Aye, I’ve also got a big one for Ella. She’ll be getting it real soon.
‘Louis must be fond of the ho pair.’ I try not to laugh. Mum is always getting things wrong even if she uses that tone; the one nosy mothers everywhere have perfected. Theoh-I-mean-nothing-by-it-but-please-do-fill-in-the-blanks.‘The wee laddie was chatting away about her all the way here.’
I don’t answer, saved by Louis’s hands on the lapels of my jacket as he tells me to take good care ofCharles Rififi.
‘Give over, Stella. If the lad had something to say, his lips would be movin’.’
‘I’m only saying that Fin happened to mention to Ivy what a sweet girl Ella the ho pair was.’
‘It’s au pair,’ I correct.
‘Is that no’ what I just said?’
‘And I suppose Ivy just happened to mention it to you, did she? From LA?’ There’s nothing like a digging expedition, especially from the other side of the world.
My mother turns away, beginning to pat her hair in a tell as old as she is. ‘Fin just said that you seemed—’
‘For the love of God,’ my dad interjects. ‘Let the lad be!’
I leave the three of them at the hotel and head back to the office, pulling into a service station on the way. I fill up on fuel and grab a protein bar and a juice, given I hadn’t had time for lunch today, when my phone buzzes with a text.
Ella:There’s a very fancy looking box on my bed. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?
Me:Pixies, I answer, unsure how I should proceed. It was a last-minute gamble to put the box of knickers I’d ordered on her bed this morning. I wasn’t sure if she’d feel pressured or weirded out. But then again, I’m sure she’s become well acquainted with my tastes by now.
Ella:Lingerie pixies?
Me:So you have opened it?
Me:What do you think? Too forward.
Ella:I’m still trying to work out what the black string thing is.
Ella:Is it bondage?
Ella:It’s BONDAGE, ISN’T IT?
Ella:Oops. Caps lock!
Me:I thought you were a little excited there. Which in turn got me a little excited.
Ella:Do you like that sort of stuff?
Me:Bondage?Truthfully, I’m not a rabid aficionado. While I like a bit of slap and tickle as much as the next man, I’m not into the whole D/s thing. A little light bedroom bondage is more my speed, but I seize her questions as an opportunity.
Me:What’s not to like? A beautiful woman tied and at my mercy.
Me:Mine to kiss and suck.
Me:To bite and fuck.
Me:At my mercy and in ecstasy.
Me:Cat got your tongue?
Ella:No, but I am trying to roll it back up so it’ll fit in my mouth again.
Me:*Slots away for future reference*
