Silly Games Chapter 13

Chapter 13

There wasn’t time for Adam to explain himself, or even to open his mouth.

                “Bastard!” Laura snarled at him, her face distorted with anger, then she turned on her heel and marched up the beach as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn’t look back as she entered the cafe, dumping her board and eventually wet suit in their closet room. In the security of the apartment she stood under a red hot shower, and it was only then, as the sharp needles of water pounded her face that she even began to contemplate what had happened at the beach.

He was the last person she expected to see here again. She hadn’t turned down going to London to piss anyone off, but she knew her father wanted her there. But that had nothing to do with Adam, so why was he there?

She shook her head, trying to banish any thoughts of him, but deep inside she knew that the only way to find out why he’d come was to talk to him. And that was the one thing she didn’t want to do.

Dressing in shorts and a t-shirt and her favourite flip flops, she headed back to the cafe for some breakfast. Alana was making pancakes, and they were always good. As she stepped into the bustling cafe she instantly sensed that Adam was there, but he had wrong footed her for the second time in an hour, because he was sat at a window table, dressed in a sweatshirt and combats, his hair stood at all angles due to the salt from his recent swim, and for the same reason his eyes were a little red. It wasn’t the fact that he was sat there in the cafe; it was that Ben had pulled up a seat opposite him and the two of them were engrossed in a conversation.

Scowling, something that had become a permanent feature on her face since he’d stepped into her life; she stalked over to Alana, ignoring the two men.

                “Pancakes and maple syrup?” She asked handing had a mug of coffee.

When Laura only nodded, Alana gave a questioning look, and when that was stone walled, she turned to get the pancakes.

                “Here’s yours. Could you hand this breakfast to the guy on table twelve? Ben took him coffee and has got caught up gassing!”

Laura took a deep breath and ignored the second plate, instead grabbing her pancakes she muttered, “No!” Then turned away from her friend, seeking out another free table at the other side of the busy cafe.

If Alana was upset or angry she hid it well.

Laura deliberately didn’t look up; she didn’t want to see the confusion in her friends’ faces, or the smug contriteness in Adam’s. This was the final straw, he had invaded her family, her home, but her friends, her work...well that was a step too far. After wolfing down the pancakes she was about to stand up and head over to launch at him, but the cafe was busy, Ben was still working the floor. No one needed to hear her rant.

                “Good waves?” Ben stood at the next to her table and smiled at her. She desperately wanted to do more than scowl, but her unhappiness was all encompassing.

                “Not bad, hit about a dozen sweetly!”

                “I’m jealous!” Then his face fell, “I’ll be back into the swing soon, I promise.”

Laura smiled, “sorry, I don’t mean to sound so hard done by! It’s fine honestly, I’m just glad you’re ok. For a minute when that phone rang...” she shuddered at the thought of something worse happening to him and Alana.

Ben chuckled, “you can’t get rid of me that easily!” Then he bent down to kiss the top of her head, an affectionate gesture.

It calmed Laura somewhat, until she looked up and was speared by the two dark eyes and their heavy gaze.

He looked angry, for the first time that smugness had gone, but rather than gloating, she got up and left the building, the need for fresh air, distance was upmost.

The veranda outside the cafe was backing in the sun, the roar of the sea was loud, the hacking squawking of the seagulls made the whole environment almost deafening. Laura knew that her internal stress was responsible for making her head so sensitive.

                “You can hate me all you like.”

Her body stiffened as she heard the voice behind her. She wanted to turn around and snap at him, but she also knew that was what he wanted. So she took a few deep breaths and remained as she was, leaning against the railings and staring out to sea.

                “Are you going to ignore me? Is that stage two of your childish plans?”

Keep breathing. It was an internal mantra as she felt every hair on her body stand on end in indignation. Then a hand touched her shoulder, and the tight bowstring tension within her body threatened to explode.

Spinning around she glared at him, “have you come all this way to insult me? Is that it?”

Then it was back, that lazy, infuriating grin. She was so tempted to smack his face that she had to grip her hand into a fist.

Adam’s hand rested on the railing beside her so that there was very little space between them, and it overwhelmed Laura, she could barely think straight.

                “I’ve come here because your behaviour is repeatedly causing me grief. I am trying to make plans with my father, spend time with him, and all I have is him pulling back, the stress and pain caused by his spoiled daughter is making him ill. He’s trying to be everything...and ending up pleasing no one.”

She felt her lips curl up into a snarl, “I know my father, he’s never ill, and he never lets anyone or anything get in the way of HIS life. AS you say, you’ve only known him five minutes!”

Adam leaned in until their noses almost touched, “all he asked was that you came home, tried again, made an effort. But you couldn’t do that for him could you? Your childish hate of me is more important that your love of him!”

That was the final straw, with a hand firmly at the centre of his chest; she shoved him away, hard. “Get out of my face! You know nothing about anything! For your information I have been home more in the last few weeks than I have in a year, I have a life and contrary to what people seem to think it’s important! Now get out of my way!”

With that she stormed off to her car.

Adam watched her stomp across the sandy car park to a ridiculous luminous green camper van that looked older than him. As she drove off he could swear she poked out her tongue, and it made him laugh. She was so fiery, and it was a breath of fresh air.

He was still coming to terms with his new family. He’d expected animosity, anger, distrust, but as soon as he set eyes on Stafford Marshall, they’d become instant friends, they had so much in common, they was no doubt over paternity, not that Stafford had asked for any. The moment he’d mentioned his mother’s name, he’d looked rather wistful for a moment, and not questioned him since.

Even Maggie, who really had every reason to despise him didn’t, she was genially, graceful and beautiful. It was no wonder Stafford was devoted to her. From the little his mother had divulged about his father he’d expected to find a man who still played the field in his late sixties, the inability to settle down into their thirties was yet another thing they had in common, so he’d been surprised to find out that his father was a dedicated and devoted husband, though Maggie brought out that protective influence in everyone, she had a vulnerability that made you want to look after her, yet an inner strength that was commendable. She was a real paradox.

Then there was Laura. Adam watched the dust clouds her van had created settle in the calm that she left behind. She was such an unknown quantity. He didn’t understand her animosity really, though he knew it must be difficult to have him arrive out of the blue. But in all honesty, Stafford worshipped her too; his description of the torn man trying to do the right thing earlier was no lie. He could tell that the older man wanted the two to get along, but Laura’s distance both upset, and scared him.

He sighed, he’d travelled to this town to make her come home, he’d promised Stafford he’d make her see sense. And as she wouldn’t come to London to see him, he’d come to this godforsaken Welsh village to see her...though he couldn’t be too derogatory, the surf that morning had been the best he’d seen in a while.

Glancing toward the cafe he spotted Ben trying to clear the tables one handed and smiled to himself, there was more than one way to skin a cat, and if she was deliberately ignoring him, he’d have to put himself in a position where she couldn’t avoid him. With a grin he made for Ben.

                “So it’s the Pilot again tonight?” Michaela was lounging across the blanket from Laura painting her toenails, they were enjoying a few rays, and escaping, for Michaela it was from work, for Laura it was the cafe, her home and the bloody irritating man who might still be there.

Laura was flat on her back, her sun hat tipped over her eyes, “Well, Dan is there. Not sure I’m going to go, I mean he needs to make a bit more effort, doesn’t he?”

Michaela paused for a moment, “he’s a man, they don’t know what they want until we tell them!”

Chuckling Laura threw her hat at her friend, “you are always crazy, but on this occasion you might have a point. Shit or bust tonight!”

Michaela waggled her eyebrows, “really? I know what that means for you. Full on Laura Marshall is pretty impressive!”

Laura grinned, “She rarely comes out to play, but she might tonight!”

Rubbing her hands together in glee, Michaela laughed, “I can’t wait until later now! Fancy some food first?”

Laura looked wistfully at the sea, “would you be offended if I try and catch a few waved, the tide is due to turn in an hour or so, I fancy expelling a little energy first.”

Laura was glad to find no sign of Adam back at the cafe. She had so many questions that weren’t answered, who was he? What did he want? Why was he here spying on her a few weeks earlier? Answers would only come from spending time with him, and she had no intention of that happening. So she was left to speculate as she grabbed her board. She was only going to body board, swim a bit so she didn’t slither into her wetsuit. Stripping off on the sand to her cotton shorts and sports bra top she jogged into the surf ignoring just how cold the water was.

Her body itched from the salt as she walked up the sand back towards the cafe, her home, but she was exhilarated, relaxed and for once her problems seemed to be miles away. Stretching her free arm over her head, she grimaced at the tightness in her triceps, she’d feel it if she was dancing later.

Dan. She hadn’t really had the chance to think about him with all the chaos in her personal life. He’d been so evasive on their last two encounters, and she honestly wondered whether she could even be bothered to look for him again. She wasn’t the type to throw herself ridiculously at someone who couldn’t be bothered.  But suddenly he was a distraction; another interlude with him would drag her head away from the bother of her family.

Skipping up the steps to the cafe veranda, she de-sanded her feet using the tap there, then stamped them dry as she entered the cafe.

Only to freeze. Sat at a table giggling like old friends were Ben, Alana and of course bloody Adam.

Ben looked up and grinned, “there you are Laura! I’ve got great news! I’ve found you some help for the surf lessons, this is Adam! He’s offered to help us out...isn’t that great?”

Silly Games - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The only problem with doing the job of three and running your own dog-walking business was that you needed time to eat and sleep, and at the moment that was the one thing Laura was struggling with. Not that she’d tell Ben and Alana. They were both looking much better after a couple of days relaxing, and whilst Alana would be able to help out soon, there was no way that Ben was either surfing or working in the cafe for a while.

Between her scheduled walks Monday lunchtime, she headed back to the cafe to see Alana helping out the casual workers for the lunch rush.

                “Hey Laura, you ok?”

Laura smiled, “you’re looking so much better! I’m just nipping in to arrange the lessons for the week. It’s really busy tomorrow yet quiet Wednesday.”

                “I can help out tomorrow.”

Shaking her head Laura refused, “you are not doing anything physical until your hospital appointment, you had concussion. It might not have been as visible as a broken hand or dislocated shoulder, but it’s possibly worse! So no way Jose! Not until the doctor says you’re fit!”

                “How are you going to manage once the season kicks into full swing? We can’t turn lessons down, but then you’ve got the dogs.”

Laura walked behind the counter and filled a mug with fresh filter coffee, “I’ve just got to juggle things, it’ll be fine, you’ll see!”

Later that evening Alana had retired to bed, the first day back in the cafe had exhausted her, so Laura was cashing up. They’d had a good day and there was more than a decent amount in the till. Smiling to herself she was almost finished when there was a tinkling sound that indicated that someone had come into the cafe.

                “Sorry we’re closed!” She shouted her eyes not leaving the page of calculations. When there was no response, she looked up to see her father leaning against the door frame. Laura felt her jaw drop open, she couldn’t remember the last time her father had even left London for anything other than business, yet here he was in her home town, no scratch that - in her home!

There were so many times she’d invited him there, so many things she wanted her parents to see, and it took her rapid disappearance from his home on the weekend to force this to happen. She couldn’t help the way her mind made a connection to Adam again, but since he’d arrived people were behaving way out of character, and that was what angered and scared her in equal volumes.

                “Dad...what are you doing here?”

She put down her pen and closed the till, then walked towards him to give him a hug. Stafford Marshall held her tightly in his arms, and Laura could feel his nose dig into her hair. When they finally stepped apart, he smiled, “can’t I visit my little girl?”

She laughed, “of course you can, you just never do!” Laura moved to lock the door to the cafe, then turned back, “coffee?”

He nodded, “great, can I take you out to dinner then?”

Laura had been dreaming about her bed for most of the day, exhaustion felt only a few feet away, but she couldn’t’ deny her father after this grand a gesture, “of course. Have you booked anywhere?”

He laughed and named an amazing restaurant, Laura grinned, “have you got a restaurant finder PA? Or is there an app for that?”

It was his turn to smile as he accepted a mug of coffee from her.  He stayed in the cafe as she rushed upstairs to change quickly. She didn’t have much time and would have appreciated a shower and time to wash her hair. Instead she changed from her beachwear into her trusted little black dress, and the diamond heels that her mother had gifted her the previous weekend.

When she got back to the cafe, her father was on the phone, and it wasn’t a happy conversation. He was grimacing when he hung up, but denying anything was wrong, he led her out to his car.

The restaurant he’d booked was amazing, it was an hour away, and most nights a free table was unheard of. But tonight they arrived and were shown to a prime location, her father did have clout. The menu was fantastic, and she took a while to choose her food. Scallops, her favourite and venison, no dessert, she was too tired to fill herself to bursting.

Once the waiter had brought water and wine and filled their glasses, her father leaned towards her. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here?”

Laura knew exactly why, she hadn’t gone along with his plans ever in her life, but she knew her behaviour over the arrival of Adam annoyed him. “I can guess.” She offered without admitting anything.

He steepled his fingers and studied her for a moment, “I think maybe I need to apologise.” She managed to hide her surprise as she looked at him; she couldn’t ever remember him saying sorry in her whole life. “Adam’s arrival has been a shock to me, but I’ve instantly connected with him, we have slipped into a close friendship almost immediately. But I shouldn’t expect you to be as comfortable so quickly.”

The fact that she could never imagine being close to him was not something her father was ready to hear. “I’m maybe a bit more sceptical than you?”

He laughed, “you really do think he’s the devil incarnate, hey?”

She contemplated that for a moment, “not necessarily. I just think that you have a link to him, I don’t. Realistically will I even see him again?” Laura hoped that her father would smile and agree, but when his face dropped in shock she felt a little sick.

                “Laura, he’s my son, yes it’s early days, and yes he lives across the Atlantic, but I wholly expect him to be a part of my life...of our family.”

She nodded, hating that she could feel tears peppering her eyes, “well I can’t promise that I’m going to slot into the Happy Family Dad, you can’t make me like him, and at this moment in time I’m suspicious of him and his motives.”

Her father paused as food was laid in front of them, then leaned forward again, “I can’t make anyone like anyone else, all I can ask is that you accept him. For my sake.”

It wasn’t a demand, it was a request, but she still felt threatened by that. He had no idea how she felt, that everything he said in defence of his son sounded like a snub to her. She’d had enough time to really think this through, and she disliked the man, she knew that, but he also threatened something she’d always taken for granted, her family, her home. She was defending and protecting herself, that was the explanation for her possibly obtuse behaviour. And it saddened her that her father wasn’t aware of that.

He drove her home, so much still unsettled between them, as he stopped near the cafe he turned to her, “Will you come home next weekend? Adam has gone back to the States to settle some business, but he’s coming back on Friday, I don’t know how long for. I want you to get along.”

Laura wanted to say no, in all reality it was looking doubtful with Ben out of action, but the following weeks were even busier, if she didn’t go and try to make good this weekend, then she wouldn’t this summer.

                “I’m really busy Dad; I’ve been up to you so many times these last few weeks. It’s such a hectic time in work, and my colleague is injured so I’m doubling my shifts...”

Whilst he didn’t look down his nose at that, she could almost sense the indignation that a mere cafe came above family commitment, but she was prepared for that. “Dad, I know you hate what I do, and I’m sure if you could change my lifestyle you would, but you can’t! This is my life, and there is no way that you can dictate to me. I’m twenty eight!”

He shook his head, “all I want is the best for you Laura, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

She laughed, “all you want is someone to follow in your footsteps, to appreciate the empire you’ve created. That person has never been me!”

Stafford’s eyes widened as he looked at her with incredulity, “and you think that Adam is? Is that what all this is about?”

She shrugged, “I know you’ve got a son who shares your interests...”

With that she climbed out of the car and headed inside. Laura knew it was a long moment before he drove off, she was half expecting him to come after her, but he started the engine and left, and all she could hope was that she’d given him food for thought.

There was no way that she was going to London, but rather than coming clean early in the week, she didn’t tell her father until Thursday that she wasn’t coming home. And she did it via email. Coward! But there was no reply begging her to, or disowning her. She’d forgotten that she had as close to a date as she had ever been with Daniel Martin.

She was awake at four am on Friday morning, but then the excitement of being at one with the ocean always dragged her from her pit. This morning Ben and Alana were being the double act in the cafe, hoping that between them they could manage to run things, for Laura it was her first surf other than lessons in over a week, and her body ached for it.

She’d spent a long time waxing her board the previous evening; she’d even washed her wetsuit as she’d not really used it for any of her lessons. And as she jogged down the beach, the long board under her arm, Laura felt that sense of freedom engulf her again. Hitting the sea, she dived under the first decent wave she encountered then started to swim, once she’d gotten deep enough to pass the breakers, she climbed onto her board and paddled out further.

There was one other surfer out in the sea, and he or she was a long way off. So she relaxed and waited patiently for the right wave. The third one that she attacked was perfect and she managed to leap into standing and travel on the crest for a few metres before it collapsed into a damp squib. Unperturbed, she turned around and began the paddle back out.

Surfing required a combination of extreme patience as well as the strength and balance necessary to actually ride the board, and Laura was extremely tested that moment, for every dozen uneventful, disappointing waves there was one brilliant set, and it was her task to pick the perfect one. Normally the cold sent her out of the water once she reached freezing point, but today even the weather was mild.

One more wave, she told herself, the tide would turn soon, any potential rides would end, but she was so reluctant to leave the water. There were now more than fifty surfers all waiting for that perfect moment, that critical time when they could really be at one with nature.

Now! She thought as she slumped onto her front and paddled frantically. As she felt the wave swell beneath her, she prepared to leap to her feet, body as taught as a bowstring, and there it was...that exact sign. Launching herself to her feet in a split second, she immediately adopted a wide stance on the board and ducked into the wave as it carried her. Ahead of her she spotted one other surfer who’d taken the same wave as her, and they were almost parallel as they coursed towards the sand.

When the wave had lost its intent, she leaned forward and tumbled into the surf with a giggle. The perfect way to end a session, but as she surfaced, her board tugging at her ankle, she spotted the surfer next to her still carving expertly into the dying wave. He was amazing.  

Dragging herself on to the sand, Laura squatted to detach the velcro strap that secured her to her board, and it was then that she saw the feet of the other surfer come in her direction over the sand. As she looked up at the taught, toned body covered in a well fitting wetsuit, her eyes lifted and her heart almost stopped as she met the two shadowed brown eyes of Adam.

Silly Games - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Laura sat overlooking the beach from a craggy outcrop that was probably her favourite place in the area. The breeze was always fresh, no matter how hot it was, and she could see for miles, both either side along the coast, but also out to sea. She hung her head and inhaled the fresh sea air wanting the last few weeks never to have happened.

Since the name Adam Purcell was mentioned, her life had been flipped over and she was losing control every day. Each time she struck out, she seemed to be thwarted by the bastard. She laughed, at the irony. She’d loved seeing the look on his face as she’d left the dinner on Saturday night. He loved winding her up, she could see that, and by disappearing from the group, she had spoiled his fun. Jonathan had been uncaring; he was there to brown nose her father, that was the important thing to him.

Nathan, Paul and Mike had been fun, they were in London from the Midlands for Nathan’s stag, he was getting married in a few weeks. They’d had dinner at the Savoy as a treat, none of their idiot mates wanted to spend the time or money on something luxurious, so they were all at a pub, and they had arranged a rendezvous at the club.

Once they had hit Cable Corner, they were swamped by a dozen or so men, Laura had never been threatened or intimidated by groups of raucous men, and that night had been no exception. But a woman at a stag party wasn’t the done thing, and in the ridiculous ankle breaking heels, and her dress she was also drastically overdressed for the fairly casual club.

She’d ordered a glass of wine at the bar and observed the evening for a little while, but she was an obvious target and there were far too many men hitting on her. So she’d left before midnight.

It had been a really warm summer so far, so when she stepped out of the hot dark club she was amazed to see the streets glistening from rain. Dashing to the shelter of a bus stop she was trying to find her phone to call a cab as the weather seemed to have meant that the usual plethora of taxis that often flooded the streets had all but disappeared. Fortunately it wasn’t cold, but it was unpleasant to be soaked in such inappropriate clothing.

Laura had called a couple of numbers, but she wasn’t familiar with things like phone numbers in London, and she had no luck in finding a taxi. She felt like crying, this day was going from bad to worse to disastrous. Then she saw a taxi on the horizon, as she raised a hand to call it, she realised the light was off, meaning that the cab was taken. Slumping back against the bus stop she had felt a tear escape her eye, as she swiped it away the taxi slowed, and the back window lowered.

As she had looked up Laura saw a face leaning across the back seat and looking out at her.

                “Get in. I’ll drop you home!”

She gasped as she recognised Adam, instead of his usually cocky confidence, he seemed angry.

                “I’d rather get soaked than go anywhere willingly with you!” She shouted back.

He rolled his eyes, “don’t be ridiculous!”

Placing a hand on her hip she had turned to face him, stepping out of the cover of the bus shelter, “let me remind you that you are a stranger, and since the age of two I’ve been encouraged not to take sweets, talk to and definitely get into a taxi with strange men! So excuse me if I wait for a free cab!”

He laughed, but the humour hadn’t stretched to his eyes, “I’m not a stranger!”

It had been her turn to laugh, “that is EXACTLY what you are! I don’t know who you are or what you want with my family! But I will find out, if it kills me!”

With that she spotted a taxi coming in the opposite direction, so Laura broke into a run, which was more like a trot, and almost threw herself in front of the oncoming vehicle. As she climbed inside and the car started to move, her window passed that of Adam and she was rewarded by his scowl as he glared at her.

She’d won the evening two nil, that was a given, but she’d ruined her mother’s special shoes along the way!

The next morning she’d been up and ready to head back by train before her mother had found her. She’d informed Laura that her father was less than happy at her disappearing as she had. Laura had made out that she’d had a great time and loved her night in London, hoping that it would counteract some of their anger.

She’d been back for a couple of days, and still didn’t know what she could do next, her father had sent her a few frosty emails, but each one was loaded with references to his son, her mother never contacted her, so that didn’t change. But she had an unease about her, insecurity, and a fear that something in her life was about to change beyond recognition.

Looking down at the beach she could see Ben teaching a gang of kids how to body board, they were too young to use full surf boards, but they could body surf on the small boards brilliantly if the waves were right. He was great with kids, and they loved him, even from this distance she could see them all joking and laughing.

Standing back to her feet, she climbed down from the rocks, then strolled back along the sand, watching the various people that were on the sand too. School was out in a few weeks, but before then it was common that after lessons groups of kids and families would descend on the beach to burn off some energy and cool off. Today was no exception.

As she crossed the beach heading for the cafe she recognised many people and waved or stopped to chat, by the time she reached Earlybird Cafe she was desperate for an ice cream...Alana obliged in serving her one.

                “I’m going to cook us all dinner!” Laura announced, lashing her tongue around the ice cream with a moan of pleasure, “unless you’re out?”

Alana laughed from her place behind the cafe counter, “us? We went out three weeks ago! Why would Ben spoil me twice in a month?”

Laura grinned knowing that despite laughing there was a lot of truth in Alana’s words. “I got a great chicken recipe from Mrs Boswell. I’m desperate to try it out!”

Mrs Boswell was the owner of one of her afternoon small dogs, since she’d broken her ankle the octogenarian couldn’t walk her beloved Peppermint, so Laura had stepped in to help out. Mrs Boswell was a retired chef from a catering company, and Laura was always hounding her for tips.

                “Something smells good!” Ben strode barefoot and bare-chested in to the kitchen. “What’s the occasion?”

Laura turned and smiled, “I’ve been a bit grouchy of late, maybe I’m just being nice?”

He scoffed, “a woman acting without an ulterior motive? I don’t believe it! Have I got time for a shower? Those kids have been throwing sand at me all evening! You do NOT want to know where it’s got to!”

Laura covered her ears, “don’t want to know! Dinner will be fifteen minutes!”

He raised his thumbs and grinned before disappearing.

The rooms above the cafe and shop were not the grandest, but the large lounge had huge windows that looked out over the sea, and it was the perfect place for the small square dining table. Laura had laid it and was just opening some wine when Alana emerged from downstairs.

                “Cafe finally closed! And something smells wonderful!”

Laura handed her a glass of wine, “well if you like you should really thank Mrs Boswell! I’m just following instructions!”

Alana took the glass and slid into one of the chairs, just as Ben emerged now in a t-shirt and shorts.

                “So why have you been so down?” Alana asked as she tucked into the chicken and rice.  “Is this a not seeing Dan thing?”

Ben laughed, “not likely. You’ve been home, so I presume that this is a brother thing!”

Alana’s eyes snapped from Laura to Ben in confusion and Laura laughed, “Ben didn’t tell you about this?”

Shaking her head Alana grinned, “he’s a man, they don’t appreciate the beauty that is gossip. You have a brother?”

Laura shook her head, “my father has a son, it’s a big difference, you know I’m adopted?” When Alana nodded, Laura continued, “so he really is nothing to do with me, but anyway, this man has arrived and is up to something, I swear. My mother is battering her eyelashes at him; my father thinks the sun shines out of his arse...”

                “And you resent him and are probably feeling more than a bit vulnerable.”

Laura nodded, typical a woman understood immediately. “Everyone thinks he’s awesome, I just see him as a conman and a bully. But I’m alone in that.”

Alana chewed contemplatively as she watched Laura, “just be careful that you’re not just being jealous and petty I suppose. I mean has he done anything else to make you suspicious?” 

Laura relayed her feelings and thoughts about him but was completely aware that she sounded petty and childish, just as Alana had feared, “am I being stupid?”

Shaking her head vehemently, Alana was quick to defend her, “no hoaloha, you are not at all. I think this is very scary and you are right to be reluctant to accept this man. It sounds as though other than your father having a brief affair with his mother you know nothing about him. I think you are very right to hold back with your emotions.” They all knew that Laura rarely let people into her life anyway, she didn’t have that many friends, few people got close to her.

                “Hardly likely! He may be my father’s son, but we only have a social link, there’s no blood, no emotion and no love involved. Soon he’ll go back to the US, my father will call him regularly, but he won’t be at our Christmas dinner, or in my phone book. That is as far as it goes.” She nibbled at her chicken, then changed the subject, “how are things looking for the festival weekend?”

Ben was suddenly back in the room now that family and emotion were a closed topic. But helping plan the up and coming festival was a subject he just loved talking about. They had almost secured the music line up, then there was a kid’s body boarding tournament, a life guard display, and of course an amateur surf competition. Ben and a few of the other organisers were taking the success of the weekend very seriously.

It was a busy week and Laura was glad of that to take her mind of things. By Friday evening she was exhausted, so she turned in early, contrary to her earlier comments, Ben had taken Alana to see a band in a town about an hour away, they were potentials for the festival so Ben was more than enthusiastic.  She wasn’t expecting them back until late, there was little on the TV, but there was good surf predicted for high tide in the early hours. So she headed to bed.

At exactly two am her eyes snapped open, something had woken her and she had no idea what. Then she heard it again, a sharp trill, the call of a rare Brazilian parrot apparently, the ring tone that Ben had bought for her phone for her birthday, annoying and funny in equal doses.

Jumping up she glanced around for her jeans and found the phone tucked into her pocket.

                “Hello?”  No one called at two am, unless it was an emergency or an ex drunk calling. As she’d had no recent exes, she knew this wasn’t likely to be good news.

                “Oh Laura! Thank God you answered!” It was Alana, and her voice did little to settle the anxiety in Laura that the call had created. Until that moment Laura hadn’t considered the fact that they might not be tucked up in their bed.

                “Alana? Where are you? Are you ok?”

The other woman took a deep breath and Laura could tell she was struggling to talk, “I’m ok, it was awful...a drunk driver...”

Laura’s nerves were instantly on edge, “is Ben ok too?”

Alana sighed, “he’s injured, but not too bad, they’re going to let us home soon...Can you pick us up?”

The relief at knowing her friends were battered and bruised but generally alive and well was immense. Alana managed to tell her that they’d been hit off the road by a drunk driver coming home from the show, she’d sustained a cut to her eye, and some bruises, but Ben had broken two fingers and dislocated his shoulder. They’d both been patched up, and they were observing Ben for another half an hour, but they’d be able to go home after that.

Within moments Laura was out of bed, dressed and on her way to the hospital. Ben had a huge black eye, and it looked really painful, his hand was strapped and his shoulder in a sling, Alana looked a little better, though she had stitches at her temple.

As they got in the car Ben turned to Laura, “other than the festival it’s the busiest weekend of the year...we can’t...”

She held up her hand to silence him, “Ben, you are not setting foot outside the apartment today. I will do all the lessons, there’s only two that overlap, but I can alter one. And Michaela will run the cafe, I’ll call her in the morning, you know she likes to help. That will be sorted, so don’t even think of disagreeing, ok?”

As he made to just that Alana reached out and laid a hand on his good shoulder, “Ben, you can’t do anything about that. OK?” She met Laura’s eyes in the rear view mirror and smiled, “thanks so much, you truly are a life saver.”

Laura’s plans to surf before breakfast were now on the backburner, but she did open the cafe at 5.30 so that as usual those gathered to attack the sea could both dump their valuables, and then warm up with hot chocolate, soup or toast.

It was painful not to be out there herself joining in, but then she thought of how lucky it was that Ben and Alana weren’t more injured. This was a small sacrifice to make. And it was busy, fifty or more people of all age and sizes flocked to the building, and as the surf continued to be perfect for them, a lot longer than was normal, the patrons repeatedly returned to the sea for another ‘go’, most were poor surfers, rarely doing more than body boarding on a crest, but some were experienced and rode fair distances on their feet.

As always, when there was a morning like this, there was a lot of interest in lessons, and whilst she didn’t want to turn trade away, until both Alana and Ben were back in action, she would struggle to meet an increase in commitments. So she had to be sensible, and think about turning down trade to be able to meet all her obligations.

When it got to an acceptable time, Laura called Michaela and begged for her help, and she was more than happy to help, she was saving for a big holiday so the money would be helpful, and it was work she enjoyed.

By nine am, when Ben emerged looking as though he was in dreadful pain, everything was under control. Michaela was filling the glass counter with cakes, the coffee was made, and Laura was sorting through the diary and organising the lessons.

                “I feel useless!” Ben bemoaned as he watched them all do his work.

Laura smiled, “when you’re feeling a little less battered then you can man the place between rush hours, organise the diary, take calls, it won’t be that bad, you’ll see!”

Ben knew she was right, large parts of the day he’d manage one handed, the face that he couldn’t surf was more than annoying, he couldn’t really process those implications. And the other thing she was right about was that he did feel like he’d just done five rounds with Mike Tyson, there wasn’t an inch of him that didn’t hurt and it was making thinking too difficult.

                “Ben?” Laura rushed over, “you’ve turned green! I think you need to sit down, Michaela, could you grab him a glass of water?”  With that she physically helped him to a seat, then got to the counter as Michaela produced the cold drink. Laura gave her an appreciative smile, then turned back to her friend and employer. “I think you need to be in bed still.”

                “I agree!” Alana, looking equally as off colour called across the cafe.

Ben groaned as he was bundled away, gibbering about the stag party booked for a surf lesson later.

                “It’s all in hand,” Laura assured him, “I can handle it.”

And she could, with her eyes closed!

Silly Games Chapter 10

Chapter 10

 

Laura slept in, not because she was shattered, but more that she didn’t want to face her folks. She’d stormed to bed after snarling at Adam, and hadn’t opened the door since. She couldn’t contemplate all that had happened, and to be truthful she kept imagining that she’d wake up and find out it was all a dream, thought she knew that is wasn’t. Saying that she wasn’t particularly proud of her behaviour, and as she lay in bed trying to sleep she was aware that she probably appeared like the spoilt child her father had accused her of being. The last thing she wanted was to find herself ostracised from the people she wanted to protect by her own behaviour. No she had to find a new plan.

At ten am she had to leave her bedroom there really was no other option, teleport didn’t exist, and she couldn’t magic herself back to West Wales, so she had to face the music. Nothing else to do.

Maggie Marshall was pinned up against the work surface, Stafford wedged between her thighs, their lips and tongues entwined. Fortunately both were dressed and this was little more than a very romantic kiss, but Laura still felt both in the way, and a little sick when she witnessed it from the kitchen doorway. Hearing her, both parents looked up and smiled, but neither attempted to untangle themselves from the other.

                “Guys! I’m your daughter! Time and place!” She mumbled as she made for the fridge and some orange juice. When she turned around her mother was watching her, a spaced out look on her face, her father was guzzling coffee.

                “Laura, you are an adult! Get over it! See you later?” There was question in his voice and she merely shrugged. She had intended to stay another night.

As he left, her mother smiled at her, “sorry darling, I know that’s not nice to see!”

Laura lowered her glass and sighed, “Well I love the fact that your relationship is still strong, but I’d rather hear about that than see it!”

Maggie chuckled, “so you’re staying tonight? I’m so glad. We are doing dinner, the Savoy. Your father wants to introduce Adam to some friends.”

Laura couldn’t disguise the groan that the news elicited. More pomp and pretence and more of that awful man that was supposedly her father’s son. She shuddered for a moment, and when she looked up her mother was watching her intently, “he’s a nice man Laura, you really need to start accepting that!”

Laura groaned, “he’s nothing to me Mum, I’ll be civil for Dad’s sake, but that’s as far as it goes. Now I need to get something to wear tonight, I didn’t bring anything worthy of the Savoy.” She hid the grimace at the thought of yet another expensive purchase, she was usually so thrifty but this last month had eaten into all her reserve. 

                “I’ll come with you, take you to this little boutique I frequent. You’ll love it!”

Later that afternoon her father called to say they’d been delayed at golf, nineteenth hole more like it, Laura knew her Dad too well. So it was left to the two women to make their way alone.

She’d bought a beautiful dress, another purchase that would have little use back in Wales, but it was glamorous in an understated way. It was hard to find a dress style that flattered her wide hips and small breasts, but this red strappy dress was perfect. Fortunately her mother had a pair of shoes that matched exactly, and the combination made her legs look interminably long. They were by far her best asset, and when she wore the tight clothes she always felt confident, and that was important for another evening in the presence of the imposter.

Her father had sent a limousine to pick them up, and the two women floated into the reception of yet another beautiful hotel. As usual the staff were impeccably dressed and beyond courteous, for a moment Laura found a moment of introspection, it was almost ironic that she was so relaxed and at home in this environment when she chose to live her life in such a diversely opposite way. She didn’t miss this - the extravagance, because with it came a certain amount of bullshit, everyone here wanted nothing more than to please them, but purely because they were paying way over the odds for a night out. But it didn’t mean that she didn’t like being spoilt, that was the irony of it all she supposed.

Taking a deep breath, she followed her mother across the reception to the pre-dinner bar. There sat facing the door, observing everything was Adam, his eyes flared as he spotted her, but a slight incline of the head was the only sign that he’d acknowledged her. To his right was her father, loving the stage of introducing his son to the World. Joining them was his greatest golf buddy Marty Blanchett his wife Sophie and his son and golf partner Stuart. He was a recent widower losing his wife to cancer, and he was now bringing up his two children alone.

Laura sighed when she saw him then broke into a smile as she exchanged pleasantries and asked about the children. Then she was swamped by the elder Blanchetts, it was a long time since she’d last seen them.  By the time she was greeted formally by Adam, despite those brooding eyes never leaving her, she was fraught. Then from behind the man mountain of her ‘brother’ appeared the little weasel that was Jonathan Lander, her ‘blind date’ from a few weeks earlier. Her upbringing forced her to hide the roll her eyes were desperate to make, and Adam’s perception and obvious humour at the situation only inflamed her more.

How dare her father persist with this blatant set up? Especially when she was having to deal with the new addition to her family. This was her father really not thinking about her. With a graceful nod of the head she acknowledged the other man and shook his hand, then moved to stand beside her mother. Laura knew that next to her enigmatic mother she paled into insignificance. A place she liked to be.

But she hadn’t countered on Adam, watching her, mocking her at every turn, and he more than infuriated her.

Adam himself was struggling to keep up with the mechanics of the night; Stafford had been everything he’d hoped his father would be. It had been such a shock at thirty two to find out that his father wasn’t his father. As he’d watched Mike Purcell slip away from life prematurely at just sixty, he’d been devastated, but then the following day his mother had confessed her huge secret. She’d had an affair, or rather a lot less than that. A one night stand with Stafford Marshall. She’d been married to Mike for four years and they’d both wanted a child, but it seemed they weren’t having much luck. That had led to problems, arguments and more, that was her excuse anyway.

She hadn’t elaborated, his mother was cabin crew with American Airlines, and Stafford had been a first class passenger. After a flirtatious trip to Chicago from London they’d bumped into each other at the airport, and the evening that followed was the only thing his mother hadn’t elaborated on, thankfully. But she’d found out she was pregnant weeks later and always knew that he wasn’t her husband’s child. No further children had followed, as if that was evidence enough.

He didn’t blame Stafford for any of this, he’d not known of his existence until ten days earlier, and he had more than welcomed him into his life. He’d not questioned his identity once. Nor had he held back. Adam felt the old man had always wanted a son, he knew about their fertility issues, his investigations into the Marshall family had been of a great depth. But even so, he didn’t expect such unconditional open arms. From everyone bar Laura.

He looked up and saw her scowling, the neck-less wonder that Stafford had insisted join them attempting a conversation that she obviously had no interest in. It was only when Laura arrived that he realised the whole picture. Though why his father would deem that waste of space suitable for his only daughter amazed him, there was no single asset that this man seemed to have that would explain why he was pushing the two youngsters together.  Saying that, she was having none of it, Laura, the most irate woman he’d ever met.

Adam smiled to himself, she was a firecracker all right, and exactly the worst child for Stafford Marshall to father. Suddenly her choices, her life...it all made sense. At her beach home she had independence and she was suitably free from the restraints of this life. Whilst she glowed, the centre of attention in this luxury bar, he couldn’t help but remember  the woman he’d seen dancing in the surf at the beach a few weeks ago, carefree, happy almost exotic. A million miles from the restrained almost pained woman who was fighting off the attention of a below par man.

                “Would you like to come through to the dining room?”

A liveried waiter approached and led them into the dining room. Adam battled to negotiate through the group as they moved to the next room; he wanted to sit next to Laura, even if it was just to see her expertly brush off this Landers man.

Watching Adam pull out her seat in a chivalrous gesture made her scowl, but at that moment she kind of preferred him to Jonathan. That was until Jonathan sat directly opposite her, looking as though he was sucking on a lemon.  She could feel Adam chuckle, the vibration almost palpable through the small gap between them. Laura refused to look up and meet his eyes, this was more painful than anything she’d known - sandwiched between the devil and the deep blue sea. She shook her head, wrong analogy; she’d trust the sea over either of these rats.

Fortunately Stuart sat to her right and she could immediately engage in conversation about his beautiful children. He was twelve years older than her, but as a youngster she’d babysat for the two, and he’d always been close to her family. So it was a relief to fall into a normal place for a moment.

Adam was charming the Blanchett’s in the same way he charmed her mother, so she was glad to turn away from all that. And equally glad to hear that Stuart had met someone new, still early stages, but he was getting his life back together. But before they’d finished the main course he had a phone call which he ducked out to take, there was an issue with his babysitter, and so he had to leave. Her last line of defence gone!

After the awkwardness of the rest of the meal, Adam causing her to prickle, sat beside her all confident, and then the doe-eyed Jonathan sat opposite, she was glad when they all retired to the adjacent lounge. Excusing herself she made for the bathroom, descending the stairs awkwardly in her heels.

Appreciating some time to herself, she spent longer than was healthy powdering her nose, then with a heavy heart she left the sanctity of the room, and started to make for the lounge. As she rejoined the reception she caught her stiletto on the edge of a rug and stumbled. Mortified she saw the floor getting closer as she fell towards it, and just as she steeled herself for impact, and the mortification of this happening in the foyer of one of the most elegant hotels in the world, an arm secured around her waist and pulled her back to her feet.

                “You ok?”

Sighing with an emotion far stronger than relief, she smiled at her rescuer, her knight in shining armour, who was one of three suited men, looking at her with concern on her face.

                “Thank you! I really thought I was about to head butt the floor!” She bent to adjust her shoe, then stood back up with a smile.

Her rescuer grinned, “me too!” He had a nice smile, “You sure you’re ok?”

Laura nodded, “well I am from the fall!”

The man to his left laughed, “You’re dining at the Savoy and you’re not happy?”

Laura laughed back, it was most people’s idea of opulent luxury, and they wouldn’t be wrong. But for Laura, someone brought up with such familiarity with it all, it was too much. With Adam and his infiltration of her life, she was fraught, and Jonathan Lander brown nosing her father was the final straw, as her eyes passed between the three men she couldn’t help but add, “you don’t know my family!”

The other man smiled, “see Paul, I told you not everyone loves their parents like you!”

The original rescuer looked at his friend, “I just like my family Nathan, there’s nothing wrong with that!”

                “I like my family too, it’s just that my father has invited along a kind of blind date for me!” She was too emotionally torn to even begin to contemplate Adam too. But he was a lifelong problem now, Jonathan was a temporary one, and she was looking to get rid of him ASAP.

Paul laughed, “Ah! Painful! Anyone that your parents find suitable will no doubt be painfully boring!” He glanced at his watch, “We’re going to a party at Cable Corner? Can you join us? At least then you can pick your own date! Or not!”

Laura was contemplative for a moment, back in her school days she’d have no end to her contacts in London, but since she’d moved away, her old school friends were reduced to facebook contacts, she didn’t speak to anyone, let alone feel she could call on them to rescue her. And it was really dangerous to just wander off with complete strangers, but then the thought of escaping was immense. It was a question of what you wanted more. The Cable Corner was a new club and it was in walking distance of the hotel. Getting into a taxi with three strange men would be a ludicrous risk.

                “Can you pretend to recognise me? Pretend you’re a friend?”

                                                   

Grinning Nathan patted her on the back, “that would be our pleasure!”

Laura had rejoined the group a few moments later, and very little had changed, they were still discussing life...both her father and Marty Blanchett had recently employed new PA’s, and it appeared that the two represented ‘the youth of today’,  in that they were both useless and lazy. Her father glanced at her several times and she knew he counted her in the same category. Part of that was her own fault; she’d not made him aware of what made up her life. She worked hard, it may not be in the way that he saw as useful, beneficial, but to her she loved her life. Adam was surprisingly silent and for a moment she felt a little support from him.

Jonathan on the other hand was loudly agreeing with Stafford, but Laura had the feeling that he would agree with slavery if her father suggested it. He was the worst type of sleaze.

Nodding at the waiter as he refilled her glass, she surreptitiously glanced around the room, then fought her humour and relief as she saw the three men enter the room and saunter casually to the bar. She shouldn’t be so excited at the thought of disappearing with these men; there was after all a real chance that she could turn up murdered and cut into chunks in the morning. But there was something about them that made her throw caution to the wind, they seemed like nice guys, thought she was sure that the Yorkshire Ripper was pleasant on times, rapists, murderers and paedophiles weren’t told to display their crimes on their chests, and instinct could let you down so badly.

Suddenly Paul approached them, and Laura dropped her eyes, feigning interest in her finger nails.

                “Laura? Laura Marshall?” the surprise in Paul’s voice was perfect. As she slowly raised her eyes, he broke into a smile, “it’s me! Paul Simpson...” she pretended to look a little confused, then he added, “school?” He names the exclusive school she’d gone to, and she’d even taken the liberty of giving him the name of a teacher, just to complete the deception.

                “Oh my God!” She jumped to her feet and moved around the table to hug him, her parents and their guests all looked a little bemused at this reunion. Holding him at arm’s length, she smiled at him, “who are you with? Do you want to join us?”

She almost burst out laughing at the way that seemed to agitate her father. It was only Adam that had wide eyes and a sceptical look on his face, but she was uncaring.

                “I would but I’m with a couple of others, do you remember Nathan and Mike?” He pointed at them and she followed his gaze before nodding enthusiastically. “Wow!” Waving at them she reached for her champagne, “I’ll come over and say hello!”

                “I presume that’s the ‘date’!” Nathan whispered as he hugged her as an old friend would, then hugged Mike who laughed.

                “He has not taken his eyes off you!”

Glancing over she noticed that Adam as the one who was watching, his eyes narrowed, his nose almost wrinkled with anger.  Jonathan was already back to burying his head into her father’s arse.

She sat amongst the men, “so how long is reasonable to sit here before we leave?”

Paul laughed, “think you need to give it fifteen minutes, we’ll get up to go, then you can tell them all about how your friends are meeting more of your school buddies...”

It was perfect as plan’s went, both parents wanted her to return to London, but she had no ties there, and no interest in coming back, but if they thought she was reacquainting with old friends...it was wicked and sly, but so was trying to set her up with a ridiculous ‘match’. 

When the three men drained their drinks and slid on their coats, Laura stood with them. It was almost eleven, a time when most dinners naturally ended, so she shouldn’t feel that guilty, should she?

                “Mum? Dad? The guys are going to a party with some of my old school friends, it’ll be good to reconnect, you know? I’m not in London that often, so it’ll be great to see some of them.”She ignored her father’s pursed lips and her mother’s worry lines, instead she hugged them both, then she smiled at the Blanchett’s,  shook Jonathan’s hand, with a perfunctory “nice to see you again!”

Looking at Adam it was all a bit awkward, hug, shake, ignore? She opted for a hand shake, but as his long fingers wrapped around hers and his laughing eyes gripped hers, she felt sick; he was more powerful than she’d given him credit for. And for a moment she was torn between being scared and excited.

Dropping his hand she took a deep breath then turned and waltzed out into the night, trying not to laugh as Mike leaned in and offered, “Your mother is H.O.T.”