Beside the Seaside

I was so engrossed in staring at the designs in the window of the tattoo parlour that I almost jumped out of my skin when the door was pulled open and a girl stepped out onto the pavement beside me.

My face must have expressed my shock because she looked at me, smiling, and said “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, noting immediately how cute she was. “You just startled me, that’s all. I was miles away.”

She motioned towards the window. “You thinking of getting one?”

I shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. I’ve been toying with the idea for a while, but I’ve just never gotten round to it. Did you just get one?”

“Not this time, no. I was just popping in to let Steve know how pleased I was with my piercing. It’s all healed up great.”

“Your piercing?” My eyebrows raised of their own accord as I studied her and saw none, bar the ones in her ears, which looked like they’d been there for some time.

Grinning wickedly, she then stuck out her tongue. With her short dark hair and cheeky dimples, the expression made her look like a mischievous pixie. A hot mischievous pixie.

“Oh, wow!” I said, trying not to think about how sexy the piercing looked on her. “That’s so cool. And you’re so brave. I’d never have the guts to get that done.”

“Why not?” she asked. “You’re obviously not that scared of pain if you’re considering a tattoo.”

“I know but I’d worry that something would go wrong with it. And don’t you have to stay off solid food for a while afterwards?” I was horrified at the thought of not being able to eat my favourite foods for weeks on end. I’d waste away.
“You do. But I have the all clear now, so I can eat what I damn well want. Which is why I’m about to treat myself to some fish and chips.” She looked me up and down, as if assessing my suitability. “Wanna come?”

“Sure,” I found myself saying, “sounds great.”

I turned and followed her as she headed towards the sea front. I frowned. It wasn’t like me to start chatting to random strangers, let alone to go off with them. I told myself it wasn’t just because I found her attractive, but I couldn’t convince even my own brain. She didn’t look like a serial killer or a psycho, so I was sure I’d be okay. Plus, she was smaller than me. I could probably take her, anyway.

I laughed aloud as another thought occurred to me.

“What’s tickled your funny bone?” she said, turning to me, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth.

“I just realised we’re going off for lunch together, but I don’t even know your name!”

She slapped her forehead theatrically.

“Sorry, babe,” she said, holding her hand out formally. “I’m Candy.”

Shaking her hand, I replied, “I’m Ella. Nice to meet you.”

“Okay,” she said, dropping her hand back to her side, “now that’s out of the way, let’s get something to eat. I’m fucking starving.”

Candy picked up her pace, marching purposefully towards the nearest fish and chip stand. I presumed she’d chosen it for its proximity, because the shop with the best reputation was up on the High Street. Mind you, it was always packed full of tourists, so maybe she was avoiding it on purpose. I didn’t care either way. Soon after Candy had mentioned food, I’d remembered that I hadn’t eaten yet, and my stomach had quickly emphasised that fact, grumbling away as we walked.

Scurrying after her, I took the time to appreciate Candy’s rear view. She was wearing jeans that hung low on her hips and a little T-shirt, and I could see that she was tattooed as well as pierced. A design adorned her lower back, all swirls and loops, and I thought about how nice it would be to trace the pattern with my tongue. I’d love to tease her until she writhed beneath me.