Lussuria (New Version) (7 page)

“Please, honey. That will be wise.”

I pour a large red for myself, and a white for Hazel and Jessica. Hazel accepts, but doesn’t look up from her laptop, and I shake my head in disapproval.

“How was work, Jess?”

“Oh good, honey. Just an easy day today, what about you?” I love this about Jess. Even if she has had a rotten day, she would still say it was good, she is always the optimist.

Doris starts barking again. Jess leans over and pats her on the head, rubbing her ears to calm her down. Hazel still doesn’t flinch. I walk over to the bay window and place one hand on the chunky, teak-stained, wooden window ledge. With my free hand, I wave at Samantha to come in.

I can hear her high heels click clack on the terrazzo tiled hallway floor, then watch as she holds onto the door at the living room entrance, and leans against the wall to kick her heels off. She looks picture perfect with a beautiful figure, her shoulder length, multi-tonal blonde, layered hair is parted and tucked neatly behind her ears. Admiring her dress, I smile thinking she definitely has many amazing clothes.

She does have too many amazing outfits for one person.

“Get that fuckin beast away from me. I swear to God, Lexi, if that thing jumps up and gets my new cream pencil dress mucky, you will be buying me a new one.”

Oh my, she is abrupt and cranky tonight. I giggle, and she scoffs at me while Doris does her happy rain dance. It is freaking Sam out.

“Okay, Okay. Let me put her in the dining room. Sam, why don’t you go up and change into a pair of my pyjamas, then you can relax. By the way, you do look amazing, I love your dress but why are you wearing something so elegant to work?”

“I will borrow some jammies, thanks. I don’t want that beast near my cream frock and I had an important meeting today with management after an office lunch, so I had to look decent,” Sam replies.

I drag Doris by the collar as she bounds towards her; this could end in tears. After dragging and putting Doris in the dining room, I give her one of the raw hide treats I bought for her today. She looks up at me with her human-like, sad eyes. She is not going to like being cut off from us and banished to her bed. Sam doesn’t like animals, but I wish she would try to like her more.

“Darlins, how are we all?” Sam addresses Jess and Hazel.

“Good, my little ray of sunshine. Now, what happened at work today? Come and sit down. Tell us about it.”

Jessica is just so patient and wholesome, I love this about her.

“Get my wine, Lex. I’m going to put something comfier on, and then I’ll tell you all my complaints.”

Sam goes upstairs as I pour her a large pinot noir in the kitchen and watch Jess start to fold my tank tops and shorts at the table.

I take the wine through with bowls of olives, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil with some pesto on crostini, and some antipasto meats spread out on a large platter. Making my way back and forth from the kitchen, I put some rosemary focaccia bread in the oven, and leave a balsamic and olive oil dip in a bowl; I set them on my walnut wooden chest in the living room, then return with the bowls, napkins, side plates, and cutlery.

“Hello, my little darlin. Are we all set for Tuscany?” Lucy is beaming at me, obviously enthused with what I’m leaving on the table. “I’m starving! I didn’t have time for dinner. This looks lovely, Lexi.”

“Fill your boots, ladies.” I wave my hand in front of the platters hen give Lucy a kiss and cuddle. Sam is curled up on the couch with my black pj bottoms on and my grey long sleeve sleep top. She looks relaxed...finally.

“Lucy, my darlin, your hair is the business. I love it,” I tell her.

Lucy got her nickname because she has the most amazing, jet-black, shiny, bobbed hair with matching defined eyebrows and lashes. Tonight she has a black tank style top on with black slim fit pants, a black blazer, a red neck scarf, and the most big red rouge lips you have ever seen. She reminds me of an old classic movie star, like Audrey Hepburn.

“Thank you, Lexi. You know I’m not content unless it’s at full shine.”

“You do have the most amazing hair, little Lucy ladybug. It’s always shiny.”

Everyone giggles, even Hazel.

“Oh, so you are alive and joining us,” I say sarcastically.

“I’m multitasking. I can listen and watch. It’s a skill, Lexi,” she retorts back. “You know, Lucy, you look like an air hostess parading about like that.”

Hilarity bursts through the lounge, and Doris starts barking again in conjunction, hating that she is missing out.

Poor girl.

“This is ridiculous, get a bloody grip.” I slam the laptop shut on Hazel’s lap. She stifles a groan, then emits a huge sigh and finally agrees to socialize. “So have you packed your case?”

“Yes, of course I have. It’s as packed as it’s going to get.”

I’m dreading the discussion that comes when she realizes nothing matches, and she has nothing dressy to wear to go out. I roll my eyes at her and purse my lips.

“Lexi, do you want my cobalt blue dress? And I have my favorite emerald green one shoulder dress here too. Oh, and the little coral sun dress.”

“Yes, Yes and yes. Thank you, honey. Can you pack my tan belt and high heels? They will go with the blue. And my black and gold nude lace peep toes and clutch to go with the green dress.” I‘m glad Jess is the same size as me because we can swap clothes frequently.

“Why the fuck do you want to take all the glam ones? It’s a villa house thingy in the middle of nowhere that will be filled with geriatric pensioners playing chess and the sorts. I’m telling you, Lexi, you won’t need really fancy things.”

Hazel has spoken…

“I want to take nice things in case we go to Pisa or Florence.”

“Whatever, but don’t blame me when you get charged with excess baggage.” Hazel rolls her eyes and takes a chug of her wine.

I fetch the fresh bread from the oven, leaving the girls to chat amongst themselves while Jessica sorts through my belongings.

This is what I am looking forward to the most about our two weeks on holiday: good food and wine, learning the art of proper Italian cooking, and making great dough for breads, pizza and pasta, all from scratch. It’s something I have always wanted to do, and I think it will be relaxing and therapeutic, especially as I enjoy cooking. I lift the bread out of the oven, juggling it between both hands. It’s hot and smells divine. I place it on another pretty platter, and fetch Doris to let her out the back and give her a small piece of bread to eat. I really shouldn’t, but she loves it.

I return with the platter, and the girls start gossiping about one thing after another. I leave to remove some clothing and swimwear out of the dryer and bring them back into the living room, placing them next to Jessica’s pile. Carrie is sitting on the edge of the couch with her surgical scrubs on, her blonde hair beautifully shaped around her chin and face.

“Carrie darlin, are you hungry? I just put out some nibbles. Do you want some wine?”

Thanks Lex, but no, I’m good for wine. I have an early start tomorrow.”

“Okay. Carrie, grab something to eat. I’m a bit preoccupied packing.”

“Just chuck the flipping things in, Lexi. Bloody hell, stop being so fucking fussy,” Hazel scoffs from the sofa. She is getting ignored for her poor behaviour tonight.

“Sam, have you told the girls yet what the script was at work today?”

“Well, Hazel can relate to this. There is an absolute bitch working for Jerry, Hazel knows her, and she’s a member at Club di Energia. She winds me up, and my skin crawls when I’m near her. That woman is a spoiled brat and knows what she wants, and I think that jackass Italian husband of hers is pandering to her… or not and that’s why she’s so fucking stuck up.”

“Oh just ignore her, Dolly,” Lucy pipes up.

Jess rubs her back and tries to comfort her, the rest of the girls give Sam reassurance with soft smiles and understanding nods of the head and friendly words of wisdom. “What’s her name?” Carrie asks, I was just thinking the same thing.

“Morven…fuckin…Stewarts.” Sam’s voice gets louder and more agitated even saying her name; she really despises this woman.

“Lex, you okay? How was your unpacking, what’s your new clinic like?” Carrie asks concerned.

“Eh, it’s good actually. It was tiring today, more challenging than I expected.” My thoughts cast back to my encounter with a certain blue eyed, sexy Italian Mr. Lucca Caruso.

Hot flush.

I put the last of my outfits in the case, and I’m relieved it’s all done.

My mind is working in overdrive and with the heat from the open fire and the red wine. Yawning, I mumble, “Oh I almost forgot, Lucy have you brought the hair straighteners?”

“Oh, shit. Lexi, I’m so sorry, I forgot. I’ll drop them around first thing in the morning.”

“Put a fuckin post-it on her forehead, Lexi, so the silly bitch doesn’t forget,” Hazel chides.

I can’t help myself, and I start laughing as I shake my head. I’m not that bothered about the straighteners, but Hazel on the other hand, likes her hair poker straight, I inwardly laugh that she will die a thousand deaths if she has frizzy hair in Italy.

“Justin and I are having a house warming party. Maybe second week in July.” Sam smiles.

“Fabulous news. Why don’t you just do a barbecue and we’ll all bring something over. Can I bring a date?” Lucy asks optimistically.

“Yes, I thought we would just make it us and partners. Have you got anyone in mind?”

“I’m going for dinner with that guy Justin recommended, Harris Jones. I’ve finally accepted that Cameron is never going to dump Rachel, so I need to explore my options. I can’t keep waiting on him,” Lucy says assertively.

“Wise decision, Lucy,” Carrie contributes.

“Get yourself some sexy new lingerie Lucy. I hear Harris Jones is a rampant rodeo in the sack from what I hear” Hazel adds. Lucy blushes and looks horrified as do I.

“Your ridiculous” I scold her.

“Oh, you two pair of prudes need to get laid very soon” She’s referring to Lucy and myself of course.

“Well, Steve and I would love to come Sam, I will look forward to it, and I’ll come over and help you organize,” Jessica offers sensing our embarrassment.

“Carrie, are you and Nicole in, my darlin?”

“Well, yes...no...well, erm…I mean, I don’t know. We’ve had a fight. Nicole is complaining we don’t spend enough time together. I think she wants more from our relationship.”

After a string of dates and a relationship with an unhinged lunatic who was a bit too immature for our Carrie, she finally met Nicole, and they’ve been seeing each other for two years now.

“You two always fight, but you’ll make up again.”

****

It’s been nice catching up with the girls tonight. We wave them off, and Hazel helps take the platters into the kitchen as I fetch Doris. I want to cuddle her, so I allow her up the stairs and onto my bed to sleep. I don’t let this happen very often, so she leaps up the staircase excitedly and waits for me at the top.

I do my evening ritual of locking the doors with the double lock I had Cameron put on them, unplugging all the plugs, closing all the blinds, then checking the doors are locked again. After I text Cameron to remind him to be home for 8.30am tomorrow, I open my bedroom door, and Doris jumps right on the bed and onto Samantha’s cream dress.

Oh, holy shit. I’m a dead woman!

Don’t touch me!

I’m so scared.

I can’t breathe, there is no light, no oxygen, and I smell moss and dampness. My heart is going to explode. I am frantic.

I ‘m locked in a cold dark stone building, pitch black with a corrugated iron roof. The rain is wildly thrashing off it, it’s deafening. I hear thunder roaring from afar; it’s damp, loud and petrifying.

I don’t hear him at first because of the rolling thunder, but I smell the moss. He is here, he is tormenting me, and he is going to take me.

He’s behind me; I can hear his breathing increasing. He grabs my hair and yanks me back towards him. My eyes have not adjusted to the darkness yet, but I feel a cold sharp knife blade being held at my throat, and he frees his hand that is pulling my hair. I hear the zip on his jeans and they fall to the floor. I feel the soaking wet denim brush against the back of my legs as they fall. He kicks them off, and I squeal with disgust, feeling his bare flesh against my own. My knees tremble as I shiver and I scream out, but he only slaps my head hard to silence me.

I want my mom. I want Cameron. Why are they not helping? Where are they?

I hear his feet clank on metal chains next to his jeans. I clench my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut. I’m going to be tied like my mother, I’m going to feel what she does when she is taken, and my body is going to be crushed. I will be ripped apart. Why am I alone? I am going to die alone.

Tears fall down my face. He licks the side of my face with his wet tongue, and I feel sick. It’s repulsive. I need to scream, but I’m afraid he will stab me with the knife or do awful things with the metal chains.

I beg him not to hurt me, beg him to let me go.

I beg. I beg. I beg.

Punch. Kick. Slap.

I close my eyes again. He yells at me and uses the knife to tear the strap on my vest to rip it off my body. It’s sharp, and I feel hot blood trickle and drip from my left shoulder down my arms to my wrist ... to my finger tip ... he grabs my breasts…

I can’t! I can’t! I can’t!

I won’t! I won’t! I won’t!

God, please! God, please! God, please!

****

I jump upright in my bed, wiping sweat from my brow and gasping for air, clutching my shoulder in a panic. Doris wakes and bolts up to my face, whimpering. She senses my fear as she snuggles her face into my neck, and then I realize where I am.

Safe.

“It’s okay, Doris. I had a bad dream. Stay calm. Let’s try to sleep, little girl,” I whisper.