Wearing a sexy Santa hat and a feather boa, Joyce stuck out her backside, waiting for an eye-masked Erin, paddle at the ready, to spank her. The two of them snorted with laughter, adding sound to the indelible image that would be forever imprinted on my brain.
Shaking my head, I turned away, but couldn’t resist another quick glance. Erin and Joyce had moved on to the dildo section and I wished the place sold invisibility cloaks.
‘Someone’s in for a treat,’ the shop assistant said when I, at last, reached the front of the line.
My blushes deepened. According to Erin, the scarf style plunge bra didn’t just enhance a woman’s cleavage, its lacy fabric was guaranteed to seduce. And of course, in her opinion, I just had to buy the matching knickers.
When it came to underwear, I’d yet to sample the full bellied cosiness of the high brief, but I still went for comfort over aesthetics, a quality you could find in the women’s department of a supermarket. What you couldn’t find in places like Asda, however, were the edible licks and massage oils Erin also recommended. ‘If we can’t spoil loved ones at Christmas, when can we?’ Panic hit me. Far too much information to give to a stranger, I couldn’t believe I’d just said that. ‘I mean ourselves… If we can’t spoil ourselves.’
As the shop assistant rang up my items up, I watched the total amount increase at an exponential rate. Dreading the cost, my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
The assistant nodded to the payment machine, and I delved in my bag for my purse. I crossed my fingers on one hand, while holding my debit card over the screen using the other. The subsequent bleep sounded more like a yelp, causing me to tense on the payment machine’s behalf. While having my card declined would be bad enough, to have it declined in a shop that sold sex toys would be downright humiliating.
Waiting for the wordspayment acceptedto flash up, I pretended not to notice the seconds go by.
‘What’s taking so long?’ the woman behind me asked.
I pretended not to notice that too.
At last, the screen changed in my favour, and I could breathe again.
The shop assistant smiled. ‘Would you like a receipt?’
I fast shook my head as I tucked away my purse. ‘No thank you.’ It was one thing knowing what I’d just spent, having the physical evidence to prove it was something else. ‘When you’re ready, ladies,’ I said to Erin and Joyce, desperate to get out into the fresh sexless air. ‘I’ll be outside.’
As I stepped out into the street, an icy wind whipped around my face, perfect for cooling my cheeks down. My feet burned, having walked for what felt like miles, and the handles of all the bags I carried dug into my palms.
I looked up to the sky. Even in the darkness, it appeared heavy and foreboding. However, with no snow forecast, the looming dark clouds indicated yet more rain; weather that made me want to head home, light the fire and snuggle down for what was left of the evening.
‘Spotted anything exciting up there?’ a male voice asked.
I immediately recognised it as belonging to Alex and smiling, I lowered my gaze to meet his. Grinning back at me, he had a cheeky glint in his eyes and his cheeks were pink from the cold. ‘Shouldn’t you be working?’ I asked, surprised to see him.
‘It’s my night off, which I’m using to start my Christmas shopping. Not that I’m achieving much.’ He indicated his bags. ‘So far, I’ve picked up four selection boxes and aGuinness World Records.’
Considering what I’d just bought, the last thing I wanted was Alex comparing purchases and I manoeuvred my most recent out of sight.
‘Before you ask, no, they’re not connected,’ Alex continued. ‘There are no plans to eat chocolate against the clock and my name will not feature in a future edition.’
I let out a laugh. ‘Spoil sport.’
‘I have a nephew who loves random facts and figures. For example, did you know the record for most selfies taken in three minutes is184?’
‘I did not.’
‘Neither did I until I picked up this little beauty.’ Again, he indicated his shopping. ‘I can’t wait to see that boy’s face on Christmas morning. He’s gonna love it.’
Alex’s nephew wasn’t the only one by the sounds of it.
‘Anyway, time to get back to it,’ Alex said. ‘These presents aren’t going to buy themselves.’
His festive enthusiasm was infectious, and I forgot all about my aching feet. ‘Okay. Well nice to have seen you.’
Setting off down the street, Alex turned to face me as he went. Walking backwards, he gave me the most gorgeous of smiles. ‘Merry Christmas!’ he called out.
I shook my head and chuckled, my smile continuing even after he faced forward again. Watching him disappear into the crowd, I considered how much fun Alex seemed. And positive. Characteristics that reminded me of Gran.
The shop door slid open behind me, and my laughter-filled friends appeared.
