To Love Thy Neighbour

by S M Mala

  ‘I don’t want to keep us a secret. I want to tell everyone, but we have to play it carefully with Mali. I know she loves you, but it has always been me and her.’

  ‘I understand.’

  Then he noticed the hesitation as she looked at him.

  ‘What?’ he asked.

  ‘Your mother? Your parents? I don’t think they’ll be too pleased.’

  ‘My dad fancies you,’ he said, letting out a little laugh. ‘He told me to go for it.’

  She started to giggle and shook her head, and then stared straight into his eyes.

  It was sharp.

  The stab of love he felt for his next door neighbour.

  And overwhelming because even it took him by surprise.

  ‘Esme,’ he whispered.

  He didn’t know what to say.

  All he could do was show her with his body how he felt, and hope she would realise what he was feeling.

  ‘Why are you so quiet?’

  Shona was standing in front of Esme, holding her power drill a few inches away from her face. ‘Something’s going on.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ shrugged Esme, starting to get to her feet after checking some of the snagging work. ‘Just got things on my mind.’

  Leon was the only thing on her mind, other than the impending date with her son and ex the following day.

  She didn’t want to think about it.

  All she knew was, since being with Leon, her feelings for him were very strong. It was making her both excited and scared. But she didn’t want to run away with things. Jump the gun before the pistol was loaded. Esme was older and maybe her heart was more willing to fall in love, and Leon would probably find her revelation scary.

  Esme would have to keep tight lipped and go with the flow.

  The lovemaking was amazing. Not only did she feel her body was alive, deep emotions stirred when they were joined together. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt something in her lower abdomen through to her chest that words could not describe.

  And this made her wonder if she ever felt like that about Oscar.

  It had been so long; she couldn’t remember.

  Then she glanced out the window, and her breath was simply taken away.

  The man she loved was laughing and working in the garden.

  ‘It is blatantly obvious,’ Tracy began, walking up to her with a big grin. ‘That you and Mr ‘Shoots and Leaves’ have got something going on.’ Esme was about to open her mouth to deny it. ‘And don’t lie!’

  Letting out a little whimper, she scowled at the two women and shook her head.

  ‘I’m not at liberty to discuss it,’ Esme replied.

  ‘Has he taken lots of liberties with you?’ Shona asked seriously.

  ‘Yes, and it’s been wonderful.’ Then she burst out laughing, as did the other two. ‘You’re not allowed to say anything. It’s very early days, nearly a fortnight, so we’re still finding our feet.’

  ‘You should be finding the bed! Forget about standing up!’ laughed Tracy, looking towards the garden. ‘He is fit and young.’

  ‘Yes he’s young but he’s also a lovely man too.’

  ‘And have you told Alfie?’ Shona asked, putting down her drill.

  ‘In time.’

  That was the bit she was dreading, but she knew her son would be supportive.

  Right now, he seemed agitated about meeting his father.

  Like clockwork, her mobile rang and she knew it was the ex.

  ‘Hello Oscar,’ she said as the two women rolled their eyes. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Are you free tonight?’ he asked, a slight lilt of laughter in the tone of his voice. ‘I want to see you.’

  Walking quickly out of the front door of the large house, she didn’t want to have the conversation in earshot of Leon or the ladies.

  ‘We have to stop this,’ she said gently. ‘I’ve met someone and I can’t come and meet you for a quick leg over anymore.’

  ‘Really? He sounded more disbelieving than shocked. ‘How long has that been going on for?’

  ‘A few weeks but you know me, I don’t cheat when I’m with someone.’

  ‘You just sleep with someone who cheats on their wife, don’t you?’

  ‘Don’t twist this. Tomorrow you have to be on your best behaviour and don’t you dare upset my son.’

  ‘Our son.’

  ‘I mean it. And be careful with Steph. She’s very happy at the moment and-.’

  ‘So you’re not coming to see me?’ His tone softened. ‘What this new man doesn’t know, won’t hurt, will it?’

  ‘It’ll hurt me because I like him a lot.’ She let out a sigh, making sure to cover the bottom half of the phone. ‘I don’t want to jeopardise anything. He’s far too special for that.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Oh what?’

  ‘Sounds like you’re falling for him.’ Oscar cleared his throat before speaking in his more official tone. ‘It’s all booked tomorrow. Please don’t be late. I have a dinner to go to afterwards, so time is precious.’

  ‘And so is your son.’

  ‘Hello,’ she heard him say, turning to see Leon standing behind her. He was covered in dirt but looked gorgeous. ‘Was that the ex?’

  ‘He was checking to see we’d turn up tomorrow.’

  Walking up to her, he smiled and shook his head before laughing.

  ‘Who’s special?’ he whispered, and Esme realised he had overheard. ‘Anyone I know?’

  ‘Eavesdropping is not a good thing,’ she said, avoiding eye contact and remembering not to reveal what she felt.

  ‘Were you talking about me?’

  Esme looked at the front window and noticed Tracy and Shona were peering out. When they realised they had been spotted, the pair ducked.

  ‘Is Mali at your mum’s?’ she asked, desperately wanting to change the subject. He nodded, still grinning. ‘Why are you smiling at me?’

  ‘Because I think you’re special, and I hope you think I’m special too.’

  There was no answering that.

  All Esme did was nod her head before saying, ‘Come to my home as soon as you can.’

  She was rampant.

  Leon stepped through her front door, and she practically had him up against the wall. He had showered and changed, but Esme wanted to feel every bit of the man.

  ‘Did you miss me?’ he asked, pulling off his t-shirt and then removing her vest. Both were topless, touching and feeling each other as he pushed her back onto the stairs. ‘I’m ready to go.’

  All Esme could feel was a throb between her legs, where she wanted him to be. Grabbing his hand, she pushed it down the front of her sweat bottoms and noticed his eyes widened.

  ‘Bed,’ he said, taking her hand and pulling her up the stairs.

  When they reached the room, he roughly pulled down her sweatpants, and she kicked them off. Then he undid his shorts revealing he had gone commando once again. He pushed her back on the bed, and his head went straight between her legs.

  It was the first time she had let him go down on her. There was still the feeling he might recoil from old pussy, but right now, she didn’t care.

  His tongue flicked her nub, and his hands massaged her inner thighs, pulling her apart so his mouth could delve in. Then she felt him poke his tongue inside and groaned.

  She yearned to come and stretched out her arms over her head, trying to hold on to the sensation happening in her crotch. He wasn’t stopping, and she felt a tingle, knowing the orgasm would be hitting her at high speed.

  Then it did, and she couldn’t control her own moaning and panting, feeling him squeeze her backside, as his tongue gently carried on until she came a little down from her high. His lips then kissed her pubic bone while he turned her around, licking her back.

  Esme was shivering from the lust pounding through her body, before gasping as he entered her, pulling her thighs apart. His breath was against her very sensitive neck, but when he kissed her, it w
asn’t the giggling that usually happened; it was a massive sensual explosion.

  All she could feel was him, moving inside her, holding her body so close.

  She reached out and touched his head as he squeezed her.

  And they moved together until she realised he was going to come and felt how taut his body became. When he gasped and groaned, it was a turn on.

  They stayed in the same position; their bodies stuck together.

  ‘Hello,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘I think you’re incredibly special, do you know that?’

  And all Esme could do was smile.

  He was certainly special to her.

  ‘Your mother will fret.’

  His dad looked anxiously over at Mali. They were in his parent’s conservatory the following day and Leon, though worried about Bennylita, couldn’t stop thinking about Esme. ‘Don’t say anything and I’ll sort it out.’

  ‘How?’ Leon looked at Mali watching the fashion channel with her Nana. This time his daughter was pretending to be a catwalk model, making the older woman roar with laughter. ‘Mali spoke to her. The ball’s rolling.’

  ‘Do you think she went to Nerja in the hope that you’d turn up one day with Mali?’

  He hadn’t thought of that, knowing his only emotion was fear. Leon sat down in the armchair, wondering if that was the case.

  And still Mali hadn’t mentioned she had seen her mother.

  That’s when he realised she was probably worried about the reaction. Leon didn’t press the child; he didn’t want her to feel that she had done something wrong. On the other hand, he was more than happy to throttle his ex for stepping over the line by speaking to his child. Plus there had been small glances from Mali as if trying to find a way to tell him.

  Then his mind wandered off to what happened in the past twenty-four hours with Esme.

  She was in his arms after they made love, and he was silently ecstatic. For the first time, she let him explore her with his lips. Leon knew she had been a little shy and didn’t want to push. What he experienced, his feelings before, during, and after, were unexplainable. All throughout, he wanted to please her, and he felt so happy.

  When they had finished, Leon didn’t want to let her go.

  That’s when he realised he had fallen deeply in love.

  And he made love to her again, just to make sure the feelings were real.

  He loved his next door neighbour.

  ‘Daddy,’ Mali said, peering into his face and breaking him out of his thoughts. ‘Why you smiling?’

  Leon could see his father was looking puzzled before walking into the kitchen and coming back with two bottles of beer.

  ‘Are we staying here tonight?’ Mali asked, moving closer and sitting on his lap. ‘I want to go home and see Esme.’

  ‘I bet daddy would love that,’ mumbled his father with a wide grin. Mali turned her head quickly, making one of her pigtails slap Leon in the face. ‘You could always go home now for some afternoon delight.’

  Leon ignored the comment.

  ‘He’s not going anywhere!’ his mother said, coming out of the kitchen with two ramekins; one containing olives and the other, wasabi crackers she got from the posh supermarket. ‘Lucia is coming over.’

  ‘Really?’ Leon laughed and watched Mali’s face light up. ‘Your favourite aunt is coming today.’

  ‘She is fun! She laughs and that’s funny!’

  ‘That’s because she’s completely barking mad like your Nana,’ mumbled Stan, giving his wife a sideways glance before grabbing a handful of olives, shoving them in his mouth.

  ‘No, don’t eat them! Leave alone until Lucia comes,’ scolded Barbara then looked at Leon. ‘You can have some.’

  ‘Can I go round to yours and sit in your garden with Esme?’ grumbled his dad, before sitting on the sofa. ‘Better than staying here and starving.’

  ‘She’s not in,’ replied Leon, avoiding eye contact. ‘She’s gone for tea with her family.’

  ‘Tea?’ his father asked, looking puzzled. ‘That’s a bit posh.’

  ‘Her ex-husband is over from New York, so they’re meeting up.’

  ‘I wonder what he’s like.’

  ‘He’s the Governor of New York.’

  Leon decided not to look at his father as he choked on his secret olive.

  ‘May I have crisps?’ Mali asked and jumped off Leon’s lap, her skirt riding up so you could see her knickers, and then running to the kitchen.

  ‘Governor of New York?’ his father said as Leon could see the amazed expression. ‘That’s a bit important, isn’t it?’

  ‘I wouldn’t know.’

  He felt jealous.

  The last thing he wanted was for Esme to turn around and say she would rather be with the ex. Their family get together might change everything.

  ‘Why’s Lucia coming round?’ asked Leon, trying not to laugh at his daughter’s little exposed bottom. ‘She’s usually busy doing something or another.’

  ‘Don’t complain. It makes your mother happy.’

  The doorbell rang, and he saw Mali run towards it, holding a bag of crisps, some of which fell out.

  ‘Coming!’ shouted Barbara, smiling over at Leon. ‘You’re here on time.’

  ‘Of course I am. And look at you!’ Lucia said loudly before laughing.

  Next thing he saw was Mali being held by her aunt.

  ‘And you’re here too,’ Lucia said when she saw Leon. ‘Not pouncing on young hairdressers anymore?’

  ‘She horrid!’ said Mali, pulling a face and folding her arms across her chest.

  ‘I’ve heard all about it,’ sighed Lucia, as Leon stood up and kissed his sister.

  She had lost some weight though still stocky, and her hair was very short and dark brown. There were some grey strands flickered through it. Nothing had changed in the way she dressed; jeans, t-shirt, smart jacket and trainers. The spectacles were new and looked extremely expensive.

  Lucia did look more like their father.

  You could never describe her as pretty but handsome.

  ‘Auntie Lucia, are you coming to visit us in our new house? It’s nice and has a nice garden and a nice neighbour. My teacher’s mum lives next door, and she’s really, really nice.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘And she makes me sweetcorn and peas and curry and rice and chips.’

  ‘Mali, will you let Lucia sit down?’ sighed Leon, laughing at the child while yearning for the next door neighbour. ‘You can speak to her later about it all.’

  Lucia released Mali, but the little girl immediately held her aunt’s hand and stood there smiling.

  ‘I’m telling you, there’s a bonkers gene in this family,’ sighed Stan, getting up slowly and giving his daughter a hug. ‘What poison shall I get you?’

  ‘Something large,’ she smiled before looking at Leon. Stan went off, followed by Mali. His sister waited until they were out of earshot. ‘You look very well. Considering your hairdresser didn’t attack you with her scissors, I’d say you were happy. I hear she was a child beater,’ Lucia laughed and sat down on the arm of the chair. ‘My little spoilt brother, is everything okay with you? Must have been awful when you found out what that little tart did to Mali. I was tempted to go to that excuse of a stylist and give her a piece of my mind.’

  ‘It’s all sorted. Mali was upset, but she was rescued by the neighbour.’ He involuntarily smiled and noticed his sister frown. ‘I could say the same for you. You look well, too,’ Leon said, knowing Lucia was good at picking up on things. ‘Have you met someone?’ He thought he would throw that into the ring, knowing it wound her up, and to put her off the scent with Esme. ‘You can tell me.’

  ‘I have,’ she grinned, kissing him on the cheek. ‘I told the oldies I was in love. It’s still early days, and I want to keep it under wraps for longer.’

  ‘You’ve met someone?’ Even Leon couldn’t hide the shock. ‘Who is he?’

  His sister rolled her eyes and got up when
Stan came in with a bottle of beer. Then she glanced at him.

  ‘You’re too pretty for a boy, do you know that?’ she said, instantly winding him up. ‘That’s why Mali’s so beautiful. It’s got nothing to do with her mother; it’s all down to you.’

  ‘Have you told her?’ Stan hissed, walking closer.

  ‘Told me what?’

  ‘About Bennylita being in Nerja.’

  ‘Dad!’ hissed Leon knowing Mali was in earshot. ‘Don’t say anything.’

  Then he noticed her little face poke around the door frame, looking glum and guilty.

  ‘Daddy,’ she said, then burst into tears.

  Leon jumped up and picked up the sobbing child. Lucia looked shocked as his dad shook his head, unable to speak.

  ‘I not bad!’ cried Mali loudly.

  ‘What’s all the noise about?’ asked Barbara, holding two small ramekins in either hand. ‘Who upset you?’

  ‘Daddy be upset because I met the witch,’ sobbed Mali.

  ‘The witch?’

  ‘My mummy, the witch.’

  His mother dropped her wasabi rice crackers to the floor.

  ‘He’s late.’

  Esme checked her watch again and could see Steph and Alfie were a little anxious. Knowing Oscar was paying for everything, they ordered champagne and had nearly finished the first bottle.

  Oscar had booked a private room, so they were isolated from everyone else.

  ‘And he told me to make sure we were on time,’ mumbled Esme, hearing the tinkling of the piano from the main lounge in the background.

  ‘It’s ten minutes and we were early. Who cares?’ said Alfie.

  He hadn’t smiled once since she saw him. Something was bugging him, and she desperately wanted her son to be okay.

  Steph, on the other hand, looked extremely mischievous and this worried Esme more.

  Then she noticed a man in his forties walk into the room.

  ‘Mr Reeves apologises but he’s running a little late,’ he said in his well-heeled New York accent. He was quite tall, handsome with dyed black hair. Far too well turned out for Esme’s liking. ‘He shouldn’t be too long.’

  Then he sat down as Steph sat back in mild astonishment. Esme and Steph were sitting opposite each other. Both immediately noticed the man was looking at Alfie.