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Dorothy was unaware of the emotional turmoil raging among her staff, and happily mooched around the market admiring the fare on sale by the local artisans. She purchased a variety of items to take home, one of which was a stunning hand beaded silk scarf for Viv. She imagined her friend wearing it on her next date with Mr X, which reminded her she had not yet discussed this piece of salacious news with Amy.
When they paused to drink a cup of coffee, she tentatively broached the subject of Viv’s new boyfriend, and Amy immediately looked relieved.
‘I didn’t know whether to say anything,’ she admitted. ‘Viv told me about him a few months ago, but begged me not to say a word. I had to bite my tongue a few times when I was staying with you, especially during the barbeque after I’d had a few drinks. I know his name is Cedric, which doesn’t exactly inspire romantic notions, but apart from that I only know the basics about the fella. But it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Viv this happy, and that’s good enough for me. I’m sure we’ll meet him soon enough.’
‘There was a development while we were at Claridges,’ Dorothy told her, and recited the story of Viv’s chat with Cedric, and her subsequent high spirits before she made the fatal error of ordering a celebratory bottle of wine.
Amy was all agog at the news and announced her intention of calling her friend that very evening to hear a first-hand account of her relationship. ‘Don’t tell her I mentioned his name, Dottie,’ she said earnestly. ‘She might not be too impressed I let the cat out of the bag. Keep calling him Mr X for the love of God.’
It was at this point the ladies were interrupted by Marco running towards them looking both tanned and excited. ‘Boss,’ he said breathlessly, ‘there are a couple of women tourists who want your autograph. Will you come and meet them please? It’s super-important.’
Amy and Dorothy exchanged puzzled looks, but obligingly followed the stylist the hundred yards to where James waited. He was accompanied by two women Dorothy had never seen before. One was a short brunette with multiple piercings and a rather fierce expression on her elfin face. The other woman was an extremely pretty blonde with a magnificent pair of breasts barely contained by a white vest top. Marco quickly made the introductions.
‘Boss, this is Irena,’ he said, gesturing towards the short brunette, ‘and this is Olga,’ he pointed at the buxom beauty. ‘They’re Russian lezzers.’
Dorothy distinctly heard Amy stifle a giggle and felt a tiny elbow digging her in the ribs. ‘It’s good to meet you girls,’ she said calmly, and fought the desire to burst out laughing.
‘They saw you on YouTube,’ Marco explained, ‘and they think you’re hot. I promised them you’d sign their boobs, but only if Olga has her picture taken with Jimmy.’
Dorothy glanced at James and saw he was glowering at Marco. She could hardly blame him, but knew better than to try stopping her assistant when he was in full flight. She had no clue what Marco was up to or what evil plan he was currently hatching, and frankly did not care enough to dig any deeper.
The best way to extricate herself from the current, rather embarrassing situation was to accede to his wishes as speedily as possible so they could carry on with their shopping. Clive would be ordering them back to the car very shortly, and there was still a perfume stall she badly wanted to explore. If the easiest way to achieve this was by bullying James into having his photograph taken, and signing her name on some naked breasts, then that was what she was prepared to do.
Dorothy sighed unhappily and wished with all her heart Jack was with her to enjoy the sight of James looking murderous and Marco looking equally mutinous. He would get a kick out of whatever was going on, she was sure of it. She surreptitiously rubbed her chest where the Space Ache had briefly flared, then gave the protection officer her best smile.
‘James, please stand next to Olga and put your arm around her so Marco can take your picture,’ she ordered.
James’s mouth set in an implacable line of defiance, but at a cool look from his boss, he slowly moved towards the Russian woman and draped a wiry arm around her womanly frame. Seeing the other man had rolled over, Marco immediately sprang into action, and began to order the duo around as if they were a bridal couple, and he the super-expensive and uber-exclusive photographer who was doing them a favour merely by showing up at their wedding. Before they knew what they were about, James and Olga, watched by a suspicious looking Irena, were snuggled together like a pair of honeymoon lovebirds.
Marco demanded they both smile for the pic. Olga, who was clearly a very kind hearted and obliging sort of girl, did her best to comply, and showed off a charming set of pearly white teeth. James did his best, but alas for Marco, merely succeeded in looking like the third murderer from Macbeth. Seeing her assistant was about to lose his cool and start shouting, Dorothy quickly intervened.
‘Perhaps if James were to think about the cricket or the rugby, he might feel more cheerful,’ she suggested gently.
‘Donal’s making lamb steaks for supper,’ Amy supplied this information helpfully. ‘He’s gone to look for strawberries. There’s talk of Pavlova for pudding.’
The tension eased from James’s face upon hearing this, although he still could not quite conjure up the smile Marco so desperately needed for the photograph to appear authentic.
‘Clive!’ the driver cried, ‘help me out here, bro. Make the Evil Hoor smile for fuck sake.’
The Welshman stepped around Dorothy and moved to his friend’s shoulder. He leaned in a fraction and whispered into the other man’s ear for about twenty seconds. Then he retreated to his usual position close to Dorothy. They all watched in wonder as James’s eyes relaxed. The hard lines on his face softened and a radiant smile of sheer joy and pleasure lit up his features. There was a sharp intake of breath from Amy.
‘My goodness, he’s so handsome,’ she blurted out before she could stop herself.
James immediately stopped smiling and frowned around at them all, but it was too late. Marco had snapped three pictures at lightning speed, and was happily viewing the results of his endeavours on his phone.
Dorothy was forcibly reminded of the second part of the bargain when a permanent marker was brandished at her by Irena. Seeing this, Olga immediately pulled off her vest top to display a vast amount of sallow skin and a set of boobs that strained against the fabric of her pink bra. There was a murmur of appreciation from Clive, and Marco snatched the opportunity to take a few more shots of the Russian beauty.
Feeling very progressive, Dorothy stepped forward and scrawled ‘D-Ly’ across the acreage of flesh, thinking it might be more to Olga’s taste than the more formal Dorothy Lyle. She was quite right. Olga looked down and squeaked with pleasure when she saw the words. Then she looked expectantly at her friend.
If anybody thought Irena would hold back just because she resembled the lead actor from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, they were sadly mistaken. Off came the short girl’s black top to reveal a pair of pert boobs encased in a simple cotton black bra. As Amy chuckled to herself, Dorothy repeated the autograph process while Marco photographed her doing it.
‘Thank you,’ Irena spoke in a slightly guttural accent. ‘Sorry about what happened to you at the movies last month. Don’t let that big Tinman guy walk all over you just because you have a soft heart.’
Dorothy stared open-mouthed at Irena, but was distracted from answering by Clive who was determined to break up the party. He barely gave Dorothy time to bid goodbye to their new acquaintances before he ushered her away. Amy smiled shyly at the Russian girls then followed the group.
She was secretly delighted to have witnessed the autographing event, and to have such an amusing piece of pillow talk to share with Donal. By the time she caught up to the others, Marco had stopped again and was experiencing a moment of ecstasy over a stall selling linens. He turned excitedly to Dorothy. ‘Boss, you really need a set of handkerchiefs. Could I please have some cash?’
To Amy’s astonishment, Dorothy did not seem to find this request at all strange. She fished one hundred euro out of her wallet and handed it to the stylist. After telling him to come and find her at the perfume stall when he had finished, she slipped her arm through Amy’s and gave it a little tug.
‘We haven’t got much time,’ she said. ‘I really want to bring some locally produced perfume home for Glenda and Diane.’
This turned out to be something of an understatement, and Amy watched open-mouthed as Dorothy seemed to buy up half the stock of the perfume stand. When she saw her retail overload was under observation, Dorothy reminded her friend that she had no luggage restrictions on board the Gulfstream, and was therefore in a position to purchase whatever caught her fancy. Just for a moment, Amy was reminded of the fanfare that had surrounded Dorothy when they had gone to watch a movie in Galway, and how she had taken it all in her stride. It hasn’t even been two years since she won. It’s like she was never a normal person.
Amy’s consternation deepened when Dorothy kept hold of the bag containing her multitude of purchases, and also commandeered a couple of small bags Marco was carrying, one of which held the recently acquired handkerchiefs.
‘I understand why Clive has to keep his hands free,’ Amy remarked meekly, ‘but could Marco not carry your bags for you, Dottie?’
‘Marco is an excellent fighter,’ was the reply. ‘It’s best if he’s unencumbered in case there’s trouble. I don’t mind carrying a few bags.’
Amy cast the stylist a dubious look that spoke volumes, although he merely grinned at her cheekily. ‘I’m a lover and a fighter,’ he smirked.
‘I don’t care what adjectives you apply to yourself,’ Dorothy said complainingly. But I really need you to give me a foot rub later, providing James can spare you for half an hour. My feet are killing me, and I’ve hardly seen you all week.’
Marco’s face fell and he looked worried. ‘Jimmy needs me, Boss,’ he said anxiously. ‘These are dangerous times for you and we can’t be complaisant.’
Amy felt the familiar irksome feeling creeping over her so reminiscent of her days in the classroom. Who did Marco think he was to be talking to his employer like that? If Dottie wanted a foot rub, then she would fecking well have her foot rub and no two ways about it.
She opened her mouth with the intention of reminding the young man he was only an employee and not in a position to refuse requests. Before the first word had left her mouth, a sharp retort reverberated around the area of the market in which they stood.
Amy felt gravity release its hold upon her. One second she was upright and about to berate Marco Kelly for his impudence, and a second later she found herself prostrate on the ground with the same Marco lying on top of her. His left arm was cradling her head so she did not bang it on the hard ground and suffer a concussion. Almost immediately, she heard James call out: ‘All-clear. Just a kid’s toy.’
Marco grinned down at Amy and said, ‘There’s a trick to bowling a person over in a safe way. Any goon can put you down on the ground. It’s getting you there without hurting you that’s the money shot. By the way, you have an excellent pair of boobs for a woman your age.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
‘They’re still quite firm,’ he said chattily. ‘Do you use that liquid bra gel?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
He sprang upright and expertly picked Amy off the ground. He bent down and fixed her cotton trousers and flicked dust off her shoes. Then he straightened up again and gently fixed her hair. Seeing Clive was performing a similar action on Dorothy, Amy stood quietly and did not protest. Donal appeared out of nowhere clutching numerous bags of fresh produce. He stopped dead when he saw Marco with his hands on Amy.
‘What the fuck is going on here?’ he snarled.
Marco turned to him in surprise and said, ‘I’m making her look presentable.’
‘Take your hands off her,’ Donal hissed in fury, and took a threatening step forward. He was forcibly restrained by Clive, who put out an arm and blocked his way.
‘Simmer down, boyo,’ Clive said in a low voice. ‘Let’s head back to the car on the double, folks. Our shopping trip is over.’
‘Who the fuck do you think you are to be giving me orders?’ Donal now got in Clive’s face.
‘I’m the man who’s going to put you in the hospital unless you shut the fuck up and do as you’re told,’ Clive replied in a cool tone.
Seeing Donal was turning an alarming shade of puce, Amy quickly stepped up to him. She grabbed his arm and began to pull him away. After a moment’s hesitation, her partner went along with her, still muttering through gritted teeth.
Dorothy looked puzzled. ‘Perhaps Donal forgot that Marco’s gay,’ she said. ‘Under the circumstances, I think that was a slight overreaction. I never realised he was so territorial.’
‘He’s a dozy fucker, Boss,’ Marco said cheerily, ‘let’s get you into the car.’
By the time they reached the vehicle, Amy had packed away their purchases and Donal was looking decidedly calmer. He did not speak on the drive home, although he was quick to run around to the back and offer to carry Dorothy’s bags once he had parked.
She gratefully agreed to this and informed everybody who was within earshot that she desperately needed to go and change into a pair of shorts and flip-flops as she was ridiculously warm and her feet were aching. She gratefully took off to her room and took the opportunity to have a quick shower, sure that Amy and Donal would be glad of some time to themselves after the heat and drama of the market.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Marco was waiting for her. He had hauled all her shopping upstairs and tucked it safely into the corner of the room. Even though Dorothy was only wrapped in a towel, he insisted she sit in the small armchair occupying a space near the bed so he could rub her feet with the special lotion he always used. She was too tired to argue with him, and sat in almost total silence while he worked his magic on her. After ten minutes, she felt much better and guilty at having kept him for so long.
‘You don’t have to hang around,’ she told him fondly. ‘I know you have other responsibilities. I’m going to take a little nap before lunch. Something tells me Amy and Donal might like a bit of time to themselves, and I won’t be missed for an hour.’
Marco gave her feet a final pat then stood up and stretched. He said, ‘I’d better go and check in with Jimmy. I can’t believe this is only our fifth day here. I feel as if we’ve been in the Lot Valley for a month.’
Dorothy got to her feet wearily. ‘It certainly makes me think twice about going abroad for the rest of August,’ she sighed sadly. ‘The Spanish villa should be easy enough to secure, but staying in other people’s houses and hotels is proving to be a nightmare. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Laurier for the past year, but now I just want to be back in Ireland. Oh, Marco.’
‘Now don’t go upsetting yourself, Boss,’ he said firmly. ‘Pop on a nightshirt and slip into bed for a few minutes. I’ll tell Amy not to expect you downstairs until fourteen hundred. That should give the Cork cunt time to get over himself. He’s making scallops and salad for lunch, that’s one of your favourites. In a few hours’ time you’ll feel like a million dollars, as my mother always used to say.’
‘My mother says that too,’ Dorothy replied sleepily, as she pulled a white cotton nightshirt over her head.
‘Your ma is a wise woman,’ Marco replied, and pulled back the covers so she could slide into the bed. He located her sleeping mask and watched her putting it on. Then he dropped a kiss on her forehead and quietly left the room.
Left alone in the double bed with its crisp white cotton sheets, Dorothy began to relax. She placed a hand on her heart and wondered what her love was doing back home. Holding a picture of Jackson Earl Maddox in her mind, she fell asleep.
