Chapter 4

Cash, please. The cashier handed her the money wrapped in the receipt. Have a good day, he said. Outside the bank she hesitated, what store? The fancy one or the Bata? As her husband wouldn't arrive until Tuesday ("Terrible sorry. Enclosed cheque to cover your expenses", he wrote in the letter. "I'll make it up to you.") she settled for the fancy one. And with a nice pair of sandals she needed something to go with them, like a nice skirt. Thus the boutique. Make it up you will, she muttered.

There wasn't a choice, really. The little town had lots of boutiques, summer shops selling cheap clothes at extravagant prices, but only one frequented by ladies of some standing. When local people referred to the boutique they meant that one.

At this time of the day there weren't many customers around and only two women in the staff. Assistance? the chubby one said. No, thanks. The girl really just wanted to look around. Please do, the assistant said. She took her time. A few of the skirts were all right but on the conventional side, except for a low-cut pale blue mini. For that one she needed a white top, and on her way there she found a lined silk dress her size, green with a pattern of tiny feathers in ochre and silver. Very simple, but oh so light. She turned the tab. Oops, she said.

The price is negotiable... a soft voice behind her back. What? The girl spun around. It was the taller woman of the two, in her forties with some grey locks in her cropped hair, very elegant. She took the dress off the hanger. We don't sell many of those in the summer, you know. The maroon one is gone, so this is the only one left. You sound like you own the shop, the girl blurted out. The woman laughed. Between you and me, she whispered, I do.

If you contemplate that one, the woman said, I have a suggestion. This dress is not see-through, you can wear any bra you like. But you know, shoulder straps, you lean forward... I have a wonderful matching set over here. She steered the girl over to the lingerie department. Almost the exact nuance, it's such a coincidence. Your size? We might have one.

The girl immediately recognized the brand of the stockings exhibited in the counter, the ones with seams. She looked over the row of bras. There was the black low-cut bra, the garter, and the panties that belonged to the set. He had been here. He must have bought the red dress here. It was a small town.

She unhooked the black panties and put them on the counter. I just need these. I don't have to buy the entire set? The woman was surprised. I can make an exception, but we have similar... No, I kind of wanted to complete... I understand, said the woman and added the green set to the pile. The girl thought it inappropriate to look at the tab, but she had her misgivings. With a hand in her back the woman escorted her to the fitting rooms and then silently stood watching her over the flap doors.

The girl was quick to try on but put off the decision on the green dress, not to mention the extravagant lingerie set. She was nervous. Then she glanced at the woman, took a deep breath and put the dress on. She couldn't reach the clasp in the back. I need help, she said. The woman took a step inside, in the mirror she towered a head taller than the girl, perhaps it was the high heels, working the minuscule hooks. So, the woman said and pulled at the sides of the dress, what do you think? Oh, it's... beautiful. The girl was amazed.

The woman's hands were on her hips. See, the waistband shows, and here, she put her hands on her chest, you can see the contours of the bra when you stretch the silk. You have to try on the green set. I can't afford it, mumbled the girl. Trying is free, said the woman. You can always buy it later. She helped the girl out of the dress and loosened the simple, white bra. Then she stepped back. The girl took off her panties and reached for the set.

The woman was curiously regarding the girl's behind. The girl froze and turned red. It's not as you think, she began. Oh, isn't it? the woman said tenderly. I find it quite becoming. She touched her bottom, slowly following the stripes. Those marks will be gone in a week. She broke the spell: Now, try on the lingerie.

The green set fit like a second skin, like if there were no elastic bands or seams in it at all. I don't use garters, she said when the woman approached her. Of course you don't, but then comes autumn and winter. The woman put it on from behind, clasped it under the girl's navel and swung it around, so the four straps were in the front. What do you think of stockings? I believe pearl will be fine. The girl allowed herself to be dressed.

The woman was right of course, it was a dress for any occasion except, possibly, funerals. The girl never had a dress like that in her life, to get it any girl would crawl over cut glass.

The woman held the girls hands in hers and traced her figure from the breasts down over the tummy and down to the thigh. You can hardly feel the presence of underwear, it's like you were nude, she murmured. The girl was paralyzed, watching herself. The hands returned up the thigh with the hem of the dress, she saw the top of the stockings appear, the soft skin and the green silk panties with the little bumps in the front revealing the presence of pubic hair.

The woman's hand disappeared with the girl's smaller hand under the green silk. The girl shuddered. Her gaze was fixed on the slow movements of the two hands on top of each other, like of a snake or a rabbit, in the panties. She leaned back and closed her eyes, her head at the woman's shoulder. She soon was unable to control her legs.

You are the sweetest little filly, the woman whispered in her ear. Come for me now.

The woman held the girl as her knees gave way and she didn't stop the steady, slow fondling until the girl began to recover her breath. Oh, I wanted you from the moment you set foot inside my door, she whispered. She carried the girl over to the little bench under the mirror and laid her down on her back. She pushed the dress up to her armpits, as the bra, and removed the panties. Now, little girl, I will have you.

The girl had a fresh smell like of the sea and tasted like sushi. The woman was on her knees between her legs, kissing the inside of her thigh, licking gently on her labia and love bud. Her fingers probed the girls body, the buttocks, the breasts, the small of her back, the tummy. When the girl began to moan she entered her with her tongue, sucked her, licked her. When the contractions started she licked fast and light, pressing hard on a point just over the mound. The girl bucked as if to get free. Her thighs were around the woman's head, pressing with all force, and finally she arched and screamed.