Sapphic Voices Romance

IMAGES

Part Six (Conclusion)

This is a novel - it builds upon itself. We do not have the beginning, the middle and the end within a few pages. This is a journey - please settle back and enjoy it.

There are a very few mild references to heterosexual sex, some bad language [relevant to the Story] and references to new and old songs - mainly British. I hope my American friends recognise the songs, however.

Chapter 27

George and Mildred kept getting underfoot, sensing a tension in the air that was unusual in Kathryn’s cool house. Kathryn was edgy and excited as she tried to plan what should happen that night, when it should happen, where – and how. At the same time, she was preparing a succulent meal, seductive enough in any language. The crayfish mornay was finished and had been browned, the oven set to keep it warm. The salads were made and the tiny bread rolls ready to heat in the oven. The strawberries and cream were in the refridgerator and the after-dinner mints there as an option. The wine was chilling, even though Kathryn vividly remembered Storm’s words from that disastrous night in Zimbabwe.


Kathryn shooed the cats from under her feet once more as she undressed and stepped into the shower. She was very aware of her body as her soapy hands slipped over the skin, dreaming of being touched, later in the night, by Storm’s hands and lips in just those very places. She lifted her heated face to the cool spray of the shower and forced her thoughts away from the enticing prospect. She considered the clothes she’d chosen to wear. She’d picked out soft, linen slacks and a loose-fitting pale blue top that clung whenever it came in contact with her body. She’d carefully chosen matching underwear, the satin feel of them sensuous to the wearer.


Kathryn was drying herself when the doorbell rang, urgently, interrupting her imaginings.

“Shit, it can’t be Storm already. It’s only six-thirty.” Kathryn told the cats as she grabbed her robe. She looked at the figure through the glass of the front door and saw that it was, indeed, Storm standing there, her fingers drumming impatiently on the door.


Kathryn opened the door, laughing.

“You’re early. We said seven.” Storm strode through the doorway.

“Sorry. I was ready. I couldn’t wait.” Kathryn laughed again, this time at the impetuosity of youth. She looked again and realised her mistake. Here was no adolescent girl. In this woman's eyes, she could only see the impatience and anticipation of love.


Storm took hold of Kathryn’s hand, leading her to the master bedroom. She flicked the telephone off its cradle on the way past and shut the bedroom door before the cats could follow. She released the hand, retreating from Kathryn a couple of paces.

“No romantic build-up. No alcohol. Just you … and me. If it’s me you want.” She stayed quite still as Kathryn took the two steps needed to close the distance between them. She took Storm’s face in her hand, feeling the slight tremor that belied the young girl’s confident words. Storm breathed in the scent of soap that lingered on Kathryn’s body and her legs felt weak as Kathryn leaned forward and gently pressed her lips onto her own.

“I’ve come to you.” Kathryn murmured. “I want you … just as you are.” Her teeth gently nibbled Storm’s trembling lower lip. “Let me teach you how to really love.”

***

Storm ran her fingers through Kathryn’s hair, glorying in the texture and weight of it. Her mind seethed with the memories of the last couple of hours. She tried to get the events into sequence but couldn’t quite manage. The experience had been totally sensory. Touch, taste, sound, smell and touch again. There had been no time for thoughts or decisions. Pure instinct had taken over, with Kathryn’s, the guiding hand. Movement followed movement, sometimes in sequence, sometimes in disarray. The touch of her fingers on the tensed muscles of Kathryn’s back. The taste of Kathryn’s mouth. The sound of whimpers in the semi-darkness. The aroma of soap mingling with an unknown, heady essence Storm now knew could only come from lovemaking. The feel of Kathryn lips as they burned a trail over her own sensitised skin.


Storm sensed that Kathryn’s eyes were open, watching her, trying to gauge the novice’s thoughts. She lowered the line of her sight from the lustrous hair to the searching eyes, seeing both love and query there. She smiled as she traced a finger down Kathryn’s strong face, across the cheeks and along the slightly swollen lips. She leaned across and replaced the finger with her own lips in an excruciatingly gentle caress.

“I’m hungry.” She whispered against the padded softness. “And, any minute now, George and Mildred are going to break down that door.”


The meal hadn’t quite spoiled. They were able to save the crayfish from drying up completely and the salads were still crisp and fresh. They ate with gusto, sipping the chilled wine. They talked.


“I need to tell you something.” Storm started. “I haven’t been entirely truthful about my past. The thing is …” Kathryn put up her hand to halt the confidences.

“Wait, Storm. There’s something you need to know first. I know about your past. Kenny told me the other night, when I discovered the truth about him and David. He told me that a lot of your so-called reputation was a charade. He told me why and I can understand your actions. I wanted to tell you, firstly that I knew and secondly, that tonight would still have happened whether I’d known or not. In fact it would have happened whether it was true or not. I don’t care what you did in the past, Storm. I love you, just the way you are now. My dearest wish is to make this work, between us. I don’t care how many men you’ve made love to.”

“That’s just it, kd.” Storm reached out to Kathryn’s hand. “There haven’t been any men. Not a one – except if you count the fumblings of one boy, when I first made up my mind to lose my virginity. I backed out at the last minute. I just couldn’t go through with it, poor boy. That’s when I made the decision to just pretend, to try to impress my mother with fabrication, a build-up of a persona that never existed. So, my love, tonight was a first in all ways.”


Kathryn was speechless, never dreaming that Storm had no experience at all, of love and love-making. Storm smiled at the expressions that flitted across Kathryn’s face.

“I’m a natural, don’t you think.” This broke the spell and they laughed together, knowing they would talk in depth later. Storm first wanted to know how Kathryn had found out about David and Kenny. Kathryn recounted the story, making it seem funny, laughing at her own over-reactions. She also sheepishly admitted that she'd lied about herself and Jude being lovers.

"I could never have started anything with Jude, feeling the way I did about you." Storm's delighted laugh rang out.

"I'm so bloody glad about that! You don't know the images that have been going around inside my head."

"I'm sorry. I truly didn't mean to hurt you. It was just a defence mechanism." Kathryn laughed ruefully. "One that didn't work, I might add. I never want to see you hurt, my love."


This reminded her once more of her fears for Storm’s safety and she brought up the subject of the stalker.

“Damn!” Storm’s reaction was genuine. “I meant to go on Friday but rehearsal went on so long, I forgot. I promise, promise, promise that I’ll go to the cops on Monday. Don’t be mad, pleeease, kd.” The little-girl, pleading look worked only too well and, after her gruff instruction of “Well, make sure you do, young lady.” the two lovers changed to lighter subjects.


Storm almost let slip about the surprise party on the following night when Kathryn expressed regret that she wouldn’t be able to see her that night. Storm retrieved the situation after letting on that she knew it was Kathryn’s birthday on the following day.

“Kenny told me that he couldn’t see David after the show because Jon and Jen were putting on a birthday dinner for you and David was invited. Anyway, I will be seeing you on your birthday.” She laughed at Kathryn’s puzzled expression. “Well, you’re not going to kick me out tonight, are you? I promise you, you’d have a hard job.” Kathryn’s brow cleared.

“Of course you can stay, I’d love you to. I just wasn’t sure if you wanted to jump so deep, first time in the water – so to speak.” Storm’s expression was answer enough.


They showered and went to bed, spending the night learning about each other, discovering likes and dislikes. Following the contours of the other’s body, like a blind person learning the layout of a new room. They slept intermittently until just before dawn, when they both fell into a dreamless, contented sleep, each secure in the presence of their lover.


Kathryn woke first, instantly aware of the extra presence in bed. Mildred was in her normal position, next to Kathryn’s head on the pillow and George had somehow managed in the night to find a spot to curl up in, between the two slumbering women. Kathryn lifted her head and looked at the clock. It was after half past eight and she felt rested after a good four hours sleep. She could feel Storm’s warmth behind her and she felt the weight of one arm as it rested on her ribcage, the palm of the hand lying loosely against her left breast. Kathryn remembered the position they were in when they’d finally decided to try to capture some sleep. The hand had been warm against her bare breast, stroking and fondling. She had felt the hold loosen as Storm was the first to succumb to the tiredness within them both. They had slept like that, without moving, for four hours and Kathryn only rued the fact that she’d slept through it all!

***

The man awoke early on Sunday morning, knowing that the day had finally arrived. That this very night, he would be getting from Storm what was rightfully his, what he should have got a long time ago. He’d planned it in detail around the happenings of the evening’s celebrations. He knew all about the surprise party, of course. He’d received his verbal invitation, given in person by Jonathon. He wouldn’t be going to the party -- and neither would Storm.


He felt the ache of excitement, deep in his gut. He lay back in bed and went over the plan once more, looking for possible things that could go wrong. He’d waited too long for this night. Nothing and no-one would get in his way.

Chapter 28

Kathryn placed her coffee cup on the little place mat with a satisfied sigh. The meal had been delicious, well up to Jen's normal high standards. She had arrived with David at Jen and Jon's house feeling a little apprehensive about the evening. She'd told David that she would be telling the couple the truth about herself. He'd been fully supportive as usual and, even though she told him she wouldn't be 'outing' him, he'd said not to worry, that they'd see how things panned out.


Not wanting to draw out the agony, Kathryn told them in her straightforward, blunt way.

"Jon, Jen. There's something about me that you don't know and I feel I need to tell you. Obviously I hope it won't affect our friendship." She drew a deep breath as she looked from one to the other.

"I'm gay. Always have been, always will be."


There had been silence, then Jon's deep voice resounded.

"Thank God for that! I thought it was just me you didn't want when I proposed!" That, of course, broke the ice as they all broke into laughter. Jen leaned across the table and rested her hand on Kathryn's, assuring her that it would make absolutely no difference whatever to their friendship.

"As if it could." Jen said quietly. Kathryn felt a weight she didn't even know she had, lift off her shoulders.


They talked at length about the generalities of Kathryn's news and, when Jon said to David that presumably he already knew, David decided to volunteer the truth about himself, receiving the same acceptance from his hosts.

"Now I feel silly." Jen grimaced. "I've been imagining something between the two of you. In fact I had high hopes of an early wedding. Are you sure you're ……? They all laughed. Kathryn glanced at the clock and saw it was only just after 9 p.m. There was still time to tell them about the specifics of her life changes, about Storm.


Jon also glanced at the clock, knowing they still had time to sit over a quiet drink before the hordes arrived sometime after 9.30 p.m. He had been totally surprised by Kathryn's revelations, never having had an idea. Now, however, he was looking back over their nearly four years of friendship and could see the little clues that he'd been too obtuse to recognise at the time. He came back to the present when he heard Kathryn say that there was now someone special. Suddenly it came in a flash to Jon, who that someone was. He could visualise expressions on Kathryn's face that had baffled him at the time. He knew now that they were the same expressions that Jen often wore when she looked at him. He'd seen them on Kathryn's face when she'd looked at….

"Storm." The name was spoken in unison by Kathryn and Jon. Kathryn looked at her friend in surprise. "You knew?' Jon had the grace to look sheepish.

"No, I didn't know. It just came to me at that moment. How could I be so blind?"

"Hey, Jon. We didn't know ourselves until just recently. Well, that's not quite true. I think we've both known it for months but we've only admitted it to each other quite recently." She blushed. "Well, last night actually." There were some good-humoured ribald comments from the two men and a far-away dreamy expression on Jen's face as she thought about the romance of it all.


When the laugher and rude remarks were finished, Jen asked some pertinent questions.

"So Storm was, or rather is, gay as well? How long has she known? Are you going to tell everybody?"


Kathryn's face became serious as she answered.

"I don't really want to tell any of Storm's secrets. Suffice to say that I wrongly pre-judged her and believed the false reputation that she had allowed to build. She only realised that it was women she was attracted to when she met me." Another rare blush from Kathryn but she spoke with pride. "Storm hadn't been able to understand herself until we met and she allowed the attraction to develop. God knows how many others she's repressed."

"Well it seems like it was meant to be but how are you going to handle it? Are you going to come out completely? Obviously you know we'll be supporting you." Jen asked again.

"I'm not sure. We'll have to see how it goes. I wanted to tell my close friends but I don't think it's necessary to broadcast it to everyone. I don't want it to impact on my business and it's probably not a good idea for Storm to be openly gay to the public.. We wouldn't want to exactly hide it and I'd never deny it but we can try to be circumspect.


David tapped the table with his glass and, with blue eyes twinkling, he announced.

"If it's a night for making pronouncements, I'd like to add to it. I've told Jon already of course but - I'm coming back to Australia to live - and choosing Perth as my base." Kathryn and Jen both showed their pleasure at this news and Kathryn leaned across to her friend and whispered.

"I know a certain someone who'll be over the moon with that news." David smiled back sheepishly and whispered back for the listening audience. "He's the reason it's happening."

Chapter 29

The band's performance that Sunday evening was as polished as ever. Storm could barely remember the days of the Stormtroopers. When the last notes of the last song had died down and the band had accepted the plaudits from the crowd, there was a little more urgency in the packing away of equipment as everyone wanted to get to Jon's house as soon as they could.


The evening was chilly and the patrons didn't linger in the beer garden. Alan Mills, the assistant manager, was in charge of overseeing that the equipment was put away correctly in the storeroom and, as usual, Storm did her fair share. As she carried the last few items through the dimly lit back stage area to the store room, her mind was firmly fixed on Kathryn. She wanted to get to the party a little behind everyone else, to give Kathryn the chance to receive all the well wishes from all her friends first. She'd decided to grab a lift from whoever was last to leave and had told Kenny when she'd recounted to him the success of the previous evening, without going into detail.


She half turned as she thought she heard footsteps behind her but couldn't see anyone in the gloom. She pushed her shoulder to the storeroom door, which swung easily open and looked for space to put her last armful. The slight click of the door barely registered as her thoughts veered towards what she had planned for the latter part of the night, when she and Kathryn would be alone.


It was only when Storm pulled at the door that she realised that the lock had clicked into place.

"Damn!" she muttered and banged on the solid door. "Hey guys! Come and unlock this door, will you?" She banged on it again with the sinking feeling that the noise she was making wouldn't be heard from in front of the stage area. She listened again in mounting frustration for an indication she'd been heard. There was none.

"She said she'd cadge a lift from someone. She said for us to head off." Kenny answered Cloud's question.

"I'll be here for a little while longer. I'll bring her along. Just locking up behind you now and then we'll be right there." Alan had overheard the question and answer and offered his services. He saw the band out, said goodnight to the bouncers and threw the bolts on the door. He went back to his office whistling "All night with me. D'ya feel like stayin' all night with me…."


When Alan had turned off the computer in his office, he turned to the back rooms and heard the 'thump, thump' on the storeroom door. He clicked the lock and opened it.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Storm exhaled. "I thought everyone had gone."

"What happened? How did you manage to get locked in?" Alan wanted to know.

"God knows. Someone must have somehow released the catch earlier and, when it shut behind me, it locked. Is there anyone left? I need a lift to Jon's."

"Yeah, that's OK. I can take you. I'm all finished here." He smiled and Storm had a flashback of the same smile but the face wasn't quite the same. Puzzled she asked him.

"I know you from somewhere, don't I?" Alan's smile slipped and he gave a quick frown.

"Yes. I thought you'd have remembered by now." He sounded disgruntled.

"Oh I will. Don't tell me. I'm sure it'll come back soon." Alan didn't reply, just turned on his heel and led the way out.


The two of them exited through a side door directly into the nearly empty car park and walked to where Alan's car was parked. Mike, the younger of the bouncers, was standing close to it, looking down. He glanced up at the approaching figures, a cheerful grin on his normally taciturn face.

"Got a bit of a problem, mate. I think somebody doesn't like you. Either that, or it's somebody's idea of a joke." He pointed to the rear tyres of the car, both of which were totally flat. "Been chatting to old Johnno over there and just noticed them. In the RAC are you?"


Storm saw the anger on Alan's face and thought of the fury she'd feel if it'd happened to her. She glanced at her watch, worried about the time she was spending away from Kathryn. Mike saw the glance and guessed aloud that she wouldn't want to hang around for an hour or so waiting for help.

"I'm going to the party." He spoke to Alan. "D'you want me to take Storm? Save you both being real late." The assistant manager was punching numbers on his mobile, his face a picture of frustration. He was about to snap at Mike when Storm spoke.

"That'd be great. You don't mind do you, Alan? I promise I'll remember by the next time I see you."

"OK. That'd decided then." Mike hurried Storm. "The car's parked over there. Let's get a wriggle on." Mike drove off and, as they passed Alan, Storm wondered at the look of intense frustration on his face. It seemed a little overdone for the situation.


Storm and Mike were quiet on the first stretch of the drive along Guildford Road towards the distant hills. Storm's mind was on Alan. Where did she know him from? It nibbled on the fringes of her mind but it was as if it was pushing the memory away. He'd seemed very put out that she didn't remember. She got fleeting glimpses of a face, not his exactly, coming closer, of fingers fumbling with her clothes but she just couldn't put it all together.

"I have to pick up something for Jonathon from my flat. It's on the way." Storm's musings were interrupted by Mike.

"That's fine." Storm's mind was elsewhere, grasping at the quick flashes of a face - similar but not quite the same as Alan's.


Mike indicated to turn right off the highway and Storm fleetingly registered that they were in Bassendean. He took a smaller street to the left and pulled up in front of some units. He interrupted her thought processes once again.

"Could you give me a hand? There are a couple of boxes. It'll get us there quicker." Storm quickly agreed, needing to see her lover's face as soon as possible. As she climbed the steps to the first floor unit, she mentally clicked her fingers together - 'Of course!' That's why she hadn't been able to remember. He was so much younger then. She got a clear picture of Alan - she hadn't even known his proper name then, she only knew him as Millsy. The face that she was picturing was illuminated by the headlights of an oncoming car. They'd been in the back seat of his old car. She'd agreed to have sex with him and he was groping at the skin beneath her sweater. The sheen of sweat on his young face showed his mounting excitement and his fumblings showed his inexperience. His lips had pressed on hers and she'd felt his rough chin scratching her face. As he'd plunged his tongue into her mouth, she'd realised that she couldn't go through with it. She'd pushed him off, pulling down her sweater, grasping for the door handle. She'd yanked it open and jumped out, hearing him calling for her as she turned the corner.


'No wonder he'd been put out at my not remembering, poor guy.' Storm thought as she walked through the doorway into Mike's unit, her face flushed with shame and embarrassment. She vowed to herself that she would talk to him the following day and apologise. He seemed a really nice man and she hoped he'd forgive her. Maybe she'd even confide in him about herself and Kathryn, it might make it easier for him to understand.


"Not good enough for you, was I?" Storm heard the words and was confused - still thinking about Alan. "Don't pretend you don't remember. Turned your nose up at me, you did. You fuckin' won't this time." Storm turned to Mike and saw that his face was a mask of a mixture of hatred and lust. Storm backed away in surprise and felt a shaft of fear. She looked around. How had she got here? What was it all about? Mike took a step back and laughed at Storm's fear - a nasty sound. He juggled the key to the deadlock in his hand. "This time it's my turn. This time you won't fuckin' say no.

Chapter 30

Kathryn had been enjoying a leisurely after dinner brandy with Jenny and Jonathon in the warm, cosy lounge when the front door bell rang. She'd looked at her watch.

"Who's this, so late in the evening?" Jenny had excused herself to answer the door and had arrived back, a dozen or so friends in her wake.

"Happy Birthday!" "Surprise, surprise!" Kathryn had certainly had a surprise and spent the next half hour or so being kissed, hugged and being wished a happy birthday. When they'd all settled with drinks and the nibbles that had mysteriously appeared from Jenny's kitchen, Kathryn looked in vain for Storm.

"Alan's bringing her. They shouldn't be long." Kenny interpreted Kathryn's unspoken words. "I think she wanted all the rabble to settle in before she wished you her own happy birthday." Kathryn smiled in anticipation.


Mutual friends of herself and the Reece's arrived and Kathryn was caught up in the swing of the party. She saw David and Kenny close together and guessed that the subject of their discussion was about the earlier dinner conversation and whether David had told Jon and Jenny. The look on Kenny's face revealed his obvious pleasure at the outcome. 'Poor boy.' Thought Kathryn sympathetically. 'He must be fed up living a lie all this time and will be glad to just be himself.'


Cloud tapped Kathryn on the shoulder.

"I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Kathryn." Kathryn turned and saw Cloud's arm around the shoulders of a stunning woman. "Shelley. This is our manager, Kathryn. Kathryn, I'd like you to meet Shelley, an old school friend." Shelley chuckled, "Not so much a friend, then. More of a nuisance I'm afraid. I used to tag along behind my brother Kevin and Cloud and want to do everything they did. I admit I was a real pain. I don't know why Cloud even talks to me now." Her laughing eyes looked up into Cloud's and Kathryn saw the smitten look in his face, his expression showing his continuing surprise that his mate Kev's sister 'Shell' had grown up into such a perfect woman. Kathryn wondered if Cloud had finally met the woman of his dreams.


"Lovely to meet you Shelley. Thanks for coming and sharing this lovely surprise. Cloud, get Shelley a drink and a plate of food." She chastised the brother of the woman she loved. "Did you go to the club tonight?" Kathryn asked Shelley. "Was it a good performance?" She queried, in response to the lovely woman's nod. Shelley's eyes were shining.

"Yes, it was terrific as always. Storm is just so good. It's the third time I've seen them perform and Storm puts so much feeling into the songs. Of course Cloud's always excellent as well. When do you think the album will be out? I'm sure it'll be a huge hit."


Kathryn was charmed by this beautiful woman's artlessness and ingenuous enthusiasm.

"Hopefully there'll be a lot of music lovers that will agree with you. The album's due to be released in two to three weeks. Keep telling all your friends how good they are." Kathryn laughed as Cloud came back to claim his old friend, explaining that they couldn't stay long so they'd just have a bite to eat and be off.

"Thanks again for coming. Hope to meet you again soon, Shelley."

After a surreptitious look at her watch, Kathryn tried to traverse the crowd to reach the door, hoping to look outside to see if Storm was arriving. Her palms were damp with the anticipation of seeing her lover. She heard a car pull up and eagerly escaped outside to meet it. She saw Alan step out of the car, alone.

Chapter 31

Storm still couldn't remember the incident, even after Mike had told her all about her walking out on him. She didn't doubt for one minute that it had happened. After all, she'd built her reputation on men thinking that they were the only ones to have missed out.


‘What have I done?' she asked herself in the beginnings of panic.

"The phone calls?" Mike nodded. "And you followed me." Another nod from the man. Storm tried to gather her wits. She had to let someone know she was there but, as she looked at his massive arms, she knew she had to do it without him knowing. A scream could only result in him incapacitating her. Her mind dragged at her wandering reason. 'Who? How?' Kathryn's face was the first to come to mind. 'She'll be getting really worried. I must let her know but how can I tell her?'


Storm's thoughts were muddled. She needed time to gather her wits and get her thoughts into some kind of cohesion. Firstly she had to buy time. She asked Mike for a drink of water. Mike's fluctuating moods swung around once more to the genial.

"Sure. You ask for something, you get it." He winked at her as he turned to walk out of the room, tossing the key in the air and catching it. "No point in trying to get out though. This here baby is the only key." She heard him laughing from the kitchen.


'OK. So, where am I? There must be an address somewhere.' Storm prowled the room, looking for something, anything that might have an address on it - an envelope or a bill maybe. She struck lucky on the dresser. Lying under an old newspaper was an empty envelope. She quickly memorised the address. Unit 5, 17 Marlboro Rd, Bassendean. Her mind raced but the plan formed slowly, methodically. Could it work? How could she carry it out?


Mike walked back into the room with a tall glass of water in hand. Storm changed tack.

"You know, I do remember that night now, Mikey. I promise it was nothing to do with you. I was feeling really bad that night - honest." Mike smiled, a sly look in his eyes.

"Good, then you'll do it with me tonight then, won't you." It was a statement, not a question. Storm swallowed.

"Yes, I probably will - but we have to go slowly, you know. You do want me to enjoy it, don't you Mike?" Her reluctant hand stroked his beefy army. The man in front of her was pleased, she could see. He reached for her.

"Hold on a minute though, Mike." She backed off a little but kept her hand on his arm. "They're going to miss me at the party. They'll be worried. What happens when Alan arrives without me and tells them that I left with you?" Mike frowned and thought for a while. Storm's spirits lifted just a little before they were struck down again. He shook his head.

"They'll know you're with me. They know you love to fuck. They'll guess we're fucking right about now. And they won't be wrong, will they baby. Anyway," a smug look flitted across his face, "even if they looked for you at my place, they'd never find you. I didn't give my real address to that bastard you know."


Storm decided it was time to set her plan in motion, even though the last details were only just falling into place. She knew she couldn't afford to leave it any longer. She just hoped that Kathryn and herself were on as good a wavelength as she thought they were.

"Yes, they probably would think that. After all, they do know me, don't they." She forced a laugh. "Problem is, that I was supposed to give Kathryn some information tonight. It's absolutely imperative that she gets it and if I don't let her know, she'll move heaven and earth to find me. You know what she's like, don't you?"


The big man pictured Kathryn and could well believe that the bitch could cause problems. He'd always been a little in awe of her obvious power. Consequently he hated her with a vengeance.

"What's this important information then?" Storm replied that she'd write it down so he could see what she was going to read out. He agreed to her writing it down and said that if he thought it was OK, she'd be able to ring Jon's house and read it out. His face turned ugly as he grabbed her arm, his fingers biting in to the fleshy part of her arm.

"But if you say one word that's not on the fuckin' paper, you won't be leaving here tonight." Storm could well believe him as she felt the strength in his hands.

"I promise, Mike. I promise." She gasped.


Storm thought carefully, then wrote down the details. Mike frowned as he read the words.

"What's it bloody mean? Why does she need this tonight?"

"God knows." Storm made her tone sarcastic. "Who knows what the woman wants and why." She held her breath as Mike looked for any hidden meaning or message. She quickly continued. "It's just some data on old songs, Mikey. Really old songs. I had to find out by today because she needs the info by tomorrow morning first thing. Look. That's all it is - songs, singers and what the highest position was that they got to on the British charts.


Mike nodded and picked up the phone, handing it to Storm. He kept a tight grip on her arm as she dialled and his other hand brushed her throat in warning as she was connected. Storm took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady as an unknown voice answered.


"Oh hi. Could I speak to Kate please?" She prayed that Kathryn was close by. Her heart plummeted as the voice told her that Kathryn was outside, greeting a late comer. He offered to take a message. Mike's hand tightened on Storm's throat and he whispered, "Leave the friggin' message!" Storm asked the man if he had pen and paper handy and, when he confirmed he did, she started.

"OK. Make it out to Kate……."


Storm prayed that Kathryn would understand.

Chapter 32

As Kathryn walked through the door, followed by Alan, she was concerned. When she'd asked Alan where Storm was, he'd been surprised that she wasn't already there. He'd told her that Storm had left with Mike Richards, the bouncer, a good thirty minutes before he'd managed to get away, himself. "Where is she?' Kathryn worried.

"Kathryn!" The raised voice was that of Tom, a friend of Jon's, whom she knew slightly - more so his wife. "I've got a phone message for you." He continued as he got closer. "Someone called 'Storm' rang." Kathryn's heart raced. What had happened? Had there been an accident? She hurriedly closed the gap between herself and the messenger.

"What did she say?" she demanded.

"Hang on _ I wrote it down. Here." Kathryn almost snatched the note. The first think she saw was the words 'for Kate'.

"Kate?" Kathryn murmured. Tom overheard and affirmed that Storm had twice said to give it to Kate.


Kathryn frowned, something was wrong. It was almost as if Storm was trying to warn her about something. She quickly read the message, then read it again. It didn't make any sense. Why leave a message like this when she must have known Kathryn would be worried about her absence. It was cryptic, almost like their ongoing game. Kathryn stiffened - it was like their game. For some reason Storm was giving her clues. For what? It must be for where she is, Kathryn reasoned to herself. She remembered the anonymous phone calls and the hints that Storm was being stalked. Her blood froze.


Kathryn spun around and hurried through the lounge, ignoring the puzzled look from Tom. She interrupted Alan's conversation with Jonathon.

"I need to talk to you both now." She caught David's eye and gestured to him to follow them. She led the way into the kitchen where a busy Jenny was preparing more snacks. Kenny followed them in.

"Alan. What exactly happened after everyone else left the hotel?" Alan recounted the story of finding Storm locked in the storeroom.

"How?" Kathryn jumped in.

"Actually I've got no idea." Alan was perplexed. "It's never happened before. The catch is always on so it can't lock."

"Damn. It sounds like it was planned. OK, what happened next?"

"We went out through the side door and Mike was standing near the car." Jenny spoke up.

"Who's Mike?"

" Mike Richards, one of the bouncers. Storm knew him." Kenny nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we've seen him around a fair bit."

"Yes but what happened?" Kathryn's voice was sharp.

"Mike said that he'd just noticed the two flat tyres. He laughed and reckoned that somebody didn't like me. I was furious. Who the hell would do that? I've never hurt anybody. Bastards!" Alan was still furious.


"Whose idea was it for Storm to go with Mike?" Kathryn was persistent. Alan thought about it and remembered that it was Mike.

"He offered. She jumped at it. I was a bit pissed off as I'd wanted to have a talk with Storm and this would've been a good opportunity." He looked a little sheepish but Kathryn was like a bulldog, ignoring the undertone in his voice.

"So they got in the car - and that was, what? An hour and a half ago?" She opened the note and spread it out. "This message came from her five minutes ago. She's in trouble and she's trying to tell me."


The men looked over her shoulder to read the note.

"But it doesn’t make any sense. Why would she be talking about old songs?" David exclaimed.

"Buggered if I know what it means." Jon agreed.

"Oh I know how she's trying to tell me. I've just got to figure out what she's trying to tell me."


"Do we ring the police?" Jenny, as ever, was practical.

"And tell them what?" Jonathon replied. "She's late for a party. She's with a guy." He looked apologetically at Kathryn. "And she's got one hell of a reputation."


Kenny nodded but Kathryn was busy with the note. Alan spoke reluctantly.

"Well, couldn't it be that she and him…..?"

"Look here." Kathryn ignored the suggestion and captured their attention. "Firstly she makes a point in saying the message is for Kate. She never calls me Kate, hates it. That in itself is a warning to me. Now, look at the message.


'The Nashville Teen's hit song 'Tobacco Rd' got to number 5 on the charts.

Rolf Harris's 'Stairway to Heaven' only managed number 17'.

I double checked with Tom and that was exactly what she said."


The others still looked baffled but Kathryn was beginning to see a pattern.

"Firstly - Rolf Harris is known as 'the boy from Bassendean'. Bassendean is on the way here. I'm sure Storm wouldn't have let him trick her into taking her in an entirely different direction so, if he lives in Bassendean, that would make sense. God knows how the bastard got her there but I'm sure Storm is trying to give me the address and I'll bet he was there when she left the message so she had to disguise it." The men were still bewildered but Jenny nodded in encouragement.


"OK. Let's start with Bassendean." Kathryn continued, unmindful of her audience. "What's the road? Tobacco Rd. What could she mean? Jonathon. Any ideas?" Jonathon shrugged.

"Winfield? Benson and Hedges? Peter Stuyvescent? Marlboro?" He was struggling. Kenny joined in.

"Dunhill? Alpine?" Jon went off to get a street directory.

"Keep thinking, Kathryn." His instruction was superfluous.


"We've got The Nashville Teens." She thought for a while. "No, I don't think their name means anything. No, it'll have to be the numbers - five and seventeen that are important. Why two numbers though. Could it be that it's a unit? Yes, if it's an upstairs unit, that would fit with 'The Stairway to Heaven' bit rather than one of his other songs, like 'Tie me Kangaroo down'."


David and Jenny were looking doubtful.

"How would she expect you to work that out?" David was puzzled. Kenny answered for Kathryn.

"She was always playing games with songs. She played them with you as well didn't she?" He looked at Kathryn who nodded abstractedly. "She'd know you'd try to work out the puzzle once you'd got her clue about the 'Kate' bit." He looked up as Jonathon returned, book in hand, open at the street names. He was excited.

"There's a Marlboro Rd in Bassendean. Look."

"It's only a small street." Jenny pointed out.

"Yes but look - there's a number 22 there." Kenny pointed to a tiny number, shown on the street in the map. "If there's a 22, there must be a 17."


Kathryn was moving to the door.

I'm going. Anyone else?" Jonathon thumped his head in self recrimination, as he thought of something.

"Hold on. Let me look in the files in the computer. It'll have his address there." Kathryn shook her head.

"No. This has been planned for months - well before he got this job. The stalking has been going on for much longer than that. He wouldn't have given his real address, Jon, I'd bet on it."

"Wait up then. Come in my car, Kathryn. You two come along." Jon spoke to Kenny and David, then turned to Jenny. "Check the PC anyway, love and, if his address is Bassendean, give me a call on the mobile." He turned lastly to Alan. "I'll leave you to inform the police, as you were the last person to see Storm. I'm sure they won't do anything but at least let them know. Give our apologies to everyone." He hurried to catch up with Kathryn.

Chapter 33

Storm was playing for time. She calculated that it would take her would-be rescuers about fifteen minutes to drive from Middle Swan to Bassendean…..and that was only after Kathryn had worked out the answer to the puzzle. Please let Kathryn work it out.


"Hey! How about a drink then, if we're going to get cosy and make a night of it?" She was trying to find ways of delaying Mike's first move. She spent some time wondering whether to have a beer or a mixed drink. She decided on a scotch and dry.

"No dry? Well, let me see what you've got out there, Mikey boy." He trailed her into the kitchen, an imposing figure. Storm's heart was racing and her hand trembled as she looked for a mixer to go with her unwanted scotch.

"How about a cup of tea?" She tried to infuse some enthusiasm into the request but Mike was having none of the stalling tactics.

"Got none. No coffee, no milk. Scotch it is. Have water with it."

"What about ice?"

"Jeez! I think there's some in the fridge. Hurry up will ya."


As Storm found the ice in the freezer and put a couple of the cubes in her glass, she saw Mike shrug off his jacket, revealing large sweat stains under his arms. She looked around for some protective weapon, discounting the knives in the kitchen drawer, a knife could easily be turned back on herself. Her vivid imagination could picture the feel of the cold steel sliding through her own flesh. She shook her head to clear away the stark picture.


Storm was still leaning weakly against the sink when she felt hard arms circling her waist.

"Come on, babe, I need it now." His voice was husky with desire as he pulled her away from the sink and effortlessly swung her into his arms. He pushed open a door revealing an untidy bedroom and Storm shuddered as he put her down on the obviously dirty bedding. She made the decision that she'd sell herself dearly. He wouldn't get anything easily - she determined to fight and knew she had to start immediately. As she lay sprawled on the bed, she linked her hands together and swung a two-fisted backhand, aimed straight at his face. She felt the impact on the back of one hand as it connected with his cheek and she moaned a little as the pain shot up her arm. His head snapped to his right and he grunted with the unexpected pain. Storm drew in a big breath and opened her mouth to shout for help but felt his huge hand slam into her face muffling the shout. She bit down on the soft, fleshy palm and Mike quickly removed his hand before he back-handed her across the face.

"Bitch! You'll pay for that!" Storm tried to shake the buzzing in her head, tasting the metallic taste of blood in her mouth. She felt something soft being pushed into her mouth and she was thrown over onto her stomach as some unknown material was dragged across her face and tied at the back. She struggled to breathe through her nose until the material was lowered, clearing the airway.


She was thrown onto her back once more as her arms were gripped in the vice of his hands and Mike straddled her struggling body. The jacket she was wearing was dragged, forcibly, from her shoulders and dragged halfway down her arms, effectively trapping her arms with the strong cotton material.


Storm felt the fingers at her belt, undoing it, dragging the jeans down her thighs. She tried to kick out at the heavy body that covered her own, trying to connect with his groin, hoping to incapacitate him but she couldn't manage it. She felt a stinging blow as his open hand connected once more to the side of her face, then felt the pressure of fingers and thumb on her throat. She smelled the beer on his breath as he hissed at her to stop fighting him - or take the consequences, his hand tightening its grip on her aching throat. His other hand ripped off her jeans, dragging off shoes in the process. A bunched fist grabbed hold of her panties and she whimpered in pain as they were ripped from her, along with some hairs that were torn from her pubis.


She could smell the acrid odour coming off his body as his excitement rose. The pressure on her throat increased still more as he used the heel of one foot to drag apart her legs, as his free hand released the fastenings of his own pants and slipped them down over his hips. Storm saw his eyes glaze as he held himself, stroking up and down. He lowered his body onto that of his unwilling victim and his aim was arrow straight. Storm screamed inwardly as she threw her head to one side, trying to break the stranglehold of his fingers.

Chapter 34

"Hurry, Jon." Kathryn urged. Jonathon touched her knee.

"We have to get there safely. For Storm's sake. We'll be no use to her if we get into an accident." Jon's voice was soothing. He added in an undertone, "And I do hope you're right with the guesswork. We'll be up shit creek if your guess is completely wrong."


Kathryn shuddered at the thought but she recognised the sense in Jon's reasoning, even as she chafed at the time it was taking to get to Storm and worried again at what might be happening to her lover. She looked yet again at her watch. She moaned.

"Oh God! It's been 30 minutes since she rang. Anything could have happened by now."


Jonathon sped away as the lights turned green, David's car right behind them. Jonathon spoke with more urgency.

"OK, it's next left, then first right. It should be about the ninth building on the left. Look out for numbers." He instructed his agitated passenger. They pulled up in front of a small block of units.

"It must be it!" Kathryn exulted, as she jumped from the car. "Look, it's units - there's 6 of them. Where the hell is number five?" Jonathon held her arm.

"Wait for the boys to join us. We can't do anything but knock on the door, you know. It's not the movies. We can't go shoulder charging the door down." Kathryn looked frustrated.

"Why the hell not? He may be hurting her." David and Kenny had joined them. Jonathon spoke to them all.

"He's not going to hurt her if he knows we're waiting for him outside. He can't be that stupid. Come on - let's go." They ran up the steps to where the number '5' was displayed outside a door.


Jonathon rapped hard on the door. They heard a crash and a muffled grunt from within the unit. Jonathon shouted out.

"Storm! We're here. Mike - open this door right now!" There were noises from inside, footsteps moving. Jonathon cracked his fist against the door once more. "Mike, I'll give you five seconds to open this door or we'll break it down!" Even in the drama of the moment, David had time to raise his eyebrows at the turnaround in Jon's attitude but he nodded his agreement.


They heard a key turn in the lock and Jonathon pushed at the door just as the weight of a heavy body slammed into it, pushing it back into his face. The four worried friends on the outside of the door leaned their weight against it and it slowly opened against the two bodies that were lying inside, grappling with one another. Jonathon and Kenny grabbed a furious Mike, while Kathryn threw herself to the floor next to Storm, taking in the gag, the naked legs and glimpsing the marks and bruises that were starting on the young girl's face, throat and arms.

"Oh my God, my love, we're here, we're here. He can't hurt you any more." She released the rag from round her lover's face and Storm spat out the bloodied ball of cloth from inside her mouth, almost gagging with revulsion.


Mike was struggling in the big bear-hug that Jonathon had on him but to no avail. His jeans were around his ankles and his underpants had been half pulled up, his limp member hanging over the waistband of them. Blood was flowing freely from the back of his head and one eye was closed from the swelling in his cheek.


David gently pushed Kathryn aside and threw his jacket over Storm's naked lower half. Kenny was already on the phone to the police. Storm reached for Kathryn's hand.

"I knew you'd come." It was a hoarse whisper against the agony of her bruised throat. "I tried to hold him off…." Kathryn gave a tiny whimper as she pressed her lips to Storm's uninjured cheek.

"Oh my darling. I'm sorry, so sorry, we couldn't get here in time to stop him. We'll get through this, my love. We can and we will." Storm shook her head in denial.

"No, my love, you got here just in time." She pulled herself into a seated position as she struggled to explain. "There he was, over me and ready to pull the trigger, so to speak. I felt his other hand relax a little on my throat as he anticipated entering me. I threw my head to the side to escape the fingers and bucked as hard as I could. He fell off the bed and I think he hit his head on the bedside table. I heard the knock on the door at that moment. I jumped off the bed and saw his keys on the floor. They must have dropped out of his pocket. I ran to the door and only just got the key turned before he rugby-tackled me. Thank God his pants had fallen to his knees which stopped him running."


The police arrived within minutes and Kathryn sat with Storm, now wrapped in a sheet, while she briefly told them what had happened. Apparently, Alan had been very convincing on the phone to them earlier, especially about the solving of the puzzle and a police car had been dispatched to check out the address. Consequently they were already en route when the second call came in.


Once the police had read Mike his rights and escorted him to the Midland police station, the remaining constable organised for them all to report to the station on the following day to give their statements. Storm had assured them that she hadn't been raped but they wanted her to be checked over and photographs taken for forensic evidence. Kathryn promised to take Storm straight to the hospital and organised for Jonathon to drop them off there.


"I'll take her to my house when we're through. It's OK, we'll catch a taxi." Kathryn reassured the men, needing Storm to herself for a time, while she gloried in the fact that the woman she loved was relatively unhurt.


It was a long night of treatment and waiting and police photographs but, eventually, Kathryn and Storm arrived back at Kathryn's house to a welcome from an ecstatic George and a yawning Mildred. Storm begged a shower and Kathryn understood the girl's need to wash off all remains of the thug who had hurt her.


The sky was lightening when Storm emerged from Kathryn's ensuite. Kathryn was sitting on the edge of the bed, re-living all that had happened that night. Storm sat down beside her and took her hand, knowing what was going on in the older woman's mind.

"It's alright." She soothed. "It's all over now. They said they'd be able to get him for grievous bodily harm, abduction and attempted rape. He won't be out for a long, long time." Storm stroked her partner's cheek. "We're together now, my love and that's the way I want it to stay. Yes?" She cocked her head to one side and Kathryn folded her into her arms, being careful not to hurt the bruised and battered body that was still beautiful enough to rouse feelings of need within her.

"Yes, my love. Together, forever. I love you, my darling and I want to shout it out to the world. Will you shout it with me."

"Of course." Storm sounded as if it was a foregone conclusion and Kathryn chuckled at the confidence of this young woman. She stood and tugged slightly on Storm's hand as she led her to the window, towards the red glow that was lighting the room. The colours of dawn held them in thrall as they watched the stunning canvas quietly paint itself in the eastern sky. They stood in awe, both wondering what fate would paint on their own particular canvass. Storm lifted Kathryn's hand to her lips and gently kissed the recently broken finger and spoke lovingly.

"You need someone to look after you and protect you. Can I apply for the job?' Kathryn smiled into the suddenly smoky eyes of her lover. They turned as one and walked to the bed.

The End

If you have enjoyed F.J. Davey's "IMAGES, Part Six (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.

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