by Ony Bond
James’ glance was cold. “Frank doesn’t want you to get friendly to him. I’m just the emissary here. Don’t shoot the messenger. Your dad loves you. Look at it from his point of view.”
“I’m old enough to pick my friends. He’s afraid his little girl will run off with a refugee?”
“Don’t misunderstand him, Rose. Godfree did what any guy would do. You know I would have done the same. Sorry, Godfree. Just being frank. But Frank doesn’t want you talking to his daughter. Period. You don’t want him thinking you’re after her, do you?”
“James, you might as well know the truth. Free’s the new boyfriend I talked about.”
His mouth hung open. “Are you serious?”
“This true, Godfree?”
“Yes.”
James sent his drink flying into the bin. His eyes glittered and his fingers opened and closed while he made growling sounds and stepped towards her. His face was alien. Rose stepped closer to Godfrey and held his arm. And then James’ face suddenly transformed into his usual smile. If they hadn’t seen that look they would not have believed it.
“You never even told me, Godfree. Now Frank will persecute you, roast you on hot coals. Do you know what you’ve just done? You can still walk away from her.”
“Don’t even go there. I’m not leaving him,” Rose said.
“I won’t tell Frank. What’ll you do now, Godfree? You know Frank’s going to go bonkers, be rougher and nastier now. The gloves are off. He will never allow you with Rose.”
“I’m not running from him.” Godfrey glanced at Rose. “I’m not giving her up either.”
“What’s it with you, mate? You’ll have a dad and the whole family that won’t accept you. Still want to continue with her?”
“Yeah.”
“Mm. You should see what’s on your own face when you look at her. Those green eyes and long white hair’s enslaved you too. You can’t even see or think straight. Just wait until she carries on with other men, hurt you, tear your heart to shreds. You don’t know she is cruel and heartless and laughing at you right now inside. She doesn’t love you. Wait until she gives you the boot. You will learn the hard way.”
“I’m not the type that jumps from one man to the next,” Rose bristled. “You can’t accept I chose him. And you’re wrong. I love him.”
“He’s my friend. I’m protecting him from you. He has been hurt before and that’s what you will do.”
Before Rose could speak Godfree intervened. “You’re wrong about her, Jamie. She won’t cheat on me. It’s my choice.”
“Sure. Your choice, your funeral. I won’t be there to pick the pieces. Go hang yourself.”
James turned on his heel and ambled off leaving Rose and Godfree staring at the other.
“Did you see his eyes?” she said. “He wanted to attack and strangle me. You heard those sounds he made? I got scared. Can’t imagine what would have happened was I alone with him. Just can’t trust him or be alone with him any longer. That guy has started rubbing me wrong, and gives me the creeps. I can’t place it, but something’s not right with him. Think he could be dangerous.”
“I’m flabbergasted. For a moment he looked vicious, like he could have hurt you was I not here.”
“There was something evil in his eyes, Free. Never saw that before. He wanted to injure me and oozed hate. Became a crazy stranger out of control. And that talk of me going to break your heart was ridiculous. He’s madly jealous. Come to my office later after my dad has left for home. Just don’t want to be alone in the office just in case that guy pays a visit. As soon as I find I’m on my own I’ll come look for you.”
She looked shaken. “I’ll be around, shall drop by.”
In the shop as he passed to Mark’s office, James smiled at him like old times, looked back to his happy self. Frank followed Godfree into Mark's office, banged the door and jabbed a finger into his chest and exploded.
“Tell me the truth! Is there something going on between you and my daughter?”
CHAPTER 18
James saw the wild glitter in the man’s eyes, held his arms at his sides. Didn’t reply.
“Just leave my daughter alone! Do you hear me? What do you want from her? You can’t fool me. On Saturday you started by showing off your cheap martial arts skills. You’re no black belt. You and that jailbird planned it so you’d be there to act like you were protecting Rose. Think I can buy this designing project thing. So because you got an engineering degree from a bush university in Africa she should be interested in you? I got plans for her. She won't fall for your tricks. I don’t want to send thugs to beat you and cripple you. Do you understand me, you damn refugee? Get someone from your own race. Why did you come here? Think you can touch our girls?” Frank rose to his feet. “Take heed before it’s too late. You aren't happy to take our jobs, medical and housing benefits. Want our women too, you cheating and lying rat! Stay away from her.”
Frank left for home.
Godfree’s head pounded. He popped a couple of paracetamol tablets then headed for Rose’ office where he had only been twice. It was a spacious room with armchairs desks and computers. Another engineer was still around. Rose was in a corner eyes glued on a desktop and clicking away. She swung around when he entered. A smile lit her face.
Her voice was loud. “I’ll show you the design. Please take a seat.”
“Thanks.”
He sat. They discussed her design. Minutes later the engineer left for home.
“Missed me, Free?”
“Yeah. Your dad talked to me before he left for home.”
“What did he want?”
She listened, mouth tight and shook her head. “That’s taking it too far. I’ve had it with him. He can’t treat you like that. James and him are acting like street bullies.”
“He needs to be told soon. This week, but not here at work. I’ll call to meet him and break the news I like his daughter.”
“He’ll scream and shout.”
“He won’t bless it, can shout and call me names but he won’t stop me seeing you. Your dad even mentioned sending thugs to beat me.”
“He has it in for you really bad.”
“But I’m not running. I never planned liking his daughter so much. He’s got to live with it.”
She held his hand. “I didn’t expect you to run. But he might just do something crazy and send those thugs to hurt you. Dad and me will talk at home today.”
“It’s my battle.”
“When he hears it from his little daughter, he might see it from another point of view. Right now you’re a predator in his eyes. If we were rich, he could be justified to think you’re after me for his cash. But we aren’t rolling in millions and I’m an adult.”
“I need to talk to him first.”
“It won’t help. If he wasn’t my dad I’d say punch him when he starts. He’s stubborn, and you can’t make him change once he sticks to something. Why can’t he see you for the wonderful guy you are? I need that talk.”
“It’s not how I want it. You want me to put you on my knee and slap you to stop you from yelling at your father? He’s still your dad.”
“Try touching me and I’ll bite your hand and rip off a finger. Plus, I’ll scream so loud people will pour from the factory. My dad and me are both hot-headed. We grew up the best of friends. I was a tomboy, followed him. He doesn’t want to lose me. We’re both bad-tempered. When we clash, we act like two fighting elephants. The animals scatter and the grass gets tramped. I have a temper, Free.”
“It’s puzzling though.”
“What?”
He glanced at their clasped hands. “How did I get to like a girl with such a temper? So this will be what I’ll expect for you when you don’t agree then? You’ll yell and fight. I’ll still put you on my knee and slap you until you’re red and bruised. You won’t walk for a month.” He pointed at her. “You got that? I don’t want you to talk to your dad before I do. Want to tell him tomorrow when he’s h
ome.”
“Ok, I’ll wait.” Her voice was soft. “Because if I don’t I have a feeling you’ll bundle me into your car and do what you said.”
“What’s your landline? Thinking of calling him.”
“Now?”
“Right.”
“Here.”
She wrote her home number on a piece of paper. But he should wait a while. Her dad would arrive home in thirty minutes.
“You really decided to talk to him today?”
“Yes, you changed your mind about me being your man? Want to pull out before I make the call?”
“No ways.”
“He doesn’t know yet. Seems like James didn’t tell him about us.”
“He didn’t, is too angry and embarrassed.”
Her fingers tightened around his.
When she finally pointed at the phone number his heart missed beats as he inhaled deeply and called. Frank picked up on the second ring.
“Hello, the Clarke residence.”
“Sir, it’s Godfree.”
“You?” he barked. “What do you want? Why’re you calling me? You want to talk to Rose?”
“No. Can you spare minutes, sir?”
“Get to the point! I don’t like you phoning me.”
“It’s about me and Rose…I have grown very fond of her.”
“What’re you saying?” Frank exploded. “You asking to take Rose out? Have you touched my daughter?”
“No, sir. I called to let you know I like her very much. I- “
Frank shouted, raved, called him names. Said he was insolent. He would never allow Godfree to see Rose. What he needed were hired thugs to beat him if he did not leave her alone. Rose listened, face red. When Frank paused for breath Godfree spoke in a quiet tone.
“I understand your sentiments, sir, but we like each other.”
Frank started again. “Lay off my daughter! Do you hear me, you lying cheat!”
Rose grabbed the phone. “Stop this Dad!”
“Rose!” He exclaimed. “Are you there? You going out with that refugee? You lost your mind?”
She snapped. “I’m here with him. He’s my boyfriend. How can you call him such horrible names? He likes me and had the respect to let you know. I want you to know he hasn’t slept with me. We love each other, can’t imagine you called him a criminal. I’m coming home now, won’t have him abused any longer. This has to end. We’ll talk at home.”
Frank ended the call before she did.
She switched off her computer, cleared her desk and packed, her breathing heavy.
“Sorry at what he called you. I’ve never heard him so mad yet you remained polite.”
“He’s your father.”
“At least he knows now.”
“Shouting at him won’t solve it, Rose. He’ll only get madder. Leave him to cool first.”
“He called you horrible names. How could you take all that? It’s time he stopped bullying you.” She hugged him. “That’s for telling my dad you love me.”
“Did I say that?”
“You did. I’m going home. Walk me to my car.”
He accompanied her to the car park. She pinched his side.
He gasped. “Hey, not before the children.”
“Wish me luck, Free. Hope my old man will see sense.”
“Wish the same. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
CHAPTER 19
Frank was in the lounge watching telly when she entered. She sat on the sofa opposite him. Neither had a smile.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I like him, Dad.”
“You’ll stop this nonsense right now.”
She shook her head. “I can’t, Dad. You’d better accept that. You used words you never encouraged us.”
He rose to his feet and faced her, hands clenched. “What’s the matter with James?”
“I don’t love him. Might as well ask why you chose mom.”
“I liked her more. That doesn’t explain how you can turn against your own race.”
He sat beside her, took her hand, chose his words with care. She was his favourite child but was not going to bulge. He delved into Loyce’s rape, what it had done to the family.
“Dad, I know the truth. Loyce wasn’t violated.”
Frank was at a loss for words for several seconds. “She was. Who said she wasn’t?”
“You’re in denial, just can’t accept your own daughter had an affair with a refugee. That she loved him.”
His eyes became slits. He pointed out she had a decent job, brought up in a middle-class and successful family. Her mother was an icon in society. He had not achieved a university degree but had not done badly in life. Loyce had been manipulated. The villain lied to get ashore. Now Rose had taken the same path. Godfree was up to no good. Frank hated to see her throw her life away.
“Loyce liked Charlie. She wasn’t violated and confessed to you. You’re closing your mind, refuse to see the decency in Godfree. Have you considered my feelings here?”
“Are you considering mine? You want to destroy this family and all I’ve built over the years?”
“Dad, I haven’t committed a crime.”
“I won’t shout at you, but you’ll never bring him here! He can never set foot in this house.”
“Are you telling me to leave then? I will if that’s what you want. Perhaps it’s time I got my own place.”
He shouted. “I want you to break it with that boy. Just do it as I say.”
They yelled at the other. He told her she had betrayed him with a refugee. She retorted he was old-fashioned, prejudiced and refused to face reality. Had he accepted Loyce’s boyfriend she would have brought him home, not carried a secret affair. See what that brought. Now he wanted to stop a decent man coming home with her so she could introduce him to the family.
He pointed at the door. “Get out of my house!”
“What’s going on you two?” Neither had heard her mother enter. She kissed her husband on the cheek before doing the same to her daughter. “Now can someone please explain?”
“It’s your daughter,” Frank said. “I don’t approve of her choice of boyfriend.”
“Dad won’t accept Godfree.”
“That’s the guy you met at the boot-fare?”
“Dad doesn’t want him in this house. Free even called dad to tell him he loved me. His intentions are honourable. Dad shouted at him, called him horrible names, and thoroughly humiliated him.”
Frank spoke, “This boy’s the worst for our girl. He’s a predator. I wouldn’t mind her going out with James, or someone else we know. Not a stranger who landed on our shores under false pretences.”
“I like him, Dad, and won’t dump him. We’ve planned to go down to the seaside on Saturday. I will now buy him coffee openly and talk to him at work. You need to know this. I told Dad he must stop living in a fantasy world and accept Loyce wasn’t even abused. He told me I must dump him or leave? He’s using my sister’s case as an excuse for racism.”
Frank fumed. “You’ll end it with this boy this minute. I’ll say it again. He won’t ever be part of this family. Is that clear? Pick that phone and tell him.”
Rose shook her head. “I like him.”
“You heard me.”
“I’m leaving.”
“Frank!” his wife spoke. “Don’t be rash.”
“Quiet, Maggie! She must listen, or move out now.”
“Can we talk about this?” her mother said. “Rose, where’re you going?”
Rose left for her room, started packing. Her mother burst into the room and grabbed her arm.
“You can’t leave like this!”
“I’m leaving, don’t want to stay here any longer.”
“Let’s take a drive and talk.”
“I’m over twenty-one, mom, won’t stand my boyfriend insulted and bullied. If he isn’t allowed in this house, then I won’t come either. Now if you’ll let me get on with my packing I’d a
ppreciate it.”
“Give me time to talk to your father. He just needs time.”
“I’ve made up my mind, don’t need you involved.”
“I am your mother and his wife.”
Mrs Clarke left. As Rose carried the first suitcase down the stairs she heard her parents’ raised voices.
“You can’t let her leave like this, Frank. You must to her now,” her mum said.
Her dad replied, “Think she can arm-twist me to accept that refugee. She’ll have it my way. I’ll be proved correct. Later she’ll see him for the liar, cheat and rapist he is.”
“He hasn’t violated her and even called to talk to you he’s interested. Did he shout or insult you? Sounds a decent bloke to me.”
“So you approve of your daughter’s conduct? Want him in this house and have the neighbours laugh at us?”
“Shouldn’t we consider her happiness here? What she wants? My dad didn’t approve of you either, due to your working class background. Did I not stand with you?”
“That was different. He wasn’t a darkie.”
Rose’s hand clenched as she walked to her car, placed the suitcase in the boot, went back for another. She still had more stuff to take. Two trips later she was ready, jumped in her car and started the engine. Her mother rushed out of the house. Rose rolled down her window.
“Don’t try to stop me, mom.”
“Just wanted to know where you’re going.”
“I’ll look for a place, will be fine.”
“You got enough cash? Got something to help.” She pressed a wade of cash in her daughter’s hand. “It’ll help.”
Rose looked at the bills. “I have some savings.”
“Take it.”
“Thanks.”