by Martha Long
Hmm, I will have to play it by ear. Meanwhile, keep a very low profile, say nothing and just keep smiling. Don’t put pressure on him; he’s already under that, with his head wondering how I am taking this. So keep the head, Martha. Play this as pure and simple business, so there’s no emotion coming into it. Yes, use the clinical approach. You are good at that, you have been doing it all your life, woman. Business is business, and this woman is interfering in my fucking business.
I took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, feeling all the fears and worries and confusion slowly ebbing away with that breath. ‘Yes, I do know about business. That I can handle,’ I muttered, looking beyond the window out into the cold dark night, hearing the lonely mournful keen of the banshee as her cries carried on the wind to come screaming through the trees. She comes to warn of death, I thought, suddenly remembering my childhood days and dark wintry nights when she came crying, then the fear of God in my mother’s eyes as she sat wondering who would be next. Why wouldn’t she? My mother had most of her family lost to the ravages of disease and poverty in the space of nine months, all when she was only herself a little child. Bloody hell, the ma was tough! Yeah, right, so am I. Suddenly I gave a little laugh, thinking, Soviah, you are the joke. You are not equipped to take me on.
I stood up to make my way down the stairs and padded along the main hall. I could hear laughing coming from the sitting room. Right, here goes. Best not cause any surprises. I knocked then waited, counting to three before opening the door to see Ralph lying on the sofa. He had his arm behind his head and the other one held a cigar. Then my eyes peeled to Soviah, who was sitting on the floor with her hands resting on his belly, gently stroking him. He looked very relaxed, like he was enjoying himself.
‘Oh, hello! Everything OK?’ I said, breezing into the room and leaning down to kiss him on top of his head.
He jumped, looking around with his eyes staring in shock. ‘Goodness! I did not hear you come in,’ he said, with his eyes suddenly taking in the picture of her stroking his belly while he lay clapped out. ‘Are you OK, darling?’ he said, trying to sit up and get his feet past the vamp. ‘Sorry, Soviah, may I just move you, please?’ he said, moving her out of the way. She looked confused, getting rocked out of her little seduction act, then ended up on her arse, looking up at me like I was a smelly dog wanting to crawl all over her.
‘Darling! May I get you something?’ he said, sounding out of breath as he moved to kiss my cheek, saying, ‘You look good, darling. Have you had a relaxing bath?’
‘Yes, it was lovely, thank you.’ Then I whispered, reaching up to land my lips close to his ear, giving him a little kiss, ‘How is poor Soviah? Is she over her trauma?’
‘What, darling?’ he said, looking to see if I was serious.
I ignored this, saying, ‘She seems much better. Well done, Ralph, you are a magician. You have managed to calm the poor girl down.’
He sighed, looking relieved, then put his arm around me, saying, ‘What would you like to drink, darling?’
I grinned, looking up at him and saying, ‘How about you making me a nice hot chocolate? I feel like something comforting after seeing how distressed that poor woman was. Are you OK?’
‘Yes, darling, I am fine,’ he said, squeezing me then smiling at Soviah, saying, ‘Shall I get you another drink?’
She sat herself up on the sofa, looking very sour as she handed him her empty glass. Then she gave me a dirty look as her eyes slid up and down me, definitely finding me wanting in my chaste silky pyjamas, looking comfortable, clean and very ordinary.
I curled into the corner of the sofa, resting my arm over the back with my legs under me, then sipped my drink. Ralph sat next to me, sitting back but not too close. He was all business, giving his attention to Soviah while she sat nursing her brandy, sitting on her own on the opposite sofa.
Ralph stood up, helping himself to another cigar from the mantelpiece, then sat down and stretched his legs, sitting even further away from me. Soviah watched him with a greedy look in her eyes. They stayed focused while she devoured him with a hungry look, feasting on his legs, his chest, his hands, missing not the slightest movement he made.
I listened to the rapid speech, hearing the intonations, the dropping low key and the rise, hearing the musical lilting tones of the language. I imagined it help me understand what they were talking about. I picked up on the odd word, trying to piece what they were about. It made me feel very much the outsider, which suited Soviah.
‘Ralph,’ I sighed, when there was a lull in the talk.
‘Yes, Martha?’ he said, looking around at me like he suddenly remembered I was actually there.
‘Does Soviah speak English? I mean, are you discussing something very personal and private? Otherwise, maybe you could speak English. It would be easier for me,’ I said, smiling and giving a little shrug.
‘What? Oh, no, we are not saying anything too personal, but of course, forgive me, darling,’ he said, giving my foot a rub and shaking it. ‘Soviah, you do speak English? We ought not to leave Martha out of our little tête-à-tête,’ he smiled, letting it break into a wide grin, flashing his teeth as his eyes lit up.
She barely flicked an eye over me as she shrugged, saying, ‘Yes,’ as she slowly moved her hands, looking the essence of grace and femininity. Then she sighed and lifted her body, letting her chest and neck go rigid while she held out her hands, saying, ‘Darling, you know, I cannot believe I am to be treated in this fashion! The man is a brute! What . . . What does he do to me? He delivers me home like a package, I have time to almost not breathe when he picks up the telephone, because it rings, I hear him speak, it is all so fast, then pouffff! He is gone! To be with that woman! That half-child! I will have him arrested!’ she exploded. ‘He has done this to me! ME! I cannot believe! I have been with him for six years! I am his wife! Pouf! It is impossible! To think I divorce my first husband to marry this pig! It is unthinkable. My first husband was divine; he was so kind to me. Nothing for him was impossible, he adored me. He would do almost anything to please me. Whatever he think may please, he would buy for me! Then, to think I was so stupide . . . I divorce him. I am such a fool, now look at me!’ she snapped, giving her lap a slap. ‘Men have always pampered me, I am used to nothing but the best! Ohhh,’ she cried, moaning and dropping her voice, looking at the floor. Then she straightened herself, looking determined. ‘I will divorce him . . .’
‘But you and he have discussed this, Soviah. You say you do not wish to divorce him,’ Ralph said, reminding her about part of the problem.
She pinned her eyes on him, listening, taking this in. ‘Yes, you are right. I will not divorce the pig. I will kill him! No, I will go to meet with my advocate, Pierre Jan de Frei! Ohhhh! He will slice him to millions of little pieces. I will take everything. I will bring him to his knees. I will strip him naked! He will cry! I will crush him under my foot!’ she said, lifting and stamping her boot, squashing the rug underneath.
Ralph looked shocked at the venom pouring out of Soviah. I never enjoyed myself so much. I listened nodding, saying, ‘Tut, tut, shame, so brutal!’
She ignored me. Ralph listened intently, saying nothing, waiting for her to calm down. Then there was silence. Ralph sighed. I clucked. Then she said, ‘Ohh! This is all so hopeless. I was to believe Jacques was so tender, such a wonderful lover, he was so kind . . . Just like you, Ralph!’
‘Me?’ Ralph said, sounding shocked as he took in the ‘wonderful lover’ bit.
I stared, looking very accusing at Ralph. He snapped his head to me then pinned his eyes on her, saying, ‘But, Soviah . . .’
‘Ohhh,’ she suddenly said, letting her face crease into a cry, waiting for the tears to come. They didn’t but she snapped her bag open anyway, muttering, keening and sobbing, tearing the hand around for a missing hankie.
Ralph stood up, whipping out his snow-white freshly ironed hankie, rushing to hand it to her, whispering, ‘Soviah, my dear . . .’
&nb
sp; ‘Ohhh, Ralph! What am I to do? I am a woman alone! Ohhh, I am so alone! I am distraught! My life is at an end! I am all alone! I have no man to protect me! What will become of me? Oooh, Ralph, I come to you! Now you are the only person in the whole world who cares if I live or die. You must help me! Please!’
‘But what would you like me to do, Soviah?’ he said, lowering himself onto the sofa beside her.
‘Please, I need you!’ she said, plunging herself into his arms, wrapping herself around him, with her head dragging along his chest, looking like a dying swan.
The shock hit me. Immediately I bristled and my heart leapt! I started breathing heavily, heaving for the want of air. I took in a sharp breath then sighed it out. Yes, Martha, let that go. Take it nice and slowly, breathe easy.
I closed my eyes, lowering my head and feeling myself get calm again. Then I began to feel the tension slipping slowly away and sat back, watching.
She moaned and slithered all over him, while he was killed between letting his hand drop on her head and holding it in the air, looking like he had suddenly been scalded. Somehow it all looked very comical. Then I felt like laughing and giving her a huge applause, shouting, Bravo! Encore! What a wonderful performance! But I stayed quiet, watching Ralph now sit still, looking down at her as if he was thinking.
Right, enough is enough, I thought, then let a roar out of me. ‘Oh, dear,’ I said. ‘Ralph! Quick!’ I screamed, shouting and laughing, looking agonised. ‘My foot, my toe, it’s cramped! Help!’ I laughed, trying to lift my toe as I curled it around, letting it lock. ‘Hurry!’ I screamed, trying to stretch out the leg.
‘Darling,’ he said, gently letting Soviah’s head slide all the way off his lap to the sofa. That was where it had been heading anyway, but Ralph’s lap was in the way because she was burying herself so deep it must have been putting a hole in him. He sat down beside me, carefully taking my foot in his hand, looking at it and then gently massaging it, rubbing his hand along the muscle of my leg.
‘Ohh,’ I cried, thinking I was giving an even better performance than Soviah. ‘I was sitting on it, Ralph,’ I moaned, looking crucified, with my pitiful face looking up at him. ‘Ohhh, that feels better,’ I moaned, hearing him say, ‘Give me your other foot, darling.’
I opened my eyes, trying to gracefully lift the other leg, wanting to copy Soviah. She does it lovely. Then I lay back, watching him massage my legs and feet, letting them sit in his lap. Then his eyes went to Soviah, and mine followed.
She was lying with the hankie pressed to her head, moaning she had a headache.
‘Tut, tut,’ I muttered, ‘the poor thing is really going through the mill.’
Ralph looked at me, saying, ‘Yes, these two play some awful bloody games.’ Then he flicked his eyes, lifting the eyebrows at Soviah, then turned back to me. ‘Now . . .’ he said, pausing, ‘this is the consequence.’ He sighed, looking very sad, then sat back and concentrated his attention on my feet.
I sighed, whispering, ‘Ralph! I do love you so.’
He looked at me, saying, ‘Darling, I love you too. You are a wonderful woman, yes, wonderful,’ he muttered, examining my feet, saying, ‘I must cut your toenails!’
‘I don’t have nail scissors!’ I said, wanting him to know I don’t usually neglect my nails.
‘Yes, darling, we will see to it,’ he said. Then he sighed and stood up, saying, ‘Soviah, we must organise a room for you. I shall take your bags up. Please do follow when you are ready.’
She sat up, suddenly looking very alert. ‘Ohh, oui! I must change,’ she said, looking down at herself, then lifting her legs, giving a flash of dark knickers!
Ralph marched out and I followed. ‘Is the bed ready?’ I said, as he picked up the cases then stopped to think.
‘Yes, good question,’ he sighed, running his hand through his lovely thick hair. It was still silky and flopped over his right eye like it used to do. My heart gave a jolt, with me wanting to wrap my arms around him and bury myself inside him.
He breathed in, thinking about it, then said, ‘You know, I think next door to my study . . . that is probably the most suitable. The bathroom is just one floor up. She may use that. Yes, I shall go and prepare that.’
I looked from the side passage hall to the floor just above. Ralph’s bathroom and Ralph’s bedroom! Hmm, I think this may need careful watching. This looks like a case of ‘the Night of the Long Talons’ meets ‘the Night of the Long Knives’! Yes, dear lady, you have the long talons out for Ralph but I have the long knives out for you!
Soviah suddenly appeared with her fur thrown over her shoulder, clutching it with her fingers while the other hand gripped her expensive Italian handbag. She lifted her head, indicating she wanted to know where we were going.
‘Ahh, Soviah my dear, we shall put you in here,’ he said, opening the door to the passage as the pair of us filed after him. Then he swung open a door and snapped on the overhead light. We all walked in, looking around as Ralph made for the bed.
Oh, this is nice, I thought, letting my eyes take in the size of the room. It was huge, bigger than mine. Down the end of the room was a big king-size bed with matching double walnut wardrobes and mirrors. They took up the alcoves each side of the bed, with two bedside tables and lamps standing beside it. Ralph switched on the lamps, making the room look very bright and warm. A matching double dressing table stood against the wall inside the door, with a lovely white ornate wooden chair with an embroidered padded seat left sitting in front. Then on the right wall was an old-fashioned washstand with a basin and a flowery antique jug that stood on the marble top. Next to that was a very cosy armchair and an antique oak horse for holding a man’s trousers.
It was lovely. I sighed, getting the smell of lavender furniture polish and years of living coming from everything that was put into it, and sensing the ghosts of people who would have lived in this room at one time. They all left something of themselves behind. Then I noticed the bookcase with the shelves of dusty books. Some looked very old but others were quite recent. Gawd, wouldn’t I just love a room like this? I thought. Then whipped my eyes down, seeing Ralph take off the blankets and quilts. They were left folded at the end of the bed. That was done to air the covered mattress. I noticed there was no window, so it wouldn’t get much light, but it is still lovely, I thought. Not able to get over how much character it had.
Ralph took off out of the room, saying, ‘I need to get some bed linen.’
I lit up a smoke, waiting for him to come back, thinking Soviah may not be pleased. Then she walked past, dismissing me as if I was invisible. I watched as she hung up her fur coat in the wardrobe then humped her case up on the bed and opened the straps, taking out her stuff. She lifted a long silk dressing gown and a cream silk short nightdress, with the top covered in lace and long thin straps. That came with matching knickers. My breath caught, seeing how it flowed like liquid as she lifted it up. Then she took out a huge washbag and a small vanity case from the other bag and dumped the lot on the bed. She left it there and went to the wardrobe, taking down a wooden hanger and throwing it on the bed. Then she slipped off her frock, hanging it up in the wardrobe, and sidled over in nothing but long boots snuggling her thighs and a very brief pair of dark-brown silk knickers with lace round the edges, and a matching bra that lifted her big breasts, with the colour making them look very creamy. Then she sat at the dressing-table chair and tried to pull off the boots. ‘Pouf,’ she snorted, giving up after a few seconds and stamping her foot, staring at them.
Ralph came rushing in with white embroidered bed linen and his eyes flew to her.
‘Ralph!’ she moaned, saying something in French.
He dropped the stuff on the bed and went back to bend down and pull the boots off one by one. Then he stood up, brushing the hair out of his eye, and made for the bed again.
I picked up the sheet and shook it out to him, saying, ‘Ralph!’ I whispered, with a laugh lighting up my eyes. ‘It is just as well we are in
a windowless room, or you would be in trouble.’
He smiled then looked confused, leaving the sheet hanging in his hand.
‘Well, if there was a window, you would more than likely pole vault out through it, seeing as you must have grown an extra leg,’ I sniffed, throwing my head over to the vamp, seeing her lift the eyes up, taking in what I just said.
He threw his head back and roared laughing. ‘Oh, Martha, you are naughty but very funny,’ he said, then laughed again, looking at me. ‘No, darling,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘It is no mystery to me! I have seen more of this than you have had hot dinners.’
‘WHAT?’ I roared, trying to take that one in.
He grinned, then started laughing again. ‘Darling, you only know the priest. Of course that is forbidden to me. But you seem to forget I am a doctor.’
‘Yeah, but still,’ I said, thinking about that. Then I leaned forward, whispering, ‘Come off it, Ralph, you do not fool me. Are you telling me you did not find that stunningly attractive?’
‘Attractive? Yes, of course! But it is you, darling, who needs to be careful. You are the one in danger,’ he said, flicking his brows up and down, giving me a dirty grin.
‘You dirty old man,’ I whispered, throwing the sheet at him.
He ducked, laughing as it caught him on the side of the head. ‘I warn you, my lady!’ he said, pointing a finger and pinning his eyes on me as he slowly nodded his head.
‘Oh, Ralph, one of these days you might just strike lucky. I may decide to slow down and let you catch me,’ I said, blowing him a kiss.
He grinned then took in a deep breath. ‘Come on, let us get this over with. This night is beginning to drag on and I would like to see the end of it,’ he said, letting the light out of his eyes as his jaws worked, showing the muscles grinding up and down as the long heavy night began to get to him.
