Ember Flowers

by April Worth

  ***

  The car was where they had left it in the bay out front. Jean slid into the driver’s seat and clipped on her belt, having to adjust the seat forward. Jo smirked, pulling on her sunglasses.

  The brunette shot her a chiding look.

  Jo was deep in thought during most of the drive back to her house. Whirring emotions that faded into the calm projected by Jean’s warm gaze. They wanted to see if the car was still there, the unwanted visitor. Thankfully, the drive was unoccupied when Jean’s utility pulled up.

  The blonde looked at her through the passenger window as she got out. “I’ll only be a minute.”

  Jean nodded, slipping on her own sunglasses as she waited, listening to the radio. The relief was written all over Jo’s face. It was hard to imagine logical clear-headed Joanne with an arse like Owen, who didn’t respect her. There must have been something about him that attracted her at one stage or another. The brunette just didn’t know what that could be, she couldn’t imagine putting her hands on Jo like that. Further, it was hard to imagine Jo turning into a shrinking violet when she was treated so harshly. The Officer’s personality could be commanding at times. He had leverage over her somehow. Something that she didn’t understand.

  The policewoman re-emerged from the house, closing the front door behind her and striding across the lawn. She smiled, wide with white teeth and pretty lips. I want to make her smile like that every day. Thought Jean, and vaguely wondered where the thought had come from.

  Chapter 23

  Scott stood in the office reception area, he was back on his feet after a short spell of recuperation. A couple days at home, his wife and son hadn’t left his side. Breakfast in bed and watching football.

  Today he was smartly dressed, his blonde hair quaffed and stubble groomed. Meetings with a new commercial client. Landscaping a shopping mall, a good contract that he’d bought in. If all went well, they’d even need an extra crew called in.

  He looked through the open grey office door at his boss and friend. Jean looked nice too, her pixie softly styled, a dark fitted dress shirt over figure hugging blue jeans, shiny boots with a little heel, touches of make up. Different and more presentable than her usual polo and cargo pants.

  A paperwork day, and perhaps something else? She looked up, a blink of soft lashes, sensing he was watching her.

  “Hey Jean?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’ve got that stupid smile on your face again? Doing something special today?”

  It was true, she had been smiling a lot more lately. Almost a week had passed since she’d shared the hotel room with Jo. The unexpected intimacy had left her feeling light headed in the best kind of way. Her relationship with the younger woman blossoming. The look of trust and happiness in Jo’s face had made her feel warm and content. Touching her had been even better than even her most sensual dreams. Jo felt so wonderful in her hands, and a comfortable bond was forming. Now she had more to look forward to.

  A little smirk, she shuffled some papers into her desk drawer.

  “I have a date with two gorgeous blondes.”

  He checked his watch, he could squeeze in another minute or so before he had to leave. This seemed..intriguing.

  “Gorgeous blondes you say?” A tap on his dimpled chin as he thought to himself. His eyes sparkled cheekily.

  “Oh Jean, does she have a sister? Oh God, why didn’t you tell me?” He did a little happy dance on the spot, like a kid waiting for ice cream. She’d made the mistake of mentioning she’d spent time with Jo. Of course, she didn’t kiss and tell, his own juvenile imagination had that covered.

  A roll of her eyes and shake of her head. “Scott, Scott, Scott..no. No sisters.”

  She stood up, keying commands into her desk phone, diverting the office line to her cell. She was heading out too. A tuck of her wallet into her back pocket. Car keys jingling in hand.

  He walked along behind her, picking up his things as they both headed out toward the office parking.

  “Hot friend?”

  A shake of her head and a smile as she unlocked her car with a soft click and peep of the remote.

  “Oh Jean..you bad, bad woman..hot mother?”

  She gave him a glare as she opened her car door and slid into the seat, a click of her seat belt.

  “No. You filthy boy. I’m tagging along, lunch date with her and her little girl.”

  ***

  She didn’t usually come to this part of the city, designer stores and cafes, little restaurants tucked away. Milling pedestrians and the rich smell of coffee. Jean found a car park nearby and made her way through to the busy street. She walked along the uneven pave, a few doors down to a fresh food grocer, bright apples and pears polished to a shine. A flutter of pony tailed hair and she saw Jo, paying at the register, inspecting an orange with a little blonde toddler. They did look very similar, the little girl was scrutinising the fruit with big blue eyes. It was common for the mother and daughter to shop here on Jo’s days off. Always fresh and not far from home.

  A click of her heels as she approached, Jo looked up, sensing her in her peripheral vision. A bright smile from the blonde, but no other endearments. Jean correctly surmised that the policewoman didn’t like public displays of affection. Never the less, seeing her again brought butterflies.

  “Jean, hi.” With a hum of her warm feminine voice.

  “Hello.”

  Jo’s eyes glanced over her. She probably did look different out of her usual work attire. Spruced up for the occasion, a touch of makeup here and there to highlight her warm smoky eyes.

  The little girl clung to Jo’s summer dress covered thigh. The policewoman had the legs for it. A pretty shade of cornflower blue, fitted around the waist.

  “Annabelle sweetie? This is Jean, Mummy’s friend.” With that Jo gave the cashier a courteous nod, hefting the bags and stepping out onto the paving. “Sorry Jean, just wanted to grab this while I could, my day is spread a little thin.” Blowing a little wisp of blonde hair out of her eyes with two full hands.

  “That’s fine. I do insist on carrying those for you though, just show me where you’re parked?”

  The older woman went to reach for them, but Jo looked like a dog with a bone, reluctant to let go. Her voice firmly in cop mode. “I’m fine. Really it’s OK.” She liked to do things her own way, usually not wanting to accept help. She nodded in the direction of her car.

  They walked along the paving, to a large four way intersection. A squad car rolled by, neither had noticed. Jo was preoccupied with listening to her daughter telling Jean about play school. The road was thick with traffic passing through, little legs would struggle to catch up. The green man on the crossing would soon be blinking red. With a quick glance at the Sergeant for permission, Jean picked up the little girl and settled her on her hip. Walking across the crosswalk was less dangerous this way, and Annabelle didn’t seem to mind, grasping handfuls of her shirt.

  As soon as they reached the other side, Jean set her down on her feet. A brisk nod of thanks from the toddler’s mother.

  The café spilled out onto the pavement, tables and chairs on the grey and brown cobbling. They found a booth toward the back, dark green faux leather and turned wood. Jo’s daughter played with a napkin, while her mother looked through the menu. A lock of blonde hair was swept behind her ear. A glance in Jean’s direction. The gardener smiled at her, the skin crinkling slightly around her eyes.

  “So, any hobbies Jo?”

  The blonde smiled with rouged lips, a glance at the toddler, an affectionate ruffle of her silvery hair to get her attention. “No, looking after this one can be a full time job, when I’m not at my actual job.”

  “You look after her most of the time?” She tried to figure out where Owen fitted in all of this. If he was still a part of the girl’s life.

  A sigh. “Most of the time. Her father sees her sometimes, little outings here and there. I have to - he’s her father. We have an agreement in place
. The rest of the time my mother keeps an eye on her when I can’t.”

  Jean nodded, swishing her straw. How does that agreement work if he hurts you?

  The blonde thought to herself. “Actually. I like to cook. Does that count as a hobby?”

  It came out before her brain processed it. “I think so. Well, you can cook for me whenever you like. I’m hopeless at it.”

  Joanne’s brow quirked. “Maybe I will sometime?”

  A hand settled on Jean’s knee under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. The little girl’s voice broke the gaze between them. Their food had arrived. The hand left her knee, taking with it the warmth that had infused into her body.

  At that moment Jean’s phone rang. Not expecting a call, and seeing the number was blocked from view, she ignored it, putting it back in her pocket. A smile shared between them. The phone rang again. Jo looked up at her, Jean frowned apologetically. “Sorry Jo, maybe I should take this?” She stood to excuse herself, after a curt nod from the blonde.

  “Be back in a moment.”

  She stood outside, away from the tables and the occasional shopper walking past. Touching the little answer button on the display.

  “Hello? Patterson Landscaping.”

  A voice she didn’t recognise. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  Jean shifted her weight on her heels. “Excuse me?”

  A gruff clearing of a throat, the sound of traffic. “My wife. I still remember when she bought that dress.”

  Owen.

  “How did you get this number?”

  An amused huff. “It’s on the side of your car. It’s outside your office. Wasn’t difficult.”

  She felt a chill up her spine, followed by an annoyance. “Keeping tabs on me Owen?”

  “Of course. I needed to know if you were going to be a problem.”

  “Well, I’m having a lovely time, just in case you wanted to know.”

  A sound of an upholstered seat squeaking. The draw of a cigarette and soft breath over the speaker. “I’m only going to warn you once. And you know what I’m going to say.”

  “..And what are you going to say? Going to rough me up too?”

  A pause. “No. Turn around and look at them.”

  “What?”

  “Just do it, look at them.”

  She turned and looked down the rows of tables and busy waitresses at Jo, the blonde was chatting with her daughter, offering her a sip of her iced tea.

  A cool tone in her ear. “They look good together, don’t they? If you want to keep it that way, leave them alone.”

  Jean’s lip pulled into an angry sneer. “Jo’s going to hear about this as soon as I go back inside..”

  He chuckled smugly. “I thought you might say that. Keep in mind if you do, that your handsome friend Scott and his lovely wife will have more than a little mishap in the ocean to worry about.”

  It made all the hair on her neck stand up. She spoke quietly into the phone. “You leave them alone.”

  “So angry? Are all dykes like that?”

  Her teeth gritted. “You’re a pig Owen, and a bully.”

  He grunted softly into the speaker in distaste. “I prefer to think I’m a loving husband. I take offence to you screwing my wife in some sleazy hotel room.”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “Whatever. Back off. Don’t be stupid. I see you around her again, and I will be watching..Jo will have to send her daughter postcards..and Scott might have an unfortunate accident.” His voice grew measured and deliberate. “Do we understand each other?”

  She glanced inside again. Jo was looking at her from across the tables inside. Her face fell, she couldn’t put her in danger.

  “Yes.”

  “Good girl.”

  The click as he hung up made the blood drain from her face. “Bastard.”

  Jean watched mother and daughter. He was watching her, he’d know if she stayed. The call had filled her with dread.

  She looked around, Jean couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye. She trudged back in slowly and found Jo looking up at her expectantly.

  Her eyes misted without her realising, her throat thick. “Jo, I’m so sorry, I’ve been called back to the office. I can’t stay.”

  Grey eyes looked crestfallen, perhaps more than Jo realised. “Oh? Well, that’s a shame, sure you can’t call Scott?”

  Scott. He’d hurt him too. “Scott’s out too. Really. I have to go. I’m sorry Jo.”

  Jo frowned, then she patted her daughter’s arm. The little face looked up at her too. “Annabelle, Jean has to go, say goodbye OK?”

  “Bye.” A soft voice and a wave, still looking at her. Jo stood, pulling her into a friendly hug. She gasped softly when Jean squeezed her tightly, as though she’d never see her again. The older woman pulled away, kissing her cheek with a sad look in her eyes.

  “Joanne, I had a lovely time. I’m sorry I can’t stay.” Jean turned and left abruptly, leaving the blonde standing there confused.

  Jean wanted to yell, to hit something. It was so unfair. Clicks of her heels and a sniffle as she turned the corner and walked to her car. She reefed the door open and slumped down with a graceless thud.

  Chapter 24

  Jo hung up the phone with a soft sigh. The second time she’d tried this afternoon, and still no answer. She wasn’t sure why she couldn’t get a hold of Jean. She was usually so prompt to answer emails, quick to answer texts with something sweet or flirty. She was getting used to seeing a message in the morning after a few days apart, wishing her a good day with a little kiss.

  The last couple of weeks, her texts and emails had gone unanswered. Hearing back only once, a brief message.

  Jo

  You’re beautiful. I’m sorry.

  Jean

  At that she knew something was wrong.

  Finally, she decided to call Jean’s office, maybe she’d answer there. The phone rang, three rings and it was picked up.

  “Patterson Landscaping, Scott speaking.”

  “Scott, hi, it’s Joanne.”

  “Oh, Jo, hi. How are you?”

  She fiddled with a button on her skirt. “I’m OK Scott. Could I talk to Jean?”

  There was a pause on the line. “Hi Jo, sorry she’s in a meeting. Do you want to leave a message?”

  She sighed. “No, it’s OK Scott, I’ll email her. Listen, is she OK? I haven’t heard from her in a while?”

  The man was quiet for a moment. “She has seemed kinda weird Jo, but she won’t talk about it.”

  “Is she OK?” She repeated, her voice concerned.

  He seemed in a sudden hurry. “OK. Well, nice to hear from you again Jo.”

  “Thanks, bye.”

  “Bye.”

  The blonde straightened up in front of her laptop. Sitting outside on the deck at her mother’s house. Annabelle played nearby. She began to write, both anger and sadness laced in her words. Short and succinct as she usually was. It came from years of writing reports.

  Jean,

  Why aren’t you answering your phone? Your texts? Have I done something wrong? I can’t think of anything.

  Joanne

  She didn’t expect an answer, at least not so soon, but her inbox pinged softly.

  Jo,

  Sweetheart, no. I just..can’t. I’m sorry.

  Jean

  Those same words. She was sorry. Jo sniffled, she wiped her eyes angrily.

  Jean,

  Help me understand, what happened?

  Is this some sort of game to you? Seduce me, have me bare my soul to you and then just ignore me? I feel like I’ve been thrown away.

  Is it my daughter? I don’t expect you to jump in head first, but I thought at least you understood. I was attracted to your maturity, your kindness. You made me feel so wanted. Maybe I was wrong?

  Jo.

  She closed her laptop angrily. The force made Annabelle turn to look up at her. Jo broke off her frosty expression immediately, smiling at
her little girl. Her daughter ran over, reaching up to be pulled into her lap, wanting to play. Jo busied herself with being a mother. At least that made sense.

  ***

  Scott looked up from his paperwork after hearing the gasped sob come from the other office. He stood and walked down the small carpeted hall. He was surprised to see Jean sketching on her notepad and taking notes, seemingly business as usual.

  His knuckles rapped softly on the door, she looked up, he could see her teeth gritting. It wasn’t a good sign.

  “Jean, you OK?”

  She grabbed a stack of paperwork, and began sorting. Her lips were pinched. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He crossed his arms as he leant on the doorframe. “You seem weird lately Jean? Hardly say two words to me anymore.”

  Her dark eyes looked up and then flitted back to her screen, she clicked her mouse at something. “Weird huh? Maybe I just don’t feel like talking?”

  Scott walked in and sat down in the chair across from her. “I know you don’t like to bring personal stuff to the office, and that’s fine. But it’s just us Jean, we can talk, right?”

  She stopped what she was doing and sighed, leaning back in her chair. “You’re right, I’m sorry Scottie, it’s nothing to do with you.”

  He reached over and played with her pen, turning it over in his hands. “What then? You won’t talk to your girlfriend either?”

  Her eyes closed for a moment, her brows knotting. “She’s not my girlfriend Scott.”

  Scott shrugged his shoulders. “She seems to care about you? She called before, I’ve been hearing your phone going off, then you go and sulk somewhere. Something happen?”

  Jean sighed. “Yeah. Something like that.”

  He leant forward in his chair, the soft leather squeaking slightly with the movement. “Did she hurt you Jean? I’ll get Ellie onto her..she’ll wish she was never born.” The short woman was feisty, and could be ferocious.

  She put her hands up defensively. “No Scott no. Leave her alone. No, she hasn’t hurt me, quite the opposite actually.”