by S M Mala
‘Not really,’ she laughed and balanced her head on her hand. ‘Did you have a nice weekend?’
‘It was good. And you?’
‘Out and about. Running Daisy around and seeing a friend. Nothing much.’
‘What friend?’
‘My best friend Nalini. I mentioned you. She’s not impressed and thinks you’re using me to bide your time. Also, it could be you want to deflect my attention away from the company.’ Sylvie watched his face turn to stone for a moment. ‘I told her I was aware you’re not husband material but you made me laugh.’
‘Nothing to do with being successful and good looking?’
‘I like you and your laugh,’ she honestly replied. ‘Let’s just take each day as it comes and see what happens.’
‘That’s it?’ Finlay propped himself on his elbows. ‘It’s not a big list.’
‘I want for very little.’
‘And I want for a lot.’
‘Another reason for us not being a long term thing,’ she laughed before reaching over to the side to look at her watch. Sylvie felt his hands rub up and down her back before wrapping around her front. ‘You’re going to have to let me go as I need to do some work.’
‘I have to make you come,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘I want to make you come.’
‘You’re very lovely to think so but you don’t have to,’ she said feeling his cheek press against hers. ‘I like making you happy.’
Finlay pulled her back then put his arms either side of her as he looked down. She recognised the familiar puzzled expression.
‘I wonder who’s the real heartbreaker here, me or you?’ he mumbled and she had no idea what he was talking about.
Thirty four
‘She’s not spoken to me for weeks and I wanted to know if you could put in a good word?’ Stephen said as Finlay stood outside, the cold morning air hitting his face. ‘I really like her and that business with the police? I knew she’d think I betrayed her. She even texted me the word ‘traitor’ and, well, I don’t know what to do.’
‘Did she?’ he asked trying not to smile but could see Stephen looked pretty upset.
For a second he thought about the amount of sex he was having with Sylvie. It had been every weekday and it was getting better. Even two hours ago he had his head placed firmly in between her thighs as she had an orgasm in his mouth and afterwards the sex was long and hard. He composed himself for a second knowing he had to handle Stephen very carefully, while not being distracted with his very carnal thoughts and desires.
‘I’m seeing her tonight when we go the Simmonds Production party and-.’
‘You’re going with Sylvie?’ he said, horror spreading across his face. ‘I usually go with her and Piers. How did you get an invite?’
‘That guy Andy came in to see her weeks ago and she mentioned her invite had gone missing, so he sent another one to include me. Is that a problem?’ Finlay watched Stephen’s face twitch and noticed the steam coming from his nostrils. He was hoping that was due to the cold air. ‘Toby’s baby-sitting for her daughter.’
‘Toby? Toby’s going round to Sylvie’s home?’
‘Yes,’ he said seeing the intensity of Stephen’s jealousy. ‘She asked him and he was very happy to do it. Apparently he looks after Daisy from time to time.’
‘Your brother harasses her, do you know that?’ he said angrily. ‘And letting him stay the night under her roof, well that’s asking for trouble.’
‘There won’t be any trouble,’ laughed Finlay and stepped back for a moment, examining the mop of black hair and angry face. ‘You know Sylvie wouldn’t be happy to know you said that about Toby. I know he’s my brother but he has a heart of gold and in all his bravado, he’s not a predator.’
‘Hey bro!’ shouted out Toby running towards him. ‘Sylvie wants me to go round at six. I wonder if she’ll have sexy underwear on when she opens the door, just to turn me on!’ He glanced at Stephen and slapped him on the back. ‘Who knows, when Daisy’s asleep I might get frisky with the lovely dusky maiden so she won’t be able to go to that party and snog Andy. Christmas has come all at once!’
Stephen glared at Toby then shook his head from side to side before storming off back into the warehouse. Finlay noticed his brother’s grin.
‘You really aren’t helping,’ he whispered as Toby shrugged. ‘You know you’re just winding him up.’
‘He’s a prick,’ scowled Toby. ‘He takes it all so seriously. The man doesn’t see she can’t stand him and still he persists.’
‘And are you going to behave tonight?’ he asked seeing Toby smile.
‘I’ve looked after Daisy before and Sylvie lets me crash in the spare bedroom. No sexy lingerie in the morning, just large thermal underwear and it’s nice to spend time with her.’
‘Seriously Toby, you’re not in love with Sylvie, are you?’ Finlay felt worried for the first time that their fling could hurt the people he loved. ‘She’s lovely but you know she wants you to be happy and find someone perfect around you own age. And her age is a bit of a problem,’ he said suddenly realising it was to him.
‘Just because I’m good looking doesn’t mean I’m thick!’ laughed Toby as the pair walked back into the lukewarm air of the warehouse. ‘I know Sylvie and I are a no go, though personally the age difference doesn’t bother me, but she’s kind and sometimes it’s good to have someone who’s on your side. And she cares about me… okay pretty much like she cares for Daisy and I like that. I wish she could find someone to bring her happiness. That really would make my day.’
Finlay stopped and gave his brother a quick hug.
‘Homosexual now?’ said Samina coming towards them at high speed with a shopping trolley. ‘I got from Sainsbury’s to help collect orders. Very simple technique and make me doubly fast. Why hug?’
‘Because he’s an adorable person, my little brother,’ Finlay said and Toby went a bit pink.
‘Your dolly friend looking for you,’ said Samina glancing up as Wanda beckoned Toby. ‘Why you not put her out of misery and give her one Toby? She paint her face up for you each day.’
‘I’m not attracted to her,’ he said sticking his nose up in the air. ‘She’s too… you know… full on.’
‘Finlay!’ shouted Pria from the other side of the shelves. ‘This Friday, are you sure it’s alright we can bring a friend?’
‘You got butch girly lesbian friend coming?’ laughed Samina. ‘Make big Krystof look like woman!’
‘Shut up you old witch. I’m talkin’ to Finlay, innit?’ snapped Pria and poked her head around the corner. ‘Ya sure? Who you bringin’? Some posh bird?’
‘My Glenn is excited!’ gushed Marianne, walking from around the corner. ‘He can’t wait to meet you.’
‘She got short man,’ added Samina twirling her shopping trolley as Finlay stopped it from rolling on his toes.
She laughed and pulled it out of his hands.
‘He’s pocket size perfect,’ replied Marianne smugly. ‘And who are you bringing Samina, or shouldn’t I ask?’
‘My friend Gita, she a good laugh. Not yet sixty but ten grandchildren. She like big pink g-spot stimulator, say it help her pee.’
‘Gross,’ said Pria disappearing back behind the shelf.
‘I tell her to use butt plug to help with constipation!’ smiled Samina as Finlay tried not to laugh and walked up the stairs back to the office.
He stopped for a moment, looking over his shoulder at the people downstairs and the happiness they generated. Even though they knew he wanted to close it down, they still made him feel welcome.
Finlay knew the place had become his lifeline, and even though he was going to cut it off, it was one of the only things keeping him going, as he tried to figure out what to do with the rest of his life.
The other thing was Sylvie.
The party was taking place on a boat by Embankment and Sylvie arranged to meet Finlay outside the station. She was running ten minutes late mainly
because Toby needed a blow by blow instruction on how to operate the oven, as Daisy just tutted in annoyance that he couldn’t figure it out.
As she arrived, she noticed he had his coat turned up at the collar and was standing at the corner, reading something on his phone. Sylvie smiled, feeling her heart skip a little beat as she walked over.
‘You’re late,’ he said not looking up.
‘Toby texted you to say I would be and so did I,’ she smiled. As he looked at her, he grinned. ‘I made him shepherd’s pie for his dinner and bought a case of that fizzy lager he says is beer.’
‘What are you wearing? I can see some legs not covered in trousers.’
‘Wait and see,’ she replied and grabbed his arm as they walked towards the venue.
‘Two hours and then we’re getting a cab home.’
‘I have to be back at eleven because, even though I have a baby sitter, he’ll only fall asleep on the sofa and cover it and himself with lager.’
‘Can I come back with you?’
‘No,’ she said knowing that was one of the rules as he shrugged. ‘I don’t want to explain you to Daisy. It’s too confusing for me let alone an eight year old.’
‘My little brother can stay the night but I can’t, is that it?’ he said pushing out his bottom lip.
‘Why don’t we go round to your mother’s house and start banging there to see what Piers and Alice have to say?’ She smiled as he grimaced. ‘That should confuse matters even more than they do now. Get my point.’
‘Point taken. I’m not using you, if that’s what you think. You could be using me.’
Sylvie stopped and turned him so she could look up into his eyes for a moment.
‘We need each other, right now. That’s what’s most important and I like you. Also this time of year makes you feel like shit if you’re single.’
‘Good to know I’m coming in useful,’ he said as they looked at each other for a moment. ‘And no kissing or touching as it will only get back to the others.’
‘You’re learning fast,’ she said as they walked to the boat before realising who was in the queue before mumbling. ‘Oh shit!’
‘Hi there!’ Stephen said and Sylvie noticed Emilie was standing next to him. ‘You never guess what happened?’
‘I could hazard,’ Finlay replied as Sylvie noticed his girlfriend flash an evil glare towards her.
Sylvie smiled.
‘After you left, I realised I had the invitation, just I forgot about it. I said we were coming but as you were going with Sylvie I thought I’d bring Emilie. That’s alright isn’t it?’ Stephen asked sheepishly.
Sylvie realised he wanted to make her jealous but she was relieved his hawkeyed woman would keep him in check.
‘That’s wonderful,’ grinned Sylvie. ‘I need to stay with Finlay to introduce him to some people but you enjoy yourself.’
‘You can stand with us,’ he said eagerly.
‘I don’t like to push in. We’ll queue,’ she replied and dragged Finlay to the back of the line. ‘An hour, we’re staying for an hour.’
‘Never in my life would I have thought I’d be grateful for seeing Stephen Seas,’ he whispered into her ear. ‘Never!’
Once inside, coats handed over and glasses of champagne shoved into their palms, they walked around and eventually looked at the view towards Big Ben. Sylvie knew from the corner of her eye Stephen was following them but then realised Finlay was looking at her.
‘Very beautiful, Sylvie,’ he said and she laughed. ‘You don’t believe me but from where I’m standing, you’re stunning.’
‘That’s because I’m shorter than you and I bet you can see down my dress!’ Sylvie said, seeing he thinking hard before nodding. She sighed. ‘I used to be scared of Big Ben when I was a child. My dad used to drive past it at night after we visited various relatives in Stoke Newington and I’d just cover my eyes. It was much dirtier then but it would be scary for me, now I love the place.’
‘Scared of cock.’
‘You meant clock, didn’t you?’ she whispered. ‘And you know that’s not true.’
‘We leave in half an hour,’ he whispered stroking her arm. ‘Come back to mine.’
‘Sylvie!’ someone shouted and she noticed Andy was walking towards them looking very smart in a suit. ‘I thought it was you. You look gorgeous!’
‘She scrubs up well,’ Finlay said dead pan and Sylvie noticed he had his false smile on.
‘Thank you! And you don’t look too bad yourself,’ she said seeing Finlay flash an unimpressed glance. She noticed a waiter walking around with more champagne and grabbed two glasses, handing one to Finlay. ‘Great party!’
‘It’s only started,’ Andy replied and she realised he was smiling at her then looked at Finlay. ‘And great to see you again!’ He put his hand out as Finlay shook it. ‘I hope you enjoy it. We have a lot of fun!’
‘I bet you do!’ replied Finlay and Sylvie realised he really didn’t like Andy by the strained expression on his face.
‘I better mingle but I’ll catch you later,’ Andy said grabbing Sylvie’s hand and kissing it.
She watched him walk off into the throngs of people and noticed Finlay’s very sharp cheekbones seemed more prominent. He was sucking in his cheeks.
‘Why don’t you like him?’ she asked as Finlay smiled.
‘I’m hungry,’ he replied and walked off as she wanted to laugh knowing he was jealous.
Sylvie wandered around the deck, meeting a few people she knew and trying to avoid the ones who had overloaded on the free booze in the first half hour.
Then she saw Stephen walk towards her, so she quickly darted to head off in the opposite direction before seeing Finlay talking to a few people by the bar. He waved to beckon her over as she moved closer.
‘These are friends of mine,’ he said cheerfully as she smiled at the other posh boys. ‘Max and Frank.’
‘Hi,’ she said.
‘This woman is one of the shareholders of a company we own.’
‘Partially own,’ she added as he flashed her a cheeky grin.
‘Where’s your lovely wife? Not here?’ Max asked, towering over them all with his rugby like physique. ‘She was a beauty!’
‘And still is!’ smiled Finlay and Sylvie felt a little stab in her gut but ignored it.
‘She’s not joining you?’ asked the smaller dark haired man, giving Sylvie a suspicious glance.
‘She’s back home at the moment,’ he replied and Sylvie could see Finlay looked uneasy.
‘But you’re heading home for Christmas? I’d love to spend it in the South of France instead of stuck in Hampshire with the in laws,’ he laughed out loudly, then Sylvie realised the smaller one was staring at her.
She smiled at him before realising who he was.
‘Don’t I know you?’ he asked gently. ‘I do but I can’t remember.’
‘Oh come on Frank, that’s a shit chat up line if ever I heard it and you’re engaged,’ Max said, guffawing with laughter as Finlay looked at Frank and then Sylvie.
‘How would you know Sylvie?’ Finlay asked and she felt her cheeks get hot.
‘Fin!’ a woman shouted out loudly. ‘Finlay!’
‘You seem to know everyone!’ smiled Sylvie as she realised the penny had dropped with Frank, as his mouth dropped open. ‘Oh, isn’t that your friend Krista!’
‘What?’ Finlay replied and Sylvie knew he’d slept with the woman. ‘Oh shit.’
‘Shit indeed you are,’ Sylvie whispered.
‘Hello,’ the young woman said, as Max eyed her up and down, as did the rest of the men by the bar except Frank who now looked down at the ground. ‘How comes you’re here?’
‘Got an invite,’ he replied sheepishly. ‘You remember Sylvie, don’t you? Krista was most put out you never made contact regarding her cleaning job. I had to put her straight.’
‘I bet you did,’ she replied, seeing the woman was looking like a mistreated animal when gazing lovin
gly at Finlay.
Sylvie took the opportunity to get her glass refilled and walked off knowing she didn’t want to talk to Frank in front of Finlay, when she heard the young woman say,
‘Why didn’t you call me?’
She walked to the other end of the boat and stood there thinking for a moment.
‘Sylvie,’ she heard him say and turned to see Frank looking at her, his face saddened. ‘It is, isn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ she replied as the man stood next to her and Sylvie forced a smile. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t say anything back there. I don’t want to talk about it in front of Finlay.’
‘The last time I saw you, was at the funeral,’ he said, gulping and she remembered he had been kind to her on that day, though she had met him several times before.
‘How’ve you been?’
‘It’s not the same without him. Every time 27th August comes round I remember what happened. I’ve still got the scars where I was knocked down. Always wonder why it wasn’t me who was killed.’
The tears had sprung to her eyes and she wasn’t quick enough to blink them back as they fell down her cheeks.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said quietly. ‘I’ll go and-.’
‘No, don’t go,’ she said, putting her hand out. ‘I don’t keep in touch with any of his friends. It’s still hard.’
‘They do the fundraising every spring you know, the school ball. Every year we hear you turn it down. I know why, Freya and all that nonsense. He’d have been so hurt to find out what she did.’
‘She was in pain and let rip at me.’ Sylvie quickly wiped her tears away. ‘How do you know Finlay?’
‘The same way I know Roo. We all went to the same school.’ Sylvie’s mouth dropped open in shock. ‘Didn’t you know?’ Frank double blinked. ‘And he doesn’t know you’re Rupert Harvey’s wife?’
‘Widow,’ she said quietly, feeling sick. ‘Rupert Harvey’s widow.’
Twenty minutes he’d lost Sylvie and found her talking to Andy Simmonds with Stephen hovering around. Finlay noticed his disheartened girlfriend standing by the side.