The Secret

The Secret

I'm not going to tell you this is a totally true story, because it isn't! The characters are real, or at least they were, of course, I've changed their names, I don't know why because both of them are now gone. I didn't suspect, their friends didn't suspect, their neighbours never suspected. To everyone who knew them, they were just a normal couple living their lives. In their old age, I would see him pottering around his garden when I visited, while she sat in her deckchair, enjoying the sun, but never taking her eyes off him.

How come I know about their secret? I can't tell you, perhaps they had kept the secret so long, that in the end, they just had to tell someone. I knew that the village existed and also the town but not how they came to be together. Over the years that I knew them, I was always certain of one thing, that they were still after all that time together, in love. Neighbours and friends commented on it, how nice it was to see a couple growing old and still feeling as they did, especially in an age where people tended to marry for five minutes.

I had popped around for tea one evening when out of the blue, they started to tell me their story, little snippets of how and why it had happened, but never any real detail. And then one day, they were gone, and their secret was now my secret, I kept it as long as I could, but now it's time to pass the secret along. I decided to fill in the details myself, bringing their lives forward into a new era, and write about their relationship, a story not primarily of incest but love. I've no idea if any of it happened like I imagined, in a way I hope it did, because one thing that I'm certain about, was that right to the very end, they felt no shame for what they had done. It may have been wrong in the eyes of the law and to everyone around them, but to the two of them, it was the most perfect thing in the world.

Reunion

Tom parked the car down the side of the house before climbing out and retrieving his suitcase from the boot of the vehicle. Looking around him, he felt as though nothing had changed, he had driven through the town and into the village, all of it looking exactly as it did the day he left and he wondered if anyone had actually missed him whilst he had been away. He had graduated from university at twenty-one with a degree in engineering but had decided to take a year's break and travel. That year had turned into two as he travelled and worked his way around most of Europe, not being bothered what jobs he did, content to earn enough to fund his travel and subsistence.

He had met up with a young woman called Gail on his travels and eventually a relationship had developed between them which had lasted for most of the time he had been away. It had only ended when he had returned to their rented flat one afternoon, to find her in bed with someone else. Moving out the same day, Tom had continued on his own until a month later when he had received a phone call from his mother. She had been distraught, his stepfather Brian worked in the construction industry and there had been an accident at work, and he had been killed. Tom had immediately booked a return flight, arriving in the early hours of the morning he had rented a car and had then driven for the last six hours to reach home.

Glancing at his watch, he noted it was just before ten o'clock, he'd made good time on his journey and the day was turning out to be half decent, the sun already high in the sky. It was warm outside, not as warm as when he climbed on the plane earlier, but still a comfortable temperature. Lifting the handle of his suitcase, he trundled it behind him as he made for the rear entrance and let himself in. Leaving his case in the utility area, he went through the kitchen and dining room, heading for the lounge when his mother intercepted him, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek.

'Welcome home,' she said. 'Look at you, I'm sure you have grown.'

Tom had filled out while he had been away, most of the jobs he got had been manual work and his body was now toned and bronzed from being outside all the time. Jessica his mother looked just the same to him, albeit he now stood taller than she was. She made them both a drink before going through to the lounge where she told him about the accident. Brian had been helping erect some steelwork in high winds, it should never have happened, but somehow a large girder had come detached and had crashed into him, killing him instantly. She was crying now, Tom wrapping his arms around her as he cuddled her close to him until the tears finally stopped.

He felt sad for her, realizing that it did not have the same impact on himself, he had liked Brian, but he was only his stepfather, his mother had got pregnant at fifteen and his real father had just disappeared. He was five when his mother married Brian, but Tom could never bring himself to call him 'Dad'. Tom had nothing against him, he had been good to both he and his mother, making sure they had everything they needed, it was just a personal thing he thought. Making sure she was OK, he took his case up to his room, again it was the same as the day he had left it, his mother throwing nothing away in the event, that he would one day require it again. He unpacked his meagre possessions, putting stuff into cupboards and drawers before going back downstairs to be with her. He would need to find himself a job he decided, asking her if they could manage until he found something to help pay the bills.

'It's all right for the moment,' she told him. 'There is enough money in the accounts for the foreseeable future, but there is going to have to be an inquest and an investigation into what happened and I've also been advised to see a solicitor. 'I've been told it will be a while yet before the body is released, so I'm not sure yet when to organize the funeral.' The words had all come out in a rush.

The tears came again as she felt the weight of it all bearing down on her, and for the second time that day, he held her close and comforted her. Early evening, they had a meal, but she only picked at her food, hardly eating anything while he was ravenous, feeling slightly embarrassed eating his food while she only picked at hers, pushing it around her plate. Tom retired early, he had been awake nearly twenty-four hours and exhaustion was finally catching up with him as he undressed and got into bed naked. He heard his mother come up about thirty minutes later and then must have drifted off because when he next woke, he could hear her sobbing in her room. Rooting through his drawers, he found an old pair of pyjama bottoms and pulled them on before going to her room and tapping on her door. She seemed glad he was there as he slid into bed next to her and pulled her close, holding her tight until she finally drifted off to sleep.

It was fairly late in the morning when he next opened his eyes, his mother still curled against him fast asleep, her leg draped over his groin and laying atop his morning erection whilst her arm lay across his chest. Carefully, he tried to extricate himself without disturbing her, but with the way she was laying across him, it was nearly impossible. He didn't want her to wake and feel his erection, so gently tried to move her leg, she murmured in her sleep, her hand lazily stroking his chest before she suddenly planted a kiss on it, still fast asleep. He lay motionless, she must be dreaming that it was her husband led next to her he thought, not wanting to cause any embarrassment if she felt what was under her leg.

Tom tried to move her again, eliciting another long drawn out murmur, her hand this time rubbing at his nipple. He shook her shoulder gently, trying to rouse her and watching as she slowly came awake. It took her several minutes until she must have suddenly realized that the person next to her in the bed was her son, her leg, swiftly withdrawn from his groin.

'I need to get up mum, would you like a cup of tea?' He asked her.

Jessica nodded her head, keeping her eyes closed until he had risen and left the room. Once he had disappeared, she opened her eyes, feeling ashamed of herself, knowing she couldn't tell him the truth yet. Things at home had not been rosy over the last couple of months, ever since she had found out Brian was having an affair and he had moved into the spare room for the time being. Her tears had been because she was feeling sorry for herself and not necessarily for her cheating husband.

In her semi-conscious state, she had forgotten that it was Tom in her bed, she was just happy to have someone next to her again until her leg registered the solid lump of flesh beneath it and sent signals to her fanny. It was only then that she remembered about her son, quickly withdrawing her leg but the sensation still lingered on her flesh. He returned several minutes later after having relieved himself and placed a cup of tea on her bedside table.

'I'm just going to grab a shower mum while you have your brew,' he said and with that, he disappeared again. Tom never gave the incident a second thought, she was his mother, and if she did realise, she was probably too embarrassed to say anything.

That first week passed slowly, it was still early in the year and the short sunny spell had not lasted long before normal temperatures resumed. Tom was not one for sitting around doing nothing, but at the same time, he did not want to leave her alone. At least she had stopped breaking into tears he thought to himself and he had not heard her during the night since that first occasion.

It was nearly a month before the investigation was completed and the inquest was to be held the following week. Tom had promised to be there and hold her hand during the proceedings. It took several days to get through, with the coroner finally coming to a verdict of negligence by the company Brian worked for. Jessica had an appointment with her solicitor the next day and the body was finally released so that she could make arrangements for the funeral. Another week passed, the service and cremation were planned for later the following week and Tom helped his mother finalise the details.

He had been out and bought himself a black suit, white shirt and black tie, the clothes he had returned with had been mostly jeans, shorts and t-shirts. The morning of the funeral, he had showered and shaved before going downstairs and having his breakfast. As he returned upstairs to get ready, he passed his mother's bedroom door which was slightly ajar, stopping as his eyes caught sight of her, stood in front of her full-length mirror in only her black bra and panties, it was probably only seconds but felt like minutes as he gazed at her, taking in her still pert bottom and her slim figure. She turned slightly as she checked herself, giving him a side view of her full breasts and slightly rounded stomach before he came to his senses with a jolt and carried on to his room.

Jessica breathed in, finding that she had been holding her breath, the reflection in the mirror had caught him stood just outside her door as he looked at her and she could tell that he was appraising her body. Secretly, it had sent a thrill through her and she scolded herself for being a wanton woman, what was she thinking of, letting her son see her half-naked.

With the funeral over, life started to return to normal, but Tom was beginning to go stir crazy feeling that he was trapped in the house. As May arrived, the weather perked up and sunshine was predicted for the following week.

'I'll tell you what mum,' he had started, 'If its nice next week, let's take a picnic and go to the beach.'

Jessica had readily agreed, the rental car had been collected shortly after Tom had arrived home and Brian's car was sat in the garage, having not moved since his death.

'That's a good idea, the car could probably do with a run and it's about time I started to get out and about again,' Jessica replied.

You could tell by Tuesday of the following week that the day was going to be a scorcher. Jessica was in the kitchen making sandwiches and salad as Tom backed the car out of the garage and checked the oil and water. The engine sounded fine and the tank was nearly full as he revved it a few times before switching everything off. He got several windbreaks from the garage before going indoors and collecting towels and blankets, his mother called to say the hamper was ready and could go in the boot while she went and changed.

By nine-thirty they were out on the road, it was only about a thirty-minute drive to the coast and the early morning traffic had now dissipated. They kept the car windows down all the way to the beach and he was glad to see that his mother had perked up and was once more laughing. Parking the car up, he went and bought a ticket before lugging the hamper and windbreaks down onto the soft warm sand, his mother following behind with the blankets and towels. He set the windbreaks up, creating a small space where she could get changed, while he was content to just wrap a towel around his waist and strip off, he had been on beaches abroad where he would have just stood there naked.

When Jessica emerged, Tom was surprised, he had expected a one-piece swimsuit, but instead, she wore a bright yellow bikini. Her skin was probably still a bit pale for such a bright colour, but he had to admit she looked stunning. As they applied lotion he glanced up and down the beach, it was busy enough without being overcrowded, everyone having enough room for privacy. They spent the first hour and a half basking in the sun, turning frequently so as not to burn. Tom was fine, his body already sporting a dark tan, but he kept an eye on his mother, starting to see her colouring already.

The day was getting hotter when he decided he needed a dip in the sea to cool off. 'I'm just going for a swim mum' he told her as he got to his feet.

Jessica shaded her eyes as she watched him move towards the water's edge, his shoulders wide and tapering down to his slim hips and waist. She could see the muscles in his back and arms move as he walked away from her, he had turned into a handsome young man she thought, his dark skin making him stand out from the others on the beach. Raising herself onto her elbows she looked left and right, noting that he had already attracted the gaze of several women on the beach, both old and young.

Tom waded out before diving beneath the surface, coming back up almost immediately, he had forgotten that the sea temperature in this country was different than abroad and it was freezing. Giving himself a couple of minutes to acclimatise, he struck out, swimming about twenty yards offshore before turning parallel with the beach and swimming a couple of hundred yards along its length. Jessica watched as he disappeared beneath the surface, coming back the way he had gone when he next appeared. He was a strong swimmer, his arms and legs powering him through the water until he drew level with her once more.

She watched as he made his way back up the beach, his wet swim shorts clinging to his body, her eyes continually drawn to the bulge evident in his groin. Glancing around again, she smiled to herself as she noted even more women's eye's watch Tom's return. She could not help but smirk as he grabbed a towel and dried himself, looking at her expression he asked, 'What's so funny?'

Jessica giggled like a schoolgirl, 'Just glance around casually, you seem to have developed a fan club I think.' If it hadn't been for his tan, she suspected he would have been blushing.

He applied more lotion and lay back down, allowing the heat to dry him completely as he soaked up the sun's rays. He was starting to get peckish and sat up, reaching for the picnic basket.

'Are you ready for some food?' he asked his mother.

She sat up and put her sunglasses on, 'I'm just going to have a quick dip, will you set it out?' She said to him as she set off across the warm sand. Tom watching her bottom wiggle as she went to the water's edge. He set everything out on a blanket as he awaited her return, noting that as she came back towards him, the sea had made her bikini slightly transparent and the cold water had certainly affected her nipples, which now resembled a couple of church coat pegs. Also noticeable was the darker pubic area between her legs as he jumped up and offered her a couple of towels smirking all the while.

Now it was Jessica's turn to ask, 'What?'.

'Your bikini is see-through,' he told her smugly, watching her turn bright red as she threw the towels around herself.

Tom couldn't help but smile, she looked as pretty as a picture and at her age, her figure was still eye-catching. She kept the towels around her while she ate, conscious that for a second time, she had displayed her body to her son. She had originally picked out a black one-piece swimming costume, but on a whim had delved into her drawers to find the bikini she had bought years before, not wanting to appear too mumsy in his eyes.

With the sandwiches eaten, they settled back again as the morning became afternoon, Jessica at one point, laying on her front, asked him to rub some lotion into her back. She immediately regretted her request as his hands slid across her skin, generating a sensation in the pit of her stomach that threatened to move lower. Finally, it began to cool down as they packed up their belongings and carried them back to the car. Neither of them could be bothered getting changed and so drove home, dressed as they were, Jessica enjoying the attention of passing motorists.

They had emptied the boot and put everything away when Tom asked, 'Fancy going down to the pub for a drink?'

Jessica agreed, 'Just give me time to have a shower and get changed,' she said dashing upstairs. She called him once she had finished so that he too could refresh himself and get changed, emerging from her bedroom a short while later in a white shoulder-less dress.

Tom came out of his room in a polo shirt and chino's stopping to give his mother the once over, 'You look gorgeous, but I would add a cardigan if I were you, the white strap marks spoil the look.'

Returning to her room she checked in the mirror once more, she hadn't noticed them, but now that he had pointed them out, she understood what he meant. Tom meant it as a joke as she was grabbing her cardigan.

'You need to go topless tomorrow if you want them to disappear,' he quipped with a smile.

Rejuvenation

They'd had a very pleasant evening down in the village, up to a point, even though Tom had been back nearly two months, folk did not realise he was home. Jessica was not enamoured by the number of young women who decided to stop and chat with him, even her female friends when they arrived, seemed more focused on Tom than they were with her. If Jessica hadn't have known better, she would have considered that she was feeling jealous with all the attention he was receiving. As the evening progressed, she drank more each time another female approached, until by closing time her head was beginning to spin.

The walk home helped a little and even though Tom chatted away, she wasn't in the mood for conversation, saying very little until they reached home. Once indoors, she sorted through her CD collection putting a disc in the player.

'Come and dance with me,' she slurred slightly, holding her arms out.

Tom humoured her, imagining that she was still missing his stepfather. The music was slow, and she found herself clinging to him, her groin grinding against his as they moved sensually around the room. She lifted her head, looking into his face, and then on impulse, kissed him.

It wasn't the first time he had been kissed by his mother, she would often give him a peck on the cheek, occasionally, maybe a brushing of lips, but this was not a mother's kiss, this was a woman's kiss. Jessica suddenly recoiled in horror, appalled at what she was doing and embarrassed as she was sure she had felt a stirring in his groin. Tom was dumbfounded as she fled the room, hearing her running up the stairs and then the slam of her bedroom door as she flung it shut behind her. He turned off the music and switched off the lights before going up and knocking on his mother's door, but got no answer, and when he tried the handle, he found the door locked.