Bad Advice

by S M Mala

  ‘And that’s your summary of where you’re going to work? The pubs!’ Sebastian laughed out loudly. ‘Seriously, how did you manage to get promoted?’

  ‘I’m a good copper,’ he said miserably.

  Scottie tried to focus on what he was going to do.

  He really wanted to see Ruby again.

  ‘Scottie dearest, you said you were going to give women a wide berth so why the change?’

  ‘The point is I can’t stop thinking about her,’ he groaned. ‘And it’s been such a long time since I felt like this. She’s different, she’s special.’

  ‘You know your boss woman doesn’t like the idea of you cavorting with young ladies,’ Sebastian teased, glancing into his glass. ‘Commissioner Trott seems to want you to set a good example, given your chequered past. Maybe she has a motive?’

  ‘Shut up!’ Scottie replied, knowing his friend was trying to wind him up. ‘I have no intention of screwing Helen Trott, not even if you paid me all the money in the world.’

  ‘But what about when you want to become Commissioner? Are you sure you won’t have to screw her to secure it?’

  ‘I’d screw you, if I thought it would help but not her.’

  ‘Steady on!’ Sebastian laughed out. ‘I think maybe you need to track this woman down and service your needs. What else do you know about her, other than she’s a goodie two shoes?’

  ‘She works for a paper or website as an agony aunt. I know she doesn’t use her own name. At the Samaritans she keeps getting told off for giving honest advice. It’s quite funny, she’s quite funny.’

  Again, he let out a long, painful sigh.

  ‘Oh for god’s sake!’ barked his friend, getting up and walking to his desk, reaching out for his phone. ‘I’ll call Diane and ask. What’s the number for the Samaritans because I bloody well need them, listening to your love sick nonsense.’

  ‘No!’ yelped Scottie, jumping to his feet.

  ‘Then grow some balls and call your cousin if you’re so besotted by this woman,’ sighed Sebastian. ‘Is she that wonderful?’

  Scottie smiled as his friend shook his head in dismay.

  Thirteen

  ‘It was just a one night stand. I even tried to offer my phone number when he asked me out but he never took up the offer. Maybe that was the trick? Get down and dirty but don’t get in contact?’ Ruby said to her best friend Jacinta, as they shared a bottle of wine one evening after work. ‘He’s totally gorgeous. I reckon he was a little bit pissed when he came on to me. And don’t laugh but he was wonderful. Really different and we had such a good time when we talked. I felt relaxed and it was good.’

  ‘God, you’re having sex! Tell me more!’ asked Jacinta eagerly.

  ‘I’m telling you something meaningful here.’

  ‘Just give me the dirt!’

  Ruby examined her friend, shaking her shoulder length blonde hair and taking a large sip of her drink. The woman was all posh and polished but loved a filthy tale.

  ‘The man knows how to hit those buttons,’ she whispered. ‘We had rampant sex the following morning and afterwards, we went out for a late breakfast then had sex all afternoon. It’s the way he touched me. My knickers just slid off.’

  ‘Were you wearing any?’

  ‘God no! I was just ready to spread!’

  Jacinta starting laughing really loudly, her cheeks getting redder by the second.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ asked Ruby, seeing her friend wasn’t going to stop her giggling. ‘Maybe I’ve been having bad sex for years and this guy, this Scottie, has put me straight, as well as on my back, my knees, up against the wall. I didn’t know there were so many positions. Mind you, I ached afterwards because these old bones aren’t as supple as they used to be.’

  ‘If Hugh found out he’d go mental. With two ex-husbands, I should know. They don’t like you to move on,’ Jacinta said in her perfectly clipped English tone.

  ‘He won’t find out and what if he did? That man’s in no position to tell me what I can or cannot do,’ she said and let out a massive pissed off sigh. ‘I don’t know if I should even confide in you, considering you work for the two timing bastard.’

  ‘He’s one of the best news editors in the country and a very good journalist. For all his faults, he’s a great boss even to me and I work in fashion,’ Jacinta smiled. Ruby scowled at her pretty face. ‘His failure is women.’

  ‘I hope I’m not included in that comment,’ she smirked, spotting Diane walking in.

  ‘Can I mention the one night stand to her?’ Jacinta asked. Ruby’s heart started going like the clappers. ‘It’s all really very exciting.’

  ‘No!’ she hissed. ‘I picked the bloke up at her birthday party. It was her cousin.’

  Her comment made Jacinta start to laugh even harder.

  ‘Having a good time?’ Diana asked. Ruby glared at her friend, who was convulsing on the chair. ‘I better catch up on the vino. Can’t stay long. Petra’s bringing her boyfriend round and I don’t want Larry to be up on a charge for GBH, well, not before we’ve had the main course.’

  After kissing each other they settled down.

  Ruby wanted to ask about Scottie but knew this would be an odd question, so bit her tongue.

  ‘Sorry I missed your party but I hear it was very good, isn’t that what you said?’ smirked Jacinta with a glint in her eye.

  ‘It was excellent,’ Ruby replied and flashed Jacinta a dirty look.

  ‘Apparently there were some really fit men,’ continued Jacinta.

  Ruby took the opportunity to discreetly kick her friend’s leg.

  ‘Madam left before the party got into full swing,’ grinned Diane. ‘What fit men were you talking about? Hope you weren’t eyeing up my Larry!’

  ‘I was just making conversation that-.’

  ‘Was it Diane’s cousin?’ Jacinta said mischievously. ‘What was his name?’

  ‘Scottie?’ Diane replied, looking confused. ‘Oh goodness, he is a dream, even if I say so myself but troublesome when it comes to the opposite sex. That man goes through women like I go through Jaffa Cakes.’

  Ruby’s heart unexpectedly plummeted when she heard the comment, realising her dream lover was a dirty gigolo.

  She knew the amount of Jaffa Cakes Diane could eat and it was into the hundreds.

  ‘I was just saying,’ Ruby replied, half-heartedly while Jacinta smirked.

  ‘Goodness, that reminds me,’ Diane said, taking out her phone and getting up. ‘Won’t be a minute.’

  Waiting for Diane to walk away, she turned to her best friend.

  ‘You’re a shit bag, you know! I hate bloody journalists, I really do!’

  ‘You can’t hate me for asking questions,’ giggled her friend. ‘Why don’t you ask Diane for his number on some pretence?’

  ‘Like what? Can you give me your cousin’s number because he gave me the best screw I’ve had in my life and made me laugh? Sure, that’ll go down well when we have coffee and biscuits at the Samaritans. She’ll worry I’ll start hitting on all the callers.’

  ‘Give it a try.’

  ‘He doesn’t want any ties and I agree,’ she mumbled disappointedly. ‘And he could have been really drunk and desperate.’

  ‘Even the following morning?’

  ‘He might have just been polite.’

  ‘By giving you another good seeing to?’

  Jacinta laughed some more, putting her arm around her shoulders then planted a kiss on Ruby’s cheek.

  ‘I’m destined to be alone for the rest of my life,’ groaned Ruby.

  ‘Unless you take Hugh back?’

  ‘And that’s a good option?’

  She noticed Diane walking quickly towards the table, slightly confused.

  ‘He wants to talk to you,’ said Diane, holding out the phone towards her.

  ‘Who does? Larry?’

  ‘Scottie,’ was the reply. ‘Said you mentioned a good place to go for lunch by the river and he couldn’t r
emember where it was.’

  ‘Oh yes!’ Ruby replied, feeling like she was unable to breathe while Jacinta grinned. ‘I did mention it to him, in passing.’

  ‘Passing where?’ her friend giggled into her glass.

  Ruby smiled sheepishly at Diane. Taking the phone, she got up and walked out of earshot.

  ‘Hello,’ she said, feeling heart palpitations.

  ‘Do you remember me?’ he asked and flashes of wild sex on his bed came into her head.

  ‘I certainly do,’ Ruby replied.

  She watched Diane smile brightly while Jacinta narrowed her eyes with a naughty grin.

  ‘Are you free on Saturday evening? I’ve got a pass. The kids are off doing something or another. I wondered if you could come out with me unless you can’t, then I’ll understand and-.’

  ‘Yes. The pub is by the river on Strand on the Green. ‘The Crown’, I think it’s called.’

  ‘Seven? Or is that too early.’

  ‘It’s very good.’

  ‘Ruby? I really can’t wait to see you.’

  Fourteen

  He got there fifteen minutes early, all fingers and thumbs. Scottie knew he was taking a risk by not getting her contact details.

  Half of him was certain she’d come and the other half wasn’t too sure.

  The plan was to call Diane, if there was a no show, and make out he couldn’t remember the name of the pub but that was clutching at straws.

  Then she might have agreed to see him because he’d cornered her and she was too polite to say ‘no’. Scottie realised he might be setting himself up for a fall.

  The early evening spring sunshine was streaming through the window. He looked at his pint, wondering how long he should wait before calling it a day.

  ‘Hello Scottie,’ he heard her say, then did a double take. Ruby looked a little shy but even more gorgeous than he remembered. ‘I got here a bit early.’

  Immediately standing up, he couldn’t help but smile.

  ‘Do you remember me?’ she tentatively asked.

  It was instant.

  They just flung their arms around each other and kissed.

  Her mouth, tongue and scent intermingled with his.

  The man was in heaven.

  It came flooding back, recalling the sex they had all day on that Sunday. How it left him reeling with satisfaction and happiness until he realised he didn’t have her number.

  ‘First thing’s first,’ he said, pulling away and grabbing her face with his hands. ‘Can you please give me your mobile number?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, pulling him back in for another kiss.

  Half an hour later they were in a corner, canoodling, not making much conversation.

  Scottie couldn’t stop kissing her and desperately wanted to make love to Ruby again.

  That’s all he could think about.

  ‘Can I take a sip of my drink?’ Ruby asked, managing to break free from his mouth. ‘My wine’s going to get very hot at this rate.’

  ‘You’re seriously hot and I think I’m going to combust.’

  ‘You’re funny,’ she grinned.

  ‘Where do you live?’ he sighed, pulling her closer.

  ‘It’ll take less than ten minutes in a cab,’ she replied. He felt her squeeze his thigh. ‘Is that what you’re getting at?’

  ‘I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,’ he honestly said and put his forehead against hers. ‘Do you mind if I come back to yours?’

  She laughed out for a moment, taking another slurp of her drink.

  ‘You can come back to mine but you’ll have to leave before lunch as Theo’s dad will be dropping him back home.’

  ‘If only you knew what I want to do to you.’

  ‘I could hazard a guess.’

  Fifteen

  Within minutes of getting through the door, they were on her sofa. Ruby had made sure all the blinds and curtains were shut while Scottie ravaged her.

  ‘Slow down,’ she said as he took off his t-shirt then headed for her top.

  ‘I can’t. I’m sorry,’ he groaned.

  She just went with the flow. He removed all her clothing and before she could actually get her head around what was going on, his head was buried between her legs. Furiously he licked and nibbled her. She just tried to hold on from having a quick orgasm.

  Their eyes met for a moment.

  He was grinning as his tongue and finger were working on her in unison.

  Ruby gulped hard, trying hard not to faint at what he was doing.

  She leaned to the side and partially lay down then reached out and got hold of his stiff number, leading it to her mouth as she sucked then licked up and down his shaft.

  All the time his fingers and mouth were turning her on as she came with her mouth full of him.

  ‘Oh yes,’ he said, scrambling in his jeans pocket, taking out a condom and quickly putting it on.

  Ruby put her leg on his shoulder. They both watched him thrust, each one flinging their head back, then it turned slow and hard. Their eyes locked as he leaned closer, putting his forehead against hers.

  Ruby felt something stir deep in her gut as she looked at him.

  This caught her by surprise.

  Scottie squeezed her breasts and continued to pick up speed as he came, grinding his hips into hers. She couldn’t help but feel goose pimples followed by an orgasm. Then he let out a very low, satisfactory groan, half smiling.

  ‘Hello again,’ he said, kissing her gently on the lips.

  ‘Hello Scottie.’

  Ruby couldn’t put her finger on it but he made her feel something extraordinary.

  And for that second, it blew her away.

  After getting an Indian take away, they both sat on the floor of her living room sharing a bottle of wine. Scottie had only his snug fitting underpants on while Ruby had flung on a vest and knickers. They’d been laughing for most of the evening and she felt extremely happy.

  ‘These are tasty,’ he said biting into the bhaji. ‘Your takeaway is nearly as good as mine.’

  ‘I think they’re both equally as good as each other,’ she laughed, catching him look at something.

  She turned her head and noticed the awards.

  ‘What did you win those for?’ he asked. ‘Is it yours?’

  ‘I won it when I was on the paper,’ Ruby sighed, remembering the happy events. It felt like a million years ago. ‘It was for reporting stories that uncovered things people wanted kept under wraps.’

  There was no mistaking it. He did a double take.

  ‘Reporting?’ Scottie asked tentatively, gulping hard. ‘I thought you worked on a problem page and volunteered for the Samaritans?’

  ‘I do. But once upon a time I was an investigative journalist.’

  Scottie stopped eating and she couldn’t gauge the look but he seemed bothered.

  This wasn’t the usual reaction when she told people about her high flying, news reporting, background.

  People who knew her well enough were aware of her skill for finding and telling the truth. Ruby was stumped for a moment by his confused expression.

  ‘Why’d you stop it? You have stopped it, haven’t you?’ he asked in a slightly accusing manner.

  She wondered if he had done something bad and was worried she’d find out.

  Immediately she made a mental note to check him out more thoroughly.

  ‘Yes I’ve stopped,’ she quietly replied. ‘A few years ago I got my comeuppance and thought, hey, life’s too short. I took my writing skills and did some good instead of raking up things that were bad. In my last foray, I produced an amazing piece and the editor basically refused to print it so I thought, sod him, and stopped being a journalist.’

  Ruby felt her cheeks get hot, wishing she’d got it released then let out an uncomfortable sigh.

  ‘Did you investigate anything interesting?’

  ‘Not really,’ she lied. ‘I take it you’re not impressed.’

  �
�To be honest,’ he said, putting his fork down and wiping his mouth with the paper napkin. ‘They report things on how they interpret it, which isn’t necessarily correct. Journalists aren’t your most honest people.’

  ‘You could say that about MP’s, lawyers, accountants and policemen. God don’t forget them!’ she laughed out loudly. ‘They’ve been known to do the same thing.’

  Scottie flicked a glance then forced a smile.

  ‘Not all MP’s and policemen are bad, you know. My best friend is a barrister and he tries to handle cases where he thinks people need to be given a chance.’

  ‘A chance to unload their savings into his bank account.’

  Ruby noticed Scottie was going a little pink which she thought was sweet.

  ‘Is the food too hot?’ she asked, leaning closer. ‘Shall I get you some water?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ he gulped, smiling uncomfortably.

  ‘I wasn’t a bad journalist but I did once get it wrong and paid a heavy price,’ she honestly said. ‘Someone misled me regarding information and I reported it, even though I did check it out. There were pretty bad consequences.’ Ruby couldn’t swallow for a moment, remembering what had happened. ‘It was before Theo was born and it put it all into perspective so I became more careful.’

  ‘What happened?’ he asked, moving closer.

  ‘A lot of people suffered and consequently afterwards, including me.’

  Scottie was staring as if trying to figure something out.

  ‘But you’re right,’ she continued. ‘It’s all about reporting the truth, that’s the bottom line. Finding out the truth regardless of how awful it is and making sure it’s a fair account, not one sided.’

  Sixteen

  He sat at his desk, his feet on the table, thinking hard.

  Four weeks he’d been seeing Ruby and he liked her too much already.

  The time they spent together just flew and he missed her desperately when they couldn’t meet. To him that said it all. He knew the feeling so well.

  Scottie was trying to deny he could be falling in love.

  That was the last thing he needed.

  But he felt elated as he looked out the window thinking about her.