by Edie Baylis
Smiling, she snorted the line through the rolled-up fiver Seth handed to her and stretched on tiptoe to kiss him. “Going to find Eliza,” she whispered.
Seth reached after Jane as she slipped away, wanting to hold on a moment longer, but forced himself not to follow. Instead, he concentrated on the projection of pulsating plasma on a far wall.
Crashing through the room, Digger grabbed Jane and swung her around. Kissing her cheek, he smiled and passed her a bottle. “Mushroom wine. Help yourself and pass it on, there’s loads going round.”
Jane tipped half the bottle into her mouth and let the rancid gloopy liquid slip down her throat. After handing the rest back to Digger, she picked her way around the room, stumbling over couples on the floor. A collection of 60’s head music pounded into the sea of grinding bodies and she stepped across a man busily vomiting into a bowler hat, whilst a woman’s bare foot rubbed against the side of his face. Another man sat naked and cross-legged watching people get it on. Sucking from a bong bubbling away on a gold edged coffee table, his hand pumped furiously on his cling film-wrapped cock.
Everything tilted at a strange angle and Jane’s feet began to sink into the carpet as she pulled herself up the stairs. She took a swig from her vodka bottle to try and steady the rushing in her head and ignored the man rubbing himself up against the back of her skirt.
Laughing, she moved away from the swaying naked body, the man’s concentration now locked on a moth flying around the light and mindlessly wondered how long the banging in her head had been going on for.
FINDING A PLACE ON the floor next to Digger, Seth rested his head against the cool wall. He’d just shared a bong and was feeling more than chilled out, but knew if he got much more relaxed, people would start to think he’d had a personality transplant. Humming along to the music, he sniffed another pinch of coke. He needed to keep his head on his shoulders.
“Hiya!” Debbie yelled brightly, pushing her backside between the two men.
Digger rolled his eyes as he was forced to move up before his leg was crushed.
“Try some of this!” Debbie exclaimed excitedly, thrusting a small screw-topped bottle at Seth.
Taking the bottle, Seth turned it round in his hand. “What is it? If it’s that mushroom wine, I’ve already had far too much thanks!”
“No,” Debbie smiled, her eyes gleaming. “This is the elixir of life!”
Seth cocked an eyebrow. “What? What is it really?”
“It’s good stuff. I had some earlier,” she lied. “Brings you up nicely. You’re looking a bit stoned, so thought you could use some.”
“I’ll have some!” Digger said, quickly taking the bottle.
Debbie snatched it out of his hand. “NOT YOU!” Passing the bottle back to Seth, she shot Digger a glare. “You can wait your turn.”
Seth unscrewed the bottle. He certainly was stoned. That bong had knocked his bonce off and the coke hadn’t touched the sides either. He definitely needed something to bring him back up. Raising it to his mouth, he tipped the contents down in one.
“Hey!” Digger growled, “Where’s my half?”
“I’ve got some more in the car. I’ll get you some next time I get up.” The lies flowed easily off Debbie’s tongue and she took in a deep, satisfied breath.
All she had to do now was wait.
JANE STUCK HER HEAD around various bedroom doors. She’d seen loads of people shagging, jacking up or both, but still hadn’t found Eliza. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone who reminded her of somebody. Somebody she didn’t want to be reminded of.
Flicking her head around quickly she realised nobody was there. She must be off her bonce. It couldn’t have been him anyway could it?
Taking another swig of neat vodka, she walked unsteadily back down the stairs, the music pulsing through her nerve endings and looked for Seth.
SETH CONCENTRATED HARD on the bottle of whisky as he brought it to his mouth. The room was well and truly hanging on its axis and Debbie’s voice sounded like white noise. He exhaled slowly as she droned on. He couldn’t face listening to the boring bitch much longer. He’d give it another ten minutes and then go and find Jane.
Irritably pushing Debbie’s hand off his thigh only for her to immediately replace it, he shook his head and attempted to pull his consciousness back together. The song playing earlier in the car was repeating in his mind and he wished it would stop.
Sensing Jane’s presence without seeing her, Seth opened his eyes and found he was right. Putting his hands out, she took them and he pulled her down astride him, seeing a smile twitch at the corner of her mouth as Debbie pushed her bulk up and moved away muttering.
Seth carefully pushed Jane’s hair away from her eyes. He cupped her face gently with both hands and said nothing. There was no need. She was sparkling like a diamond. As he pulled her closer and kissed her, he flew down a twisting, turning tunnel where death lurked at the end. He didn’t care. He’d quite happily die for her. Crazy wildflower! How he loved her.
Feeling someone staring at her, Jane pulled away from Seth and squinted at the figure in the corner of the room, trying to get a clear picture into her spinning mind. With a jolt, she realised it was him. That fucking imbecile. That piece of shit.
She stared at Paul, his waist-length black hair hanging limply around his gaunt face painted thickly in makeup. He was supposed to be under observation at the hospital, so why the hell was he here?
Bile rose in Jane’s throat. She shook her head and looked again. It was definitely him. The hatred rushed back like a rollercoaster as if it were yesterday and she pulled her eyes away from the figure who was attempting to dissolve into the shadows.
“Who the fuck are you staring at?” Seth slurred angrily.
“No one,” Jane muttered angrily. The last thing she wanted was Seth kicking off right now. Seeing Eliza wander over, she quickly got up. She needed to get away from Seth for a while before he accused her of something like he usually ended up doing...
ELIZA AND JANE MOVED into the garden where music was also being loudly piped. There were lots of people milling around, some twirling in circles, others lying on the grass naked and a few splashing about in an ornate pond. A girl Jane didn’t recognise sat in a bush crying and pulling clumps of her hair out.
Fairy lights twinkled from the hedges, each with a kaleidoscopic halo and the grass felt like Astro-turf as it brushed Jane’s bare feet. “Come on! Dance with me!” she shouted, grabbing Eliza’s hand.
Quickly stripping off, they gyrated to the music, spinning around faster and faster, whilst laughing and screaming. More bodies joined in and arms snaked around each other as they swirled, twisted and writhed whilst the beat went on.
Clint wrapped himself tightly behind Jane, his arms encircling her waist and his lithe body followed her moves. Eliza pressed herself up against Jane’s breasts, her arms stretched up towards the sky and a woman with blonde hair ran her hands over all of them.
Jane looked up towards the stars as the darkness rushed down in torrents and she rested her head back against Clint’s shoulder, feeling his erection hard against her naked back. His long hair fell over her arm as his lips trailed down her throat. Laughing, she span around and took his hand.
Suddenly dragged backward with force, she lost her footing and crashed to the floor. Scrambling to her feet, she looked around in shock. What the hell was going on?
Seth swayed in front of her snarling, his eyes spitting fire. Panting, he wiped away a small trail of spittle from his beard with the back of his hand. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Ignoring him, Jane stormed towards the house, picking her clothes up as she went, but by the time she’d reached the back door, Seth had caught up and pinned her to the wall by her throat.
When he raised his fist, Jane ripped his hand away from her neck, her eyes defiant. He was in no fit state to pick a fight. Pushing him hard, he staggered back. “Don’t even think about it Seth!” she hisse
d.
Stalking inside the house and quickly slipping her clothes on, Jane took a large slug of rum from a table and glared angrily out the window, seeing Seth sitting on a low wall with his head in his hands.
Feeling eyes on her back, she turned just in time to watch Paul making his way towards her. Grabbing her bag, Jane left the house as fast as she could and her car sped off down the driveway towards town.
SETH WOKE FACE DOWN in a bedroom with fuddled memories. The last thing he remembered was trying to transmit his thoughts via the ether into Jane’s head, willing her to come back. He wouldn’t have hit her. He knew he wouldn’t have. He didn’t have a clue as to why he’d even raised his fist. He’d attempted to get up, but his legs hadn’t worked and he’d collapsed face down on to the patio.
Seth’s head felt like someone was whacking it with a sledgehammer. Who had Jane disappeared with then? If it was that prick Clint, he’d fucking kill him!
Scowling, he realised his jealousy had outstripped him yet again and now he was here without her. With some difficulty he turned over onto his front - his muscles felt flayed. What was wrong with him?
Another memory leapt into his head suddenly like a bolt of lightning and Seth sat upright, head pounding with the sudden surge of blood pressure. His eyes darted to the other side of the bed, but there was no one there. Oh God, it was all coming back....
In his dream Jane had appeared in a floor-length blue satin dress. Her long raven hair flowed down to her waist and her arms were stretched out towards him. He’d kissed her. It had felt so real.
The shock had then hit him that someone was really kissing him, but the lips on his weren’t Jane’s. His eyes had shot open to find Debbie lying over him, her chubby face inches from his.
Seth had jumped to his feet, but found his legs were still unreliable. Crashing into a chest of drawers, he’d stared at Debbie kneeling on the bed, her face awash with shock and disappointment. “What the fuck are you doing?” he’d screamed.
“I-I thought you wanted me?”
Finally standing upright without support he’d laughed incredulously. “Are you mad?”
“You brought me upstairs with you.”
The vague memory of being manhandled up the steps by Digger and Tony flashed into Seth’s mind. He’d looked at the flab hanging below Debbie’s top with disgust and wanted to smash her head down her neck. “I certainly did not!”
Debbie had looked like she was going to cry. “But you did.”
“Just get out!”
Clambering off the bed, Debbie had wrapped her arms around his waist. “Come on babe?”
Gripping her wrists tightly he’d pushed her away, revulsion coursing through him. “Don’t! I don’t want you! I’m with Jane.”
Visibly flinching at the mention of Jane’s name, Debbie had approached him again, her hand touching his chest. He’d thought he was going to be sick.
Slowly bringing his mouth towards hers, Seth had watched Debbie’s bottom lip quiver with anticipation. His eyes narrowed as he placed his hand around the side of her face. “I’ve told you once. I won’t tell you again. Now get the fuck off me you beast!”
With full force he’d tightened his grip and pushed Debbie backwards over the bed into the door frame. Landing in a crumpled heap she’d frantically scrabbled around like a beetle stuck on its back, abject horror etched in the pudgy mess of her face.
Seth had watched with cold eyes as she’d pulled herself up, grabbed her bag and ran from the room sobbing. Putting his head in his hands, he sat on the edge of the bed, his heart racing.
He scrubbed his mouth desperately with his shirt, still able to taste the fat bitch. He wanted to go home.
AFTER WALKING TO THE King’s Head with some difficulty, Seth staggered down to the basement where he and Jane had lived for the past year and found the light still on. Jane lay fully clothed on top of the mattress with stains of mascara down her cheeks. He felt a lump form in his throat. God he loved this woman.
Sensing his presence, Jane’s eyes snapped open. She’d been relieved to get back to the Kings even though it had been a nightmare driving with bare feet as well as tripping her tits off. Thankfully a few more drinks and a couple of joints had brought her down.
“Decided to come back?” Jane slurred, trying to focus. “Got bored with who you were fucking?”
Seth blanched. He wanted to get into bed with her, not have an argument, but he couldn’t help himself. His brain felt addled and his temper frayed. “Where were you when my lights went out then and what was all that shite with that Clint prick?”
As Jane’s glazed eyes narrowed, jealousy stabbed like a knife to Seth’s heart. Turning on his heel, he began to walk back up the stone steps away from her, but the sound of bottles smashing against the basement wall stopped him in his tracks. His rage was at boiling point. She was playing him wasn’t she? She knew full well how he felt about her and yet she still felt the need to mess about.
He stormed back into the room. “What the fuck are you doing now?” he spat, watching as Jane stood up and glared at him, her red lips parting defiantly.
Jane smiled wryly watching the fire in Seth’s eyes. He was even more attractive when he was angry.
Moving quickly towards her, Seth’s hand twisted in her hair. “Save your smiles for me, Jane. You’re mine remember. MINE.” He brought his mouth down crushingly hard onto her velvet lips and feeling her yield, electricity surged through him. Cupping her face with his hands, he pushed his body against hers, his kisses urgent.
As Jane’s fingers wound in his curls and pressed her body back into his, Seth groaned against her mouth, his desire torturous. Controlling his ragged breathing, he pulled the ribbon on her top to reveal her small pert breasts, the nipples erect with want. Encircling one with his thumb, he took the other into his mouth and Jane moaned softly.
When she freed him from his jeans and traced a long red nail around his tip, Seth felt horribly out of control. He needed to fuck her senseless.
Finding her mouth again, he undid her jeans and slipped one hand inside. Running his fingers over the lace of her knickers and feeling her readiness through the silky material, he quickly yanked them to one side.
Spinning Jane around, Seth pushed her onto her knees. Grasping her hips, he slammed into her and began to thrust hungrily. “Tell me you love me Jane,” he growled, his voice raw with lust.
Jane remained silent apart from her gasping breathing. She concentrated on staying conscious whilst waves of pleasure hurtled through her body as Seth drove into her relentlessly. Desperately trying to contain her quickly building orgasm, she resented the innate ability he had to render her helpless for him within seconds.
“Jane,” Seth groaned, one hand moving from her hips to circle his thumb rhythmically on her aching clit. “TELL ME!” Rotating his hips, he ground deeper. Feeling her tighten around him he slammed into her harder and sank his teeth into the side of her neck.
Jane’s senses sped out of control. Legs shaking, she pushed backwards wanting this man as deep as possible within her as the burning waves of climax rose from the core of her being. Gripping Seth’s rock-solid thighs, she arched her back and cried out his name when he upped the pace further.
Unable to control herself any longer, she screamed the words he needed to hear before exploding around him in waves of rolling pleasure.
Seth smiled watching Jane’s body writhe. He loved having the same effect on her as she did on him. He wanted everything with this woman. Marriage. Kids. The works.
Digging his fingers painfully into her hips, he groaned, the throbbing ache for release agonising. “You and me against the world, Princess. Love you till the end of time, remember?”
With an animalistic roar as his own orgasm rushed through him like an express train, Seth spilt into her. He’d get his way somehow because he always did.
Then Jane would remain his.
THREE
PAUL THOMPSON LOOKED at himself in the ref
lection of the window of the Black Eagle. He looked fucking good even if he said so himself.
Glancing around the small tap room with its old wooden tables and psychedelic carpet, he stared mesmerised at the flashing lights of the dilapidated fruit machine leaning at a funny angle at the end of the bar.
It had been a couple of weeks since he’d seen Jane at that party. If he was totally honest he hadn’t expected her to be there, but should have known because she was at most parties. See! He was able to reason. It was all fine now.
These new tablets had done the trick and something was finally working. In fact, they’d worked so well, the hospital had released him to get on with his life.
He smiled as he fiddled with the lacing on the side of his leather trousers. That bloody idiot Stuart saying they’d released all patients back into the community due to lack of funds was bollocks, but it didn’t really matter anyway. Not now he was back to normal. Besides, he couldn’t have stayed there indefinitely. He needed to be around for his public because he had gigs lined up, or he would have shortly.
Looking towards the bar with its collection of real ale, Paul wondered whether to treat himself to a roll from the selection in the plastic bread bin. There might be a cheese and onion one in there and he was pretty hungry.
Spotting the landlady glaring at him he changed his mind and quickly looked away. What was everyone’s problem?
Paul turned instead towards a group of old men sitting on a scuffed wooden settle to the left. What the hell were they staring at him for? Sat there with their bloody trilbies and snuff boxes like the three monkeys.
Self-consciously touching his head, Paul was glad the bald patch had finally grown back enough to blend in with the rest of his hair, which reminded him that he could do with a bit more black dye. Turning his head from side to side in the reflection of the window, he inspected his roots. What if someone wanted to take his picture and his roots were showing? That would never do.