Watching Over You

by Sherratt, Mel

  She’s screwing him. She doesn’t need you.

  Why hadn’t she rung to tell her where she was, damn her!

  Why should she? She’s not your friend, really.

  Five hours later, Ella was still standing in the window. Charley wasn’t home; nor had she seen Aaron or his car.

  She’d come to the conclusion that it could only mean one thing: Charley must be staying over at Aaron’s house, without telling her. How dare she!

  How fucking dare she!

  Chapter Twenty-One

  All day Wednesday, Ella paced up and down in her flat, continuing to drink whatever she had in. She’d been awake for most of the night thinking of Charley and why she hadn’t come home. One minute, she’d imagine her hooked up to a breathing machine and lying in intensive care; the next she had her sleeping curled up with Aaron or them having sex without her.

  What angered her most was that Charley hadn’t thought to contact her. A simple text message, that’s all it would have taken. Thirty seconds, tops, and she would have been fine, not have to worry. But no, she’d been too busy fucking Aaron.

  Why hadn’t she come home?

  By the time Ella saw her parking up outside that evening, she had to fight the urge not to run outside and punch her full in the face. While Charley reached for her belongings from the back seat of the car, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. But when she saw her coming up the steps outside, she thundered down the stairs and waited for her to open the door.

  Charley jumped when she saw Ella standing behind the door as she pulled out her key.

  ‘Where the fuck have you been?’ Ella cried. ‘I’ve been worried sick.’

  ‘Why, what’s wrong? Has something happened? Are you okay?’ she asked all at once.

  ‘How would I know? You didn’t come home!’

  Charley frowned. ‘Sorry, I’m not sure I –’

  Ella pointed at her. ‘You stayed out all night! How was I to know if you were alive or dead? I mean, anything could have happened. You could have had an accident, be lying in a ditch. You could have been kidnapped and raped – worse, you could have been murdered! Why didn’t you tell me where you were going? I shouldn’t have to spend the night not being able to sleep because I don’t know –’

  ‘Ella! Stop!’ Charley raised her voice. ‘I’m fine! I stayed over at Aaron’s.’

  ‘But I wasn’t supposed to know that!’

  ‘No, actually you weren’t.’ Shocked at her manner, Charley decided she needed to set some boundaries. ‘I don’t have to tell you where I’m going and when I’ll be back. I don’t answer to anyone, especially not my landlady.’

  ‘I thought I was more than a landlady to you,’ Ella pouted. ‘I thought I was your friend.’

  ‘Friends don’t come tearing down the stairs and start swearing at –’

  ‘I was worried!’

  ‘You shouldn’t be. I’m a big girl. I can manage, thanks.’

  ‘So it was okay for you to cry on my shoulder when you needed it, and go out with me until you found Aaron, but it’s not okay for me to worry about you? It’s the first night you’ve stayed out since you moved in.’

  ‘I know, but…’ Charley paused. ‘How do you know that? Are you keeping tabs on me?’

  ‘No, I –’

  ‘Well, how else would you know that this is the first night I’ve stayed out?’

  ‘Because I hear the entrance door!’

  Charley wasn’t convinced but she didn’t feel like arguing with a woman who was saying that she didn’t have the right to do anything unless she cleared it with her first. It was absurd – and a little bit odd. She moved past Ella towards the door to her flat.

  But Ella blocked her way. ‘Where are you going?’ she asked.

  ‘Into my flat – let me pass.’

  ‘But I thought you’d come upstairs to have a chat with me. We can open a bottle of wine, have a laugh.’ Ella’s eyes widened with excitement. ‘Hey, we can dissect your dates with Aaron – I’d love to know how you’re getting on.’

  Charley frowned. Which Ella was she talking to now – happy-go-lucky or paranoid manic? It was ridiculous trying to keep track of her moods.

  She didn’t like it. And right now, she wanted to get away.

  ‘Ella, I’m tired.’ She smiled, hoping to show friendliness rather than hostility. ‘Thanks, but if you don’t mind I’m heading for a bath and an early night.’

  Ella moved to one side. Charley was at the door when she spoke again.

  ‘That’s because you were fucking him all night, I suppose.’

  Charley recoiled. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘Tired because you were fucking him –’

  ‘Yes, yes, I heard you the first time. I just couldn’t believe you’d say such a thing.’

  ‘It’s true, though, isn’t it?’

  Before she could reply, Ella pushed her up against the wall. Her hand went inside her jacket, found her breast and squeezed it hard. Then she brought her mouth close to hers.

  Charley turned her head to one side, screwing up her face, repulsed as Ella’s lips missed their target and touched her cheek. Bile rose in her throat as she pushed her body as far into the wall as it would go. She pulled away Ella’s hand quickly, still feeling the imprint of where it had been placed on her clothes.

  ‘What the fuck are you doing?’ she cried. ‘Get off me!’

  Ella stopped and glared at her. ‘I thought you might want to get intimate.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘But what does Aaron have that I haven’t? I was watching over you until he came along!’

  ‘I don’t need anyone to watch over me!’

  ‘Yes, you do. You’re lonely and that means you’re vulnerable. I could have cared for you. You didn’t need to go out with him.’

  ‘I…I…’

  ‘Oh.’ Ella dropped her arms and took a step away. ‘I must have read the signs wrong.’

  Charley couldn’t speak. She was sure she hadn’t given out any signals at all.

  ‘I thought you’d gone with Aaron to make me jealous,’ Ella added, ‘like you were playing hard to get.’

  ‘Of course I wasn’t! I don’t –’

  ‘I’ve always liked a bit of both, I must admit.’ Ella paused. ‘You should try it sometime. You don’t know what you’re missing.’

  Charley didn’t know what to say to that, either.

  ‘I’m really sorry.’ Ella grinned, looking embarrassed. ‘I’ll leave before I make more of a fool of myself.’ She paused again. ‘Friends still?’

  Charley nodded. She let herself into the flat quickly, drew the lock across the door, and leaned on the back of it for a moment.

  Afterwards, she walked around as if in a daze. The place felt strange; for the first time since she’d moved in, she didn’t feel safe there. It had suddenly turned into something sour, somewhere she didn’t want to come home to.

  And what had all that been about? After making a pass at her, Ella was trying to brush the incident off as if it hadn’t happened. Charley thought back to the times when she’d been alone with her. Had she given her any unintentional ideas? She could only remember them hugging when she’d been upset about Dan. Had she got the wrong end of the stick from then? Oh, God.

  She went through into the living room. Knowing Ella was upstairs above her was freaking her out. Of course Ella couldn’t see her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she could. Christ, she’d seen a lot of things in her line of work, but nothing had alarmed her like that. She definitely felt the need to talk to someone about Ella’s behaviour now.

  Yet again, Ella had spoiled Charley’s return after a good time with Aaron. It had taken her a long time to pluck up the courage to move out of her home and into Warwick Avenue but, if anything else happened, she would have
to find somewhere else to go. It wouldn’t be easy to find another place so quickly, and she would lose her deposit here, but if she didn’t feel safe, no money in the world would make her stay.

  Ella wallowed in self-pity all evening after Charley’s rejection. Memories of Susan Reilly came back to her mind. She’d seen the same look on her previous tenant’s face when she’d made a pass at her, too. She’d thought Susan was game. The signs were there. She was single, and she was always friendly. But Ella had acted too quickly, frightened her off, especially when she’d been waiting downstairs in the flat for her to return that evening. Ella couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled the fearful look on Susan’s face when she’d found her sitting on her settee drinking her wine. She hadn’t thought she would move out so quickly afterwards, though.

  Finally succumbing to her needs, Ella logged on to One Night Only and arranged another meet. Arriving home shortly before two a.m. she made as much noise as she could to let Charley know that she’d been out having fun. She didn’t need her; she didn’t need anyone as long as she could go out and get screwed. Tonight, she’d found a man who’d been willing but it had been too gentle and too quick for her liking. And he’d been too old – which is why she’d come up with her plan to get someone younger next time, someone closer to home. Someone across the road from her.

  She had to wait all the next day but the thought of what she was about to do kept her on edge. Finally, she spotted Jake walking up the avenue towards his home. Even though it was half past three, Ella was still in her dressing gown. Some days there seemed no point in getting dressed. Barefoot, she ran down the stairs quickly and out the entrance door.

  ‘Jake, have you got a minute?’ She waved to catch his attention, hoping she wouldn’t seem too drunk when he came over to her. She’d had a delivery from Tesco that morning, with far more alcohol than food, but at least it meant she didn’t have to go out and fetch anything. She really couldn’t be bothered.

  She watched as he came across to her, her heart quickening as he drew near. From his smart yet casual attire, Ella assumed he’d most probably been to college or maybe Staffordshire University. Towering over her, at least six feet in height, he was neither lanky and lean nor too bulky. Olive-skinned with short dark hair, he had the odd blemish that gave away his youthfulness, yet he showed signs of a five o’clock shadow. Two lines had been shaven into one eyebrow and there was a hole where she assumed he’d taken out a stud or a ring. Ella licked her lip, praying he had a pierced tongue – there was nothing better than feeling something alien when it flicked over her most delicate of places.

  He stopped on the bottom step as she stood at the top.

  She spoke first. ‘You couldn’t help me out with something, please? I need to change a bulb and I can’t reach it.’

  ‘Sure.’ He smiled shyly.

  ‘Great. I’m on the first floor, but you already know that, don’t you?’ Not giving him time to answer, she beckoned him in.

  They went into the house and up the stairs. She knew he’d be checking out her legs so she walked a little more slowly than usual, waggling her hips that little bit more. In her flat, she closed the door and led him through to the living room.

  ‘Would you like a drink?’ she asked.

  ‘I – yeah, go on, then.’

  ‘Whisky?’

  ‘Sure.’

  She poured two drinks, handed one to him.

  ‘Where you’ve been all day. College?’

  ‘Yeah, at the new Sixth Form in Stoke.’

  ‘You seem more of a man than that, if you catch my drift.’ Ella put the glass to her lips, staring intently at him. ‘How old are you?’

  ‘Seventeen.’

  ‘Seventeen.’ She knocked back the whisky, poured some more, and drank that too, while Jake sipped at his.

  ‘And are you a virgin, Jake?’

  He shook his head.

  ‘So, you are all man, then?’

  ‘I suppose.’

  ‘You suppose.’ Ella nodded slowly. ‘Jake?’

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘You realise I don’t really need a bulb changing, don’t you?’ She stepped closer to him.

  When he nodded, Ella saw his Adam’s apple move as he gulped. Laughing inwardly, she took the glass from him.

  ‘You like watching me, don’t you?’

  ‘I – I might do.’

  She wagged a finger at him. ‘I can see you. But you know that too.’ She lifted up his jumper and T-shirt, ran her fingers across his stomach, feeling him pull it in at her touch. ‘I really like you. Do you like me?’

  ‘I guess so.’

  She moved a little closer and giggled. ‘I can see how much by that shape in your trousers.’ Pressing on his erection caused him to jump back a little. She laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t bite. Well, not too hard.’

  She reached for his hands, placed them both on the ties to her dressing gown, urging him to pull them apart. When he’d done that, she slipped it from her shoulders, revealing her nakedness. Hearing him gasp, she placed his hand on her breast, almost shivering at his touch.

  ‘I bet you’ve dreamt of doing this, haven’t you?’ she purred.

  Jake could only nod again.

  ‘Kiss me.’ She drew him near.

  He didn’t need any further encouragement. Ella tasted him, sweet on her lips. He faltered at first, unsure whether to continue, but as instinct took over, he came into his own. She pulled his upper garments above his arms and over, needing to feel his bare skin against hers. Then she pushed his head down until his mouth found her nipple. Ella groaned as he sank his teeth into it, stood on her tiptoes so he could take in more. He moved to the other one.

  ‘That’s so good.’ She gave a moan. ‘Now, do something with your hands at the same time.’

  Jake’s hands dived between her legs, his fingers slipping into her. At first, he moved too fast and she slowed him down with a hand over his. Then when he had a rhythm she was happy with, they kissed while she let the passion build. Suddenly, she arched away from him.

  ‘Now you can move your hand faster,’ she moaned. ‘Make me come, Jake. Make me come over and over again. And then we can fuck. I want you inside me. I have to have you inside me. And then…’ Words failed her as her body quivered. She threw back her head, trying to keep her balance as she reached orgasm noisily. Satisfied with her last quiver, her head came forward again and she smiled at him. He was good.

  ‘Well, that was much better than anticipated,’ she said, watching his chest puff out with pride. She rested a hand on his zip, then pulled it down slowly. ‘Every bit a man, I feel.’ She went down on him, holding onto the back of his legs to steady herself as she took him to her mouth.

  It was a matter of seconds before he came. Ella stood back up again, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

  ‘Eager little fucker, aren’t you?’ She pointed at him in an accusing manner. ‘Don’t move. I need another drink.’

  Naked, she padded through to the kitchen, congratulating herself on such a good idea. Being young, Jake would be able to go over and over. Maybe she could teach him a few tricks to make him last longer, too.

  Far more unsteady now, she grabbed a half-empty bottle of wine from the fridge and closed the door with the bump of a hip. As she wrestled to untwist the top, she heard the front door close. She tore into the living room to find it empty. Where the fuck was he?

  She raced to the front door, opened it in time to see the entrance door closing again. No, no, no – he couldn’t have gone! She clenched her hands into fists and screamed as her body went rigid.

  ‘You sneaky little shit!’ She tore down the stairs after him. Losing her footing at the bottom, she fell onto the floor, bashing her knee as she came down hard on the tiles. Crying out in pain, she burst into tears. ‘Wait ’til I get you,’ she sobbed. ‘Wa
it until I fucking get you. Nobody leaves me!’

  They all leave you eventually.

  ‘Nobody leaves ME!’

  Jake legged it across to his house, took the stairs three at a time, and bolted into his room. Over by the window, he paced the floor before peeking around the edge of the curtains to see if Ella had followed him out. When he couldn’t see her after a few seconds, he flung himself down onto his bed.

  Fuck, that had been one scary experience. He couldn’t quite believe his luck, couldn’t believe it had happened – or that Ella had come on to him first. He knew there’d be no bulb to change: she’d come downstairs in her dressing gown, for fuck’s sake. She knew he’d seen her drop it to the floor in the window while she touched herself.

  She’d wanted him.

  He grinned. He’d felt her tits; he’d sucked on her tits. His fingers had been inside her pussy! And she was willing to let him screw her. Wait until Will heard about this!

  But he’d never expected it to happen that quickly.

  Christ, why the fuck had he lost his nerve? Okay, he’d only had sex with a couple of girls so he could hardly call himself experienced. But Ella could have shown him what to do. He could have learned from her.

  It was the way that she’d come on to him so quickly that had scared him away. Knowing what he’d seen of her too, he’d watched her disappear out of the room so self-assured that he’d panicked, thinking he wouldn’t be good enough for her. He could have had her, he was sure. He could have had so much more.

  Then he grinned again. Fuck, she’d given him a blow job! Maybe next time, she’d forgive him for his nerves and let him fuck her. Yeah, next time, there’d be no stopping him. Next time, he wouldn’t bottle it. He would be all man.

  Jean sat forward when she saw young Jake running out of Ella’s house. He was tucking his T-shirt into his trousers, his hair a tousled mess, cheeks flushed. She roared with laughter – that would teach him to mess with the likes of Ella. Jean had guessed what Ella was up to as soon as she’d seen Jake going over, and the look on his face confirmed that she’d either got what she wanted or he’d bottled out. She wished she knew which one, even though she expected that Ella had been too much for him, probably frightening him away with her forwardness.