by Yirak, Laura
“Yes, hello. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, why?” he said obviously mad.
“Well I have received complaints from the other guests about noise.”
He frowned at her. “We’re fine. Now leave us in peace, we want our privacy.” He slammed the door in Judy’s face.
“Well!” Judy said as she left, placing her hands on her hips.
Luckily enough the couple settled down for the night and no one else complained. Judy sat at the front desk, feeling tired. She yawned, stretched and decided to pull out her book that she had brought with her. It was a love story between a prince and his newly acquired princess, after a long debate about their feelings for each other, they were about to kiss. Judy in the moment jumped out of her skin when she heard a crashing sound coming from the kitchen.
“Can’t a woman have peace?” she said out loud.
She got up on the tips of her toes and peeked in through the circle of glass on the kitchen door. There was a dark haired young man with his back to her cuddling what looked like Claire. Judy watched intently. The dark haired man took his hand and ran it up Claire’s white thigh, lifting up her tartan pleated skirt a little. In shock, Judy lost her balance and the door swung open. Judy landed face down on the floor and the young couple jumped apart.
“Oh my god! Judy are you all right?” A red faced Claire helped Judy to her feet.
“Yes, yes.” Judy wanted to die and quickly ran back out of the kitchen.
“Who was that?” Claire’s boyfriend asked.
“The new lady. For Christ’s sake! I’m going to get in trouble for this one.” Claire said. “Liam you need to go.”
“But I just got here,” Liam said.
“No, but you have to, please don’t argue with me.” Claire picked up the dirty mixing bowl that they had knocked onto the floor earlier.
“How about I just wait outside for you? I want to take you home Claire.”
“Okay then, but be quiet and stay in your car. I’ve got a few more dishes to wash.”
Liam grabbed Claire again and pulled her in for a quick kiss. She tried to push him off but he got his way and then left her with a seductive smile.
“You! Out!” Claire pointed towards the back kitchen door and he finally did as she asked.
Worries swarmed over her. What if Judy told on her? Why did she always have to screw up somehow? Liam had had a bad influence on her the last few months, but he was so irresistible. It was worth it. Claire tried to convince herself as she scrubbed the big soup pot while splashing dirty water all over the front of her blouse. She grabbed a towel and padded herself dry and then dried the pot.
“There! Finished!” Claire said.
The direction Liam had taken earlier seemed appealing to Claire at that moment but decided not to be a coward. She left out the front and said good night to Judy.
“Goodnight!” Judy said trying not to make eye contact.
“I will see you tomorrow,” Claire said.
Judy did not respond and resumed reading her book. Claire took the hint and found Liam out front. She got in to his car and they both started laughing.
Tini’s was getting a bit too crowded and the original group of three which was now four decided to go somewhere quieter. That and Alesta wanted to keep an eye out for Ro. Maybe he was still down town. The night so far had been a strange one for Alesta, but she was having a good time she decided. Patrick was keeping his distance after his confession earlier and Monica was seemingly attached to her new friend.
The group wandered the streets, taking in the lights, the noise, and the action. It began to rain slightly and they decided to duck into the nearest pub. The Clyde was old and suitable for those wanting to just sit and have an enjoyable pint. The crowd was mixed with the young and the old lounging around worn heavy wooden tables, smoking the odd cigarette in the dark and waiting for the next one to get up and sing karaoke.
“I love karaoke!” Monica chimed in. “Oh I want to go next.”
Before even taking a seat she ran up to get in line to sing. Patrick picked a table in the middle of the room to watch. The rest of them followed him and they sat down.
“Is she always this spontaneous?” Thomas asked.
“Yes!” Alesta smiled at the innocent Thomas.
“Well I need a pint. I have a feeling she’ll pull me up there with her and I’m not a good singer.” Thomas headed towards the bar.
“So are you going to sing?” Alesta looked at Patrick.
“Don’t be daft,” Patrick said.
“Oh come on Patrick.” Alesta winked at him.
“Yeah, I’ve had quite a few but not enough to get me up there,” he said.
“I’m going to,” Alesta said.
“Then I’ll watch,” he said.
“I bet.” Alesta looked at him and he looked back.
“Don’t worry about earlier Patrick,” Alesta said.
“I don’t intend to,” he said. “Alesta forget I said it. You’re right, you are my boss. I didn’t mean to tell you, it just came out.”
“Oh Patrick, you’re my good friend.” Alesta placed her hand on his. “I want you to know that. You are so much more than just….. I trust you.”
Patrick said nothing and just watched her deep blue eyes. Whatever it was he was lost in the vast ocean that was Alesta. He was beginning to feel better about the whole thing and told her that he had not intended to say anything but ultimately needed to and felt relieved for it. Patrick knew he would always care for her; it was not something that he could just ignore, though he had tried. The first time he laid eyes upon her, it was like his heart opened up. He would always be devoted to her he thought, even if he could not have her. Just to be in her presence was enough for him. The pain, he tucked away into a deep place, supposedly forgotten, but always lurking. The situation was bearable. Patrick observed her as she scanned the crowd; she was so elegant he thought, he just wanted to know more about this mysterious woman. There was a clunk in front of him. Patrick’s thoughts were interrupted with another double rum and coke.
“Thanks,” Patrick said. “You didn’t have to.”
“Ah! Drink up! We’re all in for it,” Thomas said.
“Yes we are,” Alesta said as Monica took the microphone.
She picked a popular rock song and posed. The notes belted out and not always in tune, but it didn’t matter to anyone in the crowd. It was just good fun and laughs. Monica was having a great time and loved every minute of the attention. In the middle of the song she walked quickly up to Thomas and pulled him up on the small stage with her.
“Here we go!” Thomas said as he was leaving. Patrick and Alesta looked at each other and smiled.
The crowd started clapping along and some even joined in. The singing echoed through the pub and all were merry, sipping their pints and enjoying the scene. Alesta decided to get in the karaoke line. A few more to go and it would be her turn. Monica finished up with the crowd cheering and hauled Thomas back to the table with her.
“Thomas I need a drink,” Monica whispered out of breath. “You decide!” she pointed and Thomas did as he was told.
“Well Patrick, having fun?” Monica asked.
“Yes, I am, good choice of songs,” he responded.
“What do you think of Thomas?” she asked unassumingly.
“Good chap,” Patrick said watching Alesta wait in line. She was watching the two of them talking. Unknown to him though she could hear their every word.
There was a long moment of silence between the two of them, till Monica got up the courage, “Is that it Patrick? You’re not going to say anything about our kiss?”
“There is nothing to say,” Patrick said without looking at her.
“Jesus Patrick, you’re like the bloody ice king. I can’t believe you. You really have nothing to say to me.” Monica began to raise her voice.
“You’re just drunk Monica, quieter please.”
“I will not!” Monica sto
od up, but sat back down because she was dizzy. “You are a Bastard!”
“Monica try and relax, there.” Patrick put his hand on hers.
“You...... You can’t do this to me.” Monica pulled her hand away and got up. She grabbed her purse and made her way to the ladies room, trying to hold back the tears.
“Red heads,” Patrick said under his breath as Thomas brought Monica a martini.
“Where did she go?” Thomas asked with his big blue eyes.
“The ladies room, I think,” Patrick said as if nothing had happened and looked up to see his beauty on the stage.
It was finally Alesta’s turn to sing. She clasped the microphone between her long white fingers and began. It was a soft romantic song. Her soft voice carried through the air and captured her audience while relaying the simple notes. Everyone in the room stopped to watch those red enchanting lips. After a minute they did not even notice the song, but just her bright red lips beckoning to them. Patrick sat completely taken in by her. He was madly in love for the first time. The realization slammed him for he had never felt this way about any woman. His strong and young heart slowed to the beat of the song and nothing else filled his mind but her.
Alesta knew she had the small cozy crowd and if she wanted could have commanded them to do any little thing she asked. Hunger crept up into her empty belly. It was time to feed, but who? She pointed to a young woman sitting at the nearest table to the stage and directed her to come curling her long finger. The short, thin brunette slowly walked up to the stage. Alesta put her hand out to her and the young woman took it. All became quiet as they watched and wished it was them that Alesta had called.
The song stopped for a moment but the music continued. Alesta drew the girl in close and opened up her collar a little. The girl was completely fearless, her doe eyes looking into Alesta’s. Alesta placed her lips upon the girl’s lower neck and sunk her fangs in lightly. The girl buckled, every muscle in her body becoming completely limp. The vampire held her as if she was weightless. To the audience it looked like a soft kiss, but Alesta was feasting, feasting on hot metallic blood. She drank quickly and cleanly without spilling a single drop. It was enough to last her the whole night, but not too much to make it noticeable afterward to her victim. Alesta let her go delicately and sent her back to her seat. The vampire looked out to the wanting audience and smiled.
“Do not remember this!” Alesta commanded and clicked her fingers.
As if nothing had happened Alesta continued with the song and the noise of a busy pub continued as well. The scene would only be remembered in scattered dreams. Loud applause broke as her last note fell.
Judy was in two minds about the drama in the kitchen. She was completely and utterly embarrassed for the fall and annoyed at Claire. Judy sat there and rubbed her sore knees. She was too old to be having falls and such. The clock on the computer showed two thirty. Judy was so tired and decided to go up to her room and lie down. There was after all a phone in her room if the guests needed anything. She crept up the stairs slowly trying not to make a single peep, but the old stairs were relentless and creaked anyways.
It was all quiet on the second floor, not even the occupants of the Gold room gave off any obnoxious sounds as she was expecting. She unlocked her door to see a set of topaz eyes reflecting out at her in the dark. Fear caused her to stay very still. There was a blink and then a friendly meow. Judy jumped at the sound but knew it wasn’t anything horrible.
“Kitty! Oh! How did you get in here? You scared me half to death.”
“Meow!” Mitsy said and jumped off the bed and rubbed against Judy’s legs.
“I guess we’ll keep each other company. Everyone has gone to sleep except for the two of us and your mummy isn’t home yet. They all went out for the night. I have had quite the day, my kitty. But it’s only the first and it will get better from here on out, won’t it? ” Judy said uncertainly while flipping on the light switch. She sat down on the firm bed and patted the bed covers looking at the cat. “Up!”
Mitsy paused defiantly for a minute but decided to follow her lead. They lay on the bed together and cuddled up. Judy always liked cats, but wasn’t allowed pets in the flat. She decided to close her eyes for just a while. Mitsy snuggled into Judy’s side and they both nodded off.
The dream came on quickly. Judy was down by the quiet loch searching for something or someone; it was unknown to her. Suddenly there was a young man standing with his back to her. A need to touch him came over her, but she waited. The weather changed as he appeared. The water was rough like a storm and dark grey clouds swirled above like a tornado without a funnel. She inched closer and closer to him, but he was unaware of her presence. He had very dark hair, almost black but not quite. It was silky smooth, but didn’t move in the erratic wind. Judy wanted to touch it, to touch him, but a niggling fear held her back. She reached out anyways. It was as if emptiness hovered around him in a field. She pulled her hand back quickly and as she did he turned to face her with closed eyes. They opened up with two black evil orbs staring out at nothing.
Judy screamed, and tried to run, but she was stuck, her legs would not move. The young man inched closer and closer to her, the black orbs fixated on her. He reached his hands out and clasped them around her face. The icy hands pulled them closer and closer together and he pulled her into to his face till all she could see was black pure evil. Terror silenced her and he whispered very quietly, “I am Ian.”
Judy woke up gasping. “Ian? Who’s Ian?”
Mitsy jumped off the bed complaining.
“I’m sorry kitty, maybe you should go,” Judy said opening the door to let Mitsy out.
Mitsy ran off and Judy went into her bathroom to get a drink of water. She gulped it down quickly and returned to her bed covered in a light sweat. This time she decided to continue reading her book. She would sleep more soundly anyways once they all returned from their night out. She opened it up and continued to read about her Prince and Princess.
The shots of rum left Patrick feeling wonderfully relaxed. He almost wanted to go home and get to his bed. Monica leaned back with her Thomas and Alesta sat looking very rosy.
“Should we go home?” Patrick asked without particularly caring.
“We haven’t been here that long,” Monica said.
Thomas nodded in agreement, “A few more pints mate, and then we go.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind, whatever you all want, I’m up all night anyways,” Alesta said.
Thomas gave Alesta a funny look.
“I work nightshift and then the Manor,” Alesta explained.
“Oh yeah, that’s right, Monica mentioned that you two work together. I’ve heard about the Manor. It has quite the reputation,” Thomas said.
“Really! What have you heard? I’m always curious,” Alesta asked.
“Nothing but good things, don’t worry there,” Thomas said, and then downed some more beer. The glass slammed heavily on the table top; he also had rosy cheeks.
“Good to hear, you’ll have to come and stay a weekend,” Alesta smiled as if to entice.
Thomas raised his eyebrows, “Sure, I will, when is a good time?”
“Now, anytime really, it’s starting to pick up now that the weather is better,” Patrick interrupted. “Just give us a call.”
Alesta nodded and pulled her business card out of her bright blue metallic purse that just happened to perfectly match her shirt. Thomas took the card and slipped it into his wallet.
“Nice card, simple, here’s mine.” Thomas passed one to Alesta. “You know, if you have any pets.”
“I do. A cat,” Alesta said.
“I do cats, dogs, any animal,” Thomas said and then put his hand on his forehead realizing how that sounded.
“I bet you bloody do,” Monica laughed.
“Ha!” Thomas laughed and drank the rest of his pint.
Alesta decided it was time for a restroom break and excused herself.
“Does anyone wa
nt anything else while I’m up?” she asked.
“Nope,” they said.
The bathroom was cramped and Alesta waited her turn. There was a bad stale smell, the kind of smell that made you want to hold it in. She looked up at the blurry mirrors and pulled her lipstick out of her purse to touch up. On the way back to the table she was stopped by a rather strong arm.
“Beautiful song hen,” a scruffy voice said behind Alesta.
She turned around, “Are you speaking to me?” Alesta asked, pulling her arm away.
“Yea, I am,” the voice said charged.
“I’d say thanks, but…” Alesta was interrupted.
“Ye look like the type who wants tae have a good time,” the drunk burly man said.
“Is that so?” Alesta yanked away again.
“Ach, yir a wee darlin!” the man said trying to pull her into him. The smell of alcohol followed on his breath.
“What’s going on here?” An angry Patrick stood watching. “Let her go!”
“Whit’s it tae you?” the man said holding Alesta.
“Now, Now! Take this outside!” The bar tender yelled and pointed.
Alesta had a bad feeling. “Let me go!” she said, in a fake, fearful voice.
“I just want tae talk tae ye,” the burly man said. He looked like he had not shaved in weeks and had been drinking just as long.
“Right mate, that’s enough.” Patrick took Alesta’s hand and began to lead her way.
The burly man would not have it and chucked his glass full of beer towards Patrick, but missed. It crashed as it shattered all over the floor. People moved away towards the wall. Patrick turned around to a swinging hairy fist and just barely got out of the way for it to hit his shoulder. Alesta was pushed against the bar as Patrick lost his balance. Patrick was drunk and not very prepared for a full out brawl.
“Am callin the polis, if ye canny take this ootside!” The bartender yelled.
But it was too late for that, the noise of the room suddenly escalated as people began yelling for the fight. Patrick swung hard and hit the man square on the nose. The man, though drunk, didn’t fall over and lunged forward to grab Patrick by the collar. They rolled to the floor with the burly man on top showing his sweaty white undershirt. He managed to sock Patrick on the cheek, but Patrick quickly threw him to the side. Patrick stood up and kicked the man as he lay there.