by S M Mala
Sylvie grinned through her gritted teeth as the teacher realised she was there and let Daisy run up to her. She gave her a massive hug before her daughter looked up at Finlay.
‘Hello,’ she said brightly as Sylvie rearranged Daisy’s hat and coat, to make sure she was protected from the wind. ‘How comes you’re here?’
‘Just like your mother, straight to the point,’ he smiled, before bending down. ‘I was wondering if you’d like to come out for dinner tonight. Toby’s in a mood and he needs cheering up.’
‘What’s wrong with him?’ she asked seriously as Sylvie realised Finlay’s tactic was to get the child to agree first.
‘Sad,’ he shrugged. ‘Will you come out? I’ll give you a lift home and then pick you up if you like?’
‘We can walk,’ Sylvie replied, shaking her head from side to side. ‘I need to get her out of her school uniform and-.’
‘Can I stay up late? Can I? It’s Friday. Can I go to bed at nine?’
‘Oh, that’s later than I thought,’ Finlay replied, scrunching up his face as Sylvie laughed and wanted to kiss him. ‘I’m sure that’ll be fine. Will it be okay?’
‘And for dinner can we go to-.’
‘Let Finlay decide and then he can tell us,’ Sylvie said gently as he did his ‘I won that battle’ grin she was getting used to.
‘I can give you a lift home and-.’
‘Thank you but we know the way,’ Sylvie laughed before pushing her child towards the gate then mouthed ‘thanks’ as he followed behind her and went back to his car.
‘He’s got a Porsche!’ shouted Daisy as Sylvie shook her head and dragged her daughter through the sharp wind coming back behind them.
All four were sitting in a large Italian restaurant down the High Road as Daisy was just laughing with Finlay and Toby sat there glumly.
‘Valentine’s next week,’ Sylvie said gently as she noticed the young man flick a disgruntled glance. He was a little pissed from going out for a quick drink after work. ‘Toby, snap out of it.’
‘She used me to get back at her boyfriend. And I was starting to understand her language,’ he said quietly. ‘But she’s being demanding.’
‘Wanda’s from Liverpool and she speaks English,’ she said gently, seeing him shake his head from side to side.
‘You just have to tell her you like her but you need space,’ piped up Daisy. ‘I bet you haven’t done that.’
‘Well,’ Toby replied and Finlay looked up at his brother and smiled, as Sylvie sat dumbstruck by her daughter’s advice.
‘Boys are very silly sometimes,’ shrugged the child.
‘Daisy, she doesn’t understand I’m a complicated man and I want to go clubbing every night. Sometimes she wants to stay home and just talk. When she does talk, I sort of know what she’s saying but I don’t. When we’re in bed I definitely know what she means when-.’
Finlay quickly leaned across the table and put his hand over his brother’s mouth then smiled at a confused looking Daisy.
‘Sometimes adults have sleep overs,’ Finlay said as Sylvie looked at the two brothers in disbelief and laughed. ‘There’s a young lady present so hold fire.’
‘Two young ladies,’ piped up Daisy. ‘You know mummy’s birthday is on 29th February and last year she was ten.’
‘Really?’ Finlay said and Sylvie knew what was coming next.
‘Yes, she’s forty one this year,’ said her child brightly as Sylvie grinned and watched Toby’s eyes narrow in her direction.
‘Is that so?’ sighed Finlay and she felt him squeeze her thigh under the table. ‘Well she looks very well on it. And you’re nearly forty one?’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling sweetly, knowing Finlay realised she’d fibbed to her child.
‘You’re nearly forty one!’ exclaimed Toby. ‘I thought you were thirty or something!’
‘Ah, my two sweet children,’ Sylvie sighed, before laughing.
‘How old are you Finlay?’ Daisy asked, sipping her lemonade.
‘Thirty eight,’ he said, grinning brightly. ‘Three years younger than your mother.’
‘You look older than mummy… are you sure?’
‘Yes, your mother does look exceptionally young for forty.’
‘How old is your wife?’ the child innocently asked.
‘Thirty four,’ he replied and Sylvie felt sick realising she was fourteen years older.
‘When I turn thirty on May 4th I’m going to have a really big party and you’re invited,’ Toby said, poking Daisy who started to laugh. ‘There’s going to be lots of fun things and who knows, I might even ask your mummy as my date.’
‘She’s too old for you,’ said Daisy, shaking her head. ‘That means it would be eleven years and that’s not right.’
Both Sylvie and Finlay looked at each other quickly. She noticed his frustrated expression as Daisy grinned and examined the menu.
‘If you really like someone, it doesn’t matter about the age difference, or anything,’ Finlay said gently. ‘It’s about how you feel about them, here.’ He pointed to the centre of his chest. ‘And it’s a wonderful, unique feeling as it doesn’t happen many times in your life.’
‘You certainly can’t be talking about Julie LeFu-.’
‘Toby!’ Sylvie snapped, realising what he was going to say as Toby grinned before putting his hand over his mouth.
‘Sorry.’
‘Can I have an ice cream?’ Daisy asked, ignoring the adults as Sylvie nodded and caught a smile from Finlay before she realised Toby had seen it too.
Forty two
‘Why can’t you just tell me? I’m not stupid! I can see it!’ Toby said as they drove home, after putting Sylvie and Daisy in a cab. ‘Why won’t you admit it?’
‘You’re drunk,’ Finlay laughed, knowing his brother had seen something he thought they’d kept successfully under wraps.
‘If you don’t like her, fine, but she likes you and that’s not fine!’ he huffed as they eventually got to Finlay’s home and parked. ‘You don’t care about her but she looked like… You’re a shit, do you know that!’
‘Do you want to come in or shall I take you home?’ he asked calmly, looking into his brother’s big blue eyes.
‘Are…’ Toby stuttered for a moment as his eyes widened. ‘Are you?’
‘You’re confusing me.’
‘Are you in love with Sylvie?’ he asked and Finlay suddenly couldn’t swallow on hearing the words said out loud, words he would never have let trip from his tongue. ‘Oh my god… oh my god! You can’t be! You just can’t!’
‘Calm down,’ he said, trying to compose his own breathing and seeing Toby was having minor palpitations. ‘I’m separated with the possibility I might be the father of my wife’s child.’
Toby sat and looked as Finlay stared out onto the bonnet of his car.
He didn’t know what to do before deciding to get out and wait for Toby to follow him, which he did.
When they walked up the stairs and into the living room, Toby stood in the middle of the room, not moving, just examining him from head to toe before scowling.
‘Don’t lie to me,’ Toby said, in a low manly tone he rarely used. ‘I might be a bit pissed by I can see it. Jesus, why didn’t I see it?’
Finlay walked out of the room and into the kitchen, getting a bottle of scotch and two glasses. His mind was racing on what to say but he couldn’t think. He returned to see Toby was still standing in the same spot.
‘I don’t want a drink,’ Toby said quietly. ‘I’d like an explanation.’
There was a heavy silence in the room as he sat down on the sofa and remembered when he’d made love to her there and she cried before he closed his eyes, putting his face in his hands.
‘You wouldn’t understand,’ Finlay eventually said. ‘I didn’t understand how I could feel like this. She says I’m on the rebound, and maybe I am, but it’s very strong and I know it’s going to cause problems. I tried not to take it further, tried
to dismiss it but it’s getting more intense and I don’t know what to do. I know it’s not going to work but still…’
Slowly he took his hands away from his face and looked up at Toby’s concerned expression.
‘And Sylvie? What about her?’
‘I know she really likes me.’
‘Is she in love with you?’
‘She’s not told me,’ he said truthfully as Toby flung himself on the sofa and let out a very deep and heavy sigh.
‘She doesn’t have to. It’s written all over her face.’
They sat side by side for a while and didn’t speak.
‘I could kill you for this Finlay,’ he said quietly. ‘She means a lot to me and daddio. He’ll go mad if he thinks you’re doing this to win over the business and-.’
‘No!’ he said, sitting on the edge of the sofa. ‘This isn’t anything to do with the business. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t do that to you, him or her, especially her.’
‘Oh,’ he replied and leaned further forward to peer into his face. ‘Don’t hurt her Finlay, you can’t hurt her, it’s not fair and she’s… she might not look it but she’s very fragile, you know. Who else knows?’
‘You can’t tell Sylvie you know as it’ll really upset her. She doesn’t want people to talk, she doesn’t want-.’
‘Who knows?’
‘Rosalind and… Samina. They found out by accident and they’ve kept quiet, not even teased Sylvie or me about it. Sylvie has told her best friend and no one else.’
Finlay reached over and got the whiskey before pouring it into a glass and taking a massive gulp. He then sat back on the sofa and stared out into space.
‘She didn’t want to upset you. You mean the world to her, please don’t say anything. Sylvie will be mortified.’ Finlay took another sip from his drink. ‘She wants me to go to Switzerland and get the tests done then see how I feel.’
‘What if you’re the father of Julie’s beast child? Where does Sylvie come into this?’
‘I haven’t thought that far ahead as I just want to enjoy what we have now.’
‘Finlay,’ Toby said, grabbing him by the shoulders. ‘You’re going to land her and yourself in all sorts of shit if this comes out. It’s not just the business, there are other things concerning Sylvie which affects mother and… it’s not good. She’ll think Sylvie is with you just to upset her and … well … I know that’s not true as she could have had me and, to be honest, I’m the better catch.’
‘You’re not mad?’ he asked tentatively and noticed the pursed lips.
‘I’m jealous.’
‘Toby?’
‘Don’t hurt her, please don’t. I’ll be so upset if you rip her heart out and stomp on it because I know you’re capable,’ he said, gulping hard as Finlay realised his brother was being serious. ‘Sylvie doesn’t deserve to be hurt again. Not by you, me or anyone.’
‘Personally, I think it’s all stuff and nonsense,’ said Rosalind on Monday morning as the team were frantically packing the Valentine orders while Finlay watched. ‘All this commercialism! For one day! The prices for half a dozen roses double just so they can die within 24 hours!’
‘That why you buy woman pocket rocket so it last longer!’ nodded Samina. ‘I not like Valentine. Never get card other than my son daughter who send me one each year. I have to meet son daughter boyfriend girlfriend family at weekend. You think they gay too?’
‘Samina! You’re really backward sometimes, innit!’ grunted Pria putting packages into the sack before smiling over at Finlay.
He was hovering in the background and wanted to help but was still worried about Toby. Every time he looked at him over the weekend he noticed the concern. Even that same morning, he’d catch his brother staring at him and giving a half-hearted smile. Something made him feel guilty about the words Toby uttered and he wondered if it was because his brother could see impending doom.
‘What’s wrong with Toby?’ asked Marianne. ‘He’s been acting strange.’
‘His dolly friend not interested now she had him,’ said Samina, shaking head from side to side. ‘Toby has small winky?’
‘Ask Della, as I know she gave him a blow job years ago but poor Toby couldn’t remember as, I reckon, her throat is as wide as the Suez Canal, innit!’ laughed Pria as Finlay stood shocked by the comment. ‘Come on Finlay, why ain’t ya laughin’?’
‘He in a funny mood too,’ said Samina, eyeing him suspiciously. ‘Not quarrel with anyone to make unhappy?’
‘No,’ he shrugged, counting down until he could see Sylvie before catching his aunt smile at him. ‘I’m fine.’
‘You two funny boys! Rosalind, did mother drop on head when baby?’ asked Samina, quickly packaging parcel after parcel while Pria checked. ‘I think they strange children.’
‘Not to my knowledge but maybe their nannies did,’ smirked Rosalind.
‘Nanny! Their grandmother look after them?’
‘She means they had someone paid to look after them, innit?’ perked up Pria. ‘Rich kids.’
‘My mother looked after me as much as she could so did Piers. I did have a nanny, thank you for asking,’ he grimaced. ‘Don’t pigeon hole us for that because we had a normal up-bringing.’
‘You had a privileged upbringing my child, so don’t forget it,’ sighed Rosalind before turning to look at him. ‘But you both turned out well including you’re strange little brother who keeps peeking out of his room and closing the door.’
Finlay looked up and shook his head then noticed Sylvie had rushed up the stairs and was walking quickly towards Toby’s room.
‘Hey what are you doing in?’ Finlay shouted up.
‘Toby wanted to see me urgently plus I came in to help,’ she said.
Then he realised why his brother was acting so suspiciously and immediately ran up the stairs, knowing Toby was going to land him in shit.
Just as he got to the top, the door was slammed shut and he walked slowly towards it, knowing not to act shiftily as he went to the kitchen, hovered for a moment before going straight into the room. Sylvie was looking at something on the monitor as Toby glared at him.
‘Hi there,’ she said cheerfully, not turning around.
‘Problem?’ asked Toby with a smirk.
‘Might be one,’ he replied and sat down next to Sylvie as Toby was on the other side. ‘Everything alright?’
‘Everything’s fine,’ she replied and turned to smile at him as his heart melted for a moment before catching evil glares from Toby. ‘Did you have a nice weekend?’
‘It was busy and-.’
‘I know about you two!’ said Toby, accusingly, and Finlay watched Sylvie’s smile drop completely before turning her head. ‘And he didn’t tell me, I … I can see it. Let me tell you something, I’m not happy and I’m certainly not impressed!’
‘With his choice?’ she asked quietly.
‘With yours!’ Toby said loudly as Finlay realised he meant it.
‘Can we keep this down?’ he asked, seeing his brother seemed more upset than angry.
‘Why him? Anyone but him! You can do so much better for yourself!’
‘Thanks brother.’
‘Well she can!’ he replied and put a protective arm around Sylvie.
Finlay couldn’t gauge her expression as her head was turned towards Toby. He let out a weary sigh and shook his head.
‘And how comes Samina and Rosalind know? Am I the last person to find out?’ continued Toby and he could see he was pulling her closer to him. ‘When were you going to tell me?’
‘You will be the last person to find out,’ Sylvie said quietly and turned. He noticed she was upset. ‘I don’t want anyone else to know.’
‘He’s separated but legally married with a kid on the way. Can’t you see it’s absurd?’ hissed Toby before looking anxiously at him. ‘Why didn’t you just carry on with Della? I wouldn’t have given two shits but Sylvie? Not my Sylvie!’
‘We didn’t plan it,’ Fi
nlay said wearily. ‘It just happened.’
‘Toby, you and I need to talk. I’ll see you at lunchtime. Just you and me,’ she said, gently as Finlay realised they weren’t going to have time alone. ‘Now, will you take your arm off me so I can speak to Finlay?’
‘Don’t let him touch you, you hear me?’ Toby said, standing up, kicking back the chair.
‘I don’t want you two falling out of this. Toby and Finlay, I’m being deadly serious.’
Finlay looked at her very pretty face as she glanced at the pair of them and they both nodded.
‘Twelve noon, you and me, don’t bring him,’ said Toby quietly.
Finlay realised the child was grinning from ear to ear, much as he did when they were little and he’d snitch on him to their mother.
He waited for the door to shut before spinning her around as she sat on the chair.
‘I didn’t tell him,’ he said earnestly, seeing the look of concern. ‘He noticed something on Friday.’
Slowly she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
‘I know,’ whispered Sylvie. ‘I caught his eye and suddenly he sobered up.’
‘I want you so much.’
Finlay felt like something was going to burst out of his chest as well as his jeans.
‘We’ll make up for it tomorrow but let me talk to him.’
‘What are you going to say?’
Sylvie walked with Toby along the river on the exceptionally grey day before smiling. Deep down she felt sick at now three people knowing, but her real concern was what he thought.
Toby.
‘Do you want some lunch?’ she asked gently. ‘My treat.’
‘Why him?’ he said in the tone Toby used when he was being very serious. ‘He’s my brother and you know the baggage he’s got at the moment. I know he’s going to hurt you, I can see it.’
‘I didn’t plan it. It just happened and we both tried to stop it but …’ Sylvie sat him on an icy wooden bench outside a pub as they both stared at the murky water of the River Thames. ‘I’ve been so unhappy since Roo died, you know that. I never thought I could like someone again and certainly not your arsehole of a brother.’ Toby grinned before turning to look at her. ‘I really like him. I know it’s not forever and it won’t last, I can see it, but we need each other right now. Surprisingly enough, he makes me happy.’
