Lesson Learned- Mission Report 1

by G J Stevens

  Ally frantically waved as Frank looked at me down his nose before he sat up to pull on a towelling robe. At first I couldn’t quite put my finger on their matching expression, but as I walked towards them I realised they looked like it was their birthday and I was the cake.

  Ally stood, strutting along the side of the pool, leaving the robe behind and letting me take in her full view as she walked towards me.

  After taking me in her arms, hugging tight, she finally released and led me towards where Frank stood uncorking the champagne, his face fixed with a wide grin.

  “What is this place?” I said, looking around the pool. I gazed at the wall of glass which ran the complete length of the room, focusing on a lake which sprawled out to the horizon.

  “Ours for the night,” Ally replied, jumping on the spot.

  “Just somewhere I get the use of. A perk of the job.”

  “Frank,” Ally said, laughing, pushing her hand out to rub his towelling-covered chest.

  “I didn’t bring a suit?” I said.

  Ally laughed as her eyebrows raised.

  “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, but I have spares. Or there are other alternatives,” she said, giving a playful tug at the bow holding the cups of her bikini top tight to her skin.

  “I bet you could do with a drink,” Frank said, staring at Ally’s chest as she stopped short of letting the bow slip.

  He didn’t wait for me to answer and turned, filling glasses arranged on a long table near where they’d been laying. “Give me five minutes,” he said, handing over a glass. “Have a look around and I’ll be back in something a little more decent.”

  An odd choice of words, I thought. “And you too, Al,” he said to his side.

  “Yes, of course,” she replied with a smile filling the left side of her mouth. “Five minutes, maybe ten,” she added, still giggling.

  Walking away, they disappeared through a door to the back of the long room at the opposite end to where the butler had shown me in. They would be much longer, I was sure.

  Sipping at the champagne, I stared out across the lake with its glass-like surface disturbed by only the occasional ripple. Turning, I took small steps back the way I’d come, heading through the door and past the endless panelling to cast my gaze over the various pictures, each some anonymous landscape or ancient portrait. There were no photos. Nothing personal to him.

  This place had corporate written all over it.

  I found my way back to the entrance hall and crossed over, peering in each of the rooms on the ground floor. I found a drawing room with comfy over-stuffed leather chairs, a wall filled with liquor bottles, the air heavy with long-stale cigar smoke. It was an old man’s room, or a man’s man room, the place where all the guys would go after a meal in days gone by. They may as well put a sticker on the door; No Women Allowed.

  Finding the dining room next door, a long table stood set for three places, one at each end and another in the middle. I figured it could seat twenty or more with plenty of room for elbows.

  The next room had a more modern feel, with two large couches centred around a thirty-something-inch TV on a deep unit set up against a long wall. I heard the stairs creak and nipped into the bathroom to take a minute.

  As I came out, Ally followed Frank from the floor above. She wore the same as she had the last time, except for a different shade of top; a deep red. Frank wore dark trousers and a short sleeved white shirt, thin enough to make out a dark matt of hair covering his chest.

  “Sorry for the delay,” he said, despite being back well within ten minutes. “What do you think of the place?”

  “It’s amazing,” I replied.

  “Isn’t it? And in the middle of nowhere so there's no chance anyone can disturb us. I’ve sent Jeeves off for the night, so we’ll have to fend for ourselves, but we get our privacy. I hope that’s all right?”

  “He’s not called that,” I said, unable to control my laughter.

  “He is,” Frank replied with a wide smile. Ally nodded at his side, her face lit. “You all right with looking after ourselves?”

  “I’m used to doing things for myself.”

  Ally burst out laughing. “Not for want of offers,” she said, looking me up and down.

  “Very good,” I replied.

  “Shall we eat?” Frank asked. “You girls go sit down and I’ll grab the trolley from the kitchen.”

  Ally came down the final steps while Frank disappeared along the corridor. She took me by the hand and led me back into the dining room.

  “You’re wearing everything like last time?” she asked as she led me down the long table.

  “And the necklace,” I replied with a grin and Ally stopped, turning toward me. Reaching to my neck, she pinched the silver and opened its wings.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it,” she said, staring down at the gem I knew would be gleaming.

  “It is,” I replied. “You chose it, didn’t you?”

  She turned and caught me staring, then nodded before leaning forward to plant a soft kiss on my lips.

  “You get to sit in the middle,” she said, turning around with a brisk swirl.

  “Like I’m on display?”

  “Yes, because you are. Now sit.”

  25

  Doing as I’d been told, I settled in the seat, resting my glass on the coaster in front of me. In the background I could hear the roll of trolley wheels growing louder as they rattled along the wooden floor. The trolley arrived moments later, with Frank’s features set with concentration as he manoeuvred it around the table.

  Looking up, he beamed back at us on seeing we both sat in the seats he’d expected and were watching his arrival. In turn, he placed a cloche-covered plate at each setting, starting with mine, then came back, topping up each glass, before one by one revealing the lobster salad laid out with such care as he took away the metal covers.

  I dug into the food with an appetite I hadn’t realised had developed, grateful for the distraction from talking. Instead, I listened to their chat, which in most part was benign, but as I took the last mouthful, I felt their focus back in my direction.

  “So, Catarina,” Frank said, “tell me about yourself. All I know is what Al’s been telling me.”

  “Well, you know how beautiful she is,” Ally said, raising her glass before I could say anything. Frank nodded and tipped his glass in my direction as he waited for me to speak.

  I took a deep breath, trying to slow the warmth building in my cheeks.

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “Don’t be shy,” Ally said. “We want to get to know you. We want to know you inside and out.”

  I smiled back and took a long drink, stifling a sneeze as the bubbles hit the back of my throat.

  “I was born in the UK and raised all over the place. My dad was in the Air Force,” I said, as was my normal explanation.

  Frank raised his eyebrows as I spoke.

  “We eventually settled in a town in Sussex. After school, I went off to university and studied languages. It gave me an opportunity to take some time out and to travel, so I took it and here I am.”

  “And you came here? Of your own free will?” Frank said with a wide smile, his brow a little furrowed. “We speak English, too?"

  “Barely,” Ally chipped in, not able to stop herself laughing. Frank glanced over at her before turning back to me.

  “It’s stop number one,” I said.

  Frank raised his eyebrows and I couldn’t mistake Ally’s sharp intake of breath.

  “Since when?” she said.

  “Since for always,” I replied, turning to see her wide-eyed concern. “I’m not going yet. But I do think I’m outstaying my welcome with the Rozman’s.”

  “Hah,” Ally snorted.

  “Al,” Frank snapped. “Be nice. You don’t really know them.” He turned back to me. “So how long do you think you’ll stay?”

  “Well, if the Rozman’s want me gone, then I might take the o
pportunity, but I’d like to hang around for a few more weeks at least.”

  He nodded, saying nothing.

  “What about you, Ally?” I asked, turning towards her.

  Ally smiled and looked from me to Frank. “I’ll stay as long as I’m needed,” she said, her voice sounding soft and dreamy.

  Frank gave a light cough into his napkin and stood to take the champagne and walked around the table to fill each of our glasses.

  “Tell her,” she said as he sat back down and I watched as he glared at her for a moment.

  “Before you decide, come and talk to me,” he said. “There’s dessert if you want it?” he added before I could ask any more.

  “We’re counting on it,” Ally replied with a giggle and I turned to see her looking me up and down with her head tilted to the side. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable,” she said, standing with her glass.

  My heart rate spiked. I wasn’t ready. I was nowhere near ready.

  I hadn’t had a chance to form a plan. If I was being honest, for a moment I hadn’t even been thinking about the mission I’d given myself.

  Still I stood, following Ally and Frank, relieved when we passed by the bottom of the stairs and headed into the living room where I’d seen the sofas and the big TV.

  Frank took a couch; I took the other. Ally looked between us, raising her eyebrows, but eventually she sat next to me even though there were another two spaces available. Frank’s smile wasn’t his only sign she’d made the right choice.

  She rested her back against my upper body and with the top of her shoulder warm against my skin, I tried not to look too uncomfortable as Frank’s smile beamed from the opposite end of the room.

  “So what about your upbringing?” he said, fidgeting in his seat.

  “Sheltered, as you can imagine. We were a close community, even though we moved every three years. The place was safe. It was one of the last places you could leave your doors unlocked at night.”

  “Did you ever have a boyfriend?” Ally asked. As she spoke she kicked off her heels before swinging her feet onto the chair and lowering herself down my front so the back of her head rested just above my left breast.

  “No. I wasn’t interested,” I replied with the truth.

  “A girlfriend?” she said slowly, and I watched the corner of Frank’s mouth turn up.

  “No,” I said, again without lying.

  “Have you ever had a kiss?” Ally asked, with Frank’s gaze locked to her face as his grin grew.

  “Of course. I’m not a nun,” I said, a little louder than I’d meant to.

  “Girl or boy?” Frank said, surprising me.

  “Both,” I replied.

  “But not at the same time?” he said, his voice flat as if put on.

  “Not yet.” I knew it was the answer he was looking for, his wide smile confirming.

  “And you’re a virgin,” he said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a question.

  “Yes,” I replied anyway. “Enough about me. Ally, tell me about you,” I said, my hand stoking her upper arm. “When did you lose your virginity?”

  “How do you know I’m not…”

  I laughed, and she stopped protesting.

  “You’ve told me all the details in Technicolor,” I replied.

  “Have you now?” Frank said, with a sideways look at her, the wide questioning grin bunching his cheeks.

  “I was eighteen,” she replied. “A fumble in the dark, over in seconds. Way too messy for my liking.”

  “A boy then?” I raised my eyebrows as I spoke.

  “Of course. With a woman it lasts so much longer. No one’s in a rush to get to the end.”

  “Don’t mind me,” Frank said, pretending to be offended.

  “Most men,” Ally added, tilting her head up to take a drink.

  “And with a woman?” I said when she’d placed the glass back to the carpet.

  “A year later. It was just a bit of fun to pass the time. I could never be serious with a woman, but I love fooling around.”

  “Maybe you haven’t met the right woman,” Frank said to my surprise.

  “Or maybe I have,” Ally blurted, rubbing her head into my chest so the back of her neck, intentionally or otherwise, sent a flurry of sensation through the tip of my nipple.

  “So what about you, Frank?” I replied, emptying my glass.

  “About fifteen, summer camp,” came his deep voice.

  “Man or woman?” I asked with a smirk.

  “Woman. Girl. She was the same age.”

  “So have you ever kissed a man?” Ally added.

  “No,” he replied, letting his shoulders stiffen.

  “So you’re a virgin, too,” I said. Ally and I laughed out loud.

  Frank let the laughter die and stood.

  “I’ll get another bottle,” he said, but I shuffled forward and Ally moved.

  “I’ll get it. I need the bathroom anyway.”

  “Okay,” he replied. “The kitchen’s on the right and you’ll find the bottles in the left-hand fridge.”

  I stood, feeling a little unsteady on my feet. I slipped off the heels and left them by the door. Frank stood as I went through, but didn’t follow me out.

  I faced the under-stairs cupboard, pausing for only a moment before I pulled open the door and found my coat where the butler had placed it. Pushing my hand into the inner pocket, I found the small bag of pills still in place.

  As their laughter poured from the room I’d just left, I let the door close and headed the few paces to the bathroom. Sitting on top of the toilet with the lid down and being careful not to pierce the bag, I crushed up the pills between my fingers. The result was a powder not as fine as I‘d achieved with the mortar and pestle at the Rozman’s, but it would have to do.

  Hiding the bag in the left cup of my bra, I looked in the mirror. The material was so delicate and thin, the top so tight I could see the outline of the bag and the lump of pills making me look deformed. I tried holding the bag in the waistband of my skirt, but it dropped out too easily the moment I moved.

  For a moment I thought about hiding them down my underwear but I still didn’t know if I’d be wearing them for much longer.

  Drawing a deep breath, I tried to steady my excitement. I tried to ignore the rush of energy through my body every time my skin touched Ally's.

  I had to hold out. I had a purpose. I had to get hold of the keys.

  I tried to focus.

  I tried to remember back to the cupboard where I’d seen Ally’s coat, but the rest of the cupboard was bare.

  Now I’d spent too much time in the toilet and knew they would wonder if I was okay.

  Compressing the bag into my fist, I opened the door whilst listening out. Hearing Ally’s playful laughter, I headed to the kitchen.

  What I found was the most modern room I’d seen so far, with granite worktops, white-tiled walls and two large fridges standing side by side. The left fridge was full to bursting with champagne. All different brands.

  I pulled one from the top of the stack and popped the cork with care, capturing it in my hand. Listening out, I let the vapour draw away. With the laughter still distant, a sudden thought came to me.

  What if they had already started getting frisky, taking the chance while I was out? Would I arrive back to their bodies naked and writhing on the floor?

  I stopped the thought dead. I couldn’t think like that. I had to react to whatever situation I found.

  Pulling open the baggy, I tried to work the last lumps smaller against the work surface with the base of the bottle, stopping as I realised a tiny split had formed as a thin white powder covered the surface. I carefully pulled up the bag and let a small amount of the contents flow into the bottle.

  Pausing, I peered through the dark glass, watching as the bubbles attached to the lumpy powder, taking the slow journey to settle to the bottom. I poured more in, a large amount this time and bubbles rolled to the top of the bottle, but subsided
before spilling out.

  I poured the remainder in and as I watched the bubbles settle, I heard a deep voice from the doorway.

  26

  “Are you okay?”

  I turned away from the bottle to see Frank leaning on the door frame and peering toward me with a raised eyebrow.

  “You gave me a fright,” I replied, clutching the thin bag tight into my fist resting on the counter, hoping he couldn’t see it.

  “Is there a problem?” he said.

  “No, just taking a moment to build up courage,” I said, drawing a pronounced breath as I picked up the cork in the same hand as the bag.

  “Don’t be silly, there’s nothing to be worried about. We’ll take our time, enjoy ourselves and if tonight isn’t the night and you’re not ready, there’s no pressure.”

  I listened, surprised at the sweetness of his words, already feeling myself relax in his presence.

  “Come back in,” he said, beckoning me through the kitchen door.

  Heading towards him I glanced down at the base of the bottle, my look fixing on the tiny particles I could make out way too easily, but just as I looked up in hope Frank hadn’t followed my look, I saw a wooden bowl on the worktop and a set of keys sitting in the centre. His Mercedes key sat pronounced on the pile. As he held the door open, I dropped the cork and the baggy through the lid of the bin as I passed.

  Following Frank back into the lounge, I was more than a little surprised to see Ally still sitting in the same place and fully clothed as she inspected her nails with a dreamy expression.

  As we came through the door, her face lit up. My chest tightened and my heart raced; in the moment I couldn’t tell if it was the thrill of the operation or Ally’s short skirt riding up that caused my beat to pound. I scarcely noticed as Frank took the bottle, topping up each flute as I retook my seat. Ally’s head came back to rest at my chest, this time a little lower, but still with the same electrifying effect.

  We were soon back in conversation again, the pair sipping at the drinks whilst I was mindful to take the bare minimum. We spoke about the house, with Frank never revealing its true location despite my gentle probing.