Love's Foolish Punch

by S M Mala

‘You ask too many questions and…’ She noticed he was looking at the medication, by her tea mug. ‘Just in case I can’t cope, if you’re wondering.’

  ‘Cope with what?’

  ‘Life.’

  ‘Enough!’ he said, getting to his feet and grabbing her hand. ‘If you won’t tell me what happened then I have no other choice to think you’re in danger. If that’s the case, then you’re going to have to come home with me.’

  ‘You don’t have a home,’ she groaned, standing up and feeling wobbly on her feet.

  ‘I do, just that I’ve never taken you there,’ he sheepishly replied. ‘And now is a good a time as any.’

  He sipped his tea and put it down, holding tightly onto her hand as he opened up the door and led her down the stairs.

  ‘Mrs Drew!’ Jamie shouted. Molly felt a little dizzy from not walking, other than to the bathroom. ‘I’m kidnapping your daughter!’

  ‘Pardon me?’ her mother said, coming out of the kitchen.

  ‘I expect you won’t tell me what’s going on but if she needs to hide, she’ll hide round mine. I’ll call you later and tell you where she is but, for now, I’m taking her.’

  ‘You can’t just take me,’ Molly mumbled, just wanting to crawl back to bed and hide. ‘I have to stay out of sight and-.’

  ‘Where I’m taking you, no-one will know.’

  ‘It’s lovely.’

  Molly sighed at his real home in Islington. Five minutes from his boxing gym. It was a two bedroom flat in an old building that had a very large balcony and overlooked a green. There were old fashioned gate lifts, and it was more of a home and less of a showroom, like the place in Holland Park.

  ‘I can drop you off at your various work assignments and pick you up,’ he said, placing her down on the sofa.

  ‘I’m not going into work this week,’ she sheepishly answered, noticing he did a double take. ‘I need some time off.’

  ‘Molly, I know you don’t trust me but can you please tell me what’s going on? I know you don’t believe it, but I care about you.’ Jamie knelt down in front of her. ‘Did Sam upset you?’

  All she could do was nod, knowing that Bill had told her not to tell anyone what was going to happen.

  ‘He fucked up my life,’ was all she could say before gulping back down her tears. ‘And my future.’

  ‘You have no future with him,’ Jamie flatly said. ‘Do you want me to go and punch him for you? You know what? All I’d have to do is go ‘boo’ and he’d probably shit himself.’

  ‘Oh Jamie!’ is all she could say before breaking down into tears then blowing her nose. ‘I'm pathetic.’

  ‘Obviously,’ he smiled. ‘But something has upset you. I’ve never seen so much snot come out of one little person. I won’t ask again, I promise. I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready.’

  The thing is, she didn’t want him or anyone to know but in approximately four days’ time, everyone would.

  That’s the bit she was dreading.

  ‘I didn’t say you smell.’

  Jamie was standing by the bathroom door, holding it open. ‘I said you need to freshen up.’

  ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘I think a nice shower will help.’

  ‘Do you really live here?’

  ‘Have you seen the mess?’ he grinned, placing his head against the door. ‘Do you like my home?’

  ‘It’s more you,’ she honestly replied, seeing lots of photographs of his friends and family hanging up. ‘And because I’m going through such a shit time right now, I think I can listen to why you tried to prostitute me with Bill.’

  ‘Ah,’ was all he replied when she walked into his bathroom and saw the large shower.

  ‘And you say this has all been redecorated?’

  ‘Can’t you tell? Cost me a fortune.’

  ‘And the money, Jamie? I need to pay you back. You shouldn’t have settled the bill.’

  ‘Take a nice shower and I’ll tell you all of it. Go on, take your clothes off. I’ve seen it all before and certain parts, close up.’

  He turned the shower on as she removed her clothes and threw them to the floor, stepping around him to go under the water. Molly stood there and felt the warm fresh pellets hit her skin. Then she glanced at Jamie looking at her, up and down. He started undressing.

  ‘Please don’t come in,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I’ve got to be alone.’

  ‘I’d prefer it if we were both at our most vulnerable and being naked is one of them.’

  ‘But I’m too vulnerable right now.’

  ‘So, I’ll tell you what happened. I knew Bill would be attracted to you. When Squirrel showed me your picture, I thought-.’

  ‘You saw a picture of me?’ she said, turning around. ‘But when I met you for the first time you said ‘No way!’ If you’d seen me then-.’

  ‘I said, ‘no way’ because ‘no way’ did I think you’d be similar to what his girlfriend used to look like.’

  ‘You know she died of a blood clot?’ she said, looking at him frown. ‘Using me wasn’t a nice thing.’

  ‘He slept with Danika!’

  ‘He did not!’

  ‘That’s what he says.’

  ‘Jesus, James Cohen, don’t you listen to anyone?’ she huffed feeling an overwhelming wave of tiredness hit her. ‘She came onto him and he kissed her but stopped immediately.’

  Jamie pushed her under the water, pulled her out and was now squirting shampoo onto her head before massaging it in.

  He wasn't exactly gentle when he was doing it.

  ‘My hair’s going to fall out if you do it like that,’ she said, trying to get out of his grip but he held her head and put it back under the shower.

  Molly had to close her eyes and hold her breath so as not to choke from the water splashing in her mouth.

  He then released her, stepping back.

  ‘Why’d you believe him?’ he asked challengingly. ‘Has he tried it on with you?’

  ‘Because I do believe him, and no, he hasn’t.’

  ‘If he did, would you tell me?’

  ‘She didn’t make a fool out of you, okay? The stupid bitch didn’t know how much you loved her, and it’s her loss,’ Molly sighed, looking up at him. ‘And one day, you’ll find someone you love, and it’ll be wonderful.’ Then she turned around and let the water splash her face. ‘And you’ll be happy. You’d have forgotten about Danika, and this.’

  ‘What’s ‘this’?’

  ‘Your fake engagement.’ Then Molly laughed. ‘The ring only cost under a tenner. You are a cheap skate.’

  ‘It cost nearly two grand,’ he said making her laugh stop. ‘I never got a refund but I did sell it the other day as I don’t want it anymore.’

  ‘It was very pretty,’ she said sadly, looking at where it had been on her hand. ‘I hope you got a good deal for it.’ Then she hesitated. ‘Jamie, I need to pay you the money back.’

  ‘I’ve not finished my story,’ he said, stepping under the shower. ‘I wanted David to stop accusing me of shagging around and get out of a relationship with Chloe, so I devised the fiancé thing. And I knew Bill was coming over and someone would say something. By having someone as beautiful as you, well that just distracted him from finding out about me shagging his wife. Also, as you know the idea was for him to… shit… do you want me to say it?’

  ‘I would have never slept with him,’ she said gravely. ‘Especially, not after what we said to each other. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. You could have easily ended it and-.’

  ‘But I didn’t want to,’ Jamie said meekly. ‘Because I was starting to like you.’

  Thinking hard about what he was saying, she knew it wasn’t that much of a major lie.

  Yes, she’d been hurt but half of her probably expected that.

  Whatever Jamie did, it wasn’t as bad as what Sam had done.

  A dark cloud was starting to hang over her head as she felt humiliated and stupid about the whole situa
tion.

  Tommy and Sam. Lovers for four years.

  She felt sick.

  ‘I forgive you,’ she whispered, letting out a long sigh. ‘But right now, I’m not in a fit state to rekindle anything. My head is all over the place.’

  ‘I can see. I’ll wait.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Then he touched her back, and she pulled away, knowing he was gentle.

  ‘Let me hold you?’ he asked but she shook her head and turned away, not wanting to show him how upset she really was.

  Again, he stroked her skin.

  ‘Please don’t touch me like that,’ she whispered closing her eyes, hiding the tears under the stream of water.

  Then he grabbed her tightly, burying his face into the back of her neck as she broke down and cried, slowly sinking to the floor of the shower when all the while, he held her closely, not letting her go.

  ‘Sex might perk you up.’

  Jamie was lying next to her in his bed while Molly tried to sleep.

  ‘I thought you said you’d wait?’ she grumbled, feeling exhausted after her shower breakdown.

  ‘I’ve waited. Nearly five hours. I know we’ll have amazing make up sex.’

  ‘You think we’re making up?’

  ‘I’m trying.’

  ‘You certainly are.’

  Molly turned around to face him. She had to say something about the breaking news this weekend.

  ‘Whatever happens, I want you to know that I’m not stupid,’ she said quietly. ‘And I don’t want you to think any less of me. You’re safe.’

  ‘Okay?’ he said, looking dubious as he answered. ‘And that’s as much as you’re going to tell me?’

  ‘I am an idiot, and that will come out but I did it all in good faith.’

  ‘You better not have slept with anyone else,’ he said, scowling. ‘I haven’t.’

  ‘So who was that woman standing with you in the pub the other week?’ she asked, watching him purse his lips. ‘Grasping your arm as if her life depended on it.’

  ‘Jealous?’

  She examined his face and handsome features, knowing any woman would be happy to have him, give or take his wayward behaviour.

  ‘Does it matter if I was? Though I was shocked to see you, and I’d just had a marriage proposal from that fucking bastard!’

  Jamie smirked.

  ‘What’s he done to you?’

  ‘You don’t want to know.’

  ‘He can’t do that!’

  Molly said to Kim the following afternoon. ‘He’s the one that’s lying, not me!’

  ‘They’ve been trying to track you down since last week and this is what Sam Price wants to do. You’re not allowed to discuss your life with him to anyone. If you do, he will take legal action against you. Right now, Molly, your life is back on track. You don’t want anything to spoil it. What’s going on?’

  ‘And has he done the same with Tommy?’

  ‘He’s taking legal action, that’s all I know. And you’re okay? You’ve not been at home for a week so where are you?’

  ‘Keeping a low profile and out of Sam’s way.’

  ‘Hamish said Sam wants to talk to you again.’

  Then she realised Hamish must have known about Sam all that time ago. She wondered if they had slept together, then felt sick at the idea that Sam had kissed Hamish then her.

  But, right now, nothing would surprise her.

  ‘I never want to see or speak to Sam Price again. Can I run something past your solicitor if you don’t mind?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Constructive and unfair dismissal.’

  She sat down on the sofa and looked out onto the green. Jamie had gone to work but left instructions for her to stay there but not under the duvet. He had made a point of taking it with him when he left.

  Molly used his dressing gown instead as she lay on the sofa; her head initially covered for most of the morning. It was quite distracting as all she could smell was him.

  She tried hard to think about any tell-tale signs in the past that Sam was gay, or he was having an affair. Molly must have been blindly in love or just blind.

  Sam had willingly destroyed her career then walked off.

  Kim was right; she was on a good track but for how long? The publicity, whether the truth came out or not, could unintentionally hurt her and then there was Bert the Baboon. There was a small possibility he was tainted, and this would force the case further, wreaking all hopes of the comeback.

  Then her mind wandered to how Jamie was going to react when he found out she’d left the country without telling him. There was no way she wanted him to get as hurt as she was when he did it to her. Even Molly couldn’t be that cruel.

  ‘Honey, I’m home!’ she heard him shout.

  When Molly turned to look, there was a massive somersault of happiness before it plunged down into the abyss.

  Jamie was smiling, holding onto the duvet. He then grimaced when he saw his dressing gown on the sofa. Walking slowly towards her, he grabbed it and sat down on the chair opposite.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, the items bundled under his arms. ‘You look better.’

  ‘I should go back home. I’ve got things to do.’

  ‘But people to avoid?’ he asked, frowning, before throwing the things on the floor. ‘What happened between you and Sam last week? I called Bill this morning. He said to leave well alone. Obviously, I can’t. Whatever Sam said has turned you into a wreck.’

  ‘Why do people lie?’ she asked, biting back her hurt. ‘Why not tell the truth?’

  ‘What did he lie about?’

  ‘He’s still lying.’

  ‘You’re talking in riddles.’

  ‘My relationship with him was a lie, and I didn’t see it, I had no idea.’

  ‘But he wants to marry you?’

  ‘He wants to shut me up.’

  There was a load groan as he leaned forward and put his head in his hands.

  ‘Why do I always end up with the bunny boilers?’ he asked, shaking his head. ‘Is it me?’

  ‘I’ll go.’

  Molly got to her feet as he looked straight up at her. Then she walked into the bedroom and saw her clean clothes, quickly getting changed and grabbed her bag. She didn’t want her bad mood and sadness to rub off on anyone, even Jamie.

  She went back into the living room, and he was still sitting.

  ‘Where are you going?’ he asked, not making eye contact.

  ‘I’ve been out of my home long enough and I need to get back. I think I’m okay, and I’ll take it from here. If anything happens, I’ll tell you.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘If there’s a change of plan,’ she whispered. Slowly she walked up to him and kissed his cheek. ‘Thanks for caring.’

  ‘I do care but I don’t think you care about me anymore.’

  ‘Jamie, I love you,’ she said closing her eyes and standing up. ‘But right now, I need to step away, that’s all.’

  ‘Molly.’

  ‘I’ll call you when I get home.’

  ‘Fucker!’

  She was mumbling while listening to all her messages when she got through the front door. Sam had also left some on the landline, and he was remorseful which soon turned to annoyance then anger.

  From the recordings, this was all done since last Thursday to the present day. The final message was saying he’d sue her for defamation of character if she spoke to the press or anyone about what was said. It was now being stated she might have misinterpreted the whole thing.

  This was when the tears stopped.

  There was no more hurt.

  It was now replaced with anger, and she remembered what Mr Mac said about steering it into the right direction.

  But a few things were still unanswered, and she knew she wouldn’t get it from Sam so she tried the next best thing.

  Two hours later, she was sitting in a restaurant in Soho where they used to go, waiting for him to turn
up. Tommy walked in, wearing large sunglasses and a hat. He looked like he’d been on a photo shoot from the make-up on his face. Molly sat tight in her chair, not even greeting him when he walked to the table.

  ‘Hello,’ Tommy said gently, letting the waiter help sit him at the table. ‘How are you?’

  She sat still and wondered that herself.

  ‘You’re a two-faced shit who fucked my boyfriend for four years behind my back, then gave him a hand job in a public place, only to be caught. The fact that you’re a spineless arsehole doesn’t come into it. Not once did you think that it would ruin my career or anything I had built up. Did they pay you to keep shut? Has the agreement stopped, and you want to talk, hence your grimy little book.’

  Tommy’s face said it all. He looked mortified and avoided eye contact.

  ‘Did you ever think of me?’ she continued. ‘Or were you licking your wounds, knowing no broadcaster or a production company would want to take you on, given your love of wanking off men. But it wasn’t just any man, was it? It was Sam.’

  Still she was faced with silence.

  ‘And Tommy, I hear he’s trying to get lawyers involved in this to shut me up. Me?’ Now her voice started to get higher. ‘I did nothing wrong but trusted two men in my life. One my work partner the other my, so called, partner, boyfriend, lover… fuck, I don’t know what he is because he wasn’t any of them.’

  ‘He used you,’ Tommy said meekly, now glancing up.

  ‘But he wasn’t the only one, was he? What have you written in that book of yours about me? Are you laughing behind my back that I had no idea?’

  ‘Molly, I would never do that,’ he said, looking ashen.

  ‘Why write this now? Why now!’ She couldn’t control the anger in her voice, imagining punching Tommy and Sam in a boxing ring, watching them fall to the ground. ‘Is it for money? And how have you been able to do it because I’m sure they must have asked you to sign something to keep quiet.’

  ‘I never accepted the money. The money we got was for severance and loss of earnings up until the end of the contract. I refused to sign anything, saying I’d go to the press. I’d lost my job and knew how much trouble it was going to cause. And I would never have betrayed him.’