Someone Else's Dream

by Colin Griffiths

  He had dozed off in the bushes and it was the sound of the taxi that woke him, as Carla and Donna returned home early from their night out, after their lesbian joke had gone wrong. From the bushes, Matt watched them leave the taxi and enter the house. He sat hidden for a while until one of them appeared at the patio windows to fully close the curtains. Instantly he recognised her as the author Carla Reid and immediately fell in love. His mind drifted to a time when they would be together. He imagined them sitting inside; he was re-editing and re-writing her Charlotte novels, while she cuddled up to him on the sofa. He knew it was his destiny to be with her.

  It appeared to be all quiet now in the house; the lights were dimmed and he could see no shadows moving across the room. He guessed the two girls had settled down for the night. He decided he needed to get closer, so he removed himself from his hiding place and made his way down to the retaining wall around the property. He easily scaled the walls and found himself on the lawn that opened up from the decking area.

  The house had suddenly gone dark and he imagined Carla Reid and the other girl had gone to bed. He was quite surprised at that as the night was still young; but then he thought of an author’s life and that maybe she needed to get plenty of sleep so she would be refreshed the next day and able to write. He guessed the woman with her was either her agent or editor, urging her on to write her next book. Matt thought about that and found it a shame he would have to do re-write it all over again. He couldn’t let his future wife have some amateurish trash out there in the marketplace. It had to be top notch, just like his own novel.

  He stood on the lawn for a while, the warm, gentle breeze wafted him and the sound of the waves in the distance was soothing. His thoughts went back to Carla Reid, lying there naked in her bed and he thought of himself lying beside her. Getting aroused, he pulled out his penis and started masturbating. He wanted to leave Carla Reid his own little deposit.

  * * *

  Inhibitions, at least for one night, were long gone. The barriers had come down, as Carla Reid and Donna Morgan huddled together naked in a deep wondrous sleep, after having made a love that neither girl had experienced before. Both girls secretly wondered if they would wake up in the morning, only to regret their actions. They both told themselves they would worry about that in the morning. Tonight seemed natural, it seemed true and real and both wanted to cherish that special moment. Neither could blame the drink as they had drunk very little. If there were to be any consequences, then they could wait until the morning; tonight they just wanted to hold each other’s naked bodies. They lay like that for a while in Carla’s double bed, until the dream came, then she turned away from Donna half asleep, Donna stirred but she did not awaken.

  There was no sleep paralysis this time; nothing quite as frightening as that. Only, this time, she could see the same man she had dreamt about before. Dawn was just beginning to break and she dreamt she was opening her curtains. Even though it was daylight she could still see the man standing at the bottom of her garden, despite him being surrounded by darkness. In her dream, she had just stood frozen until the man raised an umbrella above his head.

  Donna sat up in the bed a split second after Carla’s scream had woken her. Daylight was coming through the curtains and she could see the naked Carla sitting up in bed with a terrified look on her face. Donna put her hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

  “You okay babe? It was just a dream,” She encouraged her.

  Carla immediately came to her senses and although she realised it was a nightmare that had woken her, she turned to her friend. “Can you just check outside on the lawn and make sure no one is there?”

  Donna got out of bed and put on a dressing gown, before returning less than a minute later. “There’s no one there, do you want a coffee or something?”

  Carla lay back down on the bed and pulled the covers over her, “no, come back to bed and hold me please.” Donna got back into the bed and cuddled her until they both fell asleep again, this time, into a deep, wonderful, and dreamless sleep.

  * * *

  Matt had stayed just staring at the house until the early hours of the morning. He could feel another headache coming on and all he really wanted to do was to go to bed, so he made the short walk back to the caravan. He felt, however, that he had achieved something tonight; he had been just a few yards away from the author he was going to marry. Deep inside him, he felt, that through the bricks and mortar, separating them that somehow, they had bonded. He let that feeling stay with him as he walked home, hoping it would replace the pounding in his head.

  He was pleased to see the caravan in darkness and when he opened the caravan door it was evident Marcia was home and had gone to bed. He was thankful for that; he didn’t want ‘dinner’ or ‘dessert’ tonight. His own little excursions had taken it all out of him and besides, now he had bonded with Carla, it would feel like he was cheating on her and he didn’t want to cheat on Carla; Carla was something special. The likes of Marcia, however, well... they were just pieces of meat waiting to be used. He took some painkillers and slept. He was soon dreaming, as he always seemed to be doing lately. Again Aimee, his daughter, was in his dream, but this time, she was crying and he was trying to comfort her. He kept asking her why she was crying and, at first, she would not answer. Finally, whilst cradled in her father’s arms she looked up at him father and said. “Don’t hurt the writer lady daddy!”

  Matt would not remember that particular dream in the morning.

  Marcia was up first. She had nipped to the local shop to get bacon, sausages and eggs for breakfast, again reflecting on her weight and again concluding she was on holiday and would take the pounds off when she got home. She had showered and changed before she’d started cooking. Her mood was good; the TV star lookalike had certainly touched at her heart strings and she was looking forward to this evening more than she had looked forward to anything for a long time.

  She heard Matt getting up and for some reason she felt herself becoming nervous. A moment ago she was happily cooking his breakfast, waiting for him to rise and now he had done so, she felt a shiver. She heard the bedroom door open and out stepped Matt, covering his modesty with a towel, which both surprised and pleased her, as he was never backward in coming forward and letting it all hang-out.

  “Something smells good,” He murmured to Marcia, as he stepped into the shower.

  “I was just going to call you, so be ready when you’ve had a shower,” Marcia shouted through the door.

  “You’re an angel,” echoed the reply.

  Again Matt came out of the shower covering his dignity, before grabbing his dressing gown out of his room and sitting down for his breakfast, at the table, opposite Marcia.

  “Did you have a good night?” Marcia ventured.

  Matt swallowed his bacon and took a swig of coffee,

  “Yeah I did actually and I’m really sorry but I have to go out again tonight...” he leant over and touched Marcia’s hand, “... and I was hoping to take you for a nice meal tonight.”

  Marcia was shocked by his sincerity but also, in anticipation of what she was about to tell him, she grew nervous. “That’s fine,” she quivered, “I met a really nice guy last night. He’s offered to take me out for dinner.” She waited anxiously for a response, hoping it would be a good one. Matt’s eyes widened and for a moment, Marcia felt a dread on her shoulders.

  “That’s brilliant,” he said enthusiastically, “I’m so pleased you had a nice time. I was worried I may have let you down.” He leant over and tenderly kissed her on the cheek. “I did so enjoy the ‘dinner’ and ‘dessert’, but I understand that’s over now. Looks like we both could have Welsh partners,” he chuckled.

  Marcia couldn’t help but smile. It was like Matt was back to his old self and she thought, whoever he had met the last night had done him the world of good. They sat and finished their breakfast, before Marcia swilled the dishes as Matt got dressed. He came out wearing his new designer gear and a tight
t-shirt. Marcia thought he looked even more handsome than usual, but perhaps not as much as the boy she had met the night before.

  “Tell you what!” Matt enthused, “let’s see if we can get a memento, to take home, from the shops in town. Have a look around and I’ll treat you to lunch too; maybe take a walk along the beach after?”

  “That would be lovely,” Marcia replied.

  * * *

  The traditional wet British summer was certainly not making an appearance. It was only just after 8 am and already the sun was beating down on Carla’s veranda, where she and Donna sat. Normally their Saturday mornings together would consist of paracetamol and coffee until the hangovers were destroyed. The fact they hadn’t had a lot to drink the previous night, made this morning slightly different. They were both sitting with their cornflakes and fruit juice, with just dressing gowns covering their naked bodies.

  They had woken up simultaneously, Donna apprehensive how her friend might react about what had happened the night before. It was certainly a passionate experience she would never forget, but she just hoped it wouldn’t be one she would regret. Her friendship with Carla meant more than any lovemaking that had happened between them.

  Carla, quite brazenly, had gotten out of bed naked and fetched the two dressing gowns, from the back of the door, handing one to Donna who was still sitting up in the bed.

  Donna could not help but look at the beautiful, naked, Carla; the girl who would not let anyone even see so much as a leg, never mind her total naked beauty. She was just standing there, naked, in front of her, holding out a dressing gown. She couldn’t help but stare and she couldn’t help feeling the moisture building up within her. She noticed a few old scars, on the top of Carla’s thighs; a constant reminder of when she was fourteen.

  “Come on lazy bones, get up, it’s a lovely day,” Carla chided her. Donna took the gown, as Carla walked into the kitchen to make coffee and cornflakes.

  Donna laid her empty plate down on the side table and took a sip of her coffee. Rolling her tongue around the inside of her mouth, she had to say something. Looking at Carla, who had finished her cornflakes and was sitting with her eyes closed, Donna couldn’t help but think, at that moment, she was the most beautiful girl ever. “Last night!” she finally uttered.

  Carla opened her eyes, looked across to Donna and reached out and held her hand. Their eyes locked. “It’s fine,” she said, smiling sweetly

  “I was fearful you might have regretted it. I mean…”

  Carla interrupted her, “it was beautiful Donna, you were beautiful.” She gripped Donna’s hand tighter and Donna bit her bottom lip. “And, if it ever happens again, well, that’s just fine too,” Carla added.

  Donna didn’t respond immediately, she was taken aback by the calmness of her shy friend, who was now talking openly and frankly about sex and not just any sex, but the sex they had experienced together. Both girls just sat staring out at the sea, reflecting. “I seen you naked you know!” Donna tried.

  Carla let out a giggle, “I know you did and I also noticed you looking at me again this morning,” she blurted out between the giggles.

  “And... you’re okay with that?” Carla gave it some thought.

  “You know... I never actually thought I would be, but somehow, you made me feel beautiful.”

  “Oh Carla, that’s because you are beautiful.”

  “So are you Donna, so are you.” Again there was a silence, a comfortable, warm, silence until Carla spoke again, and her tone a little less buoyant.

  “Did you see my scars?” she asked,

  “More clearly this morning, but last night I just wanted to kiss them all away, they’re not that bad you know, barely visible.”

  “I wished you had kissed them away; no one has ever seen them until now.” Again, there was a pause. “Maybe next time, I can try to kiss your scars away, or your imaginary ones anyway.”

  “Next time?” queried Donna,

  “Oh, I think there might be a next time, don’t you, Donna?”

  “I hope so. So, you would like to kiss away my scars, like I did yours?”

  “Yes, Donna, I really think I would like that very much.” Both girls were momentarily lost in their own lustful thoughts. “Right then!” exclaimed Carla, “let’s get showered and dressed as I need to go into town for something. You’re not doing anything today are you?”

  “Nope,” Donna replied, getting up from her chair. “I am meeting Kelvin tonight, though.” Carla panicked.

  “Oh my God, Kelvin, I’d totally forgot all about him, I feel awful now.”

  “Don’t,” Donna replied, “the love between two women is something men couldn’t ever understand and, anyway, if he knew it would probably turn him on.” That made Carla feel better. “So, what do you want in town?”

  Carla let out a wry smile, “I think it’s time I got myself some sexy underwear, don’t you?”

  “My God Carla, what has got into you?” The look of surprise was written all over Donna’s face and clearly humoured Carla.

  “You my girl, you’ve gotten into me?”

  * * *

  Marcia and Matt enjoyed a delightful day. They strolled along the beach, laughing at the children playing in the sands. They took a light lunch at a small café on the beach front, for once Marcia watching her diet, as she ate a small pasta and salad, Truth was she was leaving enough room for whatever great delights Smithy had in store for her, that evening. It had felt more than just a holiday romance though sadly she did wonder what more it could be? Matt paid for lunch and the ice creams they ate as they walked along the beach. He took her into Costa and bought her a coffee. They visited the fair and he treated her to games on the shooting galleries, neither of them wanting to experience the rides.

  From the gift shop, he purchased the fridge magnets and tea towel that Marcia had chosen for her mementoes of their weekend away. Matt had chosen an umbrella. Marcia couldn’t quite get over that, it was a striped umbrella with bright colours and it didn’t even have the words Porthcawl written on it. What topped it all off, was when Marcia saw a blouse she liked in a department store shop window. It was priced at £22, she asked Matt to wait for her as she went into buy it. She picked out her size and went to the payment counter to pay for it when suddenly Matt appeared by her side. “I’ll pay for that,” he offered.

  Marcia objected but Matt simply handed the cashier his card. She thanked him and wondered why he wasn’t always as nice as this. She was failing to work out the Jekyll and Hyde nature of his character. All in all, it had been a lovely day and as they walked back to the caravan all Marcia could think about was her date. They took their turns showering, Matt again being the consummate gentleman by covering himself up with a towel, whilst going into the shower. There certainly not being enough room to get undressed in the shower room.

  It was about six-thirty when they both left. Matt had taken his laptop and Marcia guessed he was off to do some writing though she couldn’t understand why he needed to take an umbrella, as it was still a sunny, warm evening.

  * * *

  Carla and Donna had a day to remember; Carla’s mind occasionally going back to the night she had spent with Donna and how much she enjoyed their love making. It had opened up a whole new world for her and sometimes her thoughts were confused. She knew it would have to happen again; she so wanted to taste the delights of Donna. Even if it was for just one final time, she knew there had to be a repeat performance.

  They too had lunch, however, Carla had refused the offer of going into Ann Summers to choose her new underwear. If she wanted the kind of stuff they sold she would get it online; no way would she be seen walking into that shop. This made Donna giggle at the girl who quite openly spoke to her about the sexual experience they had shared and yet, she would not walk into a High Street sexy lingerie, store.

  They chose Peacocks and Donna helped Carla choose the sexy underwear she so wanted to wear. They both treated themselves to new shoes and Donna bought
herself a new handbag. They kissed goodbye at about 4 pm, Donna telling Carla that she had to go and get herself ready for Kelvin and that they were going to try out chapter seven tonight. Carla did feel a tinge of jealousy, but that was because Donna had a fulfilled life; whereas she felt, hers, although getting better, was by no means fulfilled. She walked back to her dream home, for once feeling comfortable in her own skin.

  She wanted to go and see what chapter seven was all about. With her bags and a slightly new found confidence, she got home, made herself a cheese salad sandwich and booted up her laptop. She wanted to make a start on the third and final instalment of Charlotte. She wanted her to experience something new and that would be the love of another woman. In no time at all the words were flowing as she brought Charlotte back to life, from the car crash she had at the end of the last book. There would be no publishers to worry about, this time, Donna had taught her that and as she sat and wrote, she momentarily thought about the girl she loved. Donna had taught her everything, how could she possibly repay her?