The Bittersweet of Summer’s End: The Village Fringe 2

By Anna Corbett

Maggie continues her sizzling hot romantic adventures from the original book, The Village Fringe. Now the adventures with Maggie’s friends take on new challenges in The Village Fringe 2: The Bittersweet of Summer’s End.

Leave your cares and stress behind and experience the laughs, loves and passion, thrills and some tears in The Bittersweet of Summer’s End. Take a break and come to the English coast with Maggie and Stu, all the girls at the Chelsea Wedding Dress Shop and their men who like to drink beer at the Royal Swans while planning crazy adventures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Corbett
• Release date: Mar 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005593544

Anna Corbett

Anna Corbett was born and brought up in Cornwall. She was brought up to learn about their family histories as well as being cognisant and understanding of the society in which they lived. After they married her parents settled in Truro, Cornwall and had a family of six children. As the only Black family in the community at the time, they were very noticeable. Jazz has always played a big part of Anna’s life; it was often the music they played at home and was a valued part of their racial identity. Some of their family members play instruments and family parties are always an occasion to enjoy making music, particularly jazz. When she left school she came to London to study and enjoyed a fulfilling teaching career. Afterwards she embarked on further study: a degree in English and American Literature, followed by an MA in Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths University prior to embarking on writing ‘Masquerade. She takes every opportunity to listen to live jazz in New York and London when she’s not spending time with her family or being captivated by a wealth of other cultural activities. She recently lived in Cardiff for two years, where she was able to do further research for the novel as well as having an exciting time co-presenting a weekly jazz show on Radio Cardiff. She is a Trustee for The Abram Wilson Foundation for the Creative Arts in London, which encourages and supports young people in developing and creating their musical talents, including – of course – a focus on jazz!

Book preview

It’s a perfect warm autumn morning. I am tired from the late night; helping out on Stu’s boat. I feel deliciously happy, snuggled up to his warm body. Honeysuckle scent is drifting through the windows; curtains are fluttering in the dawn breeze. This is going to be a beautiful day. Stu stirs and puts his arms around me pulling me tighter, kisses my neck, I feel him ready for morning love making.

Back in a tick.

I watch him try to leap out of bed.

Oh my God, what the hell? I can’t stand up straight; my back is bloody killing me!

You must have done your back in with hauling up the lobster pots, ropes and moving all the heavy tackle about. I’ll call the chiropractor, and bring you some ice, sorry darling, I hate to see you sidelined. Too bad, I was looking forward to a morning roll in the hay. Oh well, the doc will have you right in a day or two, then I expect you to make up for lost time.

Stu hangs onto the dresser to steady himself.

You are my favorite slave driver. How about a couple of Tylenol with that ice, and a nice cup of tea. Any biscuits in the tin, or maybe a couple soft boiled eggs?

How about I send your personal slave upstairs? I don’t think you are going to die from a bad back. In fact, here is some of that stinky old people gel you like, put it on, stop moaning and come downstairs for breakfast. I’m going to have to trade you in for a younger model.

Don’t say that. You know there is nothing like skill from a lifetime of learning.

Well, usually you are a superior fuck if I do say so myself. That’s based on my field experience of course.

Don’t brag. I’m in agony here.

You are such a baby, come on, it’s a lovely day. Hang onto the railing, I’ll pop out and see what the hens have gifted us with this morning. I have to be at the Chelsea Morning Wedding Dress studio with the girls in an hour. We have an outing to plan. If you are really not feeling good I will bring your breakfast up, you can have it in bed.

"I don’t think crumbs in the bed would feel very nice on that pink arse of yours.

Turn around, let me see your lovely arse.

Stu, Now you are being annoying. I’m off to the shower, no time now for any monkey business.

I’m feeling better, moving around seems to have helped. I really am, feeling so much better.

I can’t help but laugh at him. I can see how much better you are feeling; I have to get going.

Stu picks up a towel off the chair and moving quickly towards me swipes me a good one.

You bastard.

I run for the shower and he is quickly in the bathroom with me.

Here, allow me to make sure the temperature is just right for her ladyship.

We both walk into the wet room. Steam hangs in the air. Stu pulls me as close as he can and lays one of his deadly open mouthed kisses on my mouth. I can still resist. My head is not quite in the clouds yet.

Stu, I really have to get going, and you don’t want to do your back in. How about later?

No later, I’m going to fuck you now, whether you like it or not. Up against the wall, tight so you don’t lose your balance. Now, put your leg over my hip, do as I say or else there will be another stinging smack on your wet backside!

I put my arms out flat against the wall to steady myself. Stu’s hands are down there, feeling with his fingers. I can’t think straight anymore. The water pouring down all over us makes his deep entry into me feel different. Somehow I can feel him more. I am going to be very late for the meeting.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chelsea Morning Wedding Dress Studio

An old fashioned jangling brass bell announces I am here, late again.

Sorry, everyone. It took forever to get the hens fed and watered, eggs collected. I brought some for you all. Nice big ones. The hens are laying well. Autumn is just around the corner so they are in full lay.

Cleo speaks up, and looks at me directly.

Since when does it take almost an hour to water and feed 20 hens? I don’t think your absence at this very important meeting had anything to do with the laying of hens, the laying of you more likely Maggie!

The women all start to laugh. I feel really embarrassed and silly.

She’s blushing, guilty I’d say!

Well, it is almost their anniversary. You must have been celebrating already Maggie. What is it now Maggie, number three isn’t it?

Yes, the third anniversary; it’s a week away. What did you lot plan for our night out on the town then?

"Well, we are going by coach to London, which means we can have a drink.

Talking of which, Maggie, would you like to try one of these? It’s Isle of Wight Mermaid gin with strawberries and zamphire, and it says grains of paradise on the label. Grains of paradise sounds pretty exotic for us in Cornwall.

My God, it’s not even 11 o’clock! Isn’t it a bit early for gin?

I’d love one with a splash of Pelligrino, please. It’s thirsty work, feeding those hens!

The alcohol seems to have done its work. Everyone is laughing and the room is getting louder.

Maggie, have you heard of On Fire For You, originated in the US, I think? They are this really amazing group of male dancers.

Violet puts her drink down and starts dancing and cavorting about the shop.

Gyrating her hips and thrusting like a demented male belly dancer. The women are laughing and whooping.

"Sounds interesting. I’m not so sure what Stu would think. Have any of you mentioned it to your husband’s? Are we all going to get into marital squabbles? Are you sure this is a good idea?

It sounds like they’re male strippers! You know how insecure men can be. Do you think it would help or harm our various love lives, or maybe it won’t be a problem? I don’t know, it sounds a bit skanky to me.

Maggie, you are sounding like a bit of a prune, uptight! What’s gotten into you? Have another G and T and lighten up. I think it might spice up our love lives, even if we do not tell them exactly what we are doing. I think we should go to London, do some shopping and then go to the show.

Audrey puts her arm round Maggie’s shoulders.

It’s alright, dear, we know you are an old, respectable married woman now! But, me thinks her ladyship needs to keep a little mystery in her soul.

Jo from the Black Dogs B and B pipes up.

What’s the harm? Even if we don’t tell them, I think they will pick something up from the ethers, a sort of new sexy vibe in our aura. To sin or not to sin, that is the question?

Who is in for the On Fire For You show, and a secret? Everybody? Maggie, how about you? Are you in or not?

In.

That’s it then. The coach leaves at 4:30 next Friday from outside The Royal Swans. Cleo raises her glass. Here’s to a little mischief, On Fire For You, and keeping secrets! Down the hatch!

Let’s walk down to the Bakery together Maggie. We can catch up a bit.

The tang of the ocean, the soulful sound of seabirds, sun and a breeze as we walk slowly down the hill. Cleo is not in a hurry to start slaving away over the espresso machine. I don’t blame her, who would want to be inside on a gorgeous day like this.

Who knows how many more days we will get before the curtains of cold rain descend on us?

How are things, anyway? We have not had much of a chance for a catch up of late. What’s up at the manor then?

A bit weird actually. I am not sure how to put my finger on it.

What do you mean, Maggie?

It’s awfully subtle. Sometimes I think it’s my imagination. Sometimes Stu just seems like he is not there so to speak. Just not entirely sure of what is going on. And then he has been hanging out with his men friends on a much more regular basis than he used to. You know, when we first got together, he couldn’t stay away from me for five minutes. Now he always seems busy or with his friends or too tired. Sometimes, the spark is still there and he can still be loads of fun, like this morning. No, I wasn’t late due to farm wife activities, at least not the feeding the chickens sort of activities.

Cleo and I laugh. Somehow I need to get the rest of it off my chest and I know I can confide in her.

He just seems preoccupied, not that interested in what I’m doing when I try to speak to him. You know, have a conversation. Maybe the problem is me. I have just become so involved with the work of keeping the bookings up for the manor dinners, the tours and entertainment. I just don’t have time left for my professional interests. Haven’t been out with my camera for months. I think I’ve lost myself. Maybe I have just become an extension of the business. Though I think something may be up and he’s not telling me.

Well, just so long as being a bit tired and preoccupied with the business is all you have to worry about, I would say that’s pretty normal. After all, he is fifteen years older than you. And you know blokes are mostly talk and not a lot of action, especially as they get older. Not like women. We get more dangerous as we get older. Look at me and Caleb; we have just been limping along as a couple for quite a while. He has never found out about Jonathan, thank God. That bit of very naughty business has saved my sanity over the last couple of years. Once a week at Jonathan’s place keeps me sane and calm. But, things are changing.

What exactly does that mean, may I ask?

I started to get bored. After all, how many times can a good spanking be interesting? He’s not a bad lay, other than that. However, I’ve had some more exotic lovers in my time and I think it’s time to start a fresh chapter. I’m breaking it off. He has an awfully nasty temper, though, and he’s possessive. He’s become a bit of a nuisance, really. He texts me throughout the day, and I am sick of my phone going off. He’s not all that and a bag of chips. And God forbid Caleb found out. That would put him over the edge and into the funny farm. And he’s close enough to that anyway. Caught him drinking at breakfast the other day. There was vodka in the coffee mug he left next to the sink. Probably thought I wouldn’t notice if he had it in a mug. And I think he has been skipping out on his AA and Narcs Annon for a while now. I don’t want to be his bloody mother, either. I do love him, though. It’s just not enough.

So, how are you going to handle it, with finishing it off with Jonathan then? It all sounds like it could blow up, so to speak. He might even tell Caleb. He has always seemed a bit spiteful to me.

No worries. I’ve got a plan. Claire just had her annual check-up. She is still free and clear of the cancer scare. Now she is feeling a little wild and wanting to celebrate life. Her husband is only interested in cricket match reruns, a hot water bottle at bedtime and having the same food on the same day of the week, every week. God help us all! Anyway, I sort of felt out the situation to see if she was up for some therapeutic activity with Jonathan. Though, of course, I did not reveal his identity. She’s up for it! So, I am going to tell Jonathan I am bringing over another lady. Knowing him, he’ll think I want a threesome. Ha! Good luck with that. I will see how they get on, and take it from there and gracefully exit the situation if they both seem okay with it.

"Oh my God, Cleo. Poor Claire. Isn’t she all Anglican and Women’s Institute? I wonder if Jonathan will get turned on by those flowery tent dresses she wears? Sorry, I’m being a bitch.

Though, maybe mommy knickers may just be what Jonathan’s wants. And who knows. It could work out.

And it will get me out of it gracefully. It’s done when it’s done.

Yeah, I have to confess my own dirty secrets. I have been feeling some wayward temptations of late myself. I need some male attention. There’s nothing around here I really fancy, though.

Didn’t you and Paul have a bit of a thing going?

You could say that, early days before Stu and I got all domestic. He’s too close for comfort with his working with Stu. They might end up killing each other or something like a duel with pitchforks. I think living and working together and living at work, so to speak, has taken the chemistry down to an occasional burst. Taken the shine off, really. I feel I have been absorbed by someone else’s story, someone else’s life, and now my life is not my own. I feel bored and boring. There’s just no jazz anymore. Sometimes, I just feel dead.

"God that does sound gloom and doom. Well, I have to get off to work. Cheer up! I