Married to the Dragon

by Selina Coffey

  She woke up again at the hospital: Yvonne told her she was hit by a car and suffered minor surgery for a broken arm. She told Rainn about the man who hit her and rushed her to the emergency room. Yvonne painted an intimidating picture of the wealthy stranger. Rainn remembered his smell and felt strangely aroused and in love in a very deep organic way. She felt he would come and see her soon, giving her mixed feelings that she just couldn’t understand.

  He walked in at that very moment. Rainn completely blown away by the now familiar smell, the happiness and worry in voice. They shared an emotional conversation together, brief yet intense. The wealthy stranger introduced himself as Jack.

  He left, as did Yvonne, and Rainn was left alone to rest. She drifted off thinking about all she was experiencing. She fantasized about Jack and remembered the conversation they had over and over. She imagined what she should have said and looked like. She felt excited and a little sad, already deeply in love but intimidated. What chances would she have with a man that any woman would die to get their hands on?

  She fell asleep knowing this accident would change her forever.

  Upon returning, Jack gave Rainn a book. She could feel the book was old and used. She told her it was his favourite book as a child. He read a story to her about a prince who never understood the joy of sharing his wealth. The prince died, with his soul remaining trapped, in a statue raised after his funeral. The statue was covered in gold and had two huge, blue eyes made from hundreds of sapphires. Through his precious jewels, he saw beggars, orphans and the elderly pass him every day. He had a bird that told him each of these people’s stories. The prince felt so sad for them that he asked the bird to give these people, one by one, the sapphires that made his gleaming eyes, leaving him blind. The bird became his sight. Towards the end of the story, the prince also gave his golden coating to the poor, losing all his shine. He became a simple statue, made of only lead. The prince was torn down and melted. When the metal melted, the only thing remaining was his heart. Jack ended the story and they both remained silent. Rainn asked Jack if his eyes were blue, like the prince. Jack replied that they were, adding that he would gladly give them away for a heart. He left her the book. Rainn fell asleep with it in her hand, as she wondered how this irony would unfold.

  Chapter Two

  The day after Rainn was released from hospital her cousin visited her at home.

  “I’m sorry,” said Margaret. “I wanted to come while you were still in hospital.”

  Rainn laughed. “You mean you wanted me to stay in hospital longer?”

  “You know that’s not what I meant. I wanted to get an earlier flight, but I couldn’t.”

  “Margaret, you needn’t have. It’s such a long way to come and I’m fine, really.”

  “Rainn, you were hit by a car! Of course I was going to come. I’d have come to wherever you were.”

  “I’m not badly hurt. I was shaken but these injuries will heal.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Margaret. “I wanted to come.”

  She was silent for a while and Rainn knew what she was thinking.

  “Where’s Yvonne?” she asked, eventually.

  “At work.” She heard Margaret shift in her seat. It was enough to know how she felt.

  “Don’t be angry with her,” she said.

  “How can I not be angry?” said Margaret. “How can she be so negligent?”

  “It wasn’t her fault. It was me. I was stupid.”

  “It wouldn’t have happened if she had kept an eye on you.”

  “She can’t keep an eye on me all the time.”

  “You could have been killed.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “That was just good fortune.”

  “Maybe,” said Rainn. “I’m not sure what it was.”

  Margaret poured tea from the teapot. Rainn took her cup and she listened to Margaret stir in her milk and sugar.

  “And the car driver?” Margaret asked. “What will happen to him? Was he speeding? Have the police spoken to him?”

  “It wasn’t his fault. I stepped off the kerb straight into him.”

  “Well, maybe. But he should still apologize.”

  “If anything, I should apologize to him. I knocked the wing mirror clean off his Porsche.”

  “Oh, poor him,” scoffed Margaret. “He’ll probably ask you to pay to have it replaced.”

  “I offered,” blushed Rainn.

  “What?” Margaret spluttered on her tea.

  “He came into the hospital. I said sorry and asked if I could pay for the damage.”

  “Are you crazy?” asked Margaret.

  “That’s what he said. Anyway, he wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “Probably feeling guilty.”

  “Maybe.” Rainn nodded. “He didn’t seem like that though. He seemed . . .” she tailed away.

  “He seemed, what?” asked Margaret suspiciously. Rainn could imagine her eyes narrowing.

  “Nice,” said Rainn. “Kind. We got on very well.”

  “You got on,” repeated Margaret. “How many times did you see him? I meant meet.”

  “I know what you meant,” smiled Rainn. “A few times. He brought me gifts.”

  “Did he? I wonder what he wanted.”

  “I told you, we get on. There is no need to be suspicious.”

  Rainn cast her mind back to those conversations in the hospital ward. The smell of Jack, mixed with the heavy scent of flowers had lulled her into a pleasant mood, as she lay on the plump cushions. Maybe it was the medication, maybe it was the shock, but there had been something in that room, something in Jack’s melodious voice that Rainn had found soothing. She had never felt like that before.

  “You get on,” said Margaret, interrupting Rainn’s thoughts. “Do you mean get on or got on?”

  Rainn smiled. “I don’t know. We will see what happens.” She could imagine Margaret frowning at this.

  “And what do you know about this man apart from he drives a Porsche and gives gifts?”

  “What else is there to know?” asked Rainn. She was grinning as Margaret tutted.

  “He sounds like a criminal. What’s his name?”

  “Jack. He did tell me his surname but I’ve forgotten it. I was a little disorientated at the time.”

  “And what does he do?”

  “Works in film.” Rainn could feel Margaret’s suspicion which amused her greatly.

  “Anything else?”

  “Just that he’s a nice guy. Interesting and funny. And he’s got a lovely voice. I feel like I’ve heard it before. Do you think he’s famous? Maybe he’s an actor. He said he worked in film. Perhaps he’s just being modest.”

  “Wait a second,” said Margaret, “you said his name was Jack?”

  Before Rainn could answer, she could hear Margaret rushing through to the kitchen. When Margaret returned, Rainn could tell she was carrying a newspaper.

  “Yesterday’s paper,” Margaret said. “I picked it up at the airport.” She proceeded to thumb through it. “Do you think that maybe the man’s surname might have been Bradley?”

  Rainn clapped her hands. “That’s it! Exactly! Have you heard of him? Is he famous? A celebrity?”

  Margaret found what she had been looking for and read in a rather world-weary way.

  “‘Dangerous Jeopardy’ actor, Jack Bradley (32), admitted to being involved in a car accident near Liverpool Street station at the weekend. At first, Karolyn Jones, his agent had denied the heartthrob’s involvement. However, when footage was uploaded to social media by onlookers, she was forced to issue the following statement.

  “Mr Bradley was present at a small traffic accident. It was in no way his fault and the police have not been involved. He has since visited a hospital to visit the woman who was injured and has left her flowers and other gifts.

  “Jack Bradley, who has been involved in recent controversy over allegations of drug use on the set of his current set, was photographed last night leaving an
exclusive restaurant with his girlfriend, Chelsea Lopez (24).”

  “Oh,” said Rainn. There seemed nothing else to say.

  Margaret sighed. “There’s a photograph. Looks like a nice restaurant. Italian, I guess. He’s a good looking man. I recognize him now. He’s wearing a nice suit.”

  “What about his girlfriend?”

  “I’ve no idea what she’s wearing. Not very much. Her legs are ridiculous. Can’t tell much about her face. She’s hiding it behind a pair of huge sunglasses.”

  Rainn felt tears form in her eyes. She wasn’t sure whether it was because of sadness, or frustration at her own naivety.

  “Oh, come on, Rainn,” coaxed Margaret. “Don’t feel like that.” She handed her a tissue. “Now we know who he is, there’s no need to feel bad.”

  “You mean because he would never want someone like me.” Sobbed Rainn.

  “That’s not what I’m saying. Quite the opposite. You would never want someone like him. I can’t say I know much about Jack Bradley, but all I know is bad. You deserve better than someone like that.”

  “What do you know?” asked Rainn.

  “Well, I know that he uses his wealth and fame to surround himself with young, trophy girlfriends who are usually no more than a pair of long legs and a pair of designer sunglasses. I’m sure he doesn’t even like them anyway, as he cheats repeatedly, with no qualms. I read that this has made him lose all respect for women and cynical to the core. He strikes me as the jealous type. Possessive even though he won’t stay faithful himself.”

  Margaret paused to sip her tea with a very superior air.

  “I know he is going through a very public career crisis. It’s probably why he was flying round in his Porsche.”

  “He wasn’t speeding,” interrupted Rainn.

  “Well, whatever,” shrugged Margaret. “Then there’s the rumours of drug use and his horrible temper. You could imagine how the violence in his films might spill over to his private life.”

  “Is that a fact or your opinion?” asked Rainn.

  Margaret folded the paper. “It’s what people say.” And then to change the subject, she asked “Have you heard from John?”

  “John?” repeated Rainn, as if she had never heard of him. “Oh, God, John! I hadn’t thought.”

  “You mean you haven’t told him about the accident?”

  “I didn’t have chance!” protested Rainn, wondering if she looked guilty. “I probably should have.”

  “You two are still friends, aren’t you?”

  “Of course we are. We’re always friends. Always have been. Always will be.”

  “Invite him for dinner,” said Margaret. “I’ll make something. You, me, Yvonne and John. It will be fun.”

  “You’ve just flown in, you can’t be making dinner.”

  “Nonsense,” snorted Margaret, standing up. “You can call him. Your phone is in the kitchen, I’ll get it.”

  Chapter Three

  Rainn’s phone was on the kitchen table. As Margaret went to pick it up, she saw Jack’s name flashing as an incoming call. Without thinking, she answered the call before the phone rang, pushed open the kitchen door and stepped out into the back garden.

  “Yes?” she said.

  “Rainn, is that you?”

  “She’s sleeping,” said Margaret. “She is still very weak and needs some time to recover.”

  “Yes, of course,” said Jack. “I understand. Could you ask her to call me back when she wakes?”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Said Margaret.

  “What the hell! What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to talk to Rainn anymore.” She stated calmly.

  “Who gives a damn what you think? Who are you anyway? Put Rainn on. I don’t know you.” Demanded Jack angrily.

  “You don’t know me, but we all know you, Mr Bradley. We all know what you are like because the whole of your private life is plastered across the gossip pages of our newspapers. And to be honest, it doesn’t look pretty. It actually looks very ugly.” Snapped Margaret.

  “Don’t talk to me like that, you snooty bitch. Put Rainn on now.”

  “Or what?” asked Margaret. “Are you going to shout at me like you shout at those poor extras in your film sets? Slap me like you slap your girlfriends? Or maybe you’ll run me over next in your Porsche.”

  “I have never slapped anyone! If you dare repeat that accusation, my lawyers will be down on you like a ton of bricks!”

  “Whatever,” yawned Margaret.

  “Listen,” said Jack, trying hard to be calm, “I would really appreciate it if I could speak to Rainn. She knows me better than you. Everything you’ve read in the newspapers is just horrible gossip. Rainn knows me, the real me, and I think you should let her decide for herself. It’s nice that you’re protective of her, but she’s certainly no fool. She is well-capable of making decisions for herself.”

  “Perhaps,” said Margaret. “But she’s had a nasty shock. I’m worried about her. And I’m certain she doesn’t need someone like you pestering her for your own objectives.”

  “I’m not pestering her and I have no idea what you mean by my ‘own objectives’. I just want to speak to her and I think she wants to speak to me.” Pleaded Jack.

  “Come on, Mr Bradley. Your acting might have convinced Rainn in her current susceptible state. It might convince gullible cinema audiences on Saturday nights, but it doesn’t convince me. I can see you want to use Rainn as a convenient prop to improve your public image. A pretty blind girl you helped after an accident. It’s perfect.”

  “You despicable cow.” Snarled Jack.

  Margaret sniffed. “I work in PR, Mr Bradley. I know how it works.”

  “Let me tell you this. I pampered Rainn because I was taken aback by her stunning beauty. Not because I felt guilty, it was her beauty. I admit that. I am a man who enjoys beautiful women and Rainn is as beautiful as I have ever seen.”

  “Do you expect some kind of award?” snorted Margaret, her voice laden with sarcasm.

  “I pampered her with nice things, but I quickly realized that expensive gifts don’t mean that much to her. Do you know what she liked the best? Do you know what she appreciated more than anything else? She loved it when I read to her. Can you believe that? I’ve never met a girl who has appreciated a story more than an expensive perfume.”

  “You shock me, Mr Bradley. I can hardly believe that Chelsea Lopez doesn’t enjoy a quiet evening in curled up by the fire with Chekhov.”

  “I didn’t just read to her,” he said evenly, as he managed to control his frustration and obvious dislike. “I talked to her, told her things about my life I’ve never told anyone. And she listened and didn’t judge me.”

  “She’s a good listener,” said Margaret. “That much is true. It’s a shame she had to listen to all your celebrity neurosis.”

  “Please listen, I feel things for Rainn I’ve never felt for anyone before. She is witty, clever and has a purity I’ve never experienced.”

  “I can well believe that, Mr Bradley. Your sordid life seems to be particularly devoid of anything resembling purity. So you will understand my reluctance to let you sour her purity with your infamy.”

  “Please,” begged Jack, “Rainn has made me feel like a real person. At long last I have found someone who makes me feel whole. Don’t try to come between us. It will end badly for you, if you do.”

  “Mr Bradley, that sounds like a threat. This is not one of your blockbusters. Spare me the melodrama.”

  Jack spoke quietly, with meaning. “You won’t come between us. You are irrelevant.”

  Margaret sighed. “I may be irrelevant. But Rainn already has a boyfriend and he is not. So you might as well give up now.”

  “What?” shouted Jack, unable to control the fury in his voice. “What boyfriend? She never mentioned a boyfriend.”

  “I’m sorry. But she has a long-term boyfriend, so your interest is un
wanted.”

  “What’s his name?” snarled Jack.

  “John,” retorted Margaret, without thinking.

  “Well, you can tell John the same thing I told you. Neither of you will stand between Rainn and I.”

  “Goodbye, Mr Bradley. I shall block your number now.”

  “Do what you like. It will make no difference.”

  Margaret ended the call and blocked him as she said she would. She was angry and acted before she had a chance to feel bad about doing something behind Rainn’s back. If Rainn had heard the way he had spoken, she wouldn’t have wanted to speak to him, she reasoned. She phoned John and invited him for dinner and he happily accepted.

  Rainn looked up enquiringly as Margaret came back into the room. “Did I get a call?” she asked.

  “Yes you did, from John” lied Margaret, “So I answered and invited him for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Chapter Four

  It was a good meal. Rainn thought Margaret would give Yvonne a hard time about the accident, but she seemed to have other things on her mind. It was nice to see John again. After he got over the shock of discovering she had been in an accident, he was quickly back to his good-humoured self.

  The four diners had shared two bottle of wine and were slouching at the kitchen table, contemplating the washing up, when there was a loud knock at the front door.

  Yvonne jumped up and went to answer it. They could hear her talking animatedly to a man. Rainn’s ears pricked up as she listened attentively. “Could it be him?” she wondered. But how? Margaret frowned and looked uneasy.

  The kitchen door opened and Yvonne entered, closely followed by Jack. Before Yvonne could announce his arrival, Rainn had recognized the scent and leapt up. He took a step towards her as she flung her arms around his neck.

  “Jack!” she cried, excitedly. “How did you find me?”

  Jack laughed. “Careful,” he warned, “you’ll crush the flowers.”

  “They smell wonderful,” said Rainn. “Are they all for me?”

  “One bunch,” teased Jack. “The other is for the lady I spoke with earlier.” He looked down at the table and gazed coolly at Margaret. “These are for you.”