Unremarkable: Women Loving Women

By Susie Ray

Unremarkable is how Abigail considers herself, until a chance meeting with Belle, a spectacular woman in every sense. She changes Abigail's perception of herself, and opens up a whole new remarkable world to her, if Abi can dare let herself believe it.

What is the next surprise Belle has in store and can it possibly be any better than what they now share?

 

Paige and Lucy were Best Friends from childhood. Paige hoped that their friendship might develop into something more intimate and that they might spend the rest of their lives together, but things often don't go as planned.

Paige and Carla meet, sharing similar hopes for the future, and neither of them could guess that they would fall in love and share much, much more…

 

Sophie is a friend to all in her local community, and a life-saver to Ginny when she needs someone to take her to the dentist. Ginny fancies Sophie, well, who wouldn't, but Ginny is under self-imposed intentions, not to fall too easily and get hurt again.

Will love find a way to bring them closer and soften the pain of heart-ache as well as toothache?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S-Ray Press
• Release date: Apr 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201371982

Susie Ray

Susie Ray Author bio I love to read and lose myself in stories conjured up by the written word – I am a mature individual, but I can still recall love’s first sweet kiss and the sting of rejection; the elation of being brought alive, by another’s caress, or tender words. I write sapphic stories for my own pleasure as well as hopefully that of the reader, and my head is full of ideas and storylines that are desperate to be shared. Admittedly, it was a freebie, but the first sapphic tale I read, left me feeling wanting and empty. I thought ‘I could do better than that’, and I did! My stories draw on a lifetime of experiences and places I have visited, so there is always a piece of ‘me’ in them. My preference is for short stories; tales, in bite-size portions, although some topics, simply require a novella to do them justice. I feel my writing skill has improved and grown with me over time and I am pleased to offer some of my work for your pleasure. Come lose yourself for a while, like I do when I’m writing…

Book preview

Unremarkable

Can a single incident change your life? Is there light at the end of this dark tunnel of my own making? Am I being charitable thinking of it as unremarkable, or is it simply boring?

Before I lose your interest completely, let me explain; I guess I am a product of my upbringing and I have learned not to expect too much from life – I watched as an innocent as my parent’s marriage disintegrated before my eyes. Yes, I was a casualty of their war that spilled over to affect all three of us – I know that, whilst neither of them blamed me openly for having to get married before they were mature enough to realise the full consequences of having unprotected sex, all of their efforts went into finding fault with each other and none into outwardly loving me.

They stayed together ‘for my sake’ – sometimes I find myself wishing that they hadn’t – even a foster home might have been better than living in a war zone. I feel guilty just thinking that, but I am trying and be honest with myself. Anyway, as soon as I was old enough and I had a job that allowed me to support myself, they were off. – I was surprised when my mother left first – not devastated, just surprised. My father was clue-less what to do on his own and also took the easy option.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not looking for sympathy – not that I expect anyone to even get past the first paragraph – I am merely trying to make sense of my unremarkable existence. I don’t blame my parents, in hindsight – I am just trying to make the most of the hand I have been dealt.

Happy, isn’t quite the word I would choose to describe my life, but I have come to terms with my lot and I try to muddle through. I am twenty-seven and live in a rented ‘park-home’ – all I can afford. My clothes are mainly skirts and blouses from charity shops, partly because I have little interest in looking pretty in the latest trends, as well as my minimal budget. I haven’t made any conscious-decision to be a loner, but I keep my emotions in check so as not to allow myself to be hurt anymore, by anyone.

My boss at work is Mister Morris – everyone else calls him Tom, but I will not allow myself to become that familiar with him. He takes advantage of my timidity and piles more and more work on me – he knows I need my wages and will not challenge him. In fact, I guess all of my colleagues regard me as a mouse and take similar advantage, often leaving me working late while they go out and enjoy themselves, safe in the knowledge that they will have a clean-desk in the morning.

I do insist on buying my own new underwear, but I have to be practical and opt for serviceable garments designed for function and durability. Frivolity is a luxury I cannot afford, either financially or mentally. Standing in line to pay for two, three-packs of Sloggi 100 Tai briefs, one black and the other white, I attempt to ignore the totally unsuitable frilly things the customer behind me and her friend have as they chatter about their dates and other things foreign to me and my sensibilities.

We are kept waiting ages, while the girl before me at the head of the queue appears to be trying to barter with the assistant – I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but it is unavoidable,

Look, I love these panties, but they are priced at £20.99 and I only have twenty pounds. Will you give me a discount of 99pence, so that I might have them?

As I have already explained Madam – £20.99 is the price and is non-negotiable!

Neither of them is prepared to budge and I fear a stalemate that will have us standing in line for another age and totally out of character, I offer to the girl in front of me,

I have a spare pound that will make up the difference, as you clearly want the underwear. Please allow me to give it or loan it to you, if you prefer.

When she turned to face me, I was face-to-face with possibly the prettiest girl I have ever seen and I immediately withdrew into my timid self and wished that I had remained silent. She was from another world of fun, parties and excitement – things that have no place in my all-grey world of just getting by.

Thank you – you are a sweetie, but I couldn’t possibly accept. It was kind of you to offer though – thanks again, but no!

Simply bringing myself to her attention had me wanting the ground to open up and swallow me whole and finally the assistant agreed to call the department manager to deal with the impasse. She rapidly explained the stand-off and then served me, as the first customer was taken aside. My purchase took less than sixty seconds and my items were placed in a carrier with the receipt.

Who’s next please? I heard the assistant almost breathe a sigh of relief that I was an easy customer as I headed away from the counter.

I hadn’t achieved many steps when I heard a familiar voice from behind,

I got them for £20 – I didn’t mean to snub you back there, but it was a matter of principle. Are you feeling alright – you look a little grey around the gills. Too much partying last night? She was full of enthusiasm, presumably for winning her shopping battle.

I am pleased for you - they are pretty. I missed breakfast – I will be okay!

Please let me buy you a coffee and Danish or something. I had more than £20 in my purse – it’s just that I don’t like paying full price for anything. Her smile lights up her face as well as the immediate vicinity around her. And don’t worry I won’t make a scene in the café – I know when and when not to barter! I think she was trying to put me at ease.

I never eat much for breakfast, so why did I find myself considering accepting when I have lived most of my life trying not to be noticed, but before I can object her hand is on my arm guiding me to the café on the same floor in this store. Even through the humble material of my blouse, I feel her connection and I allow myself to be led through the shoppers to a quiet table in the corner.

They serve excellent coffee here – what would you like?

I only ever drink tea, but am too scared to admit my lack of adventure and find my mouth uttering.

Whatever you are having – surprise me. It’s so out of character for me to be so bold.

When she returns with a tray of goodies, they look so good, I imagine what it must be like to have birthday presents, even occasionally and I am excited at plain old me being so outlandish. The pastry looks divine and I watch her breaking hers into bite size pieces with a fork and carefully placing each morsel in her mouth, so as not to spoil her lipstick. The aroma of the strong black Americano coffees adds to the atmosphere, a million miles away from what I would normally be doing on a Saturday.

With the pastry devoured she offers me her hand saying,

Belle, well Isobel really, but I never really liked that name. She is very open.

Abigail, pleased to meet you, Belle. I’m not enamoured with my parent’s lack of imagination either – it seems they chose the first name they came to. I have no evidence to confirm that statement, but I wanted to show openness as well.

How about Abi? That’s sounds better – pleased to meet you too Abi.

Her smile, reaffirmed by the touch of our hands, put me at ease and as I sipped on my delicious coffee, I tried to think of something to say, but thankfully the silence was broken as she added,

What must you think of me, making such a fuss over just 99 pence, back there, but did you see the look the assistant gave me for daring to question her? I’m afraid I let little things like that wind me up, but on the bright side, I wouldn’t have met you if I had simply caved in and paid full price, would I?

I can’t imagine why meeting me might be construed as a ‘bright-side’, but for once I am quite enjoying someone else’s company and I smile politely. At last, I think of something to say,

The knickers are very pretty and you can remember the assistant’s haughty expression each time you put them on. We both laugh – something I rarely do and it feels good.

Do you know the crazy thing? I don’t even need them – I just got caught up in the moment. Why don’t I give them to you and each time you wear them, maybe you will think of me!

Surely, I must have miss-understood, but too late I can feel myself blushing from head to toe and Belle appears to have done it solely for that purpose as she smiles at my embarrassment.

I am mortified, but keen not to show it and I respond,

They are far too frivolous for my taste and I’m sure you can see that from the rest of my appearance, or are you merely mocking me? I say it tongue in cheek so that she will know that I am teasing her back.

Our friendly banter continued back and forth and it was almost as if I had stepped outside of myself, observing the scene and wondering what on earth had come over me. Perhaps there is someone alive inside of me, who wants more than to simply exist – someone like Belle – obviously not as beautiful, but not as grey as Abigail and a happy girl none the less.

I have realised that Belle likes the last word and she says, No really, I insist you have them!

Being unused to such repartee I speak without thinking, You will be wanting to see them on next!

If ever I could take back anything I have said and ‘unsay’ it, it would be now as the subject matter registers in my brain.

Is that an offer? Before a fugue state overwhelms me, she giggles and I know she is teasing me again.

Lunch

How much was the bill and I’ll pay for mine?

I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I am unused to being treated, even to coffee and Danish. My hand is already in my bag trying to open my purse as she stops me and forces the new knickers into my bag as well.

You can pay next time – I asked you, remember?

Okay, when? I am not prepared to be fobbed off even though I would normally never dream of being so bold.

Here, Monday lunchtime – 12:30 is that okay?

It’s a date! The word ‘date’ triggers my blushes again and Belle appears not to notice.

At least you are looking better now – you have a rosy glow.

It is most likely after effects of so much blushing, but I do feel better in myself – something about her brings out another side in me, a side where optimism is not an alien concept and of course she manages to make me smile. I am inwardly digesting these notions when Belle pipes up,

I am sorry to have to eat and run - I have a full day planned, but I look forward to Monday. See you then!

Belle pats my hand farewell and scurries off and it is suddenly duller in here or is it her absence? I take a while to adjust back into my unremarkable existence, but I cannot stop the excitement inside that we will meet again on Monday – all other thoughts of my plans for the day seem to have evaporated. I make a move for home, such as it is, but maybe even that will seem marginally brighter for my impromptu meeting with Belle.

There is no need to try on my own new underwear – they are predictable, reliable if a little dull, but then my hand touches against the soft material of Belle’s gift undies and I am overwhelmed by an urge to try them on. They fit beautifully and make me feel normal, girly even – it’s a pity my other clothes are so dowdy, so boring. That is when the thought struck me,

‘What am I going to wear on Monday?’

I rifle my limited wardrobe, but there is little point. Even mixing and matching my tops and skirts cannot escape the truth – they are all boring, and I am tempted to give up, but something is egging me on. If I hurry, I can still catch the two charity shops nearby and see if there is anything a little brighter that might be more becoming of my date. That word spurs me on albeit it is only lunch with a friend, but Belle will be my first and only friend, or at least I hope she will be.

My quest at the first charity shop was successful – I saw a blouse that had a flouncy tie neckline that was so unsuited to my normal style that I found myself attracted to it and had to have it – what’s more there were two similar ones to choose from the one in oyster that first caught my eye and a slightly different one in pink. Now pink is a colour that I avoid at all costs, well Abigail does, in case it attracts too much attention. But Abi, - maybe I should opt for this one after all. I splashed out and took both