The River

Eric stopped to wipe his sweating brow with a red polka-dot handkerchief, before renewing his grip on the long pole and pushing the punt along again.

He was seventy-three years old and slightly overweight. The poling was very hard work and Eric was looking forward to reaching the end of the journey.

Mavis, his wife of fifty-two years, reclined in the double love seat of the boat and looked around at the countryside as they made their placid way along the gently-flowing water. She was also a touch overweight, and her face was filled with wrinkles. Her collar-length hair was thick and a delightful shade of silver-grey. It was their private joke that he wanted to steal it to make a wig as he had gone bald in his early fifties.

She adjusted the wide-brimmed hat she wore to protect her from the hot summer sun and took in the splendour of the trees and flowers that grew along the banks of the river.

Weeping Willows dipped their long branches into the water, thirsty giants drinking their fill. A small patch of reeds jostled with movement and an otter slid gracefully under the surface. Water lilies with their large pads spread out like sun worshippers basking in the heat.

Mavis loved flowers and she enjoyed the riotous display of colour from the crocuses and daffodils, amongst others that she couldn't identify, that filled the gaps between the trees.

She could smell their delicate perfume as it wafted over the river in the gentle breeze.

Mavis had never been happier than she was right now, travelling through this wonderful countryside with the man she loved so much.

The current of the river increased slightly and Eric found that he no longer needed to help it along, so he placed the pole along the side of the boat on the hooks provided and sank down gratefully next to his wife.

He wiped his forehead again and said, "Phew! I'm glad the current's picked up a bit; I was getting tired," he grinned somewhat sadly, "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."

Mavis returned the grin ruefully, "I don't think that'll be a problem for much longer. "

Suddenly a little morose, Eric's grin faded and he responded slowly, "No, I suppose you're right. Still, I'm glad of a rest."

He wrapped his arm around Mavis' shoulder and she snuggled into him.

The punt slid effortlessly forward and Eric started to daydream, remembering how he had met Mavis as though it was yesterday.

++++++++++++++++++++

The young man had just moved to the industrial town in search of work. He walked into the local shop, saw a lovely young woman behind the counter and was thunderstruck. She had jet black hair that came down to her collar in a bob, her eyes were a lustrous brown and her milky complexion almost took his breath away. High cheekbones and soft, red lips nestled beneath a delightful button nose. Even with the shapeless and decidedly unfeminine overall she wore, he could see that she had a lithe, slim figure.

As he stood staring, her brow winkled slightly as she asked, "Can I help you?"

Her husky voice was music to his ears. He shook himself slightly, embarrassed as he said, "I'm sorry, erm... could I have a local paper please and a packet of mints?"

She handed them across to him and has he reached to accept them, their hands touched briefly. The feel of her cool fingers sent a spasm up his arm. Mavis grinned playfully at his obvious discomfort, "You're new around here, aren't you?"

"Yes, I came here looking for work."

"Well the pickle factory's always hiring. If you can stand the smell, the money's quite good."

"Oh, right. Thanks."

Mavis regarded the young man in front of her. He was about medium height and had broad shoulders that gave him a box-like appearance. Not handsome as such, but his face had an open honesty about it that appealed to her.

She thrust out her hand, "Seeing as we're going to be neighbours, my name's Mavis."

He took her cool fingers in his hand and once again a tremor ran up his arm, "Eric," he replied.

"Pleased to meet you, Eric," she smiled.

That was the start of their morning routine. Eric gained employment at the pickle factory and every morning he would stop off at the shop to buy his usual newspaper and mints, and to spend time chatting with Mavis. He was by nature quite a shy, young man and had never been what you might call a Jack-the-Lad, but she was so easy to talk to that he always looked forward to their little interludes.

It was some days later; Eric was walking home from the pub after a few beers with the lads from work and was just passing the old graveyard when he heard voices coming from the darkness.

"No Jimmy, please. You mustn't."

Eric frowned. He knew that voice -- it was Mavis. He knew that the graveyard was the favoured meeting place for young lovers to find privacy, but Mavis hadn't sounded like she was enjoying herself. Peering into the darkness, Eric tilted his head to listen and heard the voice again, this time sounding more alarmed, "Jimmy, please! Stop!"

Carefully, Eric entered the graveyard through the slightly open wrought iron gates and crept toward the place from where he had heard Mavis. He looked around a large gravestone and saw Mavis pressed against the wall of a mausoleum, she was pinned in place by a young man Eric had seen here and there in the local area. Her skirt was bunched around her waist and the man was rubbing roughly between her thighs with his face pressed against the side of her neck.

Eric watched as Mavis tried to push the man away by his shoulders as she sobbed,

"Jimmy, please stop... Please!"

A red mist descended and Eric stormed across the small patch of grass that separated him from the couple. He grabbed Jimmy by his collar and pulled back roughly.

Jimmy stumbled backwards with a shriek of surprise and landed on his backside on the grass. He looked up in shock and anger at the intruder, "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm the bloke that's telling you to piss off before he kicks your head in!"

Incensed, Jimmy scrambled to his feet and squared up to Eric, just as a hard fist slammed into his face with a satisfying thud and deposited him back on the ground. He shook his head and placed a hand carefully to his mouth. Jimmy could feel a growing wetness on his throbbing lip and it hurt. He looked back up at Eric, who was shaking with rage. This wasn't Jimmy's scene; he preferred to act tough with those who were weaker, not someone who was both willing and able to fight back. Once again Jimmy scrambled to his feet, being careful to remain out of range and hissed, "You're welcome to her," glancing over at Mavis who was still crying as he spat, "Slut!"

With a roar, Eric stormed forward, fists at the ready and Jimmy ran back towards the gate and away.

Once Eric was certain that Jimmy had indeed gone, he turned back toward Mavis. Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, he quietly asked, "Are you okay?"

Mavis' only answer was to throw her arms around him and bawl into his shoulder. Unsure of what to do, Eric carefully enfolded her in his arms and rubbed the back of her head soothingly. As they continued to embrace, Mavis began to calm down. She pulled away slightly so that she could look him in the face, blinked back her tears and whispered, "Thank you."

Somewhat discomfited, he replied bashfully, "Oh, anyone would have done the same."

"Perhaps, but you did... Thank you."

Unsure of what to say and ill at ease with her gratitude, Eric could only murmur, "Come on, I'll walk you home."

As they walked home, they talked. Eric wanted to know why a lovely girl like Mavis had been with a scumbag like Jimmy.

"He was charming, in a rough sort of way," she replied, "I mean, I knew he had a bit of a reputation, but I thought I could handle him. I told him I didn't want to... You know... Until I was married and he said that was okay. We were only in the graveyard for a snog, but he started going too far and I got scared... Especially when he wouldn't stop," Mavis teared up again, "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

Eric stopped to look at her. Carefully he wiped away her tears with his fingertips and said, "But I did, so that's okay then."

They arrived back at the shop where Mavis lived in the little flat above and she searched her bag for her keys. She opened the door, then turned back to Eric and gave him a peck on the cheek. The feel of her velvet lips and the aroma of her perfume intoxicated and emboldened him to ask, "Mavis... Would you... Would you like to go to the pictures with me tomorrow?"

She smiled warmly, "Why, yes. I'd love to."

++++++++++++++++++++

The sun was just reaching the western horizon when a small building hove into view. The punt veered towards a small wooden jetty of its own accord and bumped gently into one of the supporting posts with a soft thud. The old couple clambered out of the boat and after Eric tied the punt to the post, made their way to the front door of the building.

The door opened into a small, dimly-lit room which was illuminated only by a large candle in a tall glass set in the middle of a dining table set for two. Eric stood behind Mavis' chair and helped her to sit before taking his place opposite her.

Ghostly hands appeared and served the first course. It was a light vegetable consommé. A bottle of wine floated through the air and poured a healthy measure of amber fluid into each of their glasses before floating away back into the shadows.

Mavis looked around her, "Well, they think of everything."

Once the aroma of the soup filled their nostrils, it reminded the old couple how hungry they were, so they began to eat. As soon as a course was finished, the used crockery and cutlery vanished into the darkness as the ghostly hands did their work, until Eric and Mavis sat, each with a tiny cup of Turkish coffee and a snifter of brandy. Eric sat back in his chair, replete and said, "That was delicious."

Mavis didn't reply, she merely patted her equally full stomach and smiled.

When they had finished their drinks, the candle in the glass centre-piece stuttered and went out, only to be replaced by a line of candles leading up the stair flickering into life. Mavis grinned, "Well, looks like bedtime then."

They stood up and followed the line of candles up the stairs and over to a set of ornately carved double-doors that swung silently open as they approached. As they stepped inside the room, Mavis' hand flew to her mouth, "Oh my God! Do you recognise this place?"

Eric looked around at the four-poster bed that had carved spiral posts and a thick, heavy, red velvet canopy. The wooden furniture and the painting of two young lovers sat together on a mountainside. He pulled Mavis gently into a warm embrace and whispered, "How could I forget?"

++++++++++++++++++++

The young, fresh-faced bellboy opened the door and led the newly married Mr and Mrs Wainwright into their room. He pointed out the various features and where the en-suite facilities were, accepted a tip, bid them good night and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Eric, still dressed in his morning suit looked at his wife... His wife! He thought that his heart would burst right there. Mavis looked so beautiful in her white, silken bridal gown. She smiled shyly back at him. He took one of her hands in both of his and drew her gently to the bed were they sat down next to each other. Carefully he pushed her veil completely away from her face and whispered, "Mrs Wainwright, I love you."

Nervously she responded, "Mr Wainwright, I love you too."

Gently they kissed and as their passion grew, the kiss became more forceful. Eric insinuated his tongue between her lips and she responded by reaching out with her own to meet it. His hand slid slowly up her side from her hip and cupped her breast. Mavis shivered slightly as she felt his hand massage her tender flesh.

Slowly, almost diffidently, they helped each other undress, never letting their lips leave each other, until both were almost completely naked.

As one, they moved together, their bodies entwined in the tender, and frightening act of making love for the very first time. Together, they felt the sensations build until as they crashed and exploded over the lovers.

They held each other close, riding the waves of ecstasy until they slowly ebbed away, leaving Eric and Mavis wrapped in a warm glow.

"Eric, that was..."

He placed a finger to her lips, "Shhh," and kissed her gently.

The kiss ended and Mavis whispered, "If I'd known it would be like that, I never could have waited."

"You and me both!" he grinned in reply.

Mavis sighed and snuggled into his side as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She playfully stroked his chest and asked, "Want to do it again?"

"Do you?"

"Yes. Now! I want to do this with you... Forever."

Eric kissed the top of her head and agreed, "Forever."

++++++++++++++++++++

Mavis snuggled next to her husband and smiled quietly to herself as they lay together. That first night had been the beginning of a wonderful exploration of physical love and experimentation that had lasted almost their entire adult lives together. She laid her head against his chest, as was her wont. She could feel it rise and fall in a measured tempo as he slept, then she too drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

In the morning, they woke early and felt refreshed and ready to continue their journey down the river. The dining area had been set with a continental breakfast for two, fresh rolls and a variety of meats and cheeses. There was also a flask of freshly brewed coffee. The old couple broke their fast in a leisurely fashion before setting out once more on their journey.

As with the previous day, Eric had to pole the little craft down the river, but today it was different; it seemed to him that it was easier going. Either that, or the fresh air was actually doing him some good. Also, he had none of the expected aches in his muscles after the exertions of the previous day. In fact he felt ten... No, twenty years younger.

He declared, "I feel great today."

Mavis turned to look at him and he was suddenly struck by a change in her as well. She looked younger, like she looked in her early fifties. He shook his head and looked again, he thought it must be a trick of the light, but it wasn't. Mavis definitely looked younger.

She answered with a puzzled expression, "Me too. Must be the fresh country air."

Mavis was not sure what to make of what she saw: she could see a younger, slimmer version of her husband poling their little boat down the lazy river.

"No! It couldn't be. Could it? No, these old eyes must be playing tricks on me," she thought, "Yes, that's it. Tricks."

But deep down in her heart, Mavis knew that wasn't true. She smiled at Eric, "I think... I think that this is a very special place. I could stay here forever."

Eric returned her smile and said, "Forever."

Mavis was drawn immediately to the memory of the first time she had seen that special smile. It was not the smile of a happy man; it was the smile of a man genuinely overwhelmed by the emotions that filled his being, and who had no other way of expressing himself.

++++++++++++++++++++

Mavis lay in the delivery room with her legs up in stirrups and a midwife sat on a low stool between her spread thighs.

Eric stood at his wife's side by her head and held her hand tightly. The medical people had not really wanted him there. At the time, fathers were expected to be in the waiting room, pacing the floor and smoking endlessly. But Mavis had insisted. She wanted her husband there when their first child was born.

He was nervous. This was an entirely new experience for him and he wasn't altogether certain he wanted to take part. He knew that childbirth was, at best, uncomfortable and at worst, hideously painful. Eric hated the thought of Mavis going through that sort of agony, especially as there was absolutely nothing he could do to help. But he had to be strong. She wanted him there, so there he was.

The next couple of hours were a time that neither Eric nor Mavis looked back on with any fondness. The shouting and the pain though, were more than compensated for by the arrival of the newest member of the Wainwright family.

Eventually, a sweating and exhausted Mavis was presented with a small bundle. She gazed down at her baby and bared her breast, so that the small human she and Eric had created could nestle against her mother's skin for the first time. She looked up at Eric and asked, "So, what do you think... Daddy?"

Eric gazed in awe at his wife and daughter and murmured, "She's so tiny... I'm a dad... She's perfect," he transferred his gaze to Mavis, "And you're perfect too. "

Mavis lifted the child up and offered her to her husband, "Say hello to your daughter properly, Eric."

Carefully, he accepted the baby, uncertain of the correct way to hold such a small child. He was diffident, almost frightened, in case he was clumsy. Eric peered at the face of his daughter and smiled that smile.

Mavis watched her husband make his acquaintance with their baby and fell in love with him all over again.

The next few months were hectic to say the least, what with midnight feeds and the extra work and expense involved with looking after and raising a baby, but the couple always made sure that they had time for each other. Not always to make love in the physical sense, but just to cuddle and kiss or a quick stroke of his buttock and a fleeting cupping of her breast in passing. When Mavis felt able and their daughter started to sleep through the night, they were able to once again take the proper time to enjoy each other.

One night, after a particularly frantic and passionate bout, they lay together in bed and basked in the afterglow and snuggling together under the blankets, Eric heard Mavis whisper, "I want this to last forever."

"Forever," he agreed, before they both drifted away to sleep.

++++++++++++++++++++

Slowly, the punt continued its lazy way downstream and once again, the current picked up so that Eric was able to lay the pole aside and crawl down next to Mavis in the love seat.

He placed his arm across her shoulders and his hand hung limply down next the swell of her breast.

She was absently watching the middle distance, where a small family of swans and cygnets made their dignified way over the water. Dimly she registered the feel of Eric's hand lightly stroking the side of her breast. She shivered slightly and turned her head toward him, "It's been a while since you did that."

Wistfully, he responded, "It's been a while since I was able." Mavis began stroking the front of Eric's thigh and let her hand wander further upwards. Her eyes widened slightly as she felt something that she had not felt for quite some time. Her eyes shone and she smiled broadly, "Oh Eric!"

He shuddered as he felt his wife touch him intimately; it had been far too long since she had been able to evoke the response she was now getting. He thought back to that last time.

++++++++++++++++++++

It was at the christening of their latest grand-child, and they had travelled down to Southampton where their youngest son lived.

After the happy occasion was over, they had retired to their hotel room and settled down for the night. Eric sprawled naked on the bed and waited for Mavis to finish her shower and join him there on the comfortable bed.

The door to the en-suite opened and Mavis entered the room. She was completely naked.

She was older and her breasts sagged, baby-chewed and lived-in as they were. Her lower torso was a patchwork of stretch marks and wrinkles and it must be said that she carried a little extra weight here and there. Her silver gray hair hung loose and spread its tresses over her shoulders. The expression on her face could only be described as wicked.