‘Right, that’s it, mister, you just need to rinse it off now.’ Gracie kissed Jack on the cheek and put the comb straight in the bin.
‘Yeah, get in the bath, Jack, it’s run. I’ll be up in a sec.’ The young lad dutifully did as he was told.
‘You wouldn’t think they’d get them at private school, would you?’
‘I didn’t knowhepaid for that as well?’
‘He doesn’t give me extra. I kept some of the money aside for Jack’s education.’
‘Have you heard fromhimlately?’ It was funny that between them they didn’t even say the actor’s name, as if the secret would be out to the world if they did.
‘No, he emails me if he’s on location, but rarely. It’s easier that way. For Jack’s sake more than anything, really. If it got out, it would be scandalous even now, I think.’
‘Talking of scandal, I met someone today.’ Gracie smiled coyly.
Noms’s eyes and mouth widened. ‘Whoa, Gracie Davies, now that’s thrown me completely.’
‘Well, I say I met someone, a landscaper at the common gave me his card, said he wanted to know where my trainers were from.’
‘Yeah, right.’ Noms grinned. ‘More like he wanted to know how he can get in your knickers.’
‘Exactly. Coffee-shop Maya said it was obvious that he fancied me.’
‘I’m proud of you, Gracie, I mean, you only kicked Lewis into touch days ago.’
‘I know that. But do you know how good it was to feel that first flush of attraction from somebody else? It felt bloody good, Noms. And Iamgoing to message him.’ Gracie held her head high.
‘Hello, is this really my little sister standing in front of me? The shy, retiring one, who wouldn’t normally say boo to a goose?’
‘It’s the new me, Noms. Losing the babies and now Lewis… I’m not taking any shit anymore. I’m going to have some fun. Take control. No more tears.’
‘I commend that fully, but be careful, eh?’ Noms squeezed her sister’s shoulder. ‘I know I’m all about you getting back on the saddle but maybe heal those wounds first. I know you couldn’t cope with even a single grain of salt going into them at the moment.’
‘It’s fine. He seems sweet. A bit of a lad, but a genuinely nice bloke. And it is what it is.’
TWENTY-THREE
Maya checked her phone. If she was quick she could fit the doctor in. He usually came on a Monday, but had texted earlier to see if he could come tonight instead as his wife was away. He was easy too. She didn’t even have to get naked. Just prance around in the requested red lacy underwear and black thigh-length boots and whip him how he liked it. He would get excited, go the bathroom, finish himself off then leave. A perfect client, in fact.
She wondered what the professor would think if he knew that she masqueraded as a cleaner and barista to pay her taxes but really earned most of her money as a sex worker. Knowing him, he probably wouldn’t bat an eye. She was always very safe with her punters, insisting they use a condom, so there was no danger to him or her of contracting any STDs. And anyway, she felt that too much time had passed to tell him now.
She worked hard for the specified hours on the minimum wage and still was able to look respectable with her tax credits and her rent paid. Her mother would be proud. How did anyone survive living in London with a ‘normal’ job, anyway?
But she loved it here in the UK and especially London. There was just so much to do and now she was able to save, she was on her way to achieving her dream of training as a beautician and opening her own salon.
She never ever took risks; she knew she was safe. Her four regulars had been coming for months now. She was so used to their quirky fetishes and fantasies, she could almost pre-record the noises and expressions she used to keep them all happy. However, despite it being such easy money, she looked forward to the day when she could swap playing with cocks for cutting off locks.
The professor acknowledged the doctor with a smile as they crossed on the stairs up to Maya’s flat. Strange, he usually saw him on a Monday – at least he would get the red undies treatment tonight.
‘Professor! You’re early for once, that’s not like you.’ She was breathless, having rushed around tidying the bedroom for fear of evidence of another man.
He pulled back her cream silky robe.
‘Ooh, red on a Thursday, now there’s a treat for the professor.’ He felt a stirring as he noticed her pert little nipples poking through the lace. ‘You seem breathless, little bird.’
‘It must be the effect you have on me, Professor.’
TWENTY-FOUR
