Seventy year old Liam tried not to stare at the two women, girls really, that were walking in front of him as he approached the doors to the flats. In either hand, he had a bag of groceries for the coming week. Both women were damp with sweat, both were wearing similar cross backed sports bras and high waisted leggings that were cut to tightly hug the skin, even to go as far as to disappear between the buttocks, as though an invisible thong was pulling the material up between the cheeks.

They held the door open for him.

“Thanks.” he said with a polite smile.

Both women headed for the elevator, as he angled for the stairs. One of the women was his new neighbour. He didn’t know her name, just her face. She pressed the button as he pushed open the fire door.

“It’s going to be embarrassing, if you get up before we do.” He smiled politely at the two women.

“I don’t think you are in any danger of that.” Liam never used the elevator if he could help it.

It was a point of principle for him to use the stairs. Using the lift would have been an admission of his failing health. Another step closer to the Grim Reaper. Pride, however, made him hurry up the stairs as soon as the first flight was out of sight of the foyer. He breathed deeply, panting to oxygenate his lungs as he hastily climbed the concrete steps. The flats were only five floors and his was at the top.

On the fourth floor, he paused, trying to gain a semblance of calm before the last flight. Just as he opened the fire door, the elevator pinged and the doors opened. He tried to appear calm as the two women looked at him as they stepped from the all metal lift.

“Well, that’s awkward,” his neighbour said with a grin. Liam thought about saying something smart about stairs being free exercise, but decided to just keep his mouth shut as he carefully placed a bag on the floor so he could fish out his flat key. He looked back as his door swung open, reaching down to pick up the shopping bag.

She smiled and waved cheerfully at him as her friend entered the flat.

“Same time tomorrow?” he asked. She laughed and closed the door behind her. As soon as his own door was shut, he leaned against the hallway wall and groaned. He was going to pay for that dash up the stairs tomorrow. Hell, he was paying for it now.

At a considerably slower pace, he walked into the kitchen, putting the bags on the table. There wasn’t a great deal to put away. Not now it was just him. He looked up at the picture of his wife. Two and a half years now she had been gone. Ovarian cancer. It hadn’t been pleasant at the end. For either of them. He gently placed fingertips on her face. A habit formed since she had passed.

Once everything was put away, he moved to the living room, sat in his chair and picked up his book.

There was a knock at his door. Liam opened his eyes, looked at the analogue dock on the wall. He had nodded off again. It was happening more and more these days. It was depressing. He put the book aside and made his way to the door. Yip he was definitely going to feel it tomorrow. He opened the door and was somewhat surprised to see his neighbour from across the hallway. She was now wearing a loose T- shirt under a fleece and a pair of loose fit jeans. Part of him preferred the other outfit.

“Oh, hello.”

“Hi. This might seem a strange offer, but I was wondering if you wanted to pop by tonight for something to eat? I batch cook so I have plenty, and well, I’m on my own if you and your wife want to stop by?”

Liam thought about it. It wasn’t as if he was going to be doing anything else.

“I’m widowed.”

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry. Awkward!”

He waved it away. “You weren’t to know. I would like that. What time?”

“About say, sixish? Is that okay?”

“Sure!”

Liam knocked on the door and the woman opened it. He raised an eyebrow.

“Apologies. I didn’t know it was formal. I’ll pop back and put on a suit.”

The woman laughed. “Don’t be silly! Come on in.” she opened the door wider and headed back inside. Liam followed her, shutting the door behind him. She had changed into a black dress. The hem was modest, just above the knee, but it clung to every curve and there were a lot of curves. The flat was just a mirror opposite of his in layout.

“That smells lovely.”

“Awe thank you. Have a seat.” he sat at the table as she started to dish out the food. “Do you take wine?”

“A little. Less as I get older.”

“How long were you and your wife married, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Just over fifty years.”

“Wow!”

“You know, I don’t think I know your name.”

“Siobhan.” she finished dishing and sat down opposite him. He was fairly certain she wasn’t wearing a bra. “How did you meet? Was it at a dance, or something?”

“School. We met at school. We were in the same class in primary.”

“Awwe, that’s so sweet!”

“Is there a significant other on your horizon?”

“No. Not yet. Thinking of throwing your hat in the ring?” she said with a twinkle in her eye. He pointed at his plate with his fork.

“Tempted.” he said with a smile and an eye twinkle of his own. “How is the competition? How many do I have to kill?”

“Your odds are good.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Really? That does surprise me.”

“Why?”

Liam met her gaze. She looked genuinely curious. “You are very beautiful.”

She giggled. “Are you flirting with me?” That amused smile was back.

“Only if you don’t mind Lovers old enough to be your grandfather.”

“Lovers, eh?”

“Possibly...”

“Possibly?”

Liam felt his pulse quicken and his cock start to harden. It had been a while since that had happened. “Well, if you are good at CPR and you have a defibrillator in the bedroom...”

“I have many toys in my bedroom, but, alas. A defib unit is not one of them.”

“You don’t know what you are missing.”

“Obviously not. Maybe I should rectify that?”

“You are very direct.”

“Or, you are just very old fashioned?”

Liam lifted the glass he had only taken a few sips from. “Touché”

“You can if you want.”

He just stared at her uncertain as to how to reply. She said nothing further and they finished the meal in silence.

“That was very nice Siobhan.”

“Do you wish desert?” the mischievous twinkle was back.

“What do you have?”

“What do you want?” he stood and collected their empty plates.

“Ah, ah, ah,” she wagged her finger as she chastised him. “You’re the guest. Guests don’t do dishes.” she stood and approached him. Tried to take the plates from him. “You never answered me.” she said as she pulled her plates from his gasp.

“You?” He challenged.

Siobhan placed the plates and cutlery back on the table.

“When you say that, you are supposed to envelope me in a tight embrace and kiss me...”

“You are correct, my mistake.”

“Well?” she was so close, he could smell her perfume, count the freckles on her exposed cleavage, make out the creases on her lipstick coated lips. Liam pulled her closer, kissed her directly on the lips. Her lips parted, inviting him in. His hands roamed her back. He could feel no bra, nor panties under the dress. She moaned into his mouth.