Chasing Rainbows Read online

  Age was just a number, he hoped that he might die an old man with the ability to still get an erection. He knew a lot of older men found it hard to get erections and when they did found it harder to maintain them

  The physical side of a relationship was very important to him, but more important was the compatibility, the companionship and the laughter, something now lacking in his relationships with both Mary and Gerry.

  The evening was very successful for Carol, who sold all her fashions back stage, making a good profit.

  She promptly left after counting up the money as Doug made it quite clear to her that he would be busy with either Susan or red dress later.

  Doug scouted the room for red dress, where was she again?

  He walked over to Anne at the bar.

  “Hi” he said as he slipped his arm around her waist. He just could not control his actions at times.

  Anne smiled, “Hi Doug , it has been a great night so far. Do you want a drink?”

  Doug reached for his wallet, “ No let me please.” Anne asked for pink champagne and Doug reminded himself not to ask her again.

  He should have known she was not a 'half a lager' girl.

  In a not interested kind of way as though it was just an enquiry in passing, he asked Anne where Olivia was, as he had not seen her in a while.

  Anne replied, “ Carol wanted the red dress back, she made Olivia take it off. Carol is a right cow, you would have thought she would let her wear it for the night, wouldn't you?”

  Doug knew why Olivia had to give the dress back. Anne was right, Carol was a 'right cow'.

  Doug scoured the room and saw a blond head bent down listening to Chris. Whatever it was he was saying to her was keeping her interested.

  Doug continued to make polite conversation with Anne and found himself asking questions about Olivia.

  Eventually he bid a hasty retreat and after visiting the toilets he made his way towards Chris and Olivia. She was now wearing a loud green and purple trouser suit.

  No one could have got away with that fashion statement except Olivia, it summed her up precisely.

  Doug wondered what Chris talked about as he had this habit of warning the women off. Chris had so many times before, scuppered Doug's plans.

  Doug knew Chris meant well but wished that he would mind his own business.

  Chris did not like the way Doug picked women up and then dropped them; Doug's disloyalty to his marriage and his mistress always on display.

  Doug gave Chris a knowing look as he asked, “Olivia have you been avoiding me and is it not time for that dance?”

  Olivia smiled up at him. She should not have done that as it sent a shiver down his spine and he knew he would have her, however long it took.

  Olivia declined, saying “ Look Doug, half my village are here and it would not be the right thing to do, to be seen dancing with you, you know how people can get the wrong idea and tongues will wag, sorry”.

  Disappointment showing in his face he continued, “ Come on , we have worked hard for weeks and what harm can one dance do?”

  There was a silence that seemed to last forever as Olivia, began to wistfully look around.

  “Oh what the hell!!” she said as a mischievous grin lit up her face, she grabbed his hand and pulled him on to the dance floor.

  “Oh my”, Doug sighed feeling as though he was dead and in heaven now.

  This woman could dance. Not only could she move her body in disturbing ways, but she could talk at the same time.

  He asked himself, “Did she ever stop talking?”.

  Without warning the music slowed and as the words “We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow” slowly wafted towards them, Doug impulsively drew Olivia to him.

  She stiffened, only for a moment and stopped talking. This moment of first bodily contact would stay with him forever.

  Doug held her tightly, not too tightly as to scare her off. His fingers spread across the small of her back pulling her pelvis towards him.

  He could feel her breathing gently into his neck, he could smell the heady aroma of her perfume as she began to get warmer.

  Lost in time and music he felt her breasts firm against his chest, gently rising as she moved in time to the music, allowing his body to lead her.

  There were no words to describe the feeling now crushing his maleness.

  Only a satisfaction accompanied by a “wow!” which wasn't really a word but more of a sound.

  Doug whispered to her, “Can I see you sometime?” not expecting the sharp “No” that followed.

  Stung by the retort, Doug pulled her closer and as they continued to dance he became more and more hooked into the rhythm that was her body, her sensuality. He began to feel something unknown, he was not sure what it was.

  One thing he was sure about, he was living in the moment. She was that moment. Olivia made it clear by the 'No', there would be no other moments.

  As 'love is love, by Culture Club ended, Doug thanked Olivia for the dance and walked her to the bar where he ordered some drinks.

  He wondered if a few drinks might break her resistance. He remembered that she was driving so probably was not the best idea he ever had.

  A few moments later Olivia excused herself as there was an incident at the main door and she was needed.

  Olivia returned, she was rather shaken and looking distressed. Seemingly an admirer of hers was trying to get in to the club.

  He was inappropriately dressed for the occasion and the bouncers were not letting him in.

  Olivia took a drink and said, “I don't know what to do, it's Simon Arthur, someone from the charity that has sort of been in love with me for while. He has driven up from Sheffield and will not go away. I have had terrible problems and the family think it is really funny. He will me up at home and he sings Bob Dylan songs down the phone to me,”

  Doug turned away to hide a smile. Doug asked her how she knew Simon.

  She told him, he was someone who needed support and the charity helped him. “Well actually it was me who helped him and now he seems to have some sort of fixation on me” she said taking another drink.

  Olivia went on to explain that Simon was suicidal and she went to his home after a call from his girlfriend. It seemed that as his life was coming back on line again, he wanted to show his appreciation.

  Doug smiled again, he could see why men might fall in love with Olivia.

  He thought back to the rehearsals in the previous weeks and the capable woman who was present at them, all be it looking like a demented teenager most of that time.

  Earlier that night he saw a sexy woman in stiletto's wearing a second skin which did nothing to hide her womanly figure and perfect breasts.

  Now he was looking down at a frightened little girl who did not know what to do. “What are you going to do?” he asked.

  Shrugging her shoulders she replied, “ No idea to be honest, what if he tries to follow me home?”

  Doug felt he might have the solution and secretly thanked Simon Arthur for turning up.

  This could be to his advantage and what he said next might just work.

  He looked at Olivia sympathetically, “ I might be able to help you there,” he said,

  “Chris went home ages ago and I was thinking of calling a cab or asking for a lift from anyone going my way. I live in the opposite direction to you and if he sees you leaving with a man he might just go home. If you wouldn't mind giving me a lift home then perhaps if he does follow we could lose him together?”

  The look on Olivia's face told him to back off.

  She whispered, “ I don't know, it is very late and maybe it is not a good idea taking you home?”

  In the next moment A wide grin lit her face up. She agreed the idea was not so bad after all and yes perhaps that should happen.

  Doug saw another side to Olivia via the sparkle in her eye.

  He was beginning to know this woman and she had a reckless streak, that he wanted to see more of.<
br />
  She was a very complex person and perhaps he should set himself the goal of unravelling that complexity?

  Half an hour later Olivia and Doug were sitting in her car down the road from his house. They were talking and laughing, as long time friends would.

  God, she looked so beautiful as she chattered away about the show, her hopes and dreams.

  Her eyes catching the lamplight that shone through into the car.

  She suddenly went quiet and serious, looked as though she was going to make an announcement.

  Doug couldn't help himself and leaned towards her.

  She stopped and looked at his face, she studied it and he watched her as he saw in her eyes that she was questioning herself, trying to make her mind up.

  What to do next?

  He saw a shyness in her that he had not seen before. When he moved closer he noticed a slight movement in her mouth, as her lips began to quiver in anticipation.

  He pulled her closer to him and he felt the flowery smell of her hair; felt the softness as he ran his fingers up the nape of her neck, pulling her closer and closer until their lips met and he became lost in the sweetness of her breath.

  The first kiss is always so special.

  Doug's lips brushed lightly against Olivia's as they said, “Hello”.

  He pulled her nearer as he opened his mouth moving the tip of his tongue gently into the moist cave he was about to explore.

  The tips of their tongues met in a greeting that led to an intensity of feeling that shook his body.

  The beauty of their breath moulding into one. The wetness of their mouths spilling into each other, spoke volumes that required no words but created a need for more kisses.

  Doug wanted more and knew he wanted to be with her forever, it was in the first kiss. The knowledge that this woman might be the one he had looked for all his life.

  He felt her body against his and the hardness against his chest that was nipples, excited by the flow of energy that ran through them.

  Doug lost all sense of time and did not know how long they kissed for. All he knew was that he could not remember a kiss such as this.

  Olivia knew how to kiss and their lips fused perfectly in an embrace that he would not forget.

  He wondered what else she could do. If the rest would be as good as the kissing.

  Doug knew he would have to stop soon as he felt a hardening that shocked him by its intensity.

  This woman was dangerous, she might just get in the way of his life.

  He heard the voice in his head as it asked, “ Is she the one?

  Olivia pushed Doug off as she said, “I better go, I don't know what happened just then”.

  She looked surprised and answered his question about meeting for dinner with, “ I am married and I do not get dressed up to go out at night with men”.

  The frosty tone in her voice made him rethink.

  “Ok, Olivia there is no harm in us having lunch is there?” He sounded hopeful.

  She bent her head and shook it as she told him that she was going on holiday, for two weeks, in the morning with her husband, to Africa.

  He said his goodbyes and got out of the car. He watched her as she drove off feeling a sadness at the thought he might never see her again.

  It was beyond belief that she had turned him down. Had his kiss and the way he held her had no effect on her?

  He did not know, she was like a closed book.

  As he opened his front door he let out a long sigh, this woman reached right into the core of his being and he needed to let her go.

  As he closed the door behind him he spoke out loud, “ oh well some you win and some you lose”.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Doug threw himself back into his work. A new account was in progress and the commission was phenomenal. He used this as a reason to get rid of Kath and decided to put extra women on hold for a while and concentrate on work.

  Thoughts of the fashion show, one of his most successful became a dull memory as new ideas for his new client crowded his head.

  Only once did he allow himself a thought of Olivia and wondered if she was enjoying Africa. She needed a rest as she worked incredibly hard on her last project.

  One morning after a particularly nasty argument with Mary and a moody car journey to work with sullen Gerry, Doug entered his office and found a postcard at the bottom of his pile of mail.

  It was a glorious white beach surrounded by a turquoise sea. He recognised the perfectly formed , neat handwriting. It was from her.

  Olivia was thanking him for his contribution to her project. He took a sip of his coffee and sat down. She thought of him in Africa, he smiled.

  Doug let his mind wander to that last kiss. Her lips did respond to him, no doubt about that.

  He was so shocked when she said, 'No' to him and yet she found the time to send him a postcard? Why had she done that?

  His pulse upped a beat. What was he to do now? He began to think of Olivia and realised how much he missed her, her quirkiness and those big brown eyes.

  He was missing her now.

  Doug made a decision, he had nothing to lose. He knew when she would be back in the country and decided he would call her at the hospital where she did voluntary work.

  On the morning of Olivia's return to her job, Doug rang the office and spoke to the social worker . Doug practised some reverse psychology. Shirley, confirmed that Olivia was due in at eleven and asked if he would care to leave a message as this was the third call.

  Doug said, “ Yes please, will you ask Olivia not to call me tomorrow as I am having a late lunch and will be out for the rest of the afternoon?”

  He replaced the receiver and knew if all went well he would hear from Olivia, soon.

  Doug was not wrong. The next day he answered his phone to hear, “Why did you do that? I didn't know I was calling you? Have we arranged something and I have forgotten?, Oh my, that's dreadful, I don't forget”.

  Olivia didn't stop for breath, she never did.

  Doug smiled to himself. Yes, he missed her. Now he so wanted to see her.

  Doug said slowly, “I wondered if you enjoyed your holiday and if perhaps you changed your mind about that lunch?” He could hear Olivia breathing down the phone. He could almost hear her thinking.

  She sighed, “Thank you again, we did have a brilliant time and I couldn't have done it without you, it is still 'No' and I think you were a bit cheeky ringing me like that”, she lowered her voice, “I really am sorry but I cannot meet you, there is no reason to do so. I wish you all the best for the future, goodbye Doug”.

  The line cleared and she was gone.

  A month passed and the new account was doing well, soon all the contracts were to be signed and Doug was busy thinking about taking some time off work. He was tired and was looking at his mail, when he switched on his answer phone, not really listening to it, as he was busy sifting through the envelopes.

  A memory stirred as he heard the end of a sentence, he thought, “I know who that is”.

  He rewound the tape to hear her saying, “I couldn't believe it when I got the call, so what do you think? She said she wants us both. I can't do it without you. I know you are probably too busy so I could tell her, No”. She finished by saying, “Call me, you have my number”.

  He rewound the tape, listened again and then went on to the next message to hear, “Oh yes, sorry, forgot. There is another event before that you might be interested in?”

  Doug switched the machine off, stroking his chin he wondered what on earth Olivia was on about. It made no sense. As he sipped his coffee he wondered why he should ring her back?

  Olivia made it quite clear the last time they spoke, she was not interested in him. There was no pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.

  Was he going to chase a rainbow? They always faded in front of him.

  The resistance lasted one week. Doug picked up the phone and dialled Olivia's number, it was the only way he was going to ge
t her out of his mind.

  She explained to him that a PR woman from a night club in Leeds called her to say that she saw the fashion show, was very impressed and wondered if they would like to do one in her club.

  Olivia went on to say they would not be able to use Carol again after the argument on the night of the show.

  Carol was jealous that night, not just because of the way Olivia looked but because of all the attention she received.

  Olivia said, “That's why she made me take the dress off before the evening ended. It all got very silly in the end.”

  Olivia was not concerned by Carol's bitchy behaviour, something Doug admired her for.

  Olivia just got on with things and didn't let anything stop her. She was focused. Luckily That night she had a change of clothes with her, the loud purple and green trouser suit.

  “What do you think?” Olivia asked, “she would like us both to go over and have a meal and get a feel for the place and you don't have to worry I found some other fashion house.”

  Doug listened to the chirpy 'non breath' dialogue. He asked Olivia about dates and she told him it was up to them to decide what day they would like to visit the club.

  Olivia went on to tell Doug about the young Malaysian designer she had in mind to do the show.

  He wanted them to stage a catwalk afternoon outside his new shop which was opening in two weeks, the lord mayor would be opening it and the newspapers would be writing an article , so perhaps they could get the Leeds show advertised. They arranged to meet the following day to pay Jack, the new designer, a visit.

  Not being able to concentrate Doug left work early the next day and had a few beers in the pub down the road before he was to meet Olivia.

  Now he was nervous, his mind racing and his heart beating to a rhythm that was far from healthy. He wondered if Olivia might have changed in the past few months.

  Olivia ran round the corner and straight into him.

  Doug noticed her hair was longer and blonder, probably the African sun. She had the most beautiful tan which enhanced those gorgeous eyes, that suddenly crinkled as she laughed and said, “Oh my, sorry, clumsy me.”