Chapter 1

 

"That seemed to go really well,” said my new temporary boss, Lorna Masters, as she steered the car towards the A1.

 

We had just finished the presentation and coaching session for the launch of the bank’s new protection product called ProtectorPlus in the Newcastle area. It was my first day on attachment in the training department with a view to becoming permanent if things went well. I was excited to say the least, at 25, I was getting the opportunity to get myself noticed, which was bound to open doors for the future. In the short term, it was a promotion and the chance to work with one of the youngest female managers in the region.

 

The plan was to do the first presentation in Newcastle, our home base, then drive to York, where we would spend the night before doing the presentation in that area. Then across to Manchester, up to Lancaster, and finally Carlisle before home.

 

“Cat got your tongue, Jenny?” Lorna laughed.

 

“Sorry, Ms Masters,” I stammered as I broke from my daydreams.

 

“For goodness sake girl, call me Lorna, after all, we have the whole week together.”

 

I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she drove confidently and calmly, her blue/green eyes never wavering from the traffic. She wasn’t muscular like a man would be, but her arms were strong, controlling the car with a relaxed but firm touch. She had a strong jawline, with piercing green eyes that were looking intently at the traffic as she calculated who was doing what. Her hair was cut short, almost boyish, but the blonde tips softened the appearance as it framed her face.

 

Lorna Masters was a bit of a legend coming to the North East of England from London five years ago at 40 to take over the training department for the north of England. She was renowned for being dynamic and forthright in her views, but also charming and getting results. She was everything I wanted to achieve in my career. Now at 45, there was a rumour that she was going to be promoted again, perhaps moving back to London to head office, but I was praying she would stay for a little longer.

 

My phone buzzed, and glancing at it saw it was from my boyfriend Callum with the words, “Missing you already.” We had only moved in together six months before, and things seemed to be going really well. If I did get the job on a permanent basis, the extra money would help towards saving for the deposit for our first house. If I could get the famous Ms Masters to mentor me, then my life would be complete.

 

“Boyfriend?” Lorna said without taking her eyes off the road.

 

The drive was a good hour and a half, and for the next hour, we chatted as I told her about Callum and our plans for the future. I wondered if she was very informally asking me about my plans for having children, something that was strictly forbidden under employment law, so I decided to make a point,

 

“Of course, we have no plans to start a family anytime soon. I have a career to pursue first,” which I hoped created the right impression.

 

“Good for you, young lady. It’s not easy getting ahead as a woman in a man’s world, despite all the bullshit about equal opportunities."

 

I wondered how her family coped with her moving about, and then it occurred to me, did she even have a family? Was there a Mr Masters? Before I could work out how I could even raise the subject, she announced, “Here we are,” as she drove into the underground hotel car park.

 

We checked in, and as we parted, she said, “Listen Jenny, I would love to have dinner with you as it gets pretty lonely on your own, but I am meeting an…old friend. How about breakfast at eight?”

 

Chapter 2

 

I didn’t really fancy eating in the restaurant alone, so I ordered room service and chatted with Callum. It wasn’t difficult to work out that Callum didn’t really want to chat as he was going out with his mates. The call ended with perfunctory comments of, “Be good,” and, “Love you.”

 

I fancied a glass of wine, so decided that rather than order room service, as it felt a bit alcoholic to order a glass of wine, I would go to the bar. I rationalised to myself that I would bring it back to the room and watch a bit of TV.

 

Standing at the bar, I looked around as I waited for the bartender to bring me my large glass of Chardonnay. Sitting in the corner were a couple of women, one of whom had their back to me. The one facing me was a pretty blonde woman, her hair drawn back in a ponytail, listening intently to the woman with her back to me. I couldn’t see her face, but something told me that it was Lorna, who must be meeting her old friend.

 

As I didn’t want to disturb, I picked up my wine, and as I did, the woman with her back to me leaned over and kissed the blonde woman. It wasn’t the brief peck of friends; this was the lingering kiss between two lovers. I was shocked, but before I could react, they stood and hand in hand headed to the lift. I was right in my guess that it was Lorna. I was fairly certain they hadn’t seen me, but I turned away like I had seen a ghost. I waited until the lift returned empty before I scuttled to my room, feeling guilty for some unknown reason.

 

She had never mentioned a husband, but she had hinted at a partner, so maybe this was an illicit affair. I wasn’t concerned if Lorna was a lesbian; in fact, the idea felt mysterious, almost exotic.

 

I woke around two in the morning and lay in my bed staring at the ceiling, wondering about what I had witnessed. Was I seeing something that wasn’t there? Did I read something into that kiss that perhaps I wanted?

 

I had never been attracted to other women; it just wasn’t my thing. Sure, I had been chatted up a few times without really realising it, but hadn’t even kissed another woman, well, not sexually.

 

I always sleep naked, and as I had been thinking, I suddenly realised that my hand had strayed to my pussy. I slipped a finger inside and realised I was wet. A thought sprang into my head, “Was this due to me thinking about Lorna?” I could feel myself blushing in the darkness, but I didn’t stop teasing my clit.

 

Then another thought entered my brain, “Would it be being unfaithful to Callum if I slept with another woman?”

 

To try to clear my head of these confusing thoughts, I got up. My room overlooked the entrance, and still in darkness, I opened the window to let in some air. As I looked, I saw a woman walk across the car park to a waiting Uber. As she got into the car, I could see it was the woman Lorna was kissing in the bar and had taken to her room.

 

Chapter 3

 

The next morning, I met Lorna for breakfast, but couldn’t shake the mental picture of her kissing that woman. As I sipped my tea, I decided to probe a little for information,

 

“My poor Callum,” I laughed, “he had to cook his own dinner last night. I wouldn’t be surprised if he destroyed my kitchen.” Then, before Lorna could respond, I added, “So how does Mr Masters cope…if there is one that is?”

 

Lorna chuckled, “I am not married and my partner does most of the cooking, so I am sure they will cope, like they always do.” Then, before I could press with more questions, she spun the topic away, “This morning, watch out for the manager, Mr Jones, he can be a right grumpy bastard, so I will deal with him. The assistant manager, Mrs Lewis, is nice, I have known her for years, so you two should get on.”

 

When we got to the branch, Lorna greeted the manager, buttering him by saying how well the branch was doing in sales. Then she introduced me to the assistant manager, “Jenny, this is Lesley Lewis,” as I held out my hand to shake, Lorna went on, “Jenny is here to help me with a view to joining the team full time.”

 

I was in shock, as the assistant manager, Mrs Lesley Lewis, was also the blonde woman who had left our hotel at two that morning.

 

The morning went well, and at lunchtime I sat with Lesley and chatted while Lorna went outside to make some calls. During our conversation, I discovered that Lesley had been married for eight years but didn’t have any children, and she had first met Lorna four years ago on a course. Of course, no mention was made of her visit to the hotel the previous evening. Acting innocent, I casually asked, “I was asking Lorna earlier how her husband copes with her being away, as my boyfriend isn’t that keen.”

 

Lesley looked at me strangely before she said, “You probably need to talk to Lorna a bit more,” then, glancing at her watch, added, “I need to get back to work.”

 

I watched her almost rush away, my mind whirring as I went in search of my boss.

Walking into the car park, I saw Lorna’s back, but she couldn’t have realised I was there. I had no idea at first who she was talking to, as I only heard her side of the conversation.

 

“Yes, dinner was great, I was with Lesley Lewis.”

 

There was a muffled response as Lesley replied, “You do know who she is. You met her when I was on that course a few years back.”