Tea and Tattoos

by Yasmine Magro

  The driver continued to drive past single-story, well-kept, clapboard houses where kids played in their yards or cycled and ran around in the street. It all looked affluent and wholesome with the houses nestled among the trees.

  A few minutes later, the driver turned sharply left, and they were confronted by two ornate white metal gates set in a six-foot-high, sandstone wall. Elliot paid the driver and they got out of the car hand in hand. He punched a number into the keypad and the gates swung open in welcome.

  He glanced at her, and his expression had changed. He looked uncertain, nervous even.

  “What is it?” She asked, she couldn’t mask the concern in her voice.

  “An idea,” he said quietly as they walked through the gates.

  They head up a tree-lined lane just wide enough for two cars. On one side, the trees rang a densely wooded area, and on the other there was a vast area of grassland where a once-cultivated field had been left fallow. Grasses and wildflowers had reclaimed it, creating a rural idyll—a meadow, where the early morning breeze softly rippled through the grass and the morning sun gilded the wildflowers. It’s lovely—utterly tranquil, and suddenly Desiree imagined herself lying in the grass and gazing up at a clear blue summer sky. The thought was tantalizing yet made her feel homesick for some strange reason. How odd.

  The lane curved around and opened into a sweeping driveway in front of an impressive house.

  Desiree noticed that there was a red expensive looking car parked in front of the garage and she couldn’t help but wonder who lived in that gorgeous house.

  Elliot glanced anxiously at her before walking up to the front door. The dark wood doors opened, and a woman with dark red hair, a sincere smile, and a sharp grey suit stood waiting. Desiree was grateful that she had changed into a smart dark green dress she had bought from a shop not that far away from their hotel.

  “Mr. Sword.” She smiled warmly and they shook hands.

  “Miss Johnson,” he said politely.

  She smiled at Desiree and held out her hand, which she shook. Her isn’t-he-dreamily-gorgeous-wish-he-was-mine flush didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Mary Johnson,” she announced breezily.

  “Desiree Lock,” She muttered back at her. Who was that woman? Desiree though. She stood aside, welcoming them into the house.

  It was a shock when they stepped in. The place was almost empty. They found their selves in a large entrance hall. The walls were a faded blue with scuffmarks where pictures must once have hung. The floors were dull hardwood. There were closed doors to either side of them, but Elliot gave her no time to take in what was happening.

  “Come,” he said, and took her hand, he lead her through the archway in front of them into a larger inner vestibule. It was dominated by a curved, sweeping staircase with an intricate iron balustrade but still he didn’t stop. He took her through to the main living area, which was empty, save for a large faded red rug –the biggest rug she had ever seen, a grand piano and a table with chairs. Oh—and there were four crystal chandeliers.

  But Elliot’s intention was now clear as they headed across the room and outside through open French doors to a large stone balcony. Below them there was half a football field of manicured lawn, but beyond that was the view, the breathtaking view.

  Desiree realized that she was holding her breath in awe, and Elliot was still holding her hand. As she reluctantly turned her eyes away from the view, he was gazing anxiously at her.

  “You brought me here to admire the view?” Desiree whispered. He nodded, his expression serious.

  “It’s amazing, Elliot. Thank you,” She murmured, letting her eyes feast on it once more. He released her hand.

  “How would you like to look at it for the rest of your life?” he breathed.

  What? She whipped her face back to his, startled brown eyes to pensive green. Her mouth dropped open, and she gaped at him blankly.

  ‘’I have always wanted to live in this part of England, when I was younger my mother and I used to rent a house here for the Summer. Everything is so different her than central London or Chicago, it’s so peaceful.’’ Elliot told her

  Somehow she remained upright. She was reeling. Live, there! In that beautiful haven! For the rest of her life . . .

  ‘’I know that you might be thinking that we are moving too fast, but with the same amount that we are staying at the hotel we can buy this house, or rent it if you’d like. As I told you, I’ve always wanted to live here and I have all the money that we need, but if you don’t want to it’s totally fine, it’s just an idea’’ He added.

  Desiree glanced back to assess the interior of the house. How much was it worth? It must have been, what— a hundred thousand pounds? Two hundred thousand? She had no idea.

  ‘’If you are going to buy this house I want to help, I’ll find a job here and I’ll pay you a certain amount every month, I just can’t let you buy it on your own.’’ She told him as she looked up at him. She knew that he came from a wealthy family but she didn’t want to take advantage of that.

  ‘’You won’t do such a thing!’’ He told her.

  ‘’But I want to, I don’t want to take advantage of you, you have already done so much for me-‘’

  ‘’Desiree, please let’s not argue about this for the hundredth time! I know that you love this place, I can see it in your eyes, so I’m buying it, for you and for me, for us.’’ He told her.

  She could see the dark and serious look in his green eyes so she didn’t say anything, she did love the house and she did want to live with Elliot, so there was no need to complain. She would make it up to him eventually…

  ‘’Okay then, I love this house and I can’t wait until we move in! Thank you’’ She told him with a smile as she moved into his arms.

  ‘’That’s better.’’ He smiled down at her as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.

  Desiree gazed back at the room again. Miss Johnson was on the far side, hovering by the entrance. She was the realtor, of course. Desiree noticed the room was huge and double height, there was a huge fireplace and a whole line of French doors opening onto the huge balcony. It had an old-world charm.

  “Can we look around the house?”

  Elliot blinked at her. “Sure,” he shrugged, puzzled.

  Miss Johnson’s face lit up like Christmas when they headed back in. She was delighted to take them on a tour and give them the spiel.

  The house was enormous, it had a main living room, there was the eat-in—no, banquet-in—kitchen with family room attached—Family!—a music room, a library, a study and, much to Desiree’s amazement, an indoor pool and exercise suite with sauna and steam room attached. Downstairs in the basement was a cinema—Jeez—and game room.

  Miss Johnson pointed out all sorts of features, but basically the house was beautiful and was obviously at one time a happy family home. It was a little shabby, but nothing that some TLC couldn’t cure.

  As they followed Miss Johnson up the magnificent main stairs to the second floor, Desiree could hardly contain her excitement . . . the house has everything she could ever wish for in a home.

  Miss Johnson led them into the master suite where full height windows opened onto another balcony, and the view was still spectacular. She could sit in bed and gaze out all day.

  Back in the main room, Miss Johnson discreetly disappears, and Elliot lead her out once more onto the balcony. The sun had almost set and lights from the towns were twinkling.

  Elliot pulled her into his arms and tipped her chin up with his index finger, staring intently down at her.

  “Lot to take in?” he asked, his expression unreadable.

  She nodded

  .

  “I wanted to check you liked it before I bought it.”

  “The view?”

  He nodded.

  .

  “I love the view, and I like the house that’s here.”

  “You do?”

  She smiled shyly at him. “Elliot
, you had me at the meadow.”

  His lips parted as he inhaled sharply, then his face transformed with a grin, and his hands were suddenly fisting into her hair and his mouth was on hers.

  31☕

  ❝Hold on if you feel like letting go. Hold on, it gets better than you know.❞

  A few days had passed since Elliot had took Desiree to see the house that he had picked out for her and signed all the countless of papers that had to be signed. Miss Johnson had told them that they had to wait at least two weeks before they were able to move in.

  In the days that had passed, Elliot had started working as a waiter in the same hotel that they had been staying in since they had needed someone to fill in the position as soon as possible. While Elliot was working Desiree usually went to see how the house was coming along or go run some errands with Elliot’s mother in preparation for the wedding.

  On these little shopping trips, Desiree had managed to knows some more bits and details about Elliot’s childhood, but Anne wasn’t a person who talked openly about the past, just like Elliot.

  That day Desiree had been up in the hotel room curled up on the sofa with a good book and a cup of tea next to her and with the TV switched on which was showing all the people waiting in anticipation to see the firework celebrations to welcome the new year.

  Desiree couldn’t help but wish to celebrate the new year with Elliot, but since the hotel was quite busy he had to work till the early hours of the morning.

  With only ten minutes to go for the start of the new year, she heard a loud knock on the door and went to open it, wondering who it could be. When she saw Elliot standing there, looking tired but still handsome, she jumped into his arms and hugged him.

  ‘’Baby girl, I didn’t know you missed me so much.’’ He told her with a smile as he lifted her up and closed the door behind them.

  ‘’I just didn’t want to celebrate new year’s eve alone that’s all.’’ She told him as she pushed a lock of hair from infront of his green eyes. His hair was a little bit longer now but he still looked like his handsome self.

  ‘’I can assure you that you won’t spend the night alone.’’ Elliot told her as his eyes gleamed with a mischief.

  ‘’What do you have in mind?’’ She asked him as she looked up at him innocently.

  ‘’I think you know exactly what I have in mind.’’ He whispered before he started trailing kisses down her throat.

  ‘’And the countdown starts now! 10…9…8…7’’ The reported announced from the TV as the hundreds of people started to countdown with him.

  ‘’Elliot come on the fireworks will start soon!’’ Desiree told him as she broke the kiss and tugged on his hand so they could watch the celebrations from the hotel window, but he took her in his arms again and continued kissing her.

  ‘’6…5…4...3…2…1…Happy new year everybody!’’ The reporter screamed at the top of his lungs as the fireworks rose up in the sky and Desiree ran to the window to see them.

  ‘’This is amazing!’’ Desiree laughed as she saw the beautiful show in the sky, new year celebrations in London were quite something.

  ‘’This year has been amazing thanks to you Desiree, I love you so much.’’ Elliot told her as he kissed her again as if his life depended on it.

  ‘’I love you too, Elliot.’’ She giggled as he lifted her up bridal style and walked towards the bed.

  ‘’Now let’s celebrate the beginning of new year with style.’’ He told her as he gently placed her down on the bed and climbed on top of her…

  ☯

  The next morning Desiree woke up to find Elliot still in bed with her, draped around her like a vine, keeping her warm. As he was still sound asleep she traced his lips with her finger, which woke him up.

  ‘’Good morning, gorgeous.’’ He told her as he grinned at her. ‘’Slept well?’’

  ‘’Of course I did with you next to me.’’ She told him as she moved closer to him.

  ‘’Desiree I know it’s early in the morning but since it’s a new year I want to be honest with you, I want you to know everything about me.’’ He told her with a serious look in his eyes as he sat up in the bed. It wasn’t like him to start talking on his own about this sort of thing.

  ‘’Go ahead, I’m listening.’’

  ‘’You probably already now this but my dad used to beat me up when I was young, and my mum aswell.’’ He started. ‘’He used to come home late from going drinking with his friends after work. When he came home to find out that my mum and me where already asleep and there was no food waiting for him on the table he used to first beat the shit out of me and then attack mum. I still remember he screams as he attacked her, the horrible horrible screams as I lied in my bed crying with pain.’’ He paused to take a sip from his glass of water on the bedside table and looked down at worryingly at Desiree.

  ‘’It’s okay if you don’t want to go on.’’ She told him as he rested her head on his chest, she hadn’t realized that she was crying until he removed the tears from her face with his thumb.

  ‘’Desiree don’t cry please, no no no.’’ He told her as he held her in his arms.

  Desiree couldn’t remove the images from her mind of a young boy with curly brown hair and the brightest green eyes being beaten up by his dad. A father was a person one was supposed to look up to, a hero, the person a young boy would like to become like when he grows up.

  ‘’Sorry, keep going on if you want.’’ She told him with a weak smile.

  ‘’As a teenager I rebelled against him and even against my mum, I couldn’t take the pain that he had inflicted on me. I was afraid of hurting people, but at the same time I wanted to. I had so much anger inside of me, I started doing some really bad things, and I hurt people. I..I-‘’ He placed his head on top of her head as a sob escaped from him.

  ‘’Shhh, it’s okay Elliot, you are safe now, I love you.’’ She soothed him as she wrapped her arms around him and he started crying like a little boy. It was unusual for her to see him cry, she didn’t know what bad things he had done, but that didn’t matter, she loved him and nothing would change that. They were in this together.

  ‘’I don’t deserve you, Desiree! You don’t know what sort of things I have done, I’m the person your parents warned you about.’’ He told her as he raised his head up from her chest and looked at her with wide panicked eyes.

  ‘’Elliot the past is the past, nothing can change it. You have shared with me more than enough today, go back to sleep, you’ll feel better.’’ She told him as if she was talking to a young child.

  ‘’Only if you stay with me.’’ He told her.

  ‘’Okay, I’ll stay, remember that.’’ She told him as she kissed his cheek and lied down on the bed together once again.

  32☕

  ❝It’s exciting when you find parts of yourself in someone else❞

  Two months passed and Desiree and Elliot had now been living in their new home for two months. Everything was just perfect and their relationship had grew even stronger since they now had shared responsibility and a house to take care of.

  Since Desiree had moved in she loved the house even more, it somehow had it’s own story and personality. She couldn’t help but wonder who was the family that lived in the house before they moved in, did they have a happy life there?

  Like every morning Desiree woke up at seven o’clock to prepare breakfast for Elliot before he left for work at the hotel.