Hues of Her Hedonism

A Night in the Grove

The cool night-time air caresses Ava from head to toe as she leaves the lobby of her office building, the light summer breeze effortlessly sweeping her dark, wavy hair gently over her shoulders. Now that the working week was finally over, instead of heading home, she decides to take a different direction toward a little hole in the wall bar a few minutes' walk downtown.

Upon arriving at the little intimately lit bar, mythically named The Gudinna's Grove, it's clear to Ava that she hadn't been the only one interested in a few drinks on a Friday night. The space, politely put, is cosy. On a quiet, mid-week night the bar is barely big enough to fit the few tables and chairs that surround the handsomely crafted oak wood bar against the back wall. Add in the eager Friday-after-work groups and the place buzzes with minimal personal space. Regardless, this particular spot had become a regular hang-out for Merida and Ava, so much so they'd come to know the owners – a heavily tattooed, Swedish couple – quite well.

Doing her best to be polite, Ava pushes through the throng of bodies toward the bar, unable to stop a grin once she spies one of the owners, Freja, serving drinks behind it. When their eyes catch each other Freja's face immediately brightens as she motions Ava towards a spare stool to the right-hand side of the bar.

"Ava, min kära!" Freja shouts happily above the hum of conversations and psychedelic rock music playing in the background. "How are you?"

"To be honest, glad that work is over for the week!" Ava replies with exasperation as she adjusts her burgundy blouse and black pencil skirt before sitting down, "What about you? Are you and Erik doing alright?"

"We're fine, this place keeps us busy, of course." the beautiful blonde Swede answers with a smile, "What would you like to start with? We've just received a really nice 2013 French chardonnay..."

With a shake of her head, Ava replies, "I think it's a beer-type of night."

Briefly the smile vanishes from Freja's face as she reaches for a pint glass and the tap for Ava's favourite pale ale.

"Oh, you weren't joking... it must have been a rough week."

"Just busy really," Ava says with a sigh.

Changing the subject as she hands over the pint, Freja asks, "Is Merida joining you?"

"I'm afraid not, she's been called away again for work, so you just have me tonight."

Freja notes the dejection in Ava's tone, clasping her patron's hand briefly, she beams at her with genuine affection. "She's a busy woman that one, nonetheless, it's lovely to have you as always."

Ava simply gives a small polite smile by way acknowledgement before Freja turns to serve another customer. In honesty, she couldn't help missing Merida, even though time on her own outside of work was rare.

Suddenly two firm, colourfully tattooed forearms wrap themselves around Ava tightly from behind causing her to let out an unladylike yelp.

"Gotcha!" a deep, hoarse voice playfully growls in her ear.

"Christ, Erik! You scared me half to death!" Ava laughs as she presses a hand against her heaving chest to calm herself.

"What can I say? I love a good prank!" Erik chuckles playfully by way of apology as he leans against the bar beside her. "You're looking good, got a hot date with Merida, eh?"

"Not tonight, she's out of town, so I thought I'd come by and seduce your wife instead." she teases with a wink to Freja, who returns to their side of the bar jokingly making smooching sounds at Ava.

"Any time, snygging, any time!" Freja retorts mischievously before turning away to prepare another drink.

"Oh man," Erik sighs dramatically, running his hand over his sandy-golden quiff, "Don't tease me! Most husbands would kill for a fantasy like that to come true!"