The Interview

She looked into my eyes for a moment. "You really mean it don't you" she said, "You are not just being nice because I am upset; you really do think I am still an attractive woman."

"No" I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, "I don't 'think' you are attractive, 'attractive' doesn't nearly do justice to how lovely you are. You will probably be the most beautiful lady in the restaurant tonight. I am sorry if I have caused you pain by asking what was happening, but I really did need to know what was going on. Thank you for telling me, but now can we try to forget this, at least for tonight, and we can try to get back to, what was going to be, for me anyway, a lovely evening out with the most beautiful lady I know."

"Yes, let's forget it for tonight" Mum said, "But you may as well know that on Friday while I was out, I wasn't only shopping. I had an appointment with a solicitor as well. He can have his divorce, but not because he wants it, it's because I do. I am sick of his lies and his running around and I want out of this marriage, but it is going to cost him. When he learns just how much; I think he will wish he had kept it in his pants, especially as he is now going to have a new baby to provide for as well."

She started the car again and we continued on our journey. The mood was more sombre now, but I couldn't help noticing that when I had hugged her, Mum's dress, which was quite short anyway, had ridden up and it was now over half way up her thighs. She made one cursory attempt to pull it down but without success so it stayed there. By the time we were approaching our destination it had ridden even higher and I realised she was wearing a pair of stockings instead of her usual tights. I think stockings are so sexy; it was a real effort for me not to keep looking at her legs. Mum seemed more relaxed now that she had confided in me about what was going on at home and she seemed much happier.

We parked in the hotel car park, which didn't look all that full. I was pleased to see I had been booked into a rather grand looking 4 Star hotel, and not one of those impersonal new 'Motel' type hotels that seem to be springing up everywhere. Mum made no attempt to open her door to get out of the car so I went around and opened the door for her. I did try not to look when she was getting out, honestly I did, but I am a man, with a man's instincts and desires, so the 'gentleman's reward' of a momentary flash of Bare thighs and panties as she swung her legs round was gratefully accepted.

I got my case from the boot together with the bags of shopping Mum had bought when we had stopped. She had that naughty grin on her face again as she took her bags from me. "No peeping" she said, "That's a surprise." I must have gone red because she giggled and kissed me on the cheek.

At the hotel reception I checked in. The receptionist didn't comment about there being two of us when she checked us in, although I assumed the company would have only made a single booking for me. Mum asked what time dinner was served. The receptionist handed her the room key and said "Dinner is served from 6:30 until 9:00 Mrs Roberts. Your room is 211 on the 2nd floor. The lifts are to your left. A table has been booked in your name, but it seems that someone has slipped up because this is down as a single booking. The room is a double anyway, so that's not a problem, but dinner is only booked for one. I will check into what has happened." Then she said "There is a message for you Mr Roberts." She handed me a letter with the company logo on the envelope.

I was about to explain about Mum coming with me and ask for a second room but Mums hand on my arm stopped me.

"There's no mistake" she said, "The booking is correct. It was a last minute decision for me to come, so please don't concern yourself. If you could just inform the restaurant there will be one extra for dinner and if it could be billed separately, together with any bar or other extras, we will settle the bill in the usual way before we leave. The receptionist then asked for and took a swipe of Mum's credit card and that was that. Mum took my arm and led me away from the desk towards the lift. As we waited for the lift I asked "Why didn't you book a room while we were there?"

"Let's get you settled in first" replied Mum, "We can worry about that later."

The room was spacious; with a double bed and a sofa-bed. It was really clean and bright with a proper en-suite bath room, with a shower over the bath not a shower cubicle. There was a desk and two chairs. The desk had power connections and a LAN port for direct connection to the internet as well as the 'Free Wi-Fi' option. I put my case on the stand provided and had begun to unpack when there was a knock at the door. Mum opened it and standing outside was a maid.

"Sorry to disturb you Mrs Roberts" she said as she entered, "We were only expecting one guest so the room was only made up for a single person. You will require these." She put extra towels and pillows on the bed and an extra cup, with additional drinks beside the kettle. She then repositioned the pillows and put the towels in the bathroom. "I hope you enjoy your stay" she said as she left, closing the door behind her.

"I think they have made certain assumptions about our relationship John" said Mum, "Perhaps it would be simpler if we didn't try to explain about needing another room. I'm sure you can put up with us sharing for one night."

My mind was going round in circles, with most of my thoughts definitely headed towards the gutter. "Of course, if that's alright with you" I said, "I can sleep on this" indicating the sofa-bed, "You can have the bed."

"Thank you John" she said, but that mischievous grin was back on her face, "A gentleman to the last .... Ummm! Well almost a gentleman anyway, your father would never have been caught looking as I got out of the car."

I must have been as red as a beetroot. She had spotted me looking up her dress as she got out of the car, but now I was totally confused. She didn't seem at all concerned, she was smiling and those giggles made me think she wasn't at all upset I had sneaked that look up her dress. She obviously knew how far her skirt had ridden up and she had waited for me to open her door. I began to wonder if that view of her panties had not been entirely accidental. It almost seemed as if, with her divorce looming, she was testing how much teasing she was comfortable with. Was she using being here with me to check out how far she should now go before she said 'Stop'?

"I'm sorry Mum" I said, "I honestly didn't mean to look but when you were getting out of the car I couldn't help myself."

She hugged me, "I would have been more concerned if you hadn't looked" she said, "With the amount of leg I was showing, I would have been worried you might be gay if you hadn't. Especially as you say you don't find me completely repulsive." She hugged me and chuckled "You must admit John, you were studying that lingerie very carefully and at least I now know I'm not too old to arouse some interest from a man."

"There is one thing though" Mum said, "We have been booked into a double room, which I don't think they would have done if they had realised I am your mother." She giggled again, "They probably think you are my 'Toy Boy'. Perhaps while we are here it would prevent embarrassment if you stop calling me 'Mum'. You know my Christian name, so from now on I think you should use it. Try to remember I am Sarah, not 'Mum' ok?"

"If you think that would be best M.... Sarah" I said as I stepped back a little. The closeness of our bodies, with the added intimacy of using her Christian name was sending my fantasies into overdrive and the resultant 'natural response' was about to become little embarrassing. Once again that naughty little giggle told me she was not unaware of my condition..

Leaving the room we took a tour to see the facilities available at the hotel. Mum [Sorry] Sarah, was very impressed. There was a spa with beauty and massage treatments available at what I thought were very reasonable prices, well for a place like this anyway. There was a gymnasium and a large indoor pool, with a hot tub, which the sign said was free to hotel residents. The company had certainly not 'penny pinched' on my accommodation for these few days.

"This is very nice indeed" she said when we wound up in the bar for a drink. "I am tempted to stay for the whole time you are here, and then I could drive you home again on Thursday. I can't though; I have to get back for Joanne. It's a shame; I could really do with a few days being pampered in a place like this. As you have noticed, life at home has been quite stressful for some time. It would be lovely to be able to relax." I nodded my agreement and as it was a lovely evening; suggested we take one of the tables outside on the terrace.

Once she was seated I asked her what she would like to drink. I was a bit surprised when she asked for a double brandy with one cube of ice. I hadn't expected that as she didn't usually drink very much, but if that was what she wanted, who was I to say she couldn't have it?

While I was at the bar an idea began to form and the more I thought about it the better I liked it. When I put our drinks down on the table I excused myself and went through the bar towards reception, as if I was going to the toilets. Once I was out of Mums sight I took out my phone and dialled Caroline's mother's number.

When she answered, after identifying myself I asked if she could do me a huge favour. I asked if there was any chance Joanne could stay with them for a few extra days. I explained that where I had been booked into was not just a hotel but a Health Spa as well, and that as Mum had been rather stressed out recently she could do with a break.

I said, "She could really do with a few days away to relax and feel pampered. As she is already here and this place looks the ideal place for her to do that, I thought it would be lovely if she could stay and relax for these few days and we could then drive back together on Thursday. I know it's a bit of a cheek, but would it be possible for Joanne to stay with you until we get back?"

I heard her call the girls and put it to them and from the excited reaction I could tell there was no objection from them.

"Well" Caroline's Mum said when she came back to me, "They seem to think it's a good idea, and if nothing else Joanne will keep Caroline busy so I can get on with the jobs around the house that I have to do. I love having her here anyway, so it sounds to me like a win-win situation all round. Of course she can stay. You tell Sarah I said she is to have a great time and I will want a full report of all she got up to when she gets back." I thanked her and promised to phone as soon as we got home.

Hanging up the phone I returned to the bar terrace, where I saw that Mum was no longer sitting alone. In my short absence a man had joined her and was making what to me looked like a determined attempt at picking her up. I drew back my chair and as I sat down I said, "Sorry to have been so long Sarah, who is your friend?"

"This is Peter" she said, "He was kind enough to offer me dinner tonight, but I told him I was already spoken for. Peter, this is John, we are here together."

Peter looked a little embarrassed. We exchanged the usual pleasantries and then he excused himself and left, looking a little disappointed.

"I don't know" I said, "I leave you for two minutes and when I return you are surrounded by admirers. What more proof do you need that you can still attract male interest, you certainly attracted Peter and he looked very interested."

Mum grinned, "He was wasn't he" she said, "But he's not really my type, I've already got one just like him. A businessman who, as soon as he gets out of sight of his home, forgets where his responsibilities lie and starts to think with what's in his trousers. I certainly don't need another with the same inclinations."

"Good for you" I said, "Anyway forget him, I have just been speaking to Caroline's Mum" I said, "It's all arranged, Joanne can stay with them until we get home so there is no reason you can't stay here and take advantage of the facilities for the few days we will be here. I will be away during the day, but you can shop for anything extra that you need, I expect you will need a swimming costume and a few extra clothes and while you are out shopping, you could get me a pair of trunks too. Then we can relax in that hot tub together. Book a massage, avail yourself whatever treatments you want, use the pool and the hot tub. Caroline's Mum says she wants a full report when you get home, but she said you are to have a great time, relax and enjoy yourself for a few days so I think you should put it all on your credit card, Dad can afford it."

Mum looked at me without speaking for almost a minute. Then she said, "But I can't stay, I have an appointment with my solicitor on Wednesday morning."

"Well, phone them and re-schedule it for Friday" I said, "You are the one paying for his time so he is working for you; not you working for him. You said yourself how nice this place is and I think you will feel so much better after three whole days being pampered and cosseted here. What's to stop you? One phone call in the morning to re-schedule an appointment and what else do you have to rush home for? Joanne is with her best friend for an extra couple of nights, which they sounded really excited about. Caroline's Mum is happy to look after them and she thinks it's a good idea too. You will still be home before Dad gets back from Paris, but what if you are not? What if you have stayed over with me at this very nice Spa and Hotel in Shropshire? He's just had a week in Paris with his secretary. Remember, he thinks I missed my train because of heavy traffic, so you drove me all the way up here for my interviews. The hotel is lovely with a Spa and everything, there is no-one at home so instead of sitting at home in an empty house; you decide to stay here for a short break and we then travel back home together. He can't say anything about that, can he? Everything is covered and you have only yourself to please, so why not?"

"But four nights away together, sharing a room as well" said Mum, "What would people say?"

"We are 100 miles away from home and anyone who knows us" I said, "So unless we tell them we shared a room; who is going to know? When I spoke to Caroline's Mum, she never mentioned the room because she would automatically assume we would have booked into separate rooms. If the situation was reversed would you think to ask her where she slept? Of course not! When we checked in, you told the hotel we would settle the additional 'extras' on 'our bill when we check out' so logically they expect you are going to be staying for four nights anyway. Did they seem bothered about that? Of course they're not. No more than the hotel Dad checks into with his secretary will be bothered about them. They arrive and check in as a couple, pay the bill and check out as a couple just like we and thousands of other hotel guests do every day. As far as the hotel is concerned, as long as they are discreet, whatever happens between a couple in private is their own affair."

As soon as I said it I could have kicked myself. I realised I had equated us sharing a room with what Dad and his secretary were doing. For four nights, we would be sharing a room too just like they were, although I didn't expect we would be amusing ourselves in the same way as them because our situation was completely different. Reminding Mum, other than doing that; just like they were, we were going to be sharing a room, could be the thing that decided her to ask for her own room. I didn't think she would leave and drive home tonight, because she had already had a drink, but I really wanted her; not only to stay, but to stay in my room with me. I almost held my breath as I waited for her response.

For a few moments Mum didn't speak. Then she held out her glass "I think you had better get me another one of these" she said. I nodded and took the glass to the bar and ordered another double brandy for her and a half of lager for myself. I could see she was weighing up her options as I sat back down. She was gazing off into empty space, her thoughts elsewhere. Then she seemed to make a decision. Her eyes re-focussed and she looked at me. "You are right of course" she said, "Unless we tell them, who would know?"

She took a drink of her brandy. Then she said, "You are here for an important interview which is crucial to your future. I am just taking advantage of the opportunity to have a few days away in a beautiful Spa, relaxing." For a moment she looked almost unsure of what she was about to say, then she continued, "You have an important few days ahead, I can rest during the day but you are going to need a proper night's sleep so you are not sleeping on that couch. The room was booked for you; so you are having the bed. I hadn't thought through how us sharing a room would be compared to your Dad and his secretary, but I can see how it would look to anyone else, so if I am going to stay with you in your room, this must be kept strictly between us, it is never to be mentioned to anyone. Are we agreed?"

I couldn't believe it, she was going to stay, "We are agreed" I replied.

"Well then" said Mum, "As long as that is firmly understood I think I would really like to stay."

I noticed Peter had re-entered the bar, but he was no longer alone. He was with another lady, who I thought was probably a little too young for him, but she seemed quite content with his company. He went to the bar and ordered drinks and they were soon deeply engrossed in their conversation. I grinned at mum, "I think your conquest has found someone else to accompany him to dinner."

She looked across at them, "She's welcome to him" she said, then she giggled, "We all have to make a living where we can." Then she looked at me and said with a grin, "I think there are some lemon slices on that bar. Can I suggest you get a few and suck the juices from them?"

I was puzzled "Why should I do that?" I asked.

"It might at least wipe that silly smile off your face" she said with a giggle. Then she blushed, "And you can put those naughty thoughts about what your Dad is doing in France right out of your head young man, I am not your secretary."

"Mum! I never for a moment ..." I began, forgetting for that moment I was not to call her Mum, before that mischievous grin and chuckle made me realise she was teasing me again. I looked around but no-one had heard my slip, so no harm was done, although Mum's raised eyebrow told me she had noticed. "Sorry" I said, "I will be more careful." Then I bent down and placed a quick kiss on her lips, "But there is no way I am letting you sleep on that couch. Either I sleep there or we share the bed. It's alright; I'll put the bolster from the couch down the middle so your virtue will be safe."

Mum giggled and then she did a very theatrical 'disappointed pout', "You're just a spoilsport" she said, picking up her glass and taking another sip. She winked at me as she studied the contents of her glass, "This stuff definitely softens the edges of perception and eases the conscience. If you had told me at breakfast this morning that before dinner I would be 100 miles from home and I was going to spend the next four nights sleeping with my rather handsome 22 year old son, I would have told you that you were mad." She giggled and took another sip of her drink. "But I think that is what I have just agreed to. This stuff does some very odd things to a girl's sense of what is respectable and acceptable. With that in mind, perhaps I should be a little more forgiving when I think about your father's secretary. A couple of these definitely change the rules and moves the goalposts further apart. Maybe it had a similar effect on her legs."