The Guilded Lily Ch. 03: Crystal's Return

Episode 3.

Crystal's Return.

May 2000.

* * *

Jim Blake.

* * *

It was the end of a busy Saturday lunch service at The Guilded Lily. The last of the main courses were being sent when the kitchen door opened. I was expecting one of the waiting staff, but the figure that came in was dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt. She had shoulder-length red hair and looked tired and worn. I met her green eyes as she looked at me. No, it couldn't be, could it?

"Crystal?"

"Hello, Jimmy."

Her face showed little emotion except for fear. She looked thinner than I remembered, all the piercings had gone, but for a couple of earrings, and her hair was longer and a natural red.

I felt a knot in my stomach. Had she come to say goodbye? This was the woman I loved who had spent over two years in prison for killing her father, but she had admitted to a prison affair with another woman in one of her rare letters a year ago. We needed to talk.

"Crystal, I have so many questions. Go up to the flat, I'll be up in a minute."

She gave a faint smile and went towards the stairs. I told Corrine, my Sous Chef, to finish up the lunch service and went to change my jacket for a shirt. I headed up the stairs to the flat after Crystal.

Crystal was talking to Mandy when I got upstairs.

Mandy had been my best friend for thirty years, and we'd been 'friends-with-benefits' on and off over the years until I'd married Crystal four years ago.

Mandy's husband had died of an undiagnosed heart condition running the London Marathon the previous year, leaving her with twin girls to care for. I'd taken her in when her depression threatened the safety of her children and cared for her, and them, as best I could.

"When did you get out Crystal?" I asked.

"A couple of days ago. I'm staying with mum and Shelly in London, but I wanted to come and see you."

"Come and see me," I thought. Not come home, not come back, come and see me. My heart sank.

"Mandy and the girls, Becky and Roz, are staying here just now," I explained.

"That's good. I guess you're glad of the support, aren't you Mandy?"

"Yeah. I was struggling. Jim came to my rescue. Listen, I'll leave you two alone to have a chat. I'll be up in the top room."

Crystal and I looked at each other. "Are you still seeing Julie," I asked. Crystal had given me the name of her lover in a letter the previous year when she admitted she'd cheated on me.

"No," she replied, "I've not seen her since they released her last year." She looked down, avoiding my gaze. "Are you and Mandy 'together' at the moment?"

I couldn't lie to her. "Yes, sort of," I mumbled.

"Jimmy, Are we going to get a divorce?"

I swallowed. A cold sweat covered my brow. "I guess if that's what it's come to Crystal. You'd be entitled to half of everything."

"I don't want anything from you, Jimmy. We both cheated, let's call it quits."

"Do you want to take anything with you?"

She looked about to burst into tears. "I have to go, I'll get my lawyer to get in touch." She was already moving towards the stairs as she spoke. She seemed as if she couldn't get out quick enough.

"Fine," I said, though it wasn't, and I wasn't either.

In seconds she had gone. I crumpled onto the couch, sobbing. I'd lost her. The love of my life and she couldn't wait to get rid of me.

* * *

Two hours later, Mandy came down the stairs. "Where's Crystal?"

"She's gone."

"Gone? Gone where? What have you done, Jim?"

"She only stayed a few minutes, she wants a divorce."

"She said that? Did Crystal say that, Jim? She's your wife, you're in love. What the fuck have you done?"

I explained the brief exchange we'd had. Mandy was livid.

"So, she said 'Are we getting a divorce?' and you said 'I guess,' and that's an open, honest relationship?" Mandy was pacing the floor now. I'd never seen her so angry in thirty years.

"Do you still love her?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you want a divorce?"

"No, I want her back."

"Okay, explain to me, at what point in your two-minute discussion did you stand up and fight to get her back, Jim?"

I couldn't meet her eyes. I'd wimped out. Scared of rejection, I'd just accepted that's what would happen.

"Pack a bag!"

"What? What do you mean?"

"Get your sorry fucking ass off that couch, pack a fucking bag, get down to fucking New Street Station, get on a train to London and fight to get that woman back!"

"Wh..."

"FUCKING NOW!" she screamed.

I packed.

"What about us?" I dared to ask.

She calmed a little. "We're friends, Jim. We'll always be friends. Crystal admitted her 'fling' in jail, we've fooled around these last months though you refuse to fuck me. Give her the truth, look her in the eye and tell her how you feel and what you want. If she still wants to part, I'll say no more about it, but I'm not letting you screw this up because you're too frightened to tell her the truth."

We had an excellent kitchen team at The Guilded Lily, and Corrine assured me she'd manage Saturday evening dinner without me. I was on the first train to London less than an hour later.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

I ran down the stairs of Jimmy's flat, through the restaurant and onto the street. I flagged a cab and was on a train back to London in twenty minutes.

What had I done? I'd planned it all. I'd tell him I loved him, beg him to take me back, crawl if I had to... I'd not said a word of it. Then I'd asked if we were getting a divorce and he said 'I guess'.

He didn't ask me to stay, didn't say he loved me. Nothing. I'd lost him, and it was my own stupid fault!

I took a cab to Knightsbridge and let myself into my mother's house.

"Crystal? Is that you? Why are you back so soon?"

I ran up the stairs, sobbing. I couldn't face mum; couldn't face anyone. I rushed into my room and locked the door.

A couple of minutes later, there was a knock. "Sis, it's me, Shelly. Let me come in."

"Go away!"

"What's happened, Crystal. Talk to me."

"We're getting a divorce. Leave me alone."

"Oh, Crystal, I'm so sorry. I hoped you'd sort it all out."

"Go away, Shelly. I need to be alone."

I heard footsteps retreating. I cried for a long time. At some point, I must have fallen asleep.

* * *

Jim Blake.

As soon as the train stopped at London Euston, I ran up the platform and out of the station. I jumped in the first cab in the rank and gave him the address in Knightsbridge. The journey seemed to take forever. I found the street address and paid the driver, my heart beating like a drum. Did she still love me? I rang the doorbell and waited.

The door opened. There stood a teenage girl with piercing blue eyes and black hair.

"Can I help you? She said. She looked like she'd been crying.

"My name's Jim Blake. I need to speak to Crystal."

"Jimmy? You're Crystal's husband?"

"I guess you're Shelly," she nodded, "Can I speak to her?"

"She came home a few hours ago. She's locked in her room and won't speak to anyone."

An older red-headed woman appeared at the door. "Who is it, Shelly?"

"It's Jimmy Blake. He wants to speak to Crystal."

"I'm Maura, Crystal's Mother. I'll take you up." She gave me a sad smile.

As we climbed the stairs, she glanced back at me. "Try not to hurt her, Jimmy."

I looked down, avoiding her gaze. "I think I've already done that. I'm here to win her back," I said.

She pointed to a door. "In there. I'll leave you alone with her."

I drew a deep breath and knocked. Silence. I knocked again, louder.

"Mmmmh? What?"

"Crystal, It's Jim. I need to talk to you."

"Go away, Jimmy, You've made it clear what you want. I'll give you a divorce."

"I don't want a divorce, I love you, I want you back!"

"Don't play games, Jimmy. It's not fair," she sobbed.

"Open the door, Crystal."

"No, go away."

"Crystal. I love you. If you don't still love me, if you don't want to come home, open the door and tell me to my face. If that's what you want, I'll go away and not bother you again, but I have to see your eyes when you say it."

I held my breath. There were footsteps, then a key turning in the lock. She opened the door and looked out.

She looked exhausted. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, her hair a mess, her cheeks running with tears. She was still the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

"I love you, Crystal. I want you to come home."

She blinked, opened the door, and stood in the doorway.

"If you don't love me, Crystal, you have to say it."

She looked deep into my eyes as if searching for something."I....."

"Yes or no, Crystal. Are you coming home with me?"

"I... I... I... Oh God, Jimmy, I love you so much!" She flung herself at me, her arms around my neck, pressing her thin body against me. "Forgive me? I want you back, I want us back."

"Can you forgive Mandy and me?" I asked.

"You two are my best friends in the world, Jimmy. There's nothing to forgive."

"Then there's nothing to forgive you, either."

She dragged me across the room to the bed. We almost ripped each other's clothes off as we kissed. She locked her mouth to mine, her tongue duelling as she kicked off her crumpled jeans. I pulled away from her, dropping my jeans and boxer shorts, pulling my shirt over my head. I dropped to my knees, ripping her panties down her legs and burying my face in her red-furred pussy.

I stopped. "Where did you get this?" I asked. There, tattooed above her sparse red bush, were the words 'Jimmy's Pussy' in beautiful script.

"A woman in prison. I wanted to do it for you. I want you to know I'll always be yours, Jimmy."

"It's beautiful. I love you, Crystal."

I growled, and we tumbled back onto the bed. I grasped her ass, pulling my face into her slit as we fell. My tongue drilled between her labia as she grabbed my head and shoved me tighter into her. I licked and sucked for all I was worth until I felt a shudder run through her body. She groaned as her body spasmed beneath me.

"Up here," she whispered.

I crawled up her body, latching on to her rigid nipple with my mouth, kneading the other breast with my hand.

"Oh, God, I want you! Kiss me, Jimmy. Put your hard cock in me. Fuck me. Fuck your wife!"

I kissed her, pressing my lips to hers. We locked together as if our lives depended on it.

Crystal reached between us, grasping my dick and pulling me into her tunnel. We both groaned as my stiff length filled her.

"Oh fuck, how I've missed you," she cried.

I pushed deep into her pussy, pulled back, then thrust into her, bottoming out as our hips slapped together. We soon established a rhythm to our coupling, Crystal giving a grunting sound with each thrust.

"Uh, Uh, Uh. Give it to me, Jimmy, I'm almost there."

"I can't last, Crystal, my love. It's been so long."

"Fuck me, Jimmy, fuck me hard!"

Two more thrusts and she stiffened and shuddered. "Cumming!" she screamed.

I groaned and slammed into her dripping hole as my balls tightened and I gushed jet after jet of my seed into her. "UUUUGH!"

Crystal squeezed me so tight it hurt as I lay on top of her, her aftershocks shaking her body, eyes screwed shut.

"I love you with all my heart and soul, Crystal Blake."

She sighed. "I love and trust you with my life, Jimmy Blake."

As I laid my head on her shoulder, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Shelly stood in the open doorway. She smiled, winked, and closed the door.

I slid off of Crystal and laid on my back. She squeezed in under my arm, head on my chest, and wrapped her legs around my thigh. Her pussy dripped onto my leg as she hugged me and sighed. We were asleep in minutes.

* * *

I awoke wondering where on earth I was. I looked beside me in the bed and smiled. Crystal.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Morning," she mumbled.

"Hello, my love."

"We stink. Get in the shower, I'll join you in a minute. Then I want more sex," she grinned.

"Perhaps we should be a little quieter this time," I suggested.

She blushed. "Oh God! My mother and Shelly heard us?"

"Since we left the door open, I guess they would have."

"We what!"

"Shelly closed it, just after I filled your little pussy."

"I want to die," she groaned, "I won't be able to face them."

"Are you ashamed of our love, that we have sex?"

"Well, no."

"Then we'll smile and take the ribbing they give us, if they dare," I laughed.

We showered then, true to her word, Crystal laid me on the bed, jumped on top and impaled herself on my cock again. We ground together until we both exploded within seconds of each other.

Cleaned and dressed, we went downstairs to face the music.

* * *

Maura and Shelly were in the kitchen. Maura washing dishes at the sink, Shelly eating cereal at the table.

"Morning, Love Birds!" Shelly smirked at me and winked. Crystal turned a deep shade of red.

"I'm guessing you two have made it up with each other?" asked Maura.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" I laughed.

Crystal looked daggers at me. I grinned at her. "Maybe you should close the bedroom door before you make up next time," said Maura, with a smile.

"Sorry," I said, "We were distracted."

"Yeah, you didn't notice when I closed the door," smiled Shelly.

Maura spun around and glared at Shelly. "YOU closed the door? What did you see, young lady? No, forget that I don't want to know."

"We've done sex education at school, Mum, I know all the 'Tab A in slot B' stuff."

She grinned. "Still, it's good to have a practical demonstration."

"Shelly Marie Fraser! You are 15 years old and far too young to know this stuff."

"Yeah? Not knowing 'this stuff' led to one of my classmates giving birth a month ago," she said.

I turned to Maura. "We've sorted out our differences. We were both so scared of rejection, we kind of took it for granted, and agreed to a divorce that neither of us wanted. We're still in love, plan to stay married, and Crystal will move home with me to Birmingham."

"I'm so glad for you," she said, "We'll sort it all out with her probation officer, tomorrow."

"We're sorry if we embarrassed you and Shelly last night. We'll take more care next time," I said.

"I guess it's understandable under the circumstances," she winked at Shelly, "and apparently hot!"

"I want to die," muttered Crystal.

We all burst into laughter, and Crystal soon saw the funny side and joined in. Maura cooked us bacon and eggs for our breakfast, and we chatted about our plans. Maura wanted to know about our restaurant in Birmingham and tried to find out a bit about me and my life. I guess it seemed strange to her she'd had a son-in-law for four years, but had only met him the previous day.

I assured her we had a successful business in The Guilded Lily, and Crystal would be working back there as soon as possible. As our breakfast ended, Shelly seemed a little distant. Crystal noticed it too. "Come help me pack some stuff, Shelly," she asked. The two girls went off upstairs.

Maura looked at me. "I know we're strangers," she said, "but I want you to know how happy I am that Crystal has you to support her. I lost her trust a long time ago. I don't know if I'll ever get it back."

"She's had such a hard life for one so young," I said, "She trusts me, and I trust her. We almost lost that yesterday, and I'll never let that misunderstanding happen again."

"Just love her, Jimmy. She needs you, and it looks like you're made for each other."

* * *

Crystal Blake.

I took Shelly's hand and led her upstairs. "Let's see what clothes I have that still fit, so I can pack them up to take home."

"Crystal, I just found you again, I don't want you to leave."

"I have to go, Shelly. Jimmy needs me, and I need him. We belong together. You can see that, right?"

"I need you too, Sis, can't I come with you? I've spent seven years knowing I had a sister but never being able to see you. I want you back as much as Jimmy does. Do you have room for me in Birmingham?"

"What about mum?" I asked, "Doesn't she need you too?"

"You went to prison, so I'd have a mum. She's been here for me, but I need to have you in my life, Crystal."

I thought for a second. "I'll speak to Jimmy. Say nothing to Mum yet, let me find out if you can go to 6th form college in Birmingham, too."

Shelly smiled. "We'll make it happen. You'll have to be nice to Jimmy before you ask him," she giggled.

"Don't go there," I said. "I'm embarrassed enough as it is."

I spoke to Jimmy as soon as I could get him alone.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

We spent a day getting to know each other that Sunday. Maura cooked us a lovely dinner that night, and we sat and chatted into the evening. Crystal and I went up to bed about 11 o'clock, tired, but hopeful we'd get things sorted out the next day.

We locked Crystal's door that night and, once we were alone, stripped out of our clothes. We slipped into bed together and snuggled down under the covers.

"Jimmy?"

"Yes, my love."

"I spoke to Shelly today."

"Yes, she seemed upset this morning. What was wrong?"

"She wants to spend time with me. She feels she's missed out on being my sister. We were friends as kids, but we haven't seen each other for seven years. She wants to come and live with us, Jimmy."

"What does Maura think?" I asked.

"I spoke to you first. If you say no, I won't mention it to mum."

"If it's what you want to happen, we'll make it work, Crystal. You know I'd do anything for you. I don't want any misunderstanding between us ever again."

Crystal smiled. "Mandy's upstairs with the girls, she could have the room next to the kitchen as long as she'd share it with Kim when your kids visit."

"Sounds like you've got it all worked out," I said, "Talk to Maura about her finishing school in Birmingham. I know there's a good 6th form college there."

Crystal gave me a devious grin and crawled on top of me. "Let me show you how much I love you, you wonderful man!"

She rubbed her damp pussy on my stiffening cock. "Am I making it hard for you, Jimmy?"

"I think you're making it hard for yourself," I chuckled.

She sat up and manoeuvred herself over my hard dick, smiled, then dropped onto me, ramming my stiffness deep into her tunnel. "Ohhh, so good!"

"You could kill an old man with sudden sex like that."

"You're not an old man, you're a man in his prime." She ground her hips down on to me wringing a groan from my lips, "I'm never letting you go now, so get used to this, it will happen a lot."

I laughed. "You'll get no complaints from me, my love."

She started a rapid shuffle on my cock, rolling her hips as she rocked back and forth. I moaned, "God, I love you, Crystal."

She lifted herself up, so my hard cock was just inside her dripping slit. "Fuck me," she growled.

I grabbed her hips and thrust up into her, pummelling her as she squealed her delight. Seconds later, her eyes rolled up into her head, and she went rigid, spasming as her orgasm consumed her. She pulled her hand to her mouth to control her squeals.

Her soaked pussy squeezed my cock in a death grip, and I lost control, and my balls began shooting my cum deep into her. I thrust inside her with each stream of my juice, groaning my desire as I filled her to overflowing.

Crystal fell forward onto my chest, panting. "Just... keep... doing... that... to me... forever," she breathed.

"I'll do my best."

* * *

Crystal Blake.

I got mum on her own in the kitchen the following morning, while Jimmy was still in the shower.

"I need to ask you something, Mum."

She looked at me, "Okay."

"Shelly wants to come and live with Jimmy and me in Birmingham."

"What? Why? This is her home. Have I upset her or something?"

"No Mum, she's been separated from me for seven years. She wants to catch up."

"I'm sorry, Crystal. You gave me the last two-and-a-half years with her, didn't you? I could have been in that prison. I'll say yes, and we'll find out how to go about it after. I don't want to lose her, though. I want to see her as often as possible."

"Of course, Mum. We don't want to take her from you, we just want her to be happy. Jimmy's okay with it, and there's plenty of room at the flat for everyone. Thanks, Mum, it means a lot to her... and me."

Shelly went to school Monday morning, and mum, Jimmy and I went to see my probation officer about my move to Birmingham. There were lots of forms to fill in, but getting permission was only a formality after that.

Monday afternoon found us on the train to Birmingham once again. Mum had said a tearful goodbye, and we'd promised Shelly we'd sort out her education and move her down once the Summer holidays started. It was so good to be going home.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

I rang Mandy on Monday as soon as we knew we could bring Crystal home. She squealed at the news and promised to meet us at the station.

"Crystal, Jim, over here!"

Crystal spotted Mandy waiting in the concourse at New Street station. She ran to her, throwing her arms around her neck and hugging her.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"What for Crystal?" asked Mandy.

"For talking some sense into this big dummy so he could come to London and talk some sense into me."

"You were meant for each other. I wouldn't allow you to part without a struggle," Mandy said.

I gathered Mandy into my arms and kissed her on the lips. Mandy pulled back and looked at me. "Your wife's watching,"

Crystal smiled. "Okay, me first then." She elbowed me out of the way and grabbed Mandy in a hug, pressing her mouth to Mandy's lips in a blistering kiss. "That better?" she asked Mandy.

"I... um... I guess."

"Okay, now you, Jimmy."

She pushed me back into my best friend arms. "Kiss her."

I pulled Mandy into a deep kiss. "Thank you from me too."

Mandy looked dazed as we walked out into the sunlight and jumped into a cab.

* * *

Back at The Guilded Lily, we soon got settled in with a cup of coffee while we talked about my trip to London and meeting Crystal's family.

"My sister Shelly wants to come and live with us. She's moving up after the school term finishes."

Mandy smiled. "I bet you're looking forward to that. It'll give me time to find a place of my own, before then."

"Why do you want to move out, Mandy?" Crystal asked.

"Well, there won't be room for all of us here."

Crystal frowned. "You, Becky and Roz have the upstairs, Shelly has the larger bedroom, and when Jimmy's kids come, Andy has the bunk in the weights room, as usual, and Kim shares with Shelly. No problem. Shelly and Kim are less than a year apart in age. They'll get on fine."

Mandy looked uncertain. "I don't want to crowd you guys, you'll need your space."

I twigged where Crystal was going with this. "Mandy. We both love you. I've kinda got used to having your beautiful girls about the place and, if you move out, I think they'll miss me too. Add to that the fact that they now have a brand new 'Aunty' to play with and I think it would be silly to move out. Stay with us, please."

"Okay. We'll wait until Shelly moves in this Summer and see if it all works out. Happy now?"

We both grinned at her. "Yep!" I smiled.

"Me too," said Crystal.

* * *

Crystal Blake

Later that evening, Mandy's mum brought her twin girls back after babysitting them for the day. I helped her get the two tired three-year-olds ready for bed.

"You do want to stay, don't you Mandy?"

"Oh, yes. I just thought you two would want your space back now."

"I never wanted kids, Mandy. I still don't, but I think I'd love to be an Aunty to Becky and Roz. We can be a big happy family, and your girls will grow up with a father figure until you find someone new."

I saw Mandy's face drop. "I don't think I want another man. I miss Colin so much. No one will ever measure up to him."

"Well," I said, "we'll just have to share Jimmy."

Mandy gave me an odd look. "Has he told you about him and me?"

"I gave him permission," I said. "Didn't he show you the letter?"

"Yes. I mean his rules?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"He figured your fling with Julie would comprise kissing, rubbing each other and oral sex."

"Yep, that covers it. I'm still confused."

"That's what he limited us to. He hasn't fucked me, Crystal. He refused to take it that far, to be fair to you."

I pulled her to me and hugged her. "You poor woman. He's been torturing you. You two did that for me?"

"Jimmy did that for you. I'm sorry, but I'd have taken you at your word and fucked him senseless."

I laughed. This dear, sweet woman was so straightforward. "Part of me wishes you had fucked him, then I wouldn't feel so guilty of his torture of you."

"I think I'm still getting used to you, Crystal," she laughed.

"Mandy, you're my best friend in the world, after Jimmy. You've known him longer than I've been alive. I won't... can't, come between you, ever."

"I'm still your best friend, after sleeping with Jimmy while you were in jail?"

"No silly. You're my best friend because you looked after each other while I was in jail. Get used to it. I think of you like family."

We hugged, switched off the twins' bedroom light, and returned to Jimmy in the lounge.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

Tuesday morning I was back in the restaurant's kitchen. Corrine was delighted to hear that Crystal was back to stay.

"When's she coming back to work, Jim?"

"A couple of days. She wants to settle back in and spend a bit of time with Mandy and the girls first."

It loved being back at work. I hadn't realised how sick with worry I'd been for the last few days until it stopped. It was as if someone had lifted a weight from me. My beautiful Crystal was back, Mandy and her girls were staying on, and Shelly was coming to stay in July.

My kids, Kim and Andy, had heard that Crystal was back, and were planning to come and stay for the weekend too.

I was a little surprised that there seemed to be no jealousy of animosity between Crystal and Mandy, but then again, they had always known about each other from the start.

Crystal came down to the restaurant that evening to get plates of food for our dinners and sat in my office with Corrine catching up on things for a while. There seemed to be a lot of giggling. It was so good to hear Crystal's laughter again.

Mandy's twins were in bed, and we all sat in the lounge of our flat eating that night.

"What happened to Colin's sandwich business?" asked Crystal.

Mandy frowned. "I have a manager running it for me. It's not doing very well, though. Just covering costs."

"That's not so good. Couldn't you run it?"

"I have the girls. I don't have the time to do it all. The industrial unit we rent is on the other side of the city."

Crystal looked at me, then at Mandy. "When do they make the sandwiches and stuff then?"

"They start at 6am and work through until 9am then load the vans and go out on the delivery rounds."

"Jimmy," said Crystal, "there's nobody in the kitchens here between six and nine in the morning. Why couldn't Mandy run the sandwich vans from here, oversee it herself, get rid of the premises and the manager? It could make all the difference. They'd be tidied and gone before you need to start."

I thought about it. There was no reason not to do it, I'd just never thought of it before. "That would work," I said.

Mandy frowned. "Yes, but I need to get the girls up and dressed then."

"I can do that, silly," giggled Crystal, "we're family now, right?"

Mandy smiled at Crystal. "When did you get so clever, Red!"

"Red is it? That's my name now, eh?"

"It's a good nickname. Jim and I have names from our childhood. My dad always called him Sonny Jim. His dad always called me Girlie, it kinda stuck with us. Don't you like 'Red'?"

Crystal smiled in acceptance. "From you two, I'll take it. I'm honoured."

"Ha Ha," crowed Mandy, "Red, it is!"

* * *

Later that evening, we prepared for bed. Mandy went off upstairs to shower before bed, Crystal used the shower on our floor. Once she'd finished, I went to take my turn.

I'd finished drying myself off and wrapped a towel around me. I headed for our bedroom, switching off the lights. As I got to the door, I heard giggling from our room. I pushed open the door to find Crystal and Mandy both in the bed sniggering to themselves.

"What are you two up to now?" I asked.

"I think there's been a great injustice," said Crystal.

I smiled. "An injustice to whom?"

"Mandy. This poor woman has been sharing your bed for close to a year..."

"Crystal, we didn't... I mean we haven't... you know, done it."

"Yes," Crystal said. "Mandy told me of your noble attempt to be fair to me, and I love you for thinking of it that way. Problem is, it wasn't fair to Mandy. I think you owe her a damn good fucking, Jimmy."

Mandy looked at me. "Don't spoil your marriage for me, Crystal," she said.

"Jimmy," Crystal asked, "what would you say if I told you I wanted to share you with our best friend?"

That stunned me. Crystal was my wife, my world, and I'd almost lost her. Mandy had been my best friend for thirty years. We'd been fuck-buddies, on and off, since our twenties.

"I don't know what to say. I don't want to hurt either of you. I don't want to lose either of you either. How can this work?"

Crystal grinned. "Easy. Sometimes you sleep with me, sometimes you sleep with Mandy, sometimes we all sleep together. If I play my cards right, sometimes I sleep with Mandy."

Mandy's head whipped round to look at Crystal. " You never mentioned that to me. I'd have to think about it first," she said with an evil grin.

"Where do I fit into this," I asked.

Crystal pointed to the bed between her and Mandy. " Right here, Sonny Jim." she laughed.

I pulled back the bed covers. They were both stark naked. I shrugged, dropped the towel and climbed between the two women in my life.

I turned to kiss Crystal, our tongues battling together. Crystal nodded towards Mandy. I turned to her and gave her a smouldering kiss too.

As the kiss finished, I felt a hand on my cock, stroking me up and down. I looked down to see a grinning Crystal about to swallow the head of my stiff prick in her mouth. I turned my attention back to Mandy, lowering my head I licked across her large breast, circling the puffy nipple before pulling it into my mouth. I sucked her nub, nibbling and pulling. She groaned in pleasure.

"Yes Jim, bite me, suck me. Oh, God!"

I slid my hand down between Mandy's legs to find her slit dripping in anticipation. I dipped a finger into her and drew wide circles around her already stiff clit. She arched her back, thrusting her mound up against my hand. "My clit Jim. Rub me, please."

I complied, rubbing on her hard little knot. I felt her shudder, as her breath came in gasps, and she uttered a mantra of, "Yes, Yes, Yes."

As her orgasm subsided, I felt Crystal's mouth slip off my cock. "She's gonna need this about now, I think."

Mandy rolled over, so she was straddling my waist, her wet tunnel above my throbbing dick. Crystal aimed me at the base of Mandy's slit, and I felt her drop onto my cock in one thrust.

"Unnnngh!" she groaned. "I've missed this so much, Jim."

She rocked back and forth on me, driving my shaft into her depths. "God, yes!" she moaned.

I felt the bed moving and saw Crystal lifting her leg to straddle my face. She faced Mandy as she lowered her beautiful red furred pussy to my lips. "Lick me, Jimmy. Make me cum."

I grabbed her hips and pulled her down to my mouth. I slid my tongue between her nether lips and began licking her slit.

Within minutes, both girls were groaning, and I was close to blasting into Mandy's pussy. I thrust up into her, and she speeded up her movements to match me. Crystal was rocking her hips too. She stiffened above me, squealed, and I felt a dribble of moisture run into my open mouth. She pulled off me, sliding to the side muttering "Enough, too much, too much."

Crystal curled into a ball beside me on the bed as Mandy's orgasm hit her. She growled in her throat, the note rising as her soaking pussy tightened around my shaft. I'd held off as long as I could, then felt my cock swell and spurt jet after jet of seed deep into Mandy. She fell forward on top of me, resting her head on my shoulder. "So good, so fucking good."

Mandy slid off my body, and the two women in my life snuggled up either side of me.

We were all soon asleep.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

Sun through the bedroom curtains, wakened me, and I opened my eyes. I smiled as I remembered the previous night. I was so turned on seeing Jimmy fucking Mandy. It seemed so logical to me. Jimmy loved Mandy and was in love with me, Mandy needed his support with the kids, the kids needed a father figure, and I needed my husband. I'd never felt jealous of Mandy. It made sense to see if Jimmy would share himself. He'd done that very well last night.

Jimmy stirred. "Where's Mandy?"

"With the twins, I guess. I hear them upstairs. Did you enjoy your harem last night?"

"Are you sure about this Crystal? I don't want to ruin what we just got back. I love Mandy, but you're my wife, I'm yours forever if you'll have me."

"Oh, you won't get rid of me that easily," I giggled. "She's our best friend in the world, why wouldn't I share you with her? She doesn't want to find another man just now so I'm just extending the permission I gave you both while I was in prison. Only now I'll get to join you."

Mandy came back into the bedroom just then and smiled at the two of us cuddling. "Are we still good?"

"Yep," we said in unison.

"Get back in this bed," I said.

She pulled her tee-shirt over her head, leaving just her black boy-shorts. "The girls are up and dressed. They're watching TV in the lounge."

We snuggled in on each side of Jimmy, our heads resting on his chest. I leaned forward a little and pecked Mandy on the lips. "Thanks for understanding," I said.

Mandy grinned at me, "If this doesn't work out, if anyone feels excluded, we'll talk about it, won't we?"

"Yep," I said, "we all have to be open about how we feel. We all trust each other, don't we?" They nodded. "Good."

We lay for a while. I knew, at some point, I'd have to tell them the truth. Mum and Shelly knew Mandy and Jimmy deserved the same.

My voice was little more than a whisper. "I didn't do it, you know."

"Didn't do what? Oh, my God, Crystal," said Mandy.

"Maura?" asked Jimmy.

I nodded my head. Jimmy looked at me. "But why? Did Maura blame you?" I saw his face as the truth dawned on him. "You did it for Shelly."

"I had to, Jimmy. Prison would have killed mum, she's not strong. Shelly needed her mum, I couldn't look after her, so I took the knife and told her what to say."

"Does Shelly know?" asked Mandy.

"She has nightmares. She remembered something and guessed."

I looked at them both. "There's no going back. I just needed you to know. I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same as mum did in her place."

Jimmy looked thoughtful. "No one else knows?"

"No one else can know Jimmy. She could still be charged, and if they pardoned me, I'd never get those years back. Promise me, both of you, not to tell this to anyone."

They both nodded. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come on, you two," I said, "Get up. If we lie here any longer, we'll just want more sex."

Mandy smiled. "I see nothing wrong with that," she said.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

Over the next couple of weeks, we all started work on our projects. Crystal returned to the kitchen of The Guilded Lily, and in her spare time, worked with her mother on finding suitable schools for Shelly. Mandy and I worked on moving her sandwich business to the kitchen at the restaurant, putting spare equipment into storage and organising the staff to switch workplaces.

Her manager seemed happy to be leaving the business. It worried him that the poor performance would reflect on his ability and work record. Mandy gave him a good reference, and he'd started a new job the following week.

We timed the changeover for a Monday when the restaurant was closed anyway, and by the following day, the two businesses were operating side by side.

Mandy was getting up at 5.30am to open up the kitchens, then managing the sandwich making and loading. Once her drivers were off for the day, she cleaned up the kitchen ready for the chefs to take over.

Crystal was getting up to wash and dress the twins, Becky and Roz, then Mandy took over to take them to nursery school.

I was to get breakfast organised and supply coffee. I helped with the twins too, sometimes taking them to the nursery if Mandy was busy.

My kids, Kim and Andy, came to visit. They were both very fond of Mandy's twins and were delighted to see Crystal back at home. I overheard Kim chatting to Crystal one afternoon, as I passed Kim's bedroom.

"I'm so glad you're back home, Crystal," she said, "We tried to cheer dad up, but he was so miserable without you." Who says kids don't notice things?

We explained about Crystal's sister coming to stay, and they were both excited to meet her in June. Kim said she was happy to share a room when she visited and hoped they'd be best friends.

The other thing we discovered was that our sleeping arrangements had settled, with us all sharing my bed almost every night. Crystal was the first to complain about it as she was the smallest and often got pushed out of bed. We solved the problem by buying a king-sized bed.

We soon became comfortable with each other, losing any inhibitions we'd had to start with. We slept naked but kept clothes nearby in case the twins appeared in the mornings.

I was in the middle of the bed but woke one morning to find a space to my right. Assuming Crystal had got up to the toilet, I drifted back to sleep. I woke a little later to find her still missing, then looking to my left, found her crammed in next to Mandy, the two of them wrapped in each other's arms. I smiled. Maybe Crystal had got her way.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

Something woke me from my sleep in the early hours that morning. I felt as if I was being watched.

I opened my eyes, peering over Jimmy's sleeping form, and saw Mandy staring at me in the half-light.

"Hey, Red," she grinned.

"Hey yourself, Girlie. What ya thinking?"

"Come round here and give me a hug."

I climbed out of bed and walked round to Mandy's side. She scooted over to make room for me.

"What's up?" I asked.

She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me to her large, soft breasts.

"I wanted to thank you. You could have let me leave, but you've made me feel like family instead."

"You are family, silly." I tilted my head and brought my lips to hers. As our mouths met, she closed her eyes and parted her lips, allowing my tongue access to hers.

We tangled tongues, holding each other close as we kissed.

"Did you mean it when you said you wanted to sleep with me?"

"If it's what you want too. I don't want to spoil what we both have with Jimmy, but I think you're beautiful Mandy."

Mandy looked embarrassed, "I kissed a girl once at school, but I don't know what to do."

"I'll tell you what," I said, "let's get a night alone, just us two, we'll tell Jimmy, so he doesn't feel rejected. We can take our time and see where it goes."

"Thanks, I like that idea. You don't think Jim will mind, do you?"

"No," I smiled, "He loves us both."

I pulled Mandy close, and we linked our legs together as we hugged. Her breathing slowed, and she was quickly asleep. I drifted off soon after.

* * *

"Morning, Girls!" called Jimmy.

"You wonderful man," I groaned, "You've brought me coffee."

He grinned at Mandy, "What are you doing with my wife, Girlie?"

Mandy sat upright. "I'm sorry, Jim, are you angry?"

"No, silly. Crystal declared her intent to get into your panties."

Mandy blushed. "Why are you two so good to me?"

"Because we love you, that's why," I smiled. "Jimmy, we want to experiment a little together, do you think we could have a night with just Mandy and me sometime?"

"Anything for my girls," Jimmy said. "Just let me know when and I'll sleep next door. I could use the rest," he joked.

After dinner that evening, we gave Jimmy a wink and headed off to the bedroom together holding hands.

Mandy looked like a rabbit in the headlights.

"Chill out, Girlie," I smiled, "I don't bite. Unless you want me to."

Mandy grinned. "Can I undress you, Crystal?"

"I'd like that."

Mandy stepped up to me, and her lips met mine. She grasped the hem of my sweater and lifted. I raised my arms to allow her to pull it off me. She smiled and unfastened the buttons on my white cotton blouse. When she'd finished, she pushed it off of my shoulders and let it drop to the floor. "Your breasts are so firm," she whispered, "You never need to wear a bra, do you?"

"They're tiny," I complained.

She stooped down and licked my left nipple. It crinkled into a hard knot.

"They're so beautiful," she enthused.

Mandy dropped to her knees and worked on the button and zip of my jeans then peeled them down my legs. I could feel the dampness in my panties already.

I stepped out of my jeans as Mandy hooked her fingers in the waistband of my yellow panties and pulled them down.

"I love your tattoo," she whispered, "You're so brave to have Jim's name on your pussy."

"I'd look foolish if you hadn't sent him after me and I'd let him divorce me," I grinned.

Mandy stood and pulled me into a deep kiss. I looked into her eyes. "You're overdressed."

I pulled her tight tee-shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. I pulled down the zip of her short skirt and let it fall too. She stood in front of me in a lacy cream bra and panties.

I reached for the front clasp of her bra and snapped it open. Peeling back the cups, I revealed her magnificent tanned globes. I sighed, "Gorgeous."

"You know Jim prefers yours, don't you?" she said.

"Maybe," I smiled, "but I prefer yours."

I leant forward, sucking her nipple. Mandy groaned, "Yes, bite me, Red. Pull on my hard nipples."

I switched my attention to her other breast, nipping and sucking.

I pushed her lacy panties over her full hips and slid them down her legs, slipping my hand down to her damp mound, I slipped a finger into her tunnel.

"Oh God," she cried. "Let's get on the bed. My legs won't hold me up much longer."

I stretched my naked body beside hers, and our fingers explored each other's sex. "Think of how you masturbate yourself, then try it on me," I suggested.

Mandy slotted two fingers in my dripping pussy and worked her thumb over my clit. I gasped. "You learn fast."

I worked her clit with my fingertips as she moaned, speeding up as she thrust her hips to meet my blurring fingers. She grunted, bucking her pussy up to greet my hand as she stiffened and orgasmed. "Oh Fuck!" she whispered, "now you."

The fingers in my soaked slit speeded up, and her thumb on my clit pressed harder as she pushed me towards my peak. Her hand moved within me as she curled her fingers up behind my pubic bone pressing on my G-spot. I screamed.

"Ooooooh... FUCK! Yes, Girlie, Yes. Right there. Ahhhhhgh!"

My back arched as my pussy spasmed around her thrusting fingers. I collapsed, spent.

My breathing steadied, and I turned towards Mandy. "What do you think?"

"Oh, we'll be doing that a lot more." she laughed. "I think I'd be okay doing it in front of Jim, too."

"You want to go get him?"

"Do you think he'll mind?" said Mandy.

"Oh, let me see. Two hot naked women with their motors running. Dripping wet and ready to fuck. No, maybe he won't mind."

Mandy laughed and slipped out of bed and out the door. She returned seconds later with a grinning Jimmy. "I believe you need my services?"

"Yep," I ordered, "Get that cock in here now."

It would be a long night.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

At the end of June, Maura drove up from London with Shelly. She brought all Shelly's belongings and planned to stay for a few days to see our business, and where Shelly would be living. Maura and Crystal had secured a place at the university's 6th form college for Shelly, starting in September.

We introduced them to Mandy and the twins, who attached themselves to Shelly. She seemed to have a way with kids. We kept quiet about our relationship with Mandy, just saying that she was a close friend and we were supporting her after her husband's death.

Maura ate in the restaurant the first night with Shelly and Mandy. The twins were sleeping, and Mandy had the baby alarm with her just in case they woke. Our cuisine impressed Maura, and she became friends with Mandy. Shelly thought she'd settle in well with us.

Maura explained that she was happy to support Shelly, but we felt that, as her sister, Crystal was fine with supporting her during her stay. I took Maura aside to see if she thought it may be okay for Shelly to have a job over the Summer. I knew money was not a problem, but it would help for her to earn her own money.

Maura thought it was a brilliant idea. It would keep Shelly occupied and give her a budget to live within.

I offered Shelly a job on our waiting staff in the restaurant with a reasonable wage, letting her know that she'd be living with us for free so would earn spending money. A broad grin spread across her face. "Does that mean I'd be serving the dishes my sister cooks?"

I smiled. "Yes. You can send back all the compliments to her."

Maura smiled, "I hope she gets compliments."

Maura returned to London later that week, and we encouraged Shelly to decorate her room to suit herself. She chose a pale green paint, and we moved her into the spare room while we decorated that weekend. Tuesday lunchtime, she started as a waitress, and soon showed herself to be polite and confident.

Crystal spent lots of time with Shelly, and her sister seemed to need to be close. I worried a little when, on waking Wednesday morning, she was in bed with Crystal and me, snuggled up to her sister. Crystal and I talked to her later that day.

"Shelly, you know it's not appropriate for you to be in bed with Jimmy and I, don't you?"

Shelly looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I woke up and missed you."

"I've no problem with you stealing your sister," I joked, "But you need to take her back to your bed."

Crystal looked at me. I nodded. "Shelly," she said, "there's another thing. You need to know this, but it's better if mum doesn't find out just yet." Shelly looked at her.

"Jimmy, Mandy and I have a special relationship. We're best friends, and we're also intimate with each other."

"You cheat on Jimmy?"

"No, it's not cheating. We all know about it, we all agree to it and, most often, we all sleep in the same bed. I know it's unusual but do you think you can live with that?"

Shelly thought. "You and Jimmy?"

"Yes."

"Mandy and Jimmy?"

"Yes."

"You and Mandy too?"

"Yes, Shelly. I'm bisexual."

Shelly looked at me. "Jimmy. You've told me a big secret here. Can I tell you one too?"

I nodded. "Yes, Shelly. It won't go back to your mum if that's what you want."

She paused, took a breath, and seemed to decide. "I think I'm like my sister," she whispered, "I like boys well enough, but I think I like girls at least as much."

"That's okay, Shelly, It's not unusual," I reassured her, "I think a lot of my female friends have some feelings for women, too."

"Will Mandy be okay with me knowing this?" she asked.

Crystal laughed. "I don't think we'd be able to hide it from you, anyway. We try to be open and honest with each other here so if you have any problem, even if it's with one of us, tell us about it. We won't be angry."

Shelly smiled. "Thank you both. Telling me this, having this talk, has made me feel you're treating me as an adult. It's nice."

"Try to get to know Mandy too, I think she'd like to be your friend," I said, "We live close together here. It's good to talk to any of us."

Shelly agreed to fit in, and said that now she knew how we all interacted, she would try to be comfortable with it. I told her to ask any questions she wanted, and we'd try to answer.

Shelly stood and went to her room, just as Mandy came down the stairs. As they passed each other, Shelly pulled a surprised Mandy into a hug.

"I've just been told you're family too," she giggled, "You can sleep with your boyfriend and girlfriend tonight, It's okay."

She turned and winked at Crystal and me, then turned and went into her bedroom.

Mandy stood with her mouth open for several seconds. "I'm guessing you've told her then."

"She took it well," I said, "She wants to be friends with you too. I think we'll all be okay."

* * *

When I went to bed that night, I found Mandy and Crystal kissing in the middle of the bed.

"Do you want some time to yourselves?" I asked.

"Not on your life," said Mandy, "I haven't had sex in a week. Get your ass in here."

I slipped into bed with my girls. Crystal kissed me, then slid down under the covers, soon finding my stiffening cock with her mouth. Mandy kissed me then lifted to brush her full breasts across my mouth. I grasped a nipple in my teeth, and she squealed. I alternated sucking and kneading her round tits as she moaned in appreciation.

Crystal pulled off my stiff member and rolled over me to Mandy. She pushed Mandy onto her back, dropped her head down and licked the full length of Mandy's pussy.

"Ohh! So good Red. Again."

Crystal obliged then lifted away from our friend and shoved me forward. "She's ready for you, Jimmy. Fuck her now."

I pressed my hard cock to Mandy's slippery pussy, and Crystal grasped my shaft. Lining me up, she fed my dick into Mandy as she moaned her approval.

"I've missed this, Jim," Mandy groaned.

I slid my full length into her, pounding her. Crystal moved up her body sucking and tweaking her nipples. Mandy's sounds of pleasure increased as Crystal added a firm kiss to her treatment. In no time Mandy began thrashing about beneath me, shuddering to her peak with a happy squeal.

Crystal lay back beside Mandy and spread her legs. "Me next," she grinned.

I pulled out of Mandy's sopping tunnel and slid across the bed, lining up with my beautiful wife's pussy. I pushed into her tight slit as she moaned her satisfaction. "Yes. Do me, Jimmy."

As I increased my pounding in her tight pussy, Mandy rolled over to minister to Crystal's small firm breasts. She nibbled on the hard points and sucked almost the whole breast into her mouth.

Crystal gasped and bucked under me. Her sensitive tits pushing her towards her orgasm.

As Crystal came, I felt her tight hole grip my cock and trigger my own release. My dick swelled as I thrust deep into her pussy, spurting jet after jet inside her.

Mandy's mouth silenced Crystal's scream as she kissed our lover.

Soon we all flopped onto our backs on the bed and found a spot to fall asleep.

Sometime later, I was aware of the door to our room opening. A figure crept to the bed, whispered to Crystal, then took her hand and led her out of the door. Crystal snagged a tee-shirt from the chair as she passed. Shelly must have needed her sister tonight.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

I'd fallen asleep after our lovemaking but was wakened by a gentle shake to my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Shelly by the bed.

"Can you come to my room, please?" she asked.

I nodded.

Shelly took my hand and led me out of the bedroom. I grabbed Jimmy's tee-shirt as I passed.

"Sorry, Sis. I need a hug. I don't sleep very well, but if you hug me, It'll help me get to sleep."

"Let me get dressed," I said, pulling the shirt over my head.

"I heard you three tonight," she whispered, "It turned me on."

I snuggled up behind her and wrapped my arm over her waist. "Shut up and go to sleep, horny girl," I scolded.

Shelly sighed and wriggled close. Her breathing slowed, and she was soon asleep. Only minutes later, I was too.

When I next awoke, it was getting light. I rolled onto my back. Shelly stirred and moved to face me.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Mmm-hmm. Thanks for holding me, I slept well. Go back to your lovers."

I grinned and slipped out of her bed and out of the room. I crept back into our bedroom, pulled off the shirt and slid into bed beside Jimmy. "Is Shelly okay?" he mumbled.

"Yeah. Couldn't sleep, needed a hug."

I snuggled up to my wonderful husband and soon went back to sleep.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

We were sitting in the lounge one evening watching a film together. Crystal and I were snuggled together on one end of the couch, Shelly was at the other end, and Mandy was sitting in an easy chair. The film finished, and we turned off the TV.

Shelly sat up and looked around at us all. She cleared her throat.

"You all treat me as an adult, so I want to talk to you all about something," she said.

"Go ahead, Shelly, we're listening." Crystal said.

Shelly got up, walked across to Mandy and sat on her lap. "Give me a hug before I tell you." she said.

Mandy looked puzzled but hugged Shelly tight. Shelly smiled, stood up, and took a deep breath.

"I have a crush on Mandy. I know I'm too young, I know it's inappropriate, and I know you're my friend, and nothing more Mandy. You all treat me as a grown-up, so I wanted honest and tell all of you my problem."

Crystal jumped up and hugged her sister. "Shell, that's such a brave thing to do."

Shelly blushed. "I've thought about it a lot. I try to watch you too much, I follow you around, and I'm embarrassing myself. I don't want to embarrass you too Mandy, so I wanted to come clean."

Mandy stood and hugged Shelly too. "What can we do to help you, Shelly?"

"Well, maybe since you all know, we can treat it as a bit of a joke? Don't make fun of me, just humour me a bit. Mandy, promise me you'll tell me if I step over the line. I've never felt this way before, so I need you all to help me."

I stood up and hugged Shelly too. "How about this," I suggested, "Hugs are okay, maybe chaste kisses. Touching, like arm or shoulders, while talking. Maybe sitting together to watch TV and a bit of playful banter too. Just nothing sexual. Mandy has to be the judge, but we'll all do our best to appreciate what you're feeling and be here for you."

Crystal turned to Shelly. "I had a major crush on a teacher at school. He knew, and he played it very cool. I got over it. You'll do the same."

Shelly turned to each of us. "Thank you, guys. You're the best, I'm off to bed."

She kissed each of us on the lips. "There, that's fair to everyone," she joked and headed to her room.

We chatted for a while about Shelly's revelation and realised what a mature kid she was.

"You're in charge of this one, Mandy, but we're all here for you."

"Yeah," she said, "Keep an eye on her and me. I'm glad it's out in the open because I'd noticed and was going to bring it up anyway, soon."

We agreed to monitor the situation and headed to bed.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

Over the next few days, we noticed a change in Shelly. She seemed happier and more tactile with all of us. She enjoyed her work in the restaurant and was popular with the customers.

We noticed her avoiding Mandy, but on the third evening after our 'talk', she seemed to decide. Shelly had come in from work, showered and changed. She went into the kitchen and made coffee for us all. She set mine down beside me as I heated our dinner, left Jimmy's on the counter and took hers and Mandy's through to the lounge.

"I brought you coffee," she said.

"You're an angel," said Mandy, putting down her book. Shelly stood beside the couch.

"Would you like to sit beside me, Shelly?"

Shelly beamed at her.

"You only have to ask you know. You don't have to bribe me with coffee."

"Okay. Can I sit with you for a cuddle please?"

Mandy patted the cushion beside her. Shelly sat down, wormed her way under Mandy's arm, and rested her head on her breast.

"I felt grown-up telling you about my feelings last week, now I feel silly expressing them," she said.

Mandy smiled. "I think you're exploring your sexuality, Shelly, and we are 'safe' people to experiment on. We'll tell you if you go too far."

Shelly looked up at Mandy, kissed her, then dropped her head back to rest on Mandy's chest.

Later, as we prepared for bed, Shelly bid each of us a goodnight. She kissed Jimmy and me, then walked up to Mandy. She placed her hands on Mandy's shoulders and leaned in, giving her a smacker of a kiss. Shelly pulled her into a bear hug and whispered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome my little cuddle slut," Mandy giggled.

Shelly looked at her, beamed, and went to bed.

* * *

That weekend, Jimmy's kids, Kim and Andy, came to stay. The two girls seemed to hit it off straight away, heading off into their bedroom giggling. Andy seemed in awe of Shelly and was far too shy to say much more than hello. I asked him later what he thought of Shelly. "She's beautiful," was all he volunteered.

Kim came to talk to me later that afternoon. "Does Shelly have a thing for Mandy?" she asked.

"You'll have to ask Shelly," I smiled. She ran off to find Shelly and soon there was a loud bout of squealing and giggling from the two of them. Kim passed me a little later and gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

* * *

Jimmy Blake.

Things went well over the Summer. We were all busy at The Guilded Lily, Crystal and I in the kitchens, Shelly in the restaurant and Mandy with the sandwich business.

On Tuesday morning, I got a call from Corrine. She sounded awful as if she'd been crying.

"I can't come in today, Jim, I'm not feeling well."

"Corrine, you sound like you've been crying," I said.

"I'll be fine, Jim, just give me a day or two."

"Tell me what's wrong, maybe we can help."

She sighed. "No one can help Jim, Susan and I split up at the weekend, she left me."

"Oh, Corrine, I'm so sorry. Can I ask what happened?"

She started sobbing. "Four years Jim, four fucking years, and she finds herself a boyfriend!"

Corrine and Susan had seemed an odd couple, Corrine is a tall, thin, black British/Jamaican, and Susan, a buxom blonde bombshell. Still, they'd moved in together four years ago and had seemed happy, despite their differences, up to now.

"Take a couple of days off Corrine. Ring me when you feel like coming back. Don't leave it too long though, moping at home won't help for long."

She agreed to keep me informed and rang off.

Crystal stepped up to the sous-chef role and seemed comfortable doing so. She coaxed, rather than cajoled, but the jobs got done the same.

After lunch service, Crystal told me she was going to visit Corrine to see how she was.

She promised to be back in time for dinner preparation and set off on the bus.

* * *

Crystal Blake.

I got off the bus and walked the block to Corrine's flat. I knocked on the door and waited. After a while, I knocked again. I heard the key turn, and the door opened.

Corrine stood there looking defeated. Her eyes were red, and her face wet with tears.

"Crystal."

"Hello Corrine, I'm so sorry." I stepped through the door and wrapped my arms around her lanky frame.

"I feel so lost Crystal, she told me on Sunday she'd been meeting this guy for a couple of weeks. Then she tells me she wants marriage and kids. She never mentioned marriage and kids before. She's gone Crystal, moved out, took all her stuff. I don't know what to do."

"I think you need a break," I said. "Get away for a bit, maybe go abroad. You must have some holiday time due."

"Do you think Jim would let me go?"

"Let's see," I said. I took out my phone and rang Jimmy.

"Hi... yes, I'm with her... bad... Can we spare Corrine for a few weeks?... Yes, I think she needs to get away... I'll tell her... Okay, bye." I hung up.

"Jimmy says you have 3 weeks holiday. Take it all if you need it. Get yourself out of Birmingham and away from your memories for a while. We'll manage at the 'Lily' for that long."

Corrine nodded.

"Do you have enough money for a trip abroad?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thank you and tell Jim thank you too."

"Do you know where you'll go?"

"I have a friend in Poland... Gdansk," Corrine said. "I thought I'd go visit him."

"Okay. Send us a postcard. I need to get back to work. Take it easy, Corrine, we all care about you a lot."

She smiled through the tears, and I waved goodbye as I headed back to the bus stop.

* * *

Jimmy worried about our friend. When I got back, I told him about Susan leaving and Corrine's despair. I said she thought she would take a trip to Poland for a few weeks, and he agreed it was best if she got away for a bit.

I spent the next three weeks in the Sous-chef role and, after settling in, enjoyed it.

We got a postcard from Corrine in the third week saying when she'd be back and mentioning that she'd met someone on her travels. Jimmy and I hoped it was someone who would love her.

She returned to work the following Tuesday. We both gave her a hug, but she seemed subdued. When we had time for a break, I asked what was wrong.

"I thought you'd met someone on holiday Corrine?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Did it not work out?"

"Not really."

"So, what happened?"

"I met this Goddess," Corrine said. "Her name is Milla. We had a night together, and she gave me her phone number."

"Go on," I said.

"The next night, I went out with my friend and got very drunk. I tried to call Milla but didn't get her.

On the way home, a couple of thugs stopped me. They wanted my wallet and my phone. I couldn't put up a fight, I was wasted. I just gave them what they wanted."

"Oh, Corrine, that's awful."

"What's awful is that her number was on my phone, and the piece of paper with it written on was in my wallet. I have no way to contact her. She must think I'm avoiding her."

"Did you get an address?"

"No. Just the name, Milla Kowalska, and that her dad's a butcher in Warsaw. Oh, Crystal, how am I ever going to find her?"