“Yes, thank you.”
Tasha headed to the cash desk and once there felt rather faint at the sight of the cost of the very small bikini, $750. For a bikini that was essentially four fabric triangles and some string. She cursed internally but handed over her credit card and smiled in spite of the nausea she felt. She did have some work planned for the following week, although the pay would probably just cover the cost of the bikini, whatever $750 was in pounds.
“No, use this one,” interrupted Lizzie handing over Jim’s credit card.
“Lizzie, no,” argued Tasha.
The assistant stared at them with a credit card in each hand waiting for further instructions.
“Daddy was quite clear, Tasha,” she said defiantly and again Tasha could see she was very much her father’s daughter.
“Lizzie, really, I can pay for my own clothes.”
“Shall I give you a moment?” asked the assistant as she handed them each their card.
“Please.” Tasha followed Lizzie to a sofa in the corner where they sat together and she hoped she might be able to make her desire to buy her own clothes clear. “I have my own money and I can buy my own things.”
Lizzie frowned, unconvinced having your own money was enough of a reason not to accept someone else picking up your bills. Tasha got it, understood why Lizzie might feel that way if she’d spent her whole life wanting for nothing and having access to her father’s credit card and its limitless facility. She considered how to explain her thoughts then tried again.
“I’m used to working and making my own money to buy the things I want and I like it, Lizzie. For me it feels as though I’ve achieved something by being able to be self-sufficient. I like being independent. I don’t know if I want your dad to buy me things.” Tasha watched her words register and hoped she was making some headway because she had no intention of explaining her real fear; she had been bought and traded in the past and didn’t want there to ever be any question as to why she and Jim were together. She never wanted to feel he was with her because he had somehow bought the rights to her rather than because he wanted to be.
Dark thoughts and ideas from the past were beginning to invade her mind when Lizzie responded.
“I know, but he wants to buy you things. Daddy is very generous. He likes you, a lot and he did say.”
Tasha could see that as much as Lizzie words suggested shegot it, she really didn’t. What was obvious was her clear belief that Daddy got whatever Daddy wanted and he had said to them both she should get something for the pool and charge it.
“You could be very persuasive.”
Lizzie smiled as if she’d just been paid the greatest of compliments and as much as Tasha wanted to laugh at her, the words she spoke only made her frown. “Either I persuade you or Daddy does. I’ll call him if I have to.”
Tasha laughed now, assuming Lizzie was simply teasing, joking. She couldn’t be serious, threatening to call her dad to tell on her like they were children playing a game she was losing. Tasha even imagined Lizzie saying,Daddy, tell her.
“You wouldn’t,” she said with a smile and a shake of her head.
Quick as a flash Lizzie’s phone was out and she had hit the button. Tasha laughed again, still not convinced she’d really called Jim. Surely she was bluffing.
“Hi, Daddy. No, we are fine, but Tasha is going to pay for her bikini and you said—” the flow of words had obviously been stopped in their tracks by her father. Lizzie looked at Tasha, handing her the phone. “Sorry, he wants to speak to you.”
“Hello.” She spoke nervously but was also a little shocked to realise Lizzie had been serious and really had phoned her father to tell on her.
“Hi, baby. I believe you’re causing my daughter some distress by stopping her from following my instructions,” Jim said, his playful tone causing some of Tasha’s initial nervousness to lift, but it was more, it made her smile. He made her smile. It made her happy, just the sound of his voice. He made her happy.
“So it would seem.” She was unable to hide her pleasure or her smile.
“Please, just charge the bikini.”
“No, there’s no need—” she started.
“Honey, I really don’t have time for this right now. Just charge the God damn thing, please.”
His voice had lost much of its playfulness but Tasha persisted. “But—”
“No buts Tasha—”
She interrupted him now. “I don’t need you to buy me things Jame—, Jim, really.”
“Even though I want to? We can play it your way, baby. Pass me back to Lizzie, please” he said a little curtly and as much as she wanted to say something else to reinstate his earlier happy and playful persona she didn’t, she simply complied with his request.
