by Emma Nichols
*
The banging noise seemed to be getting louder, and then Craig’s voice bellowed. Ashley stirred, and opened her eyes, still wrapped in the robe from her shower. ‘Coming,’ she yelled. The banging continued. For fuck's sake! She bounded down the stairs, securing the belt around her waist, unlatched the door and pulled it towards her.
‘Why’s the door locked,’ Craig asked, stepping into the hallway, the aroma of beer wafting on his words. ‘C’mon. I’m starvin.’ He was hopping from foot to foot.
‘Beer’s in the fridge,’ she said, pointing through to the kitchen. ‘I won’t be a mo.’ She took the stairs two at a time, threw on a dark blue t-shirt, jeans and deck shoes, and was back downstairs before he’d cracked open the second bottle. She took it from him, downed half of it and let out a quiet belch.
‘Come on then,’ she said. Her stomach gurgled in approval. She slugged the remaining beer and placed the empty bottle on the table.
Ash’s heart was racing before they reached the restaurant, and she was out of breath, even though they’d only strolled the short distance. She reached for a tray and placed it on the rails.
Craig placed his hand gently on hers. She was trembling. ‘It’ll be alright,’ he said, softly. He sat his tray next to Ash’s and slid it down the rails, stopping and loading the hummus, baba ghanoush, olives and flatbread onto both trays.
Ash’s eyes darted from the food to the porthole window in the door and back again. Her appetite had left the building before she entered it. She could barely swallow, let alone consider digestion. She breathed deeply, her hands resting on the tray. She turned her eyes to the main course dishes on offer. The swinging of the kitchen door alerted her, and she froze.
Iman’s eyes locked onto Ash. She staggered, her left hand reaching to the counter and nearly dropping the tray of food perched precariously in her right hand.
Ash’s cheeks flushed, and her breath stopped, stuck in her throat, right next to her words. Her mouth opened and closed again. ‘Hi,’ she said, finding her voice, the heat from Iman’s light-brown eyes doing strange things to her senses.
Iman stood taller and took a pace forward, helping to release some of the tension that had struck her. ‘Welcome back,’ she said, trying to sound professional, the tray landing with less grace than she would have expected. The clanging sound drew a few pairs of eyes from around the room, and she lowered her gaze to the counter.
Ash’s smile held compassion as she watched Iman fluster with the food on the serving tray. If she’d had any doubts before, Iman’s response had confirmed Craig’s rumour. The tingling sensation tracking down her spine told her so too. Iman was definitely into her. And she knew where she stood concerning Iman.
The thought of not being able to have her led to such a dark place, she couldn’t set foot near it. There had to be a way, and she would find it. ‘Safely,’ she added, with a coy smile.
‘Thankfully,’ Iman responded. ‘I’m pleased you all got back safely,’ she added, smiling at Craig, before settling her eyes back on Ash. ‘Can I get you anything?’ she asked. Heat flushed through her, and she blew air up to her fringe. It didn’t help.
‘Thanks, t’ those sweets o’ yers,’ Craig remarked with a broad grin. ‘Wouldn’t ‘ve survived without my daily dose.’
Iman smiled sheepishly.
‘The sweets saved us both, thank you!’ Ash added, blushing at the fact that she’d almost forgotten to thank Iman. ‘I think we’re fine with breakfast,’ Ash said, pointing to the loaded trays. ‘No more space,’ she said, with a chuckle.
‘Well if you need anything else, just ask,’ Iman said, holding Ash’s gaze.
Ash studied the light-brown eyes intently and another shiver tracked down her spine. ‘Thanks,’ she said. How could one word come out so awkwardly? She picked up her tray and headed for their table, deflating with every step further from the intense eyes at the counter.
‘Well that sure was interestin’,’ Craig remarked, squeezing into the seat, and bashing his knee on the underside of the table. ‘Fuckin’ kid’s seats,’ he moaned, rubbing the spot. The aroma emanating from the food on his tray caught his attention, and he dipped a piece of bread into the hummus. He was groaning with pleasure before it hit his mouth. ‘Mmmmm. I can see the attraction,’ he continued, his eyes shining.
Ash smiled and dipped a piece of bread. But by the time the food hit her taste buds, what was driving her senses wild and causing her to salivate, was something way more tempting. ‘Uh huh,’ she said, swallowing past the lump sitting high in her throat. She couldn’t pull her eyes away from the porthole window in the kitchen door.
‘So, the race,’ Craig started, through a mouthful of lamb stew.
Ash gazed, entranced.
‘The race,’ he said again, waving his hand in front of Ash’s eyes.
‘Uh huh,’ she responded, her attention still distracted.
Craig leaned back in his seat and observed. Ash’s dishes hardly had a dent in them. His grin broadened. ‘Yer reeal into her,’ he said, nudging Ash from her reverie.
Her eyes darted around the room skittishly. ‘Sshh!’
Craig turned, doing his appraisal of the workers tucking into their food, chatting and laughing, and tutted. ‘No ‘n’ here cares,’ he said.
‘I do,’ she said.
He lowered his eyes to the food and pushed his plate to one side. ‘Ah huh.’
She relaxed back in the chair. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to fire off at you. It’s just tricky.’
‘Why don’t ya just go out together?’ he asked. ‘Kinda, like friends.’
She looked him in the eye and frowned. You have no idea how excruciatingly painful that would be. She puffed out. ‘It’s not so easy,’ she said.
‘Why?’ He was trying to be helpful but failing miserably.
‘Because…’
He continued to stare, waiting for the rest of the sentence. When it didn’t come, he shrugged. ‘Because what?’
‘Because, I want so much more,’ she admitted. ‘You ever wanted someone so bad, being in the same room and not being able to touch them, make love to them, burned a hole in your heart?’
Craig flushed. ‘Shit!’ that bad?’
‘Worse!’ She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, each wave of passion passing through her body only serving to increase her frustration.
‘Ya’ll just need t’ talk. Give her a chance to say how she feels,’ he said. He had a point.
*
Iman stepped out of the kitchen, not that the air was any fresher on the outside with the balmy night and gentle aroma of the kitchen bins. She turned the corner and leaned against the front of the building, trying to give her attention to the crickets, and even the distant rumbling from the city, but Ash’s house continued to draw her eyes. If she looked way out to the right, she could just make out the lights in the city centre, some flickering in the near distance, but nothing seemed to remove the image of Ash haunting her mind. She slumped against the wall and sighed heavily. She should feel happier than she did. Seeing Ash back safely had instantly filled her with joy, dampened only by the physical distance that would remain between them. There was a boiling furnace surging inside her, out of control, desperately seeking, needing, wanting. Ash! Oh to touch her, and to kiss her. And Ash had looked at her differently this evening too. She’d felt it in her heart, and her soul. In that brief moment, she had known without hesitation that Ash had feelings for her. What about Katherine?
A groaning noise started to filter into her left ear, getting louder, coming from the other side of the bins. She turned, noticing the familiar raised heel, and swaying leg. She turned away sharply, simultaneously taking a swift, long stride to her right and straight into Ash.
‘Shit!’ Ash blurted, hopping up and down on one foot, grabbing at the one that had been stepped on. ‘Sorry,’ she said, holding out a hand in apology for swearing, and starting to chuckle.
Ash stood still, wiggling the toes on her bruised foot, smiling broadly. She reached for Iman’s hands and eased them away from her mouth. ‘My fault,’ she said, letting go of the fingers that were sending an electric current shooting down her spine. She cleared her throat and rested her hands on her thighs to stop them fidgeting. ‘Umm, I was wondering if you wanted to take that trip to the souk,’ she said, with a shrug of her shoulders.
Iman’s pupils widened, the blood draining from her heart feeding the tingling sensation in her private parts. Her racing pulse pounded through her chest, making breathing difficult. Her white teeth dazzled, and she started shuffling from foot to foot. ‘Yes, I’d love to.’ She reached out and squeezed Ash around the shoulders, stirred by a rush of excitement, and then released her again, almost pushing her away. ‘Sorry,’ she exclaimed.
Ash shrugged nonchalantly, her grin lighting up her eyes. She grounded her feet. ‘Tomorrow?’ she asked.
Iman’s head dropped. ‘I have to work tomorrow,’ she said.
‘When you’re next off work?’ Ash asked.
‘Aren’t you going on leave like the others?’ Iman asked, knowing the expats often deserted the place a few days after finishing on the rig.
Ash lowered her gaze. ‘No! No plans.’
Iman raised her eyes. The sparkle had returned. ‘Wednesday, I finish at 2,’ she offered.
‘Wednesday it is. But I’ll be in to eat before then,’ Ash teased, making a move to turn away and head to the party.
‘Ash?’
Ash held Iman’s gaze over her shoulder. ‘Yes.’
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
Ash nodded. ‘Me too.’ She stood a bit longer. ‘Umm, there’s a party now, at Craig’s, if you and Niomi want to come.’ she offered.
Iman smiled. ‘Maybe we will.’ She watched Ash, her smile tinged with sadness until Ash’s back disappeared into Craig’s house. Her pulse still raced as she turned back towards the kitchen. Turning the corner, two pairs of eyes were studying her intently. She lifted her head to them. ‘Feeling better Zack?’ she asked. Their silence followed her through the door.
‘So they are an item then,’ Zack said, his sparkling eyes matching his broad smile.
‘Looks something like that.’ Niomi responded, in a more reserved tone. ‘I’m going to the party, even if she isn’t,’ she added, planting her wet lips on his and eliciting a deep groan.
‘You are so fucking hot Niomi Dabah,’ he murmured, his hands grabbing her buttocks and squeezing hard.
‘I’m glad you’re feeling better,’ she teased, pressing her lips tightly against his.
20.
Ashley cracked open the beer and swigged, coming up for air halfway before swigging again. ‘That tastes so good,’ she said, placing the empty bottle on the counter and pulling two more from the fridge.
‘Boy, howdy! I needed that,’ Craig said, belching loudly and taking the offered beer. He stepped outside, and Ashley followed.
It was still relatively early. Tarek and the guys wouldn’t be around for a while. They wandered down to the loungers around the pool and sat, leaning their weary bodies into the hard plastic chairs, groaning simultaneously. The gentle whooshing sound of the sprinkler system and the chirping crickets barely registered past the ringing that still reverberated in their ears. It would be a couple of days before that would change.
‘I asked Katherine t’ come,’ he said, supping on the chilled beer.
‘I invited Iman and Niomi,’ she said, a wry smile forming.
‘Ah huh.’ He pondered. ‘Wanna cigarette?’ he asked.
‘Nah, thanks.’
He glanced under lidded eyes at her, his lips curled up and he started to chuckle.
‘Fuck off,’ she teased. ‘Just don’t fancy it,’ she said.
He raised his hands in a peace offering. ‘Ah huh. Just can’t remember the last time ya turned down a smoke,’ he said. ‘Just sayin’ ‘s all,’ his chuckle turned into a laugh.
She slapped him on the arm, but she too was beginning to laugh. ‘Yeah, maybe,’ she said, sipping her beer. ‘So, you going to speak to Kate then?’
‘Yup.’ His ruddy cheeks were shining, and there was a fiery quality to his eyes she hadn’t seen in a while.
‘Good,’ Ashley tried to sound more positive about the liaison than she felt. Craig was too consumed by his excited thoughts to notice her reservation. She smiled wistfully. It was good to see him happy. She twitched as she caught sight of Kate approaching from the kitchen. ‘Right, looks like that chat’s just arrived. I’ll get some beers,’ she said, standing and heading back towards the kitchen.
Craig turned his head, his smile broadening at the flowing red locks heading towards them.
‘Hi,’ Ashley said.
‘Hi.’ Kate seemed distracted. She tilted her head and pursed her lips. Her smile was tight, but at least it was a smile.
‘I’ll leave you two,’ she said, indicating towards the crooked grin and bright eyes gazing in their direction. ‘You wanna drink?’ she asked.
‘Maybe later.’ Kate turned and continued towards Craig.
Ash nodded and stepped into the kitchen. Fingers crossed! She pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it from the water cooler. She’d give them some space and then take Craig another beer. She stood in the doorway, watching them, sipping from the glass.
Kate was shaking her head, her hair swaying, and then she was nodding. Craig’s head lowered and he too started shaking his head. That’s not going well. He slouched back in his chair, squirmed, and then sat upright, holding his head in his hands, as Kate spoke. He reached across the short space between them and tried to take her hands, but she eased away. He was rubbing his eyes. Her hand rose to her hair, and she ruffled it before covering her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. He looked tense. So did she.
‘Hi.’
Ash swung round at the soft sound. One small word, and yet, its impact so immense it could have floored her there and then. She tried to swallow but her mouth was dry, and she stood wordless, motionless on the outside, her insides shaking with the voltage passing through her nervous system. Iman stepped closer. Ash stood, immobilised, speechless, consumed by the intensity of her feelings. ‘Umm, hi.’ The words croaked their way out, and she raised her hand to her head, running her fingers through her hair and tucking the side around her left ear.
‘Can I get a drink?’ Iman asked, with greater clarity in her voice than Ash could muster in hers.
‘Oh, err, yes. Sorry.’ She was bumbling and Iman started to giggle. Ash’s smile grew, and she opened the fridge. ‘What can I get you?’ she asked.
‘Iced tea please.’
‘Sure.’ Ash emptied the chilled drink into a tumbler and handed it over.
Iman took the quivering glass, her warm fingers lightly brushing against Ash’s hand. Agghh! A bolt of lightning grounded itself through Ash’s core, and she wasn’t sure if the moan in her own ears had also reached Iman’s.
Iman smiled sweetly, and delicately sipped at the refreshing tea.
Ash tried to breathe, unable to pull her eyes from the soft lips caressing the rim of the glass. She sipped at her drink, standing awkwardly, waiting. She winced as the cold water slid over the lump in her throat. ‘Want to sit outside?’ she asked.
Iman nodded, her eyes gazing over the top of the tumbler resting on her lips.
Ash gulped, turned and stepped into the early evening heat.
Iman froze. The blow to her chest, delivered by Kate’s presence, stunned her, and her hand started to shake violently.
‘What’s wrong?’ Ash asked, searching Iman’s face with concerned eyes.
She turned her head towards the object of Iman’s attention. Kate! Ash moved to touch Iman on the arm,
then withdrew. ‘Is everything okay?’
Iman turned her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ I shouldn’t have come here,’ she said. Turning swiftly, she placed her glass on the wall and stepped back into the kitchen, leaving Ash standing.
Ash’s shoulders dropped, along with the boulder that now sat in the pit of her stomach. Then, the fire began to rise. What the fuck has Kate done? She glared at Kate, still talking to Craig. Something had spooked Iman, and she needed to know what that was. She raced towards the talking couple, her heart pounding; slowing as she reached the table. Craig looked up, his eyes red and swollen. ‘Sorry, I…’ She looked from Kate to Craig and back again.
Kate’s eyes were bright, glassy.
‘It’s okay, I’m gonna get a beer,’ he said, standing and striding towards the kitchen.
‘I’ve told him,’ Kate said. Her tone subdued, oblivious to Ash’s outrage.
Confronted by the sympathy that now invaded her senses, Ash tried to stem the rising anger. ‘What did you do to Iman?’ she asked, trying to balance the warring emotions in her tone.
Kate’s eyes dropped to the table, and her hands cradled her head. ‘I’m sorry. I need to apologise to her,’ she said, raising her eyes to meet Ash’s. ‘I said something to her,’ she continued.
Ash rose up to her full height, hands pressing on her hips, staring at the night sky, and she sighed deeply. ‘What the fuck, Kate!’ She lowered her eyes and stared intently, not letting Kate escape.
‘I implied you, and I were together,’ Kate said, speaking softly.
‘Jeez,’ Ashley spat. ‘How could you do that?’
Kate’s head was rocking back and forth, her eyes unable to sustain Ash’s glare. ‘I’m sorry. I need to speak to her.’
‘No Kate, no! You need to fucking stay away from her,’ Ash yelled, raising her index finger threateningly at Kate’s face.
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I am sorry.’ Ash had turned and disappeared before the words were out.
Ash stormed out of the house and back to her room. She groaned loudly as desperation and desire coursed through her body, feeding different parts of her. She screamed out an altogether different noise, as Kate’s conversation with Iman played on her mind. She threw herself onto her bed and shouted into the pillow until no more sound would come. Eventually, fatigue took her.