by S M Mala
‘What are you thinking?’ she asked, seeing Phyllis running after her new dog friend.
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘Why not?’
‘You might just get a little upset,’ he replied and got to his feet.
‘Was it something horrible?’ Maddy let out a loud sigh. ‘I can take it.’
‘Whatever I think about you Maddy is never horrible just I find you interesting, and not for all the right reasons.’
‘What does that mean?’ She got to her feet and looked up at him. ‘Right reasons?’
‘Let’s rescue Phyl before she gets accosted by that lesbian dog.’
‘You are something!’ Laughing as she followed him and saw Phyllis bound up to them, she checked out his arse as he bent over. ‘One day I will read your column and get an insight into what goes into your head.’ He sharply turned to look at her and frowned. ‘I can read, you know.’
‘Best to leave what’s in my head alone. It’s better for you that way.’
‘Why would it be better? It might be good for me.’
‘You know what?’ he said, glancing at her with genuine concern. ‘Right now, just concentrate on Dora’s party and completing the fun run. That should be your focus.’ Putting Phyllis’s lead on, he smiled. ‘Fancy jogging all the way home?’
‘Don’t be stupid!’
‘Mum, can I get a word in?’
Maddy was standing in her garden speaking to her mother knowing she had been put on speaker phone. ‘Just a word?’
‘You can’t go to Rome on your own. I don’t know why you can’t fly over and see us. Your father misses you.’
‘Then you shouldn’t have emigrated so far away.’
‘Maddy, you’re not listening. I worry about you all the time.’
‘What about Rat Arse? You don’t tell him what to do.’
‘That’s because your brother lives close to us.’ Her mum let out a massive sigh. ‘And what’s this about a man living with you?’
‘Who told you?’ Then she shook her head. ‘Are you paying Ted to spy on me?’
‘Keep an eye on you.’
‘I can look after myself.’
‘Are you sure? And what sort of man is this person called Stanley Franks? He better not be like Roland.’
‘That was a waste of space,’ her father grunted in the background. ‘You can do better than that.’
‘It’s Ted’s girlfriend’s brother. He’s her twin and better looking than her.’ Maddy smiled thinking about Stanley rushing around that morning in a panic about a meeting. His flustered face was pretty endearing. ‘And it’s very above board, unfortunately.’
‘What does that mean?’ she heard her father ask in the background. ‘Unfortunately?’
‘Frank, she’s a young woman, of course, she wants to find a nice young man. No more musicians or actors, that’s all I ask.’
‘Any man will do, dad.’ Maddy silent laughed hearing him grumble something in the background. ‘I’m not with Roland, and right now I need to concentrate on other things. I’m taking part in a five-kilometer run, that’s over three miles, to raise money for the hospice.’
The unified loud sound of laughter made her pull the phone away from her ear. Maddy still couldn’t figure out why you would talk to people wearing headphones and at times like this, she was right.
‘Amused you, did it, mother and father?’
‘When you were little, you couldn’t run very far or at all! Your little legs didn’t work like normal kids. It was so sweet!’ her father yelled out. ‘Is it going to take a whole day?’
‘Leave her alone. She’s doing a good thing,’ her mother said, trying to catch her breath. ‘Maddy, think about not going to Rome, please? And if you do, take someone with you.’
‘Okay, I’ll think about it. There’s someone at the door,’ she fibbed, wanting to get off the phone and watch television. ‘Love you both. Speak soon.’
Hanging up before her mother could bend her ear again, she walked up to the couch and put headphones on. Phyllis was sat in the armchair sleeping or just being lazy. Maddy hadn’t figured out which one.
Then she found the series she was watching. It was in Spanish about women in prison, and she focussed hard. The aim was to read the subtitles quickly then look at the pictures. It was a technique she had mastered when younger, and it worked.
It was episode nine of the twelve-part series, and it was addictive.
Nearly at the end of the quite steamy episode, where there was lots of girl on girl action, Maddy watched in horror as a cellmate was beaten up and burnt within an inch of her life as the guards looked on.
‘Don’t just stand there!’ she said, seeing Phyllis raise her head before burying it under her paw. ‘Help the woman! That’s your job!’
Shaking her head, she knew it was going to be tough for the innocent prisoner, Flavia, to get out. There were too many obstacles.
At the end of the programme, she deleted it from her HD box and took off her headphones.
‘Your face could have mirrored the whole of that programme!’
Maddy jumped and nearly fell off the couch when she realised that Stan was sitting a little bit behind her.
‘You frightened the living daylights out of me!’ she said, holding onto her heart. ‘And look at Phyllis? She’s terrified.’ The pooch was sitting up, panting when looking at Stan. ‘How long have you been there?’
‘For the past forty-five minutes and still, you talked through it when no-one was here to listen and with headphones on.’ He let out a massive laugh and sat on the arm of the couch before sliding down to sit next to her. ‘That’s why I don’t like watching telly with you.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that but frankly, Mr. Franks, I don’t give a dam.’ Then she thought. ‘Did you see all of it?’
‘You mean the lesbian action where you put a pillow and peeked out from behind as if watching a horror movie, well then, yes.’
‘It’s funny what actors have to do, don’t you think? What if it smelled down there?’ She pointed to between her legs. ‘When they’re pretending to go down on each other? They must get a bonus for doing it.’
‘You are priceless!’ he sighed resting his head against the back of the couch, making his hat tip forward. ‘There’s no end of entertainment when you’re around.’
Maddy took his hat and put it in on her head.
‘How’s the decorating going on in your home? Does it look better?’ she asked, staring at his perfect profile. ‘Can I see some pictures?’
Stan took out his phone and flicked through it before showing her a shot of a darkened room with plaster on the floor. There was a large gaping hole in the ceiling. She couldn’t quite figure out what his home looked like other than a wreck.
‘Before or after the ceiling collapsed?’ Maddy smiled cheekily at him. ‘Looks bad.’
‘It is bad. And the parquet floor is going to take ages to sort out, but I’m covered by the insurance, so there’s no problem there, other than giving the money up front then claiming it back.’
‘I can lend you some if you’re short. I don’t mind.’
‘That’s kind, but I don’t want your money, and I have to pay you for staying here.’ Stan suddenly became anguished when glancing at her. ‘Contributing to the groceries isn’t enough, I mean, I practically camp out in the living room most days. What about the utilities and all the other costs? Every time I’ve mentioned it before you ignore me.’
‘Did I tell you I’m partially deaf?’
‘No. Really? How?’
‘On things, I don’t want to listen to.’ Maddy started to laugh. ‘I don’t need the cash, and it’s nice having company.’
‘You mean Phyllis?’
‘I mean company.’ She stretched out her legs and looked around her home. ‘I like where I live. It’s just how I want it to be. When your home’s finished, and Pearl has put her magic touch on everything, you’ll have the perfect place too.’
<
br /> ‘It’s far from perfect,’ he grumbled. ‘I’ve got no storage space for my books. You know, I’m lucky they haven't ruined as well as my guitars.’
‘If they were wrecked that would do us all a favour so we wouldn’t have to listen to you play.’ She looked at Phyllis. ‘Come here, Phyllis.’ The dog jumped off the armchair and scuttled towards them before jumping between them. ‘How this little one must suffer.’
‘She sings along.’
Maddy sharply turned to look at him and started to laugh even louder than before.
‘You have a singing dog? She’s never sung when she’s with me.’
‘You’re not musical,’ he replied, folding his arms and acting pissed off. ‘I’m good at playing the guitar.’
‘I’m sure you’re excellent if I knew what you were playing. How many weeks do I have to endure your daily tune?’
‘Two and a half. A total of five weeks so I will hopefully be out of here by the first week of May. Are you okay with that?’
‘I’m okay.’ Maddy grinned and watched him eye her with suspicion. ‘You’re safe with me.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Right now, I have other things on my mind.’
She didn’t.
All she could think about was him and smiled.
‘You’ve got that look in your eye that makes me think something strange is going on. Like it’s funny and cute.’
‘Phyllis,’ she replied, kissing the dog’s head. ‘That’s what’s on my mind.’
‘Right,’ he said sitting up. ‘As I am single at the moment would you come like out with me this Friday as a stop gap?’
‘Really? Are you that out of luck?’
Stanley frowned as he glanced at Phyllis then her. Touching the dog’s collar, he let out a little sigh.
‘You have to dress like an adult,’ he said, holding onto Phyllis for protection. ‘No spots. No bows. Sensible hair and shoes.’ Stan bit his lip and seemed at a loss for something to say. ‘And you have to be normal.’
‘Why don’t you go to a morgue and pick up a date there instead?’ she replied, getting agitated. ‘Or ask someone else. I’m sure you’ve got mates to help you out. Borrow one of their girlfriends.’
‘Don’t be like that.’
Maddy got up and skulked upstairs, pissed off with his comment and went to her room. She glanced at her spotted top and jeans in her full-length mirror before sliding open her wardrobe.
There was nothing that didn’t have stripes or spots.
And everything was colourful.
It made her smile as it was like looking at happiness and sunshine in her closet.
‘Anyway, I’ve got nothing to wear so I can’t go,’ Maddy mumbled to herself before sliding the wardrobe closed.
It was starting to get to her that he didn’t like the way she dressed. Stanley wasn’t horrible about it but just stating his opinion. She knew what he liked because Giselle always brought a smile to his face with her tight jeans and tops, skimpy dresses and strappy heels.
He liked his women all woman. Not half woman and child.
And she was a stop gap as he has pointed out.
‘Talk about feeling like a spare wheel,’ sighed Maddy before throwing herself back on the bed and looking at the ceiling.
Stanley walked in followed by Phyllis who jumped up on her bed as he sat next to her.
‘Wear what you like and be barking Maddy Berkeley if that makes you happy,’ he sighed, pulling one of her curls as she slapped his hand away. ‘It’s what makes you unique.’
‘Did you hit your head when you were walking up the stairs?’ she asked, wondering why his change of tact. ‘I’m not sure if I want to go out with you.’
‘I’m buying.’
‘What have you done?’ she asked full of suspicion.
‘I'm nice,’ he said, kissing her forehead. ‘I promise we’ll have fun.’
‘It’s a bit tarty!’
Maddy was shocked when Pearl held up a dress against her the following Monday afternoon. ‘You see the side and front boob. Oh no! That’s too much for anyone to look at!’
‘Really Madeleine?’ Pearl said, shaking her head. ‘It’s sexy and stylish.’
‘I want something a little bit more reserved.’
‘Reserved?’ Pearl laughed making Maddy smile.
Her friend looked a little better, but wasn’t back to her old self. She saw TJ holding Honey in his arms as he gave Maddy a funny look. He then walked away with a massive frown.
‘Everything okay?’ she asked Pearl who was rummaging around in her wardrobe. ‘Where’s Heidi?’
‘Day off.’
‘And TJ is looking after Honey? That’s nice,’ she said, adding an extra sweet tone. ‘You can go to the park as a family.’
‘The child can’t walk. What’s the point?’
‘Doing something together is nice.’
Pearl stopped what she was doing, and looked down at Maddy who could see this mad look in her friend’s eye. She decided to keep her mouth shut.
‘Do you have any idea what it’s like? Do you?’ asked Pearl, getting agitated. ‘I’m trapped. I can’t go anywhere without anyone, and everyone asking where I’m going, and how long I’ll be. Even when I went to Stan’s home, Heidi came along with the baby to make sure I don’t run away. I’m not mad just not into this motherhood thing. Not everyone is.’
There were so many things Maddy wanted to say but knew it would be lost on Pearl.
To her, the idea of loving and cherishing a child was a gift which her friend could not see for the fog in her head and a clamp on her emotions.
‘I’ll have Honey whenever you want some freedom. You just have to ask. I’ll take her to my home and will give you some space.’
‘As long as you don’t bring her back.’
Maddy knew TJ was in the corridor and swallowed hard knowing he would have heard everything.
‘Her daddy would miss her very much, I know that,’ whispered Maddy, touching her friend’s arm. ‘I think it’s time to let Heidi go and get a live out nanny.’
‘No!’ bellowed Pearl suddenly getting angry. ‘I can’t be with the baby, don’t you understand? If I’m left with her something will go wrong, and I know it! It’s too much, Maddy! Too much!’
‘Okay.’ Maddy pulled her friend into a tight hug seeing the distress she was under and fearful for her and the child. ‘I’m sorry I mentioned it. I don’t want to upset you.’
Pushing Pearl back, she could see the tears fall with no sobbing. There was something lost in her eyes and Maddy hoped it would come back, the sense of living and loving life.
But mostly caring and bonding with the baby she so desperately wanted.
Right now, she could see something in Pearl’s expression that made her worry for her friend’s health and Honey’s welfare.
Though Maddy had no idea what to do, as she had exhausted all the avenues of asking for help.
‘Find me a dress to knock the spots off him,’ Maddy whispered. ‘Let’s give Stanley Franks a shock and a half!’
‘What do you think?’
Maddy was holding up the dress and seeing Ted frown. ‘Come on. It’s not that bad, is it?’
‘It’s plain,’ he said, and Stasia was grinning as they were in his plush living room. ‘And a bit low cut. Have you got a bra for it? That’s a pretty deep plunge.’
‘I won’t wear a bra.’
Her comment seemed to shock him as Stasia started to laugh.
‘You have to! It finishes off an outfit. If you don’t, you’ll be able to see your nipples!’ Ted let out a groan. ‘Where’s he taking you?’
‘Probably to the local,’ she said, moving her eyebrows up and down. ‘Not sure what it’s about, but free food and drinks cannot be refused.’
‘He’s a silly child, my brother. I know he still likes Giselle but doesn’t want to get serious with anyone. She’ll slip through his fingers, and then we’ll see him sulk.’
‘I’m sure you could catch her?’ whispered Maddy to Ted so Stasia wouldn’t hear. ‘You’re good like that.’ Ted moved his head from side to side and glared at Maddy. ‘I know you fancy her.’
‘Shut up!’ he hissed and stared at the indigo dress and frowned. ‘Don’t say stuff like that. Stasia gets upset.’
‘So, what’s wrong with the dress? It’s one of Pearl’s. And I have very nice shoes to go with it. Comfortable.’
‘Comfortable?’ Ted started to laugh. ‘Shouldn’t they be sexy and stylish?’
‘Well, those two things I’m not.’ Maddy sunk to the sofa and couldn’t hold it in. ‘I know I sound like a scratched record, but I’m worried about Pearl. No-one is listening to me, and TJ doesn’t want to speak about it anymore. Should I call someone to say I’m worried? I don’t know what to do without getting her into trouble and social services brought in.’
She put her head in her hands and had thought about little else for the past few days. Stan had mentioned he had heard Maddy walking about in her bedroom, but she didn’t want to tell him what was worrying her.
‘And Dora is back home but pretty weak,’ she added, looking at Ted. ‘They’re not telling me something, I feel it.’
Ted then looked at her in a way she had never seen before then turned away.
‘What?’ Maddy asked.
‘You can’t help everyone. I know you think you can but sometimes, Maddy, you have to let nature take its course.’
‘What do you mean?’ Maddy stared into his engaging eyes and could tell he was trying to find the words. ‘I can help. That’s all I want to do.’
‘Sweetheart,’ he said, taking her hands in his. ‘You’re kind, and I love the fact you have such a good heart. TJ is going to have to deal with Pearl. You’ve told him, and he’s not listening. Dora has her mum, and the hospital will look after her. You need to be strong for them, but you have to step back. Nothing you do will prevent anything.’
‘Ted, you’re speaking in riddles.’
‘Life, Maddy. This is what it’s about. Even if you don’t like what’s going on, it’s going to happen.’
‘You are telling me not to worry about it and let others sort it out.’ Maddy pursed her lips and didn’t know what to say. ‘No-one in their right mind would let the people they love suffer or be unhappy.’