“We haven’t slept all the night and this time it was not the consequence of a placebo effect. Maybe it was the changing of the weather,” answered Araon.
“Araon don’t be funny. Everybody knows that your new responsibilities as a businessman entered your life slowly. There is no excuse. Oh, sorry. I didn’t want to be rude. Probably those mats are a good thing to you to recover from that mess,” said Jill.
“Don’t worry Araon. I have prepared something gorgeous for you. You know the billiard room or the tennis court. They are all here for our own enjoyment. Breathe deeply and you’ll experience a sort of ecstasy. Maybe I have frightened you with those Mensa games. But you have done a great job with the phone calls registered in the answer machine. You allowed me to pick the best of the day. The recent business appointment made you look a giant and I’m sure you will be next to me in our next business affair,” said Phil.
“I am a bit embarrassed. Hopefully I have lost my instinct to speak French during those meetings. The leap problem of yours has been very inspiring,” said Araon.
“So now let us enjoy ourselves with our beloved Mensa game,” said Phil.
“You know Phil, me and Jill have thought of the red box all night but we have been unable to give an answer,” said Araon.
“This is not a problem,Araon. I challenged you with that puzzle just to make a passing reference to make you enjoy the club. I understand you are tired. You can have a rest on the mats and we’ll watch you. Gorgeous, isn’t it? I also suggest you that you should stay at Holland Park House with us this night. I’m sure that Jane has made your room nice and tidy,” said Phil.
“Fantastic! You have no idea about how we have coveted this proposal from you.” Said Araon.
“Lay down there now, Samantha and I will look after you.”
The two sleeping beauties looked like chimps now. Phil and Samantha were astonished to see their friends like that. They asked Jane to bring them some water. She arrived immediately as efficient as she was. They resisted the temptation to plunge into the swimming pool. There was nothing better to do than taking the waters. But Jill and Araon were so inspiring. Two drops of water bathed them without interrupting their deep sleep. Samantha was concerned with Jill’s health. The time of childbirth was approaching and she had to do the best not to strive doing things. Her room upstairs was fully equipped with GP advice and a big note on the telephone number for emergency, hanging from the wall. This was enough for Samantha to feel free from responsibilities beyond belief. Now she had a seat in the deckchair and addressed all her attention to Phil only.
“Our guests must be having nice dreams…kiss me grace.” said Phil unfastening Samantha’s bra.
“Not here, not now.” said Samantha.
“That’s fine. Stop me when you feel it’s the case. Your kisses are never enough for me. I told you that the cigar would help me to lose my inhibitions.” said Phil.
“I know darling but we have plenty of time to stay on our own when Jill and Araon are not here any more,” said Samantha.
Phil made Samantha stop talking by bending his lips on her own. They spent all the sleeping time of Jill and Araon by kissing and cuddling each other. They came back to reality when a strong voice said: “Well, now I’m full of strength,” said Araon who woke up the instant his dream was going to finish.
Jill woke up as well. “Hi guys, you are strong as lions now. Have you got any idea for the plans of today?” said Phil fiercely.
“Errrr,” said Jill.
“Come on Jill. I beg you to spend the night here in Holland Park House. You will feel more protected and you will throw your frivolities away,” said Phil.
“Thank you, Phil. We are sure that spending the night here is the best solution for us. I am astounded by the fact that I don’t know if we left the Mayfair flat tidy and in perfect order,” said Jill.
“Jill you surprise me. Don’t you know that there are specific personnel who deal with the cleaning of the flat. I suggest that we should have something fresh to drink right now. What do you think?” said Samantha.
“I’m fine with a glass of water,” answered Jill.
“The same with me,” said Araon.
“Good. I call Jane and she will be here in a minute with the water,” said Phil. And Jane appeared suddenly after a pushed button. She gave the drinks to the four and disappeared in silence.
“Very efficient of her. Is it true darling?” said Phil.
“Sure darling. But there are a lot of things you have to disclose to us,” said Samantha.
CHAPTER FIFT-EIGHT
“You know, Araon, I am too garrulous but I don’t want you to think you are the victim of a sort of student prank. Funny, isn’t it?” said Phil.
“Why should I. It was something that happened accidentally. Jill and I will have the occasion to recover and to have got more stamina. You must be sure about it,” said Araon.
“Araon you should not to be so rude. You know we have the chance to stay under Phil and Samantha’s protection overnight and you have to thank them for this,” said Jill.
“I apologize. I talk nonsense very often. And I’m sure me and Jill have not a clear plan for today yet,” said Araon.
“Easier done than said,” said Phil trying to divert the conversation towards something more hilarious. He knew that Jane was busy with the cleaning of the east part of the house that day and he had to make sure that Jill and Araon would have another guest room. Samantha was speechless and motionless until Phil started to talk again. “We have to show you a lot of secrets of this house dear Jill and Araon. So forget go out by now and follow me. I’ll show you everything. There is a part of my dominion that even Samantha doesn’t know. I want to introduce her to that pretty little thing little by little since she is not a greedy person. But what’s mine belongs to her as well,” said Phil.
“Definitely. Jill you look numb today. I hope there is nothing which annoys you. I adore your tummy. It pushes me towards motherhood whims. But I am loyal to my promise that I won’t become mum until I am thirty-one. But now let’s go. Phil why don’t we go to the billiard room?” said Samantha.
“That’s great. It’s a room with good furnishing. Come on, it’s close to us. Don’t be embarrassed by the embalmed birds. They are a gift from a person who loves hunting. He is an average Joe on the contrary to you, Araon, who is very smart. Lets’ try the billiard game for a while. Here are the tools. I put the ball into the hole and you do the same. Even this time and this time and this time. Clear? I wanted simply to have a try,” said Phil.
“Darling, we have a vinyl player in this room. Why don’t we entertain ourselves with a slow dance? There is a lovely record by the Bee Gees: Spirits Having Flown. I think it’s a fantastic idea,” said Samantha.
“I absolutely agree with you. Do you fancy it Jill? Do you fancy it Araon?” said Phil.
“Absolutely,” was their immediate answer.
And they felt free to move in their own way. The Bee Gees songs were universal and the four didn’t disdain to get the stamina to move freely at that rhythm. “That eagle seems to be watching me,” said Araon in the middle of the dance.
“Just because it saved its sight. You know what we mean when we say we have an eagle sight,” said Phil and they started laughing all together.
“If I press this button number five Jane will come here immediately at my command. What do you think of a bottle of peach tea each?” said Phil.
“That’s a good idea,” said Araon carrying on moving slowly and amused. Jill could enjoy the joy of a check-to-check thing. She was thrilled. Here came Jane with all the drinks. She looked in a rush. She had to clean the other part of the house anyway. Phil felt ashamed not to have asked her to serve herself with a drink. “Araon.”
“Yes Phil?”
“Now, if you don’t mind, I will bring you to the tennis court. It’s not far from here. Sorry ladies now we must go,” said Phil.
“It was very romantic,” whispere
d Jill.
“You must see the tennis court now. Here are the rackets. Have you ever played tennis Araon?”
“Not really. This is the first time for me,” said Araon.
“Let’s start,” said Phil
And they passed one to the other the little balls with little mistakes. They didn’t know who was the winner. Araon seemed a bit awkward but Jill pretended to see her husband as radiant as the sun light. Phil said gently to stop playing for the sake of the two women who deserved more attentions. He wanted to bring them to the children’s room which was a secret to Samantha as well. It was painted all in blue and pink. There was a pram and a baby-walker. The room had massive furniture with nothing inside.
“They are to be filled with children’s toys at due time,” explained Phil who didn’t want to privilege boys over girls. Jill was suddenly frightened that something could go wrong. She felt sick to the other three’s astonishment.
“OK, Jill. I will take you out of here. Lets’ go to the internal garden.”
Here they finally breathed oxygen and nothing else. “Five to four,” said Phil.
“What?” answered Samantha.
“It’s a riddle. I don’t want it to be just a fad. I want to puzzle you with the absolute Mensa solution,” said Phil.
“Again, darling! We have to have a rest now,” said Samantha.
“You win again Samantha. Consider my proposal something not to be cared about. And you Jill, Araon. What are these faces? You don’t entertain yourself with silence, I hope. Here is a copy of The Independent. You can have a glance at it now. It’s been here since seven am. I didn’t give it to you because of your eye sockets. Now you can enjoy it,” said Phil.
“Thank you, Phil. I don’t want to be bad company. It’s not my will to sit apart with my newspaper while you, Samantha and Jill are doing nothing. Jill would get the point,” said Araon. There was nothing better than being synchronized as the four were. They understood well the importance of being relaxed. They were perfect matches all the time and everywhere.
“It’s time to go out,” said Phil at a certain point. “Don’t you remember we have to go to see the performance of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the theatre?”
“Oh! Thank God you reminded us. Are you sure about the full title of the play? We have been so relaxed on these mats,” said Araon and Jill made a gesture with her head just to confirm it.
“You have only to call the limousine driver,” said Samantha.”
“He is already waiting for us outside. Let’s go.”
As soon as Araon approached the car he stumbled and fell. “Araon, sweetheart. Are you hurt?” said Jill.
“Nothing serious Jill. Go and have a seat,” said Araon.
“The show starts at nine pm and it finishes at eleven pm so we have all the time to make a tour of London. Jill feel free to wear the sleepers. You are at home here,” said Phil.
“Phil.”
“Yes Samantha?”
“Don’t you think it’s polite to ask our friends where they want to go?”
“The driver knows we have to be at Tottenham Court Road a bit before nine pm, so he is driving without a specific direction now,” said Phil.
“Jill, Araon do you want to make a comprehensive tour of the city not far from the theatre?”
“We can go wherever you want,” they both answered.
“Araon, my friend, have you noticed that something warning happened in your mobile phone? When it rings it tells you the name of the person who is calling you. How could you manage to do it?”
“Actually, I do not know. As far as I remember I never touched an option,” said Araon.
“You are cool Araon. I did it when we were in the children’s room and you were bemused by the pink and blue wall. It took me a minute to do it and you didn’t realize it. Be careful. I do these weird things to teach you not to be absent-minded. This is very important for our profession. Anyway, if I wanted to give you a score from zero to ten, I would give you eight.”
“I think I have to learn a lot,” said Araon.
“Don’t worry you are great,” smiled Phil.
“Be comfortable Jill,” said Samantha.
“Pregnancy should be the most beautiful moment of a woman’s life and we shouldn’t live it like a pathology told me Van der Baast,” said Jill.
“Van der Baast. What a chap! I had the chance to meet him in Amsterdam. He was very busy but he was very warm, genial,” said Samantha.
“You ladies dominate the conversation and this is great. But I invite you to focus your attention to what is happening outside. We have some time to spend before the musical starts. On your right there is a place for pizza sold by the slice. We can take it with fizzy drinks,” said Phil.
“Sounds great. So why not stop here and have a walk along these beautiful streets?” said Araon with Jill’s agreement.
Phil let the driver park the car and reminded him gently to have always the phone available in case they should call and to come and pick them up at eleven. pm in Totttenham Court Road.
“Look there. Three hamsters are coming out that shop. Hopefully the shop assistant has been quick enough to pick them,” said Araon.
“It’s incredible. I live in London and I have never noticed that shop. Now you won over me, Araon.” said Phil.
“Are you teasing me?” said Araon.
“Not at all. But that was not the answer I wanted to hear from you, Araon. You know in London, shops open and close very quickly. If you have noticed in Piccadilly, The Fashion Cafe has closed. Poor ladies. But don’t worry about your absent-mindedness. You will improve with time. Now let’s enter the shop,” said Phil.
In front of them there was a fat man with a lot of studs. “I am before you,” he said.
“We are in a queue Mr. We are after you,” said Phil.
The four left the shop very quickly, disgusted by the stink and disorder. They simply hoped that the drink and the food were healthy. “My heartthrob has done number two,” said Jill.
“What do you mean?” asked Araon.
“That we’ll never enter Mensa if you carry on being absent-minded.,” said Jill.
“This is not the point. You don’t know, but you are already Mensa members. I enrolled you secretly to it. You have just to improve like me and Samantha. Hopefully you don’t think I do it for my business. I am a socialite, a true one. You know our IQ improves with the exercise. But now let’s think of our enjoyment,” said Phil.
Jill and Araon were behind Samantha and Phil walking hand in hand. In a while they reached the theatre and rushed to their booked place. “At the end of the cathedral.” Phil started singing.
“Hopefully it won’t rain cats and dogs,” said Samantha.
“I wanted my friends to anticipate the frenzy of the show,” said Phil.
The curtain dropped and everybody was absorbed by the show. “Mr and Mrs, do it again.,” could be heard very often. The actors were unknown but incredibly good. Samantha, Phil, Jill and Araon’s evening was an enchanting one. They never stopped making commentary while going back home.
They arrived at Holland Park House just in time to see Jane sleeping on the sofa. She must have spent all the evening cleaning the house so that she fell asleep before she could reach her room. This time Jill and Araon would have sweet dreams. They strongly needed their friends’ company.
In their room they felt at ease and a single kiss was enough to fall asleep immediately. “Good night Araon.”
“Good night, Jill.” And things went as one might imagine…
“Wake up. It’s time to be out of bed,” shouted Araon the following morning.
“I have just wakon up Araon. Why do you shout?”
“I was half-asleep and I must have shouted in my sleep. Sorry love. It’s already over,” said Araon.
“Can you see this note? There should be something for us outside. Just let’s go to have a look,” said Jill half-surprised.
They opened the do
or and together with The Independent there were hundreds of roses.” “Have you seen, Jill? Hundreds of roses. There is a greetings card. It says: felicitations. Van der Baast. Do you think this is incredible? Van der Baast sent roses here. How can he know the address of our lodging? Oh, what a fool. Samantha and Phil are constantly in touch with him and they must obviously have given this address to him. They have done what we ought to have done; they sent him the details of our lodging and informed him that we do not know how long we will stay in London. We have a GP here, though. We have been too rude to Van der Baast and we have to put a remedy to the situation. We must contact him to apologize and to say to him that you are in good state of health,” said Araon.
“Here is the number. OK, the line is free. Van der Baast? This is Araon. How are you?”
“Araon, my good fellow. I’m incredibly well. I was expecting a call from you honestly,” said the doctor.
“And you got the point. First of all, thank you for the roses. They are terrific. Jill has been entranced by the gift. I apologize for not having contacted you earlier than now. You know we are always wandering along this gorgeous city even if now me and Jill are in our Holland Park House personal room. Jill is very well. She went to the doctor for an ultrasound scanning and she has been assured that the baby and her are in excellent health. She didn’t want to know if it’s a boy or a girl though. What about you? Where are you now?”
“I am in my precious hospital. I am in the gynecology department. Screams and tears followed by smiles of joy is something I’m dealing with all the time. I’m happy that you have called me. I have also been informed about your career boost. I am happy about it. I trust you are really well.”
“Sure you are not offended, Van der Baast?”
“Why should I? I was just concerned. You have found me in a bizarre situation. I have just helped a woman to deliver a three-kilo boy. You don’t imagine the joy of the woman. And I will see many, many more around the day. Don’t forget I am waiting for Jill and her epidural. Wherever you are, please let her come here to childbirth as established.”
“This is more than obvious Van der Baast. You are blessed you do a job you love. Wails, screams are words you know very well. I’m also happy I have started a new career’s not something which goes beyond spirituality. Believe me: I’ll try to keep in touch more often from now on. I leave you to your duty. Bye, Van der Baast.”
The Red Box Page 75
