The Shack series

Chapter 74

Lester gently pressed his hands against her shoulders edging her away from him, sighing as he felt her knee lose contact with his genitals.

"Good, you can be my physical conscience. You seem a a straight up and down sort of woman. No bullshit, no side, you help me, I'll show you I really mean business. I hurt those two badly, I need to make up for it. You see me falter, you kick my arse, hard!"

"You got a deal Lester, but I'm watching you, and I see anything I don't like, you die."

"Good, now where's the loo, I really do need to take a leak. Oh and is how I'm dressed okay. I need to be sure I won't embarrass Charlotte?"

"Toilet there, and yes you're dressed fine, actually quite smart. OK kid you go take a leak, I'll head back, unless you need someone to hold it for you?"

"You Gay or Bi?" Lester grinned.

"Suspicious."

She looked at him with no smile now.

"OK, got it,. wait there, might not find my way back in the rabbit warren."

"You got it, now go!"

Lester went and Perdy waited for an instant then dived into his jacket to retrieve his wallet. She heard the unmistakable sounds of a man peeing, so she knew she had a few more seconds. In the wallet were nine fifty pound notes and five twenty's. She hastily pushed them back in, as the sound of the flush reached her. She heard the water in the sink, then the hand drier going. Lester walked out and grinned.

"Enough money in there for you to be convinced I'm for real?"

Perdy blushed and looked down.

Lester pointed to the toilet.

"I didn't close the door the whole way, turned my head and saw you through the crack."

"s**t, well I hope your aim was good."

He grinned,

"It was on all counts, now I don't blame you at all, you're growing on me all the time. What I'd like to know though is are you serious about my daughter, she's been hurt a lot. I hope you don't hurt her, she deserves the best. What I see now is looking like the best. Don't disappoint her. For my part I'll try to see she doesn't disappoint you."

"Nice try Lester, but I love her more than you can ever know. I would never hurt her."

"I thought that when she was born, look what happened to my best intentions, learn from me Perdy, learn from me."

He held her hand and raised it to his lips,

"You are truly a beautiful talented intelligent woman and I can see what Elizabeth, sorry Lizzy sees in you. Come on people will be talking about us, well me anyway."

He held her hand all the way back into the gallery, but let it slip as they came into the main area.

The Caterers were organised, the catalogues piled near the entrance and Lizzy and Charlotte were checking the list of guests.

"Hi, thought you two had sloped away," said Lizzy archly.

"Oh me and Perdy just had a heart to heart, and I know if I put a foot wrong she's going to rip mine out. As for her, Perdy's a real beauty, you lucked out there Lizzy, I wish the best for you both."

Charlotte grinned and brushed a hair away from Lizzy's face.

"You're Dad's right, Perdy is beautiful, but then so are you."

"You're Mum's right Lizzy, you are stunning, and I take no credit for that. You are your mothers daughter."

Lester laughed, but they all saw the single tear slide down his cheek, he covered it with a cough, using his hanky to wipe it away as he blew his nose loudly.

"Lester, have a drink, look there's champagne, wine, you choose."

"Thanks, I'll just have an Orange juice, I don't want to get pissed and ruin it for you."

Lester took his juice, a catalogue and began a tour of the gallery. Lizzy left the other two and caught up with him.

"Lester, let me help you,"

she took the catalogue and opened it and showed him the notes and explained the artworks to him. He nodded and questioned her, as they moved around the hall. Charlotte meanwhile had arranged herself and Perdy by the door and soon they were showing the first attendees in.

Lester returned to the start, leaving Lizzy mingling with the guests. Soon the gallery was filled and Lester took a stand by the entrance to the back of the gallery. A few people talked to him, he joined in and the drink flowed. By eight thirty people were leaving and the girls started to wind down. At nine fifteen Charlotte showed the last customer out. They all relaxed and sat back in the four chairs near the entrance to the small kitchen.

"I am exhausted, but that was fun."

"Perdy, did I see you talking to the guy from the BBC?"

"Yes, he's doing a piece on art sales and wondered if we could let him bring a film team in and get you to do a bit to camera. It would be great publicity."

"Oh! I don't know, maybe you or Lizzy, not me, I couldn't."

"Why not, you'd go down a storm and it's your gallery."

"Lester I can't I don't like showing off, no the girls can do it."

"Mum, Lester's right, you have to do it."

"Lizzy, he's your father not Lester."

"Charlotte, I'm more than happy to be Lester. I never was much of a father, if that's what Lizzy wants, it's okay by me."

"Love ya Lester,"

"I wish, hey it's late I ought to go, unless there's anymore clearing up to do?"

"Oh, we need to get the Caterers home."

"Sorted, Vans'll be here at quarter to ten, all set up earlier."

"Thanks Lester, you actually have been a godsend."

"Good, well I'll be off."

"Wait have supper with us."

"No not tonight, you three need some downtime, another time soon, okay?"

Lester stood then bent and kissed each in turn before turning and letting himself out. The girls looked at each other and grinned.

Lester had free time and soon became a regular at the gallery. He filled in for the girls at lunchtimes and even began to read the art books left on the table by the chairs in the reception area. He was soon able to offer a few words on each piece or painting, which he did when they were short, as well as running errands when asked. The three of them soon began to feel more relaxed around him. Lester for his part never pushed matters and remained friendly but a little distant, leaving them of an evening and never pushing them to come over or eat with him.

One day he appeared and asked if all three would accompany him to a black tie event at which his company would receive an award for their business excellence during the previous year. They agreed and asked what the dress code was. Lester said it was formal, and if they needed new dresses he would pay, no limit on cost. The three asked Lester to mind the shop. Later he got a call from a well known couturier, and happily gave his credit card details, nor even wincing when they advised the total cost.

The girls trooped back in from a cab, with several bags each. As they came in through the door which Lester held open, they kissed his cheek and said "Thanks Lester." He grinned and reddened. They asked if he wanted to see what he'd paid for but he said he'd be happy to wait to see them together on the night of the presentation.

On the night of the event, Lester was at home, having showered and shaved. He had laid out his clothes ready and was wearing just a bath towel wrapped round his waist. As he checked his outfit the doorbell rang, smiling he wondered who it was. If it was the girls they were early. He answered the door and Perdy swept in. She obviously had on the outfit Lester had purchased, and she looked stunning.

"Hi Lester, came up to say the others are on their way. And also to thank you for this."

She twirled around, the dress which had clung to her willowy frame, began to fan out at the bottom, showing it was actually four panels from the hem to her waist. The plain bodice was topped with a small bolero jacket and she shrugged this off. The dress was off the shoulder and although she appeared to have no bust, two small points showed she was b*a less and her n*****s were erect. She sat and arranged the panels on either side of her, showing her legs and everything almost to her navel.

Lester's eyes were wide and his mouth hung open. Perdy obviously shaved or waxed, she was totally hairless. Her long legs were n***d, no stockings, but they were glistening with moisturiser or something. Lester nodded his head slowly up and down.

"Phew, well this is unexpected, is this your big move?" he asked, his pulse rising and his mouth drying.

"Lester, I just want to say a real big thank you for what you've done, and yes this is my big move, do you have anything... big, for me?"

She unzipped the top of the dress allowing it to fall away from her chest. She was flat chested, but her n*****s were firm and long, erect and pointing straight out from her chest.

"OK, well, actually no I have nothing for you, other than the love of a man for his daughter's girlfriend. Please put you dress back on and rearrange the bit below your waist. You're very beautiful Perdy, but you are too young, too smart and too precious for me to be anything other than a friend. I need to make a call, can I borrow yor phone please."

Lester held his hand out and Perdy took her phone out of the small purse by her side. She flicked the code in and handed it to Lester. He smiled and held her hand, kissing it gently.

"Cover up please, although it is one of the prettiest sights I've ever seen."

Perdy stood and zipped the top of her dress up shaking it into place, covering herself, then sat making sure the panels covered her nakedness.

Lester meanwhile flicked through her contacts. Finding the entry he touched the screen twice and place the phone to his ear.

"Baby how's it going, is he biting..."

"Lizzy it's Lester, sorry to disappoint you, but I don't hit on your girlfriends, especially one as beautiful and talented as Perdy. Would you and Charlotte like to get your backsides up her now."

Lester clicked the phone off and tossed it back to Perdy.

"I'll leave you to let them in and explain things, I need to dress."

He walked off to his bedroom.Perdy smiled ruefully and put her phone away, rising to answer the doorbell and let Lizzy and Charlotte in. Lizzy grabbed Perdy and hugged her as Charlotte stood looking puzzled. Perdy swiftly explained what had happened and Lester heard Charlotte's voice raised then murmur harshly from the lounge.

They heard a soft bang from nearby and Lester walked back in with a bottle of chilled Champagne and four glasses.

"So ladies, champagne and a toast. To success and to family."

He passed each a glass as he poured.

"Lester I'm sorry, I knew nothing about this, if I had I would have stopped it." Charlotte said and rubbed his arm.

"Daddy, sorry, it was a mean and spiteful thing to do, I'm sorry too."

"That makes three of us, sorry Lester, I got carried away."

"Do you know what, I don't care, I have three incredibly intelligent, beautiful woman here with me. I've been a total s**t and I deserved it. It was a test, I accept that. Let's just forget it, go out and have a ball tonight, Family."

He raised his glass and they responded. Lester's phone rang, he fished it out of his jacket and answered it.

"OK, car's here, let's go accept this award, eat, drink and blow off a little dust. First one to wilt is a loser."

He held out and arm and Charlotte took it, Lizzy grabbed Perdy and the four went out to the Ball.

After accepting the award, Lester made a short speech explaining that the award would take pride of place in the Reception area of the company, so each employee could see it and know they had contributed to it. Then they ate danced and drank 'til the early hours.