The Secret

Ellie woke late the next day. The bed was so warm and comfortable she didn't want to get up but she could hear the noise of the city seeping through the curtains, traffic, music coming from somewhere down the street and the general hum of life happening.
She was surprised not to have a hangover and very relieved. Usually the amount of alcohol she had drunk would have knocked her out for a day but she thought it was probably the curry from the night before, absorbing it.

Ellie clambered out of bed, ruffled her hair from her face and padded downstairs. There was a radio on in the kitchen and Poppy was stood at the sink washing dishes.

'Hey...'Ellie mumbled to her sleepily.

'Morning sleepyhead...' Poppy grinned. 'Sit down, I have a pot of tea made.'

'Mmmm...Great. Any plans for today?'
'Well, half of the day has almost gone! It's half eleven!' Poppy laughed.

'Oh my god is it? What time did we crash?' Ellie rubbed her eyes.

'About 5 am..... can't quite remember, but I only have a quarter bottle of tequila left!'

Poppy was in her element, she loved having Ellie to stay, she was an easy guest and great company and, after a few shots, a whole load of fun. They had put the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack on at around 3 a.m. and stood on a sofa each, taking it in turns to be Baby and Johnny, shouting out the words to each other rather than singing.

'When is this thing on at the Theatre?' Ellie sipped her tea, it was hot and strong.

'Let me check... 'Poppy lifted an envelope and pulled out two tickets, handing them to Ellie. 'Sunday night.... that’s tomorrow, isn't it?'

Ellie nodded as she looked at the white cards embossed with dark blue calligraphy.

'A Charity Concert in aid of the Leukaemia Foundation. Very special guests Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ms Elaine Paige. Dress code: Formal.'

'I think I'll have to buy something, I didn't bring anything very formal' Ellie mused. There was no chance she would fit into anything of Poppy's. Ellie was taller by 4 inches and a good deal slimmer.

'I know a great hire shop. They have stunning gowns. In fact, we could go there and then go on to Franco's! Billy and Lisa still run it, they would love to see you!'

'Oh yes! That would be great! What about Lisa, though...are you still....' She left the question hanging.

Billy and Lisa were brother and sister and ran a small Italian down a side street in Covent Garden. Lisa and Poppy had been an item at one point but it soon fizzled out. Ellie remembered Billy as being quiet but good-looking in a dark, Mediterranean kind of way.

'Well, put it this way, if she's in the mood and I'm in the mood and we happen to be in the same room, then.... but that’s it. I suppose you could call us 'fuck buddies'!' Poppy howled.

'Yuk!' Ellie giggled. 'How's Billy?'

'Actually...'Poppy's eyes lit up '...he's single again. He and Natalia split 6 months ago and he's moved in with Lisa until everything is sorted out. Now, he is just perfect!' She grinned at Ellie.

'Oh no, no way.... I don't want to be anyone’s' rebound!' Ellie was definite about that.

'Who's talking love and marriage! He's hot to trot, fit, dark.... and I bet he's great in bed! If it wasn't for Lisa I'd be tempted myself.'

Poppy was licking her lips comically and Ellie rolled her eyes. She knew when the fight was lost and gave up.

'I'm going for a shower. See you in ten'

By 1 o'clock they were standing in Paola Mendez' boutique. It was clear Poppy had been there before when the manageress greeted her warmly.

'Dahling... looking fab as always!' Poppy put on an affected 'showbiz' voice and Ellie hid her smile behind a fake cough. 'This is my very good friend Elizabeth and we need to find her something stunning for a Charity Concert tomorrow evening.'
Poppy winked at Ellie out of the corner of her eye. She knew Ellie hated being called Elizabeth.

'Over here, I have something perfect ' the woman looked Ellie up and down slowly and took in her red hair before guiding them to a rail full of cocktail dresses.

She lifted out a knee-skimming dark teal satin dress, ruched slightly at the waist with a plunging v-neck. Ellie's eyes went wide; it was stunning on the hanger let alone on her. She went to try it on and left Poppy talking.

Once she was in the dress she turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror and took a sharp intake of breath. It made her look fantastic, slimmer in the waist and her breasts looked fabulous, the hidden boning in the defined V was supporting her so she wouldn't need a bra. She lifted her hair on top of her head and let it fall again. Once she had washed and styled it into waves and not curls it would be perfect. Ellie smiled to herself. The dress made her feel incredibly sexy and suddenly the idea of a quick roll in the hay with Billy wasn't such a bad one.

Stepping out into the shop, she walked towards Poppy who gushed over the dress and insisted on paying for the hire of it and the shoes and wrap to match.

Outside the shop, Poppy turned to Ellie and laughed. 'That was such good fun. I can't stand that woman!'

'Oh my god Poppy, you are incorrigible!' Ellie laughed and linking arms, they walked on towards Franco's.

************************************************************


The restaurant hadn't changed. The walls were decorated in rough plasterwork and colour washed in pale orange. The tables were mismatched and instead of chairs there were benches lined with brightly patch worked cushions.

They were on their third bottle of wine and talking with Lisa and Billy at a small corner table. The restaurant had been closed an hour, most of the lights were off and the atmosphere was cosy and slightly exotic. Ellie had taken a start when she saw Billy again for the first time. Age had been kind to him, his hair was still dark although slightly greying at the temples, and his body had filled out across the shoulders. He was more confident in his manner and not as quiet as she remembered. He had pulled her into a huge hug and whispered hello in her ear and she had smiled warmly at him.

Over the food and the wine they had been catching each other’s eye occasionally, flirting gently with no real intent, just for the pleasure of appreciating the beauty in the other person.

Poppy was sat at the end of the table with Lisa, their heads close in private and apparently intimate, conversation. Ellie noticed Lisa had taken Poppy's hand and was gently stroking it under the table. There was a moment’s awkward silence until Ellie caught Billy's eye. He had noticed what was happening at the same time and they smiled at each other. He leaned across the table to Ellie.

'Come with me...' He said quietly 'let's give them some privacy'.

His voice was rich, most trace of his Italian accent gone but still the underlying excitement of a foreign lilt.

He held out his hand and she took it. The skin was calloused, rough to the touch and Ellie liked it. He was a real man, dark stubble on his chin and a dark tuft of chest hair poking from the top of his shirt. Ellie found her mind drifting and wondered what he looked like naked and blushed. It was unlike her to be so forward but she hadn't had a man for three years and she might not get another chance in a while.

Billy led Ellie to the bar and pulled out a stool for her to perch on. He walked around the other side and pulled a bottle of Amaretto up from the counter and two glasses. Instead of pouring them, he walked to where Ellie was sitting and pulled another stool forward so he was sitting very close to her, his leg in between hers, slightly touching, his muscles taught under the fabric of his jeans. Ellie found herself staring into his dark eyes and he leaned forward, kissing her gently on the lips, and his eyes closed.

'Delicious....' he whispered. Ellie smiled. He really was incredibly sexy.

'Thank you...'Ellie breathed softly 'You taste good too.'
Billy grinned at her, his eyes twinkling. 'Wait until you have tasted this.' He poured Amaretto into the glasses and they both took a sip, savouring the sweet warmth as it tingled in their mouths.

He leaned in again and this time Ellie was more ready for him. She lazily slipped her arms around his neck as he slipped an arm around her waist, their lips meeting in a slow, sweet and incredibly sexy kiss, his tongue flicking the tip of hers, her tongue licking his lips gently. Billy slipped his hand under her top and stroked her back gently as their kissing became more fervent, more frantic.

'Hey!' Poppy called at them from the door. They pulled apart quickly, laughing at being caught and so rudely interrupted. Lisa was gently stroking Poppy's arm and laying her head on her shoulder.

'Let's go back to my place.... I have mine, Ellie, you bring yours!' She laughed a dirty laugh and Ellie covered her face in her hands in mock embarrassment.

'I apologise for my very unsubtle friend, Billy!' Ellie grinned at him.

'It's OK, beautiful Ellie....' he laughed 'I am so used to Poppy I would be worried if she was polite. Is it OK... to come back, I mean?' He smiled a slow smile, his eyes heavy.

Ellie smiled back at him.

'I would be disappointed if you didn't.'


I KNOW!!! NO Alan yet... he's coming - literally! - in the next few chapters... this is a story, not a quickie!