Matthew Ryder awoke to the smell of pomander, a fragrant reminder of where he was: in his sister Jo's bed in the house she shared with her mother and three other sexy sisters. A contented smile formed on his handsome features, overjoyed to be back in the bosom of his family. He didn't have a lot to thank his late father for but, dating his mother two decades earlier, had been one of the old man's better decisions.
Climbing from the small bed, it dawned upon Matthew that the suit and shirt worn for the previous day's funeral were all he had, the decision to stay made somewhat on the spur of the moment. A visit to the shops essential, he didn't suppose on being short of volunteers among the girls to help test the platinum card's outrageous credit limit. His father may have been an ill-tempered and self-absorbed authoritarian, but he'd always taken good care of Matthew financially.
The deep sleep that had been necessary to wash away thoughts of the previous day meant mid morning had arrived by the time Matthew was dressed. The house unusually quiet, the youngest girl Amy was at school, the eldest Meg and their mother in full-time employment. That left just the two middle sisters for company, sweet coffee skinned Beth, enjoying a gap-year before heading off to university and boyish Jo, who was looking for a job though not too hard, it seemed.
Unaccustomed to having a man around the house, neither girl was dressed yet, a barefoot Beth resplendent in a white t-shirt that just about covered a pair of pink panties, Jo in green pyjamas and huge fluffy slippers. Not that either minded unduly appearing before Matthew in this manner. He was their brother after all, and a very charming and handsome brother at that.
Matthew accepted Beth's offer of tea and toast, following her through to the kitchen, eyes expanding as the petite half-caste of nineteen stretched up into a high cupboard. In doing so, the t-shirt rode up past her hips and the panties nestled in the crack of her arse. No doubt about it, she was desirable as hell.
Not that the others were without appeal. Meg the eldest was pretty and assured and Amy the blonde little cutie of the family. Of the quartet, only Jo wasn't to Matthew's particular tastes, a little too close for comfort. Then there was his mother, memories of what she'd done to him in the bath leaving Matthew craving more. He hardly knew which way to turn. What a dilemma for a horny young man!
But for now fate had cast its hand and dictated hanging out with Jo and Beth. Having disclosed his shopping plan, favourable responses were received from both girls who were only too willing to help their brother spend his inheritance early. Quickly they dashed off to change, Beth emerging in a smooth and silky yellow sundress, Jo in more conservative faded denims and a black vest top.
The nearest town a good ten miles away, Jo's little orange 2CV was invaluable, the trio cramming in cosily. Matthew was ushered into the passenger seat with Beth behind, leaning over to hang on to the back of the seat and her brother's every word. They chatted merrily the whole way, asking Matthew all sorts of questions about his life in Manila. Matthew responded honestly, happy that they seemed to enjoy his company, his reservations ill-founded.
Thirsty from the journey, Matthew suggested a stop-off at a bar before the shopping began in earnest. A little place on the outskirts of the town centre was perfect, with seats and table outside on the pavement. Matthew conveyed the three vodkas over and supped contentedly, revelling in the alfresco atmosphere and the feeling of liberty. His dad had a lot to answer to and he could truly empathise with hostage victims.
Finishing up the drinks, they stood as one, the two girls planting themselves either side of their brother. Arms linked intimately, they made him feel the proudest man in the world. He dared not contemplate how much worse his life would have become had his father lived to sixty. Instead, he was glad what had happened had led him here, the looks from envious passers-by inducing a rosy glow of contentment.
As they moved from shop to shop, none really suitable or taking Matthew's fancy, Beth grew more familiar, slipping her tiny brown hand into Matthew's. He accepted it warmly, administering a squeeze that caused both their hearts to quicken. Jo was less tactile but Matthew couldn't have everything his own way. Dissatisfied with the scant fare on offer in the main arcade, Jo herded them off the beaten track to the side roads where megastores were supplanted by small private concerns with a more personal touch.
At last they found somewhere suitable: numerous pairs of designer jeans hung in the window alongside colourful shirts and jackets, with fashionable shoes littering the display floor. A unisex establishment, the girls scanned the neighbouring window for items they might wear to Amy's birthday party – or at least dream about wearing, for the prices were prohibitive. The trio wandered inside to be met by a loud blast of in-your-ear rock music and an overenthusiastic in-your face male assistant who looked barely out of school.
A curvaceous gothic-looking girl in her mid twenties and ruminating on a slab of gum made up the shop's staff, two sufficient for the midweek lull. Generously pierced and tattooed, she was clad throughout in black to match her raven shoulder-length hair. A clunky cross hung over a generous pair of breasts that seemed intent on bursting through her blouse. Matthew had to commend Jo for her choice though he suspected a girl like that might eat him alive.
Eschewing assistance, he availed himself of two pairs of reliable Levis, one black, one blue, a pair of tailored knee-length khaki shorts, a grey hooded sweatshirt emblazoned with a Nike swoosh, a turquoise Yves St Laurent shirt that looked suitable for the party and a white polo shirt. Arms loaded, he headed to the changing room as the two girls glanced over rails of clothes and debated mix-and-match options.
Not one to dither, Matthew's credo was: if it looks good and it fits buy it. It had served him well in life. Indeed, every item did fit and, supplementing the purchases with a pair of black deck shoes and white trainers, a three-pack of boxer shorts and a five-pack of socks, he had everything he needed for the next few days. All achieved in under fifteen minutes, he rested the items on the shiny black counter, handing the platinum card to the young male assistant whose eyes bulged.
"Done already?" enquired Beth, gliding over to his side, a hand smoothing his back.
None too enamoured by the lecherous look the sales assistant gave his pretty little brown sister, Matthew issued a sneer. Well, who wouldn't be possessive around this delicate little thing? "Why don't you pick whatever you want Beth honey?" Matthew suggested, before raising his voice above the music: "You too, Jo."
"Matthew, you can't!" they protested in unison.
Matthew issued a smile of assurance, adding: "But quick, before I change my mind."
Beth undertook a swift circuit of the shop, picking out a few possible combinations to try on, Jo seemingly less easily pleased. Beth beat a trail to the changing rooms and back, insisting on catwalking the designs and canvassing the opinion of her siblings. Though she looked utterly gorgeous in everything she paraded, Matthew was especially taken by the red hotpants and halter top combination, issuing a satisfied sigh. "Mmm, a scarlet woman," he mused.
"You like?" Beth enquired, her smile radiant, pleased that he was pleased.
"Oh I do."
"Jo?" enquired Beth of her sister.
"Sorry...what?" Jo replied, seemingly distracted. "Yes, yes, it's lovely," she answered dismissively.
Beth decided to act upon her brother's instinct and buy them – or have them bought fr her to be more exact. Returning to the changing room, she restored the yellow sundress and came back to place the skimpy red articles on the counter. "Are you sure, Matthew?" she asked with a pout.
"Yes I'm sure."
He handed over the platinum card once more, Beth ebullient. His work done, the assistant announced to his gothic colleague that he was heading off to lunch. With that the girl grinned and moved over to shadow Jo who looked undecided. "Can I help at all?"
"Oh God yes," Jo responded, removing a black skirt from the rack. "Do you have this in a smaller size?"
