by S M Mala
‘Joan must think a lot of you, for her to take you away for the weekend,’ he says, smiling into his drink. ‘She’s very particular about the company she keeps.’
‘Really?’ I take a big swig of delicious brandy. ‘Anyway, if you know her well enough you’ll know what she really thinks of me.’ I look at him and he’s smirking to himself.
‘Maybe?’
‘Nice meal bye the way, thanks for inviting me.’ I’m uneasy again? What’s wrong with me? Good looking blokes, that’s what it is.
‘I’m pleased you enjoyed it.’ I don’t believe it, I can feel myself blushing and getting hot. Please don’t break out into a sweat. Right, change the subject.
‘You and Joan, is there a little romance going on there?’ I’m being nosey but if the opportunity arises, take it. He leans forward.
‘That would be telling and of course, it’s none of your business.’
‘Just asking,’ I say, taking that for a ‘yes’. I sip my drink and sit down, shifting mischievously on my chair.
‘You like to tease her?’ he smiles.
‘I don’t want to rattle her cage too much, she has a way of spitting venom when you least expect.’
‘Oh, I know.’ He sits next to me. ‘When I saw you yesterday you didn’t look too happy?’
‘I was feeling a bit ill,’ I gulp back trying to push back my aching pain.
‘Is it to do with a man?’ Hal says.
‘I see,’ I say glumly trying to hide my surprise he has guessed correctly.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’
‘I’m in love with a man who doesn’t love me and I wasn’t feeling too good about myself yesterday,’ I honestly reply and wait for him to recoil in horror. He doesn’t.
‘Okay,’ he nods.
‘And the man I love is married to the most beautiful woman in the world and he probably thinks he likes me because,’ I have to gulp hard here and this brandy is not helping me shut up. ‘He’s having a breakdown.’
‘And everything is fine other than that?’ he says as I turn to look at his smiling face when I know I look very unhappy.
‘Belle!’ Joan shouts as if on cue.
‘See, she has radar. Sorry to bore you,’ I say as I stand up and Hal grabs my hand.
‘Lovely to meet you.’ He kisses my hand then sips his drink.
Joan’s a lucky lady; I’ll tell you that for nothing. When he releases my hand, I swear he brushes it against my nipple. Before I can express alarm, Joan’s by my side.
‘Ah there you are! Isn’t it time for you to go home?’ she says. ‘I hope she wasn’t boring you, Hal.’
‘Not at all,’ he says, smiling at me. He knows he touched my tit, I can tell.
‘Thank you Hal, for your kind hospitality, it was lovely. I’ll see you around,’ I say, trying to find somewhere to put my glass. Hal gets up and takes it from me.
‘My pleasure.’ He kisses me gently on the cheek and I see Joan grimace. Hal stands back and I get this funny sensation when I look at him.
Brandy gets me randy!
‘Let me walk you back,’ he says looking into my eyes. I can’t divert my stare away from his.
‘No, she can get home on her own,’ Joan interjects, giving me a filthy look which brings me down to earth with a thud.
‘I’ll be fine,’ I say.
I walk out of the building, disappointed Joan has evicted me. I head back to the hotel and I can feel the sea breeze on my face.
I’m now totally engrossed in the pain of last night. I start to cry. See alcohol does this to me as well as turning me into an old slapper.
‘Belle!’ I turn and Hal is running towards me. ‘You forgot your shawl.’ He holds out the crumpled piece of material. I was sitting on it at dinner, so no wonder it’s in that state. What a bloody rag! ‘Are you okay?’
‘Thank you,’ I say, trying to yank it out of his hand and wiping my tears quickly away. ’It’s the wind.’
‘Sure,’ he replies frowning. ‘I might as well walk you back to the hotel.’
‘No need, see, I’m nearly there,’ I realise he’s putting the shawl around my shoulders.
‘I’ll see you soon then?’ he asks, walking backwards looking at me.
‘Sure.’ I walk to the hotel. He’s a strange, tit flicking man who has seen me cry.
I get to my empty room and the sheets are lovely crisp cotton, the feeling on my skin is great. Beth’s not here so I take the opportunity to whip out my metal wand, suitably disguised in my suitcase.
I need to relax and I’ve been feeling horny on and off since dinner and the touching of tit, well, it takes my mind off other things.
I’m getting turned on and as the orgasm gently rises, I force the picture of Josh from my head then suddenly Hal comes into my mind and it’s great! I’m a dirty so and so for coveting my mother in law’s squeeze. Oh my goodness! … I’m going to …
Six
‘Beth, how many times have I told you, don’t run off without telling me where you’re going?’ The little missy just walks away when my back is turned and I’ve just recovered from five full minutes of stress looking for her.
‘I told you!’ She bends over shouting at me, on the verge of tears. ‘I told you I was going there.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.’ I grab and give her a hug as she pushes me away. ‘Fine, I’ll let you go.’ I release her so she can look angrily at me. I get up and walk off.
‘Where are you going?’ she grumpily shouts.
‘I’m going to get some ice cream?’ Beth comes running to me now. I look down. We know who the boss is in this relationship and, yes, it’s shorter than me.
After Beth finishes stuffing her face and I’ve knocked back a beer, we go to the hotel. It’s on the beach so we’re not talking miles here. As we walk through the lobby, I hear the voice.
‘Beth!’ Beth runs to her grandmother, who is standing by the desk, looking radiant.
‘Joanie!’ Beth is lunging for a kiss but I can see Joan doesn’t want to do sand and ice cream so I pull my kid back.
‘Don’t touch nana,’ I interject.
‘Belle, how are you?’ she asks looking at me, up and down.
‘Fine. I’m going to get Beth bathed and changed for dinner. See you later.’
‘Belle!’ I turn and see her standing with her hands on her hips.
‘Yes.’ I smile sweetly while walking to the lift with Beth. She’s baring fangs so I better be careful.
‘Belle and Beth, I’ll see you at seven in the bar!’ she shouts. The lift door closes before I can tell her to piss off. We wash and change then eventually head off to see grandma.
‘Where are we going?’ Beth asks, skipping to the lifts.
‘To see granny but when I wink at you, start yawning.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’ll be tired?’
‘What if I’m not?’
‘Yawn to keep me happy or no ice-cream for a week. Got me?’
‘Got ya!’ She carries on skipping.
We go to the bar and Beth runs off as soon she sees some other children. There’s Joan, standing by the balcony, laughing. She gives me the once over and I sense something’s not right. I’m wearing a well-loved pink dress. Maybe I look a bit ‘casual’ or something?
‘Why Belle you look nice,’ she falsely says. Joan has seen this dress on hundreds of occasions and has never complimented on it. She must have sun stroke.
I walk over to Beth as she natters with the girls.
‘I know. That boy’s really silly trying to flick sand at everyone,’ Beth says, with hands on hip. She has got her grandmother’s mannerisms.
‘Sorry babe but I have to take you away from your friends, just for a little bit.’
‘Oh mum!’
‘Joanie wants to introduce you to some people. Just say hi and then we can go and get something to eat. Are you hungry?’
‘Yeah!’ She’s jumping up and down. ‘They’re ha
ving barbecue and it looks yummy!’ I see they’re cremating food outside. I take her hand and Joan grabs her away.
I stand there and look up.
Hal smiles at me.
I didn’t notice him before and I feel butterflies in my gut. I must be really hungry. He’s looking handsome and has run his fingers through his dark wavy hair, goodness, that’s a turn on.
Lucky old Joan, no wonder she’s glowing and showing off. I can’t take my eyes off Hal and this is purely down to my guilt over thinking about him when I was getting excited on my own the other night. The sunshine must have gone to my head. I’m hot and I need a drink.
‘Beer please,’ I ask fanning myself down with a mat.
‘May I say Belle, you’re looking rather … sweet,’ someone has touched my shoulder and it’s Hal leaning on the bar.
‘Hi. Thank you.’ ‘Sweet’ did he say? He smiles and I notice nice teeth. I hope my nips aren’t going to give the game away.
‘Are you and Joan having a good time?’ I ask, sweetly.
‘Beer please?’ he says to the bar man. ‘We’re having fun.’ I take it he’s giving her one, lucky bitch. No, there’s a twitch down below, what it wrong with me? Steady tiger!
‘No info on what Beth’s nana gets up to when we’re all tucked in bed?’
‘I’m sworn to secrecy. Mind you I’m open to bribery.’
‘What do I have to do so you can dish the dirt on her?’ Gorgeous, absolutely lovely! Blooming hell, Joan’s glancing over and I better stop salivating.
‘Beth’s a beautiful little girl,’ he says, catching my eye.
‘A bit too young for you.’
But I’m perfect! In my dreams! It’s the booze again.
‘That’s not what I meant,’ he replies, smiling over at her.
‘I know,’ I say and note Joan hasn’t diverted her eyes from Hal and me. Something’s up but I can’t figure out what. I wonder if I look like I’m on heat?
‘Are you still enjoying your break?’ he asks, turning to face to me. ‘After you told me your heart ache last night.’ I sense he’s laughing at me.
‘The brandy makes me talk more that I should have.’
‘I thought brandy made you randy,’ he said looking at me straight in the eye.
‘Does it?’ My cheeks are giving off some sort of heat through embarrassment. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
‘It’s been lovely. I think it could get better.’ He drinks his beer and looks at me. Oh I get it! He’s talking about old chap flaps which she certainly hasn’t got by the expression on his face. Damn that woman!
‘Lucky you,’ I lie and walk away, checking on Beth, who is flirting terribly with some little boy. Bloody hell, she can’t get the horn at her age. Like mother like daughter. I yank her away and go to see Joan.
‘Joanie, we have to eat,’ I say, as my daughter waves to her young stud.
‘Thank you for coming down, I wanted to show off my little angel.’ Beth looks up at me and I feel her podgy hand on my bum. Little minx is pulling at my G-string. I grab her before there’s an accident with my fanny.
‘Bella I want barbecue, I’m hungry,’ my child says, now grabbing my knicker elastic hard. I see Hal smiling at me and I wave goodbye.
‘Ladies!’ It’s Maggie looking flushed and happy. Beth runs and hugs her ferociously.
‘Maggie, where have you been? Belle’s been boring?’ Why that cheeky child of mine. I spent all day being at her beck and call. She’s so ungrateful, a bit like nana Joan. I catch Hal laughing at my child’s comment from the corner of my eye.
‘See you later.’ I air kiss Joan as she glares at me.
‘What were you talking to Hal about?’ she whispers in my air.
‘Whether you give good head or not,’ I laugh.
I leave quickly with Maggie and Beth.
‘Have you seen her man?’ I say to Maggie. ‘Not only is he handsome, lovely and intelligent he won’t confirm if he’s shafting the old prune.’
‘Hal’s lovely.’ Maggie looks back. ‘I work for him, sometimes, when he’s in town.’
‘You’ve never said.’
‘You’ve never asked. I think he’s taken a shine to you,’ Maggie whispers in my ear.
‘I’ve only just met the man.’
‘He couldn’t take his eyes off you.’
‘He must me fascinated by my fat arse.’ We look at each other and laugh.
‘What’s funny?’ asks Beth.
‘Nothing, baby,’ I reply and quickly glance to see him watching us as we walk away.
We’ve had a lovely evening. Beth starts yawning and then does Maggie. They leave me at 8. 30 and I’m sitting by the pool just chilling. I think I ate too much, my gut is hanging. I may even hit the gym next week. Oh my god, I must be drunk to think that!
Just imagine how I feel?
Everyone looks happy and I’m here by myself, sitting back staring at nothing. I look at the stars and from the corner of my eye can see loved up couples.
I hate that especially when you’re by yourself. This is a bad moment because as I relax I think of Josh. Think about when we were making love, how happy I felt. I close my eyes and think.
‘Are you sleeping?’ I jolt as Hal stands near me. I must look like shit! He immediately sits down.
‘Where’s Joan?’ I ask, trying to compose myself.
What the hell is he doing here? A waiter comes over with two glasses of brandy.
‘A night cap?’ he sweetly says peering into my face. It’s a bit close. Better check on how dishevelled I look, too late. I can feel a nice oily shine on my nose.
‘Lovely,’ I say. Only this could happen to me. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I decided to come back and check on you,’ he says sipping his drink.
‘Did she send you?’ I wonder if hawk eye’s around, testing to see if I jump on the man. Calm, stay cool, too late, I feel damp patches on my dress. Under my arms, of course!
‘I’m only five minutes away and I had a funny feeling you might be up. Do you mind?’ His eyes are quite stunning when there’s candlelight. Oh Joanie, I’d never have thought I’d fancy one of your blokes!
I’m trying to make sure I’m not open mouthed with this man, who brings me pleasure without knowing about it.
‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ he asks sipping his drink. ‘I thought I’d take you out.’ I wonder if I heard right.
‘Pardon?’
‘I’d like take you out for the morning, show you around the coast.’
‘Why?’ Stop frowning woman. Calm!
‘It’ll be fun!’ he enthusiastically answers. ‘And I think you need cheering up.’
‘I can’t go. I have Beth to look after.’ Why do I feel a sense of panic?
‘Can’t she stay with Maggie or her grandmother?’ He looks at me and there’s a glint in his eye.
‘I can’t just dump her. Ask Joan instead, I’m sure she’ll to join you for the day.’
‘I’d rather it were you.’
‘You don’t even know me.’
‘I know a little more about you than you do about me. We can get to know each other. Come on don’t be boring. I’ll pick you up at nine.’
‘What do I have to bring?’ Why am I humouring him? Why?
‘A swimming costume-.’
I laugh loudly. He’s looking at me as if I’m mad.
‘You’ve got to be joking?’ I seriously ask.
‘Fine, well, wear a dress or something, if you’re shy.’
‘I’m not shy,’ I say throwing my head back trying to exude confidence. Nope, it’s not working. ‘After seeing Joan in the nod, you’d think I was a great blue.’ I chuckle to myself. I’m a funny girl, I really am.
‘I have to go, goodnight,’ he says after a few moments. He leans over and kisses me on the nose. ‘Sweet dreams.’
‘You don’t have to take me out tomorrow. It’s very kind of you,’ I say as he walks away. He must be doing some charity w
ork for the afflicted. That’s me then.
Right, much against my better judgement, I’m up and it’s 8.45 in the morning. I told Maggie where I was going and her eyes narrowed before she told me to enjoy myself but behave. Luckily, she’s fine about looking after Beth, who is awake.
‘So who are you going with mummy?’ my daughter asks sweetly as she cuddles up to Maggie.
‘A friend,’ I reply examining my outfit in the mirror and grimacing.
‘You don’t have any friends here,’ my wise child points out.
‘I’m making them.’ I glance over at her and Maggie is smirking.
‘Boy or a girl?’ she asks now sitting up and looking seriously at me.
‘It’s a boy.’
‘Like a boyfriend?’ she asks and is narrowing her eyes, just like her nana.
‘Well not like a boyfriend, like a male friend,’ I reply and examine my knackered face. I slap on some highlighter under my eyes. I now look like a panda. I quickly rub it off before smothering my face with more cream.
‘Who is it? Do I know them?’ she continues to interrogate.
‘Erm…’ I’m not quite sure what to say to her. ‘A friend of nana’s.’
‘None of nana’s friends speak to you,’ she carefully points out and I look over at Maggie who is giggling.
‘Now that’s not exactly true,’ interjects Maggie. Nana’s friends don’t mix with your mum, that’s all.’
‘Nana says mummy’s embarrassing, looks a mess most of the time and they think she’s hired help.’
‘She what!’ I now forget about my makeup disaster and look at Beth’s innocent expression.
‘I don’t agree with her at all, mummy,’ she says looking at me sympathetically. ‘I think you’re beautiful.’
‘Ah, do you really?’ I say, all glowing with my baby’s support.
‘But I’m your child so I’m supposed to think that,’ she says seriously and smiles as if she’s speaking to someone a bit thick as Maggie laughs.
‘You will be okay? I’ll be back by lunchtime,’ I say shrugging off her comment and flashing Maggie a dirty look.
‘Is it a boy or a girl?’ my daughter continues to interrogate.
‘It’s Hal. Nana’s friend? Is that okay?’ I smile and am met with a very serious expression from my child.