Wendy looked doubtful.
‘What, now? We’re supposed to be mingling and getting to know each other.’
I shook my head.
‘We’re supposed to be a team. Let’s act like one. We’ll go running together, around the fence, find a place to nip through and one of us can keep an eye out while the others go down to the pub.’
Stacey knew exactly what I was thinking and Wendy could see the plan made sense. We all had running kit and were soon changed and ready to go, looking keen as we jogged down the track and into the woods. Several people saw us go, but none followed and we’d soon skirted the open area of the airfield to where the ground fell away in a steep-sided valley. I’d hoped the fence wouldn’t be strong any more, and sure enough, we found a way underneath. Wendy stayed put and Stacey and I began to make our way down towards the river. I waited until we were deep in among the trees before stopping where a small beech had come down to make a convenient seat. Stacey didn’t need any further encouragement and was in my arms immediately, first kissing me and then allowing her hands to stray to my breasts. I hadn’t bothered with a bra and my top was soon up and her mouth fastened to one nipple as I hugged her to me. As usual I’d given in to her desire and she seemed to want me nude, so I stood up, allowing her to peel my top off over my head and pull down my shorts and panties. As I stepped free I was left in nothing but trainers and socks, which felt deliciously naughty and free in the warm sun, and even nicer because she was still dressed. She gave my bottom a few gentle swats, just to keep me on my toes, before sitting down on the tree trunk to push her own shorts and knickers to her ankles. I got down on my knees in the leaf mould, to bury my face between her thighs and lick her to ecstasy while I played with myself, a brief but delicious moment made all the better for the feeling of doing something illicit.
Our bad behaviour had left Stacey in a mischievous mood and she made me climb down the next hundred yards of the slope in the nude, leaving me flustered and aroused once more. I was only allowed to dress when we were dangerously close to the edge of the trees and in sight of the pub, a pretty, old-fashioned building set beside the tiny river. The sign was just legible, showing that it was called the Venncott Arms.
The sun was now high and hot, so as soon as we arrived we ordered a glass of lager each and took them out to the beer garden. A girl was sitting at one of the tables, alone, her back to us, her dark hair cut short, a girl much like Stacey in build, while her look and something in the way she held herself were disturbingly familiar. I felt my heart jump, told myself not to be ridiculous and then found my suspicions confirmed as she turned. It was Juliette Fisher, my Juliette Fisher.
‘Lucy? Lucy Salisbury?’
I tried to speak, but could only manage a gulping noise. Her eyes flicked to Stacey, then back to me as she went on.
‘It’s me, Lucy, Juliette. What are you doing here? Was that you coming down the slope just now? Who’s your friend? Hi.’
She was smiling at Stacey, her eyes full of mischief, and I wondered if we’d been more exposed than I realised as we came through the trees. I was blushing hot on the instant, and hotter still as Stacey tried to come to my rescue.
‘You’re Juliette Fisher, aren’t you? Lucy’s told me all about you. I’m Stacey. We’re on the same course, up at the old airfield on the hill, Camp Aspiration.’
‘You are? That is the best news I’ve had in weeks, years even! What’s it like? I’ve been dreading it, but my boss insisted I go, the common little toad.’
‘It’s not that bad, a bit military for some, perhaps, but we’re planning to get around that. You’re our team leader, by the way, so I hope you don’t mind us smuggling in some drink? There’s no alcohol allowed.’
‘No alcohol allowed? No, I don’t mind. I insist. But never mind that. You two have to be together? Trust you, Lucy! You should have known her, Stacey, back when …’
They carried on, chatting as if they’d known each other for years as I struggled with my feelings. Just to be in Juliette’s presence was making me weak, stripping away all the confidence I’d built up over the years. I could barely suppress the sense of adoration building inside me and found myself desperately eager to please, while the easy way she got on with Stacey only made things worse. They’d had me blushing from the start, and we’d barely sat down with our drinks before Juliette asked a question that turned my mild pink flush to blazing scarlet.
‘Am I going nuts, or when you two came down through the woods, was Lucy in the nude?’
Stacey just laughed.
‘Yes, she was. I thought it would be fun to make her go bare for a bit, but we didn’t know people would be able to see!’
Juliette laughed in turn, cold and clear and cruel, just the way I remembered.
‘I don’t suppose anybody else did, and I wasn’t even sure what I’d seen, until you came out at the bottom of the woods. I might have known it would be you, Lucy!’
I was smiling, pathetically grateful for her attention, exactly as I’d always been, but both she and Stacey were oblivious, Juliette carrying on blithely.
‘Yup, starkers in the woods, that’s Lucy’s style. She’s never been able to keep her clothes on for five minutes. So is this camp up on the hill?’
‘Yes. This is the nearest pub. In fact, we ought to get a move on. Our friend Wendy’s waiting for us and we need to be back for lunch.’
‘Why don’t I give you a lift? I passed a Co-Op on the main road. You can call your friend.’
‘No we can’t. We had to hand in our phones.’
‘What? How am I going to survive with no phone? Why doesn’t Lucy come with me then, and we’ll get the drink?’
I made to speak, knowing exactly what she was after, but Stacey didn’t hesitate.
‘Sure, why not? I imagine you two have a lot of catching up to do.’
She swallowed what remained of her drink, kissed me and made for the little bridge that crossed the river, breaking into a jog on the far side. I watched as she started up the hill, already full of guilt and arousal, chagrin and excitement, all muddled together for the thought of what Juliette undoubtedly wanted. She was as cool as ever.
‘She’s nice. How long have you been together?’
‘We’re not together … not really. We just … I have a boyfriend, back in London.’
‘A boyfriend, you, Lessie Lucy!?’
‘Why shouldn’t I have a boyfriend?’
‘Well you never showed the slightest interest before.’
‘No, I always liked boys. And anyway, things have changed.’
Even to myself I sounded sulky, and she just grinned.
‘Not that much. You’re still stripping off in the woods. Do you remember where we used to swim at Marnhoe? You’d always be the first to go naked, and the last to get dressed.’
‘You used to strip me! And … and make me do rude things to get my clothes back.’
She just laughed, making my blushes hotter than ever, but I couldn’t help turning my mind back to the little quarry where we used to swim together. I remembered trying not to giggle as she and her friends held me down while I was divested of my skirt and blouse, my knickers and bra, then thrown in, stark naked. And afterwards, begging to be allowed my clothes back and being made to kiss Juliette’s bottom, only to be refused my knickers and to end up walking back bare under my skirt, terrified that a puff of wind would expose my shame to the world. Juliette drew a long sigh.
‘Those were the days. I thought it would always be like that, and look at me now, one more rat on the treadmill. Oh well, at least I’ve got you, for a while. Let’s go.’
Her