Free New Title 1 by R. Frederick Hamilton Page A

under the influence of alcohol – something Ana had never touched in her whole life. She was the sole remaining friend from her school days and although sometimes she grated a little, her presence always ensured that an evening, at the very least, would not be a dull affair.
    ‘Come on, come one, move those little legs,’ Ana cheered, clapping her hands in an impatient rhythm as Rachel reached out and opened the passenger door.
    She could still feel her neighbour’s eyes on her as she slid into place and was strangely thankful that there was a good chance she wouldn’t be coming home alone that night.
    ‘So what’s doing slapper?’ Ana grinned infectiously at her, ‘What say we go get you pleasantly smashed?’
    ‘Sounds like a plan,’ Rachel replied and despite her uneasiness concerning her neighbour, found a smile spreading across her face to match Ana’s.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Although he knew he was being a bit obvious, Ben couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he stood poised over the bin, his hair still wet from his shower, watching her walk toward the car at the end of the driveway. He could have her whenever he wanted. He could be waiting for her when she got home. The feeling of power was immense. A far cry from the impotence of his youth. The knowledge that he could do it whenever he pleased.
    But be patient , he cautioned as he watched her go. She was clearly dressed for a night out in a slinky black dress, heels and make-up. Was she going to meet a boyfriend? Ben didn’t know and it was the last obstacle causing him to hesitate. Although there was no indication she did have a boyfriend, there had been no indication that the last one had either. And that had backfired on him immensely.
    He had to be careful this time.
    Make sure his research was thorough.
    He didn’t want anything to interrupt his revenge. Not this time.
    So although it was tempting to use the key again, Ben restrained himself. Instead he waited until the car started to pull away and then jumped into his own.
    Call it a research trip , he thought as he reversed out of his space, his smile still firmly in place.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Rachel shook her head in disbelief, laughing in spite of herself as she listened to Lena’s story - punctuated by shrieks of disgust and amusement from the four other ladies who were present.
    Lena , who had apparently decided to set the pace for the evening, was onto her fifth glass of the house white and was not leaving out any of the sordid details.
    ‘He said… he said…’ Lena was having trouble forcing her words past the chuckles that burbled from her lips. ‘… just think of it as warm… as warm tea. Warm tea!’ She banged her hand on the table for emphasis, making the congregated glasses rattle and garnering a few odd looks from the couple of old guys seated at the bar. ‘And on the first date no less!’
    Rachel shook her head again as the group broke into shrieking laughter. She looked across at Mitch and smiled when she saw him blushing furiously at the crude tale. Talk about a trial by fire , she thought. Although to the man’s credit, despite being clearly uncomfortable, he was trying to make a good show of it; smiling along. Something in his manner told her that this little get together had been sprung on him as well. Fucking manipulative bitches , Rachel thought, but it was without malice.
    He seemed nice enough, although she hadn’t had much of a chance to talk to him yet. He’d had a warm smile when they’d been introduced and although his looks weren’t up to Ana’s hype, he was still very pleasant to the eye. Already he was shaping up to be far better than any of the previous guys her friends had tried to set her up with. The odds were definitely in his favour for a good time that evening.
    ‘So did you do it?’ Sarah asked, the breathy tone she affected ruined by the giggle at its end.
    ‘I certainly did…’ Lena sipped at her drink as a shocked gasp spread across