Happy Now?

by S M Mala

‘That’s not funny.’ She was starting to choke up then thought about what she said. ‘Three weeks?’

  ‘Hello!’ Noreen said, walking with Ernie towards them as Paulette stared hard at Flora. ‘What’s this stall?’

  ‘Fortune telling and getting in touch with people from the other side,’ Paulette said proudly.

  ‘What? Canary Wharf?’ laughed Ernie and was then given a shove in the ribs by his wife. ‘I was only joking.’

  ‘You, my handsome man…’ Paulette said, grinning at him before fluttering her eyelashes. ‘… will be the first in line. Cross my palms with gold and I can tell you a lot of things.’ Then she smirked. ‘Do you own white vans? I see something steamy in the back of them. Seems to happen once every twenty-five years.’

  ‘God help me get through this day,’ Flora mumbled, realising Paulette was going to make it hell especially as she was in a mischievous mood.

  ‘Your son is very handsome. Don’t you think so Flora? I know Flora thinks-.’’

  ‘Do you want me to put this up or don’t you?’ Flora said smiling brightly and was met with a knowing look from the Carter parents. ‘You have to be ready for eleven and with your constant chatting, we won’t be.’

  ‘Sexually frustrated,’ sighed Paulette, shaking her head solemnly from side to side. ‘That’s why she’s snappy.’

  ‘What’s steaming in the back of my white vans?’ Ernie asked looking confused.

  Flora glanced across the green and stared straight at the person who made her combust.

  ‘Concentrate Ed,’

  … said Siobhan. ‘Your not focussed on putting this gazebo up.’

  ‘I’m trying.’

  ‘It’s very good of you to offer your time to do this,’ she continued and looked across the green towards where her parents were standing. ‘It’s all for a good cause.’

  ‘Most certainly,’ he said, watching Flora walk up on the step ladder.

  ‘Jesus, do you think dad’s eyeing up Flora’s backside?'

  Ed wasn’t listening.

  He was just looking at her trying to drape large pieces of yellow cloth around the small areas.

  If he could run up to her and kiss her, he would.

  He wanted to be with her.

  That’s all he could think about.

  He focussed on putting the gazebo up to avoid conversation with his sister.

  ‘I’m going to get a drink,’ Siobhan said, wiping her forehead and he realised she was looking over at Flora. ‘Ask her out.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Ask Flora out, unless you haven’t already.’

  ‘What makes you say that?’ he replied, fixing the leg firmly into the ground and checking the ties.

  ‘You can’t keep your eyes off her, that’s why,’ laughed his sister, walking away to the tea tent.

  Then he recognised Flora’s friend, Lisa, coming towards him.

  ‘Hello,’ she said, smiling brightly at him. ‘I wanted to say hi and apologise about the last time we met. I was a little rude and I don’t want to cause trouble.’

  She was blushing and looked away anxiously.

  ‘It’s okay,’ he replied, stepping closer and smiling at the woman. ‘Flora told me and I had no idea.’

  ‘He never said?’

  ‘Never mentioned it to me but it’s not something you boast about.’ Ed hesitated for a moment. ‘You saw him?’

  ‘It was horrible,’ she whispered, taking a deep breath. ‘I’d hate to think what he’d have done if I hadn’t been there.’

  Ed felt sick and looked at the ground, ashamed that the man they were talking about was still his friend.

  ‘Just please keep him away from her,’ Lisa said, touching his arm. ‘I know you and Flora are getting on but don’t think that means he’s changed. He’s not the type of man to let go of a grudge.’

  ‘Why didn’t you want to go to the police?’

  ‘She was so upset. Completely distraught and just wanted to run away and hide. Flora was broken hearted and didn’t realise that Lee had other things in mind. Everyone else could see she was sad.’ The woman breathed in calmly before looking around and she spotted Flora. ‘She deserves to be happy.’

  ‘I know. Don’t worry I won’t put her in a difficult situation.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she smiled and looked across the green. ‘Come and join us later. I know Flora would like that.’

  ‘Thanks for telling me about what happened. He told me something else but I know who I believe.’

  Lisa smiled again and walked off towards the other side.

  Ed went round the gazebo knocking all the pegs in firmly, thinking it was Lee’s head, before looking at the summer sun. It was a beautiful day and he let out a sigh when he glanced at Flora laughing with his parents.

  ‘You know, she’s just scared,’ he heard someone say and turned to see Paulette standing under a nearby tree, fanning herself.

  ‘Oh,’ he said, looking at the large lady grinning before eyeing him up and down.

  ‘I can see why she likes you.’

  ‘Who are you talking about?’

  ‘Ed, for a sensible man you’re either rather thick or pretending you have no idea who your sister or I am talking about.’ Paulette laughed and he knew he was blushing again. ‘How a man can look sexy when he goes red, heaven knows.’

  ‘Don’t embarrass me, please?’

  ‘He hurt her so much,’ she said, walking closer. ‘Ripped out the last shred of confidence she had and just threw it away. Matias knew he could and he did. Because he had so much self-loathing about his inability to cope with her illness, he turned on Flora.’

  He stopped what he was doing and walked up to Paulette.

  ‘She’s really upset about you being ill,’ he said as the woman’s smile got wider. ‘I can tell.’

  ‘Well, it’s a good thing you’re here, isn’t it?’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘I’m dying, Ed. What do you think?’ Paulette laughed before moving closer. ‘But I don’t need to talk to you about seeing someone you love die, do I?’

  ‘Flora told you?’

  ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head from side to side. ‘That woman says as little as possible when it comes to something she cares about. And she really cares about you. Thing is Ed, he loved you so much. You were his hero, his idle and his world. He was the brave one and you were afraid you weren’t brave enough, isn’t that so?’

  It hurt.

  A sharp pain in his chest knowing what she was talking about.

  He wanted to turn away and hide but Paulette held up her hand and touched his face.

  ‘Facing the thing we’re afraid of makes us a better person. You faced up to losing your son and even though you made some bad decisions, you’re beginning to see what’s what. Flora is desperately scared of losing anyone again. You know that woman you see?’ Paulette looked over in the direction where Flora was now kicking the stand as the material fell off. ‘She wasn’t like that four years ago. It was if she’d lost her will to live. The children were her only focus and when she thought she could see something positive, her mother died and she was at a loss on what to do.’

  ‘How ill was she? All Flora says was that it wasn’t that bad.’

  ‘She had cancer and I know she says it was only small, it could have spread. They caught it in time and she took the decision to save her life not her breasts.’

  Ed closed his eyes and the thought of losing Flora stunned him to his core.

  ‘Patience is the key and don’t let her down. What will happen is I will bring you together and then it will all be okay, give or take Flora having a few panic attacks. But you’re going to have to wait until I go. Don’t tell Flora. She hates talking about it. She’s such a party pooper, you know.’

  ‘Want a refill?’

  … Gaynor asked as Flora sat hugging her nephew.

  Nathan was very good looking and reminded her of her mum in many ways, but a male version. He was shy and bright
but had an amazing smile that would light up any room.

  And he had bypassed the fast and loose DNA, saying he’d want to wait for the right woman before having sex much to the horror of his mother.

  Priti, her daughter Isabel, Gaynor and her boys (who were just eyeing up teenage girls) plus other friends from the centre were gathered all around. It was like a little party but they were all sitting down.

  ‘So how are you?’ Flora asked, looking into her nephew’s big brown eyes. ‘I hardly see you.’

  ‘I’m studying,’ he grinned, running his fingers through his cropped hair. ‘And sometimes I think it’s good for mum to go out alone.’

  ‘You mean you don’t want to spend too much time with her?’ Nathan laughed in response. ‘My kids seem to think she’s the bee’s knees.’

  ‘Everyone’s mother is better than your own,’ he laughed and she noticed he was looking at her. ‘Mum told me you assaulted Matias.’

  She knew Priti and Gaynor had heard what he said and they moved closer.

  ‘I let it out as I was told to do,’ she said, glancing over at Paulette’s tent with a long queue. ‘And I feel good.’

  ‘You look good,’ her nephew said and that’s when she made eye contact with Ed.

  ‘Or you’re looking at something good?’ whispered Priti, filling up her glass. ‘God, he’s hot.’

  ‘Who?’ she innocently asked, gesturing her to shut up in front of Nathan.

  On cue, Nathan got up and walked towards his mother and the kids. Then Flora noticed Max run up to Ed and was talking animatedly.

  ‘And your son seems to know him,’ hissed Gaynor, moving very close and sticking her arm against hers. ‘Has he been coming around more than he should?’

  ‘He’s finishing off the study and that’s all you need to know.’ Flora sipped her wine then closed her eyes, imagining her mouth on his body. ‘The work is very good.’

  Then she felt a cool breeze on her face.

  Gaynor was fanning her down with a napkin.

  ‘You’ve gone red,’ she said, moving closer to Flora. ‘Very flushed.’

  ‘I’m hot.’

  ‘He’s hot.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Whatever,’ her friend replied, fanning her own face. ‘If you’re not interested then I’d gladly take him on.’

  ‘No!’ Flora said loudly, making Gaynor jump and Priti laugh out. ‘I mean, he’s not your type.’

  ‘Ed!’ shouted out Priti. ‘Come and join us.’

  He was walking with his mother, very slowly, around the fete. She seemed in good spirits and Flora then spotted Ernie by the ale tent.

  ‘Hello there,’ Noreen said, hiding under a big straw hat. ‘It’s getting pretty hot, isn’t it?’

  ‘Sit down,’ Gaynor said, jumping to her feet then stumbling due to her wine intake. ‘I’ve got a fold away chair.’

  ‘Why are aren’t you sitting on it?’

  ‘Because she might topple backwards when she has too much vino!’ laughed out Priti.

  Flora noticed Ed wasn’t looking at her but seemed to be concentrating on the people on the ground.

  ‘How are you feeling Noreen?’ Flora asked, getting to her feet and putting her sandals back on. ‘You look very well.’

  ‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ asked Gaynor, looking around for the bottle. ‘And Ed? Would you like something?’

  ‘She means wine,’ added Flora, noticing Gaynor’s flirtatious smile.

  ‘I’m driving,’ he replied politely.

  ‘I’d love a glass,’ Noreen replied and sat down. Flora noticed she was smiling at her then at Ed. ‘And you Flora, are you well?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, watching her friends blatantly eye up Ed. ‘I better check on the kids.’

  ‘Paulette was asking for you,’ Ed said, looking around the fete. ‘You’re needed at the tent for two o’clock.’

  ‘Why?’

  He shrugged in response then smiled.

  It stopped again.

  The world and the surroundings.

  ‘Lola’s waving at you,’ he said, snapping her out of the nothingness that was going on in her head. ‘I think she wants your attention.’

  ‘Sure,’ Flora said, nodding and catching Gaynor’s sly smile.

  Flora walked off towards Lola and noticed Max was at the top of the inflatable Helter Skelter. She shrugged off her instant fear that he was going to break his neck and went to see her daughter.

  ‘Mum, can I have some money to buy a picture?’ she asked, looking at the paintings. Flora noticed the large yellow painting was still on the easel. Then she realised Paulette had put a label ‘not for sale’. ‘I’d like a small one of that.’

  It was only then that Flora realised Paulette had painted the same picture again and again, miniature versions.

  ‘How much?’

  ‘Ten pounds.’

  ‘Ten pounds!’ Flora said, shaking her head at the line-up of yellow banana boat things then handed the cash over. ‘Make sure you haggle for a frame. Where’s Auntie Faith?’

  ‘Chatting up men at the ale tent,’ she wistfully replied.

  ‘Can you keep any eye on Max?’ she asked, looking up again at her son talking to kids at the top. ‘And call me if he hurts himself.’

  Not wanting to look back at the group she’d left behind, Flora walked through the crowd. It was a very good turnout and people were sprawled all over the green.

  She eventually got to the tent and noticed that Paulette was going for a half hour break at two.

  Waiting outside, she knew someone was in there but decided not to eavesdrop though she desperately wanted to hear what was being said.

  Then the curtains were flung back and to her horror, Matias stepped out looking furious.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, seeing Paulette’s mischievous smile.

  ‘She’s mad!’

  Matias looked like he’d broken out into a sweat and was very flushed.

  ‘You can’t say that,’ Flora hissed, looking at the people hanging around. ‘I’m sorry but Madame Paulette has to take a break as it’s pretty hot in there and-.'

  ‘I have a fan,’ she said, standing up.

  ‘And she needs to rest her head.’

  ‘My head’s fine. It’s the rest of me that’s not so good.’

  ‘Where are the kids?’ Matias asked, looking furious. ‘I thought I’d take them out for dinner.’

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked once again and noticed his sly look. ‘I never told you about this.’

  ‘I can come here if I wish, you know.’

  ‘Where’s Ramona?’

  ‘She’s spending the weekend with her parents.’

  Instantly Flora knew something was up and gathered they’d quarrelled.

  ‘Did she say she had a cold and you couldn’t cope?’ Paulette said from behind her.

  Matias stormed off towards Lola.

  ‘What did you say to him?’ she asked, seeing Paulette pull a face before taking out her fan.

  ‘The truth,’ she said very solemnly. ‘And he didn’t like it.’

  ‘Life truth or psychic truth?’

  ‘My truth.’ Paulette stepped out from the shade and took a deep breath. ‘Can you stay here while I take a stroll? My daughter has come with the grandchildren so I want to see them. I’ll be back in half an hour. Just make sure you close the blinds and keep people out. I’ve made a lot of money, you know.’

  ‘Why aren’t you selling the large painting?’ she asked, stepping in and realising it was very cool inside. ‘Lola just took ten pounds off me to buy a small one.’

  ‘I want to frame it and give it to Marjorie as a keepsake,’ she smiled and then stroked Flora’s face. ‘And I don’t care what you think. It’s art.’

  Flora laughed then carefully closed the blinds and sat in the tent.

  Matias turning up had stunned her.

  She realised that Priti and Gaynor drunk would be a disaster if they saw
him and, even worse, Faith spotting her ex-brother in law when sober.

  Grabbing her phone, she didn’t know whether to send a text to Matias to stay away from her friends or to the girls to be nice as the kids were there. Then she put it down and realised she couldn’t control what was happening. She’d be safe for the next thirty minutes.

  There was shuffling of the curtains from behind and Flora turned around.

  Ed had crawled underneath into the tent.

  Without a moment’s hesitation, she got up, pulled him to his feet and planted a massive kiss on his lips. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she was in ecstasy.

  ‘It has been twenty five years since we kissed on a bank holiday weekend, do you know that?’ he smiled. ‘We have a lot to make up.’

  ‘Then kiss me again.’

  He did.

  That’s when she got a surprise.

  He put his hand on her breast and gently squeezed it.

  Flora pulled away and gulped.

  Ed didn’t remove his hand.

  She took a moment to think how to respond. Just as she was about to open her mouth, his mouth came back at her and they kissed for longer.

  Still he squeezed her breast and she felt safe under two layers of clothing.

  Then he put his hand on the other breast and did the same thing.

  Flora wasn’t panicked but waited for him to recoil.

  Ed didn’t.

  His kiss was long and her body felt like it was pulsating. His lips travelled over her neck. It was silent in the tent. All she could hear was their breathing. Her hands travelled under his t-shirt and she knew they weren’t being very discreet, getting off in a fortune teller’s hut.

  He pulled down her vest straps and placed his mouth on her nipple, through the bra.

  She was stunned but felt the very hot sensation, making her skin tingle. Not knowing if she should pull his head away, his hand squeezed her other breast and she let out an involuntary groan.

  ‘Flora? Is that you?’ she heard Matias say and they instantly parted.

  Pulling up her vest, she noticed Ed looked like he was going to laugh so she put her hand over his mouth.

  ‘What?’ she said, trying hard to think of something to say. ‘Yes, it’s me. I’ve got cramp.’

  ‘I want to talk to you.’