Beautiful Strangers

by Ellen Dean

  That stopped Beth in her tracks. Looking into those hypnotic blue eyes she couldn’t refuse, and a weekend shopping in London would be nice. She might even pick up a new diamond bracelet from Asprays. So after pretending to think about it, she agreed. ‘Thanks Hyacinth. I’ll look forward to it.’

  ‘Leave it all to me, darling. I’ll arrange something really special.’ H moved closer, allowing her robe to slip open showing off her perfect naked body.

  Beth gasped. She couldn’t take in much more today.

  Hyacinth sensed that. Taking Beth by the hand she led the way downstairs sitting her on the cream leather sofa while she rang for a taxi.

  Ten minutes later going out through the flower filled front porch, Beth spotted a roll of purple material standing in a corner.

  Hyacinth noticed. ‘Our disturbance darling,’ she smiled convincingly, ‘material for some new drapes.’

  Beth had a fleeting thought that this gorgeous shade of purple wouldn’t match anything she had seen in Hyacinth’s house. Her head still aching, she forgot about the material as the taxi drove her home through the darkness, but she couldn’t stop herself reliving the shower scene.

  As the taxi pulled out of her driveway, Hyacinth returned to her bedroom. She spoke into her mobile phone without any preamble. ‘Darling, I’ve found our missing link.’ She bounced on her king-sized bed. ‘Yes, she’s perfect. Leave it all to me.’

  Chapter 9

  Beth imagined everyone in the hospital was looking at her. She was bursting to tell someone what had happened. She couldn’t. It was their secret, hers and Hyacinth’s. She kept thinking of what it would be like to have sex with a woman. Not just any woman, Hyacinth.

  She didn’t feel any guilt, just excitement, and carried on working with a secret smile on her face all the while visualizing their weekend in London. After the interrupted shower experience she knew that trip was going to be some learning curve.

  Thoughts of Hyacinth continuously danced through her mind, which was exactly what Hyacinth had planned. Checking patient’s records, in a ‘Hyacinth’ daydream, Beth almost missed the apology from Countess Dracula, the Night Nursing Officer.

  ‘Beth . . . like I said, I’m sorry I caused such a commotion the night you were attending Mr. Green.’ Daphne hesitated briefly wanting to be sure she had Beth’s full attention. ‘He should be settled back home now, shouldn’t he?’

  Beth turned, ‘Sorry Daphne. I was miles away. What were you saying?’

  Blushing, Daphne continued. ‘I wondered if I could buy you a drink, by way of an apology?’

  The invitation seemed genuine and friendly. ‘Why thanks Daphne, that is kind, but there’s really no need. I think the student could have used a shot of brandy at the time though. Don’t you?’ Beth laughed.

  In daylight Daphne had a look of Amanda Burton. As she persisted with her invitation Beth felt it would be churlish to refuse and arrangements were made for the following Tuesday night when Daphne was off duty.

  Then Beth remembered Hyacinth. Would she mind? Why should she? It’s only a drink with a work colleague and, more to the point, was it any of Hyacinth’s business?

  * * * * * * * *

  Beth purposely dressed down for her night out with Daphne. Comfortable cowboy boots, denim jeans and a matching denim shirt were all she felt able to aspire to. Her luxurious, long, dark hair was pulled back, caught up in a beautiful diamond butterfly comb. Of course she wore her diamond studs. She didn’t feel dressed without them.

  She pulled up outside Daphne’s neat little semi, situated in a residential area popular with a lot of hospital staff because of its close proximity to St. Gregory’s. When her old Audi Coupe rattled into the cul-de-sac, she noticed with amusement how several sets of curtains twitched. She really must do something about buying a new car, and soon.

  Before she could turn off the engine, Daphne hurried out and jumped into the passenger seat.

  Always polite and attempting to break the ice, Beth said, ‘Oh that’s a nice skirt, Daphne.’

  Daphne beamed, ‘Thank you. I’m glad you like it.’ She really had made an effort tonight, and was pleased her long flowered skirt had turned out to be a good choice. She suggested they go to a country pub she knew near Morpeth.

  Despite it being June, the evening was cool and they were grateful for the roaring log fire in the pub lounge. Settling into easy chairs with a bottle of red wine on the table between them, Daphne started drinking fast while she talked non-stop about the hospital. The words blurred as Beth fought to keep her tired eyes open. Half an hour later, Davinia and Julie walked in. Thankful to learn they were friends of Daphne’s, Beth invited them to join them, hoping she could soon beat a hasty retreat.

  Davinia was in a ‘sit down and pay attention’ mood whereas Julie was in a silly mood. ‘Daphne, did I ever tell you about the time I took Davinia sailing?’

  ‘No. I don’t think so.’

  ‘Oh not that old chestnut.’ Davinia moaned.

  ‘Well. Davinia is not what you would call a natural sailor.’

  ‘Understatement.’ Davinia emphasized.

  ‘It’s always safety first.’ Julie paused to ensure she had their full attention. ‘So the first thing I did was to make sure that we were both fitted with life jackets.’

  ‘Quite right.’ Daphne said.

  ‘And every good sailor,’ Julie lifted her glass of wine,‘should have a good supply of booze.’

  ‘Yes. Yes.’ Both Daphne and Beth agreed eagerly.

  ‘It was rum, Julie. You took rum.’ Davinia butted in.

  ‘Yes, sweetheart. I did. I took it to make sure you felt confident.’

  ‘Confident?’ Davinia looked at her enquiringly.

  ‘Well anyway. There we were on the water and Davinia was having a ball. Singing at the top of her voice, and drinking the rum like there was no tomorrow.’ Julie laughed loudly, remembering. ‘The next thing I know is — she,’ pointing at Davinia, ‘tells me that she’s going to climb the mast. And she did. The boat almost capsized. We were so far over it’s a wonder she didn’t cause us to both fall overboard.’

  They all laughed loudly. Davinia’s laugher the loudest of all. Lucky she was wearing a life jacket, Beth thought. Although Davinia’s underwear would have given her good buoyancy.

  In the lull that followed Julie said to Beth. ‘It’s Davinia’s birthday soon. We’re having a party at the Manor. Please say you’ll come. We’d love to have you with us. It’s all women, of course,’ she winked lewdly.

  Beth accepted prettily, ‘How kind. Thank you. I’d love to come along, providing I’m not on duty, that is.’ She’d never been to an all-women party before. She wondered who else would be on the guest list. Would this be the kind of party Hyacinth had talked about?

  It turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable evening. During the drive back to Newcastle, Daphne described the Manor to Beth, it seemed as though she was a regular visitor. Beth was impressed. It sounded baronial and grand. She loved old property and couldn’t wait to see it. While they were driving along an unlit road in the middle of nowhere Daphne asked Beth to pull over. Thinking she must be feeling ill, Beth immediately stopped the car. She could feel Daphne looking at her.

  ‘What’s wrong Daphne — are you ill?’

  ‘No. I’ve been waiting to do this since the day I met you.’ Daphne leaned over. Taking Beth’s face between her hands, she kissed her.

  Beth didn’t respond. Alarm bells began ringing in her head. She didn’t want to do this with Daphne, not at all. Not in any way, shape or form.

  It wasn’t the same as being kissed by Hyacinth. Fleetingly Beth thought how confusing life was. Suddenly women were making advances towards her. Why now? Why not when she’d been sixteen and hormones were raging and sex was sex without questions or analysis. Or better still at university where they had a Lesbian Group. Beth’s sexuality needed looking at and here were two women wanting to do just that!

  Disliking Daphne’s tast
e, Beth removed her hands from her face. Holding onto them to stop Daphne touching her again, she politely said, ‘I’m sorry Daphne, I can’t do this.’

  ‘Oh Beth, please don’t be sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. But you are so damned beautiful that I couldn’t resist you. Let’s just forget it ever happened. Please?’

  ‘Well I can, if you can.’

  ‘We can still go to Davinia’s birthday party together?’

  ‘Yes.’ Reluctantly Beth agreed, totally without enthusiasm. ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Oh thank you. I’ll look forward to our date.’

  ‘It’s not a date Daphne.’

  Chapter 10

  H deliberately stayed away from Beth. Instead she sent out warm, sexy thoughts to her using her powerful telepathic skills. She would sit for hours, and imagine Beth standing naked in front of her. She would savour the sensation of running her fingertips over Beth’s silky skin, cupping her breasts, kissing her.

  Beth struggled to keep her mind on her work. She felt out of control. All she could think about was Hyacinth, and wanting to be with her. She felt as if H had invaded her head— as if their thoughts were constantly merging.

  Subtly, sweetly, H moved her plan forward. Knowing Beth was scheduled for a long weekend off, she planned to take her to Scotland before their trip to London. They could celebrate the Summer Solstice together with some of her coven members.

  ‘Hello, darling. How are you?’ H purred down the telephone when Beth answered.

  Beth’s body stiffened. ‘H. Hello. I’m fine, and you?’ She tried to sound casual.

  ‘Oh you know, darling. Tired . . . in need of a break, which is why I’m calling. How would you like to spend a few days in Scotland with me? I have a little place in the Highlands I’m dying to show to you.’

  ‘That sounds good, but when did you have in mind? Duty rota and all of that.’ Beth tried to sound cool, but her pulse was racing.

  ‘I know it’s short notice, but how are you fixed for this weekend, darling? I thought we could leave Thursday evening. What do you say?’

  ‘Why that’s perfect timing. Sounds too good to resist. Would you believe this is my long weekend off?’

  ‘Is it?’ Hyacinth was so convincing. ‘How bizarre. It’s obviously meant to be. Pick you up at six then. Bye darling, see you later.’ Smugly she sipped her gin and tonic while her mind continued its invasion of Beth’s.

  * * * * * * * *

  It was almost midnight, yet daylight still lingered across the Cairngorm Mountains. Well, Saturday is midsummer ’s day, thought Beth loving the ethereal light.

  ‘Are we nearly there?’ Beth asked as they passed a sign saying Aviemore six miles.

  ‘Almost, darling.’ H said. ‘We turn off the A9 shortly, and then we’re nearly home.’

  ‘Home? I thought home for you was in Jesmond?’

  ‘Well, that’s an understandable assumption.’ H flicked the indicator lever, ‘We turn off here.’ The Mercedes left the main road and bumped along a well-maintained track. ‘If you look through the trees, there is such a lovely bright moon tonight you should be able to see the turrets.’

  ‘Turrets! How very romantic.’ When H had mentioned her little place, Beth had envisaged a small country cottage.

  The car approached the security gates.

  ‘Good. The gates are open,’ H said, ‘Angela must be here. She will have everything ready for us.’

  They drove along a tree-lined drive and parked in front of a large baronial style mansion.

  H turned off the ignition. ‘Welcome, to my little place, Beth. I can see you and I spending many happy times here.’

  ‘This is your little place?’ Beth said, climbing out of the car, she gazed at The Old Manse in disbelief.

  It looked more suited to a Bavarian fairy tale as the almost full moon cast gentle light down onto its slate roof while causing ghostly shadows to drift across the dark curtained windows of the front of the house. The turrets had a peculiar beauty of their own.

  ‘Hyacinth, it’s magical. What a wonderful place to live.’

  ‘So . . . you like it, darling?’

  ‘I love it.’ Beth’s eyes shone as she turned to face Hyacinth and reach for her hands. ‘It’s absolutely fabulous. No wonder you want to be here.’

  ‘It’s one of my favourite places in the world . . . and it is mine, not George’s. He doesn’t come here.’ Her matter of fact tone held no malice. ‘And there’s more. There’s land, and a loch for us to explore tomorrow.’ Hyacinth put her arm around Beth’s shoulders and hugged her tight. ‘Come on. Angela will have some food ready for us.’

  At that the front door opened and a stunning brunette stepped out, ‘H darling. You’re safely here at last.’

  The women embraced each other warmly then Hyacinth took Beth’s hand.

  ‘Angela, I want you to meet someone very special. This is Beth.’

  ‘Beth, so good to meet you. H has told me all about you.’

  Has she? Beth thought, reaching out to shake Angela’s outstretched hand. What is it with Hyacinth’s friends? They are all beautiful and Angela was no exception: slim, elegant, with shiny shoulder length hair. Simply, yet stylishly dressed in loden green cords, cream shirt and a plaid needlecord jacket, she wore no jewellery except a shimmering diamond solitaire that reflected the moonlight as she moved her hands. Beth liked her instantly. It was going to be a good weekend.

  Despite its imposing architecture, the house was warm, welcoming, and traditionally furnished. Green tartan carpet was laid in the hall and extended up the wide staircase spreading out along the several landings. Warm shades of apricot covered the walls that were hung with some of the biggest mirrors Beth had ever seen. H liked to see herself whenever possible.

  ‘The fire’s on in the snug. Why don’t you go in and make yourselves comfortable and I’ll bring the food through.’ Angela said.

  ‘Thank you, darling. You will join us?’

  After eating they relaxed for a while in the comfortable snug, chatting and drinking the local malt whisky before going up to bed.

  Leading the way upstairs H opened the door to a large airy bedroom. This is it, Beth thought. At last! Since receiving the invitation she had been excited, anticipating sleeping with Hyacinth. She knew that was what H wanted — the reason why she had been inside of her head.

  ‘This is your room darling. Mine is at the end of the hallway. Sleep well.’

  Beth struggled to hide her disappointment. ‘I will. Thank you.’

  Noting the expression on her face, H was delighted. She kissed her briefly on the cheek. ‘Goodnight, Beth.’ She closed the bedroom door and hurried to her own room before her resolve crumbled.

  * * * * * * * *

  Waking late the following morning, Beth rejoiced in the peacefulness. No traffic noises; only birdsong and the occasional bleating sheep could be heard. She stretched out under the duvet curling and uncurling her toes. Despite her disappointment at sleeping alone, she had slept soundly. This was the most comfortable bed, and the whisky had probably helped.

  Wrapping herself in a thick robe, she headed down to the kitchen where Angela and H were already eating breakfast.

  Angela made a great fuss of scrambling eggs for her. ‘It’s lovely to be able to do this, you know. Our housekeeper hates me being in the kitchen and I do love to cook.’

  ‘Thanks, Angela, this looks delicious.’ Beth tucked into her breakfast while H and Angela discussed plans for some get together on Saturday night.

  ‘It’s the Summer Solstice, darling. I know you’ll want to be part of our celebration.’ H smiled encouragingly at Beth.

  ‘Yes, yes of course.’ She managed to reply without spitting out a mouthful of food, imagining a small, sophisticated gathering with canapés and champagne.

  ‘Right then, Angela, I will leave all of the arrangements to you so Beth and I can just enjoy our day.’ H lit a cigarette.

  They spent a fun day exploring Hyacinth’s t
wenty acres on quad bikes then a lazy evening eating out at an intimate bistro in Aviemore before returning to The Old Manse to sit outside in the warm night air and drink brandy. It must be tonight, thought Beth, she must sleep with me tonight. An hour later, both women were again in separate bedrooms.

  Beth sat in the window seat watching the moon, looking for an answer. Perhaps she had totally misread the entire situation. Despite her inexperience she was sure she hadn’t. On their first meeting H had alluded to knowing her secret, but she had never mentioned it again. And Beth couldn’t talk about her visions. Her newest trick was beyond conversation. She was aware that she was pulling H into her head, into her mind. Yet, she had no idea how she was doing it. When she thought about H she was able to read her thoughts, and even

  though H’s mind was a labyrinth of confusion she had discovered that H wanted to make love to her. So what was stopping her? What was wrong?

  Sighing, Beth concluded it must be her fault, she must have done something wrong.

  If Beth could have seen H pacing the floor her doubts would have vanished. Hyacinth was in a terrible state, almost overcome with desire and wanting. The effort of forcing herself to hold back was proving too much. She pulled on some old clothes, slipped downstairs and out of the kitchen door, heading for the Loch.

  Twenty minutes later she was sitting by the water watching the moonlight reflecting on its surface. She had to be one hundred and ten per cent sure. There was so much at stake. Not just the sex, but with Beth it wouldn’t stop at sex. She already had feelings for her. It was the business side of things that really held the sway. Don’t be so bloody soft, she told herself, she’s probably only a passing fancy; business must come first.

  * * * * * * * *

  Midsummer ’s day dawned and Beth stirred in her bed, disturbed, the dream vivid in her mind. It wasn’t a bad dream; it was the clarity of it that disturbed her. She could still feel the heat from the burning fire and see the naked bodies reflected in the flames.