Gilliflowers (40 page)

The food was consumed as a source of body fuel rather than eaten with pleasure.

He showed little sign of enjoyment and when finished handed the tray back to me with a perfunctory thanks and a request for a tot of whisky. I took the tray of pots out to the kitchen, got him a whisky and then went to wash up his plates and cutlery.

I returned to the lounge to find them nestled together on the couch. Shane had his arm around Dick’s shoulder. He was still talking work, voicing concerns about the worsening economic downturn and its effects on the construction industry. Measures were going to have to be taken and actions decided on if the collection of companies under his key banner were to ride out the slump.

Dick was also worried about work matters saying he feared things would reach a stage where he and Reny would have to chase work rather than it chasing them. Reny had stopped talking about expansion and was starting to talk streamlining. (Contrary bastard) It was a conversation I could add nothing to. It was outside of my experience and knowledge. I didn’t understand the complexities of their business models. My job was simply that, a job. I had nothing to fret over. I didn’t even have to get a bus in. I woke up on site. I had no contracts to chase or wages to pay. I cleaned, gardened, cooked, washed up, got paid. I had no one to please but them and no one to supervise but myself.

I sat in the lounge feeling superfluous to need. Shane spoke to me once, holding out his whisky tumbler to request a refill. I got it and then excused myself, saying I was going to bed to read. I kissed them goodnight and left them to it. I read for a while and then put the telly on for company. I was slipping into a light dose when my sex radar detected the unmistakable grunts and moans of shagging in progress. It brought me to full wakefulness.

Their clothes were strewn about the floor. Dick was bent over the back of the couch, legs splayed with Shane’s thick cock pounding his rectum. I felt my own cock harden as I watched Shane’s powerful glutes contract and judder with the force of his thrusts. There was a light sheen of sweat on his back. He had one hand on the nape of Dick’s neck and one on his hip to hold him firmly in place. It was aggressive sex, pure stress busting fucking with Shane in complete control.

He suddenly became aware of my presence and half glanced over his shoulder, barking. “Go away! Shut the door!”

I quickly did as ordered, closing the door, hearing Dick begin to say something, which was lost in a yelp as Shane slapped his arse and told him he didn’t have permission to speak. I ran to the top of the stairs. My erection had diminished the moment Shane ordered me away. It revived a little as I listened to their activity, but not enough for me to follow through with fist action.

Switching off the telly and the light I got into bed. I knew Shane’s brutal dismissal had in part been a product of sexual atmosphere and the dominator role he was taking with Dick, but still it had hurt me. He clearly hadn’t wanted my involvement.

Next morning I slipped out of bed, got dressed and went downstairs leaving the men folk slumbering together. I had no memory of them coming to bed, so obviously I’d fallen asleep, which meant they’d probably been fucking away into the early hours.

The post arrived as I settled down at the kitchen table to breakfast on tea and toast.

I went to fetch it, my stomach giving an unpleasant lurch as I viewed the array of envelopes lying on the mat. I picked them up and took them into the kitchen placing them on the table. I then sat staring at them. Only one was addressed to me. I opened it feeling my face flush with anger as I viewed the neurologist appointment it contained. It wasn’t of my making. I slammed the letter on the table. Shane must have made it because it was for a consultation in Mr Ryall’s private clinic. It annoys me when the doctors you can’t see for months on end in an NHS capacity are available at the drop of a hat for a fat fee. That aside, how dared Shane make an appointment without consulting me? It was beyond fucking arrogant. Scrunching the letter into a ball I hurled it to the floor.

I turned my attentions to the rest of the communiqués. Four were business mails, one for Dick and three for Shane. I set them aside. The remaining four envelopes were of the variant pastel shades associated with greeting cards and were jointly addressed to Dick and Shane. It was blindingly obvious what they contained. Anniversary cards.

IEM took over and did something naughty. He opened mail not addressed to him.

One of the cards was a mawkish affair with flowery rhyming verse congratulating the ‘loving couple’ on their first year of marriage. It was from Penny and the Muppet.

There was a more restrained card from Lorraine and James, which no doubt had been prompted by poison Pen. Leo’s card was a beautiful bespoke affair, his strong handwriting declaring he couldn’t possibly allow their anniversary to go as unmarked as their CP day. The dinner invitation he’d extended the previous weekend took on another slant. I should have seen it coming. No doubt the bastard would present a wonderful meal and vintage champagne in their honour, leaving me out in the cold again.

The fourth card brought a mist of rage to my eyes. I ripped it in half. Jak, the slimy bastard, had no right sending my men folk a card, especially when I hadn’t sent one. Their anniversary was none of his business. Dick had told me not to make an issue of the day, but clearly he hadn’t told anyone else.

I was supposed to be an important part of their life. Putting my left hand up to my mouth I chewed at my thumbnail. The first person to send a card should have been me. I felt humiliated, tearfully guilty and a complete fool for taking Dick at his word and not bothering. People would think I was a right tight-fisted shit.

I was so upset I felt nauseous. I rose to my feet intending to go across to the sink and get a drink of water. My foot touched the balled up appointment. It acted like a surge of electricity powering my anger. Seconds later the letter was torn to shreds and crammed into the waste bin along with Jak’s ripped card. I shoved the rest of the cards in the kitchen linen drawer, hiding them under a pile of tea towels.

I got on with juicing fruits and preparing the coffee percolator and teapot while telling myself my actions were justified. I was attending to Dick and Shane’s wish for the day to be like any other.

The pair of them eventually ambled downstairs. I asked what they wanted for breakfast. They both opted for cereal and croissants. I got bran flakes for Dick and cornflakes for Shane and popped the croissants into the oven to warm through. I poured tea for Dick and coffee for Shane and set it before them.

Part of me wanted to wish them a happy anniversary, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. They seemed oblivious to the occasion anyway, or were they making pretence of it so as not to provoke my pathetic jealousy? I was utterly confused about what to do. I hadn’t been prepared for anyone outside of the three of us acknowledging the anniversary. I didn’t want others acknowledging what I found painful to acknowledge and thus putting me in a bad light. Guilt stabbed at the thought of the cards I’d concealed. Shane would bloody murder me if he found out what I’d done. I should have had the grace to allow the men to whom they were addressed to open and enjoy them.

The Midlands Hag was right. I’d spoiled their wedding day and now I was spoiling their anniversary. I felt like hiring a hit man to kill me.

Shane’s voice broke into my messy thoughts. He’d picked up the mail I’d left on the table and was going through it. “Is this all the post there is this morning, Gilli?”

My heart beat a little faster as I fibbed. “Yes, why, what were you expecting?” I opened the oven door and used a folded tea towel to lift out the tray of buttery pastries, setting it on top of the oven.

“An appointment for you to see Mr Ryall. I made it on Wednesday. His secretary said she’d pop a confirmation letter in the post. It should have been here by now.”

I gazed at him steadily. “Why would you make an appointment without asking me if I wanted or needed one?”

“Because you’d say no, Gilli.” He met my gaze with unapologetic eyes. “I was saving us both time and stress. I want you to have a check up. I was concerned by the way you reacted to those energy drinks and by the migraine you had last week. You usually only get ones as bad as that in the aftermath of a fit. I’m wondering whether your meds need tweaking.”

“If I ever have a grand mal episode then I might consider a ‘tweak’ in meds, but no way am I taking more AED’s for the sake of a fucking headache.”

He acted like he hadn’t heard me. “The appointment is on Monday afternoon at three. I’ve pencilled it into my diary.”

“Shame you couldn’t have pencilled me into your diary last night instead of telling me to piss off! You can cancel the appointment. I’m not going. I’m not going to Leo’s tonight either. Knowing him he’s planning a posh champagne party for your anniversary. I’m not sitting between the ‘happy couple’ like a teetotal gooseberry all night. You can go cosy up alone together like you did last night.”

The doorbell rang an opportune note and I strode out of the room to answer it. It was a delivery of flowers. They were stunning and must have cost a small fortune. I guessed immediately they’d be anniversary flowers for Dick and Shane, probably from Penny or Leo. I smiled at the delivery woman, but didn’t take the sumptuous arrangement from her. It wasn’t mine to take. Instead I shouted over my shoulder.

“Shane, Dick. There’s a special delivery for you both.”

I ran upstairs and began changing my jeans for Lycra running shorts, glancing up as Shane entered the room. “Who are the flowers from?”

“Penny and Charles, ridiculous waste of money.”

“You always send them flowers on their wedding anniversary. I suppose they wanted to reciprocate. Penny was pissed at missing out on your ceremony. This is her way of making up. I’m going out for a run.”

“No.” Placing his hands on my shoulder he manoeuvred me over to the bed, seating me and standing over me. He folded his arms. “Two things. First, you’re keeping the appointment I made for you on Monday. Think of it as humouring an old man, or as an obedience test you have no choice but to pass. Second, last night. I didn’t tell you to piss off, so don’t put words in my mouth. I told you to go away. I was in a particular mindset and caught up in the moment. I spoke in the way I’d have spoken to someone who disturbed a private scene at a party. It was a pure knee jerk reaction.”

“I thought I was a bit more than a
someone
, but fair enough.” I shrugged. “You didn’t want me around.”

“I’d started something with Dick and I wanted to see it through with him.”

“I get it, Shane. It was a private anniversary fuck, just the two of you with no room for a third party. I’m sorry and embarrassed to have disturbed you.” I tried to stand up, but he blocked me, forcing me to sit back down.

“Do you need a good seeing to? Will sex sweeten you up?”

“No need to whip out your cock on my account. I’m sure it must be exhausted after last night. I’m not in the mood anyway.”

“For Christ’s sake, man. It takes next to nothing for you to adopt the mien of a kicked kitten. Stop being so thin skinned.”

“May I get up please? I want to go for a run.”

“Later. I haven’t seen you eat anything yet.” He stepped back, allowing me to stand up.

“I had a slice of toast before you came down.”

“A slice of toast isn’t enough fuel to run on. Have another one with peanut butter and then we’ll talk about you going for a run.” He flapped the back of his hand at my backside. “Downstairs, and incidentally you are going to Leo’s tonight. If he’s planning a special dinner then let him get on with it. He enjoys entertaining and looks for any excuse to push the boat out. He isn’t trying to put you down in any way or rub your nose in anything. Take it at face value and stop looking for hidden meanings.”

Permission to run was granted once I’d eaten the prescribed toast and peanut butter and completed my kitchen duties. It was a close muggy day, the air cloying. It was like running through treacle and I was soon sweat drenched and tired. It annoyed me how easily I tired. I blamed my medication. I did a couple of miles and then doubled back.

Dick was on the drive, loading golf clubs into the boot of his car when I got home.

When he saw me he folded his arms and gave me a stern look. “Oh, Gilli, you bad boy,” he made tut-tutting noises, shaking his head. “You’re in trouble with Daddy.”

“Why?” I wiped sweat from my brow with my forearm. Dick didn’t seem unduly serious so I wasn’t too alarmed.

“He called Penny to thank her for the flowers. She asked if her card had arrived.

We didn’t think anything of it until she also asked if James and Lorraine’s card had gotten here on time.”

Shit! My stomach did a somersault. I might have guessed Penny would be my nemesis. Time to brass neck it. I adopted an air of nonchalance. “So, it’s not my fault Royal Mail is crap.”

He unfolded his arms and wagged a finger at me. “One card being late or going astray is a possibility, two is less of a possibility and three is very fishy indeed. Leo phoned to ask if we got his card and that’s when we conducted a search and found a certain letter and a torn card in the kitchen bin. What have you done with the others you wicked boy?”

“I thought you weren’t bothered about anniversary cards?”

“I’m not, but that’s hardly the point.”

I jumped and my stomach did another somersault as Shane opened the front door and barked. “Dick, if you’re going then go.” His next bark was aimed at me and accompanied by a jerk of his thumb. “You. In!”

I gave Dick a look of appeal, hoping he’d come with me and act as mediator.

“Bye, honey, it’s been nice knowing you.” He gave me a quick kiss and got in his car. Sadistic swine. I trailed towards the front door sidling past Shane into the hall. He shut the door with a decisive click.

“Where are they?” He walloped his right hand across the seat of my shorts. “Get them.”

I retrieved the cards from the linen drawer and silently handed them to him. His face darkened when he saw the torn envelopes. “How dare you open and then conceal mail addressed to Dick and me. I’m disgusted with you.”