Page 123 of A Night with Damien Spur

Told you,said the Voice.Nowsheunderstands human frailty. That’s the sort of woman you need.

Damien’s nose itched. He was dying to snort a line.

‘Fuck Aidan.’ Damien flushed it down the toilet.

I love you, said the Voice.

***

That afternoon Ariana arrived with her guitar looking irresistibly beguiling.

She wore a tiny white vest and a red gypsy skirt that flashed her bare, tanned legs. Her feet were slipped into gold-thonged sandals.

Damien held his breath.

This could be dangerous, said the Voice.Don’t start with the compliments. I can tell it won’t wash with her.

But it was Ariana, in the spirit of the role of Sandra, who played the seductress.

She took his hand and led him upstairs to the living room. ‘Let’s sit together, we need to be close. This is the melody.’

She strummed her guitar and hummed a wordless song, her voice soft and warm like a cashmere blanket.

Damien closed his eyes. His mind calmed.

That’s lovely,said the Voice.Could almost put you to sleep. But don’t get too cosy – remember you’re working.

‘Let’s improvise,’ Ariana said when she’d finished playing.‘You’re Samuel, I’m Sandra. Okay, let’s take it from when you tell me you’re going to leave. You’ve been separated from your wife for three years and now she’s back in your life after a failed suicide attempt. You’re drawn to me, but your history is with her. You grew up together. The marriage fell apart because she was always depressed. Okay, let’s go,’ Ariana said.

‘You start,’ said Damien timidly.

She moved closer, in character; Sandra, the Seductress.

‘Why, Samuel, why? You said that we’d spend the rest of our lives together. Don’t leave me. I love you.’ Her chestnut-brown eyes fringed with curly black lashes looked so sad that even Damien wanted to cry.

Oh boy, she’s really into this.I can see we’re in for a heavy session, the Voice whispered.Okay, your turn. Remember you’re trying to resist her.

‘She needs me, Sandra. You’re beautiful and gifted and there will always be some lucky man to adore you. My life is complicated. I have a history with my wife and I swore never to get divorced till she died. That’s not fair to you.’

‘I don’t care if we never marry. I’ll take you any way I can.’

She flung her arms round Damien’s neck and hugged him to her breasts.

Mummy didn’t do that!said the Voice.

‘I can’t hear you,’ Damien mumbled. ‘I’m on full charge.’ He crossed his legs. ‘Okay,Sandra.’ Holding her face in his hands, he gave her a passionate kiss. ‘I’ve changed my mind. I adore you – I’m staying.’

Ariana drew back.

‘I’m sorry,’ Damien said. ‘I got carried away.’

‘No. That’s good!Now you’re aroused, let’s switch roles. You be Sandra.’

This is kinda weird,saidthe Voice.A bit too gender fluid for me.

‘No, I’m sorry, I can’t do it,’ Damien said. His head throbbed.His throat was dry. He poured himself a glass of water. ‘I’m not an actor. All this is a little bit too much for me. Too much drama.’

Go on, you tell her, said the Voice.You’re a fella and that’s it.

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