The structure was lowslung and rustic in an eighteenth century way, so common with farm houses in the region. It was easy to imagine how it must have appeared to its inhabitants two hundred years ago, as they returned from toiling in the fields all day under the Tuscan sun. But they would have been totally confused by the interior today. It now boasted a modern kitchen artfully blended into the ancient structure, and living areas on the main floor decorated and furnished to maintain the local ambiance, but with every comfort.
The upper floor had been converted to accommodate four bedrooms, accessed via a curved staircase to a hallway that ran the length of the building. Headspace was at a premium. Care had to be taken not to bump the lintel when entering a bedroom.
Our room was at the end of the hallway, a large spacious room with a queen size bed, down duvet and ample pillows. Good comfort for cool nights. We also had an en-suite bathroom, with wash basin, bath and toilet, but no shower.
Now, I may be old fashioned, but I'm a shower rather than a bath man, so after a couple of days shaving and washing in the sink, it was high time to seek out a shower in the house. As it happened, there was only one, and that was in Penny's room, adjacent to ours. Yes, the shower was literally in her room. A self-contained, steel cubical set in the corner of her bedroom, it was telephone booth size, with two frosted glass walls, and sliding doors that met at the corner.
Perhaps I should pause to explain the population of the household that particular week.
Some years ago by my wife's cousin Andrew had purchased the farmhouse. He and his wife Lori-Anne had spent fifteen years or so in renovation mode. There was probably another fifteen years' worth of on-going renovation work. In fact, truth be told, it could well be endless. Regardless, it was very habitable, and they had spent almost every summer there with their kids, who were now two healthily developed teenage girls, Julia eighteen, and Natasha nineteen, or Jooles and Tash as they liked to be called.
Andrew's mother Penny completed the immediate family, thus with the addition of my wife and I, it was a full household the couple of late summer weeks we planned to stay.
Penny was definitely the senior member of the contingent at the ripe age of 70, still sharp as a pin, she had been widowed for some years. Hip problems slowed her down a bit, but she had enjoyed a globe-trotting, active life and was determined not to let anything deny her pleasure.
A diminutive five foot four, her short silver hair framed a slightly angular face that sported a ready smile, and soft brown eyes that carried a hint of mischief. During our visit, she was quick to join in any discussion, enjoyed a glass of wine and indulged in the occasional small cigarillo. She basked in the attention of her grand-daughters, who clearly doted on her. I found that following Penny up the stairs was an act of secret pleasure. With her hip problems she took her time, thus affording ample time to enjoy the swell of her ass and shapely calves. Although somewhat dimmed, Penny had lost none of her sex appeal. Full busted with a trim waist, she was pleasing on the eye as well as excellent company.
And so the third morning of our visit I found myself begging the use of her room to take a shower. The family was all outside enjoying fresh air and sunshine. The girls were working on their tans by the pool, hardly preserving their modesty with the briefest of bikinis that draped their lithe, nubile bodies. My mind tried not to wander there! Their Gran Penny was keeping them company seated in a deckchair, and their parents working at the back on installing a patio with the assistance of my wife.
Leaning out on my bedroom window, I called down to Penny, asking if she minded me using the shower in her room. She grinned up at me, waving permission. I stripped down, had a quick shave in my bathroom, and grabbing a bath towel, padded down the hallway to her room. Entering, I was struck by the faint, not unpleasing atmosphere which older ladies seem to generate through a mixture of face powder, lipstick and perfume. Now, at 58 I'm no youngster myself, but standing there naked in her room enveloped by Penny's aura, it felt somewhat naughty. The naughtiness was enhanced by the fact that a piece of her lingerie lay across her pillow. Her room was neat and tidy, the bed made. So I could only surmise the lace-trimmed chemise had been left there on purpose. I smiled to myself.
The shower was located in the corner of the room at the foot of the bed. I slid the doors open and turned on the water. Adjusting the temperature to 'comfortable', I stepped inside and closed the glass doors. The water hit me with force. Certainly no problem with water pressure in this part of the countryside. I luxuriated in it, soaping myself down, daydreaming of soft lingerie.
Shutting off the water, I let myself drain for a few moments, then stepped out, and scooping up my towel, rubbed myself vigorously. Standing there, I basked in the warm summer breeze that wafted through the open window, letting it dry me off completely as I contemplated Penny's piece of lingerie.
Snapping out of my reverie, I left her room, closing the door behind me, and headed back to my own room. Slipping on some shorts, a T and sandals, I descended, and joined the others round the pool, just in time to plan lunch.
Two days of laid back vacation passed, good food, wine and company. It wasn't until the fourth day of vacation that I felt the need to cleanse myself with a torrent of water. And so it was that on the day we had all agreed that it would be beautiful to lunch together alfresco at the local trattoria, I was in need.
All the family had made their ablutions except myself, and having scraped two days growth off my face in our en-suite bathroom, I was in serious need of a shower. Knocking on Penny's door, I expected no response and free access to the shower. This was not to be the case.
"Hello." called her voice.
"Hi Penny." I responded. "Free for me to take a shower?"
"Not just yet." she called. So I retreated to my bedroom. I took the time to lay out my clothes for lunch, stripping to my briefs. And waited.
"Shower's free." she called down the hallway. Scooping up my towel, I wrapped it around my waist and headed next door, only to find it closed. I knocked tentatively.
"Here." Penny's voice called.
I entered, and closed the door behind me.
