Straight After the Bend

by S M Mala

  ‘He will.’

  ‘What if he doesn’t?’ She bit hard on her lip and Mylo put his finger out to stop her. ‘Then none of my parents would be present and that’s a horrible thought.’

  Mylo stroked her face as she looked up at him, the sorrow hitting her hard.

  ‘How can I make this day perfect for you?’ he asked and she could see the concern etched on his face. ‘Bea, it’s very much your day. I’d get married anywhere you told me to, as long as we get married.’

  ‘I don’t want him to have a reason not to turn up.’ She swallowed hard. ‘And this is way out of his perimeter when it comes to understanding, especially with Kayden and knowing the ex-partner is a man. Once we’ve tied the knot, I’ll tell him. It’s just a question of not letting him find out.’

  Bea knew so close to the wedding, and Cole now turning up with the children, it was going to be impossible.

  ‘Can’t you see she’s upset?’

  Bea was near to breaking point the following Monday when Chloe was completely distraught. ‘We are not supposed to allow this sort of bullying to happen.’

  Mr Mandelson was standing in Bea’s office as Chloe sat in tears.

  ‘The girls say she started it,’ he replied, shaking his head.

  ‘Four against one is fair? They said my mother was a paedophile because they saw her stupid boyfriend!’ wailed Chloe, her face red with anger. ‘What was I supposed to do?’

  ‘Walk away,’ replied Mr Mandelson, looking down at her. ‘It would be the best thing.’

  ‘And they said Bruno is gay and that’s why he fancied me because I look like a boy!’ Even Bea could tell from how Chloe said it that was more insulting than her mother being a kiddie fiddler. ‘Why don’t you get them to leave me alone?’

  ‘I’ll speak to them. They say you instigate the situations then get upset when they retaliate.’

  ‘Seriously?’ asked Bea, getting a little frustrated with the head teacher. ‘I’ve watched them from afar and that’s not what I see. I spot four girls trying to find a way to wind up Chloe and it works.’ She looked at the crying teenager. ‘I know you should rise above it but sometimes it’s hard.’ Then she turned to Mr Mandelson. ‘You need to speak to the girls’ parents. This is getting out of hand and now we’re in the sixth form, it will get worse. Chloe is a good student and I don’t want this crew to spoil her chances.’

  ‘I’ll try,’ he said, looking flustered.

  ‘Monitor them. Tell the form tutors what’s going on,’ then she mumbled. ‘Stop thinking that one of them is in the wrong all the time. You know I’m specialised in this area and the school got a good report on how it deals with bullying.’

  The look she received from Mr Mandelson was challenging.

  ‘I don’t want to be here if it’s going to be like this. I thought it would get better. I’ve even made some new friends but those others don’t let it go,’ sobbed Chloe. Bea handed her the box of tissues. ‘I might as well leave.’

  ‘You certainly will not!’ snapped Bea, making the pair jump. ‘You’re going to study hard and do well. When you walk out of this school, it won’t be with your head down but with it held high due to your achievements. Not everyone wants to be bloody beauticians or a masseurs like some of those girls.’

  ‘Miss Mayon!’ hissed the man. ‘That’s not exactly fair, is it?’

  ‘I never said anything was wrong with being a beautician,’ she defensively replied. ‘I go to them regularly. My husband-to-be can do aromatherapy massages and he’s very good at it so it’s not a criticism but an observation.’

  She noticed Chloe tried not to grin.

  ‘We know Mrs Dewhurst, Rachel, is not a fan of the school or me to be precise but we have to look after our more delicate students.’ Bea could see Mr Mandelson was waiting for the punchline. ‘For that, I need your help which I will discuss with you when I know Chloe is okay to return to class.’ The child’s expression of annoyance said it all. ‘Wash your face, put on some lippy and go back in there. They don’t know you were crying so don’t let them think they have the upper hand. No arguing, just do it.’

  And without another word, Chloe got to her feet and walked out, lifting her head up high and closing the door behind her.

  ‘Beatrice, I know you don’t like those girls but Chloe just rises to the bait,’ he replied, his more human demeanour now returning. ‘I can speak to them individually but like last term, they say it’s her, not them.’

  ‘And that Tyler is out to get Chloe because of Bruno. These girls need to be taught a lesson. At times like this I think of the film ‘Carrie’.’

  ‘Oh God!’ he groaned, shaking his head.

  ‘I’m not talking about pig’s blood and all that but how a girl is picked on by others mainly due to jealousy. And then she seeks revenge.’

  ‘Are you saying that Chloe has a vicious streak?’

  ‘No,’ she replied, dead pan. ‘I have.’

  Bea grinned watching the colour drain from the headmaster’s face.

  ’Twenty one days to go!’

  Jessica looked thrilled while pulling Bea around the exclusive shops for nearly an hour. ‘And the sari looks good?’

  ‘I look like a sack of misshapen potatoes.’

  Her father had got some of the women from the Hare Krishna gang to come and see her the day before. They had several types of saris and even the look of them made her break out into a sweat. Not only were they heavily embroidered, they were designed for anorexic, tall women.

  On closer examination when they had put one on her, Bea knew she would look better in a large plastic bag but the women were enthused about her appearance being stunning.

  She wasn’t banking on it.

  Then Bea refused to have henna put on her hands, which annoyed her father no end. Her reasons were that she didn’t like it. Bernie wasn’t impressed but he didn’t push it.

  Not just yet.

  Mylo had managed to negotiate wearing an expensive suit and generally not being made to look like a dog’s dinner.

  He had got off lightly.

  Jessica had ordered some very expensive Indian styled outfit from some equally extortionate designer. Bea knew her mother-in-law was going to show her up on the day.

  Everyone seemed sorted on what they were wearing other than Bea.

  Now she was looking for shoes to match her sari.

  ‘You know white is a funeral colour?’ Jessica said, looking at Bea. ‘But it’s an Anglo European America Indian wedding so you should wear what you want.’

  Then Bea stopped when she saw a beautiful white dress and smiled.

  Had she been given the opportunity to choose her own wedding outfit, it would have been something similar. A long shift dress with a slashed neck and very simple. The material looked like silk and there was no fuss, no bother; not like the fifty foot of cloth that would be wrapped around her body.

  ‘What a pretty dress!’ announced Jessica, startling Bea. ‘Shall we try it on?’

  ‘I was just looking.’

  ‘Come on! Let’s have some dress up fun.’

  ‘I think you need an appointed to get into the shop and-.’

  Jessica wasn’t listening as she dragged Bea in and spoke directly to the manager. She expected the pair to be evicted within a matter of seconds but she was wrong.

  Jessica took her to where the dress was in the window and promptly organised her to try it on.

  Bea was now standing in the outfit, looking at her reflection.

  It was perfect.

  Then she realised it wasn’t realistic and turned to Jessica.

  ‘One day,’ Bea sighed when the shop assistant put the veil over her head.

  ‘Did you want to get married in a traditional way? Jacob and I got married on a beach in Thailand and then had a ceremony in Dublin. It was incredibly free and spiritual.’

  ‘The only spiritual feeling I want to have is getting pissed.’

  ‘I thought you were all up for t
he Indian ceremony.’

  ‘Mylo didn’t tell you then?’ Bea pulled back her veil, watching Jessica smile. ‘He proposed for the second time in front of my father, who then made the demand. It was a done deal.’

  ‘What? They didn’t ask you?’

  ‘I might as well have not been in the room.’ Turning, she looked at her reflection again in the mirror and smiled sadly. ‘On the plus side, when daddy said October, he probably meant in five years’ time.’

  ‘And you? How did you want to get married?’

  ‘Small ceremony with the people I love around me.’ Then the full weight of grief hit. ‘I better take this off.’

  She didn’t want to start crying and spoil the beautiful dress so rushed off into the changing room, holding her breath as she was helped by the shop assistant.

  ‘You looked beautiful in it,’ the woman said, smiling at her.

  ‘Another time.’

  Pulling herself together, she decided to change the subject when she walked back to join her.

  ‘Did Mylo tell you what my dad has done?’ she asked meekly, glancing at a pair of matching silk shoes and her mouth dropped open when she realised how costly they were. ‘What are these made from? Diamonds?’

  ‘My son gave me strict instructions to buy you whatever you wanted, regardless of the cost.’

  ‘I can buy my own things.’

  ‘Bea, this is what he wants to do.’ She looked at her sympathetically. ‘You’re not a usual excited bride to be. What’s up? My son’s ex getting on your nerves? I can see your father has managed to wind you up.’

  ‘Aren’t you a little annoyed that your son’s future father-in-law wants to dish some dirt on him? I think it’s awful and have told him every day since he let slip what he was going to do.’ Bea then noticed some hideous white shoes and scowled. ‘When do you wear these things again?’

  ‘That’s the idea of wedding clothes. You shouldn’t have to wear them again. Once is enough. And talking as a divorcee, they are certainly right. You know Matty is flying over in the next few days and my ex is turning up at the weekend. He’s bringing his partner.’

  ‘Are you okay with that?’

  ‘I like her. She’s sweet and he’s happy plus we all get on. What more do I want?’ She turned and smiled at Bea. ‘What’s really bothering you?’

  ‘Other than Mylo’s past life being revealed and his ex-lover coming to town, nothing.’ She hung her head down, looking at the plush carpet. ‘This whole thing fills me with dread not to mention lying to my father.’

  ‘Champagne,’ announced Jessica. ‘You need a few glasses to lighten the mood.’

  Two glasses later, Bea looked out the window of the exclusive department store, sipping a drink in their members only bar. Jessica was sat back in the chair, observing her.

  ‘I’m not usually this miserable,’ Bea said, apologetically. ‘I want to marry Mylo. I love him. He’s perfect and wonderful but there’s this dark cloud hanging over my happiness zone and I can’t shift it.’

  Jessica leaned forward and touched her hand.

  ‘He’s worried about you. With Cole coming over next week, I think he’s afraid things might come to a head.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘You know Cole wants Mylo back, don’t you? He has travelled twice in a matter of months to see him. Usually, it’s Mylo running and Cole calling all the shots but not this time. You need to be sure about Mylo and-.’

  ‘I am sure,’ she replied, feeling her heart pound. ‘Very sure.’

  ‘You have had a few wobbly moments.’

  ‘Of course I have.’ Bea couldn’t hold on to it any longer. ‘Mylo didn’t tell me about his life until I was hooked, then I was hurt. You know the reasons why but it plays on my mind. That little bit of doubt I’m trying to push away. And then there’s Kayden. A beautiful little boy who his dad adores. I’m getting my head around where I fit in. You were there when Cole told me there was no place for me, not as a mother, let alone friend.’

  Jessica slowly sipped her drink and stared at Bea.

  ‘Are you happy Mylo’s marrying me? A woman with a Hare Krishna father and a family consisting mostly of women? Am I what you wanted for your son?’ Bea laughed and shook her head. ‘I bet I’m not. You can’t call me a professional and I’m not as educated as Mylo.’

  ‘You make him happy,’ she replied, starting to smile. ‘I see it. All he wants to do is make you happy and he doesn’t think he is when it comes to the wedding. Bea, what don’t you like about it?’

  ‘Everything,’ she said, trying not to let out a little sob. ‘It’s not how I planned it with my mum, you see. And my dad knows this and I think he’s proving a point. If I have a wedding how he wants it, I might, just might, back out. If I don’t do what he wants, he won’t turn up.’

  ‘Haven’t you told Mylo?’ Jessica asked, touching her hand.

  ‘He knows I have no choice. He was there!’

  ‘And you spoke to your mum about all of this?’

  ‘I wanted her to be there but she won’t be!’ Bea held onto her sob. ‘I know I’m letting Mylo down.’

  ‘Is that all you want, Bea? For your mother to be there?’

  Nodding, Bea knew how stupid it sounded.

  ‘Please don’t tell Mylo, promise me. I know it sounds silly but it’s making it hard for me.’

  ‘What is?’

  ‘To accept she’s dead.’

  But it was the truth.

  And she couldn’t pretend anymore.

  ‘Daddy!’

  Kayden jumped into Mylo’s arms, hugging the dear life out of him, a week before the wedding. Then he let go and reached out to Bea, doing the same thing, landing a soft, wet kiss on her cheek. She couldn’t help but feel delighted when she saw him smile. ‘I’m here for nearly two weeks and I’m missing school! How good is that?’

  ‘I know!’ replied Mylo, looking fit to burst with happiness.

  ‘And daddy Cole said I can’t stay here but I told him I can and I will.’ Kayden looked over his shoulder and the smiling boy suddenly looked sullen. ‘I told them not to come but they never listen to me.’

  ‘Kayden,’ whispered Mylo. ‘Don’t be mean.’

  ‘They’re always mean to me and it’s getting worse because you’re getting married. I told-.’

  Kayden suddenly stopped talking, looking scared.

  Cole walked in, without a smile, but a challenging expression towards the child and then her.

  ‘Hello,’ he said, glancing back at the car where she could see Bligh waving as she waved back. Then River said something and Bligh stopped. ‘We need to get to the hotel.’

  ‘I want to stay with my daddy,’ protested Kayden, starting to get tearful. ‘I haven’t seen him for a long time and I want to stay here. Please can I stay? I will be good.’

  ‘You can’t,’ Cole replied in a tone she hadn’t heard before. If she could pinpoint it, there was bitterness combined with anger. ‘I told you. This time you’re spending it with your family.’

  ‘I am his family,’ said Mylo, getting agitated as he kissed his son. ‘Let the child stay here.’

  And then she noticed his unfriendly tone and figured something was going on.

  ‘That’s not what I want,’ replied Cole, getting irritated. ‘I made my conditions clear.’

  ‘Can I remind you that I have also made mine clear?’

  ‘Come here Kayden,’ Bea said, taking Kayden out of Mylo’s arms. ‘Let me show you something.’

  She carried him away from what seemed like a hostile situation developing.

  ‘Your daddy Cole, told your daddy that he wanted you to stay with him. We might have to agree for a few days.’

  ‘But I don’t want to!’ he said, the big brown eyes staring at her. ‘I want to be with my daddy! I don’t want to get hurt again.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Then she noticed he looked away, as if he said something he shouldn’t. ‘Who’s hurting you?’

  ‘It
’s okay,’ he whispered. ‘He stopped doing it because I was coming here.’

  ‘I see.’ She took a sharp intake of breath, knowing something was happening to the little boy. Bea could see the conversation was becoming quite heated between the adults. ‘I might have to interrupt.’

  Kissing Kayden on the head, she noticed he was looking towards the car.

  River was glaring at them as Bligh just stared. She turned and noticed the look of fear on Kayden’s face.

  Her first reaction was to run out and slap the nasty teenager but someone walked through the front door and both the men stopped. She didn’t know who it was and stepped closer.

  ‘Granddad!’ shouted out Kayden, jumping out of her arms and running to the man. ‘You’re here!’

  He was an older version of Mylo with grey hair.

  ‘My wonderful boy!’ he shouted, picking him up and kissing the child’s neck, making Kayden laugh out loudly. ‘What a pleasure to see you!’

  ‘I want to stay here and daddy Cole won’t let me,’ he said, starting to cry in the man’s arms. ‘It’s not fair as I’m the best man and I need to be with my daddy. I don’t want to be with them.’

  Cole rolled his eyes in frustration as Mylo shook his head in annoyance.

  ‘I think you stay the night here with daddy and then we’ll sort out the proper arrangements.’ Mylo’s dad said, looking at Cole. ‘And you know you have to comply? You can’t call the shots. Mr Silverman, we have an agreement that you have flouted from time to time. But on this soil, it still stands.’

  ‘Yes, Jake,’ Cole replied, looking pissed off. ‘I hear you.’

  Confused by what she was hearing, Bea stepped forward.

  ‘And you must be Bea?’ he said, stepping closer. Kayden then whispered something into his ear. ‘Yes, aren’t you lucky? I’m Jacob but you can call me Jacob. I can’t stand being called Jake.’ He flicked Cole a disgruntled glance. ‘I believe we’re all meeting for lunch tomorrow. Can you make sure you drop off some clothes for Kayden?’

  Jacob handed over the child to Mylo who mouthed ‘thanks’, as he hugged and kissed Kayden, taking him out into the garden.