The Village

Low conversations filled the air in the Crown Inn.

Jake Parkinson and Gary Chambers sat together at a polished wooden table near the back wall as the dim lights of the venue cast shadows along the walls, making the small space feel more intimate.

"I don't know... I'm just worried she's slipping away," Gary offered his words heavy with concern and laced with the uncertainty of doubt.

He slumped back in his chair, staring deeply into his half-finished pint as if it held the answers to his marital woes.

Jake leaned forward, his brow furrowing as he tried to offer reassurance, a reassurance he knew would be insincere given had been intermittently sleeping with his compatriots wife with for several months now.

"Look... Andrea's hard working, she has to stay away regularly... It doesn't mean she doesn't care about you. It's just..."

"It's just what?" Gary interrupted, his tone sharp. "I'm telling you she's at it again... hiding something under the pretence of work... She's out there sleeping around while I'm left home alone."

Gary took a heavy swig from his pint he scowl deepening.

"She's going on another business trip next week... and another in Germany the week after that." he stated anger surging through his tone.

Across the bar, a group of young women erupted in laughter, their vibrant energy in such contrast to their morose thoughts. Gary stole a glance at them, his face momentarily brightening as a tall blonde girl from the group floated past their table. Dressed in a black sleeveless sweater an enticingly short denim skirt and black nylon hosiery complimented by black knee-high stiletto boots. Her long blonde hair shimmered in the warm pub light, and for a beat Jake observed how all of Gary's worries seemed to dissolve. He fell silent as he noted his friend's intense gaze, chuckling quietly as he followed Gary's eyes, his own attention having been peaked by the young blonde twenty something.

"You're not so innocent yourself though are you?" Jake offered on a raised eyebrow, a smirk curling on his lips. "That night at my place with Nicola Strachan?"

Gary's shoulders remained slumped, even as a smirk tugged at the corners of his own mouth.

"I... I don't regret that," he confessed, his eyes passing back to the laughter-filled table the girls sat around. "It was just one night... A little release amidst all this mess."

"Far be it from me to point out the irony," Jake offered as he watched Gary rake his fingers through his hair, his emotions visibly torn. "Although it's amazing how that night still haunts me more than it does you."

"That's settled down now though right?" Gary stated. "The accusations she made."

"I know I'm innocent..."'Jake offered, "...It was consensual but as she obviously regretted it... well shit sticks doesn't it?"

Their conversation came to an end as they looked up to see their mutual friend Steven Colwell saunter into the lounge bar as he waved at them from across the room.

"Evening gentlemen... everyone good?" he offered on sitting down beside Gary eager to immediately be part of the conversation.

"I was just explaining to Gary about March... the Nicola debacle," Jake stated, his eyes darting back to the group of girls, particularly the blonde as she rejoined her friends.

"The residents of this Village have long unforgiving memories," Steven offered. "I guess that's born of its past."

As the evening carried on Gary's mood lightened and his focus drifted more and more to the table of girls. The three colleagues consuming round upon round of lager discussing numerous conversations including the new woman in Steven's life, Rosie, who they were all due to be meeting for the first time over the coming weekend.

The blonde caught Gary's eye again as she confidently strode toward the bar. So much so that Gary pushed back his chair, an impulsive decision made against his usual cautious demeanour.

"I'll get the round in," he announced, his eyes bright with purpose.

"Its not even yours to buy, " Jake pointed out but offered Gary no further protest and kept his wallet in his pocket.

Jake and Steven exchanged amused glances, then leaned forward on the table to watch as Gary approached the bar. They observed as surreptitiously as they could, their intrigued smiles held as Gary stood beside the tall, elegant blonde at the bar.

"Look at him," Jake whispered. "I think the young ones would say he's got zero game."

"Maybe he has got more game than we give credit for," Steven offered, watching as the Gary and the blonde struck up a casual conversation.

Within minutes the blonde was laughing at a comment, tossing her head back as her hand fell upon his forearm. Gary's words were inaudible, but his gestures spoke volumes. He was caught in her orbit, inexplicably to his two friends she seemed happily to be in his.

As the night wore on Gary eventually rejoining his colleagues, only after Steven had needed to go and retrieve the two pints of lager Gary had left ignored upon the bar as he continued to hold down conversation with the attractive young woman. As the warm glow of the pub became more pronounced against the darkness outside. Drinks were finished, and laughter waned as a bell rang out from behind the bar to signal that it was time for the patrons to head home.

The three of them eventually rose from the table together and made their way out of the venue, the last remaining patrons to do so.

As they were saying their goodbyes before headed in their separate directions Jake paused before getting into the drivers seat of his Land Rover. His eye caught as he watched Gary head into the gloom of the far end of the car park. Headed towards the unmistakable figure of the tall blonde, her upper body now wrapped in a short white biker style leather jacket as she leant against a stone wall making brief conversation with his friend.

Turning over the ignition Jake continued to watch as both Gary and his acquaintance looked around before heading away together into the chilly night air.

"You lucky fucker," Jake stated to himself, both astonished and slightly amused. Not least given the concerns of his colleague during their earlier conversation.

As Jake watched them disappear from sight something twisted in his stomach a jealousy alongside a gnawing realisation of the complicated web they were all tangled in.

The night certainly now raising questions as his mind passed to Gary's wife Andrea, knowing that at least on this occasion she was legitimately staying away from home on business, as opposed to the regular excuse she would offer her husband whilst spending the night only six miles away at his farmhouse.

Despite heavy alcohol consumption Jake drove out of the car park to make his way home alone along the twisting rural roads he knew so well, even with a drink addled mind. Passing through the village he noticed Gary and the unknown blonde slip into the alleyway that ran parallel with the Library.

Slowing his vehicle to a halt at the entrance of the alley he peered into the gloom through the passenger window, as his eyes grew accustomed he could see Gary pressing the blonde against the side of the building.

"Fucking hell Gar... you don't waste any time either do you?" Jake stated to himself on a chuckle.

He watched as cradling the backs of her thighs Gary lifted her boot clad feet off the ground holding her against the wall as he hurriedly thrust into her slender body. Dropping his window electronically Jake continued to voyeur as he heard her muted gasps of pleasure fill the air. Jake's arousal stirring as he observed, his mind on how she might feel were he to be fucking her. A matter of minutes later the two of them parted and were lost into the darkness as they hurriedly continued along the alley. Only the sound of her high heels briefly audible as they headed in the direction of Gary and Andrea's home.

Envious of his friend, and the blonde in his company Jake scrolled through his phone contacts and tapped the number saved as 'Alley Cat,' the call connected to the vehicles entertainment system by Bluetooth as the phone rung and Jake closed the window.

"It's late... even for you," he heard her rather caustically say as soon as she answered the call.

"I was just wondering," Jake replied.

"I'm already with someone..." she responded before he could elaborate any further, "...so no availability tonight... you old pervert."

**********

As the first light of dawn crept across the sky the autumn in hues of muted gold and vivid orange slowly became visible.

Jake navigated the winding country lanes in his Land Rover. The radio played softly, familiar tunes creating a backdrop to his thoughts. He muttered to himself, pondering the events of the previous night, in the boot of the vehicle sat his rifle, after a fractious nights sleep he had decided an early morning hunting was the best recourse.

Taking a sip from a travel mug containing scorching hot coffee he instinctively braked as he noticed someone ahead on the narrow tree lined road.

"Of all the coincidences," he stated with a dark chuckle.

As the flicker of movement that had caught his eye became clearly visible he slowed further as he neared the female figure he recognised by her clothing alone. The slender figure of the tall blonde he had last seen in the company of Gary Chambers.

Her outfit from the night before still clung to her, accentuating her figure that was held up on the high heel of slightly impractical boots for her circumstances. As he drew level he could see her appearance, especially her long blonde hair, was slightly dishevelled as a bulging handbag hung over her left shoulder.

Concern flickered across her face as she turned her head on hearing the vehicle slow at her side and she caught sight of him. Without hesitation, Jake brought the vehicle to a halt.

"Morning... Where you headed?" he offered on lowering the passenger side window.

The blonde stopped walking but shifted awkwardly, clearly perturbed and caught unawares by the interaction.

"I'm... I'm heading home," she replied, her voice tinged with caution. "It's not far."

"Where to?" Jake enquired further

"Butter Row Farm" she hesitantly replied on offering her address.

Jake recognised the address, which was easily another half an hours walk ahead of her, he scanned the deserted lanes around them, then glanced back at her. "I'm headed in that direction... if you want a lift?"

A flash of hesitation crossed her features, and for a brief moment, Jake considered that she would likely refuse him. He did not doubt she recognised him having sat opposite of her for most of last night.

"I don't even know you" she stated.

Although on weighing up her options on looking along the rural road ahead of her, she nodded as she reached out a slender hand opened the passenger side door before slipping into the passenger seat beside him.

"Thanks," she offered, though her tone still suggested more caution than gratitude as she shivered from her exposure to the cool morning air.

"Jake, by the way." He extended a hand as he pulled back onto the road. "And I suspect you're Saskia if I'm right."

"Yeah... yes" she offered a little off guard.

"I know your Dad..." Jake offered, "...Eric."

Her pale blue eyes widened slightly, his words though seemed to put her at ease. "Yes, that's him... You're friends with him?"

"Sort of... We've crossed paths a few times... former business acquaintance really." Jake confirmed. "I didn't realise any of his girls still lived with him."

"I recently moved back..." the blonde confirmed, "...after ... Dad's away at the moment in Dubai... so I'm looking after the place."

Jake noticed she fell short on what she was about to say. His mind on how he was surprised that he had not recognised her the night before but appreciated it had been some time since he had seen Eric Oliver let alone his wider family. Saskia being the eldest of three daughters, whose mother had tragically died when all the children were young. To that end Jake silently surmised as he glanced towards her that Saskia must by now be in her early to mid twenties.

As they drove on, Jake could not fail but to notice that she was no longer wearing the dark denier tights that that had clad her slender legs the night before. Just her short denim skirt and the long black boots that clad her lower legs. Her bare pale thighs almost the same colour as the cream upholstered seat she sat upon as Jake considered the likely story of her missing clothing.

The thoughts weighing on his mind as he navigated the road ahead of them. With his mind in overdrive, he decided to confront her directly.

"So... you spent the night with Gary?"

Saskia flushed, her cheeks turning a shade of crimson that did not go unnoticed. The brief silence following his blunt question felt thick with unspoken words.

"I... I did," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I... well I... I was just looking for something... I didn't know what I wanted... I'm just getting over the end of a long-term relationship."

As she spluttered out her attempt at reasoning Jake clenched his jaw, taking on board what he heard whilst struggling to contain his growing sense of outrage.

"So... Did you know he was married?" Jake offered.

"I... I saw he wore a ring." Saskia confirmed nervously.

"And that didn't bother you... that you could ruin the marriage of my closest friends." Jake offered angrily, "A matter you've then compound by running out on him before the sun has risen... leaving him to wake in an empty fucking bed."

"No, it's not like that... I... I didn't set out to deliberately hurt anyone," Saskia pleaded, her eyes wide her tone filled with genuine remorse. "It just happened... I was lonely, and your friend Gary paid me attention... And..."

"He'd been drinking himself... he was vulnerable... you knew what you were doing... and took advantage," Jake shot back, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I care for him and his wife Andrea... I've known both of them for years... How do you think Andrea will feel when she finds out?"

"I... I... don't know" Saskia confessed, her voice trembling as they drove though a heavily wooded area.

"I'm not sure how I can just pretend it didn't happen." Jake stated.

Saskia's expression shifted from desperation to a mix of panic and comprehension. "Please... it was a mistake....You don't have to tell her... I'm begging you... I'd do anything to make it right if I could."

Jake let out a sigh, as much for effect as anything else, the irony of his and Andrea's own sordid secrets not lost on him. His mind racing as he used the young blondes panic and naive weakness against her. All the while an idea began to form, and he felt a flicker of power surge through him.

"I'm not sure how you make adultery right.... Perhaps we do need to come to an arrangement," he suggested, his voice steady as he kept his focus on the road ahead and deliberately eased his right off the vehicles accelerator.

"Arrangement... What... What do you mean?" Saskia enquired cautiously.

His eye line glanced briefly to her long slender legs again, as unable to face him she turned her head to view the rolling fields of the countryside they passed on their left in a break in the woodland. Jake knew he held the upper hand, a matter he intended to seek to manipulate and take full advantage of.

"How about you give to me... what you gave to him?"

"Wh... what?" the young blonde offered on confusion her head snapping in his direction.

"A simple enough arrangement to buy my silence." Jake ambiguously offered.

"You want me to..." her words fell short.

Ahead of them Jake saw the sharp right hand turn of the dirt track he knew well. Slowing the vehicle as best he could he turned the Land Rover hurriedly off the country lane onto the uneven puddle littered track.

Saskia held her gaze on him, her expression so conflicted, as she looked around the location and turned her head back towards the main road. The vulnerability in her eyes gave away the weight of expectation she felt. As parked far enough off the road to be unseen Jake pulled up the hand break as the four-by-four, parking the vehicle but leaving its engine idling.

"Here?" Saskia asked looking all around the dense forest beyond the windows.

"Right here," Jake confirmed.

"Are... you're fucking serious aren't you?" she incredulously stated.

A tense silence settled between them as they sat on the parked vehicle with the radio barely audible. A silence Jake held as he watched her hideously conflicted expression.

"I... I can't...." Saskia finally stammered. "...you can't ask me to..."

"An agreement... to buy my silence" Jake reiterated his eyes locked on hers as she floundered.

Pale autumn sunlight cast through the heavy tree line above them. The dawn of a new day that was tinged by the shadows of regrettable decisions and immoral actions from the night before.

"You won't tell his wife?" Saskia offered her eyes falling shut as she let go a nervous exhale.

"I wont tell a soul," Jake Parkinson replied, suppressing the grin that threatened his lips.

**********

"Fuck... Fuck... Oh, fuck," Saskia Oliver gasped on rasping breaths.

The world outside the vehicle obscured by the heavy condensation that misted the windows of the silver Land Rover.

The vehicle gently rocking on its axels as it sat parked on the narrow track that led, and was obscured by heavy tree line, from the main road.

Saskia's gasps filled the vehicle, as Jake lost himself to the pleasure she provided as she now energetically fucked her body upon his.

She faced away from him, her skirt pressed up over her waist, her jacket and sweater discarded as his hands slipped up her sides to press into the cups of her black satin bra.

Saskia cried out once more as Jakes fingers pinched harshly around her nipples. Her back falling against his chest as he held himself deep in her tight warm cunt and took over on thrusting deep into her exquisite body.

"Fuck me..." Jake snarled into her ear. "....Fuck yourself upon me."

Saskia responded her body leaning forwarded once more, her hands gripping the driver and passenger seat ahead of her as with her legs held wide she thrust up and down as Jakes length impaled her svelte body.

Their bodies as one on the back of the Land Rover, the leather seats bearing her unrestrained fervour. The hum of the engine and the feint sound of the radio drowned out by her wild unfettered cries of pleasure as she acted how she had been instructed.

"I'll bet Gary didn't fuck you like this," Jake all but goaded her as she bounced atop of him.

There had been incredulity at his initial suggestion once he had pulled the vehicle from the main road. She had initially refused his request, her surrender sought in order to preserve the revelation that she had been party to another man committing adultery.

Jake had never anticipated things would escalate so quickly, but here they were, bodies entwined in a vicious fuck that seemed increasingly now to be born of the young blondes triggered desire.

Jake leaned back against the cool leather, his eyes locked on Saskia's body as his hands explored the contours of her body. Her breath came in quick bursts, a mix of exhilaration and raw need as his hands continued to roam over her pale skin, feeling the exhilarated tension that sparked at his touch. He emphasized his dominance, subtly guiding her movements while revelling in her responsive shivers beneath his fingertips as she bounced her body up and down upon him.

"God, you're fucking perfect," he murmured, his voice low and smooth, enveloping her in warmth. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson, her hair spilling over her shoulders across her chest.