Nora by Charles J Harwood Chapter 28.4
Marcus’s
hand engulfed each offering and a connection of glasses sang in the air. Amy
pulled at his lapel to impart words guaranteed to lift his eyebrows. The blonde
exuded another ripple and Lisa, back in her seat, toyed with her beads. Nancy’s
sights brushed against Vince’s leftover bangers and mash and used dressings. No
one noticed Nancy wheel the trolley from the room.
Their
exchanges continued to echo through the foyer as Nancy went up and changed
Vince’s sheets. Music started up; a funky remix of Sophie Ellis Bextor.
Laughter and voices surged in sporadic pulses. The trolley cleaned in the
kitchen, Nancy’s Oxfords came to rest beneath the stairs. The drawing room door
permitted a slither of light into the gloom of the foyer. Minus Vince’s keys,
Nancy pulled the satchel bag upon her shoulder. The word nurse stopped her from proceeding to the exit. Sophie had completed
her outfit to permit a female opinion; Lisa’s perhaps, as her full tone matched
her bosom. ‘Is that nurse for real? She looks pretty harsh.’
Amy’s
reply: ‘She’s for real all right.’
The
airy tone of the blonde filled the hiatus. ‘You need a softer kind. I know
where I can get a nurse’s uniform. Would you like me to try it on?’ A ripple in
unison drew Nancy’s heels towards the slither of light. Saffron waves and
coltish thighs capered at the aperture. A tiny skirt melded into the
flannelette of Vince’s dressing gown. ‘You look like you need some intensive
care, Mr. Jonas.’ Her tone mocked the role-play scenario and Vince’s wry smile
signified his understanding. Their faces shifted into view as Nancy approached.
A long hand roved over his chest. ‘I know just how to deliver.’ The blonde
grazed her finger upwards towards Vince’s neck. ‘Let’s start right here with
this dressing.’ A little pat. ‘What’s it hidin’?’
Vince’s
jaw clenched. ‘Go get me a refill, Faye.’
‘Pour
baby. When’s the last time you let a lady take proper care o’ you, huh?’ Faye’s
index made small circles over Vince’s dressing. Vince raised his hand and
guided hers away.
Faye
took little heed of Vince’s maneouvre. ‘C’mon. Let’s see if I can kiss it
better.’
Vince’s
lips braced as though lemon juice suddenly coated the inside. ‘Stop it, Faye.
I’m not in the mood.’
Faye
dropped the pucker. ‘I’m sorry, Vincent I didn’t mean to offend you.’ Her tone
more sincere softened. ‘Perhaps I can take genuine care of you, y’ know, no
games, the real thing. I can do that.’ A fingernail tweezed the edge of the
dressing.
Vince’s
throat jerked at her touch. His hand came up to gather her fingers. Quietly
now, ‘Faye, it’s getting late and I’m getting tired.’
Faye,
of the belief no meant maybe brought her index up for the third time. ‘I
understand, Vince. That’s why I’m here.’
Vince
glared at her. ‘Stop it!’
Silence
fell over the room.
Nancy
backed into the shadows. Beneath the stairs, she became the skulker Sheila always
accused her of.
Clearing-up
sounds commenced. Lisa spilled from the room, her beads glinting in the
half-light. Murmurs oozed across the chasm before Vince’s words came distinct.
‘I’m sorry, Marcus.’
Marcus:
‘It’s okay, Man. These things take time.’ A pause, before Marcus ventured,
‘Maybe you should reconsider Faye’s offer…Faye, Lisa and that chair over there.
How about that?’
Vince
snorted at Marcus’ suggestion. ‘I’m ahead of you on that thought.’
‘So
why not?’
Lisa’s
beads clicked softly through her fingers.
And
then Marcus’ voice came clearly. ‘Are you thinkin’ of that nurse of yours?’
‘Christ,
Marcus, no! Of course not!’
Humour
beset Marcus’ tone, ‘Yeah. Whatever you say, Vince.’ A chuckle. ‘I’ll leave
that chair right there.’
Lisa
let her beads drop to her bosom as Faye and then Amy entered the foyer.
Marcus
took door duty, pulling at the handle as he left the room. He rested a palm
upon Amy’s spine and chuckled. He chuckled all the way to the main entrance.
