Chapter 1

The departure from Switzerland

The plane streaked silently across the summer sky, its wake leaving a white gash in the crystal blue heavens. Thin blankets of cloud gathered around the mountain peaks, preparing for their slow evening descent over the treacherous rocks and into the green valley where they would cloak the winding roads in a veil of mist, cutting off the view for travelers between Switzerland and the Italian lakes.

The summer tourist season had all but finished, relieving many of the towns, especially Andelburg, of the extra burden of cars, hitchhikers and holidaymakers that were a necessary intrusion into their quiet way of life. Even the park was deserted. Nobody seemed interested in crazy golf, and the tea rooms next to the tennis courts echoed only with the occasional clink of china. The sole sign of life was over at the bowling green, where four elderly gentlemen played sedately. Lauren had seen them before and assumed that they played in all weathers, including the snow. She understood the importance of the tourists on the financial prosperity of the region, but often wished that there was another way to provide income and employment for so many.

As she walked her toes complained of being trapped inside shoes that were two sizes too small. She was also conscious of an annoying soreness around her waist. She had told her mother that wearing the tennis knickers was a bad mistake. Both the shoes and knickers had been bought in a sale when she was seventeen, and she had grown in the two years since then. She ran her fingers underneath the waistband in an effort to ease the chaffing.

Lauren gazed back up to the mountains, forever enthralled by their majesty and beauty. Another plane appeared from behind the clouds, heading west.

"Ready?" Turning towards the source of a shout, she realised Nikki had been holding up a tennis ball for some time, trying to attract her attention. Nikki's straight blonde hair was almost to her shoulder blades, and Lauren thought it suited her. It fell across her shoulders and framed her cute face to perfection. Nikki, like Lauren, would never be the prettiest girl in the village, but they were both fortunate to possess features that were well in proportion. Her breasts swung underneath the thin cotton blouse, and Lauren could see her nipples as she swung back her racket. She was pleased that her own breasts were smaller, and perfect in her opinion with their classic line down to the small nipples and their convex shaping underneath. She recalled some of Jim's comments on the first time they had made love and how he had stared without speaking at the sight before slowly reaching out to run his finger from her shoulder down over her breast and around her stomach as though checking they truly existed. They had both been so young then, so naive and inexperienced. She smiled and looked over the net enquiringly.

"Yeah, of course"

Nikki served. The ball flew high over the net and bounced right in front of Lauren. She pulled the racket back and swung almost stylishly, the ball grazing the net as it shot past Nikki and bounced just inside the base line.

"Out!" shouted Nikki.

"Rubbish, that was easily in, you just didn't see it, that's all!"

The banter continued with almost every point, Lauren winning the vast majority until Nikki noticed two young men walking towards the bowling green, a course that would take them past the tennis courts. Her game improved considerably, as did her willingness to run after the dead balls and pick them up, bending down with unnecessary exaggeration as she did so, revealing her tanned legs. The boys turned out to be twice their age, and hardly gave the girls a second glance.

"Oh, can't we stop now? I'm aching everywhere" moaned Nikki.

"Let's have a drink, then we'll play until three o'clock."

Lauren watched Nikki as she shuffled towards her. She had known her for almost six years and the very sight of her made her insides bubble up in pleasure. They had learnt, laughed and loved so much together through their teens that their parting was going to create an enormous void in her life - maybe not for ever - but Lauren did not underestimate how she would feel on the day they she boarded the plane...

The sat on the black tarmac of the tennis court, leaning back against the mesh fencing, shaded from the sun by two enormous beech trees. Lauren pulled out a thermos flask and poured drinks, silently offering one to Nikki, her eyes firmly fixed on the ground, both girls acutely aware of the short time they had left together. Eventually, Nikki turned to her.

"It's not fair. Now that we don't have school we could do so much, and you're going away" she said quietly.

"It's not definite yet. Maybe the children won't like me and they'll find someone else." said Lauren with little conviction. Nikki rested her head on Lauren's shoulder. The family that she was to join had searched for almost five months for a live-in au pair that would fit into their life-style and expectations as far as credentials were concerned. "You can come and visit me!" suggested Lauren.

"What, all the way to Bongo-Bongo land? It would cost a fortune!"

"It's San Falino, and it costs about a thousand francs" said Lauren.

"Why don't you stay at home? Look after your mother? Do knitting for the Salvation Army? Get shopping for old ladies?" said Nikki.

"Don't be dumb. Any ideas yet about what you'll do?"

"Don't know." Nikki looked dejected as she stared at the ground. She had applied for a position at the local bank but she had sent the application form off three weeks ago and hadn't received any reply. She had heard through a friend at the bank that they were unlikely to take her. Further education seemed the most likely course, or enter into the noble family profession of hotelier. "My grades weren't as good as I needed. I still can't understand how you did so well when you're never with us on this planet!"

"I suppose it all sank in somehow. Osmosis or something. Aren't you going to carry on at college?" asked Lauren

"Suppose so. I really don't know. My father still thinks I should learn hotel management, but that's just an easy way out. I need to do something for myself. You know, learn something." She looked up through the leaves, exhaling. "Oh I don't know..."

"Learn something and meet some hunky man?"

"Now there's an idea. You're right! Honestly, I need some man." said Nikki. She licked her lips with crude seduction. "With a big willy!"

"Nik, you're a tart sometimes!"

"I'm only joking. How's Jim Beam?"

"Ho ho ho!" said Lauren, frowning. Lauren had told her that the first time they made love it had taken her several minutes before she could comfortably accommodate him fully inside her. Sometimes her humour got a little too close for comfort, especially as she had shared most of the gory details about their love making in confidence. "I haven't seen him for almost a week, what with the end of term for both of us and everything else."

Nikki rested her hand on Lauren's knee. "I know he's special, don't worry."

Lauren grimaced as she moved her legs. "God, these stupid knickers. My mum said I should wear them and look the part but they're chopping my legs off!" She hitched her skirt up slightly along her thigh to show Nikki the frilly material and wicked elastic.

"Take them off then!" said Nikki mischievously.

"Stupid!"

Nikki ran her fingers gently along the inside of Lauren's leg. "Come on, it'll be a laugh! There's nobody here"

Lauren saw in her eyes that she was serious, and felt Nikki's fingers dip for an instant between her thighs. A thousand memories flooded back as Lauren's heart fluttered like the breeze that rippled through the leaves above them.

Chapter 2 »