The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “You look like you’re in a world of your own!” As Eve jumped backwards, she nearly fell into the marina as Brenda seemed to appear from nowhere.

  “Shit. Sorry, Brenda, you scared the daylights out of me.”

  “I thought as much how’s my darling baby boy.”

  “At home going through receipts probably.” Hearing the sarcasm in Eve’s voice Brenda lightly tapped her with her handbag.

  “Fast asleep again. He’s grown so much!” Stroking his soft blonde hair, Brenda smiled fondly pushing Eve out of the way so she could monopolise the stroller.

  “Why don’t we sit for you tonight?”

  “Yes make her she’s dying to get her hands on him.” Yvonne joined the duo pushing in again on another conversation.

  “You need a night out. Paul said she’s been up night and day with this baby even to the point where she’s been sleeping in the chair in his room. Paul’s found her a couple of times and don’t deny it cause I’ll text him.” Chuckling to herself Yvonne bent over to her mum and kissed her cheek, and as Eve smiled in accordance to what was expected underneath, she could feel the once sanctity of motherhood now being swiped out from under her feet.

  “I never had a mum in the loosest term. Brenda….you know. Is it bad? Am I doing something wrong I mean he’s growing fine and everything.”

  “Yvonne...” Scolding her daughter Brenda took Eve by the hand.

  “You’re doing everything right. Listen being a mum is difficult, and I know how you feel. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad even if it’s my daughter.” Eve took a large gulp of air feeling slightly nervous about what Paul had been saying.

  “Stop worrying look at him. He’s absolutely beautiful, and you are coping phenomenally. Now ignore her and let’s go and have some lunch.” Stopping Eve hugged her feeling the tears well inside, Brenda for a small moment had stepped up and become that motherly figure she had forgot. Holding her hand Eve squeezed her tight hoping that her kind words of reassurance would help the resonating butterflies in her stomach.

  Sitting at the pier side, the sun beamed warmly onto the decking of the restaurant. Hearing the small squeaks from Tom Eve had already stood to attention beckoned, and beholden to every sound and as she scooped him into her arms, she could feel the love pour out of every cell. He had his father’s kind eyes and even temperament and in the same way a feeling of safety that she hadn’t ever felt until Paul.

  “Can I hold him...?”

  “Of course I don’t think he’s quite ready for his feed yet so I don’t think he’ll yell too loud.” Passing him over to Grandma she could see the joy in Brenda’s eyes. Since he had been born, she couldn’t get enough cuddles or smiles, and he had brought them closer together.

  “He’s so much like Paul.”

  “Mum I’m sure Eve would like some of her genetics in there.”

  “Nope, she’s right Von I saw Paul’s baby picture the other day, and it’s as if I’ve given birth to a clone.” As Eve smiled sweetly, she leant into Brenda’s shoulder removing some of the baby spit which had started to drop off his bib and as she took a sip of her coffee Eve rocked her head from side to side feeling an old presence which instantly put her on alert.

  “Right you two before you get caught up again in Tom’s world I have a proposal...”

  “I’m not ready not yet...”

  “Listen. Let mum finish her coffee and play Grandma for a bit, and you come with me and do a bit of girly shopping. Eve we will be back in an hour I promise..” Hearing Tom’s gurgles, she wrapped her hand around her neck still feeling the old presence from before.

  “An hour isn’t going to hurt.”

  “Ok Let me feed him before we go anywhere at least that will put my mind at ease.” Picking him up from Brenda’s lap Eve threw his baby blanket over her shoulder. Folding the corner over her arm, she placed the infant underneath, so he was free to feed. She knew it would take at least half an hour, so whatever presence was going to be known at least, she was going to be with him.

  “You look on edge...”

  “First time I’ve left him.”

  “I know it’s an hour my darling. Go and have some time to yourself.” Fastening her blouse Eve wrapped him up in the blanket and kissed his temple.

  “I won’t be long…” Looking back Brenda seemed intoxicated by her Grandson, and she also knew nothing could happen to him. As the strolled into town Eve knew Yvonne’s habits when it came to shopping. Being dragged her in and out of shops wasn’t Eve’s cup of tea, but it was also nice to have an adult conversation and talk about more than nappies and sore boobs. As they reached the sale rail, Yvonne stopped, precariously looking at the sedate options Eve was contemplating.

  “Come and try this on...”

  “I can’t wear that!”

  “Why not?”

  “Yvonne I can’t I’m a mum and mum’s don’t wear dresses like this!” Laughing Yvonne took her by the hand marching her into the dressing room.

  “Listen if I looked like you I would permanently go out in my bra and pants. Try it on!” Standing in the mirror Eve exhaled a small sigh suddenly realising what she’d had been involved in most of the day.

  “What time are we going out?”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Yvonne you spoke to him this morning didn’t you. I’m not going out for long, and I want to be back early, and Brenda has to watch him at my house. That I am none negotiable on.”

  “She said she would have him overnight!”

  “He’s four months old, and I don’t feel comfortable. We will go at ten after his last feed, and I want to be home by midnight!” Seeing the stern look on Eve’s face, she knew no matter what persuading tactics she would have used Eve wasn’t going to budge.

  “I’m not wearing this either…”

  “Sorry can’t hear…did you say I’m buying it thought so.” Shaking her head, she knew it wasn’t worth arguing over.

  Arriving home, she negotiated the front door and hallway leaving a very sleepy baby in his buggy to drift off. Seeing his eye’s profoundly close she knew it wouldn’t be long before he was fast asleep. Paul stood at the kitchen doorway still sporting his glasses and looking tired from the day of receipts, and as Eve stood with her hands on her hips, she waited for him to make the first conversation.

  “Had a nice...”

  “Don’t get your sister to do your dirty work for you! I have been brow beaten into submission, and I can’t say I’m happy about it.” Seeing his smile fade, she gulped down her anger knowing the reasons why he had instigated his sister's interference.

  “You could have told me.”

  “You’ve been so calm and brilliant with him I didn’t want you thinking I was pressuring you.”

  “So you got your sister instead.”

  “I’m sorry I should have talked to you. It’s just that.” Putting a foot on the first run of the stairs Eve dropped her head knowing Tom was the perfect excuse to avoid any contact with Paul.

  “I’ve been distant…”

  “No Eve, please let me explain.”

  “I know. You touch me I flinch I get it. I just wanted to be the best I can for him because I never had it. Your mum’s coming here for nine thirty and your sister insists I look like a slut. So maybe after tonight, you might all give me a break!” As Eve slammed the door upstairs, she slid down the back wanting to run to him. There had been times when she had been up in the middle of the night feeding Tom and Paul had got up to keep her company. Eve had been singing him a lullaby and pushed him away saying she had things covered. The truth was she didn’t want the nightmares to come back, and every time she had brought her true feelings to the surface, the blackness had started to descend, and she could feel the cloud of The Parish, and the screams of Inlands Brow grip her with panic.

  Hearing the footsteps on the stairwell she tried to swallow her tears, but as Paul entered the bedroom, it was evident she was genuinely upset.
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  “I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to fight. I’m sorry.”

  “Stop saying THAT! Stop saying you’re sorry. It’s not your fault. It’s mine it’s all my fault.” Unable to control her feelings she gripped at her hair feeling herself spiral out of control.

  “Babe please, please don’t I shouldn’t have pushed. Tom’s still little and your right it’s too soon.” Taking hold of his hand, she kissed him leaving her hand on his cheek.

  “I don’t want something to happen to us, and after our wedding day just certain things freak me out. I’ve pushed you away instead of bringing you into our little family circle. I don’t do these things to hurt you. I just get scared.” Breathing her in he wrapped his arms around her feeling her body tremble and her breath shake.

  “Listen I’ll cook us something and let’s put him in bed, and we will curl up on the couch and fall asleep in front of the TV.”

  “As much as it sounds fantastic, your mum is smitten with our son, and if we tell her to leave it now, it will break her heart. I’m being neurotic cause I know if he is in this house he is safe. Your mum loves him he will be okay plus Yvonne said I have to be seen in this new outfit.” Clutching at his hand, she ran down the stairs checking once again on her sleeping son. Seeing the contentment and serenity on his face made her realise how safe he was. Sitting on the stairs, Paul joined her feeling guilty of his suggestion.

  “I love you.”

  “I know you do just promise me next time you’ll talk to me. I just need to know we are a team on this.”

  Brenda was already at the door as nine thirty rolled around. Ecstatic at the thought of spending more time with her grandson she beamed on the doorstep however after seeing him fast asleep in his bassinet it didn’t fill her with hope.

  “Asleep again what does she have in that milk.”

  “Growing agent I think” Eve walked into the living room to a gasp from Paul and a speechless Brenda.

  “I told her I said to Yvonne I shouldn’t be wearing something like this does it look bad.”

  “No…I...Oh.”

  “What my son would like to say is that you look amazing and I agree with my daughter if I looked like you after I had a baby I would be wearing it too” Cupping her cold hand over her own Paul still stood in absolute silence. The short black dress emphasised Eve’s long toned legs, and the off cut shoulder and middle slash just made her look too sexy for Paul even to comprehend. As the doorbell rang for the second time Eve welcomed Yvonne and Carl into their home, and as Carl mirrored Paul’s astonishment, he quickly got a tap on the back of his head and brought back down to reality with Yvonne’s hand.

  “She doesn’t need you gorking at her. Are we ready?” Saying their goodbyes, the taxi was already waiting out at the front of the house. Still, in shock, Paul helped her into the cab making sure he was as close as he could get.

  “You look beautiful...”

  “Thank you do you think it’s too much.”

  “Well, there isn’t a lot of that dress.” Resting his hand on her bare thigh Eve could feel the tingles start to build inside.

  “You look good tonight too.” Wrapped in each other’s embrace Eve prickled all over but knowing she was away from home made it worth it. Arriving at the bar, Paul jumped out first taking the opportunity to drink Eve in for a second time. Knowing he was jumping to attention made her realise the potential of the dress and how Yvonne might be right to push.

  “Where’s the bar?”

  “To say you didn’t want to go out.”

  “I need a drink or possibly two…do you think he will be ok. I mean your mum.” Taking hold of her hand, he pressed her to his side carving a path through the crowd. The music swam around, and the temptation to lose control was too much. Every look and every touch made her want him incessantly, and his body language and the smell of his skin made her heart leap out and react, and as he stroked the small of her back, she realised how intoxicated she had become around him.

  Taking hold of Yvonne’s hand, she dragged her to the dance floor trying to sedate her senses. Drunk on Paul and lost in the music she could feel the old presence return.

  This time stronger.

  Her body prickled and her senses heightened to the watcher who stood at the back of the room and as the crowd melted away and the blackness descended. She knew she had been seen. Standing motionless she felt her breath slow and her panic well.

  “Jacob…”

  Dressed all in black she could feel his gaze consume her and at that moment it felt like the club had been put on standby as if being locked in a glass bubble unable to move. The blackness moved and swarmed like locusts in a wheat field, and as her eyes locked, she knew there was no going back. Eve felt unable to drop her gaze, and with each step, the figure sauntered closer, with her heart emulating the thud of his steps.

  “I’ve found you…” Taking her breath, she panted unable to control his hold. Wrapping his arm around her, she felt his breath on her shoulder, and his heart slow in time with hers. As he danced with her, she felt his hands on her body, and the more she struggled to pull away from him the stronger his hold seemed to be.

  “You left me alone when I needed you the most.”

  “You tried to kill me...” Taking hold of her hair he spun her head to meet his mouth and as he whispered his response, he brushed her lips trying to taste his vision.

  “I was wrong ever to doubt you...” Paul saw the lights dim and the speaker's buzz, and on seeing the blackness, he remembered the hospital. Running to Carl, he knew time had been slowed again, and as he looked out over the balcony, he saw the lights flicker on and off and in the darkness the shimmer of a familiar presence.

  “Eve...” As Paul ran out into the crowd, he felt the icy air penetrate him and the vacuum consuming his breath from the room he saw how the blackness surrounded her and how still she had become. Fearing the worst he run towards her.

  “You can’t hurt me here” Laughing Jacob pulled her closer making sure her lips was as close to his as she could bear.

  “You have the power Eve.”

  “I have my protection as well.” As Paul stepped forward, he soon saw what was keeping her so still.

  “Jacob...”

  “You.” As Eve rose her hand a flash of light engulfed him and as it dragged him down Paul watched in horror knowing they were right back at the beginning. As the lights flickered again, Eve heaved in a huge breath, and as Paul took her in her arms, he could see the dim violet light starting to fade.

  “He still wants me we have to go now.”

  “No….No, not back to my son I’ve seen this Eve and you're dangerous.”

  “I would never hurt my baby...” Pulling her closer, he clung to her in his arms knowing how much love she had for their child.

  “I know but the paramedic...”

  “You think! He’s my son my blood. I would never do anything. Jacob is here, and I need to know he’s ok.” As her tears fell, he could hear the light overhead buzz and hum under her anger.

  “The further you are from our son the better protected he is.” As the glass shattered above Eve gasped again and as she fell to the ground she realised how easy she’d been sucked back into their world.

  “Let’s get out of here.” After counting to ten, Paul realised the world needed to catch up again, and as he threw her into a cab, he pulled her towards him holding her tightly.

  “Where to mate?”

  “Quay please.” As the car moved Paul wiped away her tears which had now started to stain her bare knee and as he pushed Eve closer he felt unable to find a rational explanation for the events which had happened.

  “I love him Tom is everything I have I can’t lose him, Paul, please.”

  “I know baby let’s just try to figure this out together.” As he paid for the cab Eve wrapped her arms around her body as the cold sea air nipped at her skin. Feeling the pain, she realised she was bleeding, and as she wiped her neck, the Scarlett traces stai
ned her fingers.

  “Paul…”

  "Shit! What did he do?"

  "Its a warning it's in the same place look." Seeing the mark around her neck, Paul gave her his jacket hoping it would cover the wound. Feeling exposed Paul felt the necessity to go undercover and as they made their way into the nearest hotel, he stood at reception hoping there was space for them.

  “We’re in room two, zero, nine.” Taking off her shoes she started to follow him up the staircase trying not to look at the other guests just in case they saw the blood. Paul stumbled with the key in the lock, and as they entered the room, it felt hot and humid. The wall paper looked tired and dated, and as Eve took in the view, she felt a long way from home. As Paul started to run the water in the sink, she addressed the injuries in the mirror.

  “It’s all down my shoulder as well…” As Eve took off her dress, she sat on the bed examining the extent of her injuries and as Paul brought over the small hand towel and as he dabbed gently he started to understand the nature of the beast.

  “What happened?”

  “I left I should have just died.” Dabbing her wounds, he felt the defeat in her voice.

  “Don’t say that.”

  “Its true look at what I’m doing to you and now I’ve brought a child into it. Why can’t you just admit that?” The pain was written all over her face, and as he crouched down in front of her, he felt powerless to help.

  “Every time you protect us it’s as if I lose a piece of you.”

  “I’m already broken Paul you and Tom would be better without me.”

  “I love you, and I won’t let you go. I need you.”

  “What for all I do is make you miserable.”

  “I need you...”

  “Stop saying that! You don’t trust me. I can’t help my reaction to that kind of darkness Paul it’s how I protect us. All of us even Tom. Do you think I would hurt him? DO you?” Raising her voice, she couldn’t keep the emotion locked inside anymore.

  “I don’t know Eve? All this scares the shit out of me. How do you want me to react? Like you? I’d never experienced any of this until you walked into my life. It’s not that I don’t trust you I don’t understand. If you stopped being so Goddamn cold maybe I would understand better.”