Chapter 1: Accidental Death

Pauline Bollington was driving back to Oxford from a visit to a friend in Banbury, and she was driving far too fast in the wintry conditions. When she saw the cyclist in the road she had to brake hard and swerve; she missed him by a hair's breadth but lost control on the icy road and the car slammed into a tree still doing forty miles an hour. It took the emergency services two hours to cut her lifeless body out of the resulting mess.

"The only consolation I can offer," said the policewoman who broke the news to Pauline's only daughter, Elinor, "is that she died instantaneously. She never felt a thing."

Elinor just looked at her as though not understanding.

"Is there anyone who can stay with you? A relative, or a neighbour?" asked the policewoman.

"No. Dad died years ago and we don't really mix with the neighbours. I could go to Louise's perhaps."

"Who's Louise?"

"She's my best friend. I'll ring her," Elinor said as she fumbled for her mobile and speed-dialled her friend.

The policewoman gently took the 'phone from her hand and said, "Louise?"

Evidently it was Louise who had answered.

"Louise, I am Police Constable Glass and I am with Miss Pauline Bollington. We need someone to look after her for tonight. Her mother died in a road accident earlier today, and I don't think it a good idea for her to be alone."

She listened for a moment and then said, "Thank you," and rang off.

To Pauline she said, "She'll be here in a few minutes, and we won't leave you until she arrives."

The funeral took place a week later. During that time Louise had stayed at the Bollingtons' house and had been a tower of strength in dealing with people like the undertakers and other officials.

After the few friends in Pauline's life had come back to the house and expressed their sympathy over sherry and sandwiches, the last of them was leaving as Louise said, "I'll help you to wash up."

"Thanks," said Elinor and went through to the kitchen.

When Louise came into the kitchen Elinor was sobbing mournfully.

"Here," said Louise and reached out to give her a hug.

Neither of them really knew what happened next, but suddenly they were kissing, not like the friends they had been until this moment, but fully as lovers, with their tongues scouring each other's mouths, and their hands racing over breasts and buttocks in a series of wild caresses.

"Stay with me tonight, please," begged Elinor.

"What about Kevin?" asked Louise, as he had attended the funeral and was, even then, in the sitting room.

"Fuck Kevin," said Elinor.

"I rather think that's what he expects tonight," said Louise gently, "I've been here constantly ever since Sunday you know, and he hasn't had it for days."

"Well, stay until I'm asleep and then you two can stay together in the guest room?" Elinor was pleading.

"OK," said Louise, wondering why she wanted Elinor so very much and why she suddenly didn't care what Kevin thought.