Erika Hoffmann spent the next day, Sunday, alone as Elsa was scheduled to work so she busied herself with cleaning and tidying her apartment. After she had gone she didn't want anyone saying she was dirty and untidy. She would probably never see Eisenach again but that didn't matter. Besides, she didn't want to stop and think about what may happen on Thursday. She would worry about that enough as the day drew near.
The following day she tried to catch up with all the work she wanted to finish before she left. She had never been a selfish person and didn't want to leave any of her customers without the dresses they had ordered.
About midday, the door bell tinkled, and looking up she saw it was the man who had come to see her just before closing on Saturday.
He tipped his hat.
"Miss Hoffmann," he said.
"Good day, Herr...?" She couldn't remember if he had told her his name.
"Braun," he obliged, "but please, call me Dieter."
"Dieter," she repeated.
"I have brought an old dress, as you requested," he continued. "You said you have patterns for me to choose from."
Erika thought for a moment. Her conscience would not let her take an order for something so important to him, knowing full well she would not be here to finish it. She steeled herself to let him down as gently as she could.
"Herr Braun," she began.
"Dieter, please," he interrupted.
"Dieter... I am sorry but I cannot take your order."
He looked disappointed as he took in what she said.
"That is a shame. May I ask why?"
"I have to take some time off to visit a relative and I would not be able to finish your dress before you need it," she paused before continuing, "I would not be happy if I spoilt your anniversary."
Dieter lowered his head. He looked up again.
"I am sorry to hear that," he said. "I had heard such good things about your work and had hoped... well, never mind." He turned to leave but then turned back
"Do you know of anyone else who could help?"
"If I could make a suggestion," she spoke hesitantly, "I could take your order and begin the process, making sure you get what you want, then pass it on to one of my associates. They are very good too. The only thing is I cannot oversee the work and you would have to speak directly with them."
"That will be fine." He looked happier. "If she works here with you then I am sure she will be good enough."
The next hour went by quickly as they perused pattern books and Herr Braun finally chose a dress that he thought would suit his wife. He had brought a photograph of her to help Erika find suitable fabrics and colours. She was plain but tall and elegant and soon they had chosen something they both felt would look beautiful on her.
After he had left, Erika felt a little sad that she would not see the finished article. Frau Braun was going to look lovely in what they had chosen for her. It made her realise just what she was giving up. She could never return to Eisenach once she left, her whole life was here. Even though she had no family here and her only friend, her lover, was going with her, she would still miss it.
With sadness she returned to her work and kept herself busy for the rest of the day.
Just before five, Elsa appeared. It was the last time they would be together before the big day and they wanted to spend as much time as they could in each other’s company.
As they walked home together, Erika looked at the shops and houses as she passed. Every day she had passed them and they went by virtually unnoticed but now she saw them and they looked so familiar yet distant.
She sighed.
"'Rika?" the voice from beside her, querying.
"Oh, it's nothing, Elsa," she answered, "I was just thinking how much I am going to miss this place."
Elsa looked at her, a worried look on her face.
"You are not going to change your mind are you?"
"No," she replied with a weary smile. "Don't worry. We can't stay even if we wanted to. Not if we are going to be together."
They walked on in silence until they were home.
Once inside Erika took off her coat and placed it on the stand beside Elsa's.
"We have not talked about what happens on the other side," she said.
"Oh... well," Elsa stammered, "I just thought, well assumed, that you and I would be together. Is that not what you want?" She looked serious.
"Yes, my love, it is but I wanted to be sure you did too."
"'Rika, do you know nothing about me? It is all I have wanted for so long! I want to be with you for ever."
They stepped towards each other and held each other tightly.
"Nothing and no-one will ever come between us."
When they finally parted Erika kissed her lover and said, "I need a shower. Put the coffee on and I will be back shortly."
In her room she began to undress. First unbuttoning the satin blouse and placing it on the bed then, turning her skirt, unfastened it and slipped it down her long shapely legs and stepped out of it before placing that too on the bed.
The satin slip was next. Taking the thin straps from her shoulders, she let the silky material slide down over her naked breasts. They were small and firm so sometimes she didn't wear a brassiere, and today was one of those days. She enjoyed the feel of the slip passing over her nipples on the way to the floor and they immediately hardened.
Her pantyhose were next and she sat on the edge of the bed whilst she pushed first one leg, and then the other, down over her feet and placed them on the bed with her other clothes.
Finally, standing, she pushed down her full panties and stepped out of them, placing them on the bed with the others, ready to put in the laundry after her shower.
With just a robe tied loosely, she went to the bathroom and turned on the shower, slipped off her robe and waited until the water was nice and hot before stepping in.
For a while she stood under the hot cascade and let the water flow over her, washing away all her fears and anxieties and luxuriating in the warmth it was providing both outside and inside, shutting out everything and providing a moment of tranquillity. She tilted her head back and allowed the hot water to flow through her hair and down her back, pushing it through with both hands.
Slowly, she became aware of Elsa's fingers massaging her breasts as she stood behind her. Erika smiled and let her head rest back against Elsa who began to kiss her neck as she gently squeezed her breasts and nipples.
This was an entirely new sensation for her. She had not showered with anyone before. The water flowing over them and Elsa's hands roaming around her body was overwhelming. She didn't want it to stop, ever.
Elsa picked up the soap and began to wash her lover's body and Erika just relaxed and enjoyed the sensation of slippery, soapy hands seeking out and cleansing every part of her.
As the lather began to build she could feel it running down between them allowing their two bodies to slide over each other sensuously as Elsa slowly rubbed soapy fingers down and into her coarse black hairs before dipping between her labia and seeking out her now swollen and throbbing clitoris whilst also massaging her ever more sensitive breasts and pulling her closer towards her hot slippery body.
Erika reached round behind Elsa and, gripping her buttocks, pulled her closer, feeling her pressing herself into her own bottom Elsa rubbed herself against her whilst seeking out the eager opening of her vagina with her fingers and slipping gently but urgently inside.
This was becoming too much and Erika leaned forwards onto the tiles as Elsa moved against her as if making love to her and worked her fingers in and out of her now burning vagina.
Suddenly, it was upon her! Wave after wave of pleasure flowed through her as her friend probed and pressed her and her legs became so weak she could hardly take the weight of them both. At it's height she turned and kissed her lover, pulling her to her and drawing the breath from her very lungs as the moisture flowed from her and was washed away by the hot water flowing over them.
They slid down the tiles together still locked in their passionate embrace and just rested under the hot flowing water as it took away all their thoughts.
Finally, Erika looked at the pretty blonde woman beside her and said, "I love you so much."