by S M Mala
‘Considering what?’
‘I’ve been mistreated,’ she said quietly, noticing Jake was about to say some bullshit reply.
‘Jake!’ Gabriel said loudly, walking up to him and shaking his hand. ‘Good to see you again.’
‘Gabriel, we have to stop meeting like this,’ Jake replied and Hatty noticed the forced friendliness in the tone. ‘Are you enjoying the market?’
‘I’ve been here a few times and I can see why Hatty does so well,’ he smiled and glanced at Hatty as she grimaced. ‘Did you stay long at the party?’
‘Got drunk and dad dragged me home,’ laughed Jake.
Hatty’s heart somersaulted when she heard the hearty sound coming from his mouth, realising she missed that so much.
‘Why don’t you join us for lunch?’ asked Gabriel.
‘What?’ snapped Hatty.
‘Is there a problem?’ smiled Jake. ‘Or do you want to be alone with Gabriel?’
‘She must be sick of me by now.’
‘I’m never sick of you,’ said Hatty, compelled to smile.
‘I’d love to join you for lunch,’ replied Jake, a little too loudly for Hatty’s liking. ‘There’s a good restaurant down the way specialising in local food.’
‘How do you know?’ hissed Hatty, seeing Gabriel give her a knowing look which infuriated her.
‘I know a lot more about this island than you do,’ he shrugged. ‘I went there before.’
‘With Gina Glory Glory?’
‘I did take Gina and-.’
‘I’d prefer we ate somewhere else more wholesome!’ she snapped, throwing her things into the box, knowing she was still angry about the last night Jake was on the island and what she saw.
Hatty realised her face was getting redder by the second so she turned around and re-arranged the mess she created.
‘Let’s go where we went to last week,’ Gabriel gently said. ‘I’ll ring Philip and tell him to meet us there, what do you think?’
‘Fine!’ she snapped.
‘Do you need any help?’ Jake asked, seemingly amused.
‘Gabriel, take Jake and I’ll put these things away in the van.’
‘Are you sure?’ replied Gabriel, walking up to Hatty and leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips.
She looked into his eyes and knew he thought she was being funny as he stroked her back.
‘I’m not an animal, patting me doesn’t calm me down,’ she whispered.
‘Hatty, don’t get upset,’ Gabriel said quietly. ‘Come on Jake, let’s get out of here and let senorita do her thing.’
She waited until they walked away before she stood up and watched their backsides descend down the hill. Jake was four inches taller than Gabriel and more muscular compared to the thin, wiry frame of the other. Hatty didn’t know what to do and was tempted to get in the van and drive off.
‘Hey gal!’ said Philip, making her jump. ‘Ya finish?’
‘Bloody Jake’s turned up and Gabriel asked him to lunch. Can you believe it?’
‘Ah,’ laughed Philip. ‘Me too tired to quarrel. Ya kept us up last night wid ya poundin’ and stompin’.’
‘I couldn’t sleep,’ she shrugged. ‘I feel so embarrassed and ashamed when I look at Jake. It’s awful! I offered myself to him like a cheap fried dumpling and he preferred that sassy cat fish.’ Philip laughed out very loudly at her comment. ‘It’s true.’
‘Why ‘e back?’
‘Job courtesy of his daddy because he couldn’t get one in New York?’
‘Ya spoken to ‘im yet?’
‘What about?’
‘Why ya did, what ya did? Why ya said it?’ He frowned for a moment. ‘Me sure Jake will understand.’
‘I don’t want to talk about Simon,’ she said, completely ruffled by the comment. ‘And especially not to Jake who will, no doubt, use it as pillow talk when he’s with Gina Glory Glory.’
All four of them sat on the balcony of the restaurant overlooking the sea. Hatty sat furthest in as Jake placed himself opposite her. The men seemed to be enjoying the conversation, talking about cricket and football. She focussed on the still water, the sun rays bouncing off the surface. There was no sound from it today and it was too calm for her liking.
‘Isn’t that so?’ said Gabriel, touching Hatty’s thigh to get her attention.
‘What’s that?’ she replied, flicking out of her trance.
‘You came into the sea?’
‘Yes,’ she said, picking at some fried fish in front of her, pretending she was interested in what he was saying, though a bit confused.
‘So you can go into the sea?’ Jake frowned.
‘Yeah,’ she said and glanced at Gabriel for an explanation. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I was demonstrating how you’ve changed,’ he said and squeezed her thigh again then pulling away. She noticed Jake glare where Gabriel had put his hand. ‘But one thing she’s still hates, even in Spain, the mosquito.’ He laughed out as Hatty instinctively scratched her arm. ‘We spent a day going from pharmacy to pharmacy so Hatty could buy all sort of mosquito repellent, creams, anti-bite gels.’
‘I got bit on the ankle,’ she said and for a moment was distracted by Jake staring at her. ‘I didn’t expect it.’
‘Man Jake, Hatty ankle swell to de size of a melon!’ smiled Philip.
‘What are you scared of when it comes to this sea?’ Jake asked, still watching her. ‘And if that’s the case, why are you living on this island?’
‘It me ‘ome,’ she said, narrowing her eyes at him.
‘I thought I could help her… ’ said Gabriel to Jake. ‘…get over her phobia.’
‘It is not a phobia,’ she said, taking a deep breath. ‘I’m scared and I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘How would you be able to help?’ asked Jake and Hatty noticed, for a second, Jake flash Gabriel a dirty look.
‘Walking into the sea with her, maybe if she made love by the beach and-.’
‘No!’ Hatty snapped as Philip put his napkin over his mouth to stop choking.
‘When I come back to visit-.’
‘You’re coming back!’ she said a little too loudly.
Philip continued to choke so she hit him hard on the back only to see Jake stare at her again.
‘Surely you don’t think I’m not coming to see you,’ he said gently, stroking her cheek. ‘I just can’t get enough of the local hospitality.’
‘I bet you can’t,’ she heard Jake mumble as Philip smirked.
‘Let’s enjoy lunch and talk about something else.’ She scratched her ankle, going into her satchel and pulling out her spay. All the three of them flinched. ‘I’ll go somewhere else then.’
Hatty stood up and walked out to the side of the restaurant and sprayed her legs. When she returned Jake was the only person left sitting.
‘Where’ve they gone?’ she asked, looking around.
‘To get away from your bad mood.’
‘I’m not in a bad mood.’
‘Then it might just be me you’re upset with,’ he said gently. ‘Gabriel’s gone for a cigarette and Philip accompanied him.’
‘Fine,’ she said, sitting down and staring at Jake as he did the same. ‘You want to talk to me?’
‘Not now,’ he smiled. ‘Gabriel seems to like you a lot.’
‘Good.’
‘How do you feel about him?’
‘I like him too,’ she gulped not wanting to say too much. ‘He’s an amazing person. You know he’s very secure of who he is and what he wants from life. He doesn’t care what people think and I really admire that.’
‘You sound a little bit in love,’ he said as Hatty looked away.
‘I think in awe is a better word,’ she gulped and glanced at Jake.
‘Do you want to talk about what happened the last day I was here?’
‘No,’ she bluntly replied, instantly feeling riled.
‘I want to talk about it,’ Jake said, le
aning closer.
‘I can’t. I know how you made me feel that day and that’s what’s left with me.’
‘I didn’t mean to hurt you and-.’
‘It’s me that’s going to get the seven years bad luck as I broke the mirror on the beach when I was coming to see you and… you were coming in her,’ she blurted out, seeing Jake flinch. ‘So that’s an even better reason not to come near me, based on my run of bad luck.’
He’d been at work one full week. Jake was finding his feet at the newspaper and getting his head around working with Louisa, who he knew was amused by his appearance. It was Friday evening and the news team were having a drink at a bar on the marina. Jake spotted a few people he’d met on his summer vacation before he saw Louisa speaking animatedly to a man. He caught her eye as she excused herself and walked over to him, smiling.
‘How’s your first week been?’ she asked, standing in front of him. ‘It’s probably not as high flying as you’d have expected.’
‘I like it though I seem more like a researcher than a journalist at the moment. I’m sure that will change as people get used to me,’ he sighed and sipped his beer. He was burning to ask about Hatty, who he hadn’t seen since Sunday. ‘How’s your week been?’
‘Pretty interesting. They found a man dead in the creek, supposedly suicide but he slipped and fell when he was drunk. Apparently, he was celebrating a divorce from his wife,’ she laughed and shook her head. ‘Mad man! Then there was the robbery at one of the local stores towards the north of the island, where Hatty lives. Just alcohol taken from all accounts so…’
‘You think it was the man who drowned in the creek who stole it?’ he smiled.
‘It could well be! Who knows on this island, stranger things have happened?’
‘And talking of Hatty,’ he sheepishly said.
‘I wasn’t.’
‘Have you spoken to her?’
‘Jake, I hope that inviting smile of yours wasn’t misleading me, was it?’ Louisa teased.
‘Gabriel went back so I’m sure she’s missing him,’ he shrugged, waiting for a response as the woman grinned. ‘Is she missing him?’
‘What do you want to know?’ she replied, putting her drink on the bar and looking at her glass. ‘It’s going to cost you several of those.’
‘I’ll buy you another drink then,’ he said, gesturing to the waiter.
‘Why did you come back? You could’ve been working on something glamorous in New York, or anywhere, not this little island.’
‘Dad asked me to spend more time with him so he arranged it. And here I am,’ he said quietly. ‘Hatty’s not pleased.’
‘You know you weren’t nice to her. She’s a little complicated when it comes to boys.’
‘I’m a man, not a boy,’ added Jake, handing Louisa a drink and walking to an outside table where they sat. ‘Gabriel asked whether she’d spoken to me about Simon, then Philip said the same thing. Why?’ He noticed the alarmed on Louisa’s face. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
‘Them men should keep their mouths shut,’ she whispered. ‘It’s something she doesn’t talk about. That bitch Gina Glory Glory has a way of digging it up when she wants to hurt Hatty.’
‘They were best friends and he died. What’s the big deal other than he’s Gina’s brother and she hates Hatty?’
‘Friends?’ Louisa said quietly, narrowing her eyes at him.
‘They were sweethearts then, I don’t know.’ Jake shrugged and sat back in the chair. ‘Tell me.’
‘They were in love and Gina wasn’t happy about it. At first I thought it was good Hatty had more friends as the people on this island weren’t kind to her, but you know that.’ Jakes realised he was getting an accusing look and glanced away. ‘Something happened weeks before he died. Hatty told me some of it but it’s not for me to say. I understand why she doesn’t play around with men. I think she’s worried she’s going to lose someone she loves again.’ Jake sat still for a moment and noticed Louisa frown for a second. ‘She thinks the people she loves will leave her or die. Me say she silly.’
‘And I left her.’ He suddenly remembered her crying on the grass as he walked off and her face when she gave him the frame. If ever guilt tasted bad, he was dealing with something very unpleasant right now. ‘What was Delores reaction to Hatty and Simon?’
‘She was very happy Hatty found a nice boy but was very harsh about reeling off the birds and the bees. Poor Hatty came running to me when Delores told her about the pain and bleeding after intercourse. That aunt of hers was no help at all.’
‘I’m sure Gabriel was,’ he said, forcing a smile. ‘He managed to take her out into the sea when they were in Spain, so he can work wonders on Hatty.’
‘Is that so? She not say. How comes ya not wid ya Gina Glory Glory?’ Louisa laughed. ‘Sorry, Hatty says that better than me.’
‘I’ve not seen her,’ he shrugged, knowing he’d avoided her at all costs.
‘You didn’t come back for Gina?’
‘I didn’t come back for anyone.’
‘Are you sure?’
It was in the cab on the way home, he decided to drive past where Hatty lived and noticed the formidable gates by the road, knowing the house was far deeper in.
‘Can you stop?’ Jake asked the cab driver.
‘Me leave ya ‘ere, ya gonna ‘ave to walk ‘ome yarself,’ he said, sucking air through his teeth, shaking his head simultaneously. ‘Ere de number should ya get lost.’
‘Thanks,’ he said, handing the money over and stepping out of the car.
It was after ten and he walked around the gates seeing his father had indeed secured the area so no one could break in. He pressed the buzzer and noticed the camera in the wall. It took a minute for her to say something.
‘What?’ came the voice as he peered into the camera, trying not to smile at her surly response.
‘I got kicked out of my cab because I didn’t have enough money. Can I come in?’
‘No.’
‘Hatty please? My phone’s run out of juice and I’m stuck.’
There was another silence as he heard a buzz and pushed open the small side gate. Jake hadn’t walked this way to the house before and realised the full beauty of it. He glanced to his right, seeing the very green bushes leading up to the fresh water pool. Standing on the door step was Hatty in her usual dungarees, hair in a plait, folded arms across her chest and scowling.
‘Here,’ she said, holding out something which he saw was a phone and some money. ‘Use this, call a cab.’ Hatty handed him a number scrawled on a piece of paper. ‘And go home.’
‘Can’t I come in?’ he asked, trying to hide the deep sigh occurring in his gut on seeing her looking down at him.
‘Why?’
‘Come on,’ he shrugged. ‘It’s my house too.’ Jake then marched straight past her and went inside. ‘Considering, it’s my daddy who owns it.’
‘Jacob how dare you!’ she shouted as he walked in and stopped, realising she’d made it in to a home.
‘It’s lovely.’
‘Well you’re not!’ she hissed. ‘Take your shoes off!’
‘You’ve got shoes on.’
‘These are my inside shoes and yours are outside,’ replied Hatty and he saw her little nostrils flare which made him smile. ‘Stop grinning like a mad man.’
‘I forget how beautiful you are every time I see you,’ he said honestly, only to be met with a sneer. ‘Have I disturbed you?’
‘I’m working.’
‘On a Friday night?’
‘There’s no rest when you run your own business,’ she said, folding her arms.
‘Can I at least have a drink before I go?’ he replied, as she let out a deep sigh and he walked into the kitchen. He spotted some salt fish fritters. ‘Are they edible?’
‘Go ahead,’ Hatty replied, following him in.
She was smiling brightly as he bit into it.
Suddenly he felt a massive burn on his ton
gue and mouth, he was momentarily shocked as he gasped, running towards the tap and putting his tongue under the cold water. Jake heard the familiar laugh as he turned, his eyes streaming, to see her bite into one and smile.
‘I’m learning how to cook and I like them this way so I don’t have to dip into pepper sauce,’ she giggled. He stood up and knew his face was burning red to match his tongue as she walked towards him and handed over a roti. ‘Bite into this and it will cool your mouth down. Don’t worry, Auntie Ethel made them.’
Taking a massive bite he stood there looking at her, as he chewed fiercely for the pain to subside.
‘I’m going home,’ he eventually said, aware she was happy about her trick and walked towards the door then turned.
‘Bye,’ she replied, folding her arms across her chest and leaning against the kitchen door frame. ‘You know the way, you can walk it.’
‘You know what? I think I’m going to spend the night here.’
‘No you’re not!’
‘What’re you scared of?’
‘Nothing,’ Hatty replied, glaring at him. ‘You should be scared of me!’
‘Really?’ Jake walked slowly towards her and tried not to smile at her frowning baby face. ‘What can you do to me?’
‘I can chop off your dick when you fall asleep.’
‘Then I better stay awake. Have you got any rum?’
Hatty watched Jake fill up the glasses and hand her one as they sat in the kitchen. She shook her head from side to side, knowing he was up to one of his games as he shrugged in return.
‘Go home Jacob. Murray will be worried,’ she said, examining his face as he stared into space. ‘Are you listening to me?’
‘No.’
‘I see.’ She wanted to laugh remembering the fritter incident so instead reached over and took one, taking a massive bite. ‘Don’t you think they’re tasty?’
‘I think they could seriously damage to your insides.’
‘Still not used to spicy things?’
‘I wouldn’t say that.’
‘Where’ve you been this evening?’
‘Trying to hit on your best friend,’ he said. Something twisted hard in Hatty’s gut. She tried to catch her breath and ended up choking on her fritter. He stood up and smacked her back very hard before handing her a glass of rum. She took a glug and choked some more. ‘She’s not interested.’
