Read My Novel, Free: Chapter 13.

You've come this far, so youdon't need me blethering about what you already know. Enjoy the read.
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Chapter 1 appeared on 13January and following chapters appear each Friday. You can find them via thearchive.
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Chapter 13
Leigh stopped in the doorway to the restaurant.'A waiter will show us to our table when we go in. Once he's brought the menus,pop to the ladies' and get changed whilst I order drinks, okay?'The ladies' room was plush and a woman assistantsat in the corner. I changed in a cubicle, folding my skirt and blouse into thecarrier bag and following Leigh's advice about the tights. When I began to tidymy hair in front of the long mirror, the woman came and stood behind me.'Mind if I make a suggestion, love?'I turned to face her, waiting.'Most men like a woman's hair worn loose ratherthan tied back like that. And, if my glimpse of the man you came in with is anyguide, I'd say he'd prefer you as free as possible.'I had always worn my hair in a ponytail, off myface, for ease and at Father's insistence. She helped me release it, thenbrushed it out so it fell in soft waves over my shoulders. 'That dress is lovely but I reckon it'd bestunning if you loosened the neck and let it fall round your shoulders.'When I tried it, my bra straps showed. But Iliked the effect and I felt glamorous without feeling exposed.'You're young enough not to need support, love.'She touched a strap.I thought about Leigh's face when he saw me. Andthis was a woman advising, she couldn't have any sort of sexual motives, afterall. I had to do it. He deserved at least that and I wanted his admiration. Shehelped, and my new bra went into the bag.The woman urged me to turn on the spot. I slowlyrotated and felt the soft floral cotton brush my feet, the caress of fabricagainst my nipples making them stand proud. I was half anxious that thesensuality was wrong and half delighted at the feeling of pleasure and freedom.The dress, gathered at the waist, fell in soft pleats down the length of mylegs. A thin leather lace fixed the width of the neckline and held the top firmagainst the tops of my arms. It was tied in a bow with the silver-tipped endsresting below the curves of my breasts. I felt free and liberated and just alittle afraid.'Have him eating out of your hand, love. He'llnot be able to resist you.'I thanked her and went before I could change mymind. She said something in a cross voice as I left, but I had no idea whatmight have annoyed her.Leigh stood up and stared as I crossed the floorto the table. The waiters turned to look at me. All the men in the roomfollowed my progress across the floor with their eyes. I felt both shy andproud. I had never put myself on display like that and those stares were all ofappreciation. I was confused: Father said such displays were sinful, but I feltgood. I was happy to be the object of their admiration. I was particularlypleased to have Leigh's undivided attention.'Wow!'I smiled for him.'You look stunning. Wonderful, Faith. Gorgeous.I'm amazed you dared the transformation. But I'm over the Moon that you did.'I confessed to help from the lady in the toilet.'Give her a tip?'I had no idea what he meant. He pulled out mychair and held it as I sat down and pushed it gently in beneath me. I felt sospecial.'No matter. I'll get a waitress to take hersomething'He signalled one of the young women, spoke toher and passed her something. She nodded and went off toward the toilets.'What's a tip?'He explained and I understood her complaint.'Ready to eat, my beautiful princess?'The flush that followed suffused me with purepleasure; so different from the discomfort of my usual blushes.'Ready, my handsome prince.'He gazed at me with shining eyes that were soproud and full of admiration. 'Faith, you're a joy to be with. I've rarely hadsuch company.'I wanted to hug and kiss him but I just took hishand and squeezed it gently.The menu was in French and Leigh translated. Thefood was fresh, hot and delicious. Leigh ordered wine but then drank only oneglass, as he had to drive back. I did not mean to drink the rest of the bottle,but it was so good it was a shame to waste it and by the end of the meal, therewas none left.In the ladies', after the meal, I apologized tothe lady. She waved away my concern. 'Your young man's a gem, love. I'm fine.Looking like that, you can't lose. When he pops the question, don't turn himdown will you? You'll regret it for the rest of your life.'I smiled, hoping my incomprehension did notshow, and went out to find Leigh waiting to take my hand.I floated beside him on the short walk to thetheatre, through mild evening air and under streetlamps that made everythingglow. Men in the street followed me with their eyes and I liked it. In thetheatre, the men were all polite and charming, the women distant or pleasant.All my life, men and women had ignored me or had insulted me and treated melike a fool without feelings.The wine and attention combined to intoxicate meso that I felt alive and joyful. I was a blind person suddenly gifted withsight, a deaf person suddenly hearing music. I was admired and liked andappreciated after so many years of being despised, ignored and shunned. It wasthe most wonderful evening of my life.The theatre was full of unexpected delights. Theamazing arcs of soft crimson seats, the huge curtained stage, the blue, goldand cream of the decorated ceiling. Leigh advised me how I should behave and Itook my lead from him, falling silent as the curtains moved away to reveal thestage. But finding it difficult not to comment on the inaccuracies of the storyuntil I realised this was a story, like a novel, not a truthful depiction ofthe facts.The show was amazing. Songs that gave warmth andfeeling to the cold familiar words of Father's teachings. Songs that removedthe emphasis on sin and retribution, replacing it with mercy and love. Thefigure I had worshipped all my life as a cold, hard symbol became a man with aheart and emotions. I saw Him with failings, and feelings and doubts anddesires, and I knew without doubt that both Father and his doctrine were wrong,wrong, wrong.At the interval, when they invited the audienceto join them on stage for wine I needed no urging. Leigh kept looking at mewith wonder. I think he felt unsure of me, felt as if he was with a differentwoman from the girl who'd climbed into his car that morning. That was how Ifelt.On the way back to the car park, he offered mehis jacket because the night had grown chill. But I felt alive and warm. Iwanted no encumbrances; nothing to hide the magic of my new attractive looks. Iwanted to move and run and dance and sing. I felt so full of wonderful joy andelation, so overflowing with new feelings.'Leigh, I've had the most wonderful day of mylife. I don't know how to begin to thank you. You've brought me life and joyand warmth and admiration and confidence and, oh, Leigh, I'm just bursting withgratitude.'I pulled him close and reached up and kissed hislips the way I'd seen Abby kiss him. His short beard was soft against my skin,his lips warm and gentle against mine. He held me close so that our bodies weretouching and his hands clasped my shoulder and my waist. I felt safe andprotected, desired and vaguely at risk in that embrace and I wanted it to go onforever. That contact made my whole body tingle, and deep within that privateplace where I was everywoman, I felt stirrings of delight that, even throughthe haze of my intoxication, were disturbing and full of promise.'Come on, little princess, let's get you intothe car before I do something we'll both regret.' He opened the door and helpedme into the seat.We drove with soft night music flowing inbetween us and I must have floated into sleep at some time on the journey.Before I knew it, we were at the bottom of thesteep track to Father's cottage and Leigh was softly waking me. I didn't wantto go home. I wanted to stay with him. 'Take me back to Longhouse, Leigh. Takeme home with you.''There's a light on in the cottage. Yourfather's watching through the window.''Let him. I don't care.''I think you might, in the morning.'I've no idea what persuaded me to go back to thecottage that night, the way I was feeling. Leigh seemed to think it would bebest and I was disposed to please him. He walked beside me, carrying a torch inone hand, my old and new clothes in carrier bags in the other.Father opened the door as we approached and Istumbled on the rough surface and had to lean against Leigh to avoid falling.He said nothing as we reached the door and Leigh handed him the bags.'She's tired and a little overwhelmed. Nothing agood night's sleep won't fix. You have an extraordinary daughter, Mr Heacham; atruly remarkable young woman.' He turned to me and, in spite of the danger, Iwanted him to kiss me there and then in front of Father. 'Goodnight, Faith. Andthank you for a wonderful day. See you in the morning, an hour later thanusual, I think, don't you?''You're the boss, Leigh. Whatever you say.'

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