made a pass at me.’
Pierce—‘I think you’re just stressed. You need to relax. I remember when I was going through the divorce with Jane I was very stressed, and just needed to chill and relax. You need a good, long, slow, sensual massage.’
Sarah—‘I probably do. And I’ll have to book one sometime. When I have time. My main concern is Ben and that he is okay and that he still knows his daddy loves him—despite the fact his daddy reeks of beer and stale aftershave these days.’
Pierce—‘Others in the office have noticed Paul’s started to take longer lunches and not come back, and he looks—well, like shit in the mornings.’
Sarah—‘Nothing to do with me. Wish it were, but it’s not.’
Pierce—‘You can’t change his mind. I’ve had a word, Sarah, and he just says that you had affairs and he can’t deal with it, and it’s sad but it’s over. One thing my relationship with Jane taught me is that you can’t change the way people feel.’
Sarah—‘I know. You said before.’
Pierce—‘Do you know how I feel about you?’
Sarah—‘Am I going to find out?’
Pierce—‘I like you Sarah. You’re a very sexy woman.’
Sarah—‘I don’t feel particularly sexy or sexual at the moment, but thank you, Pierce. But I think you and I have enough on our plates at the moment without making life even more complicated. For a start, you work with Paul. Despite the fact he’s bonking another woman, he won’t like it that someone in his office is bonking his wife. Even if she may be his soon-to-be-ex wife.
‘And then there’s Jane. Although she’s now your ex-wife, it would also complicate matters.
‘Then there’s Ben. He is my priority, and I don’t have time for a relationship—sexual or otherwise. I need friends now. Level-headed, genuine friends. And simplicity in my life. And, lastly, I think you have enough sex kittens. I get some of your text messages occasionally, meant for other women, and think you have your hands full already.’
Pierce smiles.
Pierce—‘Nice brush-off. Eloquently done. Okay. But you are a babe and don’t forget that—whatever happens over the next twelve months.’
Sarah—‘I won’t.’
Rest of conversation revolves around sex kittens. How he once had three in a bed and it wasn’t as good as he thought it was going to be, because they tied him up and stole his money and left him naked and penniless in the Charleston Hotel, just round the corner from the office. And how the maid had to call the police. And his boss. And then we talk books, and where you can buy the best range of self-help guides and works on erotic bondage and self-flagellation.
After the tuna, which I didn’t touch but was getting really rather good at playing with, Pierce takes me home.
Tina’s watching A Room with a View.
Tina—‘This film is lovely.’
Sarah—‘I know. It’s my favourite.’
Tina—‘Very romantic.’
Sarah—‘I know. I’m not watching it at the moment.’
Tina—‘Oops. Sorry.’
Sarah—‘No worries.’
I pay Tina, say goodbye to her at the door, and go upstairs to check on Ben. He’s asleep. Curled in a foetal position sucking his thumb. Giggling quietly. Hopefully dreaming about Buzz or Woody or perhaps even his daddy.
Coffee in hand, I return to the sitting room and to Pierce, who is now sitting on my sofa. Shirt off. Firm, muscular and tanned torso on display. No signs of flagellation.
Pierce—‘Hope you don’t mind. Bit hot.’
Sarah—‘I’ll turn the heating up, then.’
Pierce—‘I do a mean massage.’
I think, Do I let Pierce massage me? What’s the harm? I’m in control. Hey, go for it, girl. Perhaps I’ll release some tension without getting hurt.
Sarah says—‘Okay. Give me a massage, then.’
Pierce looks surprised.
Pierce—‘Okay.’
Sarah—‘I’m keeping my clothes on.’
Pierce—‘That’s fine. And probably wise, in the circumstances.’
Sarah—‘And no being tied up.’
Pierce—‘No being tied up.’
I lie down in the middle of the sitting room floor. Make sure door is closed. Ben is upstairs asleep. I don’t want him to open the sitting room door to see Mummy on the floor with a tall, dark handsome stranger straddling her between his rather well-toned and probably—though I can’t see them—bronzed thighs. Stroking her back. Can imagine his conversation with Paul next time he sees his daddy.
Ben—Hello, Daddy. Mummy was with this man on the floor downstairs and he was tickling her back. And he wasn’t wearing any clothes.
Yeah, right. So, door firmly closed. I lie on the carpet in the centre of the room. Lights are dimmed. I feel Pierce leaning over me and starting to massage my shoulders. Then running his fingers over my shoulderblades. Then down the middle of my spine, right to the base of my back, and then swirling motions with his palms all the way up to the top of my shoulders. He starts on the legs, then the arms, and finally runs his fingers through my hair, pulling gently. It’s very good. Genuinely very relaxing. And ever so slightly sexual, and somehow, with clothes on, even more sexy.
After what I think is about fifteen minutes, he stops.
Sarah—‘Ah. Thank you, Pierce.’
Pierce—‘Now I’m feeling stressed.’
Sarah—‘Can I massage you?’
Pierce—‘That may stress me out even more.’
Sarah—‘I will be gentle with you. Keep your trousers on. You’ve got your shirt off already. So leave it at that.’
Pierce—‘Okay. But can I take my shoes and socks off?’
Sarah—‘Fine.’
Pierce takes off shoes and socks. He lies on the floor exactly where I’ve just been lying.
Pierce—‘I can smell you.’
Sarah—‘Can you?’
Pierce—‘I can smell your perfume.’
Sarah—‘Oh, yes. Right.’
Pierce—‘What
