Beside the Brook

by Paulette Rae

  “I see, so what are mermaids like then?”

  “They’re pretty frisky creatures actually.” He winked. “They do this little thing with their tails-,” Jamie paused.

  “Ah, you’re a shocker.” Kirsten pushed her hand through the water, forced a salty wave over his face.

  He shook the water off and grinned, swam toward her. He put one arm around her waist and as they moved together in the water he kissed her. His lips were wet, warm and salty. Her hands found his shoulders and she opened her mouth, felt his tongue against her own.

  “Have you ever had sex in the ocean?” he asked.

  “Uh-uh.” Kirsten shook her head, smiled.

  “Well, I would have been surprised if you’d said yes.”

  “Why?” Kirsten asked. “Do you think I’m a prude?”

  “No.” Jamie smiled. “But any guy who can get it up out here deserves a damn medal. It’s far too cold for that.”

  Chapter 11

  Saturday was a grey day, overcast and sullen. Kirsten woke late. During the night the temperature had dropped and she had pulled her feather duvet up around her neck, snuggled down in its heavy warmth.

  Now she pushed the blankets back, crept from the bed and stretched before the window as she surveyed the weather.

  What a crap day for Beth’s birthday, she thought as she watched the sea. It was a horrible muddy colour today, blowing in on choppy waves to the shore. Sea spray washed across the bay like sheets of rain, the wind forcing it to white peaks. Kirsten screwed up her nose in disapproval and went to have a shower. When she arrived downstairs she found Tyler in the kitchen with Craig. The older man was busy preparing vegetables for dinner. Rows of carrots, potatoes, kumara and broccoli lined the marble top bench.

  “Wow, you’ve been busy.” Kirsten pulled a carton of milk from the fridge.

  “I think he’s feeding an army tonight.” Tyler sat at the table, one leg crossed over the other. Although it was a cool day he wore a thin pair of white cotton shorts and a polo shirt.

  “God, aren’t you cold?” Kirsten walked to the bench and took down a cup, poured hot water from the jug over a teabag and added a teaspoon of sugar. Tyler grinned. “Nope. I’m hot blooded baby, I don’t feel the cold.”

  Craig looked up, smiled and said, “Yeah, right.” He winked at Kirsten, who pretended to stick a finger down her throat and made a loud gagging sound.

  “Hey, you can laugh now,” Tyler started. “But you just wait for winter and then see who you run to for warmth.”

  Kirsten smiled. “That’s why I have woolly underwear.”

  “Oh, very sexy,” Tyler said in his best effeminate voice. He continued to mop up egg yolk with the remains of bacon scattered on his plate. Beth burst into the kitchen as Kirsten sat next to Tyler at the table.

  “God that man infuriates me!” The solid oak door slammed against its frame. Everyone looked at her, unsure of what to say. It was obvious she was referring to Jamie. Who else could get her hackles up like this?

  “What’s up, Mum?” Tyler raised one eyebrow quizzically. It made him look somewhat like a young Magnum PI without the moustache.

  “He’s not doing it for Sarah. He’s doing it just to piss me off.” She slammed the leather bound diary she was carrying onto the table in front of Tyler. Kirsten jumped, but Tyler seemed unfazed by it all, as if it were an everyday occurrence. Craig seemed to know better than to say anything. He shrank nervously into the corner, concentrating on what he was doing, as if he hoped she wouldn’t notice him at all.

  “What?” Tyler put his hand on his mother’s arm, but she shook it off impatiently.

  “He’s taking Sarah down to that bloody farm to go riding.”

  “Horse riding?” Tyler’s expression mirrored the concern in his voice.

  “No, pig riding. Yes of course horse riding. Why else would I be so upset?” She stomped to the fridge, ripped down the story Sarah had posted there. Magnets spilled to the floor and bounced over the varnished boards. One hit the cupboard, came to a stop,

  while the other disappeared under the fridge and rattled around. Beth whirled back to Kirsten. “This is your fault.” She pointed a finger at her in accusation. Kirsten was stunned. She didn’t know what to say. Tyler looked at her in remorse then glared back at Beth.

  “Mum, how can you say that?” he growled.

  “You come in here and try to change things. Now look what he’s done,” Beth cried tearfully.

  “Beth, I-,” Kirsten started.

  “I don’t want to hear it!” Beth yelled as she turned and stormed from the kitchen, disappearing just as quickly as she had entered.

  Tyler’s chair toppled and crashed to the floor as he jumped to his feet. “She’s a damn firecracker this morning. I better go see if I can settle her down.”

  “No, Tyler, let me.” Kirsten got up and put her hand on Tyler’s arm. He looked down at her, concerned.

  Craig, who was now brave enough to join in the conversation, said, “Are you sure that’s wise?”

  Kirsten forced a smile. “Yes. After what she just said I think I’m probably the best one to go. She needs to get it off her chest.” She looked at Tyler and Craig, who were both watching her as though she had volunteered to enter the lions den at feeding time. She left them dumbfounded and went in search Beth.

  She wondered what had possessed Jamie to suddenly take Sarah horse riding. After what he had said about Brook, Kirsten thought it would be the last thing he would let his daughter do. Brook had been killed doing just that, so how could he so blithely let Sarah get on a horse? Was it in fact something to do with Kirsten? Had she said something to him to inadvertently change his whole way of thinking? Maybe Beth was right. In a roundabout way maybe this was her fault.

  Kirsten knocked on Beth’s bedroom door. There was no answer but as she waited she could hear Beth’s footfall on the carpet. She stepped back as the door swung open. Beth looked surprised to find it was Kirsten who had come to tame the wild beast. Her brow was furrowed; her lips pursed as she mopped a solitary tear from her cheek, glared at Kirsten and tried to maintain her hard exterior.

  “It’s my birthday, I’m supposed to be happy,” she fumed. Kirsten smiled. “I know. Can I please come in?”

  “Alright.” Beth took a step back and let Kirsten walk into the finely decorated master bedroom. Then she closed the door behind them. “I’m surprised you’d come anywhere near me at the moment.”

  Kirsten crossed to the two-seater couch by the window and perched herself on one end. “Well, I’m not taking what you said personally. I think you’re probably right. I possibly am to blame. But I happen to think it’s a good thing, regardless of what you may think.”

  Beth opened her mouth to retort, but Kirsten cut her off.

  “Beth, Sarah has changed so much since I’ve been here. She loves going to school. Don’t you see the changes in her for the better?”

  Beth dropped her gaze and stared at the floor. “We’re not talking about her school work here. My daughter was killed while riding a horse and now my granddaughter is off doing the same thing.”

  “Don’t you think Jamie has thought about that? Brook was his wife, and Sarah is his daughter. He won’t have made this decision lightly.”

  “Did you know he was taking her?” Beth asked as she lifted her gaze back to Kirsten. Kirsten shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I knew Sarah wanted to go. She talked to me about it, pestered me in fact. But it certainly wasn’t my decision to make. You’d already made yourself clear on that point.”

  Beth sneered. “You make me sound like a prison warden.”

  “No, I don’t think you’re anything like that. You’re a protective grandmother who wants the best for her family. And I know you’re scared about losing her too, but she’s not Brook. She’s with Jamie. He’s not going to let anything happen to her.”

  “That’s what I thought about Brook too,” Beth said with remorse. “She was with Tyler. It was just a horse ride.
But I remember what it felt like when her horse came home without her. Tyler loved Brook, he took care of her, almost too much, but when it came to the crunch he couldn’t keep her safe. All it takes is one freak accident and that life is gone.”

  Kirsten got up from the couch, put her arms around the older woman and hugged her tightly.

  “I know this is hard for you. I can’t say I’ve been through it because I haven’t lost anyone that close to me. But think about it from Sarah’s point of view. Why should she miss out on all the wonderful things she wants to do because her mother died? It’s like punishing her for something she didn’t even do.”

  Beth sighed and pulled away from Kirsten. She plucked a tissue from the box on the duchess and dabbed her eyes.

  She shook her head. “I know you’re right. I do.” She gazed back at Kirsten. “But I’m not the only one to blame here. Jamie just announced it like it was the most casual thing in the world. Like hey, I’m taking Sarah to get her head chopped off, you wanna come watch? ”

  Kirsten couldn’t help but laugh at Beth’s impersonation of her son in law. Beth too, seemed to lighten at the joke she had made and smiled.

  “Well, I can’t speak for Jamie. That’s something you have to work out with him. Maybe he thought it was the only way to do it. He would have known you didn’t agree.”

  “Damn right he knew.” Beth frowned.

  “Don’t you think he has the right to make decisions which affect Sarah?”

  Beth smiled. She looked sideways at Kirsten but didn’t say a word. The older woman wouldn’t admit it verbally, but Kirsten could see she knew it was right. It was a decision which was rightfully Jamie’s to make.

  “Hey, happy birthday by the way.” Kirsten grinned.

  Beth pretended to look stern, but couldn’t hide her pleasure. “Thank you,” she replied. Kirsten moved toward the door. “Don’t let this ruin your day, Beth. Just let it go. There’s nothing you can do about it now. When she comes back all excited and you see the joy on her face you’ll wonder why you ever made such a fuss.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Beth balled up the tissue and threw it into the plastic bin beside the door. She smiled. “But don’t you dare tell anyone I admitted that.”

  Kirsten laughed as she pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway. “Okay I won’t.”

  “Kirsty, I’m sorry I went off at you before. My mouth tends to run away before I put my brain in gear.”

  “Ah forget it.” Kirsten waved her hand in dismissal. “I already have.”

  Beth smiled. “Well let’s get on with the day then shall we? Would you humour an old lady and play a game of tennis?”

  Kirsten laughed. “As long as you don’t expect me to let you win because it’s your birthday.”

  “Ah well,” Beth replied, “the day you beat me is the day I’ll know I am getting old.”

  True to her word Beth was an exceptional tennis player. She had competed through her teenage years and into adulthood, giving locals a run for their money wherever she went. Even though she wasn’t a Wimbledon star today, she put Kirsten through her paces on the asphalt.

  Wiping her forehead after the fifth game Kirsten was pleased the day was overcast. Her boss had just whipped her ass four games to one. Her mood now quite improved after giving someone a complete thrashing, Beth had gone off to have a swim with Tyler.

  Kirsten took a long drink of water from a sipper bottle as she walked back to the house, drenched in sweat. As she reached the back door she heard a vehicle approach, so she waited to see who had arrived. Jamie’s car came into sight, down the long driveway and into the car port behind the house. Sarah waved excitedly from the passenger seat, only just able to see over the dashboard. Kirsten smiled, waved back and waited for her to untangle herself from the seat belt. She climbed down from the dusty diesel vehicle.

  “Kirsty, Kirsty,” she yelled as she crossed the path to the house, little orange and yellow stones flying up from under her feet. “I went to Lacey’s and she has four horses, and I went riding.” Her words tumbled out one on top of the other. She was so excited. Kirsten grinned and hugged Sarah. “Wow, that’s so cool.” She looked up and smiled at Jamie as he approached, keys jangling in one hand. He looked rather windswept and dashing in tight black moleskins over leather lace up boots, and a green shirt which offset the colour of his eyes. “What kind of horses does she have?” She averted her gaze back to Sarah.

  Sarah danced on the concrete path behind the kitchen. “She has one grey pony called Misty and a black pony called Chaps. They’re both the same size. I had a ride on Chaps, he’s fat and Lacey’s dad said he needs to go on a diet, but I liked him. He has long eyelashes and when Lacey puts the saddle on him he puffs his tummy out and tries to bite her on the bum.” Sarah put her hand over her mouth and giggled through her fingers, hardly able to contain her excitement.

  Kirsten laughed. “Did Dad go riding too?”

  Sarah looked at her father and smiled. “No. He’s too big to ride the ponies. He could have ridden Tommy, he’s a-,” she paused and frowned. “What is he dad?”

  “An Appaloosa, honey.”

  “That’s right. He’s too big for me to ride, but Lacey said one day she’ll be able to ride him. They have another Appaloosa,” she slowed right down on the name, as if she hadn’t quite mastered it yet, “but she’s having a foal so nobody is allowed to ride her.”

  “Well,” Kirsten said with enthusiasm, “it sounds like you had a fantastic time. Did you fall off?”

  Sarah shook her head and looked very pleased. “No, Chaps just walked though. He’s fat and lazy, and Lacey’s dad led me most of the time.”

  “Are you going to go again?” Kirsten asked.

  “Yeah! If Dad will let me. Maybe you can come next time, Kirsty.”

  Kirsten smiled. “Well, I don’t know how to ride, but I’d love to go and see Lacey’s horses if you go again.”

  “Cool,” Sarah exclaimed. “Can I go again Dad? Can Kirsty come with us?”

  Jamie crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll see, okay?”

  “Yay,” Sarah yelled, as if the answer had been a firm yes. “I’m going to go tell Grammy.”

  “She’s in the pool,” Kirsten directed as the girl skipped away toward the house.

  “Oh, okay.” She changed her course then stopped before adding, “Can I go for a swim dad?”

  “Yes, of course you can. Go get your togs on.”

  Sarah ran into the house and disappeared. They could hear her talking to herself as she walked up the stairs. Kirsten laughed and looked at Jamie.

  “So, how was it really?” she asked when Sarah was safely out of ear shot.

  “God, I was petrified.” Jamie dropped his shoulders but grinned despite the confession. “She has no fear that kid.”

  “Well, that’s a good thing I guess.”

  “It was so hard standing there watching her climb up on that horse’s back. It was something I never thought I’d be able to do.” Jamie stared wistfully at Kirsten.

  “Hey, you did good.” She smiled. “I’d just like you to know that I got in trouble over this, however.”

  “You?” Jamie frowned. “Let me guess, Beth?”

  “Ah-huh.” Kirsten nodded. “I’m sure you’ll hear all about it too.” She put on a posh English accent as if imitating the Queen. “She was not amused.”

  “Well, I’m sorry if you got stuck in the middle of that.”

  Kirsten waved her hand in the air, brushed him off. “Ah, I can handle Beth.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can handle pretty much anything.” Jamie stepped forward, placed both hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead.

  “Well, at the moment all I want is a nice long bath.” She looked at her watch. “And then it should be just about time for drinks before dinner. I think we’re starting early today.”

  “Oh yeah, Beth’s birthday. I guess I have to show up then don’t I?” Jamie grinned.

 
; “Of course.” Kirsten put her hands on her hips.

  He groaned. “I really can’t be bothered if she’s going to be grumpy with me.” He looked down at Kirsten. “Are you going to wear those earrings I brought you?”

  Kirsten acted blasé but her lips curled into a smile as she said, “I suppose I could.”

  “You suppose.” Jamie grinned. His eyes danced like the emeralds he had given her. He traced the outline of her mouth with one finger. She opened her lips and took the tip between her teeth, bit it softly before she moved it away with her hand and wound their fingers together.

  “I’ll wear them,” she said. “I better make sure I pick something out that they go with hadn’t I?”

  “I was just thinking how stunning you’d look wearing just the earrings, but then I guess that wouldn’t really be appropriate for a party would it?”

  “No. But if you want to meet me afterwards I could show you how it looks.”

  “Wow,” Jamie breathed. “I’d like that. Just thinking about it gets me excited.” He dropped Kirsten’s hand and laughed. “Stop it.”

  “You started it remember.” She smiled then left him standing with his thoughts as she walked to the house. “I’m going to have a bath. I’ll see you later.”

  She peeked into the kitchen at Craig on her way past. The heavy door squeaked on its hinges and the heavy set man turned in surprise.

  “You need any help?” she asked.

  “Hey, kiddo. No I think I’m okay at the moment thanks. I’m just about to sit down and take five. Everything is under control so I can have a few drinks myself tonight.”

  Kirsten winked. “Big night planned is it?”

  Craig, understanding the implication, grinned then curled up a tea towel and hurled it at Kirsten. She moved her head quickly before it hit and let the door close for protection. She heard a dim thud as the cloth hit, then slid to the floor. Kirsten whistled as she climbed the stairs two at a time. She had only been here a few months, but already she felt her fitness level had increased from all the exercise. Tomorrow she would possibly pay for the bout of tennis Beth had just put her through, so she planned on soaking the tension from her body before it had time to do its worst.