Red Hot (34 page)

Stealthily, he moved around the exterior of Kia-Ora. He’d been waiting among the trees until Hazel and Ted had gone down to their cottage.

He now moved closer, looking for some access to the house, but Hazel and Ted had locked up thoroughly. No one left open windows in their homes anymore.

‘Shit!’ he swore in frustration. ‘No fuckin’ window open anywhere!’

He pulled a small knife from his pocket. Flicking it open, he ran his finger along the razor sharp edge. ‘Ah, well, there’s only one thing for it.’ He crept further around the house to the back door.

***

At the party, things were really in full swing. The men were in high spirits, joking and drinking steadily. Eric wasn’t a heavy drinker but tonight he didn’t care. He’d been through the worst time of his life and was celebrating his freedom!

There were plenty of hearty back slaps and lots of ‘
Glad to see ya okay, mate
.’ He was never without a beer. Several young girls from farms around the valley gathered around, hoping to get a chance to dance with him.

Quite unexpectedly, he grabbed Jane Tucker and swung her out to the dance floor. She laughed with delight and kept pace with Eric’s unsteady steps.

Des had left earlier. He knew he had too much to drink and begged a headache. He wasn’t usually a party-goer but this
was
a very special occasion. Relief and alcohol had relaxed him and all he wanted was a peaceful, full night’s sleep.

Robert wasn’t a party-goer and crowds weren’t his thing either, so he gladly offered Des a lift.

Mary had kept up a steady pace with her drinking. Several times Harvey had tried to slow her down but she completely ignored him. She called what she was doing fun. Harvey called it making a spectacle of herself.

Win and Emmie had also tried to discourage her but she only laughed at them. Mary paid not the slightest attention to Ellie; she simply talked around her.

The conversation around the table was about things in general. The firebug subject was carefully avoided for tonight.

Mary was starting to be obviously drunk. Gazing around the hall, she suddenly decided to stir things up!

She looked glassy-eyed at Harvey and then at Ellie. A feeling of angst overcame her.

‘Well, bugger you, Harvey Winters.
I would
like to dance!’ Mary stood up unsteadily. Harvey reached out to stop her.

‘Keep your hands off me. I’m going to find a
man!’
She emphasised the word ‘man’.

‘Mary… don’t you think…’ Emmie began, but Mary had already staggered off.

Harvey dropped his head in his hands. ‘Oh Lord, what am I goin’ to do with her?’

Ellie put her hand over his as he looked up at her.

‘Harvey, you can’t blame yourself. You know things haven’t been right for a long time.’ Ellie comforted him softly.

‘Ellie’s right, Harvey dear. Mary should be seeing a doctor,’ Emmie said.

‘I know, I know, but how do I get her to go? She flat-out refuses!’ He didn’t add that he had not tried very hard to get her to a doctor.

‘It’s obvious she knows there’s something going on with you and Ellie,’ Win said matter-of-factly.

Harvey looked up in surprise.

‘That’s right, mate. We’ve all noticed. It’s not hard to put two and two together!’ Digger added.

‘But… we never did anythin’ to give anyone…’ he stammered.

‘You didn’t, but it wasn’t hard to pick it. Mary obviously had as well.’ Win was glad the whole matter was out in the open.

‘Don’t be embarrassed, Harvey dear, but something has to be resolved,’ Emmie said firmly.

Ellie had been quiet through all of this. She kept her eye on Mary’s retreating figure.

Karl noticed Mary staggering across the floor and he decided he better rescue her.

‘Mary, you look lovely tonight. Care for a dance?’

‘Why, Karl, how lovely! I’d love to dance with a handsome man like you!’ she slurred.

She was rather clumsy in his arms.

‘Thank goodness it’s a slow number,’
he thought. Several times Mary lost her footing and stumbled. Each time she giggled and snuggled closer to Karl.

‘Mary, what’s got into you lately?’ he asked.

‘Me! Lil ole me… Nothing’s got into me, Karl.’ She ran a finger down his cheek, pressing her body against him and giving him a lopsided smile.

Ellie began to feel nauseas. The start of a headache was kicking in. ‘I think I’ll slip outside for a bit of fresh air,’ she said, pushing her chair back and standing.

‘You do look a bit pale dear,’ Emmie said, concerned. ‘Win, why don’t you pop up on stage and sing a few songs for us? Ellie could do with a few minutes break.’

Ellie excused herself and made her way outside.

Harvey watched her go. After a few seconds, he decided to follow her. ‘I think I’ll go and see if she’s alright,’ he said to Emmie. ‘She did look pale and Mary’s behaviour hasn’t helped things!’ He stood up, saying he would be back in a few minutes.

Emmie watched him leave. She had a worried look in her eyes. This situation had to be resolved before things escalated completely out of control.

‘Well, Emmie, how about a dance?’ Digger asked, holding out his hand to her.

‘Why I’d love to, Digger.’ She smiled. ‘Not too fast ‘round the floor though; I’m not as nimble as I used to be!’

‘Tammi…’ Kathy tapped her on the shoulder. Tammi was busy gazing into Ian’s eyes.

‘What? Oh Kath, sorry.’ She giggled. ‘What’s up?’

‘I’m leaving with Eddie. Would you tell Mum and Dad that I’ve gone? Otherwise they’ll worry.’

‘Of course. Go on, have fun. See ya!’ Tammi turned her attention back to Ian.

Harvey found Ellie at the side of the hall. She was leaning against the wall obviously deep in thought.

He reached his hand out, placing it on her shoulder. ‘Ellie, I’m so sorry for tonight. You must have felt very uncomfortable in there.’

He pulled her away from the wall and put his arms around her.

She sighed, clinging to him.

‘Oh Harv, what are we going to do? Where is all this leading to?’

‘I know… I know… Ellie, I just don’t know what the hell I’m goin’ to do with Mary. She’s a bloody handful and the drinkin’ is worse. She vows I’ll never be free… not ever!’

‘You have to
make
her see a doctor. She’s badly in need of help. I know Mum tried to get her alone but couldn’t get the right opportunity. She was going to try and convince her to get help.’

‘Well after tonight’s behaviour, I’m going to have to think long and hard about how I’m goin’ to deal with her. What she’s done here in front of all your friends and family is just unacceptable.’

‘She’s sick, Harv. Get her some help as soon as possible. Look, we better go back inside. Heaven only knows the ramifications if Mary discovers we’re out here together!’

Even in her alcohol-fuddled mind, Mary knew Karl was responding to her seductive advances, and it felt good to have a man react physically to her.

‘Mary, I think we should sit down,’ Karl said gently. Her advances were making him rather embarrassed.

His own physical response was embarrassing him as well.

Mary wasn’t listening. She had just noticed Harvey and Ellie come in from outside. She observed Ellie heading in the direction of the ladies’ room.

‘Excuse me, Karl, honey. I’ll be back shortly,’ she slurred.

Straightening her shoulders, she staggered after Ellie.

***

Ellie sat on the stool in front of the mirror, applying fresh lipstick and tidying her hair.

She was spraying perfume on her wrists when Mary burst through the door. Ellie stared at her in surprise. Mary was angry and even more intoxicated.

‘Well, well, well, Ellie dear! And what were you doing outside with my husband?’

Ellie stood up to face her. It was obvious to Ellie that Mary was looking for an argument.

‘Look, Mary, you’re mistaken. I had a headache and went out for fresh air. Harvey came to see if I was okay. That’s all! There’s no need to be upset.’

Upset…
upset!
’ She was raising her voice hysterically. ‘You and my husband are fucking around and I shouldn’t be upset?’ she shrilled. ‘You bloody whore! Don’t tell
me
what I should or shouldn’t be!’

‘Calm down, Mary!’ Ellie was angry now and she couldn’t contain it any longer. Her headache had worsened and she had enough of Mary’s niggly insinuations tonight so she shot back at her.

‘You’re drunk! You should pull yourself together and sober up! You’re an embarrassment, Mary!’

Mary’s face twisted in fury. ‘Don’t you dare speak to me like that, you husband-stealing tramp!’ She took a step closer to Ellie, backing her up against the vanity basin.

‘You bitch, Ellie. You can’t fool me. You were out there playing around with my husband!’

Ellie gave a start and opened her mouth to speak, but Mary continued before she could say anything.

‘Don’t act shocked! You didn’t think I’d find out about you two? I’m right, aren’t I?’

‘Mary, you said yourself that you don’t
have
a marriage… Why stay in a loveless marriage? It’s ridiculous and unfair to both of you!’ Ellie realised as soon as the words were out of her mouth that it was a mistake trying to reason with someone in a drunken stupor.

‘Love or no love, that doesn’t give you the right to fuck
my
husband!’

Mary’s clenched fist slammed into Ellie’s face. The force of the blow sent her reeling and she fell against the wall, hitting her head hard. She couldn’t see for a few seconds and there was a ringing in her ears.

Mary’s voice seemed to be coming from far away.

‘Be told, Ellie,
stay away from Harvey!
’

If Ellie had seen the look of hatred on Mary’s face, it would have shocked her as much as the blow she just received.

Ellie pulled herself up and sank down on the stool, shaking violently. Her head was throbbing. A purplish red mark was beginning to spread across the side of her face. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She tried to stand but the room spun around her, forcing her to remain seated.

Mary stood, swaying in front of her. She leaned close to Ellie’s face and said through clenched teeth, ‘Just remember: I won’t let Harvey go… ever! He doesn’t deserve freedom. You’ll know what I mean one day.
You have no idea, Ellie… No idea!
’

Mary turned and staggered back out of the room, the door swinging shut behind her.

“When one woman strikes at the heart of another, she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal.”

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Eddie pulled the car off the side of the road onto a dirt track. Turning the lights off, he looked at Kathy sitting beside him.

She met his gaze in the darkened car. The only light came from the half moon, shaded now and then by rain clouds blown by a southerly wind.

Eddie touched her lips with his, then, with an urgency pent up for weeks, he crushed her against him.

Kathy felt a surge of recklessness race through her. His warm breath mingled with hers. She wanted him to continue, but at the same time she was nervous.

Eddie kissed her closed eyes, her ears, her neck and returned to her parted lips. ‘You smell so nice, your skin’s so soft,’ he murmured.

She allowed him to lower her onto the seat of the car, gently sliding her jacket off as they went. He untied the back of her halter top and it fell lightly to the floor of the car.

Heady with desire, Kathy made no move to stop him.

Eddie’s eyes went to her rounded breasts. He tugged at his shirt, pulling it free from his trousers and it joined her halter top on the floor. He lay on top of her, her bare breasts against his hairy chest.

Kathy succumbed to the erotic sensation of the hair on his chest rubbing against her nipples.

He kissed her mouth, running his tongue around her lips, then he began a trail, down… down until he latched onto her nipple, sucking first one then the other.

She cried out with desire. Her arms wound around him, her hands rubbing his back.

Eddie moved again to her lips, kissing her hungrily. His hand started fumbling with her culottes. She wanted him to go on. She wanted him, all of him. The rational part of her mind forced itself to be heard. As Eddie’s fingers undid her buttons, she gathered all her willpower and dragged her lips from his.

‘Eddie, no… Eddie… please…’ Her whispered words were silenced by his kisses. Desire coursed its way through her body, but she could not let him continue. As she struggled to break free, Eddie realised she was serious. He raised himself to look at her.

‘What’s the matter?’ His voice was husky with desire.

‘I can’t, I’m sorry. I want to… You wouldn’t believe how much… but I’m not ready. I just can’t,’ she whispered.

Eddie was thoroughly aroused and it was hard for him to grasp what she was saying.

‘Eddie! What if I were to get pregnant?’

Eddie flung himself into a sitting position behind the steering wheel.

Kathy fumbled with her clothes, her fingers trembling. Eddie was very quiet.

‘Please understand,’ she begged tearfully.

‘Your right, we’d better go,’ was all he said.

***

Win came down from the stage and joined the others at the table. ‘Where’s Ellie?’ she asked, looking at Harvey.

‘She went to the ladies’, but she’s been some time,’ he answered.

Mary came up behind them and sat down. She picked up Harvey’s half full glass and gulped down the scotch in one mouthful, her hand trembling, a frown creasing her forehead.

‘I’d better go and see if she’s alright.’ Win looked at Mary.

‘I want to go home, right now!’ Mary spat out.

‘Alright Mary… We’ll go, but we’ll just wait a minute,’ Harvey replied firmly. He sensed there had been trouble and wanted to see what had gone on; Mary looked guilty of something.

‘I don’t want
you
to take me home. I’d like Karl to give me a lift,
if he doesn’t mind.’
She looked directly at Karl.

He choked on his drink and it dribbled down his chin. ‘Wha… what… Mary… I can’t. Harvey’ll take you,’ Karl stammered.

‘Mary, don’t be ridiculous!’ Harvey was furious with her.

‘No!’ Mary’s raised voice was drawing attention to the table.

‘I won’t go home with anyone else but Karl!’ she said adamantly.

Emmie intervened. ‘Be quiet, Mary, at once! Karl, perhaps it would be best if you did drive her home. Harvey, why don’t you come back to Kia-Ora for supper? You can go on home later.’

Emmie was upset. This whole situation had to be resolved once and for all.

‘That’s right, Harvey. You do what Emmie says. I’m ready to go, Karl. Come on.’ Mary snatched her bag from the table and stood up, tipping her chair over backwards as she did so.

Karl looked uncertainly at Harvey, but he just shrugged in defeat.

‘Okay Mary, I’ll take you. Come on.’ Karl said goodnight to them all and helped Mary outside to the car.

Heads turned as they left. Karl felt himself colouring with embarrassment.

***

‘Ellie… Ellie, it’s me, Win. Are you in here?’

Ellie emerged from one of the cubicles.

‘Ellie… Oh my goodness, what on earth happened?’

The red mark was quite vivid on the side of Ellie’s face and the pain in her head was making her feel sick. Ellie told Win what had taken place between Mary and herself. She had to pause every so often to hold her head.

Win was appalled.

‘What a bitch! She’s a sick woman, a very sick woman!’ Win dabbed at Ellie’s face with a tissue.

‘You stay here, love. I’ll get Mum to come in, and Francis can play the last number and call it a night. As soon as the hall’s empty, we’ll get you home. No one will know about this.’

‘Oh Win. I’ve had to hide in the toilet every time someone came in and my bloody headache’s a million times worse.’

‘Just stay sitting still and I’ll get Mum right away.’ Win hurried to fetch Emmie.

***

Eric was drunk as a skunk.

He was slumped in his chair with his feet sprawled out in front of him, a smile on his face. He had enjoyed his celebration party to the fullest.

Arthur and Sam roared laughing.

‘He’ll have one hell of a headache tomorrow!’ Jeff Hickson joined in their laughter.

Dawn wasn’t so impressed.

‘You shouldn’t have let him drink like that!’

‘She’s right. He’s going to feel awful tomorrow,’ Connie agreed.

‘Aaw, give him a go! He deserved to let his hair down,’ Sam protested.

Between them, Arthur and Sam hoisted Eric out of his chair and, carrying him like a sack of potatoes, they took him out to the car.

Eric waved as they carried him out.

‘Bye everyone! I love ya’s all!’

***

Eddie took Kathy’s hand when he stopped the car in the driveway of Kia-Ora.

‘I’ll see you soon, okay sweetheart?’ He leant across and kissed her gently.

She couldn’t speak. She was choked with emotion so she opened the car door and ran quickly to the house. Eddie watched until she went inside, then, with a deep sigh, he started the car and drove away.

As he sped away, a figure emerged from the trees lining the driveway and stared after the car as it disappeared into the night.

‘Where would she ‘ave put it? She’d ‘ave somethin’ she would… I know she would.’

Adjusting his hat, he walked off into the darkness muttering and swearing about
‘blue eyes’
.

***

Karl pulled into the driveway of Harvey and Mary’s property.

He thought Mary would fall asleep on the trip home but she hadn’t. Except for a few words, she had been very quiet.

Karl had felt uncomfortable for the whole drive out to Jindera. He could feel Mary watching him. She was acting so very differently from the Mary he knew.

‘Well, Karl, you’ve been kind enough to bring me all the way out here. The least I can do is offer you a coffee.’ Surprisingly, Mary’s voice sounded rather sober now.

‘Oh, Mary, I don’t think so… Ah, hell! I can’t let you go in there alone. What am I doin’? Come on.’

He walked around to Mary’s side of the car. He realised he wasn’t too sober himself. He shouldn’t have driven, let alone all the way out to Mary’s. A cuppa would be wise.

Mary got out of the car, holding on to Karl’s shoulder for support. Once inside, she slipped out of her shoes, stumbling slightly. A few tendrils of hair had fallen loose and Karl couldn’t help thinking how sexy she looked.
‘Harvey must be blind and crazy!’
he thought.

‘You relax, Karl, and I’ll make coffee. Make yourself comfortable in the lounge room. I won’t be long.’

‘I’ll do that, Mary. I’m not as sober as I thought. I could do with a cuppa. Think you better make it a strong one!’

A smile crept over Mary’s face. She
was
still intoxicated. The scene with Ellie had sobered her quite a lot though, and she knew exactly what she was doing.

As she made coffee, she thought to herself,
‘I’ve prayed for help and guidance, and I don’t seem to be getting anywhere, but
I’ve come up with a solution all on my own. If I can’t beat them, why not join them?’

Mary decided her strict religious lifestyle was inhibiting her happiness far too much. She wouldn’t divorce Harvey, not by any means. She wouldn’t give the bastard his complete freedom. No way. It was his turn to be miserable, the deceiving mongrel. A few things were going to change. Fresh thoughts were whirling around in her mind and she made a final decision at that very moment
.

‘Here you are, Karl, nice hot coffee… just what we need.’ Mary sat close to him on the lounge and sipped her coffee.

‘Nice place you’ve got here, Mary. You’ve made it look good.’

‘Yes, I enjoy decorating.’ She sipped her coffee then placed it on the table in front of them. ‘It’s a shame Harvey and I can’t enjoy our lovely home together.’

‘Look, Mary.’ He too placed his cup on the table and turned to face her. ‘I don’t know what the problem is, but surely it’ll iron itself out.’

‘Karl… my
so-called
husband hasn’t made love to me for a very long time.’ Mary lowered her eyes. ‘Karl…?’ she whispered. ‘
Would you make love to me?
’

Mary leaned over to him and kissed his lips softly. Then she began to caress his lips harder with her own.

Karl was stunned; he couldn’t deny that he liked what Mary was doing to him. He had not been with a woman in a very long time and he was instantly aroused.

Mary’s kisses became more sensuous. Slowly, they slid down onto the lounge. Karl wanted Mary and she could feel his body telling her so.

He felt for the zip on Mary’s dress and hastily undid it. In a minute, both were lying naked on the floor beside the settee. As they kissed, Mary gently stroked Karl’s erect penis. He groaned and returned the favour, caressing between her legs until she begged him to enter her.

Karl made love to Mary in a way she had hungered for. She writhed beneath him, drawing her knees up and opening widely for him. Again and again, he thrust into her wetness. Raising himself on his arms to look down at her, he tantalized her by withdrawing and then slowly entering her again. He took in every inch of her unblemished body. Her skin glistened in the dim light, her blonde hair had fallen to her shoulders. She was a sultry vision. ‘Harder, Karl…’ Mary begged him. He obliged willingly. Their lovemaking ended in a climax of such intensity they both cried out.

Mary clung to him. She didn’t want to let him go.

When Karl was finally able to speak, he was astounded at what had just taken place.

‘God, Mary, I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not sorry… I mean…’

‘Karl, stop. I wanted you. Please, don’t feel guilty. I needed you.’

She raised her head and kissed him again. He wanted to take her in his arms and love her again, but logic prevailed, and instead he stood to dress.

Mary could see Karl was ready for her again, but she too thought better of it.

As she walked him to the front gate, she told him she didn’t regret what had happened for one minute and she hoped he didn’t either. He kissed her gently and told her he didn’t regret their lovemaking, but he did feel guilty about Harvey.

Mary went back inside. On the table were two lukewarm coffees. She smiled to herself and thought,
‘Thank you, Karl. I will see you again!’
She went to her bedroom feeling content and more womanly than she had
ever.
Not caring where Harvey was right now, she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

As Karl drove back to Kia-Ora, he was hoping that Harvey had left. He felt that having just made love to his wife, he couldn’t face him right away.

‘I didn’t even hesitate,’ he said aloud. ‘She was so beautiful but I can’t let it happen again. Hell, who would’ve thought!’ He felt great
and
he felt guilty.

All the way home, Karl’s mind was on what had just taken place… He had to admit he would like more!

***

‘I can’t believe Mary did this!’ Emmie was furious.

‘Mum, she’s feeling threatened. It’s obvious! The drinking! The anger! She’s frightened of losing her husband.’ Ellie tried to reason it out.

‘Ellie… the woman hit you… and a whopper at that!’ Win was astonished at her sister’s defence of Mary.

‘Come on, Win… Mum, you put yourselves in Mary’s shoes. Wouldn’t you fight for the man you love? She must love him to keep carrying on like this… or this is bottled up anger meant for him,’ Ellie said, thinking about it all.

‘I suppose she’s suffering but she didn’t have to hit you like that! She’s lost control,’ Win remonstrated. ‘I think its security she’s after; she’s very confused. Those two haven’t got a normal marriage at all.’

Emmie and her daughters were up in Ellie’s room. She’d given Ellie something for the pain in her head and it was beginning to subside.

Downstairs, Harvey was having coffee with Digger and Francis.

‘I’m so sorry for the fiasco. Mary’s become a real problem,’ Harvey apologized.

‘Look, mate, you don’t have to be embarrassed. Mary’s got issues. I’d say the best advice for you right now would be to see about professional help and sort out your marriage.’ Digger felt sorry for Harvey but thought the bloke had to do something because things just couldn’t be allowed to go on like they had been.

‘You’re absolutely right, Dig. We can’t go on like this!’

Harvey’s words were beginning to sound very repetitive.

Ellie walked into the kitchen as Harvey was speaking, the welt on her face still very angry.

‘Mum, what happened? You look like someone slugged you!’ Francis said jokingly.

Harvey looked up at Ellie, noticing the vivid mark.