Love's Foolish Punch

by S M Mala

Jamie wasn’t even the type of guy she’d ever run into.

  Her recent male company consisted of the men at the cab firm, Squirrel, her dad, and Sienna’s husband Stevo, not to mention her godson Mason.

  That’s why her love life was the pits and would remain so for the rest of her life.

  Her one chance of happiness slipped through her fingers, and she’d never get it back.

  Never get Sam again.

  ‘And it was love at first sight?’ he asked, putting down his phone. ‘I know Jamie’s a cautious man when it comes to the opposite sex.’

  ‘Maybe he fancies Squirrel and thinks I’m the female version,’ she grinned, sipping her tea. ‘I need to give you some money towards breakfast. You’ve been very nice, and you don’t even know me.’

  She looked around the café bar restaurant where they were sitting. It was very modern and only half full. The décor was bright and modern compared to the opulence of the hotel she’d spent the night in.

  ‘Have you met many of Jamie’s friends?’ he quizzed, leaning closer.

  ‘Only Mr Mac but I don’t think he likes me very much,’ glancing at the table.

  ‘Mr Mac trained Jamie in boxing when he was injured after playing football. He was a talent.’

  ‘Jamie was a footballer?’ she said double blinking. ‘Him?’

  ‘Oh god! You don’t know each other very well, do you?’

  ‘And he boxes? Probably light weight or something. He’s not that stacked.’

  ‘You’re joking?’ he said, looking surprised. ‘Have you seen him naked?’

  Then he looked stumped for a moment.

  Molly sat there in silence because she knew that this was the moment she could be rumbled. She glanced at the breakfast menu.

  ‘Is it okay if I have a bloody mary?’ she asked, thinking on her feet. ‘I’ll pay for this.’

  He sat back in his seat and tilted his head to one side.

  ‘Of course you can,’ he eventually replied, ushering a waiter over.

  ‘You see, it is very early days with Jamie and I. After my last relationship, I’m pretty scared about commitment. Physical commitment. But Jamie’s very patient.’

  Now Molly was focussed on her white lie. She would continue just in case the guy mentioned something to Jamie’s brother.

  Or even worse.

  The bad man who would beat Jamie into a pulp for screwing his wife.

  ‘When I first set eyes on Jamie, it was love at first sight,’ she said, recalling his unimpressed expression. ‘And we are getting to know each other, slowly.’

  He was nodding, and she could tell he seemed unsure about what she was saying.

  The drink arrived, and she quickly removed the celery, downing half the contents.

  ‘So he asked you to marry him and you haven’t even done the deed yet?’

  ‘When I’m ready, we’ll consummate our love,’ she smiled, feeling the hit of the vodka into her blood stream. ‘It sounds a little odd but he was very romantic, when he proposed in Hyde Park. I was completely taken aback when I saw this.’ Molly held out her hand, showing him her engagement ring. ‘No expense was spared.’

  ‘It’s beautiful.’

  ‘Don’t tell anyone!’ she immediately said, leaning forward. ‘Jamie’s a very kind man and would never do anything untoward. His moral values, well, they’re unique.’

  Molly smiled, knowing he’d been screwing the married lady the two nights he came in late. Just from his dishevelled appearance, she could tell he’d been banging his middle-aged lover.

  The woman was obviously making him work hard for it.

  ‘Why are you going home?’ he asked, perching his chin on his hand.

  ‘He pissed me off,’ she shrugged. ‘You know what it’s like. New relationships. Everything is so much more enhanced because of the heady sensation of love.’

  ‘But not your libido?’ he laughed, shaking his head and sipping coffee.

  ‘I have trust issues. And don’t go thinking I’m frigid.’

  ‘You know, Molly, I think you should come back to the hotel with me and-.’

  ‘Excuse me!’ she said, pulling her chair immediately away. ‘I hope you’re not proposing to give me one to loosen me up!’

  He started to laugh, putting a napkin over his mouth, shaking his head.

  ‘No, not at all. Though if I were single, I’m sure I could give you a run for your money.’

  Molly started to smile.

  He was a nice man and seemed genuine.

  ‘You’re not a family relative are you?’ she whispered. ‘Checking out what Jamie’s got himself into.’

  ‘From the sound of it, he’s going to have a hard time to get into you.’

  She started to snigger and put her face in her hands before sitting up straight.

  ‘Thank you for breakfast. I’ve not laughed in a long time,’ she honestly replied, letting out a large sigh. ‘Obviously, if we meet again, you’re not to repeat to anyone what I just said. And don’t tell Jamie. He’s funny about divulging personal things.’ Then she thought about something. ‘He doesn’t talk to me about the woman who walked out on him.’

  ‘Ah, Danika! Well, she had other things in mind, and he was too good for her. Jamie couldn’t see she was playing him for a fool. Then when she left, he was shocked to find out how unfaithful she’d been.’ He moved closer. ‘And the worse thing was, she was in love with someone else. The reason she upped and left was because it wasn’t mutual.’

  Molly gulped and noticed that his eyes were a beautiful green, the whites extremely clear. There were flecks of grey in his hair and he was gorgeous.

  She tried to focus.

  ‘That explains a lot,’ she mumbled, trying hard not to grin at the handsome man looking straight into her eyes. ‘But he’s heartbroken by it all.’

  ‘When it comes to Jamie, more pissed off I’d say.’

  ‘Thank you!’

  Molly shook the man’s hand once again and watched him get into his car, driving off back to the hotel.

  She hadn’t even asked his name.

  ‘Oh no,’ she mumbled, realising how rude she must have come across.

  He had paid for breakfast and spent time with her. That was more than Jamie had bothered to have done.

  The chances of Jamie even waking up before midday seemed pretty slim.

  Grabbing a bottle of water, she walked onto the platform and realised the train would arrive in ten minutes. It was quite cold, and she rummaged in her overnight bag for her jumper, taking her jacket off and putting it on.

  Then she turned, jumping to see Jamie sitting next to her, looking like death warmed up.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, now chilled out due to two large alcoholic drinks.

  ‘Why didn’t you answer my calls?’ he croaked, rubbing his head.

  ‘Why didn’t you answer or return mine?’ Molly sighed and shook her head. ‘You are, frankly, shit fiancé material.’

  ‘You’re not exactly ideal.’

  ‘Listen here,’ she said, turning to look at him and noticed his blood shot eyes. ‘I’ve had a nice morning so don’t spoil it. I met someone, and they took me out for breakfast.’

  ‘You did what?’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Who?’

  ‘Never you mind but it was good to spend time with someone who’s generally interested in me, and they’re not even paying for my company.’ Jamie scowled. ‘I told you, one of the ground rules wasn’t to treat me badly.’

  ‘Listen, I met up with some friends and turned off my phone.’

  ‘Like you do!’

  ‘Don’t moan!’

  ‘Well, stop being a prick!’ she snapped back, taking a sip of her water. ‘We won’t get past six weeks at this stage.’

  He let out a disgruntled sigh and shook his head.

  ‘Sam used to do that to me. Arrange for us to go somewhere then disappear for hours with friends, leaving me all alone. You hit a raw nerve. Just go away.’


  ‘The deal was that you were to stay two nights. You’re breaking the agreement,’ he said quietly.

  ‘You promised to take me for dinner last night, so you broke your side.’

  Molly noticed the train starting to pull up at the platform.

  ‘You see, Jamie, you have to make an effort. If you don’t, then it’s not going to work.’

  Molly stood up and waited for the train to stop as Jamie followed her. ‘I told this man, who seemed to know you, that we haven’t had a physical relationship because-.’

  ‘You said what to whom?’ he exclaimed. ‘We’re supposed to be-.’

  ‘Supposed to be,’ she replied calmly. ‘Don’t worry. I made out you had the patience of a saint, and I was frigid.’

  Still he had a shocked expression.

  ‘I was demonstrating how much you loved me in this whirlwind and that you’re willing to wait until I’m ready. And my reaction for leaving? You pissed me off!’

  ‘You can’t leave! My brother’s coming,’ he groaned. ‘I’m sorry Molly, please stay.’

  The train stopped, and she waited for the doors to open.

  ‘I won’t be made a fool out of again, not by you or anyone. Trusting someone is hard enough for me so play nice or let’s just call it a day.’

  On that note, she boarded the train and watched Jamie disappear into the distance.

  ‘What?’

  Molly was standing on her doorstep, just after eight on Sunday morning.

  When she got back home, she went straight to do a shift at the taxi office before going out with some of the old boys from work.

  Her bladder was shot as they liked to drink pints, and she couldn’t keep up. Most of the night had been spent taking trips to the toilet.

  ‘Had a good night out?’ Jamie asked, looking fresh and nearly clean shaven.

  ‘Come in,’ she said, feeling her dry throat and heading to the kitchen.

  Molly stopped when she saw the half-eaten kebab on the counter and quickly threw it in the bin before switching on the kettle.

  ‘Instead of having a pleasant evening at a five star hotel, you did what?’ he asked, looking around.

  ‘Went to the pub with my fellow co-workers, had a few pints and a kebab on the way home,’ she shrugged, getting a taste of what she’d eaten eight hours earlier. ‘What do you want? Shouldn’t you be at that posh place with your friends?’

  ‘I said I had to come back when you went off in a strop,’ he replied, sitting up on the kitchen counter and looking down at her. ‘You know, lover’s tiff and all that bollocks.’

  ‘It’s very unhygienic you sitting there,’ she grumbled and caught a glimpse of her dishevelled appearance. ‘We’re not supposed to meet on a Sunday. I thought either one of us had to bugger off by nine or something?’

  ‘You like to wear pyjamas?’ Jamie then grinned. ‘And you don’t think you dress like a boy?’

  ‘If you’ve come round to insult me, fine.’

  ‘I’ve come to take you out.’

  ‘Sunday lunch in a pub would be perfect,’ she yawned, not wanting to do anything as the weather looked miserable.

  She made tea and left his cup on the side while walking to the sofa and collapsing into it’s soft, warm cuddle.

  Molly looked around her living room which made her happy. There were lots of pictures and things she loved, like her family and friends. Always she felt safe in her home.

  Suddenly she realised Jamie was sitting next to her, sipping his tea.

  ‘Okay, so we’ve failed in week one to act like a couple. Now into week two. I think we have to get to know each other better.’ Jamie was nodding to himself. ‘And who did you speak to yesterday? No one said they’d met to you. Are you sure it was someone I know? And what did you say?’

  She put her cup down and snuggled into her sofa, not wanting to talk.

  ‘Questions, questions,’ she said, closing her eyes and resting her head against the arm. ‘I made out you’re waiting for me to spread my legs and submit to your love muffin act. Even though, you and I know, you’d prefer it if I were a bit more mature and more like a woman. Young girl boy types are not your thing.’ Molly let out a yawn and turned to look at him. ‘I’m going back to bed.’

  ‘Is that an invitation?’ he smirked.

  She realised he looked like more of a boy today and less of a man with a pretty face, rosebud lips and a cheeky smile.

  ‘What are you looking at, Molly? Admiring the view?’

  ‘Is your brother better looking than you?’ Molly asked, watching the small frown appear on his forehead. ‘Has he got a woman? Kids? A goat?’

  ‘He’s married with no children. You could have met him yesterday, but you chose to go off home,’ he said quietly, looking around. ‘Why’s the scaffolding up?’

  ‘New roof and repairs to the front wall as well as some other things.’

  ‘That’s why you need the money?’

  Molly sat up and folded her arms across her chest before flicking on the television then saw the flash frame of a face she recognised before turning it off. Jamie took the remote out of her hand and turned the set back on.

  ‘It’s an exciting time!’

  ‘And you’re enjoying your new found fame? It certainly suits you. But has it changed you?’ the interviewer asked.

  ‘I’ve got my feet firmly placed on the ground.’

  Then Sam Price laughed out, and Molly grabbed the controls out of Jamie’s hand and switched it off.

  ‘Is that him?’ Jamie asked gently, leaning forward.

  ‘Don’t come too close! I haven’t brushed my teeth.’

  Molly was trying to hide that she was completely put out of kilter seeing Sam so early on a Sunday morning, now ruining the rest of her day.

  ‘And he’s very excited?’

  ‘What have we got planned for the day? Anything so you won’t wind me up.’

  ‘Has he always had such a delicate voice?’ whispered Jamie. ‘He’s very softly spoken.’

  ‘It must be the volume,’ she said, standing up and looking down at him. ‘What should I wear?’

  ‘Gym things,’ he said, sitting back in the sofa. He was looking at her up and down. ‘And he has his feet firmly on the ground?’

  ‘Well, of course, he has. But that was after kicking me straight up the arse!’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  Jamie was driving a nice metallic blue Mercedes Benz slowly down the road. He was taking her to Acton High Road, parking just off it.

  Getting out, she realised he expected her to do the same thing. Then she caught a glimpse of a coffee shop and yearned for something to eat.

  ‘Follow me,’ he said, putting his hands in his pockets and crossing the road.

  He stopped outside an old gym, next door to a large grocer that sold lots of interesting food things. Molly would spend many a good half an hour browsing the shelf and end up buying only three jars of chilli oil.

  ‘I used to go to that place, and it was really rubbish,’ she said, scowling at the property. ‘They had a right lot of miserable staff there who’d give you dirty looks for turning up.’

  ‘This is my new boxing gym!’ he said proudly. ‘It’s a great location as we know lots of people in this area like boxing.’

  ‘How do you know that? I suspect you’ve been here on a Saturday night. Outside some of these pubs, they do love a good brawl,’ she smirked.

  ‘There are young kids who can join us at a good rate and classes for people who just want to boxercise,’ Jamie continued, ignoring her comment. ‘And it’s good to do something for the community.’

  ‘You’re not from these parts.’

  ‘Helping the community is important.’

  ‘I think a free supply of vodka would be more helpful.’

  ‘Health and fitness are important,’ he said, looking at her up and down. Jamie didn’t seem enthralled at what he was looking at. ‘When it’s finished, I’ll give you a lifetime membership. I can e
asily update it on the fob.’

  ‘You really don’t like me, do you?’ she mumbled as he grinned.

  ‘It opens on 1st April,’

  ‘April Fools’ Day. How appropriate,’ she sighed.

  ‘We’ve even got bookings before then from some professionals wanting to use the facilities.’

  ‘That’s lovely,’ Molly replied, unenthusiastically.

  Jamie laughed and walked into the building. She took that as her cue to follow him in.

  ‘I never liked using the stairs to get up here. Used to knacker me out before I even started the gym. Didn’t they used to have a lift?’

  Before she finished her sentence, he’d ran up the stairs as she plodded behind.

  Arriving at the top, she saw the place in complete disarray but realised he’d knocked down lots of walls. The space was now open, and bright compared to how dark and dingy it was before.

  ‘Mr Mac!’ Jamie said and Molly turned to see the large man looking at a plan.

  The next thing she knew, a Polish man put a hard hat on her head and gestured her to wear a high visibility vest.

  The men greeted each other with a handshake and a hug. Then she caught Mr Mac’s unimpressed glance in her direction.

  ‘Molly wanted to come and see it,’ Jamie lied and walked towards her, holding her hand. ‘I told her I’d give her lifetime membership as she’s local.’

  ‘Won’t she be local when she moves to closer to the Islington gym?’ grumbled Mr Mac, folding the plans and placing them under his arm.

  ‘I might move out this way,’ Jamie quickly replied, squeezing her palm tightly.

  ‘And you want to join a boxing gym?’ Mr Mac asked, looking puzzled.

  ‘Honestly?’ she said, feeling the start of hangover. ‘No!’

  ‘I think she needs some exercise,’ said Jamie, gulping a little bit. ‘And self-defence is always a good thing.’

  ‘What do you mean ‘needs some exercise’?’ she asked, trying to let go of Jamie’s hand. ‘Are you saying you don’t like my body?’

  ‘Who do you think the pair of you are trying to fool?’ laughed Mr Mac, shaking his head before stepping closer.

  Immediately, Jamie and Molly looked at each other. They’d been rumbled.