Sapphic Voices Romance

Change Of Tide

Conclusion

CHAPTER 12

The next couple of weeks passed without any personal contact between Alex and Mel. Jenny had now officially taken over the squad, with Alex explaining to them about her new career and saying she would stay in an advisory role until the end of the current season but after that it would be purely Jenny’s squad.

Margaret Fogerthorpe was pleased when she heard this but, when expressing her pleasure, was taken aback at Mel’s bitter reaction.

“It’s people like you who listen to unsubstantiated rumours, that has persuaded Alex to stop coaching. I think it’s time to examine yourself and your obvious homophobia. It’s totally irrelevant whether a person is straight, gay or whatever. It’s how they are that matters, the type of person they are and yes…. the way they coach. You have just helped push one of the best coaches from the swimming scene!” Margaret’s amazement at Mel’s tirade left her lost for words. She couldn’t immediately find the right ones to refute Mel’s accusations.

“Let’s talk about it another time, please,” she requested. “You have to go to training soon, so there’s not enough time to discuss it.”

A few days later Margaret, after much thought, admitted to Mel that she had been precipitate in her criticism of Alex. She explained that it was only because Alex was in a position of care of a group of youngsters and could use that position to influence a young person.

“Not that I think she does,” she insisted. She assured Mel that she was not, in any way, homophobic, surprising her by mentioning the names of a few close friends that Mel would never have guessed were gay. Following this talk Mel and Margaret found their understanding of each other was far improved. Mel felt that her mother was starting to see her as more of an adult and Margaret was realising that Mel was growing up fast, with her own opinions on everything and knew it was time she conceded this. Mel knew that, at this time, her mother would be shocked at her own sexual preference but that, in time, there was at least a reasonable chance that Margaret could be told and may accept it.

During this same fortnight Mel had the opportunity of having a long talk with Mark and, when asked outright, he confirmed to Mel his gay status. Mel tentatively, told him of her own desires and her special feelings for an older woman, without mentioning Alex by name. Mark confirmed that he’d recognised the signs in Mel months before, probably before she knew herself. They pledged a continuing friendship and Mark told Mel that it was a relief to him that somebody else now knew.

“Why, who else knows already?” Mel wanted to know.

“Oh, Alex knows. I confided in her a couple of years ago. She’s been really great about it and has given me lots of good advice. Hey! Why don’t you talk to her about yourself, she’ll understand and be able to help, I’m sure.” Mark noticed Mel’s flushed face and the rather breathless repudiation.

“No - I couldn’t!” Mark looked surprised until the penny dropped.

“She’s your ‘older woman’ isn’t she?” At Mel’s slight nod he continued, “Well, that doesn’t change what I said before. Age difference doesn’t matter at all, it’s the person that counts, not their age. It would be a problem for her if she was still your coach but, by leaving the squad, she has opened the door. Hey! Go for it, Mel. I love you both and I think you could be really good together.” Mark leaned over and squeezed Mel’s hand in encouragement. They smiled at one another in complete understanding.

Mel completed her two breaststroke races, with reasonably good results. Her times were a big improvement but the fifth and fourth placings were slightly disappointing, even though the races were pretty close finishes. Her other strokes were still gaining her first and second positions and Jenny was concentrating on Mel’s turns, with the transition of one stroke to the other being stressed. Mel was excited about her first two hundred metres Individual Medley which was looming on the following Friday.

CHAPTER 13

The meet on Friday night was a special one, with a few interstate swimmers competing. Jenny had decided that Mel would just do a 100m. free-style as a warm-up and then her 200m. I.M. They had discussed their goals for each leg and Alex had joined them to plan tactics for the race. As this was the final meet before the State Championships, Mel had to get a qualifying time on the board to get an invitation to swim that specific race, so their aim was not to get a good placing, it was to get a good time. Alex advised her to swim at a controlled pace for the butterfly and backstroke, try to stretch out and concentrate on technique in the breaststroke, leaving enough energy to power home in the free-style.

Mel followed Alex’s instructions to the letter and turned, at the end of a very smooth breaststroke leg, for the last 50m. of free-style. She saw swimmers in front of her, knowing that the two interstate swimmers had set a very fast pace in the first half of the race. She guessed that they probably couldn’t be caught but the two local swimmers were well within reach. She felt good, not hurting too much, so she just let rip! She overtook the tiring local swimmers and was closing fast on the interstate swimmers when the wall arrived, too soon for Mel.

Jenny was pleased with her third position and her time was well within the qualifying time needed. Alex joined them, saying that the breaststroke leg had looked as sweet as could be and next time she would only need to put a bit more into the first two legs.

“You could have those other two by Nationals, Mel.” Mel agreed, as she knew she had actually been too fresh at the end of the race.

“OK.” Jenny instructed, “We’ll be starting your taper this week so, as your heavy training tapers down, you’ll start to feel fresher and stronger for the State Championships next week. Grab a first or second there and you’ll be in the Nationals.”

Mel relaxed a lot in the next week as training dropped off and wasn’t so hard. She really missed seeing Alex on a regular basis but was glad that she still attended some sessions. On a couple of occasions Mel rode to Alex’s house to look at it and imagine Alex inside. She didn’t try to force a meeting between them, she was content to bide her time. She knew just when Alex’s eyes were on her at training and sometimes she caught a quickly hidden hungry look in them.

The State Championships were held over three days and Alex’s events were spread over all three. On Friday night she competed in the 100m. free-style final and, after an exciting tussle, was just touched out into second place. As this wasn’t her best event, she was pleased to get through to compete in it at the Nationals. On Saturday morning, she swam a nice, easy butterfly heat, qualifying second fastest for the evening’s final where she powered off the blocks and sizzled to a new State record and missed the Australian record by less than a second. Jenny was thrilled with the swim but Mel could sense that Alex, like herself, was more excited at the prospect of the next day’s 200m. I.M. Mel was starting to agree with Alex that this could be the event which gained her selection in the Australian team for the games, later in the year.

Mel had a restless night so had to concentrate on her pre-race preparations more than normal, to try to quell the shakiness she felt inside. Jenny gave her some last minute instructions and wished her luck as she finished her warm-up and dried off in preparation for the race. She turned and came face to face with Alex.

“You know you can win this, don’t you, Mel?” Alex demanded.

“Yes, Alex. I’ll win it and, when I do, remember it’s for you.” Mel gave Alex a long, searching look and, for once, Alex didn’t turn away. She looked at Mel’s strong, sure face and nodded.

“OK, go get them Mel. I’ll be with you all the way.” She watched Mel walk off to wait to be called up for the final, there not being any heats in this event. Alex found her way to her allocated seat, thinking that the last three weeks hadn’t helped her peace of mind at all. She’d been snappy with everyone, even Penny. She’d tried to keep herself busy with the preparations for the new job but she’d kept finding excuses to go down to training. ‘Jenny must be wondering when she’s going to get complete control. I’ll make an announcement tonight. I’ll say that I’m pulling out completely now that the local competitions have finished.’

Alex settled in her seat, her stomach tied in knots with anticipation and nerves for Mel’s race. ‘Dammit, Alex! You’ve got to put her from your mind, you’re getting bloody obsessed!’ She sat forward as the swimmers walked in line into the pool area and to their blocks, her eyes on one person alone. ‘God, how can one person grow up so much in six months?’ she wondered, remembering the tentative, shy, sixteen year old who had arrived in Perth. She now looked at this self-assured, confident seventeen year old, walking with head held high. She felt a glow of pride because she knew that she had had a lot to do with this transition. She still doubted that Mel was as sure about her sexuality as she appeared to be but Alex was proud of the way she hadn’t tried to hide, or subdue it. Alex remembered back to the other seventeen year old, who had confronted her coach with declarations of love and, suddenly, Alex could see what Penny had seen from the start; the similarity between herself and Mel. ‘Mind you, I would never, ever, do or say to her what my coach said and did to me.’ It made her shudder with anguish at the thought of Mel being as hurt as she’d been.

She watched as Mel prepared herself on the blocks, she saw the look in her direction. She wondered if Mel herself knew that she always looked for Alex before each race. The swimmers bent forward, their hands on the edge of the blocks. ‘Set’. They leaned their body weight back. The gun went off and they left their blocks as one while Alex, watching intently, jumped slightly at the sound. Mel rose to the surface and was, immediately, in the majesty of the stroke. Alex watched the strength of Mel’s arms, knowing she was taking it steadily, whereas some of the swimmers were already straining to keep in touch. Alex knew that this early effort would tell on them as the race neared its end.

Too far away to see Mel’s muscle definition, Alex visualised it from many training sessions. She pictured the muscles flexing and contracting, saw the movement of the body that these muscles guided and thought, once more, how graceful yet how powerful this stroke was.

Mel turned at the end of the first fifty metres level with another swimmer in first place and glided back into the back-stroke. Alex sensed that Mel was feeling strong but relaxed and she watched as these two swimmers went stroke for stroke until the last ten metres, when the other swimmers technique started to help her edge slightly in front. Alex made a note to suggest to Jenny a couple of changes that may improve Mel’s back-stroke but, overall, she was pleased with that leg of the swim. The more immediate threat to Mel was the swimmer to her left who was the State breast-stroke champion and was only one length behind Mel.

Mel knew that everything was going well, she was feeling good as she neared the end of the backstroke leg. She had worked herself into a good position and knew that, if she could only hold it in the breaststroke and not drop behind, the race was hers for the taking.

She turned and pushed hard off the wall into the initial glide, in preparation for the first stroke. She thought about the long glide, the short pull through of the water and the quick hands to the position in front of the breasts. She felt smooth and fast but could see the competitor on her left creeping up, almost level. The swimmer to her right had dropped back and this new threat had become much more dangerous. The last few strokes were crucial as, going from the slowest stroke to the fastest, as they were now about to do, every centimetre lead that a swimmer had, was effectively doubled. She managed to hold back the challenge and they turned together, their heads rising as one after the turn.

Mel kicked strongly and made the decision to breath every third stroke. She knew that this would mean she would only see her opponent every sixth stroke but gambled that this breathing pattern would give her the optimum speed down the last lap of the pool. She started to hurt badly with twenty-five metres to go and had a moment of panic that this was too soon. Never a quitter, she kept up the searing pace, heart pounding, legs weakening and an almost unbearable build-up of pressure in her chest. She reached the wall, touched it and turned her head, astonished to find no other competitor in sight. She looked back and saw the second place getter still two lengths from the wall.

Mel’s breath was coming in great gasps, her chest heaving from the exertion, trying to grasp as much oxygen as the humid air would give. The other swimmers surrounded her and, with pats on the back and quick hugs, congratulated her. She heard the applause from the crowd and felt the thrill of achievement. She tried to pick out Alex in the standing, waving crowd but couldn’t. She looked at the scoreboard for her time and could barely believe what she saw! She knew she’d gone fast but the scoreboard told her she’d smashed the State record and had gone within a whisker of the National record. She was well within the qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games and she knew that a top three position at the Nationals would get her into the Commonwealth Games team for August.

There was no immediate access for the coaches to see the swimmers after the final as they had to prepare straight away for the medal presentation ceremony, so it wasn’t until an hour or so later that Mel was able to talk to Alex and Jenny. By then the initial excitement had dissipated a little so, while Jenny still gave her a great big bear hug, Alex was content to smile and give a nod of approval. Mel knew that Alex was as delighted with the swim as she was, so she didn’t need an outwardly, enthusiastic response from her.

CHAPTER 14

The party that night was at Alex’s house with the whole squad invited plus family and friends. Alex’s mother was working, so couldn’t attend the party. It didn’t start until after 8pm so was always going to be a late finish. For some of the squad it was the end of the season and for the National qualifiers it was a time to let their hair down, albeit briefly.

Alex did as she’d promised and gave a congratulatory speech to all of the squad, particularly the ones who had made it to the Nationals and a special mention was made of Mel and Mark who had broken State records and achieved Commonwealth Games qualifying times. She announced her retirement, effective immediately and wished Jenny luck in the future and the swimmers, success in their careers.

After making her speech, Alex was surrounded by swimmers wanting to thank her and wishing her well in her new job. When she was able to make her escape from them, she went to make herself a drink. She was just crossing the hall when there was a knock on the front door. She opened it and stepped back in surprise, inadvertently allowing her uninvited guest to step inside.

“Aren’t you going to welcome an old, old friend?” Vicky pouted, “It’s been a helluva long time.”

“Yeah. Hi, Vicky. This isn’t actually a good time right now, as this is a private party, a kind of wind-up.” Alex explained.

“A wind-up of what? Don’t say you’re breaking up with all these lovely young chicks at the same time? Like you broke up with me.” Vicky slurred, her alcohol content quite evident.

“Vicky; we were never together, so how could we break up?” Alex tried to be reasonable. A year or so earlier, she’d met Vicky at a friend’s party and, for a few months, she’d been hounded by calls and visits. As Vicky had known that Alex was unattached at the time, she’d been sure that it was just a matter of time before Alex would succumb to her persistence. Alex finally forced a showdown and demanded that Vicky leave her alone.

“So: still unattached are you?” Vicky’s laugh was sarcastic but her _expression was hopeful. Alex decided, on the spur of the moment, to stretch the truth somewhat; as the easiest way out.

“No, Vicky. I am involved with someone. Have been for a couple of months and I’m very happy.” Vicky’s disbelief was evident,

“Yeah? Where is she then? I think you’re bullshitting me! I don’t see her amongst all these young chicks. I don’t believe you. You’re just trying to put me off, you bitch!” Vicky was getting louder and more aggressive, as alcohol had often made her in the past. Alex looked around to make sure that nobody could hear above the music. She saw a few side-long, curious looks from her ex-charges and the perspiration broke out on her brow as she thought with despair, ‘Don’t tell me that now, after six years of keeping it safely under wraps, it’s going to come out! Christ! Not now, just when I’ve retired.’

“Vicky, I’m asking you to leave now. Please: I don’t want an argument.” Alex kept her voice low as she led Vicky out of sight of the group in the games room.

“No! I’m not going till I’ve seen this new chick of yours with my own eyes. Quit pulling me! Where is she?”

Alex felt a hand slip into her own and a voice behind her asked,

“What’s the problem, hon? I wondered where you’d got to. Who’s your friend?” Alex’s hand was released as she felt an arm come around her shoulder. Recognising the voice, as well as the scent that was pure Mel, she was unwilling to look at her as she spoke firmly.

“This is Vicky but she’s just leaving. Goodbye, Vicky.” Vicky looked at Mel, noting the affectionate look she was giving Alex’s profile.

“I guess you’re the girlfriend then, huh?” Mel smiled down at her,

“You guessed right, Vicky; and I’m afraid I’ll have to take her away from you. She’s the hostess tonight and she’s needed. Bye now.” With her other hand Mel had opened the door, so Vicky had no option but to walk outside.

“Yeah, well OK. I guess you’re not in the market any more, Alex. See you around then.”

Alex stood there unmoving as the door closed behind Vicky. Mel tried to lessen the tension,

“Well, hon, I guess you have hostess work to do.” She had a smile in her voice as she removed her arm and turned to go.

“Mel, wait!” Mel turned back. “Thanks. Thanks a lot. It could’ve got ugly.” Mel’s face softened,

“Any time, Alex. Yeah. Any time you need a girlfriend, just call!”

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully to Alex’s relief. She related the scene to Penny in a quiet moment. Penny was impressed by Mel’s quick thinking but didn’t push the issue further. Everybody started to leave around midnight and Alex had a goodbye and good luck kiss for all the swimmers as they left. Mel wasn’t amongst them and, when she went into the lounge, she found Mel still chatting with Penny and Angie.

“I’ve promised to run Mel home but we’re going to have a cuppa first. Relax, Alex; put your feet up. After our friend Vicky’s untimely visit, you need it.” Penny and Angie went into the kitchen to make the drinks.

“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it Alex?” Alex’s eyebrows lifted, questioningly. “Since we’ve been alone, I mean. You’ve engineered it in these last few weeks that there are always people around us. It won’t work you know. One day you’ll stop running from me. Either that; or my running will improve so much that I’ll catch you!” This last was said with a laugh and it drew a smile from Alex as Penny and Angie arrived back with the drinks. Soon afterwards, Penny took Mel home but Mel didn’t claim her good luck kiss.

“I can wait.” she said quietly.

CHAPTER 15

Margaret Fogerthorpe’s job as a cook in one of Perth’s best restaurants required her to work in the evenings and she frequently came home feeling tired. On the Wednesday night following the State Championships, she arrived home at 10.30pm to find Mel still fully dressed, writing in her diary.

“Don’t be too much longer, Mel, or you’ll be tired for training tomorrow.” she warned before going to bed herself. Mel finished writing and decided to read back over the last six months or so, barely recognising the person in her diary in the first couple of months. As she neared the present time, her eyes started to become very heavy and, as she nodded off to sleep, her diary fell out of her hands.

Mel woke to a panicky feeling that something wasn’t quite right. She glanced down and saw she was still fully dressed. She tried to grasp her woolly, sleepy thoughts: to remember what had awoken her, when the smell assailed her senses. Jumping up, she opened her door and staggered back as the thick swirls of smoke engulfed and choked her. She saw a glow in the lounge-room which, in this old house, was between herself and her mother’s bedroom. She shouted out to her mother but got no response. As the precious seconds ticked by, she saw the flames spreading, licking at the furniture and curtains. Knowing that Margaret’s only exit was from the side of the lounge where Mel now stood, she knew that she had to get through the flames and bring her back out through the lounge. There was no time to leave the house to call for help so she ran into the bathroom, grabbed two towels and soaked them in water. She threw one over her own head and shoulders and ran, without further thought, through the lounge. She was horrified to find that, as her mother’s door had been left ajar, the room was filled with thick, choking smoke.

Her eyes streaming, Mel followed her instincts and depended on her sense of direction to find her mother’s bed, feeling along the top until she located her mother’s limp body. Shaking and shouting to her got no response so she grabbed whatever she could grip and pulled her over to the side of the bed. She lifted her, then threw her over one shoulder, glad at that moment for the strength in her own body and her mother’s leanness. Mel somehow managed to throw the other wet towel over her mother’s head and turned again towards the inferno registering, as she did so, the sound of approaching sirens. She knew she only had to get her mother out of the house and help would be at hand. In one way she was glad of the flames, as they guided her to her mother’s bedroom door, giving her a point of reference to aim at.

Mel tucked her chin in, so that her mouth was pressed up against the rapidly drying, towel; giving some defence at least, against the smoke. The heat was almost overpowering but she knew that their one chance was to confront the flames and get out the other side of them. Without further thought she ran, her lungs screaming for air long before she emerged from the flames. The heat was singeing her skin and her eyes burned with the smoke, as she sobbed with exertion and fear. The fiery remnants of a curtain drifted down right in her path and she was unable to stop. She felt a searing pain across her back as a part of the burning fabric found the gap between her T-shirt and jeans.

As she staggered slightly with the effort and the pain, the front door burst open and she felt the relief as her mother’s weight was removed from her shoulder as a fireman unceremoniously grabbed her mother. At the same time he was beating out the flames on her clothes below the towel. Mel herself was scooped up by a second fireman and carried outside, where there appeared to be a sort of organised chaos. Firemen were reeling out their hoses, ambulance men were leaning over her mother and neighbours were milling around, showing their concern.

An ambulance driver checked her over, asking if there was any pain.

“Only my back a little: but how’s Mum?” this being her only concern. “She will be all right, won’t she?” The medic soothed her.

“It’s all right. We’re looking after her and we’ll get her to hospital as soon as we……” He was interrupted by a shout from his partner,

“Yes! We’ve got her! She’s breathing by herself….pulse is weak but there. Let’s go, Harry!” Harry guided Mel into the back of the ambulance and, within seconds, they were on their way to the hospital.

Her mother was rushed straight into the treatment room while Mel waited until an intern could look at her back and the back of one hand which was also badly blistered, though Mel was unsure when that had happened.

“Not too bad….considering!” The intern consoled. “I hear you were quite the heroine. We’ve had reporters and TV stations on the telephone already. They seem to have an eye witness report that you went through the flames to rescue your mother, then carried her out, unassisted.” Mel heard the words without them registering. After her second degree burns were treated, she asked for a phone to ring Peter, her mother’s good friend, to see if he could do anything about keeping the house – or was it the remains of the house? - secure. He agreed and told her he’d come straight to the hospital after checking on the house. Mel sighed with relief. Peter would help her, she knew. She’d been hoping that her mother and Pete would make an announcement about their future together. She now had a sudden fear that her mother may be disfigured: the sight of the fireman putting out the flames on her clothes coming to mind in a horrifying manner.

Mel kept questioning everybody about her mother’s condition and, eventually, she was allowed to see her through the window of the sterile, intensive care room. Her immediate relief on seeing the unscathed face was tempered by the loose bandages covering her back. Mel was only allowed to stay a few minutes before having to leave the unconscious figure. A kindly nurse told her that it was only the drugs that were keeping her mother asleep.

As they walked out into the emergency reception area, Mel was confronted with bright lights, TV cameras and reporters. ‘Could she give an interview.’ They all wanted to know.

“No, I can’t!” She said in panic before a particularly gentle outside broadcaster took her aside and persuaded her to tell her story.

“It’s not often we get good news from these sorts of incidents. Let our viewers see there are still real life heroes around.” She was too tired to argue, so she told them what had happened without any sort of fanfare or theatre.

“Anyone would have done the same. You just don’t think of the danger. If you did, well …. maybe you wouldn’t do it.” She told the world, with honesty.

She turned from the interview to find Peter waiting for her. She allowed him to hug her tense body. She wasn’t ready to relax it yet, knowing that when she did, the tears would come; and all her inner strength would go. Peter told her in his down-to-earth, practical way that the house was secured as the fire fighters had managed to contain the blaze to the centre of the house. There was a huge amount of water damage throughout the house but some things could be salvaged.

“How are you now?” He asked with concern at her drawn face. “Is there a friend you could go to? I’d like to stay here with your mum but I think you should go to someone who’ll look after you and make sure you get some rest. Margaret is not in any danger – thanks to your bravery.” He stroked her face with thanks. “Have you money for a taxi? No, of course you haven’t. Here’s a fifty. Are you sure there’s someone you can go to?”

“Yes,” Mel assured him, “There’s someone I can go to. I’ll ring first thing in the morning. Oh! I’ll give you the number of where I’ll be.” Mel didn’t know why she was so confident that Alex would welcome her but, as she gave the number to Pete, she just knew that Alex was the only person she wanted to turn to.

Chapter 16

Alex heard the ring of the doorbell as if from a million miles away. She was deep in sleep, lost in a disjointed dream. One minute she was 18years old again, making love with Penny, the next minute Penny had changed to Mel, and Alex herself had seemed to become Penny. Then she was surrounded by people at a party and the door-bell was persistently ringing and someone was yelling,

“Open the goddamn door, somebody!” Alex slowly surfaced from the folds of sleep to realise that someone was actually ringing her door-bell, leaning on it by the sounds of it.

She threw a robe around her naked body and stumbled in the dark, to the door.

“All right! All right! I’m coming!” She growled as she switched on the outside light and looked through the peephole. She sharply drew in her breath as she recognised the distorted view of Mel. She unlatched the deadlock and opened the door.

“What is it? What’s happened?” Her sleep fogged eyes widened as she looked, with concern, at Mel’s strained face. She gently removed Mel’s hand from the door bell and drew her inside the house, locking the door securely behind them. “Mel. What’s the matter?” Mel just shook her head, her body rigid and unbending. Alex kept hold of her hand and led her into the kitchen, where she guided her to a chair, at a table. “Wait there, pet.” She instructed as she put on the kettle, grabbed tea bags, sugar and milk and poured a finger of brandy into a glass. “Here, drink this straight down.” and as Mel spluttered over the fiery contents of the glass, Alex made the hot, sweet tea and set it down in front of Mel.

“OK, love. Sip your tea and, in your own time, tell me what’s happened.” She tried to talk soothingly but had, by that time, seen the smoke-blackened jeans and slightly singed top and Alex found her voice was tense with concern. Mel’s hair was dishevelled and was dark with what appeared to be soot. Alex’s heart was thumping as she waited for her visitor to begin talking.

Mel was still very taut and started to tell Alex what had happened in a stiff, little voice. She told her the basic facts, no elaboration, no heroics, just that her mother had almost died but was now safely in hospital and would eventually heal. She told Alex of her fears for her mother’s face and how relieved she’d been when she’d finally been allowed to see her. She told of the damage to the house, luckily confined to the centre; and how Peter had checked it before taking over at the hospital and she told Alex that there had been no-one else for her to turn to.

Alex looked at the poor, forlorn girl and felt shock that she’d had erotic thoughts about her. ‘She’s just a kid. It was criminal to even think of being intimate with her.’ She knew that her initial instincts had been right after all. Her normally dormant, maternal instincts took over, then, as she drew Mel to her feet.

“The first thing to do is get you cleaned up, then you have a good night’s sleep. It’s very late and you’re exhausted. We’ll talk more in the morning.” She led Mel by the hand to the bathroom, talking as she went. “You can have my bed and I’ll sleep in the spare room.

She started to run the bath, pointing out a clean towel for Mel’s use. She went to fetch one of her old T-shirts.

“Sorry, I don’t have any night wear to lend you. Wear this.” Alex looked closely at Mel’s trance-like movements. “You can manage by yourself?” She asked Mel with concern. The young girl nodded.

“Yes. I’ll be fine.” Alex squeezed her arm and left the bathroom, going into the lounge where she switched on the television, with the sound low so she could hear if Mel called out. At one stage she thought she heard a sound but then it was quiet. The late night news came on and suddenly she was face to face with Mel on the screen. Mel was looking tired and very young as the voice-over was explaining to the viewers how much of a hero Mel had been. Alex listened intently while they explained that, but for Mel, Margaret would definitely have perished in the fire. They told how Mel had gone through the flames and carried her mother back out through them. They listed her mother’s injuries and mentioned that Mel, herself, had been quite badly burned on her back and hands. Alex drew in her breath when she heard this, as Mel hadn’t mentioned being hurt. As the Mel on the television was concluding her interview with “…..Anyone would have done the same….” Alex went into the bathroom to check on the real Mel.

Mel had slowly removed her clothes after Alex had left her alone and she had climbed stiffly into the bath and sat down, gasping as she felt the water touch the burns on her back. She quickly leaned forward to save the dressings from getting too wet. She wearily washed her hair, allowing the water to cascade forward over her face and she soaped her body with her uninjured hand. She could hear the muted tones of the television and, guiltily realised she was keeping Alex from her bed. She let the water escape, stepped from the bath and reached painfully for the towel, just as Alex knocked and walked back in.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d been hurt?” she started to admonish, until she saw the drawn, strained look on Mel’s face. She took the towel from Mel’s unresisting fingers and patted her dry, avoiding her burns and a couple of red sore-looking areas. She led Mel into her bedroom, sat her on the bed and rubbed her hair as dry as she could. She reached for a hairbrush and started to brush through the golden locks, becoming lost in the mesmerising pleasure of the action.

Alex glanced down and saw Mel’s eyes closing with exhaustion. She pulled back the top sheet and lay Mel down, not bothering about the T-shirt. She pulled the sheet gently over Mel’s shoulder, keeping it away from her back; and turned off the bedside light. Mel searched for and found Alex’s hand.

“Please stay with me awhile. Please, Alex!” The older woman nodded in the darkness.

“OK. I’ll stay as long as you want.” She sat on the edge of the bed and continued to hold Mel’s hand long after the girl had fallen into an exhausted sleep.

Alex looked down into Mel’s sleeping face in the dim glow of the hall light. How beautiful, how desirable but – how young. She wondered again how she could possibly have considered for a moment that Mel might be mature enough for …. Oh God, how she wanted her though. She ached to hold her, to comfort her, to love her. She mentally put a hand up to stop the treacherous thoughts as she carefully disengaged her hand from the sleeping Mel. She bent and kissed her brow before leaving the room.

“I’m glad you’re safe, baby.” She whispered as she left the room, going into the small guest room, glad of the fact that she was always prepared for unexpected guests. She threw off her robe thankfully, as the night was hot, and slipped between the sheets, soon falling into a deep sleep.

Alex was woken by the sounds of sobbing, groans and unintelligible words being shouted by her young guest. She jumped up and ran into her own bedroom to find Mel in the throes of a nightmare, her legs caught up in the sheets and a sheen of perspiration on her face. Alex removed the offending sheet and, lying down next to Mel, pulled her into her arms, soothing her with words and the soft stroking of her arms until Mel’s eyes opened and she saw and felt Alex’s closeness.

“Oh, Alex, it was so scary,” she sobbed. “I thought she was dead – and she was so heavy. I couldn’t breathe.” Her mouth gasped for air at the memory.

“It’s OK now, my love. You’re safe with me.” Alex almost crooned. Mel’s body gave way at last and the stiffness melted away as she lost control of the emotions which she’d tried so hard to suppress. Finally the tears came. Her body was convulsed with sobs and her chest was heaving as she tried to gasp for air. The tears poured down her face as Alex held her firmly, being careful to avoid the injured areas. She talked and talked to Mel, her voice mesmerising, her words mostly unheard by Mel, whose racked and drained body slowly relaxed and molded to Alex’s contours.

Mel became aware of Alex’s words.

“Please, little one; don’t cry. It’s all over now. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” She also became aware that Alex was interspersing her sentences with kisses; to her eyes, nose, brow. “You’re safe now.” Mel heard the words and she felt the lips touch the corner of her mouth. Mel turned her head slightly, seeking the warmth and comfort of those lips. She put a hand to the back of Alex’s head – not with any pressure; just to deny any withdrawal. Alex felt Mel’s mouth respond to her own and was powerless to stop the kiss. It was gentle, it was soft and sweet. It wasn’t demanding, it wasn’t even erotic, it was just … perfect!

The kiss lasted forever, with very little movement, only the savouring of each other’s mouth. Alex could taste the saltiness of Mel’s tears and Mel could taste the remembered and dreamed of, lips.

Reluctantly, Alex pulled away.

“Mel,” she whispered, “we can’t …” Mel interrupted her,

“Alex, please. Just hold me through the night; nothing else; just hold me. I really need you.” Alex fought down her conflicting thoughts, one to run away, one to clasp Mel and love her all night.

“Yes, I’ll stay.” She conceded briefly.

As Mel had to lie on her side to avoid pressure on her back, Alex lay on her side, facing away from Mel. Mel molded her body to the contours of Alex’s back, her knees were tucked in behind Alex’s knees and her breasts were pressing into her back. One arm was tucked under the pillow and the other embraced Alex, her palm resting lightly around one breast.

Alex felt the breasts against her back and could feel the tickle of Mel’s pubic hair on her own buttocks. The undemanding hand encircling her breast felt very much at home and, as she happily settled down to sleep, she covered Mel’s hand with her own, confirming its right to nestle there. Mel smiled with contentment: this was a position in which she could happily sleep for the rest of her life. At that moment in time, sex wasn’t wanted or needed, it was just Alex herself that was needed and, as sleep claimed her, her lips were still curled in a smile of contentment.

Chapter 17

Mel awoke to an empty feeling and an empty bed. She reached across to the indentation on the other pillow and felt it still warm. She pulled it to her, burying her face in it, breathing in Alex’s aroma, just as she walked in with a cup of tea in hand. She saw the pillow covering Mel’s face but her _expression didn’t register her sudden wish that it was her body that Mel’s face was buried in.

Alex cleared her throat and spoke in a rather brusque manner.

“Here’s your tea Mel, I thought you’d like to be up quite early to ring the hospital.” Mel looked at her, wondering where the warm, loving Alex of the previous night had gone.

“Thanks, Alex. I would like to ring the hospital.” She answered aloud in a small, dignified voice; but to herself, reflected. ‘Well, Alex – you may try to pretend that last night didn’t happen; but I’m not!’ Mel threw the sheet off herself and stood up, unconcerned by her nakedness. Alex half looked away as she put the cup down and searched through her cupboards and drawers to find underwear, shorts and a top for Mel to wear.

“There’s a clean towel if you’d like to shower and I’ve put out a new toothbrush for you. Everything else you might need, you should find in the bathroom. I’ll leave you to it and go to start cooking breakfast.” She finally looked directly at Mel, “OK?” Mel smiled and nodded her thanks.

“I’ll be down as quickly as I can.”

The day was very hectic for Mel. She visited her mother for a couple of hours, both in the morning and the early evening, glad to see her conscious, even though that brought pain to her. She organised quotes for repairs on the house. She spoke with the insurance company, confirming that the police and fire brigade had pinpointed the start of the fire to an electrical fault in the old house. Alex took her to the house, where they met with Pete. Mel managed to retrieve some clothes and her diary from her bedroom. Alex told Pete that she would like Mel to stay with her, at least until the National Championships. Mel looked at her in surprise, as Alex hadn’t even hinted at that during the day.

Pete was relieved that Mel would be looked after and, as Alex preceded them out of the house, he told Mel that he really liked Alex, having had numerous dealings with her in the past, in his role of swimming official. His weekly stints, administering the swimming meets, had led to his meeting Margaret some six months earlier and their friendship had since developed into something stronger. He didn’t know how this accident was going to affect their relationship; but the fear that he’d felt when he thought he may lose her had been quite a revelation to him. He rather thought that the accident may speed things up between them and his intention was to talk to Margaret as soon as the pain had receded a little.

Pete and Mel reassured Margaret that Mel was being well looked after. However, the drugs which were being used to lessen the pain had dulled her thoughts to an extent that she didn’t realise exactly who was looking after her daughter. Her main worry was that Mel’s own injuries may have put her chances of going to the Nationals in doubt and Mel herself was unsure whether she’d be able to compete in only eight days time. Her back was very painful and stiff and the pain increased when she lifted her arms above her head. There’d been so many other things to worry about on that day, however, that she put her fears to the back of her mind. Alex dropped her off for her second visit to the hospital and Peter promised to drive her back to Alex’s house afterwards.

It was 7.30pm when she was dropped off and she walked wearily to the front door. As Alex opened the door, the aroma of food cooking wafted into the hallway, making Mel realise how hungry she was. She looked at Alex, unconsciously licking her lips.

“Yes, it’s lasagna,” she laughed, “and there’s salad to go with it. Are you as hungry as you look?”

“God, yes! It smells delicious.”

“Ten minutes till it’s ready; so if you want a shower, it’ll need to be quick. I put your clothes in the spare bedroom.” Mel looked sideways at her but refrained from comment. She showered and changed into a lightweight summer dress that wouldn’t press on her back.

They ate outside on the patio, listening to soft music as Mel told Alex how her mother was and all the organisation she had done regarding the house, impressing Alex with her resourcefulness.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me staying here for the next week?” Mel was still a little worried, thinking that Alex may have felt obligated to invite her.

“Yes; it’s fine. I won’t be able to run you around a lot, though, as there’s plenty I have to prepare at the leisure centre. I start officially on Monday.

“Does that mean you won’t be going to Nationals?” It was the first that Mel had heard of the possibility.

“No, I’m afraid I can’t go. I’ll be watching you win your races on TV, though.” She didn’t like to see the look of disappointment on Mel’s face. “But…..talking about the Nationals – do you think you’ll be all right for them? I know the selectors will basically leave it up to you and Jenny; but there’ll have to be a late fitness test.”

“I really don’t know.” Mel’s face had clouded over, with worry. “I know I couldn’t swim at the moment, so my training will be thrown out completely. I hope that by early next week it will feel well enough to get into the water. I just don’t know.” Her voice sounded dejected. Alex knew the dressings needed to be changed daily at the hospital, so she leaned over and patted Mel’s hand.

“They’ll do their best for you. Don’t worry about it. Relax here and get well quickly.”

At 9.30pm, Alex said she was going to bed. She again referred to the spare bedroom as being for Mel to let her know that the sleeping arrangements of the previous night were not going to be repeated. Mel allowed Alex time to shower and finish in the bathroom before she herself prepared for bed. She lay, naked as usual, in bed; remembering the feel of Alex’s body against her own. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, unable to get comfortable. Eventually she got out of bed and padded into Alex’s softly-lit room. She heard Alex’s steady breathing and knew she was asleep. She slipped into bed, behind her and her body moulded itself to Alex’s sleeping form, as it had the previous night. She heard a small sigh and felt Alex snuggle down further, relaxing into the now-familiar position. Mel kissed her shoulder.

“Goodnight, my love.” She whispered.

Alex woke to find Mel’s sleeping body draped around her own. Sometime during the night, Mel’s restless leg had been thrown over her own legs, pinning them down. Mel’s arm was around her, one hand tucked under a breast and Alex could feel the tickle of Mel’s regular breath on her shoulder. When Alex had awoken the previous morning, she had been able to slip out of Mel’s loose embrace but she doubted whether she would be able to escape this time, without waking Mel. She glanced at the clock. It was only 6.30. Mel wasn’t training, as Jenny had suggested they leave it until Monday. ‘Half an hour more!’ Alex promised herself.

Relaxing once more, Alex allowed her thoughts and feelings to take over. She revelled in the feel of Mel’s body and she became aware of the specific points that were touching her body. She felt one of Mel’s breasts, squashed slightly beneath her own back, the other pressed to her shoulder blade, the nipple soft and relaxed. Mel’s flat stomach was against the curve of her back and Mel’s other knee was pressed up, under her own hip, resting slightly between her legs. Alex knew that if she moved at all, she would rub up against that knee. The thought made her aware of the moisture building up and she had to stop her pelvis from making the thought become the deed.

The leg that was thrown across her own was heavy and she could feel the prickle of hairs on her thigh. She could also feel the slight gap between the hairs, feeling warm and soft against her skin. Her hand ached to touch Mel, to feel the moisture, to feel the swelling as the blood filled the clitoris. ‘Oh God!’ she groaned softly, not sure that she could take any more.

Alex was immediately aware of the difference in Mel’s breathing pattern when she woke, even though she hadn’t moved a muscle. She felt the regular breathing change to be more ragged, disjointed, as their relative positions had its effect on Mel. Alex feigned sleep and, even through her own frustration, was amused when she felt Mel’s pelvis press closer into her thigh, her legs parting some more. She felt the dampness on her thigh and knew that Mel was as aroused as she was herself. She kept telling herself – reminding herself – that Mel was untouched, a virgin in all ways; but Mel’s movements belied this knowledge. Alex felt Mel’s knee push further up between her own legs, moving slightly from side to side to open the outer lips, to allow access for her knee to feel the soft skin and now very wet, inner folds.

Mel started to move with a slow, steady rhythm, her knee between Alex’s legs, her clitoris rubbing against Alex’s thigh. Alex tried to control her own breathing as she heard Mel’s rasping breath but felt her own body take up the rhythm. All pretence of sleep was gone but no word was spoken as each straining body used the other for satisfaction. As if by unspoken agreement, hands were not allowed to be used and, as the two neared satiation, it was an added agony that their mouths did not kiss.

Mel was almost there. She felt the tingling start through her legs and up through her groin as the spasm began. She lost her rhythm as she drowned in her body’s climax and Alex could only wait patiently for it to finish before the rhythm would start again, this time for her. She hoped that Mel’s inexperience would not make her unaware that she, herself had still to reach fulfilment, so she started to move herself up and along Mel’s knee and the younger woman responded by sliding her now wet knee in the opposite direction to Alex’s thrusts. Her hand cupped Alex’s breast as she felt the nearing of her orgasm.

“Yes, my love, Yes!” she encouraged as Alex collapsed in spasms against her knee. Her breathing was as ragged as Mel’s own had been a little earlier. Mel kissed Alex’s shoulder, trailing kisses up into the nape of her neck as Alex’s body slowly recovered.

They lay unspeaking for long minutes as their bodies recuperated and their minds cleared.

“That….. is…. never…… ever… to happen again!” Alex spoke harshly, making Mel jump and pull herself away from Alex in surprise.

“Why?” She was totally confused.

“You’re too young. I’m too old. Hell! I don’t know which it is but…..I’m being relied on to look after you, not seduce you!” Alex stated, ignoring the fact that all the seduction had been done by Mel. “Tomorrow night, stay in your own room please!” Alex looked away from the hurt that was mirrored in Mel’s eyes, steeling herself to be firm. She told herself that she was doing the right thing. She told herself that Mel was too young to know her own mind and that it was just the emotion of the moment; the aftermath of her fright, the worry about her mother and even the upcoming Nationals that was fuelling the feelings she had for Alex. She told herself but she was not sure if she heard.

Chapter 18

The weekend passed quickly for Mel as she had arrangements to make about the house, visits to her mother and treatment to her back and hand to fill in. She obeyed Alex’s instructions and stayed each night in the spare room, feeling lonely – but prepared to bide her time and to follow Alex’s rules while in her house.

When Margaret realised where Mel was staying she looked a little apprehensive but, on Sunday when Alex accompanied Mel on a visit, she could detect no special intimacy between them, just a caring, protective attitude on Alex’s part. She would have been more concerned if she’d been able to see beyond the veneer to Alex’s inner longings for Mel, especially at night when her bed felt big and empty. She had tried to stay friendly and cheerful with Mel but occasionally the frustration overflowed and she snapped at her tormentor. Mel secretly smiled at these outbursts, seeing them for what they were – inner frustrations! Mel felt much more hopeful at these times than when Alex was cheerful but distant.

Mel was due to fly out on Wednesday and was to have a fitness test on Tuesday morning to see if she was able to swim with a degree of comfort. She delayed returning to the pool until the Monday morning after the dressing had been removed. She entered the water with trepidation, expecting the chlorine to sting her healing wounds, which it did! The pain was not quite as bad as feared when she first entered the water but when she tried to stretch out her body for the butterfly or free-style, the pain became unbearable. She could just manage the backstroke and the breaststroke was a little easier.

Her eyes were red with the tears of disappointment as she left the water. Jenny consoled her by saying there would always be other competitions and that this set back just couldn’t be helped. Jenny rang the doctor with regret, cancelling the fitness test.

When Alex arrived home from her first full day at work, she found dinner cooked, a bottle of wine opened and a determinedly cheerful Mel awaiting her.

“How did the swim go?” she asked Mel, confident that it must have gone well.

“Oh, it was just too painful. I couldn’t stretch out at all. Jenny cancelled the test.” Mel tried to be nonchalant but, as Alex looked hard at her, her eyes dropped and she blinked away tears.

“Why the hell are you both giving up so easily?” Alex demanded, annoyance in her tone. “Have you been putting the salve on?” Mel looked a little guilty.

“Not as often as I probably should; but it’s hard to smooth it on – by myself I mean.”

“Why the hell didn’t you say? You should have asked me!” Alex sounded angry. “Obviously the skin is going to be tight until the salve softens it, allowing it to stretch. After dinner, you go and get it and I’ll put it on for you. Which doctor was going to do the test? I’ll ring him to see if he can test you on Wednesday morning. You’re not due to fly out until after lunch.”

Mel’s face lit up. There was hope in her voice.

“Do you think that it may be better by then?”

“God! I don’t know. But we can give it every chance, can’t we?” Mel nodded happily as Mel went to ring the doctor. The young swimmer never doubted that Alex would be able to get him to agree and she was not afraid that Jenny would feel that Alex was encroaching. Jenny respected Alex too much to feel resentment.

Having received assurances from the doctor that a Wednesday morning test was acceptable, they ate dinner, washed up, then Mel obediently went to get the salve. Alex spread out a towel on the floor and Mel pulled off her top and lay face down on the towel. Alex’s gentle hands massaged the skin, stretching and pulling at the ever more supple skin. She put on more and more salve, waiting for each application to be absorbed into the skin before adding another. As her hands took on a rhythm of their own, her mind wandered to the vivid dream she’d had the previous night. She’d been touching Mel as she was doing now but sliding her hand down over the buttocks, slipping her hand underneath the strong body and into the moist opening. Her hands slowed as the memory consumed her and she only just prevented herself as her hands started the ascent over the first rise of Mel’s buttocks!

Mel felt the hands on her skin, a never-ending sensual feel which relaxed, yet excited her. She felt the hands slow and then start to move lower and lower, way lower than the burns. She felt them slide down to her buttocks and had just started to lift her hips towards the hands when they suddenly withdrew and she felt the hollowness of disappointment.

“That’ll do you.” The words were casual but the voice sounded strained. “I’ll put more on in the morning. Wake me at about 6.30 if I’m not already up.” Alex knew that Mel was a habitually early riser.

As expected, Jenny wasn’t at all put out by Alex’s actions.

“I should have thought of it myself.” She was apologetic.

“No, you’re just not as pushy as Alex!” They both laughed.

“OK. Well, do some stretches – whichever ones you feel you can do and then start with some gentle breaststroke, then backstroke if it’s not too painful.” Jenny was a bit hesitant and unsure.

“No, I’ll be all right!” Mel was back to her confident self.

Alex came home earlier from work on Tuesday.

“Right! Let’s get some salve on now and I’ll put more on later.” Mel’s back was beginning to feel less tight but was still pulling when she simulated the free-style action.

“When you pass the fitness test tomorrow, you’ll have time to come back here for a couple of hours before your plane leaves. I’m taking the morning off and part of the afternoon so I can see you all off. I’ll put on more salve before you go. Make sure you hand it over to the team physio, so he can continue the treatment a few times a day.” Mel nodded as Alex continued. “Also, I’ll make the suggestion to Jenny that you pass up the 100m free-style on Friday. That will give you another day for healing before you do the 100m butterfly on Saturday and the individual medley on Sunday.” Mel agreed wholeheartedly, as the chance of a top three finish in the free-style had always been unrealistic and was only going to be used as a warm-up event.

Mel felt a little downcast as she wondered if this was to be her final night at Alex’s house as no arrangements had been made to return there after the Nationals. She knew her own house repairs were almost finished and the assumption was that she would return there on the following Tuesday.

Chapter 19

Early on Wednesday morning Mel slipped into bed with Alex, drawing from her an anguished ‘No..ooo!’

“Please!” Mel begged, “Just to hold you – nothing more!” Alex didn’t answer but moved slightly, allowing Mel more room. Mel held her, not knowing if this was to be the last time. Tears prickled her eyes but she blinked them away quickly. They lay in each other’s arms until the alarm went off at 6.30. Alex went to fetch the salve and once more administered it to Mel’s back. The burns were healing very well and the pink, puffy new skin was getting some elasticity.”

“It feels good, now.” Mel was grateful to Alex for giving her every chance to prove her fitness.

“Don’t take too many risks. It’s not worth it at this stage of your career.” Alex’s concern showed in her voice.

“I love you.” Mel stated quietly, unexpectedly and, as Alex opened her mouth to argue, Mel’s hand covered it. “No. Don’t say anything. Just believe it!”

Mel dressed and headed to the pool, sure that this time she would be able to manage the strokes. Jenny and the doctor arrived after she’d stretched and done a leisurely warm-up of breaststroke. The doctor had a look at the pink, healing flesh and nodded his satisfaction.

“Well, it looks good. Let’s see what you can do in the pool.” Mel slipped into the pool, not wanting to chance a racing dive at this stage. She followed the doctor’s instructions, gentle backstroke for one lap, pushing the pace on the return lap. She repeated the process with free-style and butterfly.

The free-style was especially painful and when she emerged from the pool she had to steel her _expression to conceal the pain. The doctor sensed she was in more pain than she was admitting to but as her movement through the water had looked smooth and unrestricted, he decided that the pain level was controllable. He gave her permission to travel; adding the rejoinder that he was leaving the pain management to her but his advice was not to push the barrier too far. He was satisfied, however, that the exertion would not damage the healing process of the burns, as long as she continued to use the salve.

Mel was very relieved but she told Jenny that she’d be happier not doing the painful strokes in training for the first couple of days that she was in Melbourne. Jenny agreed and also endorsed Alex’s suggestion of bypassing the free-style event.

“Leave it with me. I’ll sort it out with the event co-ordinator.” Jenny added that she’d see Mel at the airport as Alex was driving her there.

Alex immediately saw that the news was good but she could also see the remembered pain in Mel’s eyes.

“Pretty tough?” she asked with sympathy. Mel nodded. “Come on,” Alex held out her hand. “I’ll put some more salve on. I promise you the pain will lessen more each day.” She reassured Mel. Alex grabbed the salve and a towel and led Mel into her own bedroom. “Lie down on my bed then, when the salve is in, you can rest for an hour or so.” Mel obeyed and removed her top and bra also her track pants, as the day was warming up again.

Alex knelt on the bed and started the now-familiar practice of spreading the salve on Mel’s back with long, smooth strokes.

“How’re the house repairs going?” Alex wanted to know.

“They say it’ll be ready on Friday and Mum’s due home at the weekend. Peter’s going to stay at our house with her until I get home on Tuesday.” Alex’s hands stopped for a brief moment.

“I’ll miss you.” was simply said. Mel turned her head and looked at Alex’s slightly flushed face. “I’ll miss your company, I mean.” Alex corrected herself.

“Of course.” Mel smiled, “I’ll miss you too…..your company, I mean!” she teased.

Alex finished her massage and went to wash her hands.

“Stay with me a while.” Mel asked of her. Deciding it may be beneficial to Mel’s mental preparation, Alex lay down next to Mel, side by side on the bed. They talked of Mel’s plans for the races, discussing a couple of the known opposition. They held hands in easy intimacy and when Mel sleepily reminded Alex to wake her in time for her flight, Alex unthinkingly leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

“Sleep well, little one. I’ll look after you.”

“Promises! Promises!” was Mel’s sleepy retort, as Alex smiled down at the closing eyes.

When Alex gently shook Mel awake, there was not a lot of time to spare and Mel still had to ring her mother at the hospital to say goodbye. She showered, dressed, checked her luggage and then rang the hospital. Margaret was feeling much better and she wished Mel luck with her races, telling Mel she’d be watching them on TV during the evening highlights each night. Mel promised to ring her on Sunday.

“Just make sure that Peter looks after you!” she joked but Margaret was serious when she replied that she was sure Peter would look after her perfectly. Mel recognised the love in her mother’s voice, it being the same as she felt for Alex. When Mel put the phone down, they had to hurry to the airport to meet Jenny and the rest of the team and coaches.

There was no opportunity at the airport for a private conversation as everyone was milling around. There were plenty of family and friends to see the swimmers off and Mel was surprised and delighted to find Penny and Angela there to wish her luck.

She just had time for a quick peck on the cheek for her friends before she walked through the boarding gate. She did manage to whisper into Alex’s ear.

“I love you. I’ll miss you.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and jogged after the others who were all ahead of her. One last turn and wave of her hand and she was gone. Penny glanced across at Alex in time to see the sheen of tears and a look of longing in her face. She put an arm around her friend.

“She’ll be back soon – and maybe with a couple of medals.”

“Much good that’ll do me.” Alex smiled ruefully, “It’s hopeless, Penny. She’s still so young! It was really good to have her to come home to, though. I’m really going to miss her – more than I’d ever tell her!” Penny laughed out loud.

“You don’t need to tell her. She knows! You may try to hide your feelings from others and even from yourself; but you haven’t hidden them from her. She knows; and it’s my bet that she’ll come home to claim you. Don’t fight too hard, pet. Love is too precious to throw away so easily.”

Chapter 20

Mel’s preparation for her events had been severely retarded by her injury and enforced lay-off and she still couldn’t train flat out on the Thursday and Friday; but each time she entered the pool her back felt a little better. She was glad she didn’t have to do the free-style event and, when she asked to be left out of the relay events because of her lack of fitness, the coaches agreed.

Saturday morning arrived and her butterfly heat was scheduled for 10am. Like most swimmers, she disliked racing in the morning but on this day she didn’t feel too bad, especially after she’d had her rub down from the physiotherapist. She knew she was as good as she could be in the circumstances.

Mel took the heat reasonably easy, just making sure she would be in the top two. Her time put her in lane three in the final as the fourth fastest qualifier and she was satisfied with that position. She rested in the afternoon and prepared herself in good time for her 7pm race. Mark spent some time with her, geeing her up, instilling confidence in her. Mark was always a good influence on her and helped in the psyching-up process. He kissed her ‘good luck’ and they shared a special smile.

“John says ‘good luck’ too.” he whispered and Mel touched his arm.

“Thank him for me. He’s really special, Mark – but then, so are you! You’re both really lucky men.” She had met John the previous evening when he had taken them both out for a pasta tea. She had liked him enormously and, though approaching forty, he was very fit and obviously adored Mark. Mel knew full well that the feeling was reciprocated totally.

She felt the nerves in her stomach and, as always, was amused at the saying ‘butterflies’ in the stomach. It seemed ironic that the race she was about to start was to be in the ‘butterfly’ stroke!

The gun went off and Mel got a reasonable start. She stayed under water a long time before surging up to the surface, drawing in some air and settling into the rhythm of the stroke. Whenever she took her arms over her head she felt the skin pull across her back but the pain level had diminished considerably. She turned in third place, a stroke behind the joint leaders. She was aware of spectators screaming and shouting for their personal favourite but she blocked her ears to the noise as she put her head down for the final fifty metres. She felt the girl in the next lane start to come back to her but was unsure of the girl in the further lane. ‘One big effort!’ She kept telling herself….but the pain was becoming unbearable. The lack of training showed in her diminishing strength in the kick and her lungs burned with the effort. One last lunge and it was all over! She’d finished second, a length behind the winner and a touch in front of the third-place getter. She was both pleased and disappointed. Pleased to have secured a place in the Commonwealth Games team but disappointed that she’s let Alex and Jenny down. She knew she had been favoured to win this race before the accident but she was philosophical about it. She watched the winner talk to the TV cameras and imagined her mother, now back at home; and Alex in her home, wishing it were her.

Mel went back to the hotel soon after her warm-down as she felt totally exhausted. She was worried about the next day’s event, she wasn’t convinced that her stamina was good enough for it. She had really been hurting at the end of the butterfly race. She rang Alex briefly, just to hear her voice but she’d forgotten the three hour time difference so Alex had not yet seen the telecast.

“It’s only 7pm over here, you know.” Alex explained.

“Oh yeah! Sorry, I keep forgetting about that. I’m not a very experienced traveller, you know!” She understated; and received a chuckle in reply.

Alex congratulated her on her silver medal but refused to talk for long.

“Go and have some sleep!” she ordered, “You can ring me tomorrow, when it’s all over.”

“OK boss.” Mel laughed, tiredly. “Whatever you say. Sleep well. I’ll be home soon.” She hung up and fell into bed, where she slept for ten hours.

Mel awoke the next morning feeling heavy-limbed and lethargic.

“Damn it!” she complained to Mark, “I slept for too bloody long!” He advised her to lengthen her warm-up time to allow her body to wake up more thoroughly. She finished her breakfast and left for the pool to prepare for her 11.30 heat.

Halfway down the first lap Mel knew she was in trouble. She felt sluggish, her arms were heavy and her timing felt ‘out’. She approached the turn at the end of the butterfly, her best stroke, in fourth place! The first and second place getters in each heat got through to the final plus the next two fastest swimmers from the three heats also made it to the final, so she knew she had to improve, preferably two places! The backstroke leg was not much better than the first leg and she was aware of the specialist back-stroker coming up level with, then passing her. She felt that she was gaining on at least one of the swimmers in front of her. She turned at the end of the second leg in equal fourth place - a length behind third. Mel surged off the wall into the breast-stroke and immediately felt better as her arms no longer had to come out of the water above her head. The many special lessons she’d had with Alex paid off as the movement of the stroke felt sure and natural. She quickly shook off the swimmer who had turned level with her and set off after the three in front. She was gaining quickly on the third swimmer but the competitor in second place was surging forward, gaining distance on the leader.

Three strokes from the end of the leg, Mel was in third place but was still two lengths behind the two in front who were vying for first place and pushing each other to an even greater effort. These two lengths were doubled once the other swimmers turned and changed to the faster free-style. Mel’s heart sank at the prospect of missing out on a place in the final after all the work Alex had put in to her. She ignored her pain as she powered off the wall in the forlorn hope of catching the two in front of her.

The two previous heats had produced close finishes with the third place getters very close behind the second swimmer in both races, so Mel knew she would need to be very close to these two swimmers at the end of the race. She put in one last spurt but was still nearly two lengths behind as the two swimmers in front touched, almost together. Mel’s chest heaved as she rested her head on the arm which was leaning on the lane rope. Tears prickled her eyes in disappointment as she dejectedly swam to the steps and climbed out. She glanced at the scoreboard and was surprised to see the winner’s time was only just outside the Australian record. She knew the other heats had not been that fast so her eyes went to her own time as she tried to remember the times of the other third place getters. Her brain refused to work as she was so tired, so she couldn’t bring them to mind. As she was towelling off, the scoreboard showed the eight finalists and their lanes for the final and she groaned with relief as she saw that she had qualified in 8th position by point zero one of a second over the next fastest swimmer.

She swam a few warm-down laps, then went for a massage. She had a late lunch, with plenty of carbohydrates and had a lie down in the afternoon, though she was determined not to sleep. She rang both her mother and Alex to tell them not to expect too much from her that evening as she’d only just qualified in last place. Her mother was sympathetic – blaming her injury for the disappointing swim. Alex was more practical – if you’re in it, you’ve got a chance to win it – was basically her philosophy.

“Dig deep inside yourself, Mel. You’ll find something you didn’t even know you had. I know you can do it – but you’ve got to know it too!” She pressed before adding softly, “Do it for yourself Mel…….and for me!” before abruptly saying, “Well…good luck.” as she hung up. Mel smiled at the receiver, fired up as she’d never been before.

“Yes.” she told it, “I’ll do it for me – and for you…….but I’d rather do it for ‘us’!”

Chapter 21

She stood on the blocks, her face serious and determined, her mind totally focused. She had almost forgotten to wave when she was introduced to the crowd! She waited for the starter, he seemed to take forever. The gun went off as her feet left the blocks and she half expected the recall gun to go off, indicating a false start but it didn’t. She didn’t stay under the water for too long as she wanted to be up and swimming. Her head burst from the water and her arms reached for the water again. She felt good, God she felt good! The morning’s lethargy had left her completely. She felt loose and strong…..and good!

She was determined to swim her own race and that was easier from the outside lane that she was in. The favourites were so far away from her in the middle lanes that she couldn’t judge their speed so had no idea of her position as she turned into the back-stroke but knew it had been a fast 50 metres. She dragged at the water rhythmically and became lost in her own world. As she turned into the breaststroke leg she glanced across the pool and was surprised to see so many swimmers still completing the previous leg. This gave Mel an added boost and she settled into the new stroke, swimming it as well as she’s swum it in the morning heat.

A quick glance across the pool as she neared the wall indicated there was only one competitor in front of her but she couldn’t tell if it was the NSW girl who had won the 100m free-style race or the young Queenslander who was the specialist breast-stroker. Mel didn’t know or care. She headed for home and, as Alex had predicted, she found a little something extra from deep inside herself but she had a name for it – ‘love’ it was called! She found it and beat against the pain barrier again and again.

Her fingers crashed into the wall at speed, the bruises on her fingers would last for days! She looked across the pool just as the second swimmer touched the wall. She heard the screams and the cheers and, without thinking, looked for Alex amongst the standing, cheering crowd, before remembering she wasn’t there. She looked at the scoreboard and saw the flashing lights next to her time - ‘New Australian Record!!!’ the lights flashed on and off as it slowly sunk in that she had bettered the old record by one point two seconds! She lifted a weary arm and waved at the crowd, then turned to the eye of the camera and waved, especially for Alex.

She had barely got back her breath when the ex-swimmer turned sports commentator congratulated her and asked if she was ready to start the interview. She nodded and they waited for the countdown. The red light on the camera clicked on and the interviewer quickly recapped the race then congratulated her and asked for her thoughts on the final which she tried to answer along the guidelines laid down in her ‘media training’. She was then asked why her final swim was so much better than her heat swim. She tried to explain her morning’s performance, saying she’d felt lethargic and tired. She had just been glad of the opportunity to swim in the final to show everyone that she was not as bad as she’d looked in the heat and to repay the people who had put their faith in her.

“When did you know you had the race won?” Was the rather inane question from the interviewer. Mel tried to take the sting out of her answer with a smile.

“Not until I looked across the pool and saw that I was the only one not still swimming!” The interviewer laughed good-naturedly and Mel continued, “I’d like to just say thanks to my Mum – hope you’re feeling better. Thanks to my coach, Jenny and a special thank you to my ex-coach and friend, Alex.” Mel looked into the camera, “Love you.” It was rather ambiguously said, as it could have encompassed all three but Mel knew and she hoped Alex would know that the words were for her alone.

After the interview and medal presentation Jenny and the team congratulated her but it all seemed anti-climatic to Mel. The one she wanted to share it with wasn’t there. She got the glimmering of an idea. A few of the swimmers who had finished their programmes were flying back to Perth on the 9.30 flight that night and, as the time was only 7.30pm, she wondered to a team manager if she would be able to catch it, providing there was a seat available. The reason she gave for wanting to catch the earlier flight was that her mother was coming out of hospital that weekend and she indicated that she ought to be in Perth for her. As the circumstances of the fire were well known to the managers of the team, this reason was accepted as quite valid and hurried calls were made to the airline and it was found that spare seats were available.

She said quick goodbyes to Jenny and Mark, giving him a good-luck kiss and the hope that he would pick up his hat-trick of gold medals when he competed in his final race the following night. The manager drove her to the hotel where she hurriedly threw her clothes into a bag and they arrived at the airport with fifteen minutes to spare. She rang Margaret from the airport and told her about the race but didn’t mention her early arrival back in Perth. That was for Alex alone to find out. Mel boarded the plane with the other swimmers but her late booking meant that she was sitting apart from them. She knew she would arrive at Perth airport at 10.30pm and that a taxi ride should get her to Alex’s house by 11pm where, no doubt, she would find Alex watching the swimming on the T.V.

Chapter 22

After Mel’s phone call earlier in the day, Alex couldn’t settle. She spoke to Penny on the phone, telling her of Mel’s disappointing heat swim. She was restless and nervous and wished she was at the pool with Mel. She did a little paper work for her job but couldn’t concentrate.

At 4pm Perth time, she swam the race alongside Mel, urging her on, putting all her feelings and emotions into it. It left her feeling drained and listless. As she thought about Mel she was adamant that she would make it perfectly clear to her, when she returned, that there couldn’t be a future for them together and they must make a clean break. This intention depressed her and she found herself, yet again, rewinding and playing the tape of the previous night’s race. She watched Mel wave to the crowd when she was introduced and watched her step onto the blocks and noticed Mel’s eyes scan the crowd. ‘She’s still got that bloody habit of looking for me!’ she thought, with a smile of affection in her eyes. She looked at the long, lean legs and remembered the feel of them wrapped around her. She switched off the T.V. in frustration and decided to cook an elaborate meal for herself. Once the meal was cooked she only picked at it and was irritated to see that she’d cooked enough for two.

The hands of the clock dragged by and eventually, at 9.30pm, she decided to shower, wash her hair and generally prepare for bed so she could go straight there after the telecast of Mel’s race. She’d kept glancing at the clock all evening, wondering why Mel hadn’t rung after the race was finished. Either she was too disappointed and dejected to ring or she wanted Alex to see the race without knowing the result – in which case the news may be pretty good.

She turned the T.V. back on at 10.15pm and prepared the tape ready for recording. She realised that the program scheduled to start at 10pm had only just started.

“Damn!” she said it out loud, “it’s going to start late!” She poured herself a glass of wine and stared, unseeingly, at the T.V. She finished the drink and poured herself another. ‘This is worse than competing myself!’ she thought impatiently.

Finally, the unwatched show finished and the music at the start of the swimming came on. She sat through the introduction and then watched the morning’s heats which they showed briefly. They showed the last two legs of Mel’s heat and Alex realised just how far behind Mel had been at the half-way stage of the race. It had taken a real gutsy effort to make up so much distance on the first two and Alex felt really proud of Mel’s persistence. The exhaustion was evident on Mel’s face and Alex’s heart went out to her as she watched her rest her head on her arm in dejection when she’d thought that she’d missed a place in the final.

The telecast went back to ‘live’ action and Alex watched the men’s 200m breast-stroke without much interest as there was no Western.Australian athlete in the final. Mel’s race was next and Alex poured her third wine as she watched the swimmers start to strip off their tracksuits. She settled down on the lounge once more as the competitors were introduced. She noticed the hesitation before Mel waved at the crowd and realised that she’d almost forgotten to do so. Mel was on the blocks and there was no glance at the crowd -- bringing a feeling of loss to Alex - just a steely look in her eyes.

The gun went off and Mel got a flyer - pretty close to a false start but just legal. She watched Mel surface earlier than normal and then just fly down the pool.

“God, she looks so good” was followed by “Don’t go out too fast, you’ll have nothing left at the end!” Her muttered instructions were meaningless, it was all up to Mel now. The turn was good and she flowed into the backstroke. Alex tried to judge the T.V. camera angle to see if she was in front but she appeared to be just behind one other swimmer. The commentators voice was annoying Alex so she turned down the sound, using the remote control.

She saw the glance Mel threw across the pool at the start of the breaststroke. “Ignore them. Swim your own race.” Alex shouted at the T.V., shattering the silence. The breaststroke leg was all she could have hoped for, Mel’s style looked superb. She was relieved that the Queenslander wasn’t too far in front at the end of the leg. The top free-styler was about a length and a half behind Mel but Alex knew that, if Mel had extended too much energy in the first part of the race, the free-styler could come over the top of her.

Alex watched Mel turn and head for home.

“Come on, baby – come on!” She was encouraging, “Give it all you’ve got – you can do it, my darling!” She watched Mel make up the distance on the Queenslander and overtake her. She saw the NSW swimmer trying to bridge the gap. “Now, Mel! Do it now! Find it, it’s there inside you!” and, as she shouted, she saw Mel cling on, hang on to the lead then, miraculously, she seemed to forge ahead, her last two strokes propelling her very fast into the wall. “Yes! We did it! Oh baby, you were great!” Alex couldn’t control her elation.

Alex turned the sound up as the interviewer asked Mel a couple of questions and Alex squirmed at the inanity of them but she was mainly concentrating on Mel’s voice and the smile on her face. She was listening to Mel thank her mother and Jenny when her doorbell suddenly rang. Who the hell was ringing her doorbell at 11pm on a Sunday night?

“Get lost.” she muttered and then heard Mel continue “ ……ex-coach and friend, Alex. Love you!”

“Oh God!” she groaned, “I love you too, hon.”

The doorbell rang again as the camera went from Mel to the commentators in the box. Alex stopped the ‘record’ button and re-wound it a bit, pressing ‘play’ before going to see who was persistently pressing her doorbell.

“All right! I’m coming!” she called out. She looked through the peephole and her first thought was ‘deja vue’ as she saw Mel’s distorted face for the second time in a couple of weeks. She undid the door and stepped back, perplexed.

“What are you doing here? You don’t get back till Tuesday.” Mel stepped in, locked the door and walked into the lounge ahead of the bemused Alex.

“I came home early – I’d forgotten something.” Alex’s eyebrows raised questioningly. “You!” Mel answered simply.

She glanced behind as she heard her own voice saying “. . . . .friend, Alex. Love you.” She turned back to Alex and took a step closer.

“I love you, Alex. More than anything else. It’s more important to me than medals, swimming or public opinion. I love you and you’re going to love me - I’m going to make you!” Alex stood still, in a daze, finding it hard to accept that Mel was here in the room with her. She put a hand on her brow, had she had more to drink than she thought? Had she fallen asleep and was dreaming?

Mel opened the front of Alex’s robe and slipped it off her naked shoulders. Her hands cupped Alex’s face as she gently drew it to her own and they kissed -- gently at first and then hungrily as their pent-up feelings began to be released. Mel kicked off her shoes, Alex fumbled with the buttons holding up Mel’s jeans. She succeeded with them just as Mel threw off her top and reached behind to unclasp her bra. Mel stepped out of the opened jeans and stood in her tiny briefs.

Alex groaned at the sight of Mel’s body.

“Mel, this is wrong.”

“I know love - I know.”

“We can’t do this!” Alex persisted.

“You’re right - we can’t.” as Mel led Alex by the hand into the bedroom.

“Nothing is going to happen,” Alex tried again.

“OK, hon. Nothing will happen,” as she drew Alex down on the bed.

“We’ve got to just go to sleep,” Alex stated in desperation.

“Yes darling, we’ll go to sleep,” Mel agreed yet again.

Mel slipped off her briefs and lay down half across Alex.

“There’s no future in this,” was said as Alex looked up into Mel’s face.

“No, no future at all.”

“You’re too young!” one last try from Alex.

“Yes my love. Too young to do this . . .” she leaned over to kiss the tip of one Alex’s breasts “ . . . and this” her fingers stroked the skin of Alex’s inner thigh “ . . . and of course I’m much too young to do this,” Mel moved slightly to be above Alex and then lowered herself down to her. Their thighs met first, then the thick, crinkly hair mingled, before their breasts caressed each other and, lastly, their lips met, completing the joining, one body molding with the other.

Alex could voice no answer. Her surrender was absolute. Her body answered for her, taking over from her reason. She’d dreamed of Mel rearing over her and this the young woman now did - in total control. Alex let her passion overwhelm her as her legs encircled Mel’s thighs, clasping her. Her mouth lifted to those magnificent breasts that, in turn, were straining to be kissed, caressed, loved. Mouths, hands, fingers and tongues sought to feel, touch and taste their lover’s body. The perspiration mixed with tears of joy, with the moisture that was the evidence of their arousal and the moisture of their mouths. Their explosions of fulfilment came slightly apart. Each woman spending time on and enjoying the other’s overwhelming orgasm. They were left spent, exhausted, relieved and temporarily satisfied. Alex opened her mouth to speak but Mel shushed her.

“Not tonight, Alex. We’ll talk tomorrow. Just sleep now.” They slept, their bodies still damp and slick, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Chapter 23

Mel woke to a feeling of languor and well-being. She had been dreaming of fingers arousing her, caressing her and she’d felt an inner warmth, deep, deep inside herself. She opened one eye to the half-light of the early dawn and realised that the dream was reality - she was being aroused by expert but gentle fingers, stroking her still wet vagina. She looked down at the top of Alex’s head as her cheek lay resting on her own stomach. Alex turned her head slightly and briefly kissed the patch of coarse, springy hairs and Mel gasped. What did Alex intend? She only had confused, distorted visions of last night’s lovemaking but at one stage she’d imagined that Alex’s mouth was one of the stimulations of her clitoris but she hadn’t been sure. ‘Is that an accepted part of lovemaking between women’ she wondered to herself. ‘If so, could I do the same to Alex?’ her stomach hollowed out with excitement and her mouth tingled. She knew that if Alex allowed it, then yes - she would. She wanted to kiss and taste her - every part of her and her mouth watered at the thought of it.

Her wonderings were cut short. Alex again turned her head - this time kissing longer. Mel felt her hips rise to meet the fingers and, now more importantly, the lips. Alex recognised Mel’s willingness to continue and gently let the tip of her tongue slide between the lips at the centre of the thatch of hair. She heard Mel gasp yet again and waited to see if she was going to be stopped. When the half-expected intervention was not forthcoming Alex allowed her tongue to take the place of the fingers, her lips nibbling and kissing.

Mel’s hands fluttered - she wasn’t sure what to do with them. One found its own way on to Alex’s head, the other rested on her own inner thigh, helping to part them further. Alex’s fingers continued to play at the very edges of Mel’s hungry recesses. Mel wanted, needed those fingers inside her. Her own fingers convulsed, rhythmically as she mentally tried to encourage Alex to enter her. Alex, noticing the movement of Mel’s fingers, left her temporarily bereft as she moved her hand to cover Mel’s hand and drew it, together with her own, back to where Mel craved them.

The linked fingers hovered at the entrance as Mel’s hips rose upwards and her own half of the entwined fingers pushed down and in. Mel sighed with temporary relief - at least she was now filled. The relief didn’t last though as Alex’s tongue and lips on her clitoris were driving her ever onwards in desperation, craving the release which she knew Alex would not deny her.

Her inner walls were stretched and stroked by the persistent fingers -- the outer areas were engorged and were being ravished and eaten by mouth, lips and tongue. The fire grew, she had never known such intensity of feelings. Her control was slipping, she was forcing an increase in the tempo of the fingers. Her cries grew louder as she desperately tried to reach the peak so she could peacefully slide down the other side again.

Alex’s own excitement grew at Mel’s outward and open striving for satisfaction. Alex’s mouth felt the first tremors and then the two sets of fingers were gripped as the convulsions hit.

“Oh yes! Oh, yes!” Repeated over and over, louder and louder - then softer and softer as the warmth of the aftermath of orgasm engulfed her.

Alex left their entwined fingers inside Mel as she slowly straightened, inching her way up Mel’s body until her lips could claim Mel’s. As they kissed, Mel could taste herself on Alex’s lips and tongue, rekindling her desire, wanting nothing more than to learn what Alex tasted like.

“I love you, Mel.” Alex whispered.

“What!” all thoughts of desire disappearing. “What did you say?” she demanded.

“I said what I was trying to say last night when you stopped me. I love you, Mel. I submit - completely! I love you, want you, need you,” and with a quirky little smile, added, “and, as the words of the song don’t say, - Three out of three ain’t bad…. and you’ve got all three.”

Mel laughed aloud, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh God - I thought it would take forever for you to tell me you love me. Oh, Alex. I love you so much. I want you to teach me what to do to please you. I want to touch you, love you but, right now, I want to taste you!”

“Well,” Alex encouraged, “that’s a good start . . . .”

If you have enjoyed F.J. Davey's "Change Of Tide, Conclusion", then please be certain to e-mail her at  francis7[at]bigpond.net.au  and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of F.J. Davey's  Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.