Bless This Love

by S M Mala

  ‘I’ve met someone and he’s very special. I think I’m falling in love,’ she said, seeing Ted frown. ‘He makes me feel good about myself. And that’s the opposite of what you did.’

  ‘It won’t last. I know you, Suri. You’re not one to commit as you’re too scared. Being hurt? Let down? Whatever it is, you’re still fucked up over it.’

  She spun around on her heels.

  ‘Keep your opinions to yourself!’ she snapped. ‘Whatever demons I have, I’ll face them head on.’

  Walking out of the office, she caught Edgar’s eye

  ‘Why don’t you make me redundant?’ Suri asked, to which she was met with him shaking his head from side to side. ‘I’ll resign.’

  ‘Your mother would never forgive you,’ he said loudly, making a few heads turn. ‘And neither will I.’

  But the words of Ted were ringing loudly, like church bells, in her ears.

  She was still fucked up about what happened with Rory and Felicity.

  ‘That woman!’

  Her mother looked furious while munching through a pile of prawn crackers. ‘I could ring her neck.’

  ‘I thought we were supposed to be charitable when we spoke of Janet Peters,’ Suri mumbled sarcastically.

  ‘What makes her think that she can do the flowers all the time? It makes me mad. And she’s even trying to put down everything they want to do. You know the new Vicar sings a couple of songs at the end of service. Janet thinks it’s wrong.’

  ‘And what does Reverend Jack say?’ asked Suri, seeing her mother knock back her glass of beer. ‘I’m sure he must think it’s a good idea.’

  ‘He loves it. We all love it! You’d like it as he sings Stevie Wonder songs.’

  ‘Really? Jack?’

  ‘No the new Vicar! You know, since we’ve changed things around, the church is nearly full every week. Lots of new people are coming and quite a few men.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘You know the type.’

  ‘What type?’

  ‘Like the ones that work in your industry.’

  ‘Drunks and druggies?’ she laughed out. ‘That’s television for you.’

  ‘Not like that,’ her mother replied, popping a prawn cracker into her mouth. ‘Gay.’

  ‘Gay men are now coming to church,’ Suri smiled. ‘I bet Janet Peters loves that!’

  ‘I think news is spreading that we have a hot new young Vicar.’

  ‘Hot?’

  ‘He is,’ she sniffed, making Suri smile into her glass of lager. ‘And we sing cool, soulful, tunes. There’s talk about us entering ‘The London Choir of the Year’. He thinks we need some practise for a few months then he’s going to put forward an application before Christmas.’

  ‘Cool tunes and entering a singing competition? Yep, church is certainly changing.’

  ‘For the better, if you ask me. We sound amazing. If only you’d come and see.’ Mary’s face then darkened. ‘There’s talk about a ten year anniversary since the passing of Felicity.’

  Suri’s eyes darted up at her mother then back down again.

  ‘And Rory?’ Suri added, seeing her mother flinch. ‘We can’t forget him.’

  ‘His family have moved away and they will probably do their own thing,’ her mother gently replied. ‘But Felicity’s parents still live locally, even though apart, and her brother comes back every year to visit her grave. Nearly a decade since it all happened.’

  She knew her mother was building up to something.

  ‘I think you should do something, Suri. Everyone knows you’re still hurting and-.’

  ‘Janet Peters blames me. She tore me to pieces all that time ago and I carefully orchestrate my life so I don’t see her. Never has she ever accepted that I wasn’t to blame but she was grieving, and I knew whatever I said could never comfort her. But she had a point about me meeting Rory and what happened.’

  ‘Suri! You weren’t to know what they’d been up to.’

  ‘And when Felicity did tell me, I made my choice to give her what she wanted and then what happened?’ Suri could feel herself getting upset and angry. ‘He didn’t want her, he wanted me. I said no. I could never be with a lying, two timing son of a bitch that he was.’

  ‘Oh no,’ her mother said, grabbing her hand. ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘It’s not okay. It will never be okay. If only I had said I wanted to be with him then Felicity wouldn’t have gone steaming in and neither one would be dead. That’s the bottom line.’

  ‘What do we have here?’

  Jack made her jump as she found solace in the grubby little pub’s beer garden. The place where Jack would hang out to avoid his godly parishioners.

  The man was dressed in his usual casual attire, which consisted of faded denim jeans, a hooded top with a polo shirt underneath all topped off with a baseball cap.

  There was no way you could tell he ran a successful church.

  You would have pigeon holed him into the category of a man who enjoyed his food too much, as well as spending a lot of time in watering establishments.

  ‘And that’s a pint of my favourite nectar, I take it?’ he sniffed.

  ‘Cider,’ she said, sipping it and flicking him a glance, checking out his identical drink. ‘You bought me my first one, remember?’

  ‘Indeed I did,’ he said proudly, sitting opposite.

  He had thinning white hair and was short and round. The man, for all his physical misdemeanours pointing to too much indulgence, still looked a picture of health. He was in his early seventies though acted like a seventeen year old.

  When she was little, Suri thought he looked like friar tuck and just needed a monk’s habit to set it all off. His cheeks always looked like they had sun burn, even in winter, and the tip of his nose was pink.

  But the monk’s life is not what Jack followed.

  Two wives, now deceased, and a string of ‘housekeepers.' No one batted an eye-lid. It was Reverend Jack Pinter, and that is what he did.

  ‘My mother was gushing about church today. She has been going on about it for months,’ said Suri, looking at him knocking back a quarter of his drink. ‘You have more women and gay men. Who’d have thought? Are people succumbing to your charm after thirty-five years? I always knew you were a sex bomb.’

  ‘Ah, little missy, I have you know, I’ve always had an allure.’

  She started to laugh then let out a disgruntled sigh, watching him put out his arm as he looked at his phone. He could just about see the text.

  ‘Do you want me to text for you?’ she quietly asked. ‘You do know your spectacles are on your head?’

  The response was met with a cheeky grin and a grunt.

  ‘Rev Jack, what’s this about a ten year commemoration for Felicity? Mum mentioned it over lunch. And Janet Peters has pissed her off again. Why don’t you marry Janet Peters and give her, first hand, a touch of God? I’m sure she’d like that. I hear she likes a drink, so you have got something in common.’

  ‘You’re a wicked young woman and you’re not to speak like that about Mrs Peters. I told you that in confidence,’ he laughed out loudly, sipping his cider before putting his phone away. ‘We need to do something as I christened that young girl. It only seems like yesterday.’

  Suri looked around the pub, the array of people who hated the gastro element of the other drinking dens. They wanted a place to sit down and drink, without music but occasionally the television for football.

  It was a good place to hide.

  Especially when speaking about this chosen subject.

  ‘And I would like you to take part,’ he gently said, looking straight at her. He had piercing blue eyes which were only detectable when he was making a point. ‘You are very much part of the whole thing.’

  ‘Marry Janet Peters and I’ll consider it.’

  ‘I think they all want to marry my new Vicar. Have you met him?’

  ‘Why do you need an assistant not a curate?’

  ‘I have an important parish and two Vica
rs are better than one,’ he smirked. ‘New blood, so to speak. And he’s creating quite a stir.’

  ‘Mum’s got a crush on him. Every time she mentions his name, there’s this silly little smile. I take it the women are after younger flesh.’

  ‘I have more than enough to go around,’ he said, tapping his tummy. ‘And yes, my new addition is proving popular. Would you like to meet him?’

  ‘No thanks,’ she said, sipping her drink and frowning. ‘You think a man of God will make me see sense about my life?’

  ‘As long as he’s not married.’

  Jack stared at her and she knew what he was getting at. Suri had told him what happened with Ted when she found out. He listened and never cast judgement. That was something he didn’t need to do as Suri had done that herself.

  ‘He’s out of the picture but has returned to the company in hope of changing my mind.’

  ‘Will you?’

  ‘I’ve met someone.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really. And he seems very genuine.’

  ‘You seem to have this glow about you I’ve not seen in years,’ he grinned, leaning closer. ‘Is it serious or the cider?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she shrugged. ‘But I really like him.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘What sort of a question is that?’ she laughed, seeing him grin. ‘Because I do.’

  ‘And you write and edit continuity information for television?’

  ‘He’s kind and caring. I like the fact he wants to help people and he sings.’ Suri grinned. ‘He has the voice of a soulful angel.’ She looked at him. ‘If I knew what one sang like.’

  ‘Carry on, I’m listening.’

  ‘And he makes me laugh. There’s something about him that’s so relaxing and … I don’t know.’

  ‘Sounds like you’re in love,’ Jack whispered. ‘Does he know?’

  ‘I’m not commenting on that,’ she said, knowing she was starting to break out into a sweat.

  ‘Is he married?’

  ‘To his work.’

  ‘Is that what he said?’

  ‘Do you think he’s married to a woman?’ she asked, looking aghast. ‘I asked him and he said he wasn’t.’

  ‘A man?’

  ‘He’s not gay.’

  ‘How would you know? Ah, I see. You’ve bonded already,’ he laughed and started wiggling his eyebrows. ‘And you, my darling Suri, not even a married woman.’

  ‘That’s never going to happen.’

  ‘I always thought about marrying you in that church,’ he said, letting out a wistful sigh. ‘Even your late father, God bless his soul though he cheated at golf, would have been happy for that to happen. Who knows? Maybe my new Vicar will marry you?’ Then he let out a loud laugh, shaking his head from side to side. ‘Praise be to the Lord. I’d love to see that.’

  ‘Reverend Jack, how much have you had to drink?’

  ‘Not enough, my dear,’ he said, finishing his pint and shoving it in her direction. ‘Thirsty work dealing with God.’

  ‘The last place in the world I’d get married is in the church. It would be wrong on many levels.’

  ‘It would be perfect, if only you’d open your eyes and see.’

  Suri got up and took his pint, leaving her half full one on the table, knowing he’d drink it as soon as her back was turned. She walked up to the bar and ordered him a pint and her a half.

  When she returned, she got a shock.

  Joe was sitting talking to Jack. Quickly going forward, she needed to make sure Jack didn’t spill the beans on what she said.

  ‘Hello!’ Jack said, taking the pint out of her hand as soon as she got to the table. ‘I was speaking to this young man. He says he knows you.’

  ‘Hello,’ she said, instantly grinning on seeing Joe. ‘How come you’re here? I thought you had things to do?’

  ‘Ah,’ he said then went a little pink. ‘I was trying to think where you’d go. So I popped in on the hop. I know the Reverend comes here, you mentioned before.’

  ‘Talking about me again, were you young Suri?’ sighed Jack. ‘You see, my allure.’

  ‘Would you like a drink?’ she politely asked, ignoring the Vicar.

  ‘Whatever you’re having.’

  Going back to the bar, she got him a pint, all the time looking over to see what they were talking about. Whatever it was, Jack seemed animated and Joe was constantly grinning. She returned to sit down next to Joe.

  ‘You know I know this young man from church, don’t you?’ Jack said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. ‘Is he the one you were talking about?’

  ‘The one I casually mentioned, yes,’ she said, glaring at the older man.

  ‘Interesting.’

  ‘Isn’t it just.’

  ‘I was asking your gentleman friend how you met,’ Jack asked, before taking a long sip from his pint. ‘Oh, I love it when it’s cold.’

  ‘He’s a friend of Naomi’s boyfriend. And we met in the pub,’ she replied, seeing Joe grin as he sipped his drink. ‘We started talking and that’s that, really.’

  ‘That’s a coincidence, don’t you think?’

  ‘Oh, and I used to see him jogging around the green for months, so we sort of knew each other’s faces,’ she said, watching Jack smile. ‘Though we never spoke.’

  ‘And this happened all around the church,’ he smirked, looking at them. ‘Divine intervention, that’s what I call it.’

  ‘We’re getting to know each other and we’ve decided to go slowly,’ Joe said, glancing at Suri then at Jack. ‘I’d rather not make any rash decisions until we’re ready.’

  Suri noticed Jack flick her a glance of concern.

  ‘How long have you been together?’ Jack asked.

  ‘I’m not counting,’ sighed Suri. ‘It seems like five minutes and forever.’

  She heard Jack let out a little groan.

  ‘And what do you do for a living, Joe? I’ve never really asked.’

  ‘I work in the local community.’

  ‘Doing what?’

  ‘I…’ hesitated Joe. ‘You see-.’

  ‘Are you going to bring her to church?’ Jack quickly said, letting out a small laugh.

  ‘No!’ Joe replied loudly, making Suri smile. ‘She doesn’t go into the church.’

  ‘She told you that?’ asked the Reverend, starting to laugh as Suri smirked. ‘If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were worshipping the other side.’

  ‘I will never support Brentford FC ever!’ she said, knowing the Vicar was a solid Queens Park Rangers fan. ‘And shame on you for thinking that.’ Suri laughed as Jack smiled. ‘You know I don’t want to go in. If I do, my mum will think I want to go every week, and the ladies of your church will put up a petition to stop me.’

  ‘Why would they do that?’ Joe asked, turning to look at her, his quizzical expression making her feel bad for not telling him anything.

  ‘I’m a trouble maker for speaking the truth,’ she said, feeling uncomfortable, knowing the Reverend was watching her. ‘I was involved in an incident many years ago and they won’t let me forget about it nor will they listen. Janet Peters treats my mother like shit because of me!’

  ‘Suri!’ said Jack, shaking his head from side to side. ‘You know what Mrs Peters is like.’

  ‘She makes Hitler and all dictators look like nice people. And why do you let her boss you around and tell you what to do, beats me! Are you sure she doesn’t fancy you?’

  ‘If she does, she just can’t help herself,’ he laughed and looked at Joe. ‘Suri thinks she made something bad happen but she didn’t. It’s not worth going into. She’ll tell you when she’s ready.’ Instantly, Suri bit her bottom lip. ‘Or you can listen to rumours and get it all wrong.’

  ‘I’m intrigued,’ Joe said and discreetly squeezed her thigh. ‘I don’t think there’s anything about Suri that won’t surprise me.’

  ‘Ah, well, I can certainly say,’ Jack said, finishing off his pint
then wiping his mouth. ‘You’re in for a few surprises. Wait and see.’

  ‘Oh God, Joe!’

  Suri was trying not to scream.

  His head was buried between her legs, and she didn’t know what else to say. Her lover was showing her what he could do. Suri thought it was because he’d drunk three pints of cider, making him pissed and horny.

  She certainly wasn’t complaining.

  His tongue was flicking wildly against her bean, while his finger was rubbing it quite hard. Then she bolted when he put his finger inside, going in and out at fast speed.

  Her cheeks felt so hot; she thought combustion was the only way forward.

  Never had any man done that to her.

  Joe was a sexy beast and knew what to do.

  Then she felt her anticipation on knowing that the womb busting, thigh tearing, fanny pulsating moment was going to happen.

  And it did.

  Again and again, the waves of orgasm, making her sweat and her body shake.

  Joe then sat up and put on a condom as she tried to catch her breath. Slowly, she bent her knees further back then watched him push his throbbing number inside.

  Suri gasped hard. He was very deep and going slowly. There was squelching; that’s how excited she got while he plunged away.

  ‘God, you’re beautiful,’ he gasped, looking at her. ‘And so very sexy.’

  ‘So are you.’

  And then her eyes were fixed on his, watching him watch her, his every movement seemed measured for pleasure. The thrusting was hard then gentle, fast then slow.

  Examining him when he climaxed was amazing. He wasn’t noisy, no wild high pitched screams or throaty grunts. He made a little tune of happiness, like an ‘ahh’ but as if he was singing it quietly. The face was probably at his most serene afterwards, then he’d break out into a smile.

  Yes, she was falling in love with Joe and hoped he’d feel the same way.

  Still his eyes were closed then he looked down at her, grinning.

  ‘I love Sundays with you. This is how I want to spend it always,’ he whispered, slowly lowering his body down until his head nestled on her breasts. ‘You make it all so perfect.’

  ‘I think you’re wonderful, I really do,’ she honestly said, knowing that was a full on admission. ‘What time do you have to go to your dinner?’