especially that incomparable feeling of empathy as she rose towards her climax. The sense of bringing her gradually to an extraordinary plateau of pleasure.

She came with an almost desperate cry of joy and gratification, jerking and writhing, then subsiding into little sobs. Good grief she needed that, and I felt good that I'd given that joy and release to her, but my God I was horny now...

I didn't rush her, I just lay next to her and waited until her equilibrium returned, then she turned and kissed me. She smiled. 'Phew that was epic, Chloe. I think I owe you.' I nodded slowly.

She wriggled down and I opened up in welcome, joyfully spreading my legs wide. My pussy was aching with need, and I gave a trembly sigh as she parted my petals and kissed my pussy like it were my mouth. 'Such a pretty pussy, Chloe. It's precious.' An odd choice of word, but I got her meaning.

She ate me beautifully, and I floated away into an ocean of sensational pleasure. My pussy never gets tired of being eaten, and Marianne lavished all her new-found sapphic passion on it, moaning with lust as she savoured that incomparable sensuality of mouth on pussy.

I came twice, the first one a zingy little pre-O, the second a bum-clenching monster that made my abdomen ache. 'Ooo, a gorgeous little squirt,' said Marianne, 'mm, mm lmm,' as she lapped up my nectar.

... It was late. As soon as I had recovered my strength, I got up and dressed hurriedly. I gave a drowsy Marianne a quick kiss, then hot-footed it back to my hotel. I was glad there was 24-hour reception because it was well after midnight when I walked through the lobby and up to the room.

Helen was fast asleep, and I tried not to wake her as I undressed, but she did wake, looked at the time and said 'What have you been up to?'

'Never you mind... Sorry to wake you.' She chuckled slightly, turned over, and pulled the covers her head.

As I put my phone on the bedside table, I noticed a message. It was a 'Night night babe' from Licia, which had been sent at 10:05. Dammit. It was far too late to reply now. I knew I'd been a very bad girl.

***

Race Day.

I woke a little groggy, then suddenly remembered the previous evening and the guilt came flooding back. I immediately sent Licia a message: 'Morning babe, sorry I didn't reply last night. I missed your message.'

I lay brooding and listening to Helen humming in the shower. She sounded very happy.

Licia's reply chimed in. 'Morning lovely. S'OK. I was asleep in seconds anyway. Feel pretty crap today '

'Are you riding?'

'Yeh, course. I'm a Yorkshire lass. We don't wimp out.'

I sent a grinning emoticon and 'See you at the start.'

Helen emerged. 'Ah, finally awake I see.'

'Yes, and hungry. See you downstairs,' and I darted into the bathroom.

Breakfast was all tedious team tactics talk. The dreaded 4 Ts. We were told the whole team would be used in support of Tera, the plan being to keep the pace high to discourage any attacks and prevent a breakaway from forming. When we reached the climbs, Tera would attack and try to go clear and solo to the finish. Molly had once won like that, so it had been proven that it could work.

I was given the unenviable task of leading the peloton in the initial sector after km 0 and make that fast, discouraging pace, preventing a break. With the forecast headwind, I thought a break would be discouraged anyway, but that was the task I'd been given, so that's what I'd do.

I could see how this was going to pan out. I'd do the initial stint on the front, Selina and Mia would do some turns but then would find the pace too hard. Marlen and Helen would sacrifice themselves, but the bulk of the work would end up being down to me. Tera would sit in the slipstream all the way to the climbs and would arrive there relatively fresh, while I would be knackered from riding fast in the wind all day. That was the plan in a nutshell. It's just the lot of the strongest domestique on the team.

Down at the start, the weather was appalling, with a vicious wind hurling squalls of rain almost horizontally. Some people actually started in full rain gear. I had mine on, but discarded it before we rolled out. I did keep arm and leg warmers on though, along with full finger gloves.

I found Licia, fully wrapped up in waterproofs, and she definitely didn't look well. 'It will just be a battle for survival today,' she said, with a cough.

The race started under the Menin Gate, a large tunnel-like war memorial, and we were glad of its shelter as we waited for the neutralised start. Not many people were relishing the prospect, but we did spare a thought for the men, who had to start in Gent and cover 80km more than us. For once, I was glad our race was shorter.

The race started quietly and we rode out into the full force of the weather, following the commissaire's car. I girded up my loins for km 0.

At most of these race starts, the commissaire stands up, through the car's sunroof, to wave the flag, but this time the weather was such that he stayed inside and waved the flag out of the window. I didn't blame him.

As soon as the flag dropped, I went straight into time-trialling mode; hands on the drops, body low, and legs churning the pedals. The team were in single file behind me with Tera at the rear, and it took other teams a little while to get organised, since this wasn't expected.

I was glad to start putting the work in, actually. It had been cold on the easy 10km of neutralised start and I had been itching to get going and warm up a bit.

Anyone who had been planning to attack and make a break, was taken by surprise at the ferocity of the pace, and they had to scramble to get in the wheels as the peloton roared forward.

I did 3km on the front, then Selina took over and, one by one, other teams got involved. Those with sprinters saw the fast pace as advantageous because it prevented any escapes. They wanted the race to end in a bunch sprint, but I don't think any of them would have taken the initiative if we hadn't.

Gradually, others took a share of the pacemaking; Gigi, working for Marieke, Kat Bohringer, working for Elisa Abruzzi, and Olga Avonova, working for Lucy this time, instead of Suzy.

Meanwhile, our team continued to rotate; Selina, Mia, Marlen, Helen, then back to me, with Tera sitting pretty in our wheels.

The weather was truly awful, with a brutal headwind like a giant hand holding us back, and continual squally showers. As we approached Veurne, I was back on the front, and the wind-driven rain was like being hit in the face with a stiff brush. I just gritted my teeth and pressed on into the teeth of the wind.

Finally at Adinkerke, after 55km of battering, the course turned south and the wind was no longer full in our faces, but that was little advantage. It was now a fiendish crosswind. The peloton began to fragment, and echelons started forming (long diagonal lines of riders, where drafting involves being slightly to one side of the rider ahead).

Splits always occur when echelons form, and some riders started to lose touch. We were in the leading echelon, along with all the main contenders, and we continued to follow our plan; keeping the pace high and protecting Tera. More and more though, the work was falling to Marlen, Helen, and me, with Mia and Selina starting to struggle, and somewhere near Oostvleteren we lost them. A number of other riders in the group were also struggling and, inevitably, a second echelon formed.

Our group was now down to about 20 riders, and we drove on, weathering the merciless squalls, and steadily increasing our gap over the fragmented chasers. There was no longer a peloton.

We were now on the run in to the climbs, and we got a little blessed relief from the weather as we approached the wooded hills. No relief from the effort though, especially since I was doing an increasingly large share of the work, and this would only get worse on the coming climbs. I was definitely feeling it.

This weird climbing section was less than 40km long, but it meandered about, collecting 5 climbs; the Scherpenberg, the Baneberg, the Monteberg, and the cobbled Kemmenberg -- twice.

We hadn't discussed precisely where Tera would attack, so as Helen led us towards the Scherpenberg, I dropped back to ask her, being careful we weren't overheard. She said she'd leave it to the second ascent of the Kemmelberg, where everyone would likely be suffering.

So, I knew how this was played. At the start of the ascent, I would go to the front and set a withering pace, hoping to shed as many of the remaining riders as possible. Then, when she decided the time was right, she'd launch her attack.

On the first three climbs, the group reduced as riders lost touch, but Marieke, Lucy, Elisa, and Tera, with a handful of domestiques, were still there. Helen and Marlen did some work between the climbs, but they were starting to struggle a bit now. I was trying to save a bit for that second Kemmelberg but, in truth, I hadn't much left.

Imagine our surprise when, on the first time up the hill, Lucy attacked! Her domestique, Olga, had been drilling it on the front on the bottom part of the climb, absolutely sacrificing herself, so we should have suspected something was about to happen, but when the attack came it was devastating.

She unleashed a blistering acceleration, stamping on the pedals and rocking from side to side with the effort. As Tera's last remaining team mate, it was incumbent on me to chase her down, along with the team mates of Marieke and Elisa. We gave chase, but Gigi and Kat were quickly dropped, and my legs rebelled. I think I reduced the gap a little at first, but then I was spent. I'd been working my legs off all day and I had nothing left. Lucy had escaped.

At the point where she attacked, there were 57km left. She'd have to do the second ascent of the Kemmelberg, then the descent back to Ypres, then the flat 35km to the finish in Wevelgem, all solo.

Our best plan now was to regroup and all work together. We might catch her on the flat roads before the finish if we were determined and shared the work.

It was never going to work. After what happened at the Omloop, Tera was not going to help Marieke to the finish, just to get outsprinted again, and we domestiques were all pretty knackered now anyway.

Elisa knew Marieke would outsprint her in that scenario too, and she was famous for long range solos. She attacked on the second Kemmelberg, and got a gap while Tera and Marieke were watching each other, then Tera made her move and got away from Marieke.

On the flat roads out of Ypres towards the finish there were 4 riders effectively doing solo time trials; Marieke trying to catch Tera, Tera trying to catch Elisa, and Elisa trying in vain to catch a flying Lucy, who had blown us to pieces. Into the weeds.

I formed a group with Gigi and Kat, and we team time-trialled it to the finish. Just call us Team Dead Legs. There was no attempt at a sprint at the end, we all just rolled in, defeated, dejected, bedraggled. I felt like I'd been in a washing machine on a full wash and spin cycle. A cold cycle.

It was an amazing result:

1. L van Barle (A-R) 4:16.47

2. E Abruzzi (TVV) +02.42

3. T Griffin (C-Z) +03.22

4. M Vox (TPF) +03.56

5. G Rivers (TPF) +04.44

6. C Lyons (C-Z) +04.46

7. K Bohringer (TVV) +04.50

8. M Raichle (C-Z) +05.34

9. H Clausters (C-Z) +05.35

10. O Avonova (A-R) +06.23

I sought out Lucy to congratulate her on her epic solo break, but I had to wait while she finished her post-race interviews. Then, we shared a hug, but only just before Helen arrived to do the same. Lucy was ecstatic, and deservedly so.

I looked around for Licia but couldn't see her, and I was getting cold. Well, even colder. My teeth were chattering as I returned to the team bus, stripped off my wet gear and piled on some warm stuff. I didn't get properly warm until we returned to the hotel and I got under the shower though.

I shared the shower with Helen, simply because we'd returned together and neither of us wanted to wait. It's always nice to share a shower with Helen anyway, and we had a nice giggly time soaping each other.

Helen was very pleased with her top 10 finish. 'I couldn't believe how well I kept it going near the end, though Marlen was towing me part of the time. Still, some life in the old dog,' she grinned.

'Stop it. Still tons of life. You're a wonder, Helen.'

Molly called me to say bad luck, but also to compliment me on doing 'a terrific job for Tera... Again.' Apparently, Team Lyon were on the Kemmelberg, braving the wind and rain to cheer me on, but I was so intent on the race I didn't even see them. Shame.

Then, as if that didn't make me feel guilty enough, she startled me by saying 'Did you have a nice time with Mari last night?'

'Wha...,? I... er..'

She laughed. 'You two can't have sex quietly... We heard you, and it wasn't difficult to get Mari to admit it at breakfast this morning. I think she's quite proud of it, actually.'

'Well, we were both horny and...'

'It's OK... Judging by today, you didn't need an early night. Bit sneaky though, Chloe.'

'It wasn't pre planned. I went for a pee, then next minute, there she was.'

'Hmm.' I'm not sure she believed me.

After the call, I thought about Licia again, and I texted her. 'Hey, how did it go today? I didn't see you at the finish.'

'No, I didn't finish. I dropped out on the Scherpenberg. Legs like lead. I've got some sort of virus.'

'Ah, bummer.'

'Half the field didn't finish - 76 out of 149 -- so I don't feel so bad about it.'

'Can I meet you somewhere? I want to talk.'

'Ooer, sounds serious. Are you sure? You might catch the lurgy.'

'Yes, I'm sure. There's a bar right by the Menin Gate called Tankbier. I'll meet you there after dinner. Say 8:30?'

'OK. I'm in suspenders now.'

'I wish,' I laughed. 'See you later.'

We were having fun, as we always did, but I had a feeling of apprehension. I was going to tell her about what I'd done with Marianne. I know. Kamikaze honesty, but she'd said I could have a little adventure as long as I didn't do it in secret, behind her back, and I was determined to stay true to that. I'd already had a little liaison with Helen that she didn't know about and I didn't want it to become a habit. I had to tell her.

I was a little distant at dinner. Once again, we hadn't won, but the team couldn't be too disappointed, with Tera on the podium, and four of us in the top ten. 'Next week's the big one though,' said Robbie, meaning the Tour of Flanders (or Ronde van Vlaanderen to give it its proper name).

I wasn't too disappointed with my Gent-Wevelgem. I'd knowingly sacrificed my own chances for Tera, as a good domestique should but, even though there's some pride and satisfaction in the domestique role, I really didn't want to remain one for long. I needed to make my mark. I needed a win.

Anyway, I had other things on my mind at that moment. After dinner, I went up to the room and I confided in Helen, about where I was with Licia, what had happened with Marianne, and my apprehension in telling her about it. This really was Helen as big sister.

'Does she know about us last week?'

I shook my head. 'No, but I don't want it to become normal to have sex behind her back.'

She nodded. 'It's something Lucy and I have to talk about too. I guess there's a need for rules, but I hate that idea.'

I hated it too, but we definitely needed to agree what was acceptable. 'Licia has said she's OK with it, but not behind her back, in secret.'

'Well, if you tell her, it won't be, will it?'

'No, I guess not... Thanks Helen.' I kissed her, then set off to meet Licia.

She was sat in a corner in the Tankbier bar, looking a little red-nosed and watery-eyed, and I got a drink and joined her. I leant forward to kiss her and she recoiled. 'Are you sure you want to kiss me? I'm unhealthy.'

'Of course I want to kiss you. I always want to kiss you,' and I pressed forward and did so.' She smiled and sniffed.

'So, you wanted to talk. You're not going to finish with me, are you?'

'Don't be daft. Why is that even in your head?'

She shrugged. 'Just not feeling very desirable at the mo, I guess.'

'You're always desirable to me, even with a snotty nose.' She chuckled and coughed a bit. 'So what did you want to talk about?'

I hesitated. Was this the right time to discuss this? With her feeling low and undesirable? Should I pretend it was something else less heavy I wanted to talk about?

No, I needed to do it now. I wasn't going to do it over the phone, and if I left it until the following week she'd wonder why I hadn't told her earlier.

'It's difficult babe... but... last night, I went to bed with Marianne.'

She drew a big sigh, and I thought I could see hurt in her eyes. She suddenly looked like a child, and I felt like crying.

'Why?... I mean, why didn't you tell me?'

'I'm telling you now...' That was crass and not how I wanted it to sound.

'Yes, but after the event.'

'Well, you know how things can happen. She came on strong. I didn't really have the chance to say, 'hang on, I need to ask my girlfriends permission.' Now I was being flippant. I wasn't handling this well at all.

'You could have done though. She knows we're together, even if we're not completely exclusive. You know I could have been tempted by Stella, but I haven't...'

'Stella is not like Marianne. She'd never make a move on you, and definitely not like the one Marianne made on me.'

'And that's the only difference?

Oh God, I'd made it worse again 'No, but...' I stopped. I didn't seem to be able to say anything that didn't make it worse.

She stood up. 'I have to think, Chloe. Don't follow me,' and she walked out. I was stunned. How did I make such a hash of that?

In a daze, I set off to walk back to the hotel, but half way there, I stooped. I sat on a bench and called her. I knew she'd pick up, because I knew absolutely that ignoring me, blanking me, or ghosting me simply were not her.

She did pick up. 'Yes?'

'Babe, don't do this. We go home tomorrow, and I won't have us parting under a cloud. I'm sorry I made a hash of that... Talk to me.'

'Come to the hotel,' she said, 'in the bar.'

I walked there, and found her sitting waiting for me. I sat. She looked at me without speaking, so I began. 'I'm sorry about what happened with Marianne, or sorry about HOW it happened. I mean, I know you said you were OK with me having adventures of my own occasionally, as long as I don't do it behind your back, in secret. I'm just not sure what that looks like. The reason I asked to meet you in the bar to tell you was precisely so that it wasn't a secret. Are we saying that we need to know in advance, to have a right of veto or something?'

She sat looking thoughtful, but didn't answer, so I continued. 'It would feel strange if that were the case. Imagine if the roles were reversed. What if Stella suddenly got extremely bold and climbed into bed with you in the middle of the night. Would you expect to stop her and say "hang on, I have to tell Chloe?" That would be a right passion-killer, and I wouldn't want you to feel you had to do that '

There was a flicker of a smile, maybe at the thought of the imaginary scenario. Phew, we were getting somewhere.

'I don't want to keep secrets from you, Liss, or to start fucking dozens of girls behind your back. I'll always tell you about any adventures I have, but sometimes it might be after the event. And if Stella does get into bed with you, or you feel like getting in with her, go ahead. Have some fun, but then I expect to hear about it in lurid detail the next day.' I smiled lewdly.

'Oh, Chloe.... I did mean it when I said I wanted us to have the freedom to have fun with others. The last thing I want is to clip your wings. Maybe I overreacted back there in the bar. Maybe it was because I'm not on top form today... maybe it was because it was so out of the blue, I don't know. I felt a bit betrayed...'

'I took her hand. I could tell she was struggling with her feelings.

'All I really want is to know that I'm number one,' she said.

'You are.'

'That, if you had to come home to one girl, it would always be me...'

'It would.'

'That, somehow I'm as special to you as you are to me.'

'Of course you are.'

She smiled and we embraced. No one took any notice. Everyone knows we are a couple now.

'Sorry, babe, I'm not in a fit state for sex tonight.'

I held her tight. 'Licia, I know I'm a horny cow, but I'm not a TOTAL sex maniac. I don't only want you for sex. Best thing you can do is get a good night's sleep and then get home to bed. What time is your flight?'

'11 o'clock in the morning.'

'Mine's at 2 in the afternoon. I'll text you tomorrow night. You look after yourself.'

'Thanks babe. See you.'

'Night night,' and I headed back to my hotel.

When I walked into the lobby, I spotted Helen in the bar, so I walked over to her. 'No Lucy tonight?'

'No, she's out with her team for a big celebration. Tomorrow though, I'm going home with her. We have a week together before De Ronde.'

I remembered my time with Lucy at her house. I recalled her bedroom, and the wonderful sex we'd shared there, and I suffered a little pang of envy. I couldn't begrudge Helen any of this though. Both she and Lucy were very dear to me, and I knew they were going to have wonderful times together. I realised, I couldn't have it all.

'Where are you based, Helen?' I asked. I'd assumed Austria, but I'd never actually asked.

'In a place called Bischofshofen, near Salzburg. It's a place famous for ski and ski jumping, not much for cycling. I've been thinking of moving to Belgium for a long time. Isn't it strange how Belgium is the centre of cycling?'

I nodded. It is strange, for such a small, fairly flat country, but it is. I couldn't see myself moving there though.

We went up to the room and got into our separate beds, and strangely, I didn't feel tired. I think I needed a little time for my frayed emotions to calm.

Helen was soon asleep and emitting her usual soft snoring (which is not the kind of snore that keeps you awake) while I stared at the ceiling and thought about Ireland.

(End of Part 05)