by SD Saunders
Toby was pushing his nose into her legs, a huge green crocodile stuffed toy firmly wedged in his mouth, brought her out of her daydreams. “What you got there”, she laughed as the over-sized toy dropped at her feet.
“I couldn’t stop him”, Alex laughed, walking up to them, a resigned look on his face as he dropped into the seat next to her.
“That’s the biggest prize yet”, she laughed, eyeing the crocodile as Toby partially lay over it, chewing at its leg. “What’s that”? Melody asked, looking enquiringly at a large metal bar wrapped in paper at Alex’s feet.
“Got a replacement blade for my lawnmower”, he grinned, “the stall over there sells parts and tools, I nearly came away with a whole new tool box collection”.
“And yet, you only have a blade, very restrained of you”, she teased, handing him a can of cola.
“I know, might go back over for more”, he cast a wayward glance back at the stall.
“It’s got you”, she laughed as he raised a questioning eyebrow, “the lure of the boot fair, no-one leaves empty handed, or with just one item”.
“You’re right minx, I’m hooked”, he laughingly confessed, throwing his arms up in surrender. Melody closed her eyes, the sun’s rays warming her face as she tilted her face skywards, the day was turning out to be a pleasant one. Alex had dropped Toby home after his run, heading back home to shower and change and then surprising her with his eagerness to come to the boot fair with her, a fact that still made her smile. She had lost count of the Sunday mornings she had made this solitary journey with just Toby for company, never once thinking it might hold any interest for Alex. But here they were and he seemed to be enjoying himself.
“What are you after boy”, Alex frowned, looking at Toby as he pushed his nose into melody’s bag.
“Oh I’m sorry boy, I forgot”, she exclaimed peeking at the two of them, reaching for her bag and taking out his water bowl, “he needs a drink too”, she explained to Alex, pouring out some water for him. “There you go”, she soothed, placing it on the ground for him.
“Not making a very good job at this pet daddy lark am I”? Alex grimaced jokingly.
“I’d say you’re doing a fine job, after all that’s the biggest toy he’s ever managed to wangle out of a boot fair before”, her infectious laughter rubbing off on him as Toby drank thirstily whilst keeping an eye on them both.
They spent the next hour wandering between the stalls; Alex had given in and bought a few tools he claimed he needed, although she was sure she had seen remarkably similar ones in his toolbox at home.
“A man can never have too many tools”, he had laughed at her teasing when he had stopped once again to look at a collection of claw hammers laid out in size order. Picking different ones up and replacing them as he thoughtfully rotated them, choosing a black and yellow handled one, he paid the stall owner and grinned sheepishly at Melody. “I didn’t have a curved headed one”, his grin lighting up his face.
“Well, it’s good you got one now”, she laughed, linking her hand with his as they continued strolling along the stalls, only half paying attention to the different contents each one offered.
“You want to get out of here”, Alex suggested thirty minutes later as they exited another row.
“I think so, I’ve got all I need”, she gestured to her carrier bags full of purchases.
Scooping her bags from her, he placed them on his wrist and flung his free arm around her shoulder. “Allow me, milady”, his tone of voice was theatrical as he led her to the car.
Timothy paced back and forth in his small bedsit; less than a week to go till the gala and he still hadn’t had any luck securing a position as a waiter. The visit to the A1 agency had left him nervous, the way the receptionist had treated him made his senses prickle. She had seemed wary of him as she clutched his file to her, the green post-it note on the front was new; it was almost like she hadn’t wanted him to see it but he had, the post-it note had just one word that spooked him, ‘query’. He was glad he had ducked out of there sharpish, before he had enquired about the gala job, relief now settling on him that he had registered at the agency under his mother’s maiden name, no bread crumb trail would ever lead to him leaving him in the clear when his plans unfolded. Fortunately, while she had been off checking who could see him that day, he had spied the folder sitting blatantly on her desk, the gala logo emblazoned on the front, a quick look and he had memorised a few of the familiar names scheduled to work as waiting staff for the event. “Well, there’s more than one way to skin a cat”, he muttered, stopping mid-stride as an idea started to form, an evil smile splitting his face.
Arriving at the little pub, he grabbed a beer and settled into a corner, watching, and waiting. He knew this watering hole was favoured by the men who worked at the temping agency; seeing his target finally walk in, he observed his short blonde spikey hair and casual clothes, he was about the same height as himself and had a slim build. “Yes, this could definitely work”, he quietly mused to himself as he casually made his way to the bar.
“Owen”, he smiled, tapping his arm as the younger man swung around to the greeting.
“Um, do I know you”?
“It’s Tim, we worked together out at the golf club”.
“Oh yes, I remember, didn’t you work at the bar with me”, he frowned, obviously trying to place him. Timothy nodded at the fictitious story, glad that Owen had not caught him in the lie.
“Never did get to say thanks”, Timothy smiled at his outrageous lie.
“Thanks for what”?
“You covered for me when I messed up that order, would have been fired on the spot if it hadn’t been for you”. Knowing full well that he had read Owen right as he readily accepted the praise. He had worked with him on one occasion and the jumped-up little yes-man had taken all the credit for everyone else’s hard work that day doing his utmost to impress the management, sucking up to them in a nauseating way.
“You’re welcome”, he smiled, turning back to his beer.
“Let me get you a drink”, Timothy enthused, raising his hand to attract the barman. Ordering them both another round, he raised his glass to him. “Here’s to you, a real gent in this cut-throat agency work”. Taking a gulp of his beer, Timothy eyed his target. He looked like he was lapping it all up, like taking candy from a baby, he thought cynically leaning in for his killer line. “So you got any good jobs coming up”?
Walking back to his bedsit, Timothy praised himself on his plan, several beers into his discussion with Owen, he had gleaned all he had needed. Suffering the pompous fool’s bragging was well worth it, he acknowledged to himself, he now had his address and work schedule, everything he would need to make his plan work. “Silly fool, you deserve what’s coming your way”, he laughed as he entered his drab bedsit.
Sitting on the floor of her craft room, the tulle fabric surrounding her, Melody cut strips of each of the three colours, tying them onto the elastic band in the red, white and blue pattern, then repeating the sequence, until she had a full scrunchie. Pleased with her efforts, she started another, it was a while later as she sat back admiring her pile of growing scrunchies. She heard Alex starting up the lawn mower, he had been off to his cottage, eager to fix his new blade to it as soon as they had arrived home earlier; now as she heard the engine roaring, she decided he must be done fixing it. A tall glass of juice and a slice of cake suddenly seemed very appealing, and knowing Alex, he would be thirsty too. Uncurling her legs, she stepped carefully over her material and made her way to the kitchen, the back door stood wide open, a gentle breeze ruffling Toby’s fur as he lay in the doorway, his crocodile wedged against the door jamb and under his head. Reaching into the fridge, Melody pulled out a carton of fresh pineapple juice and a bottle of lemonade. Retrieving two tall glasses from the dresser, she mixed the two drinks; adding ice cubes, she placed them on the tray. Cutting two slices of the coffee cake she had made earlier that day, she placed them onto the plates and added
them to the tray, she carefully stepped over Toby carrying it to the garden and setting it down on the garden table.
Alex, seeing Melody waving at him, cut the mower’s engine and hopped over the fence and strolled over; dressed only in low slung jean shorts and runners, she noticed how his bare torso glistened in the sun, his six-pack barely concealed by the light scattering of hair, the muscles contracting in his strong powerful legs as he made his way to her held her attention. Grabbing his discarded t-shirt from the back of the lounger, he wiped the sweat from his face, throwing it back down as he settled beside her, taking the offered drink and downing half of it. She watched mesmerised, as his Adam’s apple moved rhythmically up and down.
“I needed that”, he drawled, a lazy smile splitting his lips.
“You sure did”, she shyly smiled back, a feeling of being caught staring making her blush.
“And cake too, I’m going to have to watch myself”, he teased, tapping his flat stomach, loving the way he could make her blush so easily. She was adorable, he mused, taking a moment to drink her in as she sat next to him, her head lowered, her hair falling forward covering her face. Dressed in a simple white shirt dress, a belt cinched at her small waist with little yellow embroidered daisies winding down the sides disappearing at the slits, revealing her long golden legs, he struggled to dampen his wayward thinking, reaching instead for his slice of cake. “How’s the scrunchie making going”, he asked, wiping crumbs from his lips.
“I’ve made quite a few, still loads more to make though”, she smiled, taking a delicate bite of cake and licking her fork thoughtfully, “the new blade seems to have been a success”.
“Yes, it was quite straightforward to attach, I was going to cut your grass next, if you want”, he inclined his head at her lawn. The grass overgrown with a profusion of daisies popping up everywhere, it sure needed a cut, her old electric lawnmower having given up the last time she had used it.
“That would be great, I still haven’t replaced my old mower” Another job to add to her to do list, she made a mental note.
“Should only take me thirty minutes, then we can start in the front room”.
“We’re still going to paint it then”? She frowned, thinking of the task ahead.
“Yes, I moved all the furniture to the centre of the room and covered it in dust sheets already”, he paused taking the last bite of cake, “won’t take us long, I have all the paint trays and rollers to get ready, then we can start. I just need you to take down your photos and trinkets off of the mantel piece”.
“Okay, I’ll do that, and finish a few more scrunchies”, she sighed, standing and collecting their plates.
“Maybe change into paint gear too, wouldn’t want you to ruin that nice dress”, he mused, caressing her with his eyes.
“Yes boss”, she playfully flung over her shoulder at him as she made her way indoors, his low throaty chuckle following her, sending goosebumps of excitement over her body. “That man”, she proclaimed to Toby, rolling her eyes as he followed her looking hopefully at the empty plates, a smile breaking her frown. “Ah, come here boy”, she scooted down and hugged the dog tight, “what are we going to do with him”? She mused, ruffling his ears. Hearing the lawn mower’s engine starting up, she quickly stood. “Best get those photos down now boy”, she grabbed an empty box from her craft room and headed to the front room.
Chapter 14
The days flew by; they had finished painting the front room on Monday, and she had got lots of scrunchies made up. Alex had spent the weekend by her side, planning the next room to decorate and noting little jobs he would do around the cottage for her. By mid-week, Melody found herself rushed off her feet at the shop, the scrunchies had been a huge success and had nearly sold out. She was glad she had thought to keep one tucked in her bag for Lucy, thinking of her niece, she stole a quick look at her mobile phone. She hadn’t heard from Sarah since Saturday, a worried frown settled on her face, maybe she could call in to see her after work; an uneasy feeling settling over her, three days and no contact. Well, maybe she was just busy with her new life, she mused, deciding she was just over-reacting.
But try as she might all day, she could not seem to shake the feeling, finally giving in to the feelings, she gathered her bag and keys.
“Suse, I’m going to head off early, you okay to lock up”?
“Sure thing, Mel, see you tomorrow”, Susie’s sing-song voice reassured her. Heading out with Toby, Melody opened her car, securing Toby in the back. “I’m sure she’s fine, ay boy”, she muttered, trying to calm her frayed nerves.
The drive over to Sarah’s house went fast, different scenarios playing out in her head, each making her more and more worried. Pulling into her drive, she bounded up to the front door, repeatedly pressing the bell.
“Okay, I’m coming”, a terse Sarah called out as she headed towards the door. Opening it, she glowered out, her face softening on seeing Melody standing there. “What’s up, Mel”? She questioned, looking at her worried face, stepping back to let her in.
“Oh sis, I’ve been so worried about you, are you okay? You haven’t called for three days”, Melody gushed, hugging her sister tight, feeling silly at her overactive imagination.
“I’m fine love, I’ve just been so busy with all that’s been going on”, she paused, stepping back to look at her, “come into the kitchen, I’ll fix us a coffee and you can tell me what’s got you in such a state”.
Sitting at the kitchen island, Melody watched as her sister fixed them both a drink. She looked well and confident, she thought finally calming down.
“So what was that all about”, Sarah soothed, pushing a mug of coffee into her hands.
“I’m just jumpy, I guess, and when I hadn’t heard from you for the past few days, I got it into my head that something terrible might have happened”.
“I guess it’s to be expected with all that you’ve been through, but I’m fine”, she reassured her, “I’m sorry I haven’t called, I’ve just been trying to give you some space”, she grimaced, “I can see now, I should have got in touch sooner”.
Melody sat looking at her sister; she was dressed in smart black trousers and a turquoise blouse, her new cropped hair and new style of clothes still so alien to her.
“You look so different”, she blurted out, embarrassed at having been caught staring so openly.
“I do, don’t I”, Sarah smiled, smoothing her hands over her hips, “I found out today that I got the job”. A look of triumph was shining from her eyes.
“Oh that’s wonderful sis, when do you start”?
“They want me to start on Tuesday, I’ve been so busy getting everything organised”, she paused, sipping her coffee, “Lucy’s excited too, she thinks it will mean more play dates with her new best friend. She’s been spending more time over at their house, whilst I get everything sorted”.
Leaning in, Melody reached over and held her sister’s hand. “How is she coping with all this Richard business”?
Sarah stiffened slightly. “She’s asked a couple of times where her daddy is but seems content enough with my explanation that he’s gone to live in another home”, the far off look in her eyes ending the conversation. Low growls from Toby and Rex shattered the awkward silence as they both bit hold of a rather worn toy and started to play tug with it.
Reaching for her bag, Melody pulled out the scrunchie. “I made this for Lucy”, she smiled brightly, presenting the red, white and blue scrunchie, “it’s for the diamond jubilee, they’ve nearly sold out in the shop”.
Taking the scrunchie, Sarah examined it, pulling at the elastic band. “Oh she will be thrilled with this, they are doing a project at school on the jubilee, it’s all she talks about lately”.
“Alex says it’s going to be busy for his firm because of this four-day weekend diamond jubilee, what with the gala happening at the same time as well”. Sarah looked over her mug at her sister, pleased that the bruises on her face now faded and had almost go
ne, the sun from the patio doors turning her hair into a halo of gold, a short coral pink shift dress with puff sleeves and criss cross frills beneath the bust line showed her figure off to its best advantage, her matching painted coral pink toenails peeking out from her cream espadrille sandals. Matching fingernails wrapped around her coffee mug completed the look.
“You’ve lost weight”, Sarah mused, still looking at her, a concerned look settling on her face.
“I know, I’ve had to take the gown in an inch”, Mel grimaced, absentmindedly tugging at her dress.
“Well you’re looking good, but try not to lose anymore, or there’ll be nothing left of you”, she admonished, tilting her head to the side and flicking her bangs out of her eyes.
They chatted for a while, the light-hearted banter making them both at ease.
“I better get going”. Mel stood grabbing her bag and calling to Toby.
“Oh, I almost forgot”, Sarah moaned racing over to her sideboard, “Lucy drew another picture for you”, handing it over to her, Mel gazed down at two figures and a dog. “It’s Alex, you and Toby”, she grinned at the look of pleasure on Mel’s face.