by Emma Nichols
Craig couldn’t resist grabbing a handful of pastries as he passed the counter and had started chomping on them before he got to the car door. Munching on the last bite, he turned the ignition and revved the engine.
Ashley placed the drinks in the cup-holders and belted up. ‘Let’s go.’
He slammed his right foot down on the accelerator, and the 4x4 lumbered out of the car park and into the relatively quiet city street. ‘Hey, that reminds me.’
‘What does?’
‘I meant t’ ask yesterday, but with yer birthday ‘n’ all.’
‘What?’
‘When we fixin’ t’ build our raft? We ain’t got long.’
Ashley curled up her nose and hummed. ‘This weekend?’ she offered.
Craig nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. ‘You reckon we’ll be called to the rig soon?’ she asked.
‘Well, unless they fuck somethin’ up, kit’ll be mobilised early to mid-week.’
‘Good.’ The word came out more assertively than she had intended, drawing Craig’s eyes.
‘Yeah, can’t wait, eh?’ he responded in a tone lacking sincerity. He slammed his hand on the car horn, cursing at a battered yellow taxi that threatened to move out in front of them, and Ashley glared at him questioningly. He ignored her. ‘So, ya thought of a design?’ he asked, with enthusiasm.
‘Barrels and planks,’ she offered, with a grin that spanned her face, breaking into a chuckle.
‘Well ain’t ya the genius. How ‘bout somethin’ more sophisticated? We’re gonna win this year.’
‘Barrels and planks won last year.’ She shrugged, studying the blue water of the Euphrates as they crossed the bridge. Her eyes settled on a specific spot in the river, and she started laughing. ‘You were going to win last year, right before we sank… over there.’
Craig glanced across, his face alight, beaming with excitement. ‘Fuckin’ good effort though,’ he laughed.
‘Without the barrels you mean?’ He slapped her on the arm, and they were still laughing about the dire state of their barrel-less raft when he pulled the vehicle into the base. ‘We’ll do it properly this year,’ she said with a wink, skipping out of the vehicle and heading for the workshop.
*
‘Can I help you?’
Katherine had stood observing the food for some time, and already passed by several hungry workers. She looked up, her breath hitching at the light-brown eyes smiling softly from across the counter. ‘Umm, it all looks so delicious,’ she said.
‘What flavours are you looking for?’
Interesting! Katherine held Iman’s gaze, assessing her, entranced by something that passed between them. The cook’s hair sat tied at the back of her head, but she figured it probably relaxed below her shoulders: flowing, light auburn, and slightly wavy. Her tanned skin wasn’t the dark colour of Middle-eastern or even South American skin, nor was it the rugged, suntanned, southern European look. Its tone was subtle, and her skin the texture of fine porcelain, delicate, but not fragile. She seemed a lot taller than most other Syrian women at about five-feet-six-inches and carried herself well. She certainly didn’t look as though she belonged in a kitchen.
‘Sweet, or savoury?’ Iman asked.
The soft smile, seemed to be directed at her, and the woman’s full lips, were captivating. Katherine faltered, gave her attention to the question and the food options in front of her, and hastily selected the familiar fried eggs, pita bread and what looked like a stew of some sort.
‘That’s eggplant,’ Iman said, noticing the frown on Katherine’s face as she picked up the dish. ‘And I can recommend this… for after your meal.’ She handed over a saucer with two small biscuits coated in icing sugar. ‘I’m Iman by the way.’
‘Umm, thank you. Katherine, or sometimes Kate,’ she added, smiling hesitantly.
‘And which do you prefer?’ Iman asked. Katherine looked from the eggs to the biscuits. Iman started to chuckle. ‘Which name?’
‘Oh, umm, Kate is fine. Thanks for the recommendation,’ she said, indicating to the food.
‘You’re welcome. Enjoy your day, Kate.’
‘You too.’ Katherine slid her tray down the rails to the coffee machine. The after effects of her interaction adding to the natural heat that already had her breaking into a sweat. She filled a mug and sat at the now familiar table behind the pillar, bit into a biscuit and groaned. Wow! The sweet almond melted on her tongue and the intense flavour lingered in the back of her throat, teasing her senses with ecstasy. She groaned again, unaware that pairs of eyes watched quizzically from around the room. She flushed, picked up her coffee, and sipped repeatedly. ‘Food’s excellent here,’ she said, to no one in particular.
Iman’s smile deepened as she observed the new woman enjoying breakfast. She turned away and stepped back into the kitchen, empty serving dishes in hand.
*
Ashley waved her arm, guiding the choke manifold into position. ‘You got it!’ she shouted, giving a thumbs-up to the forklift driver. He lowered the equipment to the floor watched by Ashley’s keen eye.
Craig approached from the other side of the bay and scrutinised the metal structure, paperwork in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. ‘How’s it lookin’?’
‘All good,’ Ashley responded, but her attention was still with the equipment.
It was Lars Eriksen’s voice projecting, as the man himself did at six-feet tall, above the drilling and grinding of metal ringing out around the workshop that took her attention from the task at hand. But, it was the intensity in the bottle-green eyes of the redhead by his side, staring directly at her, that caused her stomach to flip and her attention to wander.
In an instant, Katherine looked away. ‘Hello Craig, how are you?’ She held out her hand, stepping towards the Texan who towered above her.
‘Katherine,’ he said, in a cheery tone, taking the offered hand but also moving in and kissing her affectionately on the cheek.
Katherine flinched at the touch of his rugged face on her soft skin but continued to smile.
Ashley slunk behind the control panel, snuck to the left, and made her way to the workshop where she could remain out of sight.
‘I’ll leave you to it then,’ Lars interjected, wiping at the sweat that was sliding down the side of his face. He turned and strode off in the direction of the air-conditioned offices. The base offices were a far cry from his office in Damascus, but even they were luxury compared to the oppressive heat inside the workshop.
Spying through a small gap in the rack of steel-pipes, Ashley pondered what might have attracted Craig and Kate to each other. To all intents and purposes, they were complete opposites, and not just regarding their height differences. Katherine was far too prim and proper for his rugged, and rough, character. Maybe that was it. Perhaps that’s why it worked. Craig was laughing, and Katherine kept touching his arm as she spoke. She’d never seen Craig look so enamoured by anyone.
She sighed, stepped back from her vantage point, and leaned against the workbench. Tarek’s tight smile held questions she had no intention of answering. She recoiled, pushed away from the bench, and raced out the nearest door. Skulking across the site to the base canteen, she removed the safety hat that was pressing too hard against her skull and wiped the cuff of her sleeve at the sweat on her cheeks. She stepped through the door and grabbed a cup of water, downing it in one long gulp. She poured another, sat directly under the air conditioning unit, and closed her eyes. Perhaps the cold air would bring her to her senses. Kate was history. Kate was...
‘Can I get you anything?’
Ashley jumped, opened her eyes, and sat bolt upright. Squinting to focus, she rose to stand. She had at least two inches on the cook, but Iman’s stature made her appear taller.
‘It’s okay you don’t need to get up. I can get you something.’
The soft tone did nothing to slow Ashley’s racing heart. ‘I’m fine, thanks,’ she said.
Iman smiled. ‘I
have another hour before I go back to the hotel,’ she said. ‘A cup of tea?’
‘Sure, thanks.’ Ashley never drank tea, but it hadn’t occurred to her to refuse. Her eyes lingered on Iman’s back as she floated into the kitchen.
Moments later Iman returned with a white china pot and two cups. ‘It’s my break time too,’ she said.
‘I don’t want to take up your time,’ Ashley blurted, starting to stand again.
‘Sit, please,’ Iman said, taking the seat across the table from Ashley and starting to pour.
Hesitantly, Ashley sat back down. She took the drink and sipped. ‘Mint!’ she exclaimed.
‘Yes.’ Iman started to laugh. ‘You don’t like mint?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I do. I…’ Ashley stopped, spellbound. ‘I just hadn’t expected…’
‘Would you like to go to the souk one day?’ Iman interrupted. Heat rose to her cheeks instantly, and she opened her mouth as if to speak again.
‘The Deir ez-Zor market?’ Ashley asked before Iman could retract the offer.
‘Yes. I thought you might like to see the shawl shop… and the other stalls of course.’ Iman flustered, puzzled by her physiological response to the offer that had just popped out of her mouth.
Ashley paused and smiled. ‘Umm.’ She had been to the souk many times with her work colleagues, but the idea of going with Iman; that would be a very different experience.
‘It’s okay if you don’t want to,’ Iman offered. She sipped her tea and refilled their cups.
‘No. I’d like to. Maybe, when we get back from the rig?’ Ashley lowered her eyes to the drink and raised the cup to her lips.
Iman cleared her throat. ‘When do you go?’
‘I don’t know, late next week maybe.’ Iman nodded. ‘We’re building a raft tomorrow… for the annual raft race next month,’ she added, unsure why she was telling Iman, but enthused by the act of sharing the details with her.
Iman’s irises had shifted to a light golden-brown, and she studied Ashley carefully. ‘You’re excited about the race.’ It was a statement rather than a question.
Ashley could feel the heat rising and colouring her cheeks. ‘It’s great fun,’ she said. ‘All the oil companies here take part,’ she added.
‘Yes, we usually cater for it, apparently.’
Ashley lowered her head. ‘Maybe you could be on our team this year,’ she said. She sat back in her seat, confused by the ease with which she was talking and suddenly including Iman in their race plans.
‘Maybe,’ Iman said, but her smile said no.
Ashley’s stomach lurched, and she gulped down the last of her tea. ‘Right, I’d better get back to work, or I’ll get fired,’ she said with a half-grin, trying to recover from the disappointment of the slight rejection.
Iman rose effortlessly to her feet, stared at Ashley intently for a moment, and then smiled softly. ‘Ah, you’re teasing me about being fired.’
Ashley winced and stuffed her hands into her coveralls’ pockets. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you,’ she said, the desire to fidget pricking her conscience.’
‘None taken.’
Ashley’s eyes were drawn to the light shimmering on Iman’s face, highlighting her delicate bone structure and elegant features. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. ‘Thanks for the tea,’ she said, her voice slightly broken.
‘Will you be in for dinner later?’
Ashley opened the door, allowing a rush of heat to suck the cooler air out of the large dining hall. ‘Yes, I’ll be starving,’ she said, smiling.
Iman’s cheeks flushed and when she grinned her eyes shone. She picked up the cups and stepped into the kitchen.
Ashley watched until she could no longer see the cook’s back, turned to face the yard, and released the breath she had been holding. She found herself striding to the smoking area. A cigarette would ease the pressure in her chest. A warm feeling infused the beaming smile that she landed on Craig, as he approached.
‘Uh huh, where d’ you skulk off to?’ he asked, opening his pack of cigarettes. He placed two of them between his lips and lit them together, handing one to Ashley.
‘So, all good in there?’ she asked, taking the cigarette, ignoring the question. ‘Got a happy boss?’
‘Seems so.’ He sucked in the smoke and breathed out slowly. ‘They’re mobilisin’ mid-week, so, we’ll be out Thursday. Better get that raft built darn quick. I got a plan.’
Ashley laughed, releasing the tension that had accumulated. ‘Right, I look forward to seeing that then.’ Her sarcastic wit didn’t go unnoticed, and he thumped her on the arm.
‘It’s in my head,’ he defended.
‘It’s easy.’ She drew down on the cigarette. ‘Empty sealed barrels and planks across the top,’ she said, through the smoke clearing her lungs.
Craig frowned. ‘Wasn’t there one like that last year?’ He drew on his cigarette, tilted his head, puffed out small rings, and blew them into the blue sky.
‘Yeah… it won.’ Ashley laughed.
‘Can we have a flag?’ he asked, after a moment’s contemplation.
‘Good idea, you design that.’
He stomped his cigarette into the dirt. ‘What’s wrong with my raft designs anyway?’ he asked.
‘They don’t work,’ she said, with a shrug.
He pushed her through the door into the workshop. ‘Get that separator checked ‘n’ the lab cabin restacked,’ he teased. He could never assert his authority with her.
‘Aye, aye captain.’ She saluted, still laughing.
Craig was chuckling too.
*
Ashley tilted her head, allowing the citrus-scented suds to sweep away the sweat and grime that had clung to her body all day. Even though she wasn’t on the rig, which was hotter than hell, there was always the aroma of petroleum and grease: locked into the equipment, clothing, and even her skin. It wasn’t particularly offensive; it just seemed to be omnipresent no matter how hard she scrubbed. Stepping out of the shower, she tried to suppress a yawn but failed, her legs and arms still heavy from the day’s work. She rubbed the towel over her hair and held the soft pile against her tired eyes.
Tap tap tap. She groaned at the disturbance, wrapped the towel tightly around her body, and half-opened the door.
Kate’s dark green eyes widened, and she tried to avert her gaze. ‘Sorry, I…’ She stopped speaking. ‘I… umm…’
Ashley shivered. ‘You, what?’ Her tone was curt.
Kate blinked, forcing the words to come. ‘I wondered if you wanted to talk; to catch up.’ She lowered her eyes from Ashley’s bare shoulders, only to have them settle on the athletic legs exposed by the small towel. She tried to swallow, but her throat wouldn’t comply.
‘Why?’ The response landed with a thud.
Kate held her gaze. Had she hurt her so badly? Ashley’s eyes were as dark as her face was pale. The flat stone-features seemed to create an impenetrable barrier that ripped into Kate’s heart. She looked away, seeking something upon which her eyes could be distracted; something that would stop the tears from flowing. She turned to face Ash again, her dark green irises lightened by the sheen of water on their surface. ‘Please?’
Ashley sighed, started to roll her eyes, and then stopped. ‘Fine, I’ll be down in five.’
Kate nodded slowly, turned, and started down the stairs.
Ashley closed the door and released a deep breath. With her heart thumping in her chest, she hurried into her jeans and pulled on a t-shirt. Looking into the mirror, ruffling her hair, the inverted words, Fuck me, reflected back at her. Fuck no! She ripped the t-shirt off and pulled out a red shirt. Not her favourite but the only one in her wardrobe that didn’t need ironing. By the time she stepped out of her room, her cheeks had a healthy glow and beads of sweat lingered at her temples. She stood momentarily, allowing her pulse to settle, before slowly making her way down the stairs.
‘Coffee?’ Kate asked, facing the sink, her back to Ashley�
��s footsteps.
‘Sure.’ Ashley stood in the doorway leaning against the frame her mind telling her to steer clear, her body screaming for something far more dangerous. She pocketed her shaking hands and dropped her eyes to the floor. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to be…’
Kate turned slowly, her eyes puffy, her lips swollen. ‘I guess I deserve it,’ she said, her voice heavy with the tears she had shed. It had been years ago. Yes, their time together had been intense, and yes she had ended it suddenly, and without explanation when Ash finished Uni. But when she accepted this assignment knowing Ash would be one of her engineers, she had done so expecting the past to be long since dead and buried. How wrong could she be?
Ashley couldn’t stop herself. Compelled to stop the pain in Kate’s eyes and driven by the fire in her belly, she crossed the space between them and pulled Kate into her arms. She squeezed her, held her tightly, and lightly kissed the top of her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.
Kate clung on to Ash’s narrow waist and rested her cheek into the firm breasts behind the crisp cotton shirt. ‘You smell good,’ she said, sniffling.
‘Must be the Envy for Men.’ The light drawl had both women jumping apart. Craig looked from one to the other. ‘I take it ya two know each other then,’ he said, addressing Ashley. He wasn’t smiling, and his frown looked distant, betrayal reflecting through his eyes.
Ashley brushed at the damp patch on her shirt and cleared her throat. She tried to hold his gaze. ‘Long story,’ she said, with a strained smile.
His head sat at a tilt as he mused. ‘Ah huh,’ he said, in a sombre tone. He ruffled his hair then scratched at his stubble. ‘Anyway, I was wonderin’ if ya wanna get t’ fixin’ that raft tonight, but I’m guessin’ not.’ His eyes skipped around the room, not stopping on either woman until eventually, they locked onto the door he’d just walked through.
‘I’m knackered bud.’ Ashley spoke softly, drawing his eyes to her. ‘Tomorrow first thing,’ she offered, her smile widening.