Cupidity

by Lucinda Lamont

  David was grinning from ear to ear and she believed everything he said. He was one of life’s gentle souls. She knew he meant the things he had just said.

  ‘I wish you didn’t have to go back in there. I wish you were staying with me and I wish I was holding you until you fell asleep in my arms.’

  They both embraced each other tightly and then kissed each other goodnight. David got out of the car and walked around to let Martha out.

  She stood up and he kissed her again.

  ‘And another thing, Martha Henderson, you were incredible tonight,’ he whispered into her ear.

  He walked her to the door and Mae opened it, making it clear she had been waiting on the other side.

  ‘David, darling. How are you?’ Mae was looking at them both and then eyed Martha up and down.

  ‘I’m very well, thank you, Mae, in fact I’m grand. I’ll let Martha fill you in on the details. Goodnight ladies.’

  He kissed Martha on the cheek one more time while holding her hand. He started to walk back still holding her hand for as long as they could reach until their touch finally separated but never taking their eyes off each other.

  The two women stepped inside and closed the door with David waving them off. He stood on the pavement for a moment taking it all in. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. She was the most beautiful and perfect woman he had ever known. He was on cloud nine.

  He looked up to the sky. It was a bright night and there were lots of stars out.

  ‘A beautiful night for a beautiful woman. Thank you, God,’ he said quietly to himself.

  Then he noticed Peter in the window upstairs. David gave a coy wave, embarrassed that he had been caught in cloud cuckoo land. Peter looked at him and closed the curtain without giving a wave back. David thought it was a bit strange, but no one could dampen his mood right now. He opened the car door and joyfully got in, still shaking his head in disbelief at how his life was shaping up.

  He started up the engine and drove off with Peter watching him through the net curtains the whole time.

  ‘So, come on. Tell me. You did, didn’t you? I can tell. Look at you; you’re glowing. How was it?’

  Mae finally sat down after almost jigging about in the kitchen. The women took their usual seats at the table and Mae got some brandy out. Martha swirled it around in her glass watching it, almost in a daze, but smiling the whole time. She dipped her finger in and tasted it. She then ran her finger around the edge of the glass, still with a grin and thinking back over the last couple of hours.

  She looked up at Mae.

  ‘Well, it or should I say he, was…’

  ‘He was what? What have I missed?’ A disgruntled Peter had entered the room.

  Martha’s heart sank slightly. She didn’t want to talk about this with him. She had felt wonderful a moment ago, but she knew he would make it awkward. She was beginning to see him for the complete arsehole that he was. She had had a wonderful evening with David and she was not about to let him spoil it.

  If he hadn’t been there, she would have told Mae the details, and so she decided not to let him spoil it for them both.

  ‘He was incredible’ she said, holding Peter’s stare.

  ‘So, you did it then?’ Mae squealed, but waiting for more, she was hanging on, begging for Martha to give her more detail.

  ‘Yes, we did it’ said Martha, oozing with confidence.

  Peter didn’t have a hold on her anymore and she had now found someone who genuinely cared for her and she did him. She had the whole room in her hand with her audience feeding very different emotions into the mix.

  She knocked back the brandy and poured another one. She was completely calm. Mae quickly gulped hers to keep up. Peter looked at her with sheer disgust.

  ‘I see. Drink like a man, fuck like a man.’

  ‘Peter, what in heaven’s sake has gotten into you?’ Mae scowled.

  He didn’t retaliate. He just sat there swirling his drink around slowly as Martha had done moments before.

  ‘I don’t care, Mae. No one can take away from me how I feel right now. I feel just wonderful. They were all lovely. I met his mother, father and brother and they were all so kind and just so lovely. We had a fantastic meal that David had cooked himself and then they left us to it.’

  Mae was staring at her like a child being read a scary story, desperate to find out what happened next.

  ‘And?’ she begged.

  ‘And we went to his room and well, you know, we made love. Oh Mae, he was incredible. I can’t ever remember feeling like that. But, it isn’t just what we did, it’s all of it. The way he makes me feel. I want more. I feel so relaxed and comfortable with him. I never thought I would feel this way again, but he somehow makes me feel complete. I feel like I’ve always known him.’

  Her face was beaming with a huge smile and she had chosen her words deliberately to aggravate Peter, but why? Why did she care what Peter thought, she questioned herself.

  ‘Well Martha, it would seem that you are in love. My work here is done.’

  Mae had decided the success was down to her, Martha realised.

  ‘And what about you, Peter,’ Martha said picking up his cigarette packet and helping herself. ‘I disgust you, do I? I’m done with playing by the rules. I know what I wanted and I took it, so what?’

  She lit the cigarette and a plume of smoke travelled up her face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. This new-found confidence of hers made him want her even more. The way her lips sealed around the tip of the cigarette made him imagine them around his penis.

  ‘Well?’ Martha broke his train of immoral thought.

  ‘Well, what? It’s your life Martha, you do what you want. Just don’t come crying to me when the village start referring to you as the local bike.’

  Chapter 12

  Martha came downstairs the next morning to find Mae sobbing at the table and Peter pacing the kitchen like a caged and hungry tiger.

  ‘What’s going on? What has happened?’ she asked completely confused and concerned.

  ‘Oh, Martha.’

  Mae put her head in her hands and let out a wail. Peter went over to her and rubbed her back and then began pacing again and smoking his cigarette with purpose.

  ‘Well?’ begged Martha. ‘What the hell has happened?’

  Mae sobbed and sobbed.

  ‘It’s that bastard mad man that’s on the loose,’ Peter said, while still pacing, looking as though he was ready to pounce at any moment.

  Martha looked at them both.

  ‘He has struck again. A woman from this village. A friend of Mae’s.’

  Martha gulped.

  ‘How bad is it?’ she said, already knowing the answer.

  ‘The sick son of a bitch raped and murdered her. She was found late last night in an alleyway. Just a few streets away from here. Apparently, the scene was pretty horrific.’

  Mae began to wail again.

  Martha let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. She was speechless. What was there to say in a situation like this?

  She pulled up a chair next to Mae and sat next to her and comforted her. Mae began to compose herself.

  ‘She was young. She was due to get married. It’s just awful,’ Mae sobbed.

  ‘How did you find out?’ Martha enquired, feeling as though she ought to say something but not knowing what.

  ‘One of the neighbours came to the door a couple of hours ago to let us know. I think the idea was to make us all vigilant. I’m calling a community meeting with the police this evening. Something needs to be done before someone else gets hurt. I’d like to find him myself… I’d really make him suffer.’

  Peter clenched his fists.

  ‘I don’t want you girls going out anywhere on your own, you hear me? This sick bastard is on the prowl in our neighbourhood and you need to be careful.’

  The two women nodded in unison.

  The morning passed and the house was moody. The event hung over them li
ke a dark cloud.

  Peter was the only one who sparked up a conversation from time to time, but that was mainly to break the silence. They didn’t feel as though they could enjoy themselves. They didn’t feel as though they could eat. They couldn’t do anything knowing the pain and suffering that young girl’s family was going through just a few streets away.

  It was at times like this having young children in the house was a blessing.

  All the adults acted as if nothing had happened, in front of the boys. They didn’t want them to be worried and ultimately, they were not at risk. Having them there gave them all something to focus on. Martha wanted to see David but didn’t feel as though she could say that. She felt guilty and selfish for thinking of him on a day like this but if anything, she just wanted to be in his arms and feel safe. After Peter’s reaction last night, she knew if she dared mention his name today he would most likely rip chunks off her.

  No, she wouldn’t say a thing. She would just think about him quietly in her private mind. The silence was broken with a loud knock at the front door. The three adults looked at each other, and the visitor knocked again.

  ‘Alright, alright.’ said Peter, getting up to answer it.

  Martha and Mae looked at each other wondering what on earth it could be now, begging for it not to be more bad news. Peter opened the door to find an unsettled David on the other side.

  ‘Is she here? Is she ok? Can I see her?’

  Peter didn’t say anything, he just opened the door wider and let his love rival in. David went bounding into the kitchen and the relief was evident on his face when he saw Martha. At that moment, she saw how much he cared for her.

  She stood up to greet him and the two embraced tightly. David inhaled Martha’s scent and held her close to him.

  ‘Oh, God, I’m glad you are ok. I was so worried about you.’

  Peter’s face turned crimson.

  ‘What were you worried about ,you fool. You knew Martha was fine. It was the Smith’s girl a couple of streets back, you imbecile.’

  Mae began to cry again. David look confused. Martha felt incredibly awkward.

  ‘I know who it was Peter, but I was just worried about my girl. It’s a horrible thing and I didn’t like to think of her being upset on her own. That’s all.’

  Martha’s heart melted. She couldn’t believe how sweet he was, but she knew that would rile Peter even more.

  ‘Your girl? For heaven’s sakes.’ scoffed Peter. ‘She’s not on her own; she’s here with us. Her friends. Christ, we're her family.’

  David looked disgruntled but was far too polite to say how he really felt to Peter. He hated the way Peter spoke to him. He looked down on him and he knew it. David would give anyone the time of day, but not Peter. No, you had to be a particular breed to get Peter’s respect. If you had less wealth than him, he didn’t want to know you, and if you had more wealth than him he wanted to be your best friend.

  ‘Well I am glad she has you all to care for her and I can only hope there is little room left for me to care for her as well’ said David, placing his arm around her shoulder.

  Martha took his hand and looked up at him and smiled. The more time she spent with him, the more she was learning that he just didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

  ‘Shall I make us all some tea?’ she said looking around the room.

  Mae nodded, seemingly unable to speak yet. Martha stood up, patted down her skirt and began to move about the kitchen.

  The men stayed silent.

  As Martha pottered around, she kept trying to take a glance at the room and see who was doing what. Peter was stood with his back against the side, casually puffing on a cigarette. He was so confident. Sometimes she thought he was a total arse, but still, at times, she was drawn to him. Mae was staring into space, her face drained and paled from all the upset this morning. David was fidgeting about. He had both hands in his pockets; she caught his stare and he gave her a sheepish smile which she returned. The only thing breaking the silence was the whistle of the kettle on the stove and the faint giggling of the boys playing in the back garden.

  Martha poured everyone a cup of tea and sat down. She wished that making tea took longer as it gave her something to do for a moment, and now they were all sitting around awkwardly again.

  ‘We’re holding a community meeting tonight, David. Well, the men of the community are, with the police, to try and get this psycho caught and locked up. Did you want to come seeing as you fancy yourself as a local hero here to our beloved Martha?’ Peter said smirking. He was so full of himself at times and most of the time, it was only he that found himself funny.

  Martha tutted and scowled at Peter.

  ‘Actually, I was hoping that Martha might come and stay with me tonight.’

  David looked at her with desperate eyes hoping she would accept.

  ‘I… well… um…’ Martha stuttered. She felt like she was a girl again and had to seek permission to do her own thing.

  Mae finally spoke up.

  ‘I think you should. Willy will be fine here. Today can’t get any worse, go and be with David. It will help take your mind off things.’

  The room fell silent for a moment.

  ‘Actually, I thought Willy could come with us. I can make him up a bed and he has to meet my family at some point.’

  David waited again, hoping she would agree. Martha’s heart was racing. She could feel Peter’s stare burning into her.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know; it does sound lovely. I wouldn’t want to put your family out’ she said, unable to take control of the situation.

  Her mind was racing, knowing she had to decide, but whatever her decision was someone was going to be upset. Go with David and know that Peter wouldn’t be happy, or stay at home and crush David’s kind-hearted spirit. She looked around the room trying to find the answer in someone’s face, anyone’s face.

  Mae looked as if she had lost the will to live. Peter pretended not to look like he cared but it was clear that he did. David looked like a hungry little puppy desperate for his next meal.

  Martha let out a sigh, and with an awkward smile said, ‘Ok why not. I guess I can’t do anything here. Mae, you will be ok, won’t you? Peter will take care of you.’

  She looked to Mae for confirmation that she was doing the right thing.

  Mae took her hand.

  ‘Darling, go. It will do you good. I will be fine. I will probably be in bed by seven. I feel drained and exhausted.’

  Peter put out his cigarette and looked like he was hatching a plan. ‘Actually, tonight is not a good night for you to stay out. As I have already explained, the men of the village are having a meeting with the police. If you stay out, that means Mae will be on her own and I can’t have that. You will have to pick up your romantic love affair another time,’ he said victoriously.

  David looked as though the wind had been knocked out of his sails.

  ‘I didn’t think of that, actually,’ said Mae, in a voice that was oddly quiet for her.

  Martha hadn’t seen her so downbeat before and realised she really ought to be there with her friend, despite wanting to be as far away from the house as possible. She wished David would whisk her off her feet and take her away now and out of Peter’s claws.

  She was beginning to realise that Peter was not going to make it easy for her and David. She realised she liked David. She knew he was safe. She knew he was sweet. She could already tell he was going to adore her for as long as she would let him.

  But then there was Peter. Sometimes she felt like she could hate him, but at other times she felt drawn in by his arrogance. He was handsome. He was confident. He was manly but a different type of man to David. He wasn’t an engine oil and workshop grease kind of man. He was arrogant, educated and a captivating man. She couldn’t figure her feelings for him out. She thought he was an awful person at times, but shamefully, she fantasised about him taking her.

  She knew instinctively that he would be good. Sh
e knew with the two of them it would be passionate. She knew it would be hard and just the right amount of rough. She also knew that once he had her, the light he burned for her would probably go out. She was just a target for him. She was the match that lit the candle. The match that brought the candle to light and once he had his way she would be thrown in the bin.

  Disposed of, not to be used again.

  At times, she thought she could handle being the match just to see how bright the flame would burn with him. In the right conditions, the flame could burn for a very long time heating up the wax and slowly melting the once mighty and erect candle.

  She didn’t think of David in the same way.

  David was more of a light bulb. Reliable. There whenever she needed him. Ask for it, flick the switch, and there he would be.

  Not like Peter.

  Unreliable.

  Not able to provide much apart from a desire to have something different. The candle and the bulb. Two very different men. She knew what the right choice was. The sensible choice, but if only sensible had a bit more passion.

  ‘Ok, so why don’t I stay here tonight with you, Mae and then Willy and I will come over to yours for the weekend, David? It’s Thursday now. Why don’t you pick us up on Saturday morning and we can have the weekend together, and your family can get to know the two of us?’

  David smiled. He was disappointed he would have to wait to have some time with Martha again, but he was happy that she had agreed to come and stay. He was fidgeting on the spot because he was happy but didn’t want to show it too much, not in front of Peter at least.

  ‘Good, then we are agreed,’ said Martha with a surge of relief. ‘Shall I do us some lunch? I know you won’t feel like much, Mae, but you should have something? I could do us some soup. I think we have some tins in the larder. There should be enough for all of us.’

  Martha realised that she was only comfortable with Peter if she was busy these days.

  ‘I’m just going to freshen up and then I’ll be back down. Just give me five minutes.’

  She smiled at the three very different faces, Peter looking agitated, Mae looking distraught and David looking like a teenage schoolboy on his way to the prom. She made her way up to the bathroom.