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Double Trouble

Julia was in for the shock of her life

By Rosy GeePublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The pool party was in full swing by the time Julia arrived.

Professor Brooks from Obs and Gynae was being hauled out from the deep end, fully clothed, by some sheepish colleagues. Julia smiled as she breezed past the Bougainvillea; he was usually so debonaire and fastidious about his appearance. She was his PA and although she had only worked for him for a couple of weeks, she was proud to work for such an eminent Professor, who was also a really nice guy.

“I’m still wearing my watch for Chrissakes!” he grumbled in his Australian accent, squelching off towards the host’s villa. He was shaking his head and muttering something about his hand-made shoes being ruined.

Julia had only recently arrived from the UK to start a new life as an “Executive Assistant” at the military hospital in Jeddah and to join her new husband who had been there for over a year. He was being weirdly evasive about the party and told her very matter-of-factly that he would follow on later, after his game of squash with his friend. She was a bit miffed because, being the newbie on the scene, she could have done with some company but undeterred, she crossed the compound alone and found the party easily enough.

“Hey, look at you!” Tammy cooed, giving Julia a big, welcoming hug. They were colleagues at the hospital and had become friends.

“You look gorgeous. What can I get you to drink? You must help yourself to the buffet — there’s plenty there. Come and meet some guests.”

Julia trailed behind her in her white linen trousers and floaty top. Tammy was a great hostess, but she felt overwhelmed with all the questions and wasn’t given the chance to answer any of them. She managed to grab a drink from a tray held out by a passing waiter as Tammy led her alongside the turquoise pool which was under-lit and looked beautiful.

Chuck, Tammy’s husband, was holding court with a small group of guests who were sitting around a table at the corner of the pool, telling them how fantastic going out over the edge of the coral reef was at Al-Nakheel beach.

“It’s like falling off a cliff but only you’re floating! The temperature dips as soon as you go over the edge. It’s awesome.”

Julia was enthralled and loved the idea of beach outings, barbecues, pool parties, and a ton of other outdoor activities all being penciled into diaries for the foreseeable. Back in the UK, the summer months run from May (if you’re lucky) through to August or possibly September but after that, it gets cold, dark, and very wet. The idea of arranging an outdoor event several weeks ahead was alien to her, but one aspect of working in the Middle East that she was looking forward to more than anything.

Chuck introduced her to the circle of friends, some of whom she had seen at the hospital but not been formally introduced to, and everybody was kind and friendly. They were discussing the merits of various diving courses.

Ben had done his PADI diving course, naturally, as soon as he had arrived in the Kingdom, but if Julia was honest, she just wanted to spend her precious one and a half day weekend on Thursday afternoon and Friday, lazing in the sun and only venturing into the Red Sea to cool off. A short stint of snorkeling would be plenty for her to deal with; she was a sun-seeker and loved the fact that her skin was turning a gorgeous mahogany brown; it made her look glowing and radiant.

“Julia! Come and say hi to some of the guys who work in the Director’s Office.”

Chuck was a wonderful host and intermingled with his guests like a pro. It was obvious that he was a seasoned ex-pat and Julia thought the Americans were such generous hosts.

Turning to a tall, slender lady wearing an expensive designer dress, he introduced them to each other.

“This is Louise. She’s from the UK too.” Chuck left them to it to re-charge his glass.

“Hi, Louise. Pleased to meet you.” Julia went to shake the elegant woman’s hand but the older woman took out a packet of cigarettes and lit one up. She inhaled deeply and blew the smoke out upwards, avoiding the young woman opposite her.

“Would you like one?” she asked, huskily.

“No. Thanks. I gave up last year.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Secretly, Julia was desperate for a cigarette but she fought the urge.

“How long have you been out here?” she asked, tucking a stray blonde hair behind her ear.

Exhaling another plume of smoke before she spoke, Louise said rather haughtily, “Just over a year. You?”

Julia felt uncomfortable in this woman’s company and looked anxiously around for Ben. Where the hell was he?

“Oh, I just got here a couple of weeks ago. It’s all still very new.”

“Yes, I can tell you’re new”, she said sardonically. “You look like a rabbit caught in headlights.” She looked Julia up and down as she spoke, taking in the pristine new outfit and pretty, delicate sandals.

“Louise! I see you’ve met Ben’s wife, Julia.” Professor Brooks had re-joined the party and was now wearing some shorts and a Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club polo shirt, courtesy of Chuck Julia presumed, as it looked a little tight across the chest. He was also wearing flip-flops which looked completely out of character, but he looked calmer and was carrying a plate of food.

“Ben, um?” Louise inquired, waving her cigarette around affectedly.

“Pilkston”, Julia replied nonchalantly.

Louise’s cigarette stopped mid-way to her mouth and she froze with a horrid look on her face.

“Are you alright, Louise? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the Professor observed, posting a delicious-looking tiger prawn into his mouth.

“Ben Pilkston, works in Bio-medical Engineering?” she snapped.

“The very one!” Julia piped up proudly. Ben had always been a bit of a lady’s man but Julia had managed to tame him, although he had been very difficult to tie down to a date for the wedding. There was always some problem at the hospital and he couldn’t get leave or the visa department was on a go-slow, the excuses were wearing thin. Eventually, though she had managed to become Mrs. Pilkston because if Julia wanted something, Julia got it. They had not long returned from their honeymoon in Mauritius.

“Do you know him?” Julia asked, feeling the upper hand and quite enjoying the moment as she sipped her drink.

“Well, I bloody well should know him. He’s my husband!”

Julia didn’t feel the champagne flute slip between her fingers, just the cool liquid and the shards of glass across her feet as it smashed on the poolside tiles.

This story was first published on Medium.

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About the Creator

Rosy Gee

I write short stories and poetry. FeedMyReads gave my book a sparkling review here. I have a weekly blog: Rosy's Ramblings where I serialized my first novel, The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden. Come join me!

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