Sleeping Cruelty

Chapter fifteen

The next day dawned with a cloudless azure sky and just enough breeze to blow away the humidity. The guests explored the island, swam, rode the jet-skis, played tennis, worked out in the gym. Now they gathered on the veranda overlooking the jetty for tea. Plates of sandwiches, pastries, muffins and fruit were placed in the shaded buffet area, with every conceivable variety of tea: Assam, Formosa Oolong, Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, and herbal. They chattered excitedly, sharing their day’s discoveries, all relaxed and enjoying the food. They turned as a powerful speedboat appeared on the horizon, heading for the island’s jetty, the boys running hot-foot to welcome the new arrival.

The guests shaded their eyes against the sun to stare.

‘Here comes someone else,’ Cedric Hangerford stated unnecessarily, as the boat’s engines were cut. To Matlock’s disappointment, only one figure could be seen, and it was that of a woman.

Laura remained in the stern of the boat, her eyes shaded by dark glasses, an ice blue chiffon scarf draped around her head, matching her Chanel shift. The staff hurried to remove her Louis Vuitton suitcases, but she remained a serene figure. Extending one slender hand to a waiting boy, she stepped from the boat in a fluid movement, like a dancer. As if in slow motion, she unravelled her trailing scarf and her white-blonde hair swirled around her shoulders as perfectly as if she had been in a shampoo advertisement. Laura was not tanned: her skin was translucent, pale, like that of some exotic ice maiden.

Max let out a long sigh of admiration. ‘My God, she’s so beautiful... like a mirage.’

The Baroness gasped and turned to her husband. ‘Isn’t that... it is, isn’t it?’

‘What?’ said the Baron, buttering a scone.

‘Laura. It’s Laura Chalmers.’

The Baron looked up, butter trickling down his chin.

‘Justin’s sister, remember? We met her once at Grimaud.’

‘Ghastly temper,’ the Baron said, holding his empty teacup for Kiki to refill. ‘You remember Christa, that evening when she appeared like a Hollywood Oscar in that gold lamé dress?’

‘There’s Benedict again,’ shouted Hangerford, grabbing the binoculars.

William was walking casually down the jetty, and they saw the beautiful woman turn, and then, to their astonishment, fall into his embrace. To even further amazement, they watched the couple kiss.

‘Bloody hell, she’s young enough to be his daughter,’ spluttered Hangerford. ‘The dirty old sod. After all that scandal, I think I’d have shot myself if I was him. But look at him!’

They all expected Laura and William to join them for tea, but by five thirty, they had not made an appearance, so they drifted off to their various suites to digest the day and rest before dinner.

Dinner was well attended that night. The Baron and Baroness were seated at a table for four with Cedric and Daphne Hangerford. The Matlocks were at an adjoining table with their son James. Max and Clarissa sat at a table by the open balcony doors. The main dining table, which could seat twenty, remained empty, save for two Mexican silver candlesticks that stood in the centre. A mellow light threw shadows around the wall, enhancing the oil paintings and tapestries and making the suit of armour shimmer. The room could just as easily have been in England, Austria or Russia; the ambience was theatrical.

The guests, including the younger ones, had all dressed up, the women in long gowns and the men in dark suits, except the Baron, who wore a white dinner-jacket with a white bow tie. A boy sat in a corner, quietly strumming bossanovas on his guitar. The waiters moved around quietly and efficiently. The wine flowed and the level of conversation lifted as each group relaxed and enjoyed their dinner. Nobody could fault the food, except the Baroness, who only took one spoonful of her avocado and lime soup.

The diners had all but forgotten their host when the door opened and he walked in. Momentarily the room fell silent. Then an animated conversation began again. William led Laura to her table like a lover. She did not acknowledge anyone and sat with her back to the room. William fussed over her, making sure her chair was in the right position. She wore a delicate gown of silver chiffon, which fell loosely from a halter neck and swirled like gossamer. Her blonde hair was braided down her back and tied with a fine silver ribbon. Her shoes were silver, with a spiked heel and a band of silver leather around the ankle.

The adults were impressed, but disguised it by continuing to talk. The younger guests stared openly. William was wearing a white dinner-jacket, with a black, tight-collared shirt and well-cut black trousers. Now, at last, he turned to his guests. Moving around with an elegant confidence, he shook hands with them all, apologizing for not having been there to greet them but explaining he had had pressing business meetings. He came last to Angela and Matlock.

‘Angela, what a long time it has been. I can’t tell you how delighted I am that you accepted my invitation.’

Angela’s cheeks flushed as his hand reached for hers. When he kissed her fingertips, she had trouble breathing and had to gulp before she was able to speak. ‘You look better than ever,’ she said nervously.

‘Thank you. And this must be your husband. I don’t believe we’ve actually met. I am delighted that you and your family are here. I do hope you enjoy my island.’

Matlock’s voice boomed, ‘It’s a paradise, wonderful place. This is my son James. James! Say good evening to your host. William Benedict, James Matlock.’

But James could not stop looking across the room at the wonderful naked back opposite him. He drank in the woman’s every move as she picked up a glass — filled, James presumed, with the champagne his parents were guzzling — and sipped it.

‘James, dear, do stop staring,’ Angela said softly.

‘Nice to meet you, sir,’ James said eventually, and William smiled warmly as his eyes, like James’s, turned back to Laura.

Then William rejoined Laura and took her hand to help her rise. ‘One of the main reasons I invited you all here, and we are hoping more guests will join us shortly, is because I wanted to introduce to you the love of my life. She is soon to be my wife: Laura.’

Laura gave a dazzling but demure smile, as William paraded her from table to table. She rested an arm around William’s back as she walked. On her hand glistened a diamond ring that made the Baroness gasp. William raised his glass. ‘A toast to my darling. She has made me the happiest man alive. To Laura.’

They all lifted their glasses, and Laura cupped his face between her hands and kissed him, before turning back to implore them gently, ‘Please, continue eating, we’ve interrupted your dinner long enough. Come and sit down, darling.’

Clarissa Hangerford also kept her eyes on Laura, but with a look of envy. She had been getting on well with both James and Max and had been secretly hoping for a fling with one, if not both of them, though Justin of course would be preferable to both. But seeing this gorgeous creature had shattered all her confidence. She had blonde hair too, but of quite a different type: it didn’t shine like Laura’s, and swimming had made it frizzy and dry. Clarissa had also caught the sun, and was blotchy, red and sore. The gown Laura was wearing was any young girl’s dream, and Clarissa wondered how on earth it stayed up with just a tiny strap around her neck. It made her own white cotton dress seem dowdy. She looked down at herself and noticed that it was already crumpled, with a nasty crease running around the waist. She immediately hated her thick-soled, trendy platform shoes, which she was sure made her feet look enormous.

Clarissa’s dinner companion, Max, had already decided he was in love with Laura, but believed her to be beyond his reach. He had returned to his hamburger and French fries. His parents rarely, if ever, allowed him to eat such fatty foods and his mother would not have a bottle of ketchup in the house. He ate with rare relish. Clarissa munched fried chicken and salad, but delved constantly into Max’s chips.

Max appeared not to notice, his eyes glued to Laura’s exquisite back. ‘Is she a movie star?’ he whispered to Clarissa.

‘I dunno. If she is, I’ve never seen her in anything and didn’t your oh-so-elegant mother tell you it’s rude to stare with your mouth open?’ Then, unable to contain herself, ‘How old do you think she is?’ she whispered.

‘No idea,’ said Max, as he moved his wine glass to the left, to enable the waiter to refill it. He glanced at his parents to see if they were monitoring him, but they were deep in conversation. As he turned back to the table, he saw James cast him a rueful look and tap his glass of mineral water. Unlike the Baron, his father watched over him like a hawk, and as he’d been caught drunk recently, he had to be on his best behaviour...

Laura was served a green salad, followed by a Dover sole. Max watched the way she held her cutlery and wished he could feed her morsel by morsel. James was still staring too and his mother had to kick him beneath the table as his father asked him about his exam results for a second time.

He was stoned. Knowing he would not be allowed to drink, he had rolled a spliff before coming down to dinner. At first he had not felt the effects, but now, confronted by his father’s burning red face, he did.

‘I’m sorry, Dad, what did you say?’

‘We must discuss your last exam results, James, because if you need extra tuition we should arrange it before you return next term.’

‘Oh, well, yes, but you know part of my problem was being on the rowing team. It meant I had to do so much practice in the mornings and evenings it didn’t leave all that much time for cramming for the exams.’

‘I thought it was tennis,’ Matlock said, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

‘Yeah, well, I’m in the first team for that as well,’ James lied. He hadn’t played for months and the rowing team had dumped him.

Matlock sighed and looked at his wife as she toyed with her food.

‘Don’t you like it?’

‘It’s delicious. I’m just not very hungry.’

Matlock looked across at the intimate couple, and leaned closer to his wife. ‘Making a damned fool of himself with the girl. What did he say her name was?’ he whispered, too loudly.

‘Keep your voice down,’ she hissed.

‘Do you always have to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do, for Christ’s sake? They can’t hear me.’

‘I’m sorry, I’ve got a headache.’

‘Yes, a permanent one,’ he snarled, and she cringed into her seat.

The dessert trolley was wheeled in, laden with sweets so tempting that even the Baroness could not resist. As the boy with the guitar began to sing softly, Laura kissed William lovingly and slipped out of the room.

‘Will you all excuse us?’ asked William, as he drew back his chair and followed her.

As soon as they left, the dining room broke into loud conversation, like the tidal wave after a dam has broken.

‘Well, where on earth did he find that little filly?’ Hangerford wondered aloud.

Matlock was more concerned with when the PM was expected, not to mention the other guests he had been told would be joining them. But no one appeared to know and the abundance of such exquisite food became the focus of all their attention.

‘How’s my princess?’ whispered Justin, as his sister hugged him tightly, giggling.

‘You should have seen their faces. We were so good, weren’t we, Willy?’

William kissed her cheek. He felt like a conspiratorial child. ‘I am having a good time. What a pompous, fat-arsed man that Matlock is... and I did such an elegant eye-to-eye with his wife. To think I almost married her. Dear God!’

Justin looked at Laura then back at William. ‘It’s phase two now. Time to make yourself scarce.’

‘Oh, no! Can’t you give me another day?’

‘No. Don’t start messing around with the schedule, it was all agreed. You can’t back out of it now. And, anyway, you decided it, William.’

‘But I don’t want to miss the fun.’

‘You won’t, and as it’s all recorded you’ll have it for posterity. If you’re here it’ll hold things up.’ William sighed. ‘Make yourself scarce, you old bugger. It was your idea, so get your arse out of here and let the fun and games begin. Besides, it’ll keep them waiting for the extra guests who aren’t going to appear,’ said Justin, pushing William through a door.

Before disappearing, William turned and blew a camp kiss. ‘Knock ’em for six,’ he said, and was gone. But just to make sure he didn’t change his mind, Justin kept the monitor running, watching as he made his way out through the back corridors.

‘I’ll not start on the younger ones,’ said Laura quietly. ‘They’ll be too easy. I think I’ll go for his lordship first. Then I’ll work my way to Angela. Is that okay?’

‘Save the pig Matlock until last. Make him beg,’ said Justin quietly, his eyes on the screen. William was in one of the golf carts being driven down to the jetty where the boys were waiting to take him off the island.

‘Of course he has to be last. I’m not stupid.’

Justin switched the monitor screen to the main hallway. ‘Here they come. Go into the lounge and be waiting.’ He left her side to welcome the guests as they drifted up the stairs into the drawing room for coffee and liqueurs. As they entered the light, airy room, their bellies full, tired from the day in the sun and the sumptuous dinner, they were surprised to see Laura, who looked ravishingly fresh. Justin made a show of serving coffee alongside the servants, but was watching Laura as the men moved closer, like bees to honey.

Max looked into her eyes then immediately dropped his gaze, even though she said no more than how pleased she was that he had come to the island. She eased away from Max and moved on to James, then to Clarissa. When she shook Cedric Hangerford’s hand, he held hers far too long. He only let go when his wife interrupted them to admire Laura’s gown. The Baron and Baroness mentioned that they had met before. Laura smiled sweetly but made no attempt to recall when or where. The Baroness examined the woman who made her pale into insignificance. She was adept at fast appraisals, and wondered which designer had created such a delicate dress. She reached out and took Laura’s left hand. ‘What a beautiful engagement ring. So simple. I always think diamonds look best with platinum. Who designed it for you?’

‘William. It’s sweet, isn’t it?’

Sweet it was not. It had to be worth a few hundred thousand pounds.

‘Lady Matlock, this is my sister, Laura,’ Justin announced, ushering her away from the Baroness. Angela smiled but did not take Laura’s hand. She turned to her husband. ‘Darling,’ she said, in turmoil. The girl’s eyes were magnetic with the colour of the sea, her lily perfume like clean air.

Humphrey Matlock, cutting a slice of cheese, turned round. He wiped his hand on a napkin. ‘You have stunned us into silence yet again, like an angel passing over.’ He kissed her hand.

She allowed it to remain against his lips just a fraction longer than necessary. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly, and watched as he returned to his cheese.

Then Justin slipped his arms around her shoulders. ‘But this poor darling is going to be all alone for a few days,’ he announced.

Everyone turned their attention to the brother and sister.

‘My fiancé has been called away. He’s expecting other guests so he’s gone to the mainland. Something to do with security,’ Laura said lightly, before Justin assured them their host would not be away for more than a few days. Then he led her out of the room. Again, as soon as they disappeared, a hubbub of conversation broke out as they wondered who the guests might be — the island already seemed entirely secure.

‘I heard it was the Prime Minister,’ Matlock said flippantly, and they looked from one to the other.

Angela’s lips tightened. She knew now why he had insisted they accept the invitation, even though he had been aware of what torment it would cause her. ‘You never said anything before about the Prime Minister,’ she said softly.

‘Only just found out,’ he lied, and made no mention that he had been told his main competitor was also expected. Still, it meant that he had a couple of days to enjoy himself and not think about business. He began eagerly enquiring about fishing.

Justin unhooked Laura’s dress and she stepped out of it, kicking off her sandals. He fetched a robe and put it around her shoulders. Then she sat at the dressing-table while he unplaited her hair and began to brush it.

‘So?’ he asked.

She half turned and lifted her hand. ‘Kiss it,’ she said. He did so and she laughed. ‘Now give me your hand. You be me and I’ll be Matlock.’

Justin held it out to her. She lifted it to her lips, brushing them against his fingers, then darted her tongue between two.

‘He did that?’

She nodded, and turned back to the mirror. ‘It’s going to be easier than we dreamed. I will have him crawling, begging for it. And you know what’ll make him crazy? I think he’ll find out that his son has been there before him.’

Justin flopped on the bed and laughed. He loved to hear her talk dirty. ‘Shall I fuck him too?’ he asked.

‘James? Why not?’ she said, creaming her face.

‘What about William’s ex? The strait-laced Angela,’ Justin asked. He didn’t relish the idea of screwing her. ‘God, that man had lousy taste.’

‘You take her first. I think she’s got to be given something, maybe half a tab.’ Laura plucked a tissue to wipe over her face.

Justin rolled on to his stomach and told her what the maids had said to him, that despite her frumpy look, her lingerie was lacy, flimsy and sexy.

Laura got up and lay on top of him, nuzzling his neck. ‘The Baron and Baroness seem tedious. Do we need to bother with them?’

‘He’d roll over for a monkey,’ smirked Justin, ‘as long as it had its mouth taped up so it couldn’t give away his secret.’ He turned on to his back.

Laura remained on top of him, feeling him erect beneath her.

‘What about Clarissa?’ he said.

‘She’s wet just looking at you. The skinny boy Max isn’t a push-over, though. And he’s got the hots for the Hangerford girl. He looked as if he’d never had an erection before, never mind fucked anyone.’

Laura sat up and moved away from the bed. Justin yawned; he was really tired. He stretched, and his jeans slipped down to reveal his tight, flat belly. No man had ever made Laura feel so aroused. She sighed and reached over to unzip his pants. ‘This’ll make you sleep.’ She knelt down between his legs, taking him in her mouth.

‘We have to be careful,’ he said, eyes closed, loving the feel of her mouth around him. She sucked harder, clawing his thighs and twisting his testicles. The pain made him gasp and with a moan he climaxed into her mouth.

‘That was a quickie,’ she said, wiping her lips with a tissue. Usually it took much longer.

‘It’s been a while.’ He zipped up his trousers. ‘And I’ve had a hard-on all evening thinking about you.’

She went into the bathroom and started to clean her teeth. Justin lolled at the door. ‘Willy must be on the flight by now,’ he said. ‘You know, I’ve become fond of him.’

‘Oh, no.’ Laura sighed. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve fucked him. I told you not to.’

‘I haven’t, and I like him. He’s good company. Sure he can lash out a bit, but considering all the tedious family situations he’s had to go through, he’s impressed me.’

‘I like him too,’ she said softly, then laughed. ‘He kisses like a teenager. He was so nervous of taking me in his arms, even if it was just for show.’

‘He means us no harm, Laura, I know that. Sometimes I think he’s the only man I’ve ever trusted.’

‘Are you in love with him?’ she asked, her voice soft and afraid.

‘Hell, no, I mean... it’s more that I love him like...’ He thought about it for a moment. ‘...I don’t know.’

‘Love him like a brother, perhaps?’ She stared at Justin in the mirror.

His brow was furrowed in a deep frown and he shook his head slowly. ‘No, not like that. Maybe it’s because I’ve never known anyone for such a length of time. I dunno. It’s a new one on me, but the old codger grows on you.’

He stood behind her and slipped his arms around her, hugging her close. He had a vulnerable side, and it was the side she cared for most of all. ‘I miss you so much when you’re away from me. I love you, Laura,’ he whispered.

‘I know, I know. Now go on. Go to bed.’ She cupped his face between her hands and kissed his lips. ‘We only have two weeks, then it’ll all be over and we’ll be free.’

‘You won’t leave me?’ he said anxiously.

‘No, of course I won’t. Will you leave me?’

‘Not even with all the diamonds Willy’s going to give you?’ Justin insisted.

‘We’ll be together, Justin, I promise. We’ll live in our villa, just you and me, and no more nightmares. We’ll have paid Matlock back and we’ll be free. It’ll all be over.’

‘Yes,’ he said, then kissed her lightly before he left the room.

This was the side of Justin that William had rarely seen. Hardly anyone had ever seen it, apart from Marta and Laura. This was not the vicious, twisted Justin, or the over-confident, witty, talented Justin. This was the child who hid in the darkest recess of his adult mind, when Laura became the stronger of the two.

Next morning, Justin and Laura went to the control room to survey the guests at play. Justin’s mood had lifted, and he was chuckling at the film footage.

‘Well, I’d better start work,’ she said. ‘If I have to begin with Cedric Hangerford, you’d better stand by. I doubt if it’ll take long. His kind never do. Where is he?’

Justin flicked on a monitor and pointed at the screen. ‘As arranged. He’s midway through a workout with Kurt in the gym. He’s got a massage booked immediately after with Kiki.’

‘Tell Kurt,’ Laura said softly, ‘to suggest to his lordship that he has a sauna. Justin? Did you hear me?’

‘That’s not on the list.’

‘No, I know. I’ve just had a good idea. I’ll work him over in the sauna. So arrange it.’ Then she leaned towards him, and whispered further instructions.

‘Sauna it is, my darling. And just remember, Big Brother is watching you.’ He picked up the intercom phone. He adored Laura: sometimes her mind was even more warped than his. She was right, though: they needed to move fast on William’s tedious guests, get rid of them as soon as possible, leaving Matlock for the plucking.

Kurt replaced the receiver.

‘I’ve arranged a sauna for you,’ Kurt said to Hangerford, now flat on his back, arms splayed at his sides.

‘Christ, I don’t think I can get up,’ he said.

Kurt put out his hand and hauled him to his feet. ‘I’ll take you through, sir. I’d keep to the lower bunks,’ he added, ‘it’s hotter and better for your skin.’

They went in and Kurt laid out a towel for Hangerford, who flopped down with an exhausted sigh of relief. Then he passed him a bottle of chilled water. ‘Drink as much as possible,’ he said encouragingly, and waited a moment as he watched Cedric gulping it down.

Laura lay on the top shelf of the sauna, naked apart from a small white towel across her thighs, her body glistening. When the door opened she didn’t move a muscle, but remained still with her eyes closed. Hangerford sighed again, as soft relaxing sounds drifted into the sauna, the noise of waves and whales over the sighing ocean.

Hangerford did not notice that the sauna was already occupied, until one perfect white hand swung down from the bunk above. Then Laura sighed, and yawned as if just waking. She dropped her towel, which brushed his shoulder, and he half sat up, wondering who was above him. As the sighs grew louder, he realized it was a woman, and that she was masturbating. His body flushed with anticipation. Laura began to mew like a kitten and then she moaned. Hangerford could feel the tremor of the bench above him and he was now fondling himself. As she became more and more vocal in her arousal, so did he. His body felt as if it was on fire.

Laura swung her hips and legs down over the side of the upper bunk, and gripped the slats with her hands to keep from dropping to the ground. Cedric raised himself on one elbow. She thrust herself into his face. He put his head between her legs and began licking and sucking, grunting. She pushed her hips forward and wrapped her legs around his shoulders. He was virtually buried inside her when the sauna’s incredible heat enveloped him. His brain felt as if it was about to explode. He tried to draw his head away from her legs. He was gasping and unable to get his breath, but the more he panted, the dizzier he felt. He couldn’t breathe and his heart felt as if it was about to explode. Darkness descended and he passed out.

Laura shoved him away from her, picked up her towel, and opened the sauna door. As it closed behind her she turned up the temperature and walked into the shower. By the time she felt cleansed, her skin tingling from her body scrub, she reckoned Hangerford might need assistance. As she passed the sauna, she lowered the temperature and headed for the changing cubicles. Justin joined her. ‘Get him out quickly,’ she said.

Justin and Kurt carried Hangerford out of the sauna and into the shower. They remained with him as he spluttered and shrieked from the ice-water jets. From her changing cubicle, Laura saw Dahlia walking towards the sauna with Clarissa. With a white towel clutched to her naked body, she told Dahlia that she could never take more than a few minutes in a sauna. Dahlia laid the towel along the top bunk and assisted Clarissa up the ladder; then she lowered the heat, threw some pine essence on to the coals and closed the door. Laura left the changing rooms with Dahlia.

Hangerford was resting, another glass of water in his hand. He wished Kurt would stop hovering around him. He insisted he was perfectly recovered and, in fact, felt remarkably fit. Just thinking about getting back into the sauna gave him an erection. It had been the most exciting sexual encounter he had ever experienced.

The moment Kurt left him, he went straight back inside. His heart was thudding in his chest, yet he felt focused, full of energy and sexual drive. He closed the door and dropped his towel, proudly revealing his bloated penis. He walked to the bunk he had used before, lay down and stretched his hands up to fondle beautiful firm breasts. His hands roamed over the young body and he grew more excited as he masturbated the woman, pressing his fingers between her legs. Feeling her opening he could no longer contain himself. ‘Come down, I want to finish where I left off. I want to fuck you.’

Clarissa raised herself on her elbow. She could hardly catch her breath. ‘Daddy!’ she gasped, leaning down to behold not Justin, as she had hoped, but her father.

Hangerford charged out like a crazed bull.

In the control room, Justin sat smoking a cigar, the camera still focused on the terrified face of Clarissa. Beautiful! The film would splice together perfectly. He also knew that his lordship would believe that his head had been between his daughter’s legs. He giggled. William was going to love it. Imagine releasing this to the Racing News! Better still the Jockey Club. Hangerford had certainly had quite a ride even if he hadn’t finished the race!