Calling All Dentists (Calling All... Book 2), page 10
“We didn’t go to sleep until about seven o’clock this morning,” she said between spoonfuls of fried rice, “We talked all night.”
“Talked? All night long?”
“Yes… why?” asked Ruby, defensively.
“What did you talk about all night? Anything else happen?”
“No, it did not! We just talked about books and things.” Ruby looked guiltily at her friend, “I know what you’re thinking Emma, but I can promise you we did nothing of the sort.”
“I wouldn’t care if you had. In fact I would have been very happy for you if you did.” Emma smiled and picked up another small piece of battered chicken and nibbled at it.
“Alright, but I can assure you that we are just good friends at the moment.”
“Just good friends that kiss an awful lot,” laughed Emma.
“I was very drunk and feel terrible about all that kissing in public.” Ruby squirmed in her seat.
“Was it good though, because that’s all that matters?” Ruby didn’t answer but her reddening cheeks spoke for her.
“What about you, did you have a nice time?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Yes I did. I’m a bit shagged out… literally!”
“Oh my goodness, did you have sex then?” Ruby’s eyes widened and the next spoonful of rice stopped midway as her jaw hung partially open.
“Yes… four times,” said Emma, nonchalantly, pouring more sweet and sour sauce over her chicken balls.
“Oh my God Emma… are… are you alright?” Ruby’s face turned pale, “Who were they?” Moving to the edge of her seat, she placed her plate on the sofa and clasped her hands together, apprehensively. “I thought you didn’t seem to be your usual self. Are you hurt?”
“You could say that.” Emma grinned.
“Oh my goodness, you’re in denial. Was it one of those Group-Bongs?” Ruby squeezed her hands tighter together as she began to feel sick.
Laughing out loudly, Emma squealed, “It’s not a Group-Bong Rue, it’s called a Gang-Bang!”
“Oh no, you’ve been raped haven’t you? You’re acting strangely Emma. I’m concerned that you’re in a state of post-anguished-delusion.” Ruby was close to tears, “Should I call the police?”
“No!” Emma shook her head and peered at her friend, across the room as she was almost hyperventilating, “And what the hell is post-anguish-delusion?” She laughed.
“Oh, I don’t know, but you know what I mean. It happens doesn’t it? I mean – women get defensive over what has happened to them, don’t they? They’re in denial.”
“Ruby – calm yourself down for goodness sake! And don’t you mean post traumatic stress?”
“Oh gosh, yes that’s the one.”
“Everything’s fine, it was Andrew. Remember him?”
“He organised it? Oh no Emma. He seemed to be such a nice…” stopping short, Ruby took a breath as the realisation of Emma’s laughter and apathy swept across her face, turning her gaze to horror. “Did you want them to do it? Is that why you don’t seem to care?”
“Rue,” said Emma quietly and calmly, “If you’d let me get a word in before you started panicking, I could explain.” Picking up her plate of food again, Ruby sat back and listened. “It was only one man, not four.”
“Andrew?”
“Yes.”
“How long have you been seeing him? I never knew…”
“I only met him last night Ruby, remember?”
“But you said you had sex four times.”
“Yes, with Andrew.” Ruby’s mouth hung open again. “Once last night and then 3 times during the day today.”
“What, properly?”
“What do you mean, ‘properly’?”
“Err… you know… actual sex. I mean when he goes inside.”
“Yes, properly Ruby,” Emma laughed again, “You can do it more than once you know.”
“Oh gosh! Do you like him then?”
“Well, I would think so, wouldn’t you? I don’t often go around having non-stop sex with men.” Emma felt a bit annoyed that her wonderful, enchanting tale was being unpicked in a very unromantic way. “We just connected in such an explosive way Rue. I’ve never known anything like it before.”
“Is he Superman? I thought men could only do it once and then they had to have a day off,” said Ruby and giggled coyly.
“Where did you get that idea from?” laughed Emma.
“I’m not sure. Don’t they have to produce more sperm stuff before they can start again? You know, like fill up their testicles again?” Ruby blushed at the word ‘testicles’.
Emma roared with laughter and almost choked on the piece of chicken she had held in the side of her mouth, “Look Rue, this is getting far too much like a biology lesson, you have got a lot to learn. Get a book about sex or something. I thought you would have known more about this type of thing, from all the slushy books you read.” Emma took a sip of her coffee and continued, while Ruby sat across the other side of the room staring silently and rather blankly. “I’ve had an amazing time with Andrew. I think I’ve fallen in love with him at first sight.”
“Really, so soon? Is that because he can do it 4 times?”
“No Ruby, that’s not the reason why. He’s really lovely, in every way.”
“When are you seeing him again then?”
“New Year’s Eve, so we’ll both be away that night,” said Emma at the same time as her phone sounded another muffled tingle from inside her bag. Jumping up, she almost knocked her plate off her lap before catching it and placing it on the table by the side of her sofa. “That might be him now,” she said excitedly as she grappled around in her bag, “He’s texted me once already since I’ve been home.”
I can’t stop thinking about you. It’s doing my head in. Andy xx
Emma’s heart galloped like a racehorse as she sent a reply, Ditto, haven’t even started packing yet xxx
“Is it him?” asked Ruby patiently.
“Yes,” purred Emma, throwing herself back on the sofa and hugging her phone to her chest as she peered up at the ceiling dreamily. “He can’t stop thinking about me.”
“Oh that’s so sweet,” whispered Ruby in her most endearing way. “Do you think he wants some more sex?”
“No Ruby, I’m sure he doesn’t,” Emma thought for a moment, “But even if he did – I would be up for it too.”
Ruby gasped in amazement, “Again?”
“Yes – again!” Emma grinned slyly, “I think it can be safely said that we both got very lucky last night and ended up having a fantastic time at Webb’s work do!” stated Emma, “This will be the best Christmas ever!”
“Could I ask you a question Emma?”
“Of course you can. You can ask me anything, you know that. What?”
Ruby shuffled in her seat and looked uncomfortable again. “It’s just… well… did you kiss him?”
“Yes, of course I kissed him.”
“Oh, ok. I just wondered, well, you know with your teeth problems…” Ruby grinned weakly.
“I know what you mean Rue but it wasn’t a problem at all. He’s not one of those ‘deep-throat’ kissers. He’s a very sexy, almost teasing type. You know what I mean – the ones that don’t need to stick their tongue down your throat to be sensational kissers,” Emma paused briefly, “No actually, you wouldn’t know what I mean, would you?”
Ruby shook her head, “No, not really.”
“He’s sweet and gentle Rue, and incredibly sensual in everything he does.”
“Oh, I see,” replied Ruby.
Although Emma knew that she probably didn’t really see at all.
Chapter 9
Good morning Just wanted to say goodbye before I leave. Have a very happy Xmas. Andy xx
Pressing the reply button, Emma sleepily sent a message back. Have a safe journey and a lovely Xmas with your family. Kisses Em xxx. The dullness of her room meant it would be a cloudy and cold day outside. She shivered, turned over in her bed and tucked the quilt tightly around her before drifting back off to sleep.
“Em… Emma… What time are you going to your Mum’s?” Ruby was on the other side of the bedroom door, dressed, packed and ready to leave for her family’s Christmas get together.
“Going round for tea,” replied Emma as she peeped out from under the quilt, “What time is it?”
“Two o’clock.”
“Oh dear, better get up then,” said Emma, dragging herself out of bed. Plodding to the door, she noticed her legs and groin ached like she’d run a marathon the previous day. “Gosh, I ache all over,” she mumbled as she passed Ruby in the hallway, on route to the bathroom.
“I’ll be going soon. Do you want a coffee?” called Ruby, merrily. “I’ve got time to make us one before I go.”
“Yes please,” said Emma, peering into the mirror at her teeth. Most days, she spent some time talking and smiling in different ways, into the mirror, to check how she looked to others. Pulling silly faces at herself, Emma was convinced she had as good a chance as any, if she entered a Gurning competition, of winning. Her teeth were always worse after a drinking session but she had particular concerns about one of the front ones, on the bottom row. It was clearly moving just by the force of her tongue rocking it backwards and forwards. The strangely pleasant feeling of the tooth’s movement made her reminisce about her childhood days.
When she was losing her milk teeth, her dad pretended to chase her around the garden with a pair of pliers, saying he was going to pull them out for her so he could get the ‘Tooth Fairy’ money for himself. Smiling to herself, Emma finished in the bathroom and then went through to the lounge where Ruby sat waiting with two coffees.
“I’ll be going after this. Here, this is for you, but you’re not allowed to open it until Christmas day,” she said, passing a small, sparkly red, wrapped present to Emma. “I hope you like it Em.”
“Ah, thank you Rue. I haven’t wrapped yours yet,” said Emma guiltily.
“I’ve had mine, you bought me that dress.”
“No, I got you something else as well.”
“Shall I wait until I get back then?”
“Unless you’ve got time to hang around while I wrap it now?” said Emma, eyeing the intriguing little gift in her hand.
“No, I need to get going Em, if you don’t mind. It’ll be nice to come back to another present after Christmas.”
“Ok, thank you for this,” said Emma, waving the perfectly wrapped, small and mysterious gift in the air, “I hope it’s not a set of dentures or anything like that.” Emma laughed out loud when she saw the horrified look on Ruby’s face, “Only joking, I’m sure it will be something lovely, knowing you.”
Ruby grinned, “I do hope you’ll like it.”
“Have you booked a taxi?”
“No Pete’s dropping me off at the station. He’s so sweet isn’t he?”
“Yes he is. Well have a lovely Christmas won’t you,” said Emma, “And let me know when you arrive safely.”
“And you too, Em. Yes I’ll text you.”
Draining the last slurps from her coffee mug, Ruby picked up her coat and headed towards her suitcase with retractable wheels (it was the trendiest thing she possessed, apart from her new red dress, without matching shoes), lifted the handle and pulled it to the door.
“Bye then Em, I’ll see you next week.”
Emma smiled and nodded then they gave each other bestie-hugs just as Pete turned up in his car. Emma watched Ruby, her favourite little geek, depart and then she returned indoors, feeling slightly lonely and forlorn. Everyone was leaving to go and join their families for the festive season and although Emma was going away too (although not very far – in fact, just to the other side of town) it didn’t quite feel as exciting as previous years. Emma was sure that meeting Andrew and the time she had spent with him had a lot to do with it – everything else could only be an anticlimax after her fleeting affair with him.
“Hi Mum, sorry I’m late!” called Emma from the front porch as Misty smothered her in sloppy tongue kisses. Laden with bags full of presents and her weekend holdall, she stepped through to the lounge where her dad sat flicking through the TV channels.
“Alright trouble,” he said without turning to look at her. Dropping her bags on the floor, Emma looked around the room and smiled to herself.
“I see Grandma’s been round then.”
“Naturally,” replied Emma’s dad, still flicking through channels, looking for a decent programme that didn’t have anything to do with the festive season. He was very much like the old Grinch – a movie character from her childhood and her dad had grown worse, the older he got.
“Where’s Mum?”
“I’m here!” called her mum, from upstairs, “Hello darling, are you ok?” she asked as she floated down the stairs like an angel.
“Sorry I’m late. Have I missed tea?”
“No not at all, kept it warm for you. We haven’t eaten yet, your Grandma’s been round this afternoon,” said her mum as she entered the living room, pecked Emma on the cheek and stood behind the reclining chair, where Emma’s dad sat. “Grandad’s not well again.”
“Oh dear, will he still be coming tomorrow?”
“Hope so, Grandma’s going to call in the morning. Your dad will pick them up – won’t you Grant?” she said, poking him in the back.
“Yeah, of course I will.”
Sadly, Emma’s dad and Grandma didn’t quite see eye to eye. They hadn’t done for many years and Emma could recall the accusations that had flown around at the time, about her dad throwing her grandma into the lake at the local park. Grandma had never really forgiven him, although he was adamant that it had all been a terrible accident at the time and he had not pushed her in.
“What time will Joe be here?” asked Emma, excitedly. She hadn’t seen her brother for a year, not since last Christmas in fact; when he proudly announced that he had a girlfriend. She was probably not his first one but certainly the first one he had ever mentioned to his family. This year he was going to bring Tiffany along to meet the whole family, so Emma guessed it was pretty serious stuff.
“About 8.30,” replied her dad, stretching out in his old recliner, “Is the dinner ready Alex, I’m starving?”
“Get off your bum and go and check,” said Emma’s mum jovially, patting him on the top of his thinning head.
“Your stew is the best in the world,” said Emma, wiping her lips with her sleeve, “I’m stuffed.”
“There’s more if you want it honey.”
Emma’s mum had made stew on a regular basis as all the children were growing up, she said it was quick, easy and healthy. Emma used to hate it and had a slight grudge, every other Sunday that she was made to eat it. She smiled as she remembered spending two hours most alternate Sunday evenings, pushing peas and carrots around her bowl until everyone had left the room and forgotten about her still sitting there, still eating. Then she would quickly rush through the archway to the kitchen, open the lid of the bin and sit back down quickly before anyone noticed. Making a game out of her meal, she would play toss the carrot or pea into the bin from the dining room and see how many times her aim was accurate. Now and again she would have to stop and pretend to be eating when anyone passed by. Emma recalled how she became an expert veggie-tosser during her childhood and along with her cleverly clandestine disposal of salmon paste sandwiches to the cats next door, she was an all round wafer thin child until she hit puberty. However the neighbour’s two scavenging cats grew fatter and greedier as they reached old age and usually smelt very strongly of fish paste.
“No, honestly Mum, I’m full to the brim.” Strangely, since leaving the maternal home, Emma had developed a taste for her mum’s stew and even began to enjoy the odd salmon paste sandwich… odd as in maybe only one or two a year.
I’m here, but wish I was there with you. Andy xx
I’ve arrived at Mum’s ok, have a lovely Xmas. Love from Ruby xxxxxxxx
Every time her mobile tinkled Emma’s heart raced in anticipation – she couldn’t quite get to it fast enough. It was always buried deep inside her oversized bag, at the very bottom, even though she swore she had put it on the top.
“It’s nice to see that you’ve grown out of keeping your phone tucked in your bra love,” said Emma’s mum with a big smile on her face.
“Hardly anyone calls me these days Mum, but I might go back to that now,” Emma grinned slyly.
“I call you.”
“Yes I know Mum, I mean apart from you. Oh and Grandma – she calls or texts me nearly every day.”
“Who’s that then?” she enquired, trying to sound like she was not prying.
“I met a man the other night at the work’s Christmas do.”
“Oh? What’s his name?”
“Andrew,” said Emma, trying to talk and text at the same time.
“Andrew what?”
“Um, don’t know… just Andrew.” Suddenly realising she didn’t even know his last name, Emma convinced herself that it didn’t really matter, well not at the moment anyway.
“Just Andrew? That’s a funny name,” said her mum, smiling at her beloved one and only daughter. “Are you seeing him again?”
“Yes, next week. I’m going out on New Year’s Eve with him. He’s very nice Mum.”
“Ah, lovely. It’s about time you met someone nice.”
“Who’s she met?” roared Emma’s dad, entering the kitchen and putting his arms over both Emma and her mum’s shoulders and grinning.
“No one Dad, just a man I met the other night.”
“Bring him round here so I can check him out. You know, give him the third degree about his intentions, ensure he’s able to support you etc.”
