The Birthday Girls

by Pauline Lawless

  “Angel, I need a word with you.” She turned to Kenny and the other people he was with. “Would you excuse us for a moment, please?” Taking Angel firmly by the arm, she took her aside. “Angel don’t you think you should ease up on those cocktails? They’re very strong.”

  “Hell no, it’s my last birthday party! Don’t tell me you’re getting as sancti . . . sancti . . . nomious as Mel,” she said accusingly as she wrenched her arm free. She went back to the group as Brenda looked at Troy and shrugged her shoulders. When Angel was in this mood there was nothing anyone could do. Brenda was relieved when Lexi announced dinner was about to be served. She was happy that Angel would now at least have something to soak up the alcohol.

  Chapter 14

  As it was a very warm evening Lexi had decided they would eat outside and they all climbed the steps to the upper terrace which looked truly magical with candles glowing on the table and around the balcony. As they took their places Brenda was relieved to see that she was seated beside Troy with Marvin and Lexi on her other side. Jack would be there in time for the main course and would be seated between Mel and Angel, who were on the other side of the table. Kenny was seated on the other side of Angel.

  There was a buffet set out on a long table which was manned by two waitresses and Brenda had never seen such a fabulous selection of seafood. She piled her plate with scallops, shrimp, crab and lobster, wondering how she would have any room for the main course.

  “I could get used to this lifestyle,” she whispered to Mel who was standing behind her.

  “Enjoy it, honey. Lexi has certainly pulled out all the stops.”

  “I’m a bit worried about Angel. She’s really pissed.”

  “I just hope she doesn’t ruin the party,” Mel replied.

  Brenda was surprised at the vehemence in her voice.

  Mel saw that Angel only had a couple of shrimp on her plate but was knocking back the wine twice as fast as anyone else. She caught Brenda’s eye as the waiter refilled Angel’s glass yet again and raised her eyebrows. Brenda shrugged helplessly. There was nothing they could do about it. Mel was glancing at her watch every few seconds and looking towards the French windows, willing Jack to walk through. Eventually, her wish came true and he arrived. Mel jumped up and went to meet him, her heart hammering as he grinned at her.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she told him, her eyes glowing.

  He kissed her and hugged her tight. “Me too. You look terrific,” he said, standing back to look at her. She felt a thrill as his eyes devoured her and then, holding hands, she led him over to say hello to Lexi.

  “I’m so glad you could make it, Jack,” Lexi smiled as he kissed her on the cheek.

  She introduced him to everyone and called for the wine waiter to pour him a glass of wine. Mel then took him over to the buffet.

  “Holy mackerel! I’ve never seen so much gorgeous food.”

  She laughed as he piled his plate high.

  “Jack, sweetie, aren’t you going to give me a kiss?” Angel pouted prettily as he sat down between her and Mel. Then she leaned into him, giving him a bird’s-eye view of her cleavage.

  “Hello Angel.” He turned to kiss her on the cheek.

  She deftly moved so that his kiss landed smack on her open lips. He pulled away as Angel smiled at him seductively and then pealed with laughter. She continued to flirt with him while he ate, constantly leaning into him. He was conscious of her breast brushing his arm and her thigh pressing against his. He tried to ignore her but it was difficult. Mel was furious. Angel really was going too far this time.

  “Let’s go for a smoke,” Jack whispered to Mel when he’d finished eating. They made their escape as the hot food for the main course was being set out on the buffet table.

  “My God, what a woman!” Jack exclaimed as they made their way down to the pool level. He lit up two cigarettes, handing one to her.

  Mel was dismayed. “She is very sexy,” she admitted, upset that Jack had fallen for Angel’s tricks.

  “She certainly likes to flash her tits.”

  “You like them that big?” Mel asked, looking down at her own small breasts.

  “I much prefer yours,” he said, reaching out to caress them. “Hers are fake. Gimme the real thing any day!”

  Mel reached over and kissed him. “You’ve made my day.”

  “Do you think we could change seats when we go back?”

  “You don’t want to sit beside Angel?”

  “God no! I want to enjoy my dinner without havin’ her tits in my face all through it.”

  Mel was delighted and hugged him before they ran back up the steps to the party.

  Angel was very put out when Mel sat down beside her, separating her from Jack. “Spoilsport!” she sulked.

  “Just leave him alone!” Mel muttered.

  “You’re jealous,” Angel accused her, glaring at her angrily.

  “And you’re drunk!”

  * * *

  Lexi had outdone herself with the food. There was prime rib and stuffed pork alongside poached salmon and chicken wrapped in prosciutto as well as numerous vegetable and pasta sides. They all agreed that it was a splendid meal and the wine waiter was kept busy, not least refilling Angel’s glass.

  The dessert trolley held every dessert imaginable and Mel laughed as Jack took a bit of everything then tucked into it with gusto. He really had an amazing appetite.

  Finally, it was time for the birthday cake which was wheeled out, candles blazing. It was in four tiers, all the same size. Each tier had one of the girls names iced on it and ten candles around the circumference except for the top layer which had Angel’s name on it with only nine candles. Brenda and Mel laughed when they saw what Lexi had done. Angel was too far gone to notice.

  The champagne corks popped as everyone stood around the cake and toasted the four birthday girls. Angel was just about able to stand up and Lexi and Brenda had to support her as the others sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and the girls blew out the candles. Then Lexi and Brenda both led Angel inside and up the stairs where she collapsed on her bed and within seconds was passed out.

  “I’m really worried about her,” Lexi confided to Brenda as they undressed Angel and put her under the covers.

  “Me too,” Brenda agreed. “Isn’t there anything we can do? She’ll kill herself if she keeps this up.”

  “Yes, indeed. Poor Angel. She has no family and we’re her only friends. We have to do something. Let’s discuss it tomorrow,” Lexi suggested.

  They went back down to join the party.

  * * *

  Mel and Jack had escaped for another cigarette while the girls were escorting Angel to bed.

  “That Angel is one fucked-up lady,” Jack said as he handed her the cigarette he’d lit for her. She loved the way he did that. It was somehow a very intimate gesture as it was when he kissed her and blew a little smoke into her mouth. He was so different from anyone she’d ever known and she longed to make love to him again.

  “She’s on a self-destruct course, you know that?” he continued.

  “Gosh I hope not. I know she has developed a drink problem –”

  “It’s more than that. She needs help. I saw so many women like her in LA. They’re all fucked-up there.”

  “I suppose it can’t be easy there, especially if you’re in the movie business.”

  Jack drew her close. “Let’s forget about her. Do you think you could come back to my place tonight?”

  Mel nodded. There was nothing she wanted more than to spend the night with him. “I’d like that.”

  “Good! Then I don’t have to take you down to the beach and ravish you in the sand.”

  She laughed, happy and excited at the prospect of another night of love.

  They returned to the party at the same time as Brenda and Lexi.

  “How is Angel?” Mel asked them.

  “Out for the count,” Lexi replied. “We really have to talk about her drinking tomorrow and see w
hat we can do to help her.”

  “Yeah, she needs help, that’s for sure,” Mel agreed.

  “Well, Jack, are you going to sing for us?” Lexi smiled at him.

  “Sure thing, Ma’am,” he grinned. “I’ll go get my guitar.”

  He left them to go get it and Mel turned to Lexi. “Isn’t he divine?”

  Her eyes were glowing and Lexi felt a little disquieted. She hoped Mel wasn’t falling for him because from what he’d said over dinner, Jack was not the marrying type – nor even the settling-down-for-a-short-while type. He’d spoken of his plans to travel to Australia and New Zealand after he’d finished visiting the fifty US states. Definitely not husband material but she didn’t want to burst Mel’s bubble.

  “Yes, I really like him,” she replied and it was true. He had a very charming manner and made you think you were the only person in the world when he was talking to you. She didn’t blame Mel. He was very attractive indeed, and sexy.

  Pablo had lit the outdoor heaters as it was getting a little cool on the terrace as they sat down to listen to Jack. Everyone listened spellbound as his haunting voice filled the night air. He sang some Irish songs – in honour of the girls, he said – and when he sang Mary Black’s ‘Song for Ireland’, they clapped and cheered in appreciation.

  “This last song is especially for the birthday girls, Lexi, Brenda, Angel and Mel.” He then launched into Johnny Logan’s ‘What’s Another Year?’ which seemed a fitting tribute.

  The party finished shortly after and the guests departed one by one, thanking Lexi profusely for a wonderful night.

  “Do you mind if I spend the night in Jack’s place?” Mel asked her shyly.

  “Of course not. Go and have a good night and be happy.”

  “Thank you, Lexi. I will.” Mel turned to a smiling Jack and gave him the thumbs-up.

  Mel ran upstairs to change and grab her overnight things. She was back in a flash, a broad smile on her face.

  “Could you be back by ten tomorrow morning as I thought we might go down to the Dalí museum in St Petersburg?”

  “Sure, I’ll be back by then.”

  She and Jack gave Lexi and Brenda a big hug before they set off hand-in-hand.

  * * *

  “Well, that was a success I think,” Lexi said as she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the sofa. Marvin sat beside her and rubbed her feet.

  Brenda sat with Troy on the sofa opposite them and she would love to have been able to have Troy rub her feet which were aching from her new shoes but of course that was out of the question.

  “And now for the post mortem,” Lexi said. “I think a party is not complete until we’ve had the post mortem.”

  They all laughed and then ensued a discussion on the guests and conversation of the evening. They avoided all mention of Angel. Lexi was grateful for that. She didn’t want to end the night on a downer. Tomorrow was time enough to tackle that problem.

  “Kenny is a lovely man, very interesting to talk to,” Brenda observed, “but I noticed he was drinking a different wine to the rest of us. Why was that?”

  “He’s a recovering alcoholic so he only drinks non-alcoholic wine.”

  “Oh, I’d never have guessed that about him! He’s such a gentleman.”

  “Alcoholism knows no boundaries, unfortunately. It affects people from all walks of life.”

  “He’s a great guy,” Marvin said. “I also really like Mel’s fellow. It looks like she’s fallen in love with him.”

  Lexi looked at Brenda and they were both thinking the same thing: God, I hope not!

  * * *

  The following morning Lexi was a little later than usual in the pool and was just getting out when Brenda appeared on the terrace above.

  “With you in a sec,” Lexi called out as she wrapped her bathrobe about her.

  “Well, good morning. You don’t look like you were up till the wee small hours last night,” Brenda greeted her.

  “Believe me, I felt it before my swim but I’m feeling awake at last. Happy birthday, hon,” she said, kissing Brenda.

  “Thank you. I feel like every day is my birthday this week.”

  “Yes, it’s pretty prolonged alright,” Lexi laughed. “And why not if it’s to be our last?”

  “It was a great night. I wonder how Angel is feeling.”

  Lexi grimaced. “Not too good, I imagine. We really have to talk to her about her drinking today. I’m not looking forward to that conversation.”

  “Me neither but it has to be done. It is worrying. I don’t suppose she’ll surface anytime soon?”

  “We won’t see her before lunch, that’s for sure,” Lexi replied. “I had hoped that we would go down to the new Dalí museum this morning but I think maybe we should leave it for another time.”

  “Good idea! I’m quite happy to chill out here today. We can’t very well go without Angel and Mel’s not back yet anyway, is she?”

  “No. I do hope she had a good time. I think I’ll give her a call and tell her she can spend the day with Jack if she wishes. No point in her rushing back here if we’re not going to the Dalí,” Lexi said, reaching for the phone.

  Mel answered sleepily.

  “Hope I’m not disturbing anything,” Lexi began, grinning at Brenda.

  “Lexi? No, I was sleeping. Gosh, what time is it? Did I sleep out?” She jumped out of bed to reach for her watch. “Am I late?”

  “No, sweetie. I’m just calling to say that we’ve postponed that trip for another day. Angel won’t be in any fit condition to go so if you want to spend the day with Jack, that’s fine.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  Lexi heard the relief in Mel’s voice.

  “Not at all. You have a good day. We’ll see you for dinner.”

  “Thank you so much, Lexi. You’re an angel!”

  “I hope not. One Angel is enough in this house.”

  They both laughed.

  “Well, she seems to be happy,” Lexi said to Brenda when she’d hung up. “I’m so glad. I just hope she doesn’t get too involved with Jack. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “No. I gather he’s a bit of a gypsy. I heard him say last night that travelling is in his blood.”

  “Well, as long as Mel sees it as a bit of fun,” Lexi said, biting her lip. She had her doubts about that unfortunately.

  Marvin rang as they were having breakfast. When he heard that they were not going to St Petersburg he offered to come and collect her new laptop so that he could download the apps she would need. He also invited the four of them over for a barbeque that evening which Lexi said would be lovely.

  Chapter 15

  Mel was in seventh heaven. She and Jack had spent the night making love. Now as she lay in Jack’s arms she thought that she had never been so happy. The only cloud on the horizon was that it would be over at the weekend unless she decided to stay on for another week which she was very tempted to do. She pushed it to the back of her mind as she looked forward to a whole day with Jack.

  She would have been quite happy to spend the day in bed with him but, after making love once more, Jack carried her out of the bed and into the shower as she giggled uncontrollably.

  “C’mon, you hussy! You have me exhausted. It’s a beautiful day and we’re goin’ to make the most of it.”

  They showered together and despite his exhaustion he took her once again, the water streaming over her as she climaxed. It was the most fantastic thing she’d ever experienced. He towelled her dry and she wallowed in his tenderness. Dressed at last, he took her for breakfast and she marvelled at his appetite as he demolished bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns and fried potatoes followed by pancakes and maple syrup.

  “I have to keep my energy up for you, you demanding woman,” he grinned at her as he cleared his plate and finished her pancakes.

  After breakfast Jack stopped off at a Publix supermarket and came out with two large bags before he drove her, in his banger of a pick-up truc
k, to a house along the bay. There he introduced her to his friend, Kris, who took them around to the back of the house where a boat was moored.

  “I did as you asked,” Kris said, grinning as he handed Jack the key.

  “Have a good day and don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” he added, winking at them.

  “Thanks, mate,” Jack clapped him on the back.

  As Jack led her on board, Mel asked, “Do you really know how to drive this thing?”

  “Steer, Silly Billy, steer. One drives a car and one steers a boat.”

  She blushed, giggling. “Where are you taking me?”

  “To a deserted island where it will be just we two and we’ll swim in the turquoise water.”

  “But I don’t have a swimsuit.”

  “You won’t need one, sweetheart,” Jack replied kissing her before steering the boat out into the Gulf.

  It was the most perfect day Mel had ever spent. To her surprise Jack was an accomplished sailor. He was an enigma, this man. Was there nothing he couldn’t do? She was falling in love with him and she couldn’t help herself. They sailed out to a tiny island and disembarked.

  He immediately stripped off his clothes and stood naked, totally at ease and unembarrassed as he let the hot sun warm his skin.

  “Come on,” he said to her. “Aren’t you coming in for a swim?” He ran naked into the crystal-clear turquoise water.

  She stood feeling awkward and then, looking around to make sure there was no one else around, she too stripped off and ran self-consciously down to the water’s edge to join him. The water was warmer than she’d expected and she dived in and swam out to him. It felt exhilarating and very sensuous to be swimming naked and she felt as free as a bird.

  Jack took her in his arms and started caressing her and kissing her body. It was wildly exciting. He then lifted her up so that her legs were around his waist. She was so hot that she thought she was going to explode. He must have felt the same because he took her right there and then as the turquoise water lapped around their naked bodies. She almost died with pleasure. Then he carried her out of the water and lay her down gently on the fine sand. They were both breathless. Mel thought she’d died and gone to heaven. She never wanted to leave this magical place.