CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

As promised the only one overdressed that morning was Treena Clark in her power suit and "borrowed" red pumps, but the day was just beginning to get interesting. There were many, many surprises in store for me and Louisa. Some good. Some bad. One, in particular, that I hadn't anticipated which proved to be a great challenge for the two of us and that this time had nothing at all to do with her ex or the machinations of my mum. The thing is I had no idea how my gesture to include her could go so terribly wrong. But first there was Louisa's bizarre request on the car ride over and then … and then there was Treena …

Louisa was oddly quiet in the car ride over to the ice skating rink, which only meant one thing.

"Clark, what's on your mind?"

"How did you know something was on my mind?"

"Because I know you. You're usually chatty. So let's hear it. Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Ok, but it's going to sound crazy, and I don't know how you'll feel about it."

"We'll never know if you don't tell me, so get on with it, Clark."

"Well … um … ok then. Will, have we got shades for the bedroom?"

"I don't know, Clark. You chose everything. Did we?"

"Hmmmmmmmmm …. I don't think so. No, no. Definitely not. No."

"Do we need shades? We have a beautiful view overlooking the Castle morning, noon and night."

"Right. Right. Yeah, yeah of course."

"But?"

"YES, EXACTLY!" She acted as though I had hit the nail on the head, that I had indeed known what she was talking about when in fact I did not.

"Exactly what, Clark?"

"Ummmm … my boodle is all."

"Your boodle?"

"Ummm … my bum."

"Ok. Now explain."

"Ummmm … boodle is a cute word for bum. That's what Treena and I call Thomas's cute little tushe."

"Yes, I got that, Clark. But what does that have to do with window dressings?"

"Ummmm … well, when I was decorating the stables, I just thought I was helping you. I didn't realize you meant for me to live there with you as our home."

"Ok. And ….?"

"It was … well," she hesitated before finishing her thought as a whisper. "Before we started having sex."

"Clark, why are you whispering?" I whispered back to her. "There's no one in the car but you and me."

"Right. Right. Right."

"Ok, so out with it," I laughed, not knowing where this peculiar conversation was heading but couldn't wait to find out.

"Well, I'm just … concerned."

I kept my eyes on the road. "Concerned?"

"Yeah, I mean I'm a bit self-conscious of being … on display. My bum bobbing back and forth and back and forth and…,"

I cut her off and finished her sentence. "Back and forth. Yes, I know. I was there for all of it, remember?"

"Yeah," she winced, shaking her head yes.

"You do have a lovely, little bum, Clark."

"Thank you," she hummed softly, almost embarassed by my compliment when each of us was already well-acquainted with one another's bodies.

"I see your point, Clark."

"Good. Good," she shook her head yes with her eyes pinned wide open and her eyebrows raised to the heavens.

"You do realize it's private property though, don't you? It's gated in. And our bedroom looks down into the gardens."

"Yeah well you never know who's around."

"Are you worried about voyeuristic squirrels sneaking a peek at our windowsill?"

"Will Traynor! I'm serious! Trespassers. Staff." She began to ramble almost incoherently, her arms flailing. "Binoculars from yonder!"

"Binoculars from yonder? Really, Clark?" I laughed.

"What about your mum?!"

"My mum?! I think my mum's the last person who wants to watch us have sex."

"Yeah, but what about her spies?"

"I don't think her cook or maid will be donning boots and climbing through the brush to get a look at us enjoying one another's company. Do you?"

"It's possible. One just needs telescopic lenses or a really, really powerful zoom. And you know they make all kinds of apps for stuff these days!"

"Ok," I humored her with a smile, politely nodding. "How about we get motion detector lights if you're so worried, and we'll scatter them throughout the grounds outside our bedroom window in case anyone's around?"

"What?! And have my bum and lady parts lit up on full display every time a bird flies into a tree! Oh God no! No. No. No."

"Clark, you're being paranoid," I hooted unable to contain my laughter. She could be silly and neurotic, but she was far more important to me than having a stupid argument over window dressings.

"Ok."

"Okay, what?"

"If you feel more comfortable with shades we'll get shades."

"Really?"

"Yes, If you must, Clark."

"You really don't mind? I know you had your heart set on seeing the Castle in the background … you know when we make love ... and other stuff," her voice cracked as she neared the completion of her sentence.

"It's fine," I quickly turned my head to give her a reassuring smile.

"Oh Will! Thank you. Thank you. It really does make me feel more comfortable. Really does. You won't even know the shades are there most of the time. I'll make a longer valance and keep the shades hidden when they're not in use, and I'll put up billowy white sheers to make it really, really romantic. I'll make it work. You'll see," she cheerfully explained before a giggling fit took strong hold over her. "You know I'm feeling quite randy right now. Is it weird I'm turned on by the fact we're going to get shades to conceal my nakedness from the world outside our new home?"

"Weird, yes. Turned on, no," I responded feeling quite randy myself now. "You know, Clark, we can always go back home and lock the attic door? Just give me the word, and I'll turn the car around right now."

"No," she sighed disappointed, her whole diaphragm sinking as she returned her sister's wave just as we pulled up across the street from our destination. "Treen just saw us. Too late now."

With the shades issue now resolved, things were about to take an unexpected turn, and to both my astonishment and Treena's I was apparently beginning to rub off on my girlfriend …