Love on the Dark Side of the City

by Kennedy, Thomas

  “Yes. London,” Peter said, charmed at Sara’s warm smile. “My wife and I met in London. She had started a recruitment agency and I was a client. I gave her advice and eventually we fell in love and married.”

  “Much to your mothers delight,” Samuel said, joining the conversation as he realized the merits of Shamrock Rovers league team was not holding the attention of the company.

  “She was delighted to see me settle down,” Peter explained for everyone’s benefit. Unfortunately she passed away a few years ago.”

  “Samuel has told me all about her,” Sonia said looking softly at Peter, “she must have been a wonderful woman.”

  “Wonderful” Peter said firmly, not allowing himself to soften to Sonia.

  Peter was about to add a further comment when Samuel asked. “Is that Jane over there?”

  ‘Yes” Peter was delighted and stood and beckoned Jane to come over.

  Jane arrived in a busy flurry with smiles and a kiss on the cheek for Peter and Samuel. She hardly noticed Frank until Peter introduced him.

  “I believe you two have met before,” Peter said as he made the introduction.

  “Frank!” Jane said wide eyed in surprise, almost shocked to see him there, sitting next to her husband.

  “Jane, Frank said and stood up. “It’s amazing. They say Dublin is a small city. So we meet again.” He said and shook her hand. Simultaneously offering her his seat.

  “I’ll get the waitress, what are you having? The usual? Gin and T?” Peter asked.

  “Eh, yes” Jane replied, still overcome by the unexpected sight of Frank.

  “We knew each other at college,” Frank explained to the company as Peter disappeared towards the bar. “And we met recently at a rugby match.”

  “Third time might be lucky,” Sara joked, but neither of them seemed amused.

  “Well, we better go, we have a date of our own,” Frank remained standing, addressing Sara.

  Sara was surprised. She had told Frank that they would be spending the date with Sonia and Samuel, to help lighten the burden for Sonia of meeting Samuels’s son and daughter in law.

  “Come on Sara” he added. “We need to let these people get to know each other. I am sure they have a lot to talk about.”

  “Nice to have met you,” Samuel said, happy they were moving on. . He was not clear why Frank and Sara were there, not realizing that Sonia had made the arrangement for moral support, and wanted to speak to Jane and Peter with outsiders present.

  “See you later.” Sonia said with a smile. Now she was engaged she decided she would be all right without Sara’s support and she wanted to have a more family conversation with Samuel’s family, than she had previously envisaged.

  Confused but happy that Sonia was comfortable with her departure; Sara stood up and smilingly said her warm goodbyes. She was delighted that she would now get a chance to talk to Frank without others dampening the conversation.

  “Nice couple,” Samuel commented as Sara and Frank left the bar. “Have they dated for long?”

  “No” Sonia said, “first date I think.”

  Peter came back with a drink for Jane in his hand. “Jane,” he said passing the drink, “Frank and Sara said good night at the bar on their way out. Nice couple.”

  “Amazing you knew Frank,” Sonia added, making conversation as Jane settled herself in beside her.

  “I know at least three people in this bar. Middle class Dublin is a small place” Jane sipped her drink. She did not wish to discuss Frank. Just seeing him had been shock enough.

  “Tell us about yourself?” Peter asked Sonia as he sat beside his wife, both taking up the space left by Frank and Sara.

  Sonia took a deep breath and smiled.

  “I am a Russian Jew from just outside Moscow,” she began.

  “Let us have no interrogations,” Samuel interrupted with a gruff laugh in his voice. “Let us make Sonia at home first. Jane tell us about your day. You arrive fussed but pleased, did it go well?”

  “Well,” Jane said, “very well. I have sold the business and I am now a housewife. But I got a good deal. I am very pleased with the deal.”

  “Interesting,” Sonia interjected. “You have just sold a business and I am just training so I can open a business soon. A small business.”

  “Interesting we must discuss your plans,” Jean replied politely.

  “And you Peter, how was your day?” Samuel asked.

  “Staff trouble. Not pleasant.”

  “What staff trouble?” Jane asked, concerned.

  “It was Ellen, her husband has left her and her daughter has run away from home.”

  “Not her daughter Ann?” Jane asked, well aware that she was also Peter’s daughter.

  “Yes, I am very concerned,” Peter said, looking at his father Samuel who also knew that Ann was Peter’s daughter.

  “Tell us the story and leave nothing out,” Samuel instructed.

  “It is complicated,” Peter said with a glance at Sonia, who was listening with curiosity.

  “Sonia can be told everything,” Samuel said.

  Peter caught Jane’s eye. His suspicions were correct. His father Samuel was very much involved with Sonia.

  “Start at the beginning Peter,” she suggested.

  They were shocked at the tale but also congratulated Peter on his speedy movement in engaging the firm’s solicitor and securing a barring order.

  “We pulled a few strings,” Peter explained. “Ellen refused to bring charges, but it was clear that her life had been put in danger. We arranged for the barring order to be served immediately. The police may bring criminal charges for aggravated assault and if Ann can be found he may be charged with Sexual offences. So George is in big trouble the only thing keeping him free from arrest is Ellen’s reluctance to bring charges.”

  “What if he goes to their house tonight?” Sonia asked, “is she not still in danger?”

  “Ellen won’t give up her house” Peter explained, “It took her a lot to get the house and she won’t risk it, even to save her life. I have arranged for out security contractors to watch her house and Ellen has a mobile so she can call myself or the police if he turns up.”

  Conversation turned to more general topics. The took their drinks slowly, they were not a hard drinking group and Sonia, who was accustomed to drinking is faster company, deliberately slowed her self down. She began to relax and enjoy the conversation.

  Any attempt by Peter to quiz Sonia closely was blocked by intervention from Samuel who immediately led the conversation off at a tangent.

  As the night progressed Peter was content to discuss the current state of the family business with his father. Samuel had always maintained an up to date handle on the business. He remained a non-executive director even though Peter ran the Company. Peter and his Partner Seymour both valued Samuels’s opinions highly and frequently discussed business strategy with him.

  The conversation fragmented again with the girls, Sonia and Jane discussing other matters, starting with Jane’s children and leading to Sergie and Sonia’s parents and brother in Russia, and then to Sonia’s business plans.

  ‘I have enough of my own money” Sonia explained to Jane. “I don’t need any investors. But I need advice. Samuel says he will help. I hope to open a small coffee bar. I have found a place near Molesworth Street. It will be a Russian coffee house. I hope in this area there will be a lot of daytime trade as it is near your Parliament house. I hope also as an investor in the Irish economy that I can get a permanent resident permit. Already my solicitor has done some work for me here. It will be a unique addition, a Russian coffee house. He says I will be O.K. It is just a question of getting started and I am nearly ready.”

  ‘That’s wonderful” Jane felt uplifted by Sonia’s passion for her plans.

  She recognized and had great empathy for Sonia in her intentions to be able to bring her son to Dublin and rear her with the help of a business. Jane had practically done the same thi
ng over sixteen years ago in London. They were not that far apart in years and recognized that they could be soul mates.

  “Sonia and I will have a cup of coffee together in town soon to discuss her business plans,” Jane said cutting across the business conversation of the two men.

  “Oh Good” Peter said, pleased his wife seemed to be approving of Sonia.

  “I need a private conversation with you too Peter,” Samuel added.

  Peter looked at him, surprised at this request, his father unusually, almost looked anxious. Sonia pressed the back of Samuels’s hand in encouragement.

  “Heavy” Jane said, “Sonia let us ladies retire to the rest room. I need to fix my make up. Let the men have their moment together.”

  Jane stood up and Sonia joined her, alarmed at Samuels’s direct approach. It was clear to her that he was about to tell Peter about their engagement. She was full of anxiety and looked with lost worried eyes towards Samuel.

  “Run along” Samuel said his eyes laughing. “I have something to tell Peter, it’s a man thing. It won’t take long.”

  Jane led the way and Sonia followed. She was shaking with anxiety. Her usual cool was not going to help. When they got outside the bar area they went down the steps into the general hotel lobby area, which was vast. The toilets were on the far side from the bar diagonally to the left. But as they passed by a number of the comfortable settees set out in the lobby area, Sonia had a desire to sit and recover herself.

  “Are you all right?” Jane asked concerned, coming to sit beside Sonia. “You look pale. Is anything the matter?”

  “Thank you Jane.” Sonia gave a strained smile. “I am afraid.”

  “What?”

  “I think Samuel is to talk to Peter about me. I think he wishes Peter to approve of me as a future wife.”

  Sonia wished for eloquent words but she felt she had been a bit too blunt. What if Jane stormed back into Peter? It would be a mess.

  But Jane merely smiled. “Samuel is my father in law and he seems quiet but he is tough and strong underneath. You would want to think hard before you would marry him,” she advised.

  “Samuel and me, we have fallen in love. I cannot explain it. Age is not a worry for me. I have known many men in my life and Samuel is special. I love him.”

  Jane kissed her cheek. “Lets hope it works out,” she said. “As far as I am concerned Samuel is well able to decide for himself and if he marries it is one less worry for us. You can take care of him.”

  “And he can take care of me too” Sonia replied. “We add together, we do not divide energy. So Samuel says.”

  Jane was silent for a moment. She held Sonia’s hand. “Samuel does not waste any time. Introduces us and then, he is getting married.”

  “Please do not feel pressure. It is Samuel, he has decided and he is determined. He seems very single minded.”

  “That is a family trait. I think most men have it. They want something and nothing else gets in the way until they have it. Peter is the same, very focused.”

  “Samuel adores Peter.”

  “You should encourage him to tell Peter. I think Peter is still in awe of his father. Samuel was very strong when Peter was young. He and Peter had a huge row before Peter went to London. Samuel opposed him marrying a girl who worked in the Irish office. It is only lately that Peter has found himself. Running the business had given Peter great confidence. I think he is still amazed that he can do it without his father to tell him what to do. It has been good for us.”

  “Samuel will advise me on business. But I won’t let him invest. In time I will have a franchise and be rich. At least that is the plan. It was the plan before I met Samuel and meeting Samuel will just add other wonderful dimensions. But I do not want him for his money. I know he is not poor. I say this because I am younger and from a different country and you might think the worst of me but I am honest.”

  “I can see that. I am sure Peter will too. Relax. If Samuel is determined to marry you, nothing on this earth will stop him.”

  “Thank you,” Sonia said, putting her hand on top of the hand Jane had put on her hand. They smiled at each other. “Samuel will reassure Peter that he does not want the business back.”

  “Good, that will settle Peter, he loves the business.”

  “Any you and Peter?” Sonia asked, sensing something from Jane.

  Jane shrugged. “Well married now. I am not sure how I will adjust to life now I no longer have my business. I am Peter’s chattel now.”

  “Nonsense, you are a strong woman. Did you not decide this together?”

  “Yes Sonia, but it was a rational decision. Made for the best. It does not mean that the emotions are in the right place. In time perhaps.”

  ‘You and Peter, you are in love?” Sonia asked.

  Jane made a face. “We are passed romantic stages. Just a married couple with two children trying to hold the family on course.”

  “Oh Jane,” Sonia said sympathetically, not approving her remarks, “it must be romantic. Life with tasks is too hard. There must be a spark of passion to make the day a warm and wonderful place. I tried too long to live without a man. Now I have found Samuel I realize how important this is. Some day I will tell you my history and you will understand. But Peter is a fine man. I like what I see.”

  “As a son in law?”

  “Jane, forgive me. It is a sensitive time. I am tense. I don’t mean to pry. I think we can be friends and support each other. I hope you will give me a chance.”

  “Of course” Jane said simply.

  “Thank you.”

  “We will give them fifteen minutes.” Jane said. “Lets get a drink.”

  Jane signalled a passing uniformed porter who was crossing the lobby and sent him to get two vodka’s and an orange. “Russian Vodka.”

  Sonia smiled in agreement. It was clear that Jane was being supportive.

  The sat in silence and watched the movements in the Lobby. There was a large coach tour in the distance at the reception desk, fussing and checking in.

  “Peter would like another baby, a son.” Jean confided after the drinks arrived.

  “Samuel tells me you have one son adopted by Peter and a girl, Rebecca.”

  “Yes, does he tell you all about us?”

  “Not really, just the head count,” Sonia replied lightly.

  “It’s ruining our sex life” Jane confided further.

  “Not more fun?” Sonia asked

  “No. Is it the right time? Am I ovulating? It can be such a routine.”

  “You must want a baby very much?” Sonia suggested.

  “Peter does. I just feel knackered.”

  “Peter is capable, you’ve done tests?”

  “Oh yes, Peter had a child by a previous relationship, the affair I just mentioned. It’s complicated but he’s well capable.”

  “And?”

  “I am so tired between the business and home and Peter and his need for a son.”

  “Maybe now you have sold the business?” Sonia suggested.

  “That’s the general idea. But I just feel so angry. The business was my baby too. Now it is gone so I can feel less tired.” Jean spoke with a passion, looking around as she spoke to ensure no one could hear. She had never confided like this before, not about her sex life. Something about Sonia made her feel she would understand.

  “May I make a suggestion?” Sonia offered.

  “Sure.” Jean’s look was defensive, she was not sure enough of Sonia to let her pass judgment on her.

  “Sex as we know is supposed to be fun. When it becomes a drag. Stop it.”

  “No sex?” Jean was astounded.

  “No intercourse for a week, there is more to sex than intercourse.”

  “I’m not sure Peter would agree with you. He knows there is more and he likes more. But it is as well as, not instead of.”

  “If you had a week or two off sex but instead every time Peter wanted to do it you were to ask for a relaxing massage?�
�

  “Sure would be different, but he would be frustrated.”

  “His pay off could be a blow job,” Sonia suggested. “The idea would be to break the mould. Do things differently and be less intense about a baby. It will happen if you relax.”

  “We had all the tests, we should both be able. Is just not happening.”

  “Then all the more reason to break the mould.”

  “I feel so mad with him.”

  “Have a pillow fight. Bash him and get the anger out.”

  “I don’t want to hurt him.”

  “A pillow won’t do harm... Another thing do you ever get on top?”

  Jean looked embarrassed. “No, I don’t like that. He can see all of me when I am on top. My breasts are all hanging down, I just look awful.”

  “I be he would not complain. Tell him to close his eyes or make sure it is dark. The reason I suggest it is that if you screw him as hard as you can you can let off your aggressions.”

  “We just fight. I am so short with him and he with me.”

  “Use the sale of the business to start again. But don’t make it another task, hang loose, try variety.”

  “Well thanks for the suggestions,” Jean said with a smile to close the topic.

  “Don’t invite me in and then close me out,” Sonia said mildly, looking at Jean. “Do you understand what I am saying?”

  Jean considered and finished her drink.

  “I see what you are saying. I might invite Peter and then snap at him. Maybe you are right. I’m not a good friend to Peter.”

  “Jean, of course you are. Just remember it is not all about you. You are not the centre. Neither is Peter. You both share the same space. Don’t let it build. Find ways to keep the fun. Otherwise what is the point of it all?”

  “You are right” Jean said, relaxing. “Thank you Sonia. Your advice is well meant. I will try to take it.”

  “Talk to Peter about the problems. Get his ideas. I suspect he needs to feel a part of the solution as well as the problem.”