Birds, Bees &; Watford Sue

BIRDS, BEES AND WATFORD SUE

by

PHIL HAMILTON

I was seventeen and in love. Or in lust. Just now I was having great
difficulty telling the difference.
Her name was Sue, and she came from Watford. This week in early
spring, Fate, in the shape of an 'A' Level biology syllabus, had
determined that she and I would be thrown together at a field studies
centre in rural Suffolk.
And now the only biology that mattered to me belonged to the
five-foot-three-inch vision smiling dreamily across the workbench at
me, sometimes raising her eyebrows in a message too subtle for me to
interpret, now and then allowing her dainty feet to brush against my
ankles.

No doubt well aware of the potential perils of bringing together forty
healthy young men and women so far from home, the tutors crammed our
days with activity. We were woken at half past seven and shepherded
into the washrooms. Then it was on to the dining hall for a
three-course breakfast, after which we were despatched into Constable
Country to spend the day counting, measuring and studying.
Following our evening meal we were summoned to the lab for lectures
and classroom work. At half past nine the tutors departed, leaving us
half an hour to ourselves before bedtime. That gave everyone a chance
to become better acquainted over mugs of coffee and cards. That's when
I started getting to know Sue.
She was petite with shoulder-length chestnut hair and forget-me-not
eyes. She was also, we soon realised, a little older than the rest of
us. It wasn't so much her appearance, or what she said, but the way she
carried herself, very much young woman rather than teenager. I found
out later that there was another reason for her poise as well.
Morton broached the subject of Sue's age one night. He had come in the
group from our college with George, Richard and myself, much to our
general disgust. He displayed his usual tact.
'How come you're so much older than the rest of us?'
George grinned. 'Haven't you heard, Mort? She's a spy for the
Kommandant.'
The Kommandant was our nickname for the warden, a tall, thin woman of
military bearing and no discernible sense of humour. Sue bridled.
'I'm twenty-one, if you must know. I left school at sixteen, and came
back to get more qualifications. All right?'
Not that any of us males minded Sue's presence in the least. She had a
good sense of fun, laughing at all George's jokes, even the dirty ones;
but more than that, even in her usual jeans and baggy jumper, she was
naturally sexy. On one occasion, after what must have been a
particularly tiring day, she came up to the lab for the evening session
and flopped back on the workbench. Her eyes were lidded, her legs
slightly apart and trailing on the floor. George couldn't take his eyes
off her. He nudged me: 'I dare you to tell her her bloke's gone,' he
said.
But, amazingly, I began to realise that it was me Sue paid most
attention to. In the evening at cards she somehow always contrived to
sit next to me, and I learned to recognise the soft pressure of her
foot against my ankle, the occasional brush of her arm against mine.
Yet all of this was done with great subtlety, and I'm sure no-one else
noticed. Overtly she played the field, flirting as readily with George,
Richard or any other male who turned an eye in her direction.
I wondered how I could best show Sue I returned her interest, perhaps
even take matters further. My fumbling experiences with Katie while her
parents were out hardly seemed to qualify as ideal preparation for my
first encounter with an Older Woman. And I was very unsure, anyway,
just what kind of an encounter it might be.
I was just as stuck for ideas on the morning of our last full day at
the centre. That's when Richard had his brainwave.
'Let's have a party,' he suggested in the washrooms over the buzz of
largely superfluous electric shavers. 'We finish early tonight. We
could get some drinks, invite the girls...it might be
interesting.'
George looked dubious. 'Where do we get the booze?'
'Remember that pub we passed on Wednesday? It's only half a mile. We
could nip in there this afternoon, on the way back from the
coppice.'
Cases of brown ale - as many as the proceeds of our impromptu
whip-round would secure - were duly purchased and hidden in rucksacks
and lockers. Morton refused to contribute towards alcohol, but George
and Richard persuaded him that, yes, he would like to make a small
donation for nuts and crisps.
Over supper that evening furtive invitations were passed on. Then came
a series of disappointments.
'We don't think we'd better,' Catriona said. 'There might be trouble
with the warden.'
'We have to get up very early,' Cindy apologised.
'I've still got loads of reports to write up,' Annabel said.
In the end the only girl to accept our invitation was Sue. She stared
wide-eyed at me. 'It sounds fun,' she said. 'Well, when do we
start?'
I could feel myself starting to turn scarlet. 'Start what?' I
asked.
'The party, of course.' She raised her eyebrows. 'Goodness, what did
you think I meant?'

At the appointed hour ten lads were waiting in the dormitory, beer and
crisp packets stuffed behind every pillow. Only Morton had expressed
any reservations about our plans. Fearing the possible consequences if
the Kommandant got wind of what was going on, he disclaimed all
involvement. The rest of us watched incredulously as he put on his
pyjamas and got into bed. He even declined George's ironic offer of a
swig of ale, pointing instead to a glass of water on the window ledge
by his bed. In the end we decided that the best course was to pretend
he wasn't there.
Our disappointment over the lack of female acceptances was at least
partly allayed by the prospect of Sue's arrival - the possible outcome
of which had been the subject of some feverish speculation in my mind,
and no doubt in everyone else's too.
At ten past nine came soft footsteps on the wooden stairs, the
lightest of taps on the door. George and Richard almost tripped over
each other in their haste to open up.
'Hello,' Sue said. 'Is this the party?'
There was a moment's dead silence as twelve sex-starved male students
drank in the sight of Sue in white lace-trimmed blouse and a
hip-hugging denim skirt which came to an abrupt halt shortly after
completing its main task. Richard broke the silence.
'Hi, Sue. Come in.' He closed the door and guided her to his bed - not
a particularly forward move, beds being the only furnishings in the
room on which it was possible to sit. Sue seated herself, hands clasped
demurely around her knees. She looked round, giving everyone the
benefit of that transfixing gaze.
'It's quiet, isn't it?' she said.
'Gotta be,' Richard told her. 'The Kommandant lives in this block. She
might be upset we didn't invite her.'
'Drink?' George suggested. He reached into his rucksack and produced a
can. Sue looked uncertain.
'I'll open it for you.' George gripped the ring-pull, a
man-of-the-world smile playing over his acned chops, and a spray of
brown ale hit him in the face. He cursed under his breath. A murmur of
laughter passed around the room, quickly pursued by a chorus of
'shhhs'. Still, the tension was broken. More cans and bottles were
opened, and the air filled with the smell of cheap beer and
salt-and-vinegar crisps. Someone lit a cigarette.
All eyes though were on Sue, who was still seated a little stiffly on
Richard's bed. George wiped his face on the sleeve of his jacket, and
handed her another can. Somehow his hand contrived to brush against the
soft contours of her blouse. Sue appeared not to notice and took a sip.
A look passed between Richard and George - which I saw, even if Sue
didn't. Richard edged a little closer and put an arm round her. He
murmured something in her ear. Sue smiled slightly.
Not really thinking about what I was doing I opened a packet of
crisps. My feelings were a jumble. On the one hand I was as hungry for
Sue's body as anyone else in the room, and as eager to participate in
anything that might develop. On the other, though, I had envisaged a
more private assignation with my dream woman - something more cosmic
than a communal kiss and grope. Sue glanced over to where I still sat
across the room on my bed. She raised her eyebrows, and I managed a
weak smile in return.
Richard was still talking to Sue. At the same time his other hand,
apparently of its own accord, stole round and began loosening the top
button on her blouse.
Twang! The bedspring on Morton's bed creaked accusingly. All eyes were
turned on him for a moment, and he flushed crimson and pulled the
bedsheets up round his neck. He reached for his glass of water and took
a couple of nervous sips.
While the rest of us tried to keep up a semblance of normal
conversation, Richard's hand continued to work its way down the front
of Sue's blouse. It was a virtuoso performance, and as he reached the
point where her blouse disappeared into her skirt, half of me felt like
breaking into applause. The other half - the lower, I suppose - was
suffering agonies of envy and frustration.
Richard moved in still closer on Sue. I didn't quite see what he did,
but suddenly one side of her blouse was hanging open. It revealed a
slim upper torso covered only by a silky white bra, beneath which, even
from where I sat, the outline of a stubby little nipple could be
clearly distinguished.
How far could this go? I glanced round. Hardly anyone was talking now,
and several had sat down on their beds like me. Everyone's attention
was focused on Sue and Richard, though some were at least making a
pretence of looking somewhere else. I became aware my mouth was dry,
and took a long draught from my can.
Perhaps noticing the hush which had descended, Sue pulled away from
Richard and glanced round. There was no doubt she was enjoying all the
attention, but maybe she was wondering what exactly she had let herself
in for. Then again, she must have been aware, as we were, that one good
scream would bring the Kommandant storming through in her Panzer tank.
Sue's eyes came to rest on me for a moment, but I looked away. From the
corner of my eye I thought I saw Sue shrug minutely, and she settled
back
Richard put his arm round Sue again, and pulled her close. George by
now had given up any pretence of being occupied elsewhere, and sat down
on the bed next to them. He watched as Richard's hand gently tugged
Sue's blouse from her skirt; and then, slyly, began to assist. If Sue
was aware that Richard had grown a third hand, she didn't show it.
Somehow the blouse found its way down her arms and ended up beside her
on the bed.
Richard by now had given up on the patter, and was nibbling at Sue's
earlobe. Sue sank back, eyes closed, a faint smile on her lips. George
with - for him - unusual circumspection reached out and touched her bra
strap. Getting no adverse reaction, he reached round and cupped a whole
breast in his palm.
We all heard Sue gasp. She stiffened for a moment, and half-rose; then
seemed to think better and lolled back on the bed, head resting on
Richard's shoulder. She closed her eyes, and there on her face was that
familiar dreamy expression, which I had hoped that night might have
been directed towards me.
Richard reached round behind Sue's back. His fingers worked busily.
There was the tiniest click - clearly audible in the heavy silence that
had now fallen - as a clip unhooked. Sue opened her eyes suddenly. 'Do
you think, perhaps...'
CRASH! Every eye turned towards Morton; then to the floor by his bed,
where a broken glass lay in the middle of a spreading pool of
water.
'S-sorry...' he began.
'What's going on in there?' It was the voice of the Kommandant from
behind the back wall. We knew she was in the same building, but hadn't
suspected her room backed directly onto ours. 'I'll be on my rounds in
ten minutes, and I expect to find everyone asleep in their beds.'
Whether she expected to find Sue in any of those beds was doubtful,
but Sue wasn't about to risk it. She quickly recovered her modesty and
stood up.
'I'd better go,' she whispered. An almost imperceptible sigh ran
through the room.
This time I was ahead of the others.
'I'll see you back,' I said.
Sue smiled. 'Thanks.'
We headed for the door. 'See you later,' I said, ignoring George and
Richard's crestfallen expressions. We hurried down the stairs and into
the yard. The women's block was a short walk away, the other side of a
fast-flowing stream.

Sue's eyes were downcast. She seemed to be intent on watching her feet
crunching the pebbles. We walked in silence.
At the wooden bridge we paused. I touched her arm.
'Are you all right?'
She muttered something.
'Sue?'
She turned to me, and her eyes were moist. 'I feel so...cheap. You
must think I'm a...a tart, or something.'
'Of course I don't.'
'But you didn't approve. Not really. I could tell by the way you hung
back.'
There seemed no answer to that, so I didn't try.
'It wouldn't have gone any further, you know. I mean, I like George
and Richard, but...'
I put an arm round her shoulder. 'It's OK,' I said. 'I don't think
you're a...what you said. As a matter of fact, I think you're
very...well, nice.'
It didn't seem the most inspired choice of words, but Sue looked
impressed.
'Really?'
'Really.'
She gazed up at me. She didn't look older and worldlier any more, just
young, pretty, and very, very desirable. As simply as that we were
kissing. I drew her to me, delighting in her lithe softness, the musky
scent of her body. Her lips pressed against mine, and, unexpectedly,
her tongue darted into my mouth. Clumsily, I tried to do the same. Sue
twisted away. 'Ugh! Salt and vinegar...'
I looked at her, not sure whether to be amused, annoyed or something
else. Sue gazed expressionlessly back. We stood there for a few
moments, the water in the nearby stream loud in our ears.
Sue's mask of inscrutability began to fragment. Abruptly it turned to
a smile, then a grin. I took one step towards her, as though this were
some kind of dance. At that moment a light came on in the building we
had just left.
I started. 'The Kom - '
'Come on. I know a place.' Sue took my hand and we ran, along the
stream, past the washrooms, towards a darkened building at the rear of
the site. It was the cottage where the tutors stayed.
'We can't - '
'Shh. The tutors have gone. There was only one at supper, and she left
early to go to the station.'
By now we were at the door. 'It'll never - ' I began, but Sue had
already turned the latch, and I followed her into the hallway. Sue
giggled. 'Close the door. Were you born in a field?'
Sue opened a door to the left, and I followed her in. Although it was
dark my eyes were starting to adapt, and the half-drawn curtains
admitted enough light to make out a desk, a wash-basin, an easy chair,
and under the window - my heart skipped a beat - a comfy-looking single
bed. Sue, coincidentally or not, was standing in a shaft of moonlight.
She gazed quizzically at me, one eyebrow raised; then, slowly, she
began undoing the buttons on her blouse.
I lunged for her, but she pulled away.
'You weren't interested earlier. How do I know you're not just going
through the motions?'
I sank into the armchair. Of course it had all been too much to hope
for. How could I ever have imagined that a twenty-one year old woman
would fancy a lad of seventeen? It was a game, that's all....
'Did you know I was a dancer?' Sue asked. Still in the moonlight she
stretched out, first towards me, then away. 'That's why I left school
at sixteen. I hoped to make a career of it.' She stood on tip-toes and
took a couple of steps across the room. 'Everyone should dance. It
makes you more aware of your own body.' She twirled, then collapsed
theatrically onto the bed, legs trailing. It was the position she had
been in a few days earlier in the lab. I smiled.
'What's funny?' Sue asked. She must have perfected the art of seeing
while appearing to have her eyes closed. I told her about George's
comment.
She frowned briefly, then smiled.
'But he's here now.'
I joined her on the bed, and drew her close. This time there was no
resistance, and we enjoyed a long, sloppy kiss. When at last we came up
for air, Sue's eyes were shining.
'I'm awful.'
'How do you mean?'
'This is my favourite bit of biology.'
'That's OK,' I said. 'It's on the syllabus.'
We kissed again. 'Will you do me a little favour?' Sue asked softly.
She propped up her head on one elbow. Her blouse was open again, and
one silk-clad breast was visible. At that moment, had she asked, I
would have killed for her - killed Morton, at the very least.
'Of course,' I said.
'Pop down the corridor and check there's no-one here. I'd hate us to
be disturbed.'
'OK.' I made my way dutifully along the ill-lit corridor, looking for
light through keyholes, listening for sounds of life. There was no
doubt we were alone.
When I returned Sue was on the bed in the position I had left her. I
might not have been quite as adept with buttons and hooks as Richard,
but Sue's nimble fingers came willingly to my aid. And soon,
incredibly, I was clasping her naked body to my own. Just one thought
made me hesitate: 'Is it, uh, do you..?'
Sue indicated the bedside table, on which, I saw, was a packet of
condoms. She smiled: 'The gods must favour us.'
'Were those there when we came in?' I asked.
Sue pouted. 'Of course they were!' she said.
I had been afraid my lack of experience with girls might turn the big
event into a fiasco, but, as Sue had said, perhaps the gods favoured
us. Somehow, as I stroked her satin soft skin and she clasped me tight,
I found myself just slipping into her; and from then on everything
seemed to work by instinct. We began to move, a little hesitantly at
first, then finding a joint rhythm which built to a crescendo. It
wasn't the endlessly drawn-out lovemaking I had read about, but the
pleasure of it was intense, the warmth and satisfaction that followed
equally so. As I listened to Sue's ragged breathing slowly returning to
normal, I had the feeling she wasn't about to complain either.
As we lay curled up together we heard the crunch of gravel, caught the
momentary flash of light from a torch....
'The Kommandant. If - '
'Shhh.'
There was the sound of a key turning in a lock, then footsteps
gradually receding.
Sue looked at me. 'Well,' she said, eyebrows raised. 'Looks like we're
here for the night!'

* * *

The morning, fortunately, proved less of a problem than I feared. We
both woke early, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world to
make love again. It was less intense than the previous night, and
longer lasting, but in its own way just as powerful and enjoyable. As
we lay together in the afterglow we heard the rattle of keys again -
the warden opening up. Once we were sure she had gone, Sue risked a
glance through the window. She grinned and beckoned me over.
The warden had paused for a moment to gaze across the stream. Her legs
were well apart, her hands clasped behind her back. In the green
raincoat she wore to protect her from the early morning drizzle, she
looked more than ever like a prison camp Kommandant. She turned to
leave. Sue and I ducked down, and promptly broke into helpless
laughter.
Once we knew the coast was clear, we kissed and went our separate
ways. As a mature student, Sue merited a room of her own in the women's
block - no doubt much to her relief. I headed back to the dormitory,
hoping against hope they'd all be asleep.
I turned the doorknob, entered as quietly as I could and made my way
to my bed. At first I thought my prayers had been answered, then I saw
Richard eyeing me quizzically.
On the way to the washrooms he broached the question he had obviously
been dying to ask.
'What happened to you last night?'
'Well, actually...me and Sue...'
Richard snorted derisively.
I might have known you'd say something like that. You were locked out,
you mean. I suppose you dossed down in the wash-house.'
Richard explained that, not long after we had gone, the Kommandant had
kept her promise. She came on a tour of inspection and must have
noticed the smell of booze and tobacco. Fortunately she didn't do a
head count. 'If there's any more trouble here, all your schools will be
notified by letter - and the culprits NAMED,' she said - and proceeded
to lock all the doors as she left.
'But I did - ' I began, but somehow, across the room, Sue caught my
eye. She had sneaked back to her room and now was wearing her customary
jeans and jumper. She raised her eyebrows ever so slightly, but this
time I knew immediately what she meant.
'Oh, all right, I admit it,' I said.
After all, I had Sue's number and her address. Watford was only a
train ride away, and four years age difference, I knew now, was less
than nothing.
Suddenly I couldn't wait to get together with her again for a spot of
revision.

---------------------ENDS