Valley of Sinners Ch. 08

Leaning a little more to her left to improve her view, Lisa saw the smile at her mother’s mouth. Straightening up she looked into the rear vision mirror and locked eyes with Hope.

“Little bitch,” Hope murmured.

“That’s not a nice thing to say about your lovely daughter who’s just came back to you,” Catherine murmered.

“Oh, Catherine. I thought you were asleep. I guess you heard what we were saying – please come to our house and stay the night. This has been a traumatic day for you and we wish to look after you.”

“That will be lovely; I’ve been so lonely being a prisoner in my own home.”

“It’s all behind you now, Catherine,” Lisa said, stroking Catherine’s hair. Eve whispered to me after hearing the statements being taken that providing there is solid evidence to back up the statements, particularly yours, Tremain will be convicted of serious criminal charges and will go to jail. You should divorce him, and quickly, Catherine.”

“That’s already in motion, Lisa. But thank you for your advice, and thank you for finding Eve for me. She’s a lovely lady and ever so competent. She says she will begin consulting legal experts tomorrow about getting all of Tremain’s assets and Tremain’s and my remaining joint assets frozen. Eve says proceedings through the courts to get my rightful assets returned to me will commence after Tremain has been dealt with, including any appeals over sentencing. I have asked her to nominate the winery manager, Brian Loft, as statutory manager of our frozen assets as both the farm and winery must continue to operate otherwise we shall be in breach of contracts. I rather fancy Brian; he and I were having, um, having an affair before Tremain arrived on the scene. Now Brian’s wife left him because she’s found someone else. He’s a qualified accountant so Eve thinks he would be eminently suitable to the court as overall manager and I would like him asking for my advice.”

“I bet,” laughed Hope. “He’d be an ideal subject for you to paint – body paint I mean.”

“You haven’t changed, have you? You’ve always been a creative thinker.”


When Catherine was in the bath and Hope and Lisa were sorting out clothes for her, including nightwear, Hope suggested that Lisa and Nash should eat out somewhere to give time to get Catherine settled down.

“I’m making her have dinner in bed as she’s so tired. But she’ll want to talk and perhaps to cry and receive comfort. She’s been through hell.”

“Good idea, mum. I am on Sydney time so don’t fancy an early night. Where are my small suitcase, make-up pack and satchel?”

“I saw one of the constables put them in the garage. Where will you be sleeping?”

“I haven’t decided yet; there’s no rush.”

“Hmmmmm.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just hmmmmm. It’s quite a useful expression, keeps one out of trouble.”

“You’re quite a trick, mum. Do you know that?”

“I’m glad someone has something nice to say about me. Welcome home, darling. Thank you for coming back home to fill a gap in my life. Bring your bags up to my room in the meantime and get ready to go out; there’s something I wish to discuss with you, something really nice.”

“Really nice? What is it?” asked the chestnut-head, green eyes dancing.

“Go have your shower while I’ll attend to Catherine. Then I’ll tell you.”

God, mum’s got a bloke and they’re thinking about getting married, thought Lisa. Excellent, she’s need attentive company as she gets older and she loses her sex drive. What a sensible mother I have!

Lisa sat at the dressing table, towel tucked over the top of her breasts. Eve stroked Lisa’s shoulders – “Wonderful, soft skin. It’s almost flawless.”

“I wonder who I inherited the skin from, we know about the hair.”

“Yes, the hair. I like it better in its natural red. You are almost chestnut now.”

“Men tend to fuck redheads and marry brunettes so I decided to make myself into a compromise.”

“You get rather crude at times.”

“Something else I’ve inherited from my mother as well as her quality skin. Anyway, let’s have this mother-daughter conversation. Tell me about him?”

“Who’s him?”

“Ah, tell me what’s on your mind.”

Hope sat on the stool beside Lisa, looking at her daughter in the mirror as she put on her night lashes, which were longer than day ones. Hope had long natural eyelashes, but there were half the length of Lisa’s modified lashes which Lisa often thought could work as wipers for her sunglasses in the rain but unfortunately were fixed on the wrong side to perform that role.

“Lisa, it’s wonderful having you come back home, even to be back in Auckland is a blessing for me. I realise with early starts and late finishes at work it will be too much of a drag for you to live here, at least Sunday to Thursday nights. You mentioned on the phone that you’ll be given a company vehicle, which takes care of transport. I want to help take care of your city accommodation. This is my proposal: We find an apartment that we both like for up to 300 grand and own it jointly. I will lend you up to $150,000 for as long as you like. If later you decide you want something else I’ll buy you out – it will be an investment for me. What do you think?”

“It’s a great idea, mum. I’d like a partnership with you,” Lisa said. She beamed in the mirror at Hope, saying that she could come up with $150,000 cash right now by reorganising her investments.“I’d like to find an older unit, as they tend to be more spacious and we could have fun doing it up and choosing new décor and furnishings. I’d love to do that with you, mum.”

“That’s lovely. Listen, I can hear the Chevy. Obviously the Bronkovic’s invited Nash in for a drink or two. Where will you go to eat?”

“I would prefer to eat locally – the Country Retreat perhaps?”

“Good idea, usually it’s only necessary to book at weekends, so just roll up. There’s always the tavern as a last resort.”

“Yuk,” grimaced Lisa.


* * *

Nash was astounded by the ambience of the Country Retreat, and how the lighting and piped music was soft and the tables were well separated, some with screening between them. He expressed surprise that Hope had not brought him to this venue when she was home last time – he would have chosen it over most other establishments.

“It specialises in discreet dining,” giggled Lisa, and when Nash looked at her questioning, she explained, “It’s a place where lovers meet.”

“Oh,” said Nash, looking quickly around the room and saw some diners almost head to head over candles on their table obviously holding hands. “Are we lovers?”

“Coming here we have commenced the process.”

“Oh my,” he said, reaching for her hand.

They had a wonderful time, helped along by splendid food.

As they drove up the drive Nash commented unnecessarily, “No Monty.”

Lisa, leaning against him belted up in the middle seat, replied, “No Monty. I’ll have to sleep in your bed tonight as Catherine is in my bed.”

“Oh, what a pity! I guess I can tolerate that,” Nash leered, as he drove into the garage.

They arrived at the door to Nash’s bedroom which now had a notice taped to it:

‘Keep Out! I’ve decided to sleep in this room. You guys find your own bed. Love Hope.’

“She wants us to sleep in her big bed; isn’t she romantic?”

“How do you know she wants us to do that?”

“I know it doesn’t say that but what other bed is there? Catherine is in my room and the guest room bed has been turned into an office, with the bed stored in the garage.”

“Oh.”

Lisa bright with excitement led the uncharacteristic slow thinker up the stairs to Hope’s bedroom. She gasped. There was a line of lit candles on the two dressers and the dressing table, an ice bucket on the bedside cabinet with a bottle of champagne, two flutes and a tiny box of chocolates were on the other bedside cabinet and on the bed were items that caused Lisa to clap her hands in glee.

“What is it?”

“Some of mum’s naughty-wear she purchased years ago in France. They have never been worn until tonight – well, unless you want me to come to bed nude?”

“No, dress up. They look very sexy. What are they?”

“Oh, just your everyday frightfully expensive silk panties – crotchless of course, being French. And the long nightdress has short sleeves and an open bra with under support which forces up the wearer’s breast in very lewd fashion. That’s about all.”

“Heh-heh-heh, I’ve take a leak and clean my teeth and then you take over the bathroom and get into your gear. Then come to bed and have your way with me. Okay?”

“Very okay,” replied Lisa, kissing Nash deeply and sliding her hand along his zip until emitting a satisfied-sounding, “Oh, my!”

She disappeared into the dressing room after he emerged, nude, at half-mast and baring his sweet-smelling teeth. He fell on to the bed, heading resting in his hands as he stared at the ceiling, attempting to make the minutes and seconds speed by.

Lisa swept into the room, singing. ‘Bom, bom, tiddly-bom-bom’.“How do I look?”

“Fantastically gorgeous, oh my, oh my!” Nash groaned.

The comment that Lisa craved for may have been something like ‘You look like a virgin Greek goodness, my sweet one,’ but his outburst had satisfied her and frankly seeing him bouncing up and down on the bed in excitement turned her legs to jelly.

Even in the dim candlelight Nash focused on her jutting breasts with the intensity of a hungry monkey spotting a half-peeled banana.

Lisa’s hair cascaded down over her shoulders, framing her pointed breasts with their bright pink and very stiff nipples. She seemed to stagger towards the bed so he quickly sat up and held out his hands. Her hands found his and he pulled her on to him and sunk back into the pillows.

Lisa crashed her lips and to his and their tongues entwined. His hands struggled to cup her exposed breasts in their basically open bra and she lifted using her elbows to give him freer access. Their long kisses continued until grabbing both sides of her waist, with a grunt Nash dragged her forward until his mouth found her breast, his tongue circling the nipple.

“Oh yes, oh yes!” Lisa until his assault began to wane.

Then the flickering of the candles seemed to synchronise into a mass outburst of soundless applause as she drew her knees forward then reaching between her legs found his erection and began inserting it into her vagina. There was no need for saliva as she was already dripping. She looked down and guided the thick, purple head to its destination, sinking down slowly as she did so, her eyes rolling up into their sockets until only the whites were visible to her already panting lover – panting with lust as he’d not been required to exert himself so far.

When their pubic bones came together Lisa let out a groan that easily could be interpreted as a victorious acclamation. Her eyes refocused and she looked down at Nash affectionately, a submissive act that was lost on him as he had his eyes closed and was groaning in pleasure.

Nash’s hardness thrilled Lisa: the perfect fit, she thought, wriggling to feel its presence even more apparent. Reaching down she lifted Nash’s hands on to her breasts and then slowly lifted herself up for quiet some distance, then allowed her hips to sink down again.

Mouth wide open, head flung back she repeated this process again and again, gradually increasing the tempo.

Lisa felt the heat of their loins increasing as was the moisture seeping out of her as she lifted. She reached under her butt to cup his balls. Her lower belly tightened and her thighs clamped against his. She increased her tempo and at last he began thrusting back – away when she lifted, upwards and she sank down on to him.

“I’m about to cum!” she cried, perspiration beginning to run down her face.

“Do you need to pull out?” he grunted and was told it was safe.

Nash’s hands left her breasts and began slapping her butt.

“Oh, oh, oh, y-e-e-e-e-e-s,” she screamed and Nash shouted “I’m right behind you baby!” Lisa felt him pulsating deep inside her, time and time again.

She collapsed on to him, breathing into his ear, “I love you, Nash. I truly love you.”

“Love you too, baby, and I don’t think it’s lust doing the talking. You’re the sweetest babe I’ve ever known.”

That sent tears flowing from Lisa. Would he think the same in the morning, she wondered.


There was more of the same in the morning – twice in fact.

They bathed together and went down for late breakfast to find Hope and Catherine patiently waiting for them and looking as if nothing untoward had happened between the youngsters.

“Did you have a nice sleep, darling?” asked Hope.

“Yes thank you mother,” replied Lisa demurely. “The restaurant was lovely, rather chic in fact for a country eatery.”

“And you, Nash, did you sleep well?” asked Catherine.

Buttering a piece of toast, Nash looked at her straight in the eye and said, “Actually, not particularly. We came in late and then went at it like rabbits. I’m having difficulty walking this morning.”

Time momentarily stood still. Catherine blushed, began to giggle and Hope closed and opened her mouth and followed suit, finally joined by the flushed Lisa. Nash looked at the three of them and calmly ate his toast.

“Did you go out rabbiting this morning?” he asked Hope. She looked at him astounded and began laughing almost hysterically.

When everyone settled down, Hope said: “You and I better go out this morning Nash. We need to buy replacement computers and CDs. Lisa could you take Catherine home for her to get some of her things – she’s agreed to stay with us for the next week. You two can relocate in the basement bedroom where perhaps your yells and screams will not be so noticeable.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”



* * *

The next day Hope and Lisa went apartment hunting, taking Catherine with them to keep her mind off the upcoming court appearance of her husband. On the third visit to the city their real estate agency salesman finally produced the apartment that was totally the right fit for Lisa and Hope’s expectations. The deal was finalised that evening.

The next day Hope and Lisa accompanied Catherine to court where Tremain was asked to plead. He denied all eight charges ranging from alleged breaking and entering to extortion and falsifying signatures to fraudulently securing monetary gains. After his initial appearance he was stood down until early that afternoon for a preliminary hearing. The District Court Judge found there was a case to answer and remanded Tremain in custody, Investigations into possibly bigamy were continuing and Eve successfully submitted that preventive custody was appropriate because his aggrieved wife was fearful of a continuation of her mistreatment.

That evening Catherine returned home, having arranged for her widowed aunt to stay with her. At home that same evening over dinner Hope sensed an excitement was building between Lisa and Nash. Perhaps they had decided to live together in the city?

“Mum, you head off overseas with Sue Whitehead on Sunday night – are you free on Saturday evening?”

“Of course, dear, I’ll need my beauty sleep before heading off to fashion houses.”

“Nash and I have booked out the Country Retreat for Saturday night and have been phoning around to fill the seventy-two seats. We thought we’d give you an exciting send off,” smiled Lisa, holding up her ring finger.

“A diamond ring, you’re engaged!” Hope shrieked, flushing in excitement. She leapt up and kissed Lisa and went to the other side of the table and gave Nash an enormous hug as well as kissing him all over his face. “Good boy, you very good boy,” she crooned.

“It was pretty well inevitable, mum,” grinned Lisa. “It’s really no big deal.”

“It’s not, and we need a much bigger venue. There are so many people to ask.”

“The venue is our choice, mother, the seating is limited to seventy-two and we have invited most of your closest friends. Those who we have missed or were unable to come on such short notice can be invited to the wedding in October which can be as large as you wish to organise and fund.”

Hope was unable to stop herself, making sure that the Tait’s and the Bronkovic’s adults and Catherine and her aunt had been invited, among others, and of course old Mr Maurice Agnew who’s rebuilt the Chevy and his wife, and barrister Eve Livingston and her husband Richard. The barrage continued until Hope’s mind was no longer unable to come up with more names for the moment.

“Well,” said Hope, “you’ve done very well. Oh, what about Rose?”

“Yes, mother, she’s invited along with a partner. We’re popping in to give her the good news immediately after finishing dinner.”

“Oh, she’ll be ever so excited. I wish to could phone her right now. Perhaps I shall cancel my trip, as there are so many things to do, so many people to confer with.”

“You’re going on Sunday, mum, and that’s final. I have designs on your bed for the next ten nights from Sunday!”

“Oh,” said Hope, beaming. “Fancy me not anticipating that!”


The sit-down dinner for the seventy-two people proceeded beautifully. Mimi, Ana, Yela and Eloise had decorated and filled the restaurant with flowers. Everyone arrived with gifts and when Hope rose to toast the health of the now officially engaged couple, there was interest in what her present would be.

“First, some interesting news for you all, as most of you either reside in this valley and-or are friends of myself or Lisa or Nash. Catherine, please join me?”

Catherine stood beside Hope and they held hands.

“For the few of you who may not know Catherine, she is the daughter of the late Trevor Hopkins. Trevor and two generations of his family before him, farmed the entire Te Henui Valley and the rolling hills on either side of it. Before his death Trevor began subdividing his land and my father purchased the first block to be cut off the original holding. It becomes fairly obvious what happens next – more people arrived to buy blocks, a proper road went through, the valley found its future lay in grape growing and in the early 1970s the village was founded, appropriately by Trevor Hopkins.

“This afternoon after Catherine received legal opinion about her future possession of her rightful assets – an opinion dependent on a Court decision and possible legal challenge, although Catherine has been told the opinion is very robust – she took me to the village coffee shop – for a chat, she said.. At the end of that conversation lasting almost two hours we had agreed in principal to combine our grape-growing and winery operations into a company with two other partners – Neven Bronkovic and Brian Loft, manager of the Hausman winery. Under this scheme the Hausman winery will be closed and all production and sales will be carried out as the expanded Bronkovic Brothers’ Te Henui Winery.

“Well, that’s all we can say right now, as we face temporary legal impediments, but I feel it in my bones – as does Catherine after considering the legal opinion – that this merger will occur, sooner rather than later. All current jobs and supply contracts under any new arrangement will be protected.”

The room erupted into applause and whistling.

“What will happen to the Hausman winery building?” shouted someone.

“I will be turning it into an arts and craft workshop and sales outlet and the day care centre, at present cramped it its present premises, is eager to relocate there,” Catherine said. She and Hope hugged and Catherine returned to her seat.

Hope then said before proposing the toast, she wanted to give away two sets of keys to the newly engaged couple. “Lisa, here are my keys to the apartment. In the morning we shall sign the legal transfer of my half ownership to you.”

Smiling, Lisa rose and hugged her mother.

“Nash,” said Hope. “Here are the keys to the Chevy. Lisa picks up her company car in the morning so you now have the Chevy that will be transferred to you jointly, as I promised my father it will remain in the family. Any progeny you two have will, of course, have Honeybun lineage.