Aisling's Mistake

The main protagonist has the Irish name Aisling (pronounced Ash-ling, "Ash" for short).

This story incudes themes of alcohol, intoxication, mistakes, and infidelity. All characters in the story are fictional. Any resemblance to real life individuals is purely coincidental.

"Most of what follows is true"

- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

*******************

Aisling's phone alarm woke her with a jolt at 7:30am on a cold, mid-December Thursday morning.

"Uggghhh" she moaned, resenting the rude awakening and dreading another day at a job she had gradually grown to dislike. Only it wasn't just the day job today, she also had a work Christmas party to endure this evening.

"Ummmpphh" muttered her fiancé Ben, as he rolled over to face her back, swinging his left arm around her, nestling it firmly against her chest, as if to implore her to stay in bed.

"I suppose nine more minutes won't hurt" mumbled Aisling in her soft Dublin accent, as she hit the snooze button and closed her eyes in the hope of a few more minutes sleep, in the warmth of her love's embrace. She sunk into her pillow, in bliss. A minute or so hadn't passed however until she began to feel her partner's morning wood enlarging against her bottom. A little while later she felt him move slightly. Then move a bit more. He was beginning to grind against her ass, it seemed. Then the alarm went off again.

"Ok, really have to get up now!" Aisling yelped as she simultaneously sprang out of bed. "Hmmmmmm" responded Ben, barely awake. Aisling barked back "time to get up, we need to get junior ready!"

With that command, the slumber ended. Ben went to go and get their six year old son ready for school, while Aisling went straight for her morning shower. Bathroom light on, pyjamas off and onto the floor, bath mat placed at the shower's entrance. As she waited for the shower water to gradually warm, she paused in front of the full length mirror. Aisling wasn't always super confident about her body. At 43 years old, with a busy job, and with a six year old child, she didn't often have time now to go running to keep fit, as she had done for many a year. Her old hobby of rock climbing had fallen by the wayside, sacrificed at the altar of motherhood and her long-term relationship. But she had been losing weight recently -- she and Ben were getting married in June and she was determined to look her best for the big day.

Skipping lunches had helped shed the small amount of excess weight and she was pretty pleased with the results. Her 5'6" frame was looking slender. Aisling had always thought her best asset was her lower half -- her waist curved in and out beautifully in a textbook hourglass shape and her notably generous, well-rounded rear was the receipt of many a compliment through the years, from boyfriends and strangers alike. She twisted round briefly to admire her increasingly slim-again figure.

She was never content with her breasts. Ben liked them, loved giving them maximum attention, and repeatedly told her how perfect they were. But she had always referred to them in her head as "fried eggs", a position not truly grounded in reality -- while they had previously been a B cup, they had filled out to a fuller C cup post motherhood. Aside from some wrinkles appearing around her eyes in the last couple of years, she was a young looking 43, with a young at heart personality to match.

As the water cascaded down her long, dark hair, and across her pale Celtic features, all the thoughts of the day to come began to intrude. Oh, not that report she had to file at work. Ugh, not that meeting with her helicopter manager Claire. Worst of all, not that work party where she has to go drinking with people she barely knows outside the office.

Almost immediately after she turned off the shower, Ben came in with their son to use the toilet and brush teeth before going to school. She saw Ben's gaze linger over her body as he went about his chores. Their's was a pure love. Ben, who was four years her junior, adored her as she did him. They'd been in a relationship for eleven years and their impending marriage was very much a case of just making it official rather than starting a life together. They'd seen it all -- travels together, moving cities, new jobs, and of course parenthood. As far as Aisling was concerned it had been love at first sight that hadn't dimmed since.

"That's us off to school" said Ben. "Have fun at your party tonight! Don't worry about staying out late; go and have some fun."

"I reeeeeally can't be bothered, Ben" responded Aisling. "I'm sure I won't stay out too late, I'll just show my face for a bit then come home and get a good night's sleep".

"Seriously Ash, have fun! Chances to go out and have a few without worrying about a babysitter are few and far between. I've got everything sorted here."

After wrapping the towel around her body, she went to kiss Ben on the lips. "Thanks" she said, "but seriously, I won't be late". Ben kissed her again, giving her ass a quick squeeze while doing so.

Ben knew that what she said was rubbish, as once she had one or two drinks in her and she'd be off dancing for hours! Truth be told he was looking forward to a rare night alone watching TV and playing video games. And with that thought he traipsed off to school with their son.

After drying her hair and tying it behind her head Aisling put on her clothes, on what was a particularly challenging assignment of having to balance practical work wear with something passable for an evening party. She had always had a penchant for quality underwear - she wore a lacy matching red bra and panties set. Aisling's style was very much intellectual-arty, minimalist with a twist. She plumped for a loose-fitting floral patterned designer shirt and a trendy pair of baggy black trousers that tapered above the ankle. Partnered with some pastel pink socks and her new white runners, she was looking suitably professional while ready to party. After doing her makeup, donning her overcoat, and putting on the heart necklace Ben had bought her for her 40th birthday, she was good to go.

As she walked to the commuter train, Aisling pondered her work. She worked in urban design at a City Council in northern England, having transitioned from working in the private sector a few years prior. She moved straight in at management level which proved something of a challenge, having to manage around twenty underlings in addition to her own stressful job, in addition to fending off constant demands from the managers above her. She'd made career sacrifices moving to this new city with Ben, and the lower pay, lower autonomy and lower respect had begun to ever so slightly grind her down. Aisling was so busy she barely managed some of her team -- she tried to leave them to their own devices as much as she could, in order to focus on her own tasks.

Aisling and Ben had moved up from London before their son was born, seeking a new life and more space. The move had worked out well for Ben -- his job had taken off since the move, and the family's increased earnings had enabled them to buy a nice four bedroom family home in a desirable suburb. Despite Aisling's misgivings about her own career, the family was happy and doing well.

*******************

The working day was the usual dirge and Aisling was glad when it was over. Aisling touched up her makeup and let her hair down before going out, her long dark hair draping over her shoulder. She and her colleagues filtered out of the office just before 5pm, to make their dinner booking at a local restaurant. She walked with a few of the junior members of her team. Her team member Dan was complaining about their senior manager Claire causing him extra work, and Aisling traded her own similar stories. Paul, a 60 year old member of her team who she managed, lightened the mood by comparing Claire, and her fellow manager Anna as real life manifestations of Miranda Priestly. The jokes helped the short walk to the restaurant pass super quickly.

As they took their seats for dinner, Aisling made sure she sat at the junior colleague end of the table. The younger ones she assessed would be more fun, less likely to talk shop, and more likely to keep the mood light. Dan sat to her left, Paul across the table, and Harry arrived to sit at the empty chair to Aisling's right. "Alright Hazza!" cried Dan, "You been let off the leash tonight then?"

"Fuck off dickhead" replied Harry playfully. "But yeah Rocio's gone back home early for Christmas." Harry was another of the junior members of the team who Aisling nominally managed. Originally a tree surgeon by trade, he worked in the team that assessed trees in the city, organised their maintenance, and arranged for others to be chopped down. Aisling's involvement with his work had been limited, mostly owing to the fact she knew next to nothing about his role, and she'd essentially left most of his direct management to Claire other than the odd appraisal and compulsory keeping-in-touch meeting.

Harry was a handsome guy, Aisling thought. He wasn't quite 'lumberjack', but at 6 feet tall, in seemingly good shape, and with big hands, he looked like someone who did physical work. He wore his medium length light brown hair in a 'messy' look, complimented by stubble that accentuated his manly jawline. He was wearing a fashionable checked shirt that fitted tightly across his shoulders, with rolled up sleeves that exposed his well-defined forearms.

Aisling hadn't heard about Harry's girlfriend before. "Oooh where's she from?" she asked. "Spain, Valencia" Harry tousled his hair and replied, "she's working remotely from there this week, then I'm off there for Christmas. Can't wait to get out of this shithole!" Aisling grinned. She too couldn't wait to get away for Christmas, only she was shortly to go back home to Ireland with her family.

"Just as well eh," continued Dan, "we might even get a few drinks in you!" Harry rolled his eyes in response, before turning to talk to another colleague across the table.

Aisling's work had provided half a bottle of wine per person, which the group got stuck into straight away. She ordered the soup, followed by the hake -- she was usually one to avoid the Christmas turkey dinner option before the big day itself. After her second glass of white wine, she was starting to feel the alcohol go to her head.

The conversation in the group ranged far and wide, from partners, to children, to Christmas plans, to the success or otherwise of the local football teams. Aisling told everyone about her forthcoming wedding, as her diamond engagement ring twinkled in the light. The night was, so far, greatly exceeding Aisling's expectations as she became comfortable and joined in the banter. More bottles of wine were ordered, and all at the table became steadily more drunk. Christmas parties usually ended up a messy affair.

As the meal drew to a close, the usual ringleader for these things, Paul, urged the party to continue in the local pub. "You coming Ash?" he questioned, "come on we never see you in the pub after work. It's Christmas!"

She had said to Ben earlier she wasn't staying out late, but she was kind of in the mood for a few more drinks. She felt suitably lubricated by the four glasses of wine she had drunk, was enjoying the chats, and as Ben had said earlier it's not often she got the opportunity for a guilt free night out. "Yeah sounds great." She looked around to see who else was coming. Dan for sure, Robert, Felicity and her friend Ros, Steve. More would no doubt follow on. While casting her gaze she made eye contact with Harry, "How about you Harry? I'm sure your Spanish girlfriend won't mind you having another couple of drinks." Harry almost visibly sighed and rolled his eyes again before confirming with a nod that he was coming.

The drinks in the pub flowed easily and the chat ranged even greater. One pint turned into two, two into three, and more for some. Aisling was in a fantastic mood, listening intently and enjoying the group conversation. As one of the older people there, her mother hen instincts kicked in as she listened to moans about work, life and relationships, offering kindly advice to any who were receptive and some who weren't but humoured her nonetheless. "Take Helen to the west coast of Ireland Paul, its so romantic there." "Don't get a flat in one of those new developments Steve, the walls are paper thin and the service charges will kill you. Buy a small house in the Hightown suburb like all the normal people!"

She noticed Dan and Harry going out for a smoke. A supposed ex-smoker, Aisling hadn't smoked in the daytime since she and Ben started trying for a kid, but was still susceptible to smoking when out drinking. She followed them outside and Harry obliged in giving her a prized cigarette. "Sooooo good" she exclaimed as she took her first puff. Harry sniggered in response, "Oh aye, you've let your hair down now I see. Manager mode switched off." Aisling started back "Nothing in my contract says I can't smoke. And if you want that appraisal to go to plan I'll be expecting a few more!" "Sure boss" came the response.

7pm soon became 11pm, pub closing time. Dan suggested they went on to a late bar. Aisling was torn. She planned a busy day of work tomorrow, and didn't want to wreck her weekend with tiredness. She felt the pull of home, and of her partner in their warm bed. But she was having fun! The conversation had energised her, and the alcohol even more so. She was in the mood for some more chats and if truth be told, a bit of a dance. So she agreed -- she could just stay for one more drink before home right? Harry said yes too, as did Felicity and Paul. Ros made her excuses, saying she had a gym class the next morning before work, and Steve likewise wasn't up for it. Robert had long since drifted off. So the dwindling group travelled on to a nearby basement dive bar.

Aisling walked at the front of the group with Dan and Harry as they left the pub. She felt her phone vibrate. It was a message from Ben:

Right I'm off to bed soon. All fine here. Remember there's the left over pita bread and humous if you are hungry later.

Her phone vibrated again. It was a follow up message from Ben.

Feel free to shag me when you get in.

She stifled a laugh. "Phones away!" joked Dan, "can't have one rule for us juniors and another rule for management. Any texting of significant others is punishable by shots."

"Hey, it was an unsolicited text!" Aisling replied as she put her phone away. There was no need to text Ben back right away she thought, she could do so later. In truth, the mention of sex by her fiancé had made her heart flutter. She was in a good mood, she was drunk, and she was, to be honest, a bit horny. She wondered to herself if it was that more lustful time of the month, and reckoned it must have been a couple of weeks since her last period.

The drinks continued to flow at the dive bar, as did the cigarettes. They were off the pints of lager and onto the spirits -- Aisling with the gin and tonics. Paul was the first to bail; "I'm too old for this shit lads. Absolutely fooked off my face. Behave yerselves. Night all" and with that he slipped into the night.

Aisling, getting progressively more drunk, was determined to dance. "Can any of you boys dance?" Harry seemed reluctant, Dan more keen. "Fucking right" said Dan "come on Harry, Felicity, lets go!"

With Aisling leading the way, the group moved to the dance floor. Dan right behind, guiding Felicity, with Harry more slowly bringing up the rear. As the rock music blared out, Aisling put one hand above her, while banging her head back and forward. She looked resplendent, her long dark hair down, and swaying about. Her lean figure moving to the rock beat. She was effortlessly cool, rolling back the years. She exuded sex appeal and was aware of the eyes gazing at her on the dancefloor.

Dan joined in energetically too, focusing his attentions on Felicity. As far as Aisling was aware nothing had happened between them previously. But she noticed them really dancing with each other and getting closer.

Aisling's moves hadn't gone unnoticed by Harry. Her energy was infectious, enough to turn the most recalcitrant non-dancer into at least someone who might consider shuffling his feet. Her joie-de-vivre coaxed him into joining in, and after a slow start he was in the middle of the group busting some moves, drink in one hand.

They danced for a number of songs before taking a cigarette break outside. Harry was busy texting while smoking. Felicity was on the cigarettes now too, talking with Dan. Aisling noticed she was clearly flirting -- looking very intently at her colleague, head turned slightly to the side, playing with her hair not so subtly. At midnight, as the giggles from those two twenty-somethings drifted over the smoke, Aisling got out her phone to text Ben back. She did a laughing emoji in response to his previous text before sending a drunken string of texts:

I'm still out -- soz!

And somehow I've been left with some youngish ones.

I'm tryouts to escape.

Trying

Will let you know when I'm successful!!!

The last bit about trying to escape was a lie. She was having an absolute whale of a time and wanted the dancing to continue for some time yet.

Back into the bar, another G&T. The chats continued on the side of the dancefloor, before all four again ventured back into the fray. It was getting hot in there, with all the bodies on the dancefloor, and the late night exercise of the dancing itself. Aisling could feel herself sweating and the back of her shirt getting slightly damp. She noticed some of the other dancers, including Harry, also suffering similarly.

She also noticed Dan and Felicity getting increasingly close, with their hands now on each other's waists. Through the fluttering lights of the dark bar, and the mass of bodies moving around, she was sure she could see Dan's hand move to Felicity's face. And yes, they were now definitely kissing.

"Oh my god!" she said as she tugged Harry's slightly damp shirt. "Look at those frisky bastards! Are they a thing?" she asked, knowing she was hopelessly out of touch with the office gossip.

"Fuckin' hell, no he's been trying to get in her pants for months" replied Harry. "Fair play Dan, fair play" he directed to Aisling.

Aisling had never really been a big one for going out on the pull when she was younger, but seeing Dan and Felicity go at it brought back distant memories of nights out in her twenties. After a bit more dancing, Dan and Felicity called it quits and left. They didn't come and say goodbye, but Dan caught Harry's eye and gave him a wink on the way out. "Never gonna hear the last of this" joked Harry, "that prick's insufferable at the best of times".

Aisling and Harry continued to dance for a bit as some 2000s indie classics filtered through the air. They retired to the bar to grab another drink -- G&T for Aisling, rum and coke for Harry. Aisling was now reaching that truly fuzzy drunk stage. Mind all over the place. Just wanted to dance. Just wanted to be everyone's friend. Just wanted to spread the joy.

Harry was in a similar state -- muddled mind, muddled speech, an urge to leave it all out there on the dancefloor and not give a damn what anyone thought. Bliss!

They chatted for a bit more at the side of the dancefloor. "So tell me about the amazing Rocio" Aisling asked. Harry contorted his face a bit before shouting over the music "What's there to say? Been going out for a year and a half. Lived together for nine months. Love her to bits. Dunno where it's going though."

"Oh?" said Aisling, her interest piqued, and her mother hen instincts for her juniors once again clicking in.

"Yeah we had a bad argument before she left. See the thing is, she keeps talking about moving back to Spain. Her father's sick. Think it's at a dead end."