by S M Mala
‘Which one are we talking about?’ she said, flashing Gina a dirty look before she noticed Murray try not to smile. ‘Barney’s fine. That dog couldn’t find a twig in a tree.’
‘Why the visit?’
‘Aunt Delores is in a bad mood and it’s not my fault this time,’ she said, sitting down on his sofa and stretching out her legs. ‘And she was saying horrible things about Logan men so I can only deduce you’ve upset my poor dear auntie.’
‘Keep your nose out of things that don’t concern you,’ he said, turning his chair to overlook the sea as Hatty stood up and walked to his desk.
‘Do you think she’s going through her menopause?’ Hatty asked, knowing full well she wasn’t. ‘That would explain the mood swings and violent outbursts.’
‘I’m very busy,’ he said, turning back to look at her. Hatty could tell he’d hardly slept the night before plus wasn’t in the mood for her chit chat. She moved her head up and down realising he wasn’t happy. ‘What do you want and why the nodding head?’
‘Just passing,’ she smiled and was met with a frown. ‘And I need to know how much money I owe you so I can start creating some record of what I have to pay back.’
‘I see,’ he said and she noticed a faint smile. ‘This includes off setting Jake’s rent?’
‘He’s a guest, he can stay for free,’ she said, trying not to grin when she mentioned his name. Hatty looked at her old Converse covered feet. ‘But I need to know how much I have to pay you. We have to make it all legal with documents and things. I want this done properly.’
‘Let me think about it,’ he said, typing something into his computer. ‘Shouldn’t you be in your work den creating things to sell?’
‘What’s Jake’s favourite meal?’ she asked and watched Murray suddenly smile. ‘I want to make him something nice to eat.’
‘If you want to be nice to him then don’t cook.’
‘That’s not very kind.’
‘Why Hatty?’
‘Because I want to,’ she shrugged and realised she was blushing. ‘He’s teaching me how to drive, sort of, and I have to do something to repay him back.’
‘Don’t cook for me if you think that’s a way of repaying me back,’ he laughed as Hatty snarled at him for a second. ‘Barbeque food, the boy’s carnivorous and loves his meat.’
‘Have you got a barbeque I can borrow?’ Hatty watched his smile turn into a frown. ‘And chip wood, coals, meat, sauce and transport to get it back to mine.’
‘As it’s for my son, I’ll sort something out.’
‘Put it on the bill!’ she said cheerfully, walking out before hearing him say.
‘Don’t I always.’
Happily, Harriet walked away and noticed the continuing dirty look she was receiving from Gina. Half of her wanted to go over and slap her very hard whereas the other half wanted to tell her she was with Jake. Then she stopped for a second and realised if Gina knew about Jake, she would do everything and anything to take him away.
She gulped hard, remembering what she’d seen them do on the beach and felt scared at him doing that with Gina or any other girl come to think of it. Hatty smiled sweetly and saw Gina’s shocked expression before she ran down the stairs and out onto the grass.
He tried to concentrate but his brain was all over the place. It was late afternoon and he was counting down the minutes until he could go home. All that was running through his head was Hatty. After covering up his numerous mistakes of the day, he sat twiddling his thumbs, waiting for the clock to get to five.
‘What’s up?’ asked Louisa, poking her head around the screen. ‘You’ve been distracted.’
‘Second week and I’m still trying to find my feet,’ he smiled and wondered if Hatty had said anything. ‘Have you heard from Hatty today?’
‘On a Monday!’ laughed Louisa. ‘She’ll make contact by Wednesday unless she’s in trouble then it’s any time. Philip tells me you moved into the house. What are you up to Jacob boy?’
There was a wide smile across the beauty’s face as he tried not to grin back.
‘I get the impression Delores doesn’t want me around. I thought I’d stay with Hatty and contribute to the rent,’ he smiled.
‘And teach her how to drive?’ smirked Louisa shaking her head. ‘You know she can drive perfectly well, it’s just she can’t keep her concentration on the road for too long.’
‘Oh I know that.’
‘And what are you getting out of this?’
‘A nice place to stay, time away from my father and his business, plus it’s closer to work.’
He sat up straight and checked his watch for the umpteenth time.
‘And closer to Hatty?’ mumbled Louisa frowning. ‘Don’t go playing with Hatty.’
‘What do you mean?’ he asked innocently, wanting to play with her as soon as he got back and preferably in bed.
‘I know she likes you and you know she likes you. If ya want fun, stick to the local gals not Hatty.’
‘I like Hatty and she knows it,’ he replied, feeling bubbles in his tummy. ‘I like Hatty very much.’
Philip’s truck was parked outside the house as Jake got out of the jeep. He smelt burning and looked around to see where it was coming from, hearing Philip’s laugh from the back of the house.
‘Ya want to get us all killed!’ the man said, choking back laughter.
‘It said on the internet that’s what you should do,’ Hatty said, as Jake walked around and saw the pair of them surrounded by grey smoke. ‘Jake!’
She smiled brightly at him while waving the smoke out of her face as Philip pulled her away from the barbeque.
‘Just let the coals get hot and then put the meat on,’ he said, smiling at Jake. ‘You know how to do a barbeque, don’t you?’
‘Yes,’ said Jake, unsure whether to kiss Hatty in front of Philip. ‘I need to get changed.’
He walked quickly into the house and up the stairs to his room, hearing the pair talk under his window.
‘When’s he coming over?’ she asked and it sounded like she was opening a bottle of beer.
‘In a few weeks.’
‘Why’s he coming back so soon?’
‘He’s going to San Francisco to exhibit some work and he wants to come here for a week. He’ll stay with me again.’
‘How is the Spanish git?’ she said crossly, as Jake moved closer to the window. ‘I need to have a few words with that man.’
‘You know what he’s like.’
‘Don’t go sticking up for him,’ Hatty said and Jake noticed she sounded slightly angry. ‘He has to respect people’s feelings and sometimes he makes excuses for his actions.’
‘He said he was sorry.’
‘Why are you accepting his apology? I think he’s totally off the mark and as much as I like him, you should be annoyed.’
‘So you don’t want to see him? Please, for me Hatty, make some peace.’
‘Do I have a choice?’
A cataclysmic shot of jealousy went through Jake as he stood there trying to control his breathing, wondering what was going on between Gabriel, Philip and Hatty. He had a quick shower, got changed and ran back down the stairs to see Philip walking to his truck out the front. He opened the door and strolled towards him.
‘You cook,’ he said quietly to Jake. ‘She’s been reading up all day on how to make a barbeque and I don’t think she’s got it sorted.’
‘I can do it. It’s fine,’ Jake said but couldn’t muster up a smile.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Sure,’ he said, gently tapping Philip’s arm. ‘I’m good. Thanks for stopping her burn down the house.’
‘Any time,’ waved Philip as he got into his truck.
Jake walked through the house to see Hatty reading a piece of paper while prodding the coals.
‘Where did you get the barbeque from?’ he asked, propping himself against the door frame.
‘Murray,’ she said, putting down the piece o
f paper and walking towards him. ‘Hello Jacob.’
‘Hello Harriet.’
He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips as a massive grin appeared on her face.
‘Your father said you liked barbeque food. I am learning the finer details of cooking so I might need your help. I’ve got chicken, steaks and prawns, all in a marinade. It’s just cooking it I’m not quite sure about.’
There was a sudden need to touch her as Jake grabbed her waist through her dungarees and kissed her, pushing her up against the outside wall, their tongues touching and her hands went up the back of his t-shirt. He felt her fingers explore his skin as he pulled down her dungaree straps and her vest to grope one of her breasts.
She dragged him to the wooden bench by the wall and he went on top of her as they touched and squeezed each other. Jake yanked off his t-shirt and pulled down her top half of clothing as their skin touched. He heard her groan as his mouth sucked on her large dark nipples. Jake wanted to feel between her legs as he felt her hand run through his hair before their lips met again. The kiss was longer and deeper, as he pressed his hard on firmly between her legs.
‘I need to cook,’ she said quietly, pushing him away and kissing his face. ‘I’ve been preparing all day.’
‘I’ve been thinking about this all day.’
‘Eat first and play later,’ Hatty laughed as he placed his hands on each of her breasts.
‘I just want you so much.’
‘When it’s right, you can have me every which way you want, I promise.’
Seventeen
Over two weeks later, Hatty was admiring the framework of her new work house as Murray paced around it and tried to shake the wood timber.
‘It’s very solid,’ Hatty sighed as she knew he was going to find fault. ‘Frederick’s lot are not going to do a bad job, are they? It’ll only take a few more days and it’ll be finished.’
‘Looks sturdy enough,’ mumbled Murray. She could see he wasn’t in a good mood. ‘The electrics will run under ground to make it safe. You have to make sure you turn off the electricity every night and-.’
‘I’ve not burnt this house down yet so what’s the big deal,’ she shrugged. ‘It’s perfect and you know what? That son of yours is smarter than he looks.’
‘How comes?’ he asked, still with a frown.
‘He told me to focus on frames and bowls so I have. Last week at the market, this woman asked for an order of six large bowls. Can you believe that? And the frames! Well, I’ve been asked to make three more and-.’
‘That’s why the pair of you not been round to the house then?’ Murray narrowed his eyes at her as she knew they were too wrapped up in their bubble to let anyone else in. ‘You’re expected for dinner on Saturday night, both of you.’
‘Why?’
‘Your aunt’s worried.’
‘About what?’
‘About you!’ he said, letting out a massive sigh. ‘And that son of mine has been too busy with work and going out. I don’t know where he gets the energy from.’
‘Beats me?’ she shrugged innocently. ‘The hours he comes in, well I’m surprised he can function.’ Hatty stared up to the sky for a moment recalling how he did a late shift in the office. He managed to get into her bed at two am and kiss her in a very private place. She smiled. ‘But he seems to be happy and I’ve not poisoned him with my cooking. Yet.’
‘I see,’ he said and she noticed Murray was giving her an unfamiliar look she couldn’t fathom out.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing,’ he said, walking off and putting his hand in the air. ‘Tomorrow night at seven, don’t forget. And can you get Jake to call me?’
‘Yes Mister Murray,’ she shouted back and grabbed her mobile phone, ringing Jake.
‘Hey there,’ he said brightly.
‘Murray’s got the arse about something and we’ve been summoned to dinner tomorrow night whether we like it or not,’ she said, smiling at the ground, looking at her new place of work. ‘The satellite dish is up so we can watch trash American television and the news tonight.’
‘I’ve got to work late. There’s some report about a tornado hitting the southern states again and I need to keep on top of it for the web then I might go for a few drinks.’
‘Good,’ she said, hiding her disappointment but knew she needed to give him space so he didn’t feel trapped. ‘Then I don’t have to cook.’
‘And talking about eating,’ he sighed. ‘This morning was amazing.’
‘You shouldn’t have woken me up,’ she laughed. ‘You sit at a desk all day and I have to do manual work so I need my rest.’
‘I love eating you.’
‘Someone might hear you.’ Hatty suddenly went hot. ‘And I love eating you.’
‘No one knows about us,’ he whispered. ‘A secret just as you want it to be.’
‘There’s no point letting people know.’
‘Not even Philip or Louisa?’
‘Just us for the time being.’
‘Hatty, where ya want dis?’ one of the work men called.
‘Better go,’ she said, quietly. ‘See you when I see you.’
‘You’ll know when I’m there.’
Hatty was flicking through the channels later in the evening when she heard the intercom for the front gates. She rushed to the monitor and was totally shocked when she saw Gabriel sitting in Philip’s car.
‘Hello,’ she said and instantly let him in. Hatty opened the front door and grimaced when she saw the flies surrounding the front porch light, getting fly spray and pointing it up. The car pulled up and only Gabriel got out. ‘Where’s Philip?’
‘You’re not helping the o-zone layer are you?’ laughed Gabriel, strolling slowly towards her, looking relaxed and tanned.
‘I don’t care. I still don’t know why flies and especially mosquito, are part of mother nature,’ she said, noticing Gabriel’s big smile.
‘Don’t I get a kiss and a hug?’ he said. Hatty threw her arms around him before stepping back and punching him in the chest. He recoiled for a second. ‘What was that for?’
‘And what were you doing asking Jake if I spoke about Simon?’ she snapped.
‘Ah,’ said Gabriel, walking straight past her and into the house. ‘I thought he should know why you’re frigid-.’
‘I’m not frigid!’ she barked back and followed him in. ‘Just because I didn’t want to have sex with him doesn’t make me frigid.’
‘This place is looking good,’ Gabriel said, impressed by the surroundings, seeing the television on the wall. ‘You know that form of media takes away creativity?’
‘I like watching cartoons and I don’t care what you think. Do you want a drink?’
‘Is it true you have a new lodger?’ he laughed and sat down on the sofa, turning off the television.
‘Yes,’ she replied and walked into the kitchen, recognising Gabriel’s tone which was going to come with a massive statement of some sort. ‘And you know who it is, so don’t read anything into it.’ She took out two beers, opened them, and promptly walked back handing him one, sitting opposite. ‘Where’s Philip?’
‘Pretending to work at his daddy’s timber yard,’ he laughed.
‘How long are you here for?’
‘One week then off to San Francisco for two and back to Andalucía to see my parents for Christmas.’ Gabriel sank back into the sofa and she knew he was staring. ‘And Jake? How’s it going with Jake?’
‘We’re getting along fine. Is this one of your therapy sessions? Will I have to pay?’ She scowled for a moment. ‘I should kick your arse from one end of the room to the other. Can’t you behave for one moment?’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Sometime Senor Sanchez, your behaviour with other people is a little disturbing. Don’t you care if people are getting hurt and-.’
‘Hatty,’ Gabriel said, clearing his throat. ‘I am a grown up. I am responsible for my actions and I�
��m not hurting anyone, unless you know different. For someone who wants to be so modern, you’re a little backwards.’
‘Are you calling me thick!’ she shouted out as he laughed. ‘Are you?’
‘I’m saying, I’m free to sleep with whoever I want. A little bit like your housemate.’
‘Don’t bring him in to this.’
Hatty felt rattled at the comment and knew Gabriel was on the attack in his caring way.
‘And how long have you been under the same roof?’
‘Nearly three weeks.’
‘And you’re still a virgin?’ he laughed out shaking his head. ‘He must be going mad because any fool can see he wants you.’
‘I don’t want to discuss Jake,’ she said, leaning forward knowing Gabriel would put his spin on it.
‘Jake’s going to fuck you then leave. I see it all the time with these young guys. He’ll make you fall in love with him and then he’ll go back to the big city of New York. You’ll be a distant memory with an irreversible broken heart. It will hurt you so badly and I worry about this.’
‘I know what I’m getting into,’ she said, expecting as much as Gabriel shrugged.
‘And this hasn’t got anything to do with the fact you know his father and your mother were in love?’ Gabriel stared at her for a moment as Hatty took a deep breath. ‘Are you trying to repeat history and make it better?’
‘That’s not true and you know it. Stop doing your psychotic stuff on me,’ she scowled as he smiled. ‘I really like someone for this first time since Simon. The fact he’s Murray’s son isn’t great but I don’t care.’
‘Jake will care, you do know that? If what you say is true about his aunt not liking you, where do you think this is going to go?’
‘I don’t want to discuss it,’ she said, immediately standing up and feeling riled. ‘You and he are the first new friends I’ve made in years. I don’t want anything to stop that.’
‘I’m going to have a problem being your friend when you know I don’t approve of your relationship with Jake.’ Gabriel started to look annoyed. ‘Because it’s too complicated and Hatty you’re-.’
