by S M Mala
‘Nothing,’ she said and saw his smiling face as he shook his head. ‘Are you mad with me about the other night?’
‘I know you didn’t start it.’
‘That thing did.’
‘Gina just doesn’t like you and you don’t help by calling her names.’
‘She started it!’
‘And you finished it …’ he smiled. ‘…in a spectacular way with such amazing language. Move over.’ Hatty sat up as he sat down next to her, his weight making the side of her hammock rise. ‘I told Delores you shouldn’t come if you were going to get upset.’
‘She forgot to tell me it was happening. I would’ve gone to one of your hotels if I’d have known.’
‘Like last year and running up that bar bill,’ he laughed and Hatty noticed his gentle eyes. ‘I think it’s cheaper to keep you on site.’
‘Does everyone think I’m tainted?’ she blurted out, seeing the pain hit his eyes as he looked away. ‘Because I know they think something’s up with me.’
‘I get upset when I hear you blame yourself for your parent’s death, do you know that? And people intentionally say very cruel things to hurt others. I can see how upset you looked when you came out.’
‘They say stuff about me. About you, about you and me,’ she mumbled. He put an arm around her. ‘Really horrible things.’
‘I know,’ he said, kissing her head then letting go. ‘They can’t believe I’m surrounded by beautiful women and you.’
‘Thanks,’ she smiled. ‘Why aren’t you with your friends?’
‘I wanted to make sure you’re okay,’ he said gently. ‘Delores is sorry for what happened.’
‘Gina Glory Glory bitch Morgan should be sorry.’ Hatty hesitated for a moment, turning to look him straight in the eye. ‘Can I move into the old house?’ She noticed Murray smile then shook his head from side to side. ‘Why not?’
‘Because.’
Murray watched her play with the dog and examined her face, his heart squeezing in pain for her, knowing part of it was his fault and all of it was down to life’s twists and turns.
Hatty ran around the garden as Murray wondered if she’d ever realise how complicated her start in life was. She turned and laughed while tormenting Barney. He thought it was similar to how she was constantly tormenting him, by reminding him of his lost love. He knew he had no other choice but to make doubly sure to protect Hatty from things that might ever hurt or harm her.
Seven
Jake did a double take when he saw her march into the office and stand at Gina’s desk. He was reading the paper whole sitting on a sofa in his father’s office.
‘I’m sorry Gina Glory Glory for intimating you’re a slut, slag, whore and easy, that was impolite,’ Hatty said defiantly. He noticed Gina was starting to look furious. ‘I know you’d never pick up any sexual transmitted infections because you’re very sensible like that and have bulk shares in a various condom firms.’
‘What she say?’ laughed one of the older women, Rose, standing nearby.
‘But…’ continued Hatty. ‘I am sick and tired of you telling me, usually when you’re drunk, I killed all these people because I didn’t.’ She bent closer to Gina. ‘And Simon. I never hurt Simon and you know this. He told me so many things about his life and I think you hurt him more.’
‘Me not forgive you!’ spat Gina back at her.
Jake noticed Hatty didn’t flinch, she smiled.
‘I don’t care what you do but make sure you get your facts right. Simon passed away because he got stuck on a boat out at sea with your stupid uncle.’ Her eyes became quite glassy as she spoke. Jake wondered if it was because she was going to cry or plain angry. ‘I wasn’t the one who told him to go out, remember?’
‘He lost his mind cos ‘e was with you!’
‘It was better than being with someone closer to home.’
‘Ya bitch!’‘
‘And you’re a whore,’ Hatty said calmly. Gina’s mouth dropped open. ‘I didn’t kill Simon. I didn’t intentionally kill my parents but if that’s what people think, that’s fine. And yes, I apparently drowned and turned up alive so I have no idea what happened there.’
‘Maybe da spirit of Simon saved ya!’ said Rose, moving closer.
‘Dis ya idea of an apology?’ glared Gina, moving her head from side to side furiously.
It looked like she was on the verge of hitting Hatty.
‘It’s the best you’re ever going to get out of me because I’m sick of your bullying, okay?’ she said quietly. ‘I don’t like parties and I was having an alright time until your sorry arse decided to spoil it.’
‘Cryin’ like a baby an’ walkin’ away.’
‘Next time Gina Glory Glory, I’m not going to cry,’ Hatty said, with steely determination in her eyes. ‘But you are.’
‘Get out!’ snapped Gina. ‘Take your nonsense and go somewhere else.’
‘We have witnesses. I apologised and you didn’t accept so therefore I don’t have to ever speak to you again. You say another bad word against me and, so help me, I will plot my revenge.’
‘What ya goin’ to do? Do ya obia on me?’
‘I don’t do witch craft but I will certainly build your coffin, I promise you that!’ snapped Hatty, smiling at Rose who was grinning back.
Jake then realised she’d spotted him and quickly walked out of the office.
‘Interesting,’ he mumbled, getting up and walking out into the main office.
He noticed his father was standing by the meeting room drinking a cup of coffee.
‘Gina, I think it’s best to stay away from Hatty from now on,’ Murray said, walking slowly towards the angry young woman.
‘Her apology full of insults!’ snapped Gina, shuffling things on her desk, obviously trying to calm herself down.
‘At least she tried,’ he said diplomatically then turning to Jake. ‘Can you go and see what Hatty’s up to now?’
‘Me?’ said a confused Jake.
‘She’s not studying and managed to cut down part of a camellia bush yesterday, She said it got in the way of her path, knowing full well it was her aunt’s pride and joy.’ Murray laughed. ‘Her revenge for being made to go to the party, I think.’
‘Brat,’ Gina mumbled under her breath as his father rolled his eyes.
‘Just keep her out of trouble for the day. I’d be very grateful.’
‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Do anything to stop her from causing more damage to the gardens and upsetting Delores not to mention Thomas.’
‘I’ll try,’ he said, running towards the door keen to see Hatty.
‘Are we on for tonight!’ snapped Gina at him.
‘I’ll get back to you,’ Jake said, sprinting out.
Hatty was in the process of hacking down another camellia bush when he ran behind her and grabbed the shears out of her hand.
‘What?’ she said, turning around to see him before her cheeks went red.
‘Since I saw you on Friday, I hear your gardening skills are coming on so well my father has especially asked me to give you the day off,’ Jake said, putting the shears behind his back as Hatty looked confused.
‘Why?’
‘Because you chopped down your aunt’s favourite plant.’
‘I was pruning it.’
‘How much did you prune?’
‘A bit,’ she said, glancing down at her feet before looking guiltily at him.
‘Where is it?’ He noticed Hatty point to the corner of the garden. It used to have a twenty foot bush which was now a quarter of the size. ‘How the hell did you do that?’
‘I got carried away,’ she replied sheepishly.
‘I’d hate to get on the wrong side of you.’
‘Then don’t piss me off,’ she said, looking up at the offices. ‘I suppose your girlfriend’s been bad mouthing me.’
‘I’ve not really seen her, I’ve been busy,’ he replied, not wanting to tell her he wasn�
�t impressed by Gina’s performance the previous Friday. ‘But I’m meeting her tonight.’
‘That’s nice,’ she said with a false smile. ‘You got my shears, I can’t do anything so I’ll go off and you can say you looked after me, okay?’
‘Not okay,’ he smiled. ‘Come for a drive with me?’
‘I’ve been in a car with you before and you drive too fast,’ she bluntly replied, eyeing him suspiciously. ‘Just let me go and do my own thing and you can kiss up Gina Glory Glory.’
‘I think we’ve got off to a bad start. Why don’t we spend the day together?’
‘I think you followed me, spied on me naked and think that gives you the right to be my friend. I don’t think so,’ she said, furiously shaking her head and walking away. ‘Then you dragged me round that party so everyone could laugh at me.’
‘That’s not true!’ he barked, realising she wasn’t going to be co-operative. ‘Anyway, you said you’d show me round the island.’
‘Me auntie doesn’t want me to-.’ Hatty turned and smiled. ‘So I’ll do it. But only on bikes.’
‘Have you got a swim suit?’ he grinned. ‘You show me the island and I’ll teach you to swim.’
‘But you can’t tell a soul what we’re doing.’
‘I promise.’
‘I haven’t got a swimming costume,’ she shrugged. ‘I’ve never needed one.’
‘First thing’s first.’
Half an hour later, after Jake had received enough warning glares from Delores while raiding the kitchen for a picnic, they set off on their cycles down the road. Hatty had on a very baggy pair of dark blue dungarees with a light grey vest underneath topped with a pair of red converse trainers. Her plait was flying in the wind as she pedalled fast down the road. He thought she looked like an overgrown child and smiled, as she swerved the pot holes and generally caused havoc to the passing cars.
‘Let’s stop here,’ she said, as they approached a small parade of shops. ‘I can get a swim suit.’
They parked the bikes and he followed as she walked quickly in and searched around before spotting what she was looking for. Jake noticed she held up an ugly dark blue number he’d seen many an elderly lady wear on the beach.
‘Not that one,’ he said, grabbing it out of her hand. ‘It’s too baggy. You can’t buy a suit like you’d buy dungarees.’
‘It’s fine,’ she said, trying to get it back.
‘Let me pick.’
‘What do you know?’
‘Obviously more than you!’
Jake flicked through the costumes on the hangers and could see there was a limited choice. He glanced at her then wondered what size she was but decided not to ask, based on the furious expression on her face.
‘Hurry up,’ she said impatiently.
He stopped and found a black costume, holding it up towards her.
‘What about this?’
‘Fine, fine,’ she replied, not even looking at it before snatching it out of his hand and marching to the till.
Hatty then stopped and was looking at something on the chemist counter.
‘Now what?’
‘Interesting,’ she said. He could see she was looking at mosquito repellent cream and lotions, sniffing the tops of the bottles, then picking up two different types and proceeding to pay for her goods. Jake remembered what was said about her habit of collecting the stuff as she marched out of the shop. He stood there for a moment and watched the men look at Hatty. He frowned knowing exactly what was going through their head, very much like what was going through his. She turned to look at him.
‘Come on Jacob!’
‘Jesus,’ he groaned.
She had cycled off even before he managed to get on his bike.
Half an hour later after cycling, Jake found himself standing with Hatty in the hills of the island, staring down at the lush green interior and the beautiful coastline.
‘It’s beautiful,’ he sighed. She handed him a bottle of water. ‘I can see why you don’t want to leave.’ Jake turned around to see Hatty was sitting on the grass, glaring out at the sea. ‘How did you find this place?’
‘Someone told me about it when I was exploring as a child. I think it’s the most beautiful part of the island, other than the old house which is close by. If I could, I’d build a home here.’ She let out a sigh. ‘Before long this place will have tourists coming on buses thanks to Mister Murray,’ Hatty sniffed in an unimpressed manner. ‘Nothing will be secret anymore.’
‘I’ve been driving around the island for weeks and I’ve never found this,’ he said, sitting next to her, pushing his sunglasses on the top of his head. He couldn’t stop staring. This was the closest he’d been to Hatty as she smiled, then tilted her head to one side. ‘What?’
‘Are you enjoying your stay?’
‘Pardon?’ he laughed, surprised by the question.
‘Your vacation? Holiday?’
‘It’s been an eye opener.’
‘What’ve you been doing over the past weeks, other than the obvious?’
‘Having fun and getting to know the local beauties.’
‘Are you going to bring your girlfriend over?’ she smiled brightly and he noticed she was trying to disguise a look of disgust. ‘Can I see a picture of her?’
‘Sure,’ he said, confused for a second as he reached for his phone, flicked through some pictures before he found something suitable. He handed it over and noticed her smile waver. ‘That’s Serena. We’ve known each other for ten months or so. Met at a party and hit it off from there.’
‘She’s beautiful,’ Hatty sighed wistfully. ‘Her long blonde hair and big blue eyes. The girl looks like a model. You’re so lucky.’
‘Why lucky?’ Jake laughed, taken aback by Hatty’s comment.
‘Because someone loves you,’ she genuinely said and turned to him, handing back the phone. ‘That’s special.’
‘You haven’t got a boyfriend, have you?’
‘No,’ Hatty said, biting her bottom lip. ‘It’s not that easy for me.’
‘I think it’d be simple enough,’ he mumbled, remembering the men at the shop leering at her.
‘You shouldn’t mess around with other girls when you’ve got someone as beautiful and lovely as her.’
‘You mean Gina?’ Jake glanced at the picture of Serena and knew he’d not felt the same desire about her on their first meeting as he did about the present beauty sitting next to him. ‘I’m young, I’m having fun. I’m not going to marry Serena.’
‘Does she know you’ve been sleeping around?’
‘I’ve only slept with a handful of girls while I’ve been here,’ he laughed out and noticed the immediate frown on her face. ‘And no, she doesn’t know but I’ll tell her.’
‘They’re not like sweets, you know. I see how you and your friends eye up the local girls, all excited about the prospect of having some fun. You have to remember, they’ll one day marry some man from the island then how will that look?’
‘This is the twenty first century! People don’t care.’
‘That’s not true, people do care. They’re just good at not saying it upfront, unless they’re drunk, at a party, or just being plain honest.’
‘The party,’ he said, sitting back on his elbows, looking at her plait hanging down her back, the hair starting to fall out as she’d roughly styled it. ‘Do you mind me asking why you were crying?’
‘I do mind,’ came her curt reply.
‘Philip seems like a lovely man. How old is he?’
‘Twenty seven,’ she said. ‘He’s very kind and caring.’
‘You and he ever?’
‘No,’ she laughed and turned around to face him, bringing her knees to her chest. ‘He doesn’t think that way about me. God knows I’ve tried.’
‘Tried,’ he said, sitting up. ‘How have you tried?’
‘You don’t wanna know,’ she laughed out, throwing herself back on the grass as he looked at her. ‘What a beautiful
day!’
‘Do you like Philip?’
‘Yes I do,’ she said, smiling at him, putting her hand on her forehead to shield her eyes. ‘Louisa and him are like family to me. I trust them with my life.’
‘That’s a bit strong.’
‘It’s the truth.’
‘Who’s Simon?’ Jake watched Hatty sit bolt upright, her face inches away from his. ‘I heard Gina mention the name and you said it again today.’
He noticed she searched his eyes and face as if looking for something to say.
‘Let’s not ask each other questions we don’t want to answer then we’ll get on.’
She took him another way to get back down and, before he knew it, they were by the old house.
‘All roads lead to this place,’ he smiled, as she flicked a glance over at the sea, locking her bike against the fence. ‘If no one comes here why do you lock the bike?’
‘Because of the wind,’ Hatty said, flicking back her plait over her shoulders. ‘It’s the coolest part of the island, other than your father’s hotels that have air conditioning.’ She stood up. ‘Now you’re going to teach me to swim.’
‘It’s one o’clock, we’ve hardly gone anywhere,’ he said, putting his bike next to hers and not bothering to put a lock on.
‘Jake this is a small island. I could show you everything in a few days but it’s not going to take a few days to teach me to swim, is it?’
‘Are you saying you want to spend more time with me?’ he smiled.
She rolled her eyes.
‘How long before you go back? Weeks and days please.’
‘Four weeks and two days,’ he replied, noticing she was clicking something over in her head.
‘Twenty eight, thirty, no twenty nine days because you’ll be catching a plane,’ she said out loudly. ‘Twenty nine days, that’s not long. How time flies!’ Hatty joyfully announced and marched down the path before she disappeared into the greenery.
‘Only twenty nine days,’ Jake muttered, following her in but when he got to her tree, she wasn’t there. ‘Where are you?’
‘Getting changed. I thought it was best you teach me to swim and then we can have lunch. You see the sun hits this area now so the water will be warm.’
