by Michelle Day
He smiled, turned his head and kissed the palm of the hand that caressed his face. “We’d better get back to the party. I’ll straighten this place out; grab me a beer would you?”
As it worked out Fay’s older brother wanted Paul to give him a quote for renovating and enlarging the pond in his garden. Fay had passed the information on to him along with the keys to her brothers’ house as he was currently away on business. As she gave him the keys with one hand, she produced a note out of her pocket with the other.
Unfolding the piece of paper Paul immediately recognised Suzanne’s handwriting. The note told him that she was free on Wednesday and would meet him around eleven.
“Suzanne gave you this?” He asked, a frown creasing his brow.
Fay nodded “I know about you two, Suzanne had to confide in someone.”
“No offence Fay but I really wish she hadn’t.”
“Why shouldn’t she talk to me about it? I bet you tell Matt.”
“Yeah I do but it just means that one more person is lying to Tessa.”
“Then tell her.”
“Are you insane? She’d go nuts, her best friend and her little brother at it like rabbits would completely flip her out.”
“Not if you were Suzanne’s boyfriend.” Fay pointed out.
Paul shook his head “She won’t date me, says I’m not ready for a relationship.”
Fay laughed “She does have a point. Don’t worry Paul, Suzanne and I will figure out a way to ease Tessa into the idea of you two.”
Suzanne found Paul consulting his tape measure and making notes as he kneeled beside the existing pond. Wearing faded blue jeans and a white t- shirt he looked casual but clean, his dark hair stirred in the breeze, he moved around the pond checking his measurements. She saw his frown and stood quietly not wishing to disturb his concentration. He sat on his haunches and pushed his hair back from his face then returned to his note pad, re-calculating his figures.
Watching him Suzanne felt her heart squeeze. She recognised that she was in love with him but refused to put him in a position that would enable him to stomp all over her heart, their time would come, she was sure of it but for now she would make do with their secret meetings.
They spent the entire day together pushing each other to their limits. She watched him sleep until she bored of it and decided the best way to wake him would be to slide her tongue repeatedly over his genitals, it had the desired effect. That day she found out more about him than she had imagined she would ever know, he opened up to her completely telling her all his hopes and dreams as well as admitting to the beatings he had taken from Michael over the years and the story of his short lived stay at boarding school, something Tessa had told her he never talked about, he even told her of his attraction to the teaching assistant.
From Paul’s point of view Suzanne was his ideal match. She made him laugh and wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. She fulfilled his physical needs and left him exhausted and aching whereas his many other liaisons usually left him wanting more and searching for another lover. He had nothing to hide from her and felt comfortable in her company knowing he could tell her anything in confidence. Because of her he would strive to be a better person. He felt his heart race every time he looked at her and he was being completely honest when he told her that he never lost sight of the fact that she was the girl who had his heart. He fully believed that they would be a couple one day and told her that he knew she would be more than capable of telling him when he was ready to commit to her totally.
Lying on her stomach, her arms folded across his ribs, her chin resting on her hands she looked into his dark brown eyes and saw her own emotions reflected in them so much so that she was almost tempted to throw caution to the wind and actually start to become a couple right now.
“I love you Suzie, I always will.” he told her, his fingers entwining in her silky hair.
“I know you do. One day Paul one day.”
“I wish I could change, I wish I could promise you that I will only be with you but if I’m going to be honest with myself and you then I have to admit that I’m far too easily distracted by a pretty face to even contemplate a serious relationship. I’m just afraid that by the time I’ve grown enough to be the man you want me to be, you will have moved on.”
“That’s a chance we’ll both have to take” she paused “Do you know that you are the only one who I allow to call me Suzie?”
“Really? I never even considered that you didn’t like it. I won’t do it anymore.”
“It’s fine, I like it when you call me Suzie I just hate it if anyone else tries it, it’s something we share, something only you are allowed to do.”
“Cool, now I feel special.” He grinned “Does it make you jealous when I’m with someone else?”
“Sometimes but as we aren’t together I don’t really have the right to be jealous. Do you get jealous when I’m with a guy?”
“Insanely but then again, you rarely tell me if you have a boyfriend so I spend most of my time in ignorant bliss.”
“I do have a boyfriend.” she admitted.
“Is he nice to you Suzie?” Paul asked feeling an instant dislike for the unknown male
“He’s very sweet.” She nodded “Now ask me what you really want to know.”
He chuckled and pulled her closer “Have you got pelvic with him yet and is he as good as me?”
Laughing, Suzanne slapped his chest “No I haven’t but I’ll let you know how you compare.” she snuggled into his side “I start work on Monday as a personal shopper.”
“Your dream job, congratulations.”
“I get a company car too.”
“Awesome, let me know when you want to christen it.”
“Is that all you think about?”she tutted.
“It’s a little difficult to think about anything else when you are lying naked next to me.”
She moved her body to cover his, feeling him harden against her stomach “You want to go again?”
“Well maybe just once more.”
Matt had been left to take care of Kay’s garden while Paul took a day off to be with Suzanne. Initially disappointed on his arrival as Kay and Hayley were out. His mood improved later in the day as the two women arrived home and Kay made them all something to eat.
Kay had noticed the attraction between her niece and Matt and was a little uneasy with it if only for the fact that Matt was so much younger than Hayley. She decided not to say anything and hoped the attraction would simply fade away. She left Hayley sorting out her new college coursework and Matt in the garden while she went to play bridge.
Returning home a few hours later, Kay noticed her house was very quiet, she called her niece’s name and when she didn’t receive a reply, she went and checked her bedroom only to find it empty. Next she checked the garden, no sight of Hayley or Matt. She glanced around her grounds, accustomed to finding them perfect under Paul’s care, she was astounded that her lawns hadn’t been cut and that the ride on lawn mower and other gardening tools were left out. Returning to the house, she picked up the phone.
“I’ll get it.” Monica called as both Tessa and Paul had moved to answer the phone, the brother and sister heard their mother say “Oh, Hi Kay,” before returning to their seats
“You’re quiet.” Tessa commented.
“Just tired.” Paul replied “I’m going to have to look into getting some people to help me out with the amount of customers I have, there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
“That’s good though isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I’m just spreading myself a bit thin at the moment and I will need someone to keep an eye on things when I go back to school.”
“Why don’t you just drop out?” Tessa asked.
“Because I have no qualifications, I need to sit my exams first, and then I’ll think about leaving.”
Monica came into the room “Paul, Kay would like a word.”
Paul got to his feet and went into t
he hall, perching on his mothers ornate telephone stand “Hi Kay.”
“Paul, I think you’d better get over her as soon as you can.”
“Is there a problem?” Paul asked.
“You will see when you get here.” Kay replied before hanging up.
Paul shuffled his feet into his trainers before joining Monica and Tessa “I have to go over to Kay’s; I don’t suppose you fancy giving me a lift Mum?”
Monica glanced at her watch, satisfied that it was still relatively early and that she would be home in plenty of time to start Michael’s dinner, she grabbed her car keys and took her youngest child to her friend’s house.
Kay didn’t say a word to him as she preceded him through the house to the garden and gestured to the abandoned tools and uncut lawns. She saw Paul frown and watched him walk down to the grass so that he could get a better look, he returned via the pool.
“Where’s Matt?” he asked
“I don’t know.” Kay replied “This is unacceptable Paul.”
“I agree. I’ll put the tools away and come back tomorrow to put everything right if that’s ok with you, obviously, this week’s gardening will be free of charge.”
“That’s fine just as long as it’s you who returns and not your brother.”
“Kay, I’m sure Matt just got called away.” Monica defended her son.
“It’s strange how Hayley is missing too.” Kay replied.
“I’m going to kill him.” Paul muttered as he walked away to return the tools to the garage his mind running through the next day’s jobs he would have to cancel in order to put this right.
Monica glanced at Paul as they began the journey home; his arms were folded across his chest, his face a mask of a deep scowl.
“Paul.” she began “Matt was only helping you out.”
“Mum, you saw the state of Kay’s garden; I would never leave it like that. I now have to cancel a boat load of jobs tomorrow just so that I can go back there and put it right, there are huge gouges in her lawn, God knows what he’s been doing but he’s just cost me two days money.”
“Oh, I didn’t realise it was that serious.”
“Stop at the park on the way home will you, I have a fairly good idea where he’ll be.”
“I don’t want you making a scene.” Monica warned, pulling into the kerb
“I won’t.” Paul said, his hand on the cars’ door handle “I promise. Wait here, I won’t be long.”
Paul found his brother and Hayley, wrapped in each other in a thick clump of trees, the place both boys used when they were stuck for somewhere to go. Reaching down, Paul grasped the back of Matt’s shirt and hauled him to his feet, exposing Hayley’s almost naked body.
“Home time.” Paul growled at his brother.
“Oh, it’s you, I thought it was the Old Bill.” Matt shook himself free from Paul’s grasp and turned to face his brother “What’s up?” he asked on seeing Paul’s frown.
“You left Kay’s garden unfinished.” Paul told him.
“Yeah I know. I’m gonna go back and do it.”
“No, you’re going to come home so we can talk about this.” Paul looked down at Hayley who had made no effort to cover herself, she met Paul’s gaze as he surveyed her body “Not a whole lot of class going on there.” He said.
“Hey, that’s out of order.” Matt shoved him “You’d better get dressed.” he told Hayley
“Once you are dressed, you can make your own way home” Paul told her “Matt’s coming with me.”
“Matt, what the hell.” Hayley shouted, coming to her feet, re-arranging her clothes “Don’t let him speak to me that way.”
Matt, in turn, went to shout at his brother, stopping dead at Paul’s furious face.
“Shut up Matt.” Paul spoke “Hayley, stay away from my brother.” he grasped Matt’s arm and pulled him with him to Monica’s car, opening the back door and guiding him, somewhat forcefully into the seat.
Jumping into the front seat and strapping himself in, Paul half turned to glare at his brother “I trusted you with Kay’s garden. I have to go there tomorrow now to put right what you’ve done, why the hell are there huge bits of her lawn missing?”
“That bloody ride on mower was churning it up, that’s why I stopped.”
“Ok, that doesn’t explain why the rest of the garden wasn’t done. I have to cancel tomorrow’s jobs now; you’ve cost me a load of money. Don’t think for one minute I’m paying you for today”
“Perhaps if you hadn’t skived off today, you would have been there to help me.” Matt sniped.
“I wasn’t skiving and even if I was, it’s my business and I have the right to take a day off.” Paul contorted in his seat, dragged his battered note book out of his back pocket and threw it at Matt “I was quoting for a job today as you can see.”
Matt glanced at Paul’s notes “So this took all day?” he asked “Taking a few measurements for a pond? I suppose it was just coincidence that the job is for Fay’s brother.”
“Fay put me on to the job” Paul agreed “It could turn into a full garden re-vamp.”
“I suppose the fact that you spent the rest of the day banging Suzanne is just coincidence then?” Matt gloated, Paul glared, and Monica slammed on the brakes before pulling the car over to the side of the road.
“Suzanne? As in Tessa’s friend?” she asked Paul.
“Yes Mum, Suzann,e” he scowled at Matt “Thanks Matt that was really good of you.”
“You shouldn’t have left the note lying around.”
“You should learn to keep your mouth shut.” Paul shot back “You’re sacked.”
“Does Tessa know?” Monica asked.
“No and I’d prefer it if she didn’t.” Paul replied, he glanced at his watch “Hadn’t we make a move? At this rate, Dad’ll be home before his dinner is ready.” He deftly changed the subject.
“Bloody hell.” Monica muttered on seeing the time “You two are going to have to help me when I get in.”
“You can’t sack me.” Matt finally found his voice “You have far too much work on to do that.”
“He does have a point Paul.” Monica spoke.
“Ok, I’ll keep you on but you won’t be allowed anywhere near my high end customers. You can do tomorrows jobs while I sort out Kay’s garden, screw this up Matt and I really will sack you.”
The following day, Paul went all out on Kay’s garden, repairing the damage to her lawns as well as fixing the ride on lawn mower. Kay supplied him with bottles of water as it was a stiflingly hot day.
“I have spoken to Hayley about distracting Matt, she promises that it won’t happen again.” Kay spoke as she handed over a chilled bottle.
“I know it won’t, Matt will be doing the small gardens from now on and I will be the only one who touches your garden.” Paul assured her.
“She said that you tracked them down yesterday and that you were quite rude to her.”
“Yeah, I was rude; I was also majorly pissed off.” Paul shrugged “I know she’s your niece but I think it would be better if she stayed well clear of Matt, they don’t seem to be very good for each other.”
“I agree but if I tell them to stay apart it will just make it more exciting for them to be together so I think I’ll let this thing they have fizzle out, I do appreciate your hard work though Paul.” She touched his shoulder and smiled before she turned to leave “I have to go out, I’ve left a salad in the fridge, help yourself.”
Paul didn’t stop for lunch; he continued to work until his stomach growled. He pulled off his sweat soaked t-shirt and dried himself with a towel before delving into his bag for a fresh shirt. Hayley was standing by him when he straightened up.
“Sorry sweetheart, wrong brother.” He snapped.
“It’s such a pity you are a twat seeing as you are so pretty.” She replied tartly.
“I wouldn’t touch you with Matt’s, let alone my own.” He growled.
“I wouldn’t let you touch me, yo
u are repulsive, opinionated and rude.” She hissed.
“Meaning I wouldn’t blindly follow you into whatever it is you happen to be into like my brother does so therefore I’m not worthy of your attention. Well thank God for that.” he turned away from her and headed into the house retrieving the salad from the fridge, he returned to the garden to sit at the sheltered patio table.
“You can’t stop us seeing each other.” She stood over him.
“Who Matt see’s is up to him, don’t plan on fixing up any double dates though, you make my skin crawl.”
“You just can’t handle the fact that Matt is happy with one girl where you jump off one and onto another without a seconds thought for the wreckage you leave behind.”
“Let’s just get one thing straight, what I do has absolutely nothing to do with you, you stay out of my face and I’ll stay out of yours. Don’t count on Matt being around anytime soon though, I have the next few weeks full of work for him.”
By the time Paul had completed his work, cleaned and tidied away the tools he had used it was getting dark. Kay had returned home and had started to cook for Hayley and herself offering Paul an evening meal and then a lift home when he refused.
“The garden looks wonderful, thank you Paul.”
“No problem, I’m going to pop back at the weekend if that’s ok just to make sure the repair on the lawn is taking, if it doesn’t, I’ll re-turf that section for you.”
“Ok, let me know how much the turf will cost if you need it.”
“Kay, it’s free of charge, I’m only putting right what Matt spoiled.”
“You are a sweetheart but giving freebies isn’t a successful way to run a business.”
“It’s excellent business sense when it keeps my best customer happy.” He smiled “I’ll see you Saturday.” He let himself out of the side gate and headed towards home, he wasn’t even half way there when fatigue hit him and he began to wish that he had taken Kay up on her offer of a lift.
He hopped over the small wall that divided the forecourt of the petrol station from the footpath and was searching his pockets for enough change to buy a drink when he saw her bending over the petrol cap of her car, her tight dark blue jeans clinging to every curve and leaving very little to the imagination. Stopping in his tracks, taking his time to admire the sight before him, he looked into her eyes as she turned, petrol cap in hand;
