25.11.2006


Forgotten Flame




Forgotten Flame

http://www.netsaga.is/media/files/And%20then%20came%20dieter.mp3

Chapter 1

Alice was ready.

Her excitement had been growing ever since she'd emerged sleepily from under her pastel patchwork duvet, kissed her husband good morning and moved energetically into action with the morning's jobs.

An appropriately healthy breakfast was quickly prepared with orange juice, croissants and an immaculately ironed shirt put out for him to wear at work.

She noted with approval the twinkle in John's eyes this morning and that he was looking exceptionally dapper in his grey suit and light blue tie. Perhaps she should have stayed in bed longer - but then she dismissed the idea. There were too many things to do.

John looked down at her, as she waited at the front door for him to say his goodbyes and leave for work.

"You just can't wait to play with your new toy," he commented, wryly.

Alice patted her tightly curled fair hair in front of the hall mirror and gazed back at him, pertly. Her blue eyes were full of anticipation and her voice was determined.

"Last week passed by so quickly with so many things happening that I didn't get a chance to do much. This week, it's going to reveal all its secrets."

Her voice was high pitched, almost like a child's. In the past, John knew that many people hadn't taken her seriously - and had lived to rue their mistake.

"And if it doesn't reveal its secrets, it had better watch out," said John, smiling. Alice liked everything to be in its place, tidy and under control. It wasn't that she was obsessive; it was just that everything, animate and inanimate, seemed to find it easier to go along with what she wanted.

Minutes later, John was gone and Alice was showered, made up and dressed in a smart blue pastel skirt with matching blouse and ready for adventure.

Alice's new computer purred into life. She selected her email client to see if there were any messages. A few of her friends at the rifle club already used email and she'd told them that she would soon be online and given them her address. The screen registered one message, which she double clicked with anticipation.

From: Karl
To:   Alice

Subject:  'I bet you're surprised to hear from me!'

Alice's brow wrinkled. She didn't know anybody called Karl. Certainly there were no Karls in her close-knit local circle of friends. She read further.

'It's been a long time since we've seen each other but I've often thought about you and wondered how you were getting on. If you still don't know who I am, look a little further down and you'll see my picture. There's a photo of how I looked when you knew me before and also a photo of how I look now which will be helpful if you agree for us to meet.'

Alice scrolled down the page and two photographs came into view. Suddenly, it was as if a whirlwind had entered her life and drawn all the breath from her body. Her heart was pounding and her blue eyes were moist.

She pushed her chair back on its castors away from the machine. She needed breathing space and time to think. She looked cautiously back at the computer as it sat on the specially purchased desk in her tidy spare bedroom and organized life. But the message was still there.

Questions struggled into her mind.

How had he found her?

Was it a coincidence that he'd made contact when she had just got this new machine?

More than anything else, what did he want! Alice had no doubt that he wanted something. Karl didn't do anything without a reason.

She drew her chair up to the screen again. On the left was a young man in his early '20s, his jet-black wavy hair perfectly combed into place to complement his perfect classical Greek features. His eyes seemed black in the picture but Alice knew that they were dreamy, greeny grey and able to melt a girl's heart at a 1,000 paces.

He was smiling his usual arrogant smile and his arms were looped around the shoulders of two girls also in their early '20s. On the left, was a much younger version of Alice and, on the right, her best friend of the time, Greta.

In the later picture, Karls face had broadened with the passing of the years but maturity only served to enhance the appearance of strength and power. His hair was thinner but his features were no less chiselled and he was standing in a book-lined library looking like an international tycoon.

Alice had little doubt that the appearance probably understated reality. In everything, he'd been a natural born winner. His grades were always the highest at university. His car was always the fastest and when vacation jobs had to be found, he'd a talent for finding the one that was not only exciting but also highly remunerative.

They'd met one summer on a Greek island at an extended villa party of a mutual, and undeniably wealthy, friend.

The girls there loved him and were drawn to him like a magnet, which to Alice was the very best reason to keep him at arms length.

Alice dragged her eyes away from his picture. The effect on her was too powerful and unsettling. She shouldn't feel like this, after so many years of being happily married to John.
But she knew that the truth was that, despite the passing of the years, her feelings for Karl were so intense that even to look at his photograph made her feel she was being unfaithful - again.

Chapter 2

Alice scrolled down the email that she'd just received from Karl to see it she could find any indication of why he'd contacted her but to no avail.

There was just one more line:

' I know that this will be a surprise to you that please email me back and agree to meet.'

Alice's breathing was slowly coming under control and the pounding of her heart subsiding.
For a long moment, she wondered whether she could ignore his message. After all, it could have been lost in cyberspace. He wouldn't know that she'd received it. Life could go on as if nothing had happened. She would always wonder what he'd wanted but it would be a daydream not reality. There was no danger in daydreams - unlike reality.

But she knew that she would have to reply. Alice didn't like leaving matters outstanding. Just to delete the email would be too easy and it would lack finality and completion. Also, she'd bought this new computer with its access to the Internet for adventure. She'd not known what form and manner it would take nor that it would tempt her with a voice from the past. But, the essence of adventure was to rise to the challenge and Alice knew she was intrigued.

She moved her chair closer to the screen, patted her hair and neatly typed a brief reply.

To: Karl
From: Alice

Subject: 'What a pleasant surprise!'

Dear Karl

'A lot of time has passed since we last met and I've been happily married for quite a few years. Your email prompted so many questions. How did you find me? What have you been doing in the years since we last met?

Regards

Alice

She held the mouse pointer over the send button for a whole minute before deciding to click and dispatch the email. It seemed a big step, although she didn't know why.

By the time she'd had a cup of tea to help recover her composure, drunk it and returned to the computer, Karl's reply was waiting.

From: Karl
To:     Alice

Subject: Re: What a pleasant surprise!

'When you registered for your email service, you were automatically recorded in a directory of all email users. I have a standing request in my computer, to check that directory whenever I log on. I knew that one day you would join the world of cyberspace and guessed that you would eventually marry John, which gave the second part of your name.

I'd like very much for us to meet and perhaps discuss plans for a reunion of the island party where we first met. I'll be in Central London today. Please let me buy you lunch and we can talk about old times and perhaps make some plans.'

Karl

From: Alice
To:     Karl

Subject: You always were a charmer!

'Much against my best judgement, where shall we meet?'

All the best

Alice's heart was pounding as she pressed the send button and there was a melting feeling inside her as she waited impatiently for his reply. When it came, she was not surprised to find that the venue he suggested was one of the most expensive hotel restaurants in London. She would have preferred that it hadn't been in a hotel and for a fleeting moment almost decided not to go. But it was as if her mind and body were taken over by a compulsion that defied any of her usual rules or understanding.

She emailed back her acceptance, changed into some clothes that were more appropriate to the opulent venue and within an hour was on the train heading for Central London. It was all so much of a rush and not at all in keeping with the tidy, organised way she normally ran her life. As she headed with quick decisive steps to the railway station, she realised that when she'd got changed, she'd also taken a shower. This in itself was nothing special - except that it was the second one she'd had that morning.

As the train swept along the track, between the high earthen banks and past the bleak red brick suburban houses in its headlong rush into the bustling hive of London, memories flooded back to Alice.

All those years ago, he'd been waiting at the airport that remote island seated in an open topped car with an engine that growled with power.

Alice had travelled from England with her friend Greta and from those first moments of their meeting it was crystal clear that Greta had decided she was made for Karl. Greta had long black hair and a slender figure and was much taller than Alice's five foot five inches. She had a languid sensuousness that looked expensive and which contrasted strongly with Alice's more homely appearance. As Greta slid her slender figure into the front seat, her already short dress rode up giving glimpses of her long shapely thighs which Alice knew was exactly what Greta intended

.


Chapter 3

By the evening, the holiday party of 20 young people was in full swing. Greta and Karl had their arms around each other and at the disco, their lips were soon glued together. The setting for the disco was in a small secluded bay with improvised lights, an improvised dance floor and an improvised bar. It had a rustic temporary quality that couldn't have survived anywhere else but seemed natural in the baking heat. To Alice it was idyllic.

That night the people in the party got to know each other. Many of them were friends from college and others had joined the group from newly won jobs in the city. They were young, full of confidence and full of life. Most of them had just graduated and felt the world was their oyster.

John was there too and it was he who took her for a walk along the seashore on that first night which Alice tactfully shortened when she saw her friend Greta and Karl in a sandy hollow moving in time with the waves that lapped against the seashore only a few feet away.

John and Alice eventually kissed each other too on that starry night - but only briefly and soon afterwards they returned to the party.

The next day was bright and sunny. The blue sea shimmered and the scent of Cypress trees and olive groves vied with the morning aroma of freshly ground coffee as the group gathered together for breakfast on the patio overlooking the sea.

Greta looked crumpled, as if she hadn't slept a wink. Karl looked proud and impossibly svelte with fresh white shorts and an uncovered back that was scored with the evidence of his night's triumphs with Greta. His eyes too were impossibly fresh and his smile relaxed.

The next fortnight went by in a haze of sun, sea, sand and, even for Alice, some love making. John and she became close - because it seemed natural. Their relationship grew from an understanding and companionship that eventually overcame their awkwardness. There were some magic moments in the evenings when the red lights were shining all around and the waves rolled in across the beach and the smell of the olive trees was pungent in the air. Even for Alice, who was reserved in these things, shorts gave way to a perpetual bikini bottom, even occasionally worn without a top.

Then it was time for some of the visitors to leave. Alice was staying but Greta had to go. It was a cause for sadness but also for celebration

The villa with its swimming pool, olive trees and views of the sandy cove was the scene for the going away party. It started early, with a barbecue and drinks and remained relatively subdued until the Retsina drinking contest. Alice got knocked out relatively quickly but not before her legs had grown distinctly wobbly under the influence of the strong woody flavoured drink.

Everyone was in everyone else's arms and the tears and long goodbyes were flowing freely. Midnight came and went, followed by one o'clock and in the night's haze, two o'clock.  
Alice was just coaxing John to his feet with the suggestion that it was time to squeeze together into John's single bed when somebody started a conga. She was still bent over kissing and coaxing John up when the conga came up behind her and she felt a hard slap on her behind. She turned around angrily only to meet the amused eyes of Karl who immediately swept her up before him.

Perhaps he guessed that he'd hit her too hard because for the rest of the conga when his hands were not around her waist they were busy caressing the part that he'd just assaulted.

In her alcoholic haze, the shock for Alice was not so much the affront to her dignity but the surprise she felt as her heart went into overdrive and his hands created delicious sensations that poured down her legs and shot all the way up to the tips of her fingers.

The next day, after a restless night that lasted well into the next morning, Alice said goodbye to Greta and went off to the seashore to find a secluded hollow in which to sunbathe. Greta was going to the airport with Karl and John had gone off to sightsee some archaeology.

Lying face down in her sandy hollow, Alice felt in heaven. The scent from the Cypress trees was strong this morning and the music of the waves on the seashore echoed in counterpoint with the wind through the trees.

Everybody else was busy doing their own thing and Alice was content with her own company and thoughts. Suddenly a shadow fell across her back. Some sixth sense told her it was Karl even before he spoke.

"A beautiful lady slumbering in a sea of sand," he commented poetically, his deep voice booming with the sound of the waves.

"I thought you were seeing Greta off." Alice didn't turn her head to look at him.

"She's swapping addresses and telephone numbers with some of the others. I saw you coming over here and came to say hello."

"Alice still didn't turn round.

"Like you said hello last night!" Her voice was dreamy - but sharp.

"I thought I'd made it better again."

"You did ... a bit."

Alice still hadn't turned her head to look at him.

She felt his finger tickle the back of her neck as if to attract her attention. The sensation rippled across her back and down her legs making her wriggle involuntarily.

His shadow above her grew and the tip of his tongue joined his finger, turning the rivulet of sensations into a torrent. In the haze of sunshine, the sound of the sea and the tickling sensation of the sand, she felt his strong chest mould into her back. His lips were now kissing her from her neck to her shoulder blades and her bikini bottom was not designed to offer a defence. Time lost its meaning and then at long last the hot lava stream of Alice's sensations erupted and her own personal volcano overflowed.

Shortly afterwards, Karl left as quietly as he came and Alice went contentedly to cool off with a leisurely and blissfully swim.


 

Chapter 4

For the rest of the holiday, Alice was intensely aware of Karl. She caught sight of herself reflected in a mirror one night when they were eating out. Karl was on the other side of the room and as usual surrounded by a bevy of girls. Alice and John were at a table by themselves. To her annoyance, Alice saw in the mirror that her whole body was pointed in the Karl's direction like a wild animal quivering at his scent on the breeze.

Karl was always affable when they met. His smoky green eyes would light up and his hand would reach out to delicately tickle the back of her neck. It was a reminder of their brief time together that never failed to make Alice blush. And she hated even more the fact that her blush was accompanied by a really wide self-conscious smile.

John didn't seem to have any inkling of what had taken place between Alice and Karl. Although he did seem particularly keen that Alice should accompany him on his future tours around the island.

Karl remained happy to spread his charms around the rest of the girls for the rest of the holiday, which was what Karl did best.

"Just save the last dance for me, before you go home," was his only reference to their fleeting relationship as they passed each other on the slopes of the tree-lined hill that led up to the villa.

The last night of their holiday was designed to be the party of all parties. The group by now was closely bonded with many relationships formed, and separated and some even formed again. The culture dictated that the evening start with a barbecue and then continue with the now obligatory Retsina drinking contest.

The night was warm and the moonlight was bright. Somebody had found a candle shop in the local town and had spent an hour and a half lighting the swimming pool area with their flickering light. There was also the strong sweet smell of a more alternative intoxicant than Retsina to blend with the cypress trees and olive groves. A portable tape player pounded out rock and roll alternately with dream music. There was dancing on the patio, besides the pool and in it.

Few bothered to dress up. John was wearing shorts and open toed sandals, as were most of the other men. Alice had chosen to wear a simple one piece straight dress with a diamond pattern of reds and greens and a hem that ended far enough away from her knees that she had a chance of staying cool. She also thought that there might be some skinny dipping later and wearing a dress meant she'd have an excuse not to participate.

John seemed preoccupied for much of the night. He'd a big interview for a new job on returning to London and his mind was already beginning to go over the details. He'd been very attentive to Alice recently, which was kind of nice, but it was a relationship without highs and lows. Alice suspected that if he was successful at his interview and won a higher salary, he would probably ask her to marry him. She wasn't sure but she thought that her answer would probably be 'yes'.

At around about 2.00 in the morning, John had fallen asleep with his head on Alice's shoulder. He was beginning to feel heavy, so Alice eased herself away from him and decided to go for one last look at the bay in the moonlight. The trees stood out like sentinels as she padded through the night towards the viewpoint.

Under the stars, the sea looked like a shifting animal, heaving and swelling in the darkness. Apart from the moon and the stars, the only lights were from the masts of the small sailing ships moored in the shelter of the cove.

It wasn't long before Alice felt a tickle at the back of her neck, as she'd known she would. This time she turned to face Karl. Their lips met in a searing kiss and their arms entwined and held each other close. In seconds, Alice could feel her body melting and the white heat of her desire for him encompassing every particle of her being. He too was ready for her and with her back to a cypress tree, time once again lost its meaning and nature all around seem to hold its breath as her mind dissolved in a sea of sighs.

Then he was gone and Alice returned to the party, snuggled contentedly down besides the gently snoring John and slept her last night at the villa besides the pool.


 

Chapter 5

The underground train rattled and shook Alice over the last lap of her journey. Gone now were the memories of that holiday on the Greek island with its intoxicating smells, sounds and company.

Instead, a mountain of foreboding and indecision replaced these memories. Alice knew that twice before she had been drawn irresistibly into the flame of Karl's passion and had reveled in its combustion.

Although many years had now passed, she knew that her attraction to Karl was just as strong as ever but also that the flame now had an infinitely greater capacity to burn.

She knew that to see Karl again was a mistake. To see Karl over lunch and alone was an even bigger mistake. To agree to meet him at a Central London hotel meant only one thing. If she doubted this, she only needed to consider the length of time she'd spent in front of the mirror before putting her dress on. Through all her confusion, some small part of her where common sense still prevailed, acknowledged that spending all that time in front of the mirror meant only one thing. It was not only the soft, silky green, shimmering dress that she'd put on that was meant to be seen.

Yet she was drawn to Karl irresistibly and as each mile passed and she grew closer to him, her pulse raced faster. The train continued with its twisting and turning through the underground corridors of London and inexorably she felt the mounting excitement of a racing pigeon almost home after a long and lonely journey.

Alice had always believed in marital fidelity. She also believed in rules. She believed that to be unfaithful to John was wrong. All this was completely clear in her mind but she also knew that Karl probably had a room at the hotel. How could she not avoid saying 'yes' if he invited her there? How could she say 'no' and live with the certain knowledge of those missed moments.
The fresh air as she emerged from the underground station at Hyde Park Corner was refreshing but did nothing to clear her mind.

Her journey had been timed to perfection and she knew inside the hotel Karl would now be waiting for her near the reception desk. Suddenly, as she came close to the hotel, she turned and walked away. At first her steps were quick and purposeful; she'd made up her mind. Then they slowed gradually until she was just standing. Finally, like an automaton, she found she'd turned and was slowly walking back.

She felt defeated, as she walked past the attendant and through the great doors of the hotel, as it she'd just lost a great battle.

She scanned the foyer for signs of Karl but he was nowhere to be seen. If she could break the chain of events, perhaps she could stay in control. It always started with the hand on the back of the neck and as she crossed the foyer to the reception desk, she continually scanned around her to avoid being caught unawares.

The receptionist, a small man with weasel eyes, seem to look right through her and Alice felt her ears starting to burn.

She gave her name and the man nodded, sagely. He was used to beautiful smartly dressed ladies appearing at his desk en route to lunchtime assignations.

Then Alice felt the hand at the back of her neck and knew that she had failed her first test. The chain was still intact and she turned to face the smiling Karl with resignation.

"Has it been too long for us to welcome each other with a kiss," he said, formally. The emailed photograph hadn't done his appearance justice. Alice's legs were immediately weak and she was unable to speak.

As a compromise, she offered her cheek and he duly complied. Formal though it was, it didn't prevent a shiver running through her body.

"Where are we eating?" Alice needed to know that they were going to be somewhere public at least to begin with.

"Let go through to the dining room," said Karl, reassuringly.

Minutes later they were seated in the window of the plushest dining room that Alice had ever seen. All around, well-dressed diners tucked into well-dressed plates apparently with nothing but pleasure on their minds. For Alice, it was like standing at the top of a perilous mountain, knowing that the only way to go from here was down.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me," said Karl, "I understand that, for a married woman, it must feel strange being here."

Alice nodded and managed a smile.

"Perhaps, to start with, I should put your mind at rest by telling you the reason I wanted you here."

Chapter 6

"I'm planning a sort of reunion," said Karl.

Alice stared at him blankly.

"A reunion for what?"

"All the people that were at that memorable holiday on that Greek island. I'm talking to people who were there to see if they would like to do it again. It would be rather like a class reunion but more fun."

A feeling of relief but also disappointment spread from Alice's heart outwards until it reached the tips of her ears and the furthest extremities of her toes.

She felt relieved because she wouldn't now be under pressure to do what she really wanted to do which was to wrap her arms around this well-dressed man in his smart suit and golden wrist watch and succumb willingly to his wandering hands.

She felt sad because sometimes the things that are right are not always what you really want.
"I think that would be very nice," she said, simply.

"In fact, you were the most difficult to find and are about the last in the list so I've already got lots of gossip for you."

Alice giggled, self-consciously, and touched her hair.

"And I thought you were inviting me here because you couldn't forget me and your only intention was seduction."

Karl gazed at her cautiously, playing with his gold wristwatch.

"And how would you have felt about that," he enquired. His voice was gruff.

"It would have been against my will and better judgment but quite possibly with my co-operation, so it's quite a relief that you've other things in mind and it's nice that I can now feel relaxed."

Their meals arrived, together with one of the tastiest red wines that Alice had ever experienced. Karl chatted amiably, bringing her up to date with the news of who had married whom and, as far as he could remember, the numbers of children they'd had.

"Would you consider going back to the island for the reunion?" Alice asked at last. They were just finishing dessert.

"It's funny you should say that because your friend Greta in the photograph asked me that only yesterday," laughed Karl. "It would be a fantastic idea, wouldn't it?"

"But you said that she now had three children and a husband," said Alice. "It would be rather a lot of people to take over to a Greek island."

"For that reason, we agreed it was a nice idea but impracticable. After much thought and a great deal of consultation, I think I've a better idea."

"I'm all ears," said Alice.

"What I am proposing is that we take over the penthouse suite here at this hotel with its excellent swimming pool and roof garden for a weekend. It has loads of rooms, excellent service and we can throw a party to end all parties. We could even import the Retsina specially."
"It sounds absolutely wonderful," sparkled Alice.

"Since we've finished the meal, would you like to go up and see it? I have the keys."

So now Karl had said the magic words that Alice had dreaded so much. But, after the beautiful meal, the excellent wine and with the reassuring explanation about his intentions, she agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, they were strolling through the gardens on the roof and admiring the light as it reflected through the glass ceiling into the swimming pool.

Then they sat on its huge balcony with London lying at their feet, admiring the view. Alice felt warm, well fed and looked after. When he touched the back of her neck and asked if she minded if he kissed her, she replied, cautiously, "Why not - for old times sake?"

He leaned over and found her lips with his, resting them on hers with little movement and the lightest of pressure. It was not seductive. It was hardly a preliminary to seduction.
Alice leaned back away from him.

"So you had no intention of bringing me here to seduce me?"

"None at all! But I have to admit that kiss was very nice."

"For me too. You're still a handsome man."

"And you are still a very good looking woman."

Alice stood up and twirled around.

"Not such a bad figure after so many years," she said, proudly.

"You remember the game we played, occasionally, at the villa. We called it 'double dare', I think," said Karl.


 

Chapter 7

"I seem to remember it involved daring someone to do something in return for accepting their dare," said Alice.

"It was fun," said Karl.

"And what dare do you have in mind," asked Alice, with a chuckle. "I rather think I already know."

"I dare you to remove your dress, so I can see your well-preserved figure."

"And in return, I will be allowed to see yours?"

"Yes."

"And this is definitely not part of a seduction routine?"

"I know that, although you are special to me, like your friend, Greta, you are married and have a well established family life. Why would I want to spoil that?"

"All right," said Alice, contritely. "Do you want me to go first?"

"We can go together."

The room suddenly seemed very silent as, with eyes locked proudly, besides the swimming pool, and under the reflected light of the sun filtering through the glass roof, they both complied with the 'double dare'.

"And now I dare you for one more kiss," said Karl gazing appreciatively at the wispy purple lace that was the only thing left covering Alice's small but beautifully proportioned body.

"Under the rules, again, I accept."

They moved together and kissed. Alice felt her pulse racing and her breath becoming uneven as he squeezed his body to hers.

"My dare now," she said, huskily.

"What is your dare?" Karl's voice was already hoarse with desire.

"I will turn round once, if you will."

Karl looked puzzled.

"Go on, it's the rules of the dare."

Still looking puzzled, Karl slowly turned around as Alice had requested.

Alice looked suddenly sad then she too slowly turned round with her head tilted to one side and almost resting on her shoulder to complete her part of the dare.

She now knew what she was going to do.

As she turned round to face him again, she reached for her dress, slipped it back on, kissed a surprised Karl on the lips and before he could object, was gone from the penthouse and out of Karl's life.

Later that evening, she was surfing the Internet when an email came through from Karl.

To:   Alice
From: Karl

Subject: 'What did I do wrong?"

There was no text in the body of the message.

Alice wrote back, with a smile still playing on her lips.

To:   Karl
From: Alice

Subject:  'What you did wrong ..."

'I recognized Greta's trade mark scratches on your back and realized that the only reunion you were after was a reunion with your island conquests - and if they were married, for you, that only made the chase more interesting.

THE END