I like luxury. That’s why I’m here this morning in this recently built penthouse flat. The block’s just opened. It’s the ultimate in expensive living. Everything bright spanking new. I can’t wait to indulge myself. Thinking about it sends shivers juddering up my spine. I’m such a lucky girl.
There is nothing like the feel of a fresh bedroom before any other person has slept in it. Rick said I should phone him as soon as I got into the flat. But I’m going to put down my handbag and the keys and breathe in that new-paint smell. I want to savour my moment alone just a bit longer. My heels sink into the white carpet as I make my way to the window. New sheer stockings swish against the lining of my black silk dress bought earlier today. The skirt’s tight and constricting, just the way I like it. Everything I have on today is new, as a homage to this flat. I wanted it to be perfect for the first time in here. I’m so wound up, so excited. I don’t know whether to take in the view first or to turn and look back at the whiteness of the smooth walls. I take off my neat black jacket. My mobile rings out in the silence. Damn.
‘You couldn’t wait, could you?’
My impatience at the interruption is momentary. He can tell I’m smiling now.
‘Are you in?’
‘Of course I’m in.’
‘Congratulations, darling.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Is it fabulous?’
‘Totally and utterly. I’ve always wanted a flat like this.’
‘I’ve always wanted a woman like you. And now I’ve got her.’
‘You’re sweet. Thank you.’
‘Okay. So tell me about the apartment. Talk me through it. What can you see?’
I keep on smiling. Trust Rick to say ‘apartment’. He watches too much American television. But then he’s as excited as I am about this morning and the new flat. And preparing himself for our little game. I can tell. I can hear him settle down, invisible on the other end of the phone, I can see him clearly in my mind’s eye. He’ll be sitting at his desk, legs up, one ankle folded over the other. His hand lying in his lap, ready.
‘I can see the view. London looks so fabulous at dawn from up here. I feel like I’m on top of the world.’
‘Okay, enough. You’re not selling it to me. Let’s get down to business. Have you been in the bedroom yet?’ Rick doesn’t hang around. I always have to slow him down.
I’m holding the phone close to my lips, glossy with pillar-box red lipstick, as I walk slowly over. ‘I’m going there now. Do you want to know what I’m wearing?’
‘Yeah, yeah I do.’ I hear him breathe in slowly and imagine his hand resting now against his crotch.
‘I’ve got a new black dress on. The skirt is very, very tight. So tight I can hardly breathe. But it has a slit up the back so that I can walk. The slit is quite high, almost as high as my bottom.’
‘Um.’ Rick likes to let me know he is still there. Still connected. At times like this he’s a man of few words. He likes me to talk.
‘I’m in the bedroom now. It’s absolutely gorgeous, just like we’ve always talked about. The walls are a mink brown. There’s a massive bed in the centre of the room with a fur cover. Nothing else. It’s clean and totally unused. I’m going to be the first to use it Rick. Do you want me to get on the bed?’
‘I do. I want you to.’
‘Not yet, I’m going to tease you a bit first. Guess what’s on the wall, I’m looking at it now.’
His voice becomes thick. ‘A mirror.’
‘That’s right, a huge great wall to ceiling mirror.’
‘Are you still standing?’
‘Yes.’
‘Undo your dress.’
I reach up and pull the zip slowly down imagining Rick listening to the sound of it like a cat’s purr. The material peels away. ‘I’m taking it off my shoulders now.’ The dress drips to the floor.