Chapter 19 The Green Man

Over the centuries, the Green Man had grown, somewhat haphazardly, to meet the demands of the times. In the Middle-Ages, it had fulfilled its role as a resting place. In the Eighteenth century, it had become a coaching Inn and in modern times, in addition to it being the village pub, it provided a hideaway for romantic weekends in the country.

The girl with the purple-braided hair sat at reception. She spent Saturday mornings as a waitress at the café. This was her other part-time job, and midnight would see the end of her shift. She sat awaiting some late arrivals.

‘Good evening, sir.’

‘I’ve a room… the name’s Janus.’

‘Room Four, sir.’ She handed him a key.

Simon signed in, and proceeded upstairs.

Beth waited until Simon phoned with the room number and two minutes later she joined him in Room Four, having entered the hotel, as instructed, through the Snug and up the back stairs. ‘Why don’t you go and get some Champagne while I have a shower.’

‘Ok, I’ll get Jerry to sort out a bottle.’

As he dutifully crept down the back stairs, he wondered whether Erica had spotted them in the Paradiso.

*****

Chris and Erica had trouble finding the way, but they laughed off their numerous unintended diversions, and arrived just before midnight. Although they were still wet from the rain, the detours on their journey only added further excitement to their adventure. He left Erica in the car, and arrived at reception relaxed and self-assured. ‘Good evening… the name’s Credus, I booked a double.’

‘Room Three, sign here.’ She handed him the key, and he continued up the stairs to the room.

Two minutes later Erica entered the Inn. She was taken aback to see Dee on her way out.

‘Hello again Mrs Janus, your husband’s already arrived - Room Four.’

Erica was nonplussed. She was not counting on seeing anyone she knew, especially at that time of night. She responded with a quick smile, ‘Thanks,’ then continued up the stairs. On the landing she took out her mobile and dialled Chris. ‘Which room number was it, Three or Four?’ she whispered.

Chris opened the door to Room Three and ushered her in.

‘That silly receptionist told me Room Four, I don’t understand, and why did you say I was your wife?’

‘Hey, I didn’t even mention anyone else.’

‘Weird…’ She looked mystified.

Chris was philosophical. ‘Who cares? At least we didn’t get completely lost in the depths of darkest Dorset.’

Erica put up no resistance as their lips touched. Delicately at first, and then, feeling the heat in each other’s kiss they came together in a passionate embrace. They rolled onto the bed, laughing.

At last, she could allow the feelings, which had been bubbling up inside, to now surface. ‘We’d better get out of these wet things.’ She surprised herself with her own words. She took his hand in hers and guided it to the belt around her waist for him undo the buckle as she undid the buttons on his shirt. Her fingers slid inside, brushing the hair on his chest.

He unbuttoned her dress and it fell to the floor. She felt his warm hand caressing her breast through her damp bra.

‘Mmm you’re still wet. This will have to come off too.’ His fingers deftly unfastened her strap. ‘Just a minute...’ Chris whispered in her ear. He took a white towel off the heated rail in the bathroom and gently wrapped it around her. The touch of his hands through the soft fluffy towelling heightened her arousal.

*****

‘Ok you two quick! I’ll lose my job over this if they find out.’ In the lobby to the Snug, Dee handed Will the key to Room Five.

Will replied in hushed tones, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we don’t get seen.’

She was just about to add something, but Will and his friend rushed off, up the back stairs without waiting.

*****

Simon returned to Room Four with a chilled bottle of Bollinger and two glasses. He beamed as he found Beth dressed as a French Maid.

Simon put the bottle on the table and took a flying leap onto the bed. ‘Heehawwheehaww…’

*****

In Room Five, the blonde girl sat bolt upright. ‘Good grief!’

‘Whats’s up?’ Will asked.

‘That sounds like my dad!’

‘Don’t be so silly, no one’s going find us here.’

In Room Three, Erica heard the sound too. She dismissed it from her mind and relaxed back into a sensual embrace. She was far too involved to let anything interrupt the climax of what was proving to be a long and most exciting night.

*****

Erica awoke in the grey light of dawn and looked at Chris, asleep by her side. She slid out of bed and gathered her clothes from the floor. As she dressed, he stirred. She leant over and gave him a kiss on the brow, and he drifted off back to sleep with a contented sigh.

She felt rather sheepish. Suddenly, she was filled with guilt. What had she done?

As she descended the stairs, a shock of blond curly hair bobbed down the flight in front of her. ‘Wyllow…’ she called out in a whisper, but when she reached the ground floor, no one was to be seen.

She opened the hotel door and breathed a sigh of relief. She had not encountered anyone else.

If she were in love, she did not want to believe it. It must be just infatuation. No one falls in love in one evening. She tried to work out at what point she had chosen to let it all happen. Was it when she had seen Simon with Beth? Perhaps it was the rain, or perhaps she had not even decided at all and it had all been inevitable from the moment she had first looked into his sea-green eyes. It had been a wonderful adventure, and one that she felt sure was not over. She had no regrets.