Seventeen

Jason fumbled with the zip on the back of Maria’s dress as they kissed. She pushed him away. ‘No, you don’t.’

‘But you’ve been leading me on all night.’ Jason looked like a toddler starved of sweets. ‘Come on, baby. Why not?’

She let her eyelids close, then opened them again, as if trying to control herself. A melancholic performance. ‘I can’t,’ she whispered.

Undeterred, Jason gave it another try. ‘But you and me, we could make beautiful music together.’

Maria tried not to laugh or throw up. She controlled herself and said, ‘It’s not you, Jason. I want you. I really do. It’s just that ... I’ve got something wrong with me.’

He eased away from her on the sofa and discovered he’d been holding his breath. He let it out slowly before asking her what she meant.

‘It’s not what you’re thinking,’ she whispered, leaning across and kissing his cheek. ‘I haven’t got a sexually transmitted disease or anything.’

‘Oh, I never thought...’ he began, but she interrupted him.

‘It’s just that I’ve got ... well ... strange sexual preferences.’

A grin crept back onto Jason’s face. ‘Try me. As long as it’s nothing painful. I’m game for anything.’

A creaking sound, coming from one of the bedrooms made Jason suspicious. ‘What was that? I thought you said your flatmate was away.’

Maria pressed herself closer to him. ‘She is. I expect that was the water heater in her room. It always makes that noise.’ She ran a hand along his thigh. ‘Now then: where were we?’

‘You were about to tell me what turns you on.’

Maria giggled alluringly. ‘I hope you’re ready for this.’

***

As Mike hurried downstairs, he heard a snuffling sound coming from the living room. ‘Claire?’ he called out, poking his head round the door. ‘Is that you?’

It took him a moment to spot her. She was squashed into a crumpled heap on the floor in a corner of the room. A sobbing mess, she looked as if she’d been that way for some time. He went over and knelt down beside her.

‘What’s wrong?’

She shook her head erratically. ‘I don’t know.’

‘What d’you mean, you don’t know?’

‘I feel ... so ... so depressed.’

‘What about?’

‘Everything.’

Her body shook as she took great heaving gulps of air through her mouth. Mike tried to calm her by stroking her hair.’

‘Please, please, sweetheart,’ he pleaded soothingly, ‘try to keep calm. There must be something wrong. Tell me about it.’

‘I wish I knew. I really do. But I haven’t a clue what’s wrong with me.’

‘Is it Andy. Or Chloe?’

‘No. Andy’s doing fine. He’s sorted himself out. It’s me who’s....’ She stopped and stared into space, tormented by invisible demons.

Mike was torn. On the one hand, he was deeply concerned, but on the other, having glimpsed the time on his watch, he felt irritated that she was making him late for an appointment, and for no good reason that he could fathom.

‘Why don’t you see the doctor.’

‘What can she do?’

Mike stood up, his patience wearing thin now. ‘At least she might be able to suggest ... or give you something for whatever it is that’s wrong.’

‘What?’

‘How should I know? I’m not a doctor. But I’ve got to get off to work.’

She suddenly spat out vehemently: ‘Oh, don’t you worry about me. I don’t want to make you late.’

‘Look, I have to get going. If you won’t tell me what’s wrong.’ He shrugged and pouted.

She stared at him, eyes filled with hatred, which surprised and frightened him. ‘Well, go on then. Go.’

‘I don’t like leaving you this way.’ He stopped in the doorway. ‘Promise me you’ll go to the doctor.’

‘Yes, all right. If it makes you happy.’

It was on the tip of his tongue to say “no, it’s to make you happy.” Instead he muttered lamely, ‘I’ll call you later. See how you are.’

***

I feel stupid,’ Jason protested, although he was panting excitedly.

‘Come on, sweetie-pie,’ Maria urged, ‘don’t give up on me now. You’ve come this far...’ She drew bright pink lipstick carefully around his lips.

‘I don’t think I can contain myself much longer.’

‘Shush. You’re making me smudge it.’

‘Hurry up.’

Maria put the lipstick down on the coffee table. ‘That’s it. I’ve finished.’ He made a grab for her. ‘No you don’t. Keep your hands to yourself for just a minute. I want to see what you look like. Stand up. Move around.’ She saw that he was about to object, so added breathily. ‘Come on, Jason. I first got turned in by this when I went to see The Rocky Horror Show. I promise you it’ll be worth it. I’m getting so turned on.’

Jason tottered precariously as he got up from the sofa, his size eight feet squashed painfully into Maria’s size six high-heel shoes. He looked down at the stockings and suspenders he was wearing and discovered it was turning him on.

‘OK,’ Maria yelled. ‘You can come in now.’

Jason’s mouth fell open. He swivelled towards the door as Vanessa entered, followed by four other ex conquests of his from West Kent College. They all had digital cameras, and he faced a barrage of flashing bulbs.

‘I’ll get these photos run off in their hundreds,’ said Vanessa.

Another girl giggled. ‘We can email them to thousands of people.

‘Have you ever seen such a wanker?’ said Vanessa.

The other girls whooped and cheered and giggled.