by S M Mala
Phyllis was growling, and she noticed it wasn’t on her tablet but at the woman Stan seemed to be flirting with.
Maddy had a similar inner growl.
There was something about Stan that attracted a certain type of woman.
Good looking with a slim figure and quite brassy. Or that’s what he liked. Maddy wasn’t quite too sure. Nevertheless, at every opportune moment, he would be in there. The only thing that was confusing is that he came home all the nights he had stayed with her and never mentioned any women.
‘You don’t like her?’ whispered Maddy, stroking the dog’s head. ‘He seems to.’
Ted and Stasia were having a heated debate about something and each time she looked up Eugene was glaring over. Maddy decided to concentrate on the pictures on her tablet.
‘Him?’ she asked Phyllis who was still growling as Maddy discreetly fed her some crisps to make her happy while flicking through the pictures. ‘He looks okay, don’t you think?’
‘He’s making a fool out of you,’ she heard someone say and realised Eugene had crossed the room without her noticing. He was sitting at her side. ‘And you can’t see it. Everyone knows you know.’
Phyllis barked at Eugene in response, making the guy cower.
‘That’s what happens when you surprise people,’ Maddy replied, shaking her head and seeing that Eugene was looking at what she was doing. ‘Just having fun with Phyllis. And who is making a fool out of me?’
‘Your new flatmate,’ he said, flicking him a glance. ‘I know you think I don’t like you.’
‘I know you don’t like me!’ she laughed out, seeing Stan look over. ‘You’re always saying mean things and treating me like an idiot.’ Then she lowered her voice. ‘All because I wouldn’t go out with you in year six. I was eleven.’
‘And year eight, year ten and-.’
‘Okay, I persistently refused your persistence.’ Maddy folded her arms and checked the hood of her suit was up. She was going to need protection. ‘And now you have a lovely girlfriend who is a personal assistant to someone very important. What’s her name again?’
‘Bonny and she’s lovely,’ Eugene replied, but she got the impression he wasn't sincere. ‘I don’t want anyone to make a fool out of you.’
‘As you can see,’ she replied, holding out her arms. ‘I can do that on my own.’
‘Have you read Stan’s column?’
‘No.’ Maddy frowned. ‘Why?’
‘You should read them starting from when you first met him. It’s an insight into many things.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like him.’
Phyllis had her paw on the tablet as Maddy examined Eugene’s questioning expression. She looked at Stan who was laughing with the pretty girl and pondered for a moment.
‘I’m not good with subliminal messages, nor am I used to meeting ghosts or the paranormal. Unless someone spells it out, then I’m pretty lost, Eugene.’
‘He’s not what you think and-.’
‘Hello there,’ Stan said, surprising Maddy. ‘Do you want a drink?’
‘What is it with people creeping up on me today?’ she asked, touching her heart. Then she spotted the girl looking over at her. ‘Have you made a new friend?’
‘Just talking,’ he replied and then sat down in between Maddy and Eugene, squashing the smaller man in the process. ‘What were you chatting about?’
‘Nothing.’ Eugene jumped up and glared at Stan before looking at Maddy. ‘Will you listen to what I said?’
‘I will,’ she mumbled and sipped her wine watching him walk off.
‘What did he say?’ Stan asked, with a wide grin. ‘Ask you out? A marriage proposal?’
‘Dunno.’
Maddy was mulling over what Eugene said then looked at Stan.
If something didn’t sit right, then she would know instantly.
But she didn’t.
‘Did he upset you? You look a bit, I don’t know, confused,’ he asked then looked down at the tablet. ‘What’s that?’
‘Oh, we’re looking at pictures of suitable men to pick up on a dating website,’ she mumbled, seeing Eugene stare at her then raise his eyebrows.
‘Why’s there a picture of Phyllis and me?’
‘What?’ Maddy looked down, and there was a snap of them on her sofa, all cuddled up. ‘Phyllis must have touched the screen.’ She flicked back to the website then noticed he was looking over her shoulder. ‘I’ve not signed up, but you can get to see some pictures of guys that don’t mind you having a peek.’
‘They’re not real, you know. Those men are models or actors and hardly ever look like that.’
‘Yes, yes,’ she said seeing some real cuties as she touched the screen. ‘But it’s something to look out while sitting here.’
‘Hey Stan, I read the piece last week, and it was really funny,’ Stuart, an old work colleague of Ted’s, turned to say. ‘How you get away with it, I don’t know.’ He then looked at Maddy. ‘Hello there.’
‘Hi,’ she replied, knowing the rare exchange of words she had with him and some of the others. Then she noticed they were all looking at her and Stan on the sofa. ‘Is he that good?’
‘I’m surprised you haven’t read any of it,’ he asked, with a wry smile. ‘You might find it amusing or not.’
‘It’s not something Maddy’s into. It’s a guy’s perspective,’ quickly added Stan.
‘You’re the second person today to tell me to read his column not to mention my boss. I might-.’
‘Fine!’ snapped Stasia, who looked furious. ‘If that’s how you want to play it.’
‘Play what?’ replied Ted, whose face had gone pink. ‘I’m not playing anything, and I can’t see why you’re getting upset. I leave the last week of May and come back at the end of June. Five bloody weeks! I said you could come and visit.’
‘And you’re not going to have some fun while away?’
‘Fun? It’s work.’
‘Sure, it is.’
‘Oh no,’ whispered Maddy to Stan. ‘They don’t look very happy. Maybe I should-.’
‘Don’t get involved,’ he said, holding her arm. ‘Stasia has a bad temper sometimes, and it looks like she’s not happy about your friend going off on business.’
‘He told me, but I didn’t react like that.’
‘You’re not sleeping with him, are you?’ Then he turned to look at her. ‘Or is it a secret?’
‘Get off!’ Maddy slapped his hand away. ‘What a thing to say! We’re very good friends and your sister better not be upsetting him. He’s quite a sensitive soul and would never play around.’
‘Ted? You must be blind to his outrageous flirting!’
‘He’s a friendly guy.’
‘Maddy? Really?’
‘Really?’ Then her mouth fell open as Stasia slapped Ted across the face and stormed out. Maddy turned to look at Stan. ‘And your twin’s an angel, is she? You better go and see to her as I have to look after Ted. I hope this doesn’t cause a split in the family. I’m taking temporary custody of Phyllis.’
She was met with a wry smile then a sigh.
Taking Phyllis off the sofa and putting her lead on, she rushed towards her friend. Maddy glanced at Stan slowly walking out of the pub, taking a deep breath, opening the door to follow his sister before flashing her a smile.
‘Stasia!’ he shouted. ‘Wait up!’
‘All teeth that one,’ she mumbled, trying internally not to smile back at his mischievous face. ‘Are you okay?’
Quite a few people were looking over. Mainly the men who had smirks, while the women seemed to be feeling Stasia’s pain.
‘I like her, but sometimes I wonder,’ he said, touching his red cheek. Kevin, the landlord, handed over a tea towel with some ice in. ‘Thanks.’
‘Part of the job young Ted, all part of the job,’ he replied, shaking his head then serving a customer.
‘I heard what you said.’ Maddy smiled. ‘Five weeks is a long time, an
d you’re leaving earlier so…’ Ted stared at her. ‘I’m not helping, am I?’
‘Jealousy is a pretty weak emotion, and I don’t’ like be subjected to it,’ he said, sipping his beer while holding the compress against his face. ‘She thinks I’m looking at other women and won’t be faithful.’
‘That’s silly!’ laughed Maddy then remembered what Stan had just told her. ‘It’s silly, isn’t it?’
‘I don’t want to settle down, not just yet. I’m still looking for the right woman, and as much as I like Stasia, she’s not the one.’
Maddy stared at him because the first thing she thought about was this would cause a rift and she’d never see Phyllis again not to mention her pet.
‘You mix in similar circles, and I am sure that you can be amicable.’ She sidled closer to him. ‘Why don’t you wait a few months before breaking up with her?’
Ted smiled and shook his head as he looked down at the dutiful pooch looking up at him. Maddy noticed with the same loving look she gave Stan. It was obvious her little friend was a big a flirt as her current big one with the slapped face.
‘Why would that be then?’’ he asked, starting to smile. ‘I could hazard a guess.’
‘The only hazard you’re going to get is probably another slapped cheek from me.’ Maddy glanced around the room. ‘Why don’t you go and see her now and try to sort things out? If you can’t, at least you tried.’
‘Not everyone is meant to fall in love and live happily ever after.’ Ted let out a little laugh. ‘And I know your parents don’t want you to go to Rome to find true love. Stan told me about you mentioned you’re going to throw yourself into the fountain to make doubly sure you find love’s young dream.’
‘Talking about Stan,’ she said, pulling him away from listening ears. ‘Twice today I’ve been told to read his column. Eugene was warning me off him and-.’
‘And we know why, don’t we?’
‘And then your mate Stuart said the same thing. I wonder what he’s written.’
‘Probably something to wind you up and most of the women in here. You know his audience is predominately men, so his point of view isn’t going to be the same as yours.’ Ted looked up, and Stan strolled back in, tilting the front of his hat before smiling. ‘How is she?’
‘Go the arse.’ Stan smirked. ‘What did you do?’
‘Nothing,’ he replied, his smile slipping.
‘Ted, she’s my sister, and I love her very much.’ Stan shook his head solemnly from side to side. ‘I don’t want to see her heart get broken. If you’re unsure, then you should say something. I know what it’s like to be unsure.’ Then he flicked Maddy a glance. ‘But don’t hurt her. Stasia deserves better than that.’
‘She slapped him,’ Maddy added. ‘Are your family prone to physical violence? We need to know.’
‘I’m prone to wanting to strangle certain people from time to time, but nothing major,’ he replied, starting to smile.
‘Like whom?’
‘Like irritants.’
‘I better see her. Where is she?’ asked Ted, putting the compress down and finishing his drink. ‘I don’t like seeing her upset.’
‘She’s outside.’
‘I’ll see you later.’
They watched Ted walk out of the pub as Stan looked down at Maddy.
‘You know, they’ll have the best sex. Making up sex is the only way forward,’ he said.
‘That’s your sister and Ted you’re talking about.’
‘Just stating a fact.’
Maddy pulled a face in response and noticed a few people look over at them before whispering.
‘Stanley,’ she said, staring straight up into his eyes. He had an innocent expression which took her by surprise. ‘What do you write about in your column?’
‘This and that,’ he replied, putting his hands in his pockets. ‘Why?’
‘Are you mean about people?’
‘Not especially or intentionally.’
‘Are you mean to me?’
‘Why would you ask that?’ Stan stepped closer. ‘Have you read it?’
‘No but I keep being asked if I have and that makes me wonder what you’re writing about.’
‘Stuff,’ he shrugged.
‘Stuff? You write about stuff. Well, I hear bigger things are on their way, so your stuff seems to be quite good. Are you hedging your bets on becoming an award-winning novelist in the not too distant future?’
‘Do you know what, Maddy?’ he said, peering into her face. ‘I fancy ice-cream. Do you want one?’
‘I love ice-cream.’ She started to frown. ‘I try not to eat too much of it.’
‘Then I’ll buy you one scoop.’
‘Why have you changed the subject?’
‘Because I know what you’re going to say if you read my words of wisdom, so I might as well keep you sweet before you go ballistic. You’re bound to get the wrong end of the stick.’
Stan walked over to the sofa, picked up her small rucksack and threw it over his shoulder.
Maddy knew he was up to something and wondered if she should read his column.
But if it was going to cause another family rift, it wasn’t worth the hassle.
The idea of spending time eating ice-cream with Stan was more appealing.
‘I’m on a splurge.’
Maddy ate her chocolate ice-cream from her cone seeing Stan starts to go through his mega double scoop mix. ‘Thanks for this.’
‘Pleasure,’ he replied as they walked back home through the park.
The weather was pleasant for April, and there were a quite a few people in the park, hanging out. Maddy hadn’t received a call from Ted so she could only presume that everything was okay with him and Stasia. They were probably having make up sex, as Stan so sweetly put it, hence no contact.
Due to it being warm, Maddy had undone her suit and had removed the top half, so she could cool down revealing her long sleeve t-shirt. Also, there was less chance of getting drips of ice-cream on it, which meant the outfit would have to go to the cleaners.
Stan had bought Phyllis a small choc ice which she devoured happily and exercised off as she ran across the park.
‘There wouldn’t be a custody battle as she’s my inherited dog,’ he said, staring ahead as Maddy did a double take. ‘I admit, as you know, I didn’t want her. Only my nana could get a six-month-old puppy then die, bequeathing it to me in her will. I think she had a good idea she was ill and set me up.’
‘I hear the reasons were due to your misjudgments.’
‘Yeah, she didn’t approve of some of the things I did saying I wasn’t thinking.’ Stan smiled. ‘I haven’t been the most lateral thinker at times.’
‘And here was me thinking that you were always in deep thought, mulling the world over and us philistines that live in it.’ Maddy laughed. ‘But all along you’re just as crap as us.’ She watched Phyllis run around the park. ‘Are you coming to Dora’s party on Friday? She wants you to come with Phyllis. If you don’t want to come, then I’ll take Phyllis for the afternoon and-.’
‘Sure, I’d like to come and watch you try and hit the decks. It’ll be novel to see how you’re going to play music to a bunch of kids who probably think you're barking mad.’
‘They like me.’
‘Because they think you’re crazy for dressing up as a dog most weekends. Do you ever have a day off?’
‘Only when I’m on holiday. Sunday mornings are notoriously boring for children, so that’s a good time to visit and have some fun. And occasionally I will do a Saturday especially if someone has passed away and they need cheering up. I luckily haven’t done too many Saturdays of late.’
‘Underneath all of this you’re just too good to be true,’ he whispered then noticed she had heard.
‘Underneath all what?’
‘You.’ Stan smiled. ‘Not in a bad way, a good way. And right now, I want to do this.’
He stopped and wrapped his arms around her,
giving Maddy a big, warm hug. She stood there feeling his embrace and something tingled in her gut.
‘You deserve these now and again,’ he whispered into her hair.
His breath on her skin was starting to make her ice-cream melt, but Maddy didn’t mind.
‘Hello Stan,’ she heard someone say as he slowly released her from his arms. ‘And Maddy?’
‘Hello,’ Maddy replied and realised Giselle was standing next to them, wearing itsy bitsy tiny shorts and a similar matching top. The woman had abdominal muscles to die for. ‘You look great! Last time I saw one of my stomach muscles was when I was six.’
‘Giselle,’ Stan said and suddenly turned into his mean and moody stance. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m fine,’ she replied, a little bit too cheerfully. ‘We keep bumping into each other. I see you guys running in the park most days.’
‘That’s because I’m training for a marathon,’ Maddy replied watching Stan avoid eye contact with Giselle. ‘Well, a little marathon to raise money for the hospice. Stan is going to run with me to make sure I finish it.’
‘Is there something going on with you two?’ she asked, her happy face slipping.
‘No!’ Stan said loudly, looking surprised at the comment. ‘We’re mates. I’m staying at her place until my flat gets fixed up.’
‘Oh!’ Giselle said, looking relieved. ‘I didn’t think, so all things considered, but you seem together quite a lot.’
‘I work from home, as you know, and Maddy’s around.’ Then he frowned. ‘Let’s catch up next week if you’re free. I’ve been a bit tied up with work.’
‘I hear you’re going to get a deal with one of the nationals. That’s great and all down to your ‘Frankly Speaking’ column. Personally, it has become a focus on this person he can’t stand, but I can see why.’ Giselle smiled at Maddy. ‘I hope it goes well with your run.’
‘As you can see, I’m training hard,’ she replied, biting into her cone while alarm bells were ringing extremely loudly in her head. ‘See you soon.’