by S M Mala
‘He has no right to be mean to you.’
‘Hey, what’s the look for? You’re going to have to get used to the snide granny comments.’
‘Esme, you look younger than me.’
‘That’s down to being pickled with wine for most of the time,’ she laughed. ‘Ignore him. And he’s porking Melanie! How good is that? He obviously likes mini sausages in his beans.’
But right then, all Leon wanted to do was punch Ralph hard on the nose, hoping he would gag on his own words.
‘School holidays start next week.’
Esme was lying on her back, watching Leon kiss her breasts when they were in his bed on Friday night. Mali was with her grandparents. ‘What have you got planned?’
‘Screwing you for a long time,’ came the response.
‘I mean with Mali.’
‘Summer clubs and all sorts.’
Esme looked down into his green eyes. He was stupidly good looking and had a darker tan due to the incessant sunshine.
‘Steph’s having a birthday party next weekend. Do you want to come with me?’ she asked, watching him grin. ‘I told her I was shagging the young next door neighbour and she’s exceptionally proud of me. Says you’re hot for a man.’
‘My, thank you,’ he laughed and kissed her nose.
‘She wants to show off her new younger lover. Must run in the family. Mali is very welcome. It’s at Steph’s house.’
‘I’d love to.’
Sighing at his smile she wanted to stay with him as much as possible.
He placed tiny kisses on her face and the moved down to her breasts, as she kissed his chest. She stroked the soft down of hair and gently bit on his nipple. Leon did the same thing to her. Slowly he moved down and opened her thighs, burying her head in between, flicking gently with his tongue.
Esme’s mouth open and she took him in, tasting the sweet salt of his end. She licked him up and down, holding his base to stop from choking. But it was what he was doing to her that made her shudder with delight, making her suck harder.
Her back arched, and he moved his face quickly, from side to side with his lips firmly clasping her nub. Then he put a finger inside, and she thought she was going to die from delight.
The ecstasy pumping through her body was going at full speed, and she came, with him in her mouth, holding on to stop herself from gagging due to losing her breath. Quickly, he pulled out and turned her around, so she was on all fours. Her thighs were going to give way, and he took her from behind, stroking her arse and squeezing her breasts, while kissing the back of her neck.
‘Oh my God,’ was all she could say, feeling him hump her pretty hard.
‘You feel so good,’ he mumbled into her neck. ‘Esme, sex with you is better than a wank, it really is.’
She had to laugh.
‘I don’t want her to make contact.’
Leon was sitting with his father at their family solicitors. ‘She did it once and she’ll do it again.’
‘Why did you never mention the emails to me?’ his father asked, looking aghast.
‘What was there to say? I never read them. Now I know what she was up to. What she really wanted.’
Mrs Almond was a lovely woman and had looked after their family business for years. She was the one that sorted out all the paperwork for the split with Bennylita and Leon getting full custody. Her messy grey hair and dishevelled appearance disguised a sharp mind.
‘And Stanley, you didn’t bother to tell your son where Bennylita was?’ she asked, scowling at his dad who was going red.
‘We didn’t want to upset him. Whose knickers did your mother find in the washing?’ his father asked with a sly smile. ‘Anyone I know?’
‘Can we concentrate on this?’ he replied, avoiding eye contact and turning to see Mrs Almond’s confused expression. ‘We made an agreement. She forgoes any custody of the child. We settled her solicitor bill, and she walked away with money. What more do I have to do?’
‘You are the decision maker when it comes to your child,’ she replied quietly.
Leon thought hard and glanced at his dad, before asking. ‘Why did you keep an eye on her?’
‘Because your mother wanted me to,’ shrugged Stan.
‘But she’s married with a child.’
‘It’s not a happy relationship from all accounts. How could anyone be happy with that miserable girl?’ mumbled his father, shaking his head.
‘Okay dad.’
‘Your mother thinks Bennylita will want you back, and you’ll go running. Now she has another child, there’s a link with Mali,’ added his dad. ‘And that I cannot let happen.’
‘I wouldn’t want her,’ Leon eventually replied. ‘And I don’t want her near my child. How can I stop her from making contact? Mali told her a few things so she can track us down.’
‘What if Bennylita tries to kidnap her and take her out of the country?’ Stan said, getting upset. ‘How could we stop that?’
‘Gentlemen, please don’t alarm yourselves. You’re saying no strangers are looking after her.’
‘Other than Esme,’ whispered Stan sheepishly. ‘She’s my son’s next door neighbour and is an absolute knockout!’ He let out a big sigh. ‘If only.’
‘And you can trust this Esme?’ Mrs Almond asked as Leon nodded his head. ‘I will write to Bennylita to advise we know what happened, and she’s not to make contact. Agreed?’
‘Agreed,’ Leon said, standing up and shaking the woman’s hand. ‘I need to keep my child happy and safe.’
‘And so do I,’ said Stan looking at Leon. ‘I’m talking about you.’
They walked out of the solicitor’s office and down the road in silence. Then Leon felt his father pull at his arm, making him stop.
‘Yes dad?’
‘I did want to tell you about where Ben was but your mother insisted I didn’t. I wish I’d thought at the time when you went to the apartment. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s okay,’ he said quietly, squeezing his father’s shoulder. ‘I know now.’ Then he hesitated. ‘And you never saw her when you went to Nerja?’
‘No, I certainly did not!’ His father let out a long sigh. ‘Whose knickers were they? Your mother was quite distressed they were Melanie’s.’
‘Ah,’ he said, starting to walk down the road. ‘I’m not seeing her but Ralph, who lives across the road, is.’
‘Pardon me? He’s old enough to be her father! Are you all right about this? You’re not upset are you?’
‘I certainly am not!’
‘So sunshine,’ his father said sheepishly. ‘Did you give Esme back her knickers then?’
‘Don’t threaten me!’
Barbara hissed. ‘You’re not to come near her or him. Do you hear?’
Esme certainly could hear, as she was crouched down by the camellia bush, trying to do some weeding. Barbara was at the end of the garden, not wanting Mali to listen.
‘Bennylita, leave my son alone! He doesn’t want you now and he never will. All you ever did was hurt him. You can blackmail me as much as you like but keep away from them!’
Then Esme heard Barbara crying and she looked over to see the woman had buried her face in her hands. When she looked up and saw Esme, she froze in terror.
‘Don’t tell him I spoke to her,’ she fearfully said, glancing over at the house. ‘Mali is watching television and he’s coming home in half an hour.’
‘Leon doesn’t know you speak to Bennylita?’ she asked, curious about what was going on. ‘He mentioned you knew where she was.’
‘Oh God, this is a mess,’ she said gulping quite hard. ‘I was protecting him.’
Esme stepped into Leon’s garden and glanced at Mali dancing in front of the television set.
‘It’s none of my business,’ Esme diplomatically replied.
‘She’s threatening to tell him, you see. Tell him what I did.’
Taking Barbara’s hand, she led her into her garden, then stepped back into Leon�
�s, to keep an eye on Mali, who seemed oblivious to everything.
‘What did you do, Barbara?’
‘I paid her, you see. I paid her to leave Leon and Mali. I knew she didn’t love my son, but I knew she was going to bleed him dry and break his heart. Even when she held Mali in her arms, I could see she didn’t care for that child. It was if she was going through the motions.’
‘Oh, but I thought you paid her when you sorted it all out.’
‘I gave her money, in the hope she would leave him but she keeps coming back for more. Says that her husband can’t support her in the lifestyle she has become accustomed to and…’ Barbara burst into tears. ‘I send her money around the time of Mali’s birthday but she wants more and more.’
‘Does your husband know?’ she asked, seeing Barbara shake her head from side to side. The next question made her feel a little sick. ‘Did she love Leon?’
‘She says she does, but I’m not convinced. That little bitch is threatening to tell him everything and split my family apart.’
Trying to think logically, she looked at Barbara’s face, now wet with tears.
‘I love my son so much. I couldn’t let her ruin his life, and I could see she was capable of it. What am I going to do when he finds out? He’ll hate me, I know he will!’ She burst into tears and looked visibly shaken. ‘That girl is trouble.’
‘You have to tell him the truth.’
‘I can’t!’
‘But he’s going to be hurt and confused. From what he’s said, he thought he wasn’t good enough for her.’ Esme gulped hard, realising he was more than good enough, and Bennylita knew it. ‘Why would she leave him if she loved him so much?’
‘She didn’t need much convincing when she saw the pound notes.’ There was an intense look of shame across Barbara’s face. ‘She’d have hurt him eventually.’
‘It wasn’t for you to force her hand.’
‘There was no force.’
‘You have to tell Leon.’
‘I can’t afford to lose him.’
‘Go into my kitchen and wash your face. You don’t want Mali to know you’re upset. Do it now and then I’ll make us tea.’ She was trying hard to put her logical head on. ‘You need some time to re-address things.’
Trying to stop her legs from shaking, she understood why Barbara was so worried about Bennylita making contact. She could not only cause a problem between Leon and Barbara, but between her and her granddaughter.
The fact was Barbara instigated the split of the young family, all to protect her son and granddaughter.
Walking towards the house, she saw the little bundle of fun jumping around.
‘Hello, little dancer,’ Esme smiled as Mali rushed over to her, giving a massive hug.
‘Where’s Nana?’
‘She’s looking at something in my garden,’ she replied, bending down. ‘I promised I’d make your Nana a cup of tea.’
‘And pancakes? I like pancakes. Yummy, not yuk!’
‘Maybe Sunday morning. Are you still coming to the party with me and your daddy tomorrow? It’s my son’s grandmother’s birthday.’
‘Will your son be there?’
‘Mr Alfie Reeves will be there, but you have to call him Alfie.’
‘Can I?’
‘He’s not your teacher anymore so you can now be friends.’
‘Yes! Yes!’ she said jumping up and down, clapping her hands. ‘I got a new party dress! It’s blue! Mr Alfie Reeves will like it.’
‘I bet it’s beautiful. Now I have to go.’
Putting the kettle on, she wondered if Leon did find out, how he would feel.
She dreaded to think.
‘Here I am!’ Barbara said cheerfully, walking in. ‘I’m okay now.’
‘What is wrong?’ Mali asked, going up to her, which made the woman cry.
The little girl glanced at Esme, confused on what to do.
‘She’s not feeling well,’ Esme whispered.
‘You got tummy ache?’ Mali asked, looking up at her Nana. ‘I get windy pops when I get tummy ache. Have you got farty pops?’ Then she grinned, laughing at the fact she said ‘farty’.
‘What’s this?’ Leon was standing in the living room. ‘A welcoming committee?’
‘Oh Leon!’ his mother said, running up to him and flinging her arms around his body. He looked shocked. ‘I don’t know what to do.’
Mali then ran up to them and flung her arms around him.
‘Your mum’s feeling a little unwell and I think maybe Mali should stay the night here. What do you think Barbara? Then you can have a nice evening with your lovely husband.’
She noticed Leon looked puzzled before pushing his mother away.
‘Are you okay, mum?’ he asked, full of concern.
Esme could have jumped on his bones, there and then. He was completely adorable.
‘If you don’t mind. I don’t want Mali to catch anything.’
‘She got farty pops!’ laughed out Mali, stepping away then running into the garden. ‘Poo poo pops!’
Taking a deep breath, Barbara stepped away.
‘I’ll bid you a good evening,’ she said, kissing her child before hastily heading out the door, not before throwing Esme a concerned glance.
‘What was that about?’ he asked. ‘I hope you’re having a sleepover with me tonight.’
Not knowing what to say, she opened her mouth and shook her head from side to side.
‘You don’t want to stay?’
‘I do want to stay but, oh God.’ She glanced over at Mali. ‘I love you so much.’
‘That’s good.’
‘And I hope you love me like you say you do.’
His arms and legs were covered with dirt as he stared into her eyes, frowning.
‘Why would you doubt that? Is it something my mother said?’ Leon looked like he was masking a pain.
Grabbing his face in her hands, she kissed him gently on the lips, not caring if Mali saw. Leon’s eyes darted towards his daughter.
‘Go have a shower, and I’ll figure out what to cook for us this evening,’ she said, stroking his bottom through his shorts.
‘Come in the shower with me?’
‘I have to keep an eye on Mali.’
‘Come to bed with me.’
‘That is a certainty.’
He ran up the stairs, and Esme stood still, watching the child and looking around.
That’s when she wondered if Barbara did have his best interests at heart.
To protect her one and only son.
Esme realised she had a lot in common with Leon’s mum.
‘Why not hold hands?’
Mali was sitting in between them on the sofa, her arms crossed, with a furious pout. ‘I hold hands.’
Leon knew his little madam was getting fed up that they weren’t playing her game.
‘That’s what you wanted to do,’ said Esme, nodding slowly. ‘I thought you wanted to pull my finger out of my socket.’
‘I not!’
‘I didn’t,’ Leon corrected.
‘I not didn’t,’ huffed Mali.
Then he watched Esme reach out and slip her hand into his palm. He turned to smile, and Mali was looking at the pair of them.
‘Esme, do you like my daddy?’
Leon glanced at the lovely woman sitting next to Mali, wanting to get very close to her that night.
‘I like your daddy,’ she replied, squeezing his hand.
‘Daddy, do you like Esme?’
‘I do,’ he replied and grinned.
‘Then kiss,’ his child said, staring at him. ‘Kiss Esme.’
‘Why?’ asked Leon, trying not to laugh.
‘Because it nice, daddy.’
‘I don’t mind,’ said Esme, pushing out her cheek. He noticed Mali was looking at her. ‘Does he kiss nicely, Mali?’
‘They lovely and tickly and warm.’
Slowly leaning closer, he went to kiss Esme on the lips but she turned her hea
d, catching him with her lips.
‘Oh!’ said Mali, jumping off the sofa to look at them. ‘Kiss again!’
And they did as Leon kissed Esme very gently on the lips and felt her inhale deeply.
‘Again!’ the child announced.
‘That’s enough for tonight,’ he said, looking at his excitable child. ‘I think it’s time for bed.’
‘Oh!’ she moaned, pretending to look sad. ‘But I want to see kisses.’
‘Okay, one more,’ Esme said and she grabbed him, placing a massive smacker on his lips but within moments, Mali had jumped in and was trying to muscle in.
They all started to laugh. He looked at the two lovely female faces and never felt happier. Mali was now kissing Esme’s face and looked like she was strangling her.
‘Enough!’ he said, pulling the child away. ‘You’re going to choke her.’
‘I not!’ said Mali, continue to kiss a giggling Esme.
‘You need to go to bed,’ Esme said, turning to look at the child who then stopped. ‘More kissing tomorrow.’
‘You kiss daddy again tonight?’ the cheeky child asked.
‘I promise.’
And Esme kept her word.
Two hours later she was kissing him all over. All Leon could do was sigh every time he felt her lips against his skin.
‘Leon,’ she whispered and then kissed up his chest for her lips to reach his chin. ‘Remember when you told me all those weeks ago that you didn’t want to be with me. Your reasons were that I was too old and-.’
‘Why are you saying this now?’ he asked, dumbfounded by the comment. ‘I thought we had moved on.’
‘We have but you said you wanted a larger family and …’ She was biting her lips. ‘You can’t have that with me. My baby days are over and-.’
‘Stop it.’ He put his hand over her mouth and was shocked to find a panic building in his chest. ‘What are you saying?’
‘Nothing when you try to stop me,’ she replied, after removing his hand.
‘Are you having doubts?’
‘No,’ Esme said, smiling gently. ‘I’m not having doubts about you. I think you’re amazing.’
The panic changed to a soft rush of happiness as he wrapped his arm around her.