It was towards the end of April and I was working late at the office completing an important report. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only person still working, so it was a surprise when I popped into the office to use the photocopier and found Betty still working at her desk.
Betty had been working for us for about six months, but I didn't know her particularly well. She shared an office with her boss Gill who didn't like me because she disapproved of my unconventional private life and was not one to keep her opinions to herself. Betty was mid thirties, divorced with teenage children. We didn't work closely together and had never really done anything more than exchange pleasantries although once or twice she had raised her eyebrows at Gill's bitchy remarks aimed at me.
"Hi," I said, "I hadn't realised anyone else was here."
"Oh, we've had a lot of work dumped on us and I could do with the overtime. Besides it stops Gill moaning," she laughed.
"If you can stop her moaning you're doing better than me," I responded.
"I know," she said, "What's her problem with you? You always seem nice enough."
"She disapproves of my lifestyle. I take it you've been warned to keep away from me for your moral well being."
"Well she said you were a filthy pervert who got up to all sorts of weird things, but she's such a prude I'm sure she was exaggerating," said Betty.
"To be fair she wasn't that far of the mark. My wife Sue and I both have a high sex drive and adventurous nature so we will normally try anything once and usually more than once. But you've nothing to worry about. I accept that most people aren't interested and am happy to keep my distance."
"So what's Gill's problem?" she said. "Have you ever had a fling with her that turned sour?"
"Good god no! She just has this attitude that people who don't live their lives in a way she approves of are wrong and she can't seem to just live and let live."
"Well I don't see the problem. Just because I'm a fat frumpy middle aged woman with no sex life why should I resent you enjoying yourself." (Betty was a size twenty something dress size.)
"Don't be hard on yourself. You are a lovely woman who a lot of men find attractive. Carrying a few extra pounds doesn't stop you being sexy."
"That's very nice but you've already said you would keep a distance from me."
"Only on the assumption that you aren't interested. If you were that would change. "