by J P Sayle
“Look at them, Princess, don’t they look great together,” Stuart’s envious sigh rang loudly. Absently, he stroked Princess’s silky fur, making tiny rumbles vibrate up his fingers. Stuart ignored the ache of loneliness that built in his chest, realising he would miss Princess. Though he would rather cut his own tongue out before admitting it out loud. “Come on, let’s take you back. I’m sure you’ve missed Brad as much as he has missed you.”
Neither acknowledged the comradery between them as Stuart gently held her close to his chest, his allergies forgotten. “Let’s leave your things for now. I can come back later and take them over to Brad’s.” Speaking with affection, he nuzzled her neck, the hint of lemon not surprising as he’d doused her two days earlier after she’d brought him a dead bird.
The loud sneeze snook up on him, shaking his large frame, “Eeeessswwww,” dislodging Princess who sailed through the air, landing with a screech. Her accusing icy blue eyes glared as she shook her body to dislodge the spray of snot. Stuart dragged a tissue out of his pocket to blow his nose, never taking his watering eyes off her, readying for any attack that could come his way.
He tried to glower at her, failing when his eyes streamed, the sneezes came thick and fast, snot pouring out of his nose. How very fucking attractive, it was all Princess’s fault. He muttered through the sneezes, “Good riddance.” Stuart grabbed at the box of tissues on the side table before heading downstairs, looking back as he blew his red nose, making sure she followed. He internally cursed up a storm at her tiny smirking face as his shoulders shook with each sneeze.
He realised too late that she had managed to distract him again from taking his allergy medication. Already on a mission, he headed straight for Brad’s, thumping on the door. The quicker she was gone, the better, good riddance to bad rubbish, that was all he could say. He valiantly ignored the little clutch in his belly at her not being there all the time. It was preposterous that he’d miss her. I definitely won’t, not even a little.
He all but growled at himself for his earlier thoughts of loneliness, he just needed to convince his heart that he wasn’t missing out. Shaking of his building distress, he lifted his hand ready to knock once more. Stuart jumped back without thought when the door burst open. The long and loud meow had his shoulders hunching, “Oops.” The daggers she aimed at him hitting their mark as he moved his feet to avoid her tiny paws.
Immediately he could feel his defensiveness crawl inside him, so he cast the blame where it squarely sat, Princess. “It’s your fault, if you hadn’t been so close to me then I wouldn’t have stepped on you. Surely you know better than to get so close. Where are your feline reflexes, hmmm?” His eyebrows rose, disappearing under the flop of his fringe when Princess just ignored him. What the heck, where was the outraged spitting cat? Stuart watched as she sailed past him, owning the place, her famous kiss my arse move expressing exactly how she felt.
Martin’s laugher pulled his gaze away. “You do know you are as bad as Brad the way you talk to her. You’ll only make a rod for your own back. Give in and accept she is far more superior than you or you’ll be doomed.”
Stuart glared at Martin as he spoke, shouldering past him when laughter followed. Martin’s opinion echoed his own, which only pissed him off more. He wasn’t for the life of him going to admit it, especially when he was feeling so put upon. Hadn’t I helped out for the last few weeks, taking care of Satan, well hadn’t I? Martin should be thanking him, not rubbing his nose in the way he spoke to Princess.
Stuart swallowed his retort, not wanting to fight, when he saw the strain around Martin’s dark ringed, sunken eyes. Instead he enquired after Brad. “How’s Brad?” He listened for any signs of life, hearing nothing, he continued. “In fact where is he? I thought he would have been champing at the bit to see Princess.” Martin’s deepening frown had Stuart wondering what had happened since the heated embrace outside.
“He is upstairs resting. Though it seems he had different ideas initially about what we were going to be doing.”
Stuart hid his smirk behind his hand when Martin sounded so frustrated. He couldn’t see what the problem was, surely Martin wanted a little of the sexy time Brad was offering after the separation?
Stuart went and sat at the kitchen table, watching Martin pace. Taking stock of the situation, he really looked at Martin for the first time since the job interview. He could see he’d lost weight, his top made it difficult to tell how much but his face was drawn and haggard. His pallor wasn’t great either. The grey tinge only highlighting his sunken dark ringed eyes, and his scruffy hair hung into his eyes. Overall, Stuart thought he looked a bit of a mess. He’d wager, looking at him, that Martin had hardly slept or eaten much in the past month.
Stuart felt a like a selfish git for his earlier thoughts, now he was actually taking the time to see how stressed Martin was. The lively, threatening man he had met just over a month before was gone. A husk stood in his place instead.
His pity threaded with worry for both men and what they must have gone through. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Stuart swallowed past the ball of emotion lodged in his throat from Martin’s sad smile.
“No, what you have done has been a great help. Not having to worry about work has been a godsend. Though, I have to say, I couldn’t have mustered the energy to worry about it anyway. Brad is my main focus and will be till he is back on his feet. Even if he doesn’t want to see it, he needs me.” Martin’s dejection was hard to miss, plonking down on Brad’s kitchen chair, his loud heaved sigh broke the silence between them.
Unsure what to do Stuart got up and paced across the floor, jangling his keys to keep his hands occupied. He fiddled, biting his lip, moving from one foot to another.
Martin’s speaking had him pause. “For fuck sake, sit down. I’m not going to bite.”
Stuart couldn’t stop the eye roll, but he bit his tongue to stop the sarcastic comment that wanted out. Taking a deep breath, ensuring his rising temper was strapped down. The smell of home baking assailed him, making a groan escape. Sniffing deeply, the scent of sweet ripe cherries had his mouth watering. “Dear sweet Jesus, please tell me that whatever I can smell is for sharing, cause I’m not above begging, it is smells divine.” The genuine humour he saw on Martin’s face eased some of Stuart’s own tension.
“I, my friend, can tell you I am an amazing cook, so whatever comes out of that oven is divine. But as to sharing it, it’s for Brad, and he doesn’t like to share his dessert. You can ask him when he wakes up, but I wouldn’t count my chickens.” The ‘you’ll be lucky’ stare had Stuart grinning.
“Hey, I could charm the wood from the trees if I have to, you wait and see.”
Martin’s returning scowl had Stuart coughing to hide his laughter.
“Shush, I don’t want him disturbed. Regardless of what Brad thinks, he needs to sleep.”
Stuart noticed the laptop bag on the floor next to Martin, wondering if work would distract Martin from his worries. When Martin spoke, it was as if he’d plucked the thought from Stuart’s brain.
“You want to get me up to speed with the outstanding contracts? Have you replaced Emma yet? Ann mentioned you and she had discussed the potential of one of the existing team moving up into her role.” Martin’s questioning glance caused Stuart’s nerves to twitch, remembering he was on probation.
“Greg Adams, he has a real aptitude for pre-empting what is needed. He’s a little timid.” Martin’s tilted head and arched eyebrows had him pausing. “Okay, a lot timid but he has potential, he is clever and was wasted just running errands for others. I’ve had him filling in. I think you’ll be surprised at how much of Emma’s backlog he’s cleared. The Financial Service Authority sang his praises for early submission of our paperwork and its accuracy.” Martin’s surprised smile had Stuart’s nerves settling.
“Let’s deal with the contracts first. We have had several interested companies looking for offshore investment.” Digging into the work, Stuart
felt himself relax, enjoying the challenges the job was giving him. As the afternoon progressed, Stuart’s relief was palpable when Martin seemed happy with the decisions he’d made with his company.
Strolling back towards the empty house, Stuart was unsure why he felt a little empty inside. The dark windows seemed to reflect his gloomy mood. The evening dusk offered no comfort when the breeze picked up, flattening his top against his chest. Stuart shivered into his T-shirt, picking up his pace to get out of the wind swirling around his bare arms, making the tiny hairs dance. Letting himself inside, he felt the emptiness shroud him, enhancing the feeling of coldness around him.
He missed the warmth of Brad’s cosy kitchen and the food. When Martin had bragged initially about his cooking skills, Stuart thought he was overselling himself. But he’d thanked whatever God there was when the food met his taste buds. The buttery flakes of pastry mixed with the sweet ripe cherries and crunchy almonds, pure heaven. Stuart wondered how often he could get an invite to dinner, or any meal if they ate desserts like that every day. Though, the way he’d eaten earlier would result in him being size of a house if he ate like that all the time. He could admit, it might just be worth it.
His contented thoughts faded as he moved through the cold, empty house. Glancing at his watch, he realised he couldn’t be bothered with a hookup. Spending several hours with love personified, kinda put his hook ups into perspective. Watching as Brad and Martin’s love for each other worked magic over Martin’s grey pallor. Each caress and affectionate gesture between them only seemed to highlight how much Stuart didn’t have in his life. The worm of jealousy had niggled, mocking the lack of intimacy his recent relationships hadn’t had. His life only seeming to offer him fake merchandise instead of the real thing he’d witnessed between two people who obviously adored each other.
He heaved a big sigh, dragging himself upstairs, taking his phone out of his pocket as he went. Sprawling on the bed, he dialled, waiting for it to connect. The feelings that had been missing earlier filled him when his mother answered. Warmth and love made his loneliness fade away.
“Hello, darling boy, what’s up?”
His mother’s sweet voice filled his ear, she knew him too well. He held back his frustration at her question, attempting to keep his voice even. “Nothing much, just wanted a catch-up, see how things were going there. See if you had heard anything from Bella. Is she still enjoying her trip to Europe?” He knew if he kept her distracted then she’d maybe leave him be.
Stuart groaned into the pillow at her next question.
“Come on, sweetheart, tell me what’s wrong.”
How was he supposed to answer when he wasn’t sure himself? The unsettled feelings grew in the pit of his stomach made him anxious, and feel out of sorts. The words tumbled before he could stop them. “I’m lonely, Mum, why can’t I find someone who wants me for more than a few nights of fun?” His whiny voice sounded pitiful to his own ears, but he knew she wouldn’t judge.
Her soft words were soothing, as he knew they would when he’d dialled her number. “Baby; you just haven’t found that special one, he is out there just waiting for you. Remember after your father died, you saw that man in the street that you talked about for weeks? Something sparked for you. I know you will find that connection again. I promise. But I’ve told you these things happen in their own time. But, darling, you have to stop using that horrible Tinder app if you want more than a one or two-night stand.” Her exasperation evident in her tone, even with the distance between them he could hear it.
He would bet she was frowning as she gently rebuked him for the Tinder app. He’d bet anything his sisters had been in her ear about him using it.
Stuart couldn’t stop the warm smile that spread across his face, regardless of his interfering sisters. He knew they loved him, so it was kind of expected he supposed. Looking up at the ceiling, he responded as he knew she’d want. “Yes, Mum, I hear you and how could I forget about him? You constantly remind me about how much I raved about him. I didn’t even speak to him.” The regret still there at the lost opportunity didn’t weigh as heavy, but it still reminded him from time to time. Trying not to think too hard about it, they spoke for several minutes catching up.
He was hoping that she would come and visit soon, wanting to allay her concerns about the sudden changes he had made. Routine was what had gotten him through the awful years he’d worked for Brad’s father after his own father had died. He’d developed so many habits without even realising until they were too ingrained. Change for him had not been easy, his obvious distress didn’t make it easier for his family when he needed to break free of his own chains.
Relaxing back after finishing the call, his hand drew patterns on the dark navy duvet cover, automatically plucking the small cat hairs off without thought. Stuart wondered if he maybe he’d had a mini break-down. Who wakes up one morning, go into their highly paid job, and hands in their notice, with no job to go to, who? He deliberated with hindsight, the driving need he’d felt to break off bonds he wasn’t sure were even there in the beginning. He’d then spent several weeks having moments of complete panic at making such a bold move. The money wasn’t the issue, he’d been careful saving and creating a portfolio of stocks after paying off his dad’s debts. He now had enough to last him a long time if he wasn’t stupid. So, when he’d taken the money out of the equation, he was left with the stability of having somewhere to go daily, and the possibility of making amends for his past mistakes.
Not sure which fitted more, but when a friend had suggested the island, explaining his skills came highly sought after, he’d gone with it. Selling his London based flat for a small fortune, he’d found himself on a plane looking for new opportunities, and there he was.
Scratching at his neck, Stuart was distracted by the itchy feeling spreading down his back. Taking a good look at the bed, it took a second for it to register how much fine black hair was spread across the navy blue cover. “That sneaky little bugger.” Stuart flew off the bed pulling the covers as he moved, he glared down at the fine black cat hair covering his cover and sheets. Cursing, he ripped at the bedding pulling everything off.
The little fucker had to have the last laugh. Whistling sounded as the sheets sailed through the air, landing at the bottom of the stairs.
“Cow bag!” Stuart grumbled with every step he took. He just needed to count his lucky stars, he would never have to have Princess in the house again. He stormed back into his room with fresh sheets. His anger barely restrained when he spotted the state of the mattress. “How the fuck did you get cat hair under fitted sheets, I ask you, how the hell does that happen?” Throwing the bed linen on the chair, his fists clenched as he headed back out to the hall cupboard, pulling the Hoover behind him. His angry words lost under the whirring of the Hoover as it sucked up all the remaining cat hair.
He thought they had got past that juvenile behaviour. Weeks he had suffered, well it was over now. Glowering down at his now freshly made bed, he would not miss her warmth curled into his side, no not at all. A hot water bottle was so much better and a lot less bother, yes indeed they were. In fact, he would buy one just in case he needed it.
Stuart flopped on the bed searching for warm, silky fur, grimacing when he realised what he was doing. “Ah, fuck it.” He willed himself to sleep, curling into the covers, snubbing the cold spot next to him.
Princess
Princess settled next to Brad, noticing the difference between Brad and Stuart’s sizes immediately. Brad’s body was so much smaller than Stuart’s and didn’t offer as much heat. Not that she missed him, sniffing, no not at all.
It was the aggravation she caused him that she missed. Giving in to the little smirk at thoughts of Stuart flying of like a spinning top when he got angry. Not wanting to disturb Brad, Princess buried her head in her paws to hide the chuckle that rose at her thoughts.
She had soon realised what was happening, Stuart was punishment. Well, she’d sorted him out, hadn
’t she, keeping him and his sexy shenanigans under control the last few weeks?
Her feline smile almost evil as she licked her paws, thinking about her final parting shot. Princess hoped he got into bed naked before realising she had sneaked in spreading cat hair everywhere she could.
Mirth lit her eyes, glowing in the dark; she hoped his soul mate gave him what for. Though, now that she thought about it, possibly not too much trouble. She wasn’t quite sure she’d recovered from Brad’s fathers antics. Her job was hard enough as it was and as her mother’s closed lipped silence about Stuart’s true mate was making her antsy.
Something was niggling between her shoulders, making her hackles rise. This warning for some reason she was struggling to get a grip of, things were feeling a little off centre. Never one to ignore her senses, she focused hard, only feeling frustration when she couldn’t see past the veil.
Whatever was coming remained clouded, hidden from her view. Though she sensed it would appear, she’d hoped it was sooner rather than later. Princess hated feeling out of sorts.
A foreign chuckle skittered down her back. Who the fuck is that? Alarm had her head rise, her icy blue eyes lost their focus rolling as they sought to see who had made the noise. Princess’s body quaked with the effort, panting she rested her head down.
Whoever was blocking her was doing a good job, but more to the point, was why?
A small warm hand stroked down her spine, “shush, Princess, I’m back. Come on, settle down.” Hot, cherry breath ghosted her fur as she snuggled down, trying to let go of the worry. Eventually allowing her eyes to close, her paws crossed that things would be revealed soon.