Housekeeping

by Summer Cooper

  “Thanks,” said Margaret, taking the flowers. “I’ll put them in some water.”

  “It was her idea that I should pay you visit,” elaborated Jack, smiling at everyone. “I hadn’t realized you were having dinner.”

  “It’s such a shame,” exclaimed Rainn, “we’ve only just finished.”

  “Yes, what a shame,” said Margaret. “But tell us, Mr Bradley, how did you find the house?”

  “Please, call me Jack,” he said smiling very hard. “It’s not so difficult these days. We don’t have much privacy now, do we? I should know.” He gave a little grin and Yvonne and Rainn laughed.

  “And this must be John,” Jack continued. “The John I’ve heard so much about.”

  John made to stand up but Jack stepped over quickly so he stayed seated. When John put out his hand to shake, Jack put his over it and held it for a little longer than he might, looking John in the eye, as if holding him down, overbearing him.

  “Hi,” said John.

  “What do you do, John?”

  “I just work in an office.”

  “I’m sure you do,” said Jack and let his hand drop.

  John had to shake his arm to get the circulation moving again and he raised a quizzical eyebrow at Margaret.

  “I feel like I’m crowding you all in here,” said Jack. “Rainn, do you mind if we take a walk in the garden? If the others don’t mind us being excused.”

  Jack led her down the narrow garden away from the kitchen window of the terraced house. There was a little vegetable plot where Rainn had planted some carrots and a small greenhouse with a broken window. Jack looked at them disdainfully.

  “So,” he said, “John seems a nice guy. Quite good looking, in his own way.”

  “I think he’s lovely,” agreed Rainn, brightly. “He’s always been popular with girls. I suppose it’s because he’s so easy to get on with and he’s funny too.”

  “That’s nice,” said Jack, bringing his foot down on the frilly green leaves of a carrot plant. “But is a nice guy really enough for you?”

  “I’m not sure,” said Rainn, her face wrinkling in obvious bafflement that near enough broke Jack’s heart.

  “I mean, is nice all you want in a boyfriend?” persisted Jack.

  “Boyfriend!” Rainn laughed and brought her hands up to her mouth. “John, my boyfriend! Is that what you mean?”

  This time it was Jack’s turn to look baffled. “So, John’s not your boyfriend?” he said, slowly.

  “No! No, not at all. He’s a friend. A good friend. But that’s all. He’s never shown any feelings for me.”

  Jack threw his head back and laughed. “Oh really,” he said. “I’m so sorry. I got completely the wrong end of the stick.”

  “Why the hell would you think that?” asked Rainn.

  “Oh, I’ve no idea,” said Jack, slowly. “I’m just a jealous fool, I guess.”

  “You’re not a fool,” said Rainn. She put her left hand on his shoulder and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

  “But I am jealous. I see,” said Jack, smiling.

  Without speaking Rainn placed her right hand on his other shoulder and kissed his other cheek. Then they kissed again on the lips and even though Rainn stood with her heels in the soft earth, the kiss was like a taste of heaven.

  When they went back into the kitchen the washing up had not been touched and the three sat around the table as seriously as if it were at Yalta. But neither Rainn nor Jack seemed to notice.

  Jack slapped John on the back. “Have a good day in the office tomorrow,” he said. Then he turned to Rainn and touched her waist. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight,” he told her. “Goodbye everyone” he said and saw himself out.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jack picked her up the following night. Tactfully, he drove the Mercedes instead of the car he had knocked her down with. When Rainn questioned this, he laughed.

  “You notice a lot,” he said.

  “Probably more than you might think,” said Rainn. “I also notice that this car smells of a perfume that isn’t mine. I imagine you get it valeted regularly, so I suppose Chelsea has been riding with you recently.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Someone’s been reading you the newspapers. And not the good ones either.”

  “I take it that’s a yes, then.”

  Jack drove west through the London evening traffic. “I am single. I like dining in fine restaurants and I like the company of beautiful women. Tonight I am dining with you. Tonight, Rainn, there is no one in the world I would rather be with.”

  He glanced at Rainn, who was appeared to be carefully considering his words.

  “I’m saying this sincerely,” he pressed. “I want to be completely honest with you. Do you understand?”

  Rainn nodded. “I understand,” she said, “and I appreciate it.”

  They drove through a tunnel and the lights moved up and over her face and Jack wondered if she sensed any of it or whether it was all endless darkness.

  “And tomorrow night, when I’m not with you” asked Rainn, “what will you want to do tomorrow night?”

  “Another restaurant,” said Jack.

  “Even if our restaurant is good?” asked Rainn.

  “Especially if our restaurant is good,” said Jack. “I’d be worried it wouldn’t be as good the next time.”

  “I see,” said Rainn. “And do you think of women the same way you think of restaurants?”

  “Up to now.”

  As they drove home, Rainn waited for Jack to change gear and lightly laid her hand on his.

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  “More than alright,” she said. “It was a lovely evening. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you had a good time,” he said. “I enjoyed it too.”

  “You won’t be going to that restaurant again.”

  “No,” he said, “not for a long time.”

  “It was an amazing meal,” said Rainn, turning her head as if she were looking out at the lights of London flicking past them.

  “It was good,” agreed Jack. “But it’s always difficult to separate the food from the company. It was a good conversation. I haven’t felt so relaxed in another person’s company for . . .” Jack paused to turn off the main street. “Maybe forever,” he said.

  They had pulled into Rainn’s street and Jack stopped outside her house.

  “Because I enjoyed your company so much and it was such a fantastic evening,” said Jack, slowly reaching to the back seat, “I thought I’d give you a little token of my . . .”

  Rainn reached over and put her finger over his lips.

  “If you are going to give me a gift, thanks, but no thanks. There’s only so much perfume or jewellery I can wear.”

  “Rainn, it’s only a . . .” Jack began to protest.

  Rainn had already opened the door and was stepping out. “If you enjoyed the evening so much, we can do it again. Pick me up the same time tomorrow.”

  “Rainn,” said Jack, “wait a second. “Definitely another time, but tomorrow I’m busy.”

  Rainn nodded. “I see. Am I outside my house?” she asked.

  “Yes, but let me help you.”

  It was too late. Rainn had slammed the door and was opening the gate in front of her house.

  The next morning, Jack called her. “Is the same time tonight ok?” he asked.

  “That’s perfect,” she said.

  They went out each night that week. Jack was amazed to find that each date was better than the last. On the Friday he leaned over in the car and kissed her. When she kissed him back, he could sense the yearning in her lips. He wanted to take her home with him right then, but he managed to control himself.

  “Another lovely evening,” he said, smiling.

  “It was amazing,” agreed Rainn. “I love spending time with you.”

  “This weekend,” he said, raising an eyebrow, “maybe we can see more of each other.”

  Rainn laughed. “I
think I know what you mean. Come here tomorrow. For dinner. Yvonne and I want to cook for you.”

  “There’s no need to cook.” Offered Jack “Come to my place. I can have a restaurant prepare us something.”

  “No,” said Rainn firmly, laying a hand on his wrist. “I want to cook for you. Yvonne wants to meet you again.”

  Jack accepted, kissed her again and got out of the car to escort her to her door, where he kissed her once more. “Until tomorrow,” he said.

  He arrived a little early with yet more flowers and a bottle of champagne. Jack sat in the small kitchen and watched the sisters cooking. Rainn chatted away happily; every now and again Yvonne would subtly direct or guide her away from a hot pan.

  “I hope you are hungry” Rainn said.

  “Starving,” said Jack, watching the curve of her body beneath her long dress.

  “I’m afraid this will be a bit of a come down from your fancy, high-class restaurants,” interjected Yvonne.

  “Nonsense!” said Jack. “You can’t beat home cooking. Besides, this smells incredible.” Rainn leaned over the worktop, Jack eyed the line of underwear as it pressed against the soft fabric of her dress. “I can’t wait to taste it.”

  When it was nearly ready, John arrived. Jack smiled and slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Shall we open the champagne?” he asked.

  “Let’s do it,” giggled Rainn.

  Jack gave Rainn the bottle and she held it in her hand, stroking it, getting a feel for the shape.

  “I’ve never had real champagne before,” she said. “Gosh, it’s big.”

  “Methuselah,” explained Jack. “It’s not a bad one, I think,” he said, modestly. “You need to remove the foil.”

  Rainn slowly peeled away the foil, bit by bit, until the slender neck of the bottle was naked and exposed.

  “I think I’ll leave the last bit to you,” she said and handed the bottle back.

  Jack held the bottle firmly between his muscular thighs and slowly turned the corkscrew. It turned slowly; the bottle seemed to tremble with the pressure building up inside.

  “Do you need any help?” asked Yvonne.

  “Nearly there,” said Jack.

  “I’m scared,” squealed Rainn, laughing and pulling back.

  Suddenly, the cork was released with an almighty bang. It flew across the kitchen, narrowly missing Rainn’s head and pinged against a pan hanging on the wall as if it were a gong. A flume of foam curved from the lip of the bottle and gushed up from between Jack’s thighs towards Rainn.

  There was a moment of stunned silence then Rainn screamed and everyone laughed.

  “What the hell happened?” asked Rainn, looking bewildered.

  Jack took a cloth and was wiping away the bubbles that were foaming white against Rainn’s black dress.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “It’s fine, Jack, don’t worry,” Yvonne said.

  “Wow,” said Rainn, holding a hand over her mouth. “Now I think I need a drink.”

  Jack had brought a set of champagne flutes and he poured out the glasses.

  “Cheers,” he said and they all raised a toast.

  “Wow,” said Yvonne. “This is some champagne.”

  “It really is,” nodded John.

  “It’s not too bad, is it?” said Jack, as if he harboured some doubts.

  “Probably when you drink it every day it doesn’t quite seem so amazing,” mocked John. “You probably get used to it.”

  “Oh, I don’t drink it every day,” said Jack, making it clear that there may just be days when he only drinks wine.

  “Well, I could certainly get used to this,” signed Rainn. “It’s heavenly.”

  They sat down and ate dinner. Despite Yvonne and Rainn’s attempts to play it down, it was a very good meal with Jack and John both enthusiastic with their praise.

  “I enjoy cooking,” explained Rainn, “but I’m sure I’m not very good at it.”

  “You’re very modest,” said John.

  “Either very modest or you honestly have no idea how exceptional you are,” said Jack. “Exceptional at many things and in many ways.”

  Rainn blushed. “Well, if you will excuse me a moment, I shall have to go and clean myself up after all the cooking and eating.”

  She rose from the table and Yvonne rose with her. “My make-up assistant will come with me,” said Rainn, laughing. “You’re in showbiz, Jack, you know how it is.”

  “Of course,” said Jack, standing politely, “I have one myself.”

  When the sisters had left he sat down. “More champagne?” he asked John.

  “A little,” said John.

  When Jack had placed down the bottle, John asked, “What are you playing at?”

  “I’m sorry,” said Jack, genuinely surprised.

  “What’s your game with Rainn?”

  Jack turned his chair so that he was facing John. “There’s no game,” he said. “I like her and I want to spend time with her.”

  “And when you get bored,” said John, “What happens then?”

  “Who says I will get bored?”

  “You always get bored,” said John. “That’s the way you are.”

  “And who the hell are you to tell me about what person I am.”

  “It’s clear,” said John. “You are a thrill-seeker. You chase one high after another. Women, alcohol, drugs, it doesn’t matter. And when you are bored of one thing, you drop it and move on to the next.”

  “You don’t know what you are talking about. Can’t you see this is different?”

  “I’m sure it always starts off as different,” said John. “But it always ends the same way, with you hurting someone, yet you move on, without a care in the world.”

  Jack shook his head. “You’re making a fool of yourself.”

  “I don’t know what thrill you find in Rainn. Perhaps it’s because she’s so trusting. Perhaps it’s because she’s blind. There’s something there that’s turning you on. But one day soon, you’ll get bored of her and you’ll drop her like the rest.”

  “I won’t,” said Jack.

  “You will,” John corrected him. “And it won’t matter much to you, but it will destroy her. She can’t see it. That’s the tragedy.”

  “And you’re going to make her see it, are you?” said John.

  “If I have to.” John jutted out his chin.

  “And who appointed you Rainn’s guardian? Who said you have to decide what’s good for her? As if she were a teenager.”

  “I’m her friend,” said John.

  Jack looked at him and laughed. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you? That’s what this is all about. You’re in love with her and you’ve never had the balls to tell her. And now you’ve lost her, you’re behaving like a jealous little child.”

  Jack threw his head back. “Thank God, you’ve lost her. Rainn deserves a lot better than you.”

  Jack sipped his wine while John turned red with rage. “Wonder why you’ve never told her. Just don’t have the balls, I expect. Scared of rejection.”

  Jack slapped his hand against the kitchen table. “No, I’ve got it,” he said. “I know what it was. You always banked on her never finding another man. Because she was blind, you thought she would always be there for you, while you were free to go off and play the field. Isn’t that right? You were out having a good time, while all the time you had the one woman you really loved as a backup.”

  Jack raised his glass of champagne. “That’s it, isn’t it? Jesus Christ, what a loser. Well, John, you’ve really messed this up, because guess what? I’m not going to hand Rainn back to you. Not ever.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The following day Jack picked Rainn up early.

  “Is there a problem between you and John?” she asked as he got into the car.

  “Of course not,” said Jack. He pulled out into the London traffic that was moving slowly with no more urgency than was appropriate on a Sunday mor
ning.

  “I just sensed a strange atmosphere last night.”

  Jack patted her knee in a friendly way. “You know there’s no one who is more in awe of your senses than I, but in this case they’re a little off.”

  They drove along the tree-lined streets of the suburbs and the sunlight flitted through the car windscreen. Often Jack glanced at Rainn’s face and his tongue played on his lips. He was still hungry. But he would have to be patient. He would play the long game.

  “A good day for a walk,” he said. “Perhaps we could go to the common.”

  “I’d like that,” said Rainn.

  They walked along the edge of the common, chatting as dog-walkers and joggers went passed. Jack walked with his arm in hers. He could feel her body move beside him and sense the strength of her back in her upright posture. He felt the curve of her waist and the length of her muscles that curved down her slim thighs.

  Rainn felt very much alive and asked Jack to describe the things she could hear and smell.

  He told her about the clumps of narcissi in the verge and the lilac coming into flower. He told her about the swans on the pond and the sparrows that hopped on the path in front of them.

  They sat on a bench and Rainn told him how she imagined the world.

  “It’s difficult to explain,” she said.

  “No,” said Jack, he put his arm around her. “I think I understand.”

  “I’m not sure it’s possible,” she said. “But it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that you try.”

  She smiled at him and he delicately took her chin and turned it towards him. They kissed.

  “Come to my place,” he said. “It’s time I saw you in it.”

  Rainn laughed. “I’d like to. You can give me a guided tour.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rainn listened to the car wheels roll over the gravel of the driveway for quite a distance.

  “You have a big garden,” she guessed.

  “Yes,” said Jack, surprised, as if he had never noticed it before. “I suppose I do.”

  “Do you spend a lot of time gardening?”