Take a Look At Me Now

by Anita Notaro

  He watched the door until his wife reappeared and was disappointed to see her come back alone.

  ‘Nice girl and her organizational skills are very impressive. Did you know she’s catered for the Taoiseach?’

  ‘Darling, I’ve only met her twice, I think. I just happened to have her number handy when you mentioned our dilemma, that’s all.’ The last thing William wanted was his wife becoming friendly with his soon-to-be mistress. ‘Now, let’s dance.’ He didn’t want to, but he didn’t want to talk either. What William really wanted was to rush out the door and see if Lily was still around.

  For the first time in years he didn’t get his usual buzz from comparing cars and holidays and finding out what the next big thing was, just so he could decide if it was worth getting before everyone else he knew. Much to his annoyance, he found himself comparing all the women here tonight with Lily, who’d looked chic and understated and very sexy with her cute hairstyle.

  It was two o’clock before the last of the guests left. Beth was tipsy and he was well on.

  ‘Leave everything, that’s what we’re paying for,’ he commanded as his wife swanned about chatting to the staff.

  ‘Oh, you’re so bossy. I like it,’ she teased in response to his slight rebuke. ‘Speaking of paying, did you fix them all up?’

  ‘I sorted it with Christy.’ He indicated the head barman they’d had for years. ‘Come on, let’s go to bed. Christy’ll look after it from here and lock up. He has my keys. He’ll drop them back in the morning and I’ll go through everything with him then. I gave him a blank cheque the other day to cover all expenses.’

  ‘Great, I approve.’ She linked her arm through his. ‘You looked gorgeous tonight, William. Everyone commented on it.’

  He was relieved that she seemed so relaxed. He’d been afraid she’d guessed something when she spotted him chatting to Lily. Beth was usually razor-sharp.

  ‘Really? Like who?’

  ‘Yes, really.’ She reached up and kissed him lightly. ‘Tom Arnold said you were getting younger-looking and Scott asked me how much time you spend in the gym.’

  William liked being envied. He could feel the stress beginning to leave his neck and shoulders. ‘Actually, let’s have one for the road. We can bring it upstairs with us.’

  ‘You wild and crazy thing.’ Beth laughed as they walked over to the bar. Christy was there before them and almost had their drinks poured as they arrived.

  ‘Thank you, Christy, that’s lovely, but only a half-glass.’ She smiled at the slightly bloated man on the other side of the counter. ‘I’ll have bubbles coming out of my ears,’ she giggled. ‘Oh and could I have a glass of water as well, please?’

  ‘Certainly. Ice and lemon?’

  ‘Not necessary,’ Beth told him. ‘It’s for when I wake up in the morning. I think I’m going to need it.’

  ‘Thanks.’ William accepted the tumbler of Scotch and took a mouthful.

  ‘Pleasure.’ Christy was all business.

  ‘Goodnight,’ his wife called to no one in particular and the remaining staff responded easily. Everyone liked Beth.

  ‘Oh, and Triona told me I’d better watch myself or I’d have trouble holding on to you.’ Beth was giggling again as she took off her clothes in their dressing room. ‘Anne Mason was all ears.’

  William liked Anne, one of their oldest friends. He played golf with her husband Trevor. ‘Well, that new suit I bought in Paris worked wonders so.’ William was used to people noticing him, but it never hurt to hear it.

  ‘Or maybe it was the hair?’ Beth made a face. William’s hairdresser had recently suggested he might consider having some colour put in. He’d made the mistake of asking Beth’s opinion and she’d been slagging him about it ever since.

  ‘I have not, repeat not, had my hair dyed.’ William laughed in spite of himself.

  ‘But you’re considering it. I keep catching you running your fingers through it in the morning when you’re shaving.’ Beth thought it was hilarious. ‘I know you’re checking for grey.’

  ‘Watch it, woman, or I’ll make you pay.’ William came up behind her and tapped her bottom with his suit hanger.

  ‘You wouldn’t dare.’ She turned to face him and he saw that she was wearing a white lace one-piece with a push-up bra as part of it. It had little pearl buttons all down the front and he reached over and pulled her to him, kissing her hard on the mouth. When he let her go her hair was tossed and her lips looked purple. He liked the sudden rush of power he got.

  ‘Watch me.’ He grabbed her arm and led her towards the bed in the other room. He sat down first and pulled her to him, in between his legs. Without looking at her he tore open her lacy body and exposed her breasts. He heard a slight gasp, so he reached up and bit her nipples. They were rock hard.

  The sex was raw and a new experience for Beth. He suspected that she enjoyed it because he’d never been quite that rough with her before. As for himself, he kept thinking of Triona wanting it so badly and the way Alison had always made him feel so powerful by being submissive, but mostly he enjoyed it because he imagined he was making love to Lily and she was teasing him about forcing her to turn up at his party, just so they could sneak off and have sex in his bed.

  ‘You owe me three hundred and fifty euro by the way.’ Beth was smiling broadly when he looked up from pouring himself some very strong coffee next morning.

  ‘Why, did he steal it?’ Harry asked, wolfing his Coco Pops.

  ‘Let’s just say he damaged something belonging to me.’ Beth kissed her son on the head and touched her daughter’s hair as she passed.

  ‘Although I’m sure he didn’t mean it, did you, darling?’ She was holding her cup out.

  ‘Of course not.’ He winked at her. Apart from the beginning of a nasty ache at the back of his head he was in great form.

  ‘Did Christy call?’ Beth wanted to know.

  ‘Yep, all sorted. They drank a lot of champagne, judging by the bill.’ He glanced at the paper on the table.

  ‘Daddy, you say that every year,’ Winnie gave out to him.

  ‘Well, this year I mean it. So no Christmas presents for anyone.’

  ‘Not even for your loving wife?’ Beth asked him above the howls of protest. ‘How about a weekend away? Didn’t you say you have to go to Paris in a couple of weeks?’ She sidled up to him. ‘We could ruin a lot more of my outfits,’ she whispered.

  William was just about to reply when a thought came to him, so his wife had to make do with a pat on the backside. He mulled it over as he finished his coffee. ‘Right, I’m off to shower. Then who’s for a walk and a lazy lunch?’

  ‘Me.’

  ‘Not me.’

  ‘Sorry, didn’t I say? You’ve no choice.’ He grinned at his children and headed upstairs. As he pottered about in the dressing room he made a decision. He was going to invite Lily to come to Paris with him. She could stay in a different hotel and he’d make it a good one. Maybe even the George V. He’d offer it as a way of cheering her up after all she’d been through. It gave him an excuse to ring her later, although he’d been going to anyway, to thank her for her help last night. He liked the idea of being seen out and about with her. He’d even buy her some clothes – pretty, trendy short skirts and high boots. He resolved to leave her a voice message later in the day once he’d done a bit of research on hotels on the net.

  William was so pleased with this idea that he decided to cancel his shower and make a quick visit to the gym first. He’d need to be in good shape for the trip.

  29

  DAVE AND MARIE

  DAVE WAS SEXUALLY frustrated and wanking wasn’t helping. He even tried doing it while watching some serious porn that would have horrified his wife – as far as he knew she’d never even glanced at the magazines he kept under his side of the mattress – and although it had offered some relief it wasn’t in the least bit satisfying.

  ‘What’s up?’ Marie asked over her shoulder as she sat watching Coronation St
reet while he made a lot of noise stacking the dishwasher.

  ‘Nothing.’ He clattered a few pots and noticed she looked a bit annoyed. He knew it was her favourite half-hour of the day when the Street was on. When it wasn’t, she tutted and fidgeted and couldn’t get comfortable. That she would even speak to him while there was a row going on in the Rovers suggested she’d really noticed he was off form.

  ‘Sorry, love, I’m just a bit fed up, that’s all.’ He patted her on the knee. ‘Will I make you a cup of tea?’

  ‘D’ya know, I’ll maybe have a Bacardi and Coke.’

  ‘Who do you think ye are, Deirdre Barlow?’ He indicated the screen. ‘Better increase the size of your specs, so.’

  She laughed. ‘Go on, spoil me.’ He shook his head and sauntered towards the kitchen. ‘And join me,’ she called after him. ‘Live dangerously.’

  Dave didn’t feel like one, but then he thought what the heck. It was so unlike them, they never drank at home. He brought in her drink and a long necked beer for himself and plonked down beside Marie again. They watched in silence. When the soap was over he flicked around but all he could find was some yuppie DIY thing on Channel 4. His wife switched almost immediately back to The Bill. Dave had had enough.

  ‘Listen, love, I think I’ll go down the local for a pint. Would you mind?’ He indicated his bottle. ‘This just doesn’t taste the same.’

  ‘Sure, go ahead. I’m off to bed soon anyway.’ She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. ‘See you in the morning, so.’

  ‘Yeah, grand.’ He sighed but she didn’t seem to notice. Dave wished she’d at least offered to go with him for a few scoops. But he knew she was already thinking that she’d missed a crucial bit of The Bill while he’d been flicking channels. Marie hated getting distracted for even a second during the first ten minutes. According to her, it meant you never really caught up with the plot.

  The pub was buzzing and Dave joined in a darts match, which meant he downed beer faster than usual because he was in a round with some serious drinkers. Later he stood by the bar and chatted to his mates. A group of women were laughing uproariously in the corner opposite. Dave watched them and knew that if he was even ten years younger he’d be in like Flynn.

  ‘Hiya.’ It was the dark-haired one he’d noticed earlier, all fake tan and costume jewellery.

  ‘OK, you?’ He drained his drink and decided he’d better make a move. He shouldn’t be driving as it was.

  ‘Great, yeah. D’ya fancy joining us?’

  ‘Not tonight, maybe another time, eh? Gotta go.’ He picked up his keys and made for the door.

  She was behind him in a second. ‘Would you mind givin’ me a lift, so?’ She indicated her mates. ‘They’re all pissed and I have to be up for work in the mornin’.’

  Dave was about to make an excuse.

  ‘I only live round the corner but you know yerself, can’t take chances these days.’ She indicated her lime-green strappy sandals. ‘Anyway, me feet are killin’ me.’

  ‘OK, come on.’ What the hell, he thought, at least his conscience would be clear. He’d like someone to give one of his daughters a lift if they were a bit pissed. Still, if they ever got into a car with a stranger he’d murder them. There were a lot of weirdos around, and drunken broads with everything on display like this one were easy prey. Thank God his two had more sense.

  ‘I’ve seen you in there before, haven’t I?’ she asked once she’d settled in and given him directions.

  ‘Yeah, possibly. Marie – my, eh, wife,’ he said pointedly, ‘and I go in there fairly regularly.’

  ‘I only noticed ’cause you’re like, very attractive.’ She chewed on her gum and looked him up and down.

  Dave grinned at her cheeky manner. ‘What’s a young one like you doin’ flatterin’ an oulfella like me?’ he asked in a fatherly manner. ‘I bet half the gougers in there would love to be takin’ you home.’

  She shrugged. ‘They’re kids, mostly. I like men who are more sophisticated. And experienced.’

  Dave threw back his head and laughed. At least she hadn’t said mature.

  He’d pulled up where she’d told him, at the edge of a waste patch with trees in front. ‘Where to from here?’

  ‘This’ll do, I live just over there.’ She pointed towards a nearby council estate that even in the darkness Dave could see was littered with debris.

  ‘OK, so. I’d best get home.’ He smiled at her. ‘See you around some time.’ Marie would laugh when he told her about this.

  She reached for the door handle and then turned back to him and pulled his mouth down on hers without saying a word. Before he knew what he was doing he found himself kissing her back. Within seconds she’d pulled him over to her seat and was straddling him. She pushed her tits into his face and buried his head in them. Dave decided it was just a drunken snog, but he was vain enough to be flattered so he cupped her tight bum and began stroking her thighs. She whooshed herself up and knelt in front of him, then she deftly unhooked her bra and offered him a mouthful. It was a complete turn-on and as his hands wandered up and down her legs she reached down and unzipped him. With her hands guiding him he quickly discovered she wasn’t wearing any knickers and within seconds he’d entered her and she was rocking backwards and forwards. It was all over in less than a minute.

  She kissed him once more, smiled coyly and got out of the car. He sank back in the seat and closed his eyes, savouring the release and unable to believe his luck, when he realized he was sitting there, fully exposed. After he’d quickly tidied himself he looked up and she was waving at him over her shoulder as she waddled across the waste ground.

  He drove off immediately but once he got home he sat in the car for ages. The initial elation had worn off. ‘You stupid cunt.’ He banged on the steering wheel. ‘What the fuck were you thinking of?’ But even going over it in his mind got him hard again and he had to admit it was one of the most exciting things to have happened to him in a while.

  Once inside, he poured himself a large Scotch and spent an hour flicking channels in peace. Eventually he calmed down, and decided it had been a very pleasant payment for the lift home. No need to feel guilty, he reassured himself. Still, he resolved not to go near the pub for at least a week – a promise he knew he’d never keep – and spent a restless night dreaming of being arrested for having sex with a minor.

  * * *

  Next morning he thought about it again while trying to shower with a humdinger of a hangover. It was completely out of character, he justified it to himself. She was a slapper, not his type at all, even for a quick shag. Dave liked to think he had more class than that. So when was the last time a nineteen-year-old – he was guessing – fucked you in the front seat of your car? he asked himself. Grow up, he chided, men half your age would be queuing around the block for it.

  About noon he got a text saying thanks for the lift home. At first he couldn’t figure out where she’d gotten hold of his number. A casual visit to the pub at lunchtime for a coffee and a few enquiries solved that. She’d been in asking about him, Damien the barman confirmed.

  ‘Yeah, said she wanted you to do a job for her,’ he slagged Dave. ‘I’d say you’d do a job on her more like.’

  ‘Would ya fuck off, I’m old enough to be her father. What would ya say she was, eighteen, nineteen?’

  ‘Bit older than that, I’d say.’ Damien was losing interest. ‘Christ, she looked dog rough though, even for you.’ He winked.

  Dave was relieved. The age thing had bothered him a bit; you never knew these days. Sounded like he’d had a lucky escape, though. He swallowed his coffee. ‘Listen, do me a favour. Don’t give her any more info.’

  The barman raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Just, I, eh, did a job for a mate of hers and she left me short a few bob. Her brother threatened me when I went lookin’. You know what I mean?’

  ‘Sound as a pound.’ Damien went back to the racing pages.

  That evening Dave got anot
her text. This time she wanted to know if he fancied meeting her for a jar. She signed it ‘Kylie’ with two x’s after her name.

  No, thank you. He pressed delete. Jaysus, he thought, I bet she has a mate called Britney. He was just about to turn off his phone when he got a text from Lily: Wd u b free 2 mt 4 drink 2nite in CLEARVIEW htl? Bout 8?

  Dave couldn’t believe his luck. He’d been convinced she was avoiding him. He got up – casually, he thought, until he realized he’d knocked Marie’s crumpet off the arm of the sofa and into her lap. ‘Sorry, hon.’ He apologized by planting a kiss on her head. ‘That was a plumber about a job. OK if I go out for an hour?’

  ‘As if my permission mattered,’ said his wife, laughing. Dave headed for the shower pronto.

  At exactly ten to eight he was poised – nonchalantly, he hoped – on a bar stool with a good view of the door. He’d gone over it all in his head. At best she would invite him upstairs to a room she’d already booked – although he’d insist on paying; at worst she’d tell him it was over.

  As soon as he saw her he knew it wasn’t the latter. She looked absolutely amazing in tight black jeans and high boots. She was wearing a fitted top and a long, oversized lacy cardigan. Dave felt sure she wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble unless she fancied him. As she waved and walked towards him with her shiny blonde hair and fresh face, Dave wanted to fuck her so badly that he shifted in his seat several times as he tried to appear casual.

  ‘Hello.’ He managed to wait until she was almost beside him before jumping up to kiss her on both cheeks.

  ‘How are you, Dave? You’re looking very smart,’ she greeted him and he felt ten feet tall.

  ‘I’m grand.’ He smiled and indicated a quiet table. ‘What can I get you to drink? Champagne, maybe?’

  ‘A glass of white wine would be lovely.’