Page 52 of The Winter of Second Chances
‘I disagree!’ trilled Gemma. ‘I think Nicholas showed great passion. Especially for Madeline Bray.’
‘But he’d have kept his pyjamas tucked into his socks on his wedding night,’ said Sally.
‘Maybe he was a little too virtuous?’ said Annie.
‘Here we go again,’ said Sally. ‘The eternal good guy versus bad boy debate.’
‘Not at all,’ said Annie. ‘I suppose I’d just be attracted to someone more spirited; someone like John Browdie.’
‘He was an oaf!’ exclaimed Gemma.
‘And a chauvinist,’ said Maeve.
‘I’m not saying he’s my ideal man,’ said Annie. ‘But if I had to choose a man from this particular book, I would choose Browdie over Nickleby.’
‘I can see that,’ said Sally. ‘He was a good-natured realist.’
‘Exactly,’ said Annie. ‘Plus, I think he’s kind of beefy, whereas Nicholas I imagine to be a bit scrawny.’
Maeve chose this moment to clear her throat loudly.
‘Speaking of beefy,’ she said, and Gemma began to giggle uncontrollably as she leaned across to top up Annie’s glass.
Maeve rustled around in a bag she’d brought in with her and pulled out a box. She placed it in the middle of the table. Annie and Sally stared. Gemma continued to giggle. The clear plastic window of the box revealed a large dildo in shades of pastel peach.
‘Open it!’ chivvied Gemma.
‘Me?’ Annie asked.
‘Yes, you,’ said Maeve. ‘It’s a gift. For hosting the book club. We wanted to get you something practical.’
Sally was grinning and showing all her teeth.
‘Were you in on this?’ asked Annie.
Sally shrugged.
‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘But Maeve made the choice since she’s the expert in these things.’
Since Annie hadn’t made a move to open the box, Maeve did it for her, pulling the rubber phallus from its casing and waving it about.
‘Here,’ she said, pointing to a suction pad on its base. ‘It’s got one of these.’ She licked the suction pad and smacked the dildo down hard so that it stuck to the centre of the table. ‘There,’ she said. ‘You’re welcome!’
‘Thank you?’ said Annie. ‘Why does it need a suction cup?’
‘So you can mount it,’ said Maeve as though Annie was stupid. ‘You know. Go on top. Ride it!’
Annie held her hands up to stop any further explanation.
‘Right,’ she said. ‘Got it, thanks.’
‘But not necessarily on a tabletop,’ said Gemma.
‘Safety first,’ added Sally.
The dildo stood to attention, leaning ever so slightly to the left. Maeve reached over and squeezed its tip.
‘You see, it’s got give,’ she said. ‘Like a real one.’
