The Island Pt 24 Carmen

THE ISLAND

Part 24: Carmen

By Gortmundy.

The clinic was in darkness when Florence and Marta arrived home. They waltzed through the door arm and arm and Marta was still giggling with delight. Movie night at the villa had ended up as something akin to a three-day party and she had enjoyed herself immensely. She blushed as she remembered her night with Kady. She had no idea if it was the alcohol, the atmosphere or the company but she had never felt so uninhibited before, it was strangely and wildly invigorating and even now a warm rush of erotic excitement surged through her at the memory. In fact, as she thought about it, she felt distinctly horny and squeezing the arm of the woman at her side she silently decided to alleviate the sensation just as soon, and as thoroughly, as possible.

Florence looked down at the little doctor and shook her head in happy resignation as if she could somehow pluck the lustful thoughts right out of her head and Marta giggled again, "How do you do that?"

"Maybe I'm just a keen student of the human condition doc. Though to be honest your body language pretty much gives you away. I wouldn't take up poker if I were..."

Florence shoved the doctor aside and her hand blurred as she sent a blade spinning across the room and into the shadows.

There was a distinctive sound of impact as the knife presumably missed its target and impaled itself with deadly force into a wall.

The sound of laughter came from the gloom and a shape emerged from the shadows, "Gracious, Florence, that almost hit me."

Marta saw the woman was tall, with a lean and athletic frame, raven black hair and the darkest eyes she had ever seen. She had aquiline features, her hair and cosmetics were impeccable, and she spoke with the sort of refined English accent Marta had only ever heard on episodes of 'Bridgerton', but what made the doctor catch her breath and shiver with fear was the way she moved. She seemed to glide across the floor with the same poise and grace that she had only ever seen in one other person, and Florence slid her feet very slightly apart as she approached.

"Carmen."

The stranger smiled and Marta shivered as her eyes flicked over her as she lay sprawled on the floor. The woman's eyebrows quirked with humour, "Make me a wolf, strong and bold, a terror alike of young and old. Jaws of a lion, teeth of a shark, eyes of a cat that see in the dark. Eh, doctor?"

Marta swallowed nervously.

The woman looked back at Florence, "You don't seem surprised to see me, what gave it away?"

"French tourists a few days ago. One of them smelled of your perfume, but his girlfriend wasn't wearing it."

The strange woman laughed, "Bugger! It's always the little things," she looked back at Marta, "you going to help her up, or will I?"

"You take one more step, and I'll open you up from crotch to eyebrow."

Florence spoke with a flat deadly certainty that Marta had never heard before and the woman froze.

"Now that's not very friendly, not very friendly at all. Ooh! Nice knife! Isn't that a Fairbairn-Sykes?"

Florence simply stared.

The woman sighed theatrically, "God, you're getting dull in your old age. Pax okay! Twenty-four hours."

"Promise?"

"My word on it Florence."

Florence almost visibly relaxed, and Marta was surprised to hear her release a faint breath, "Your word's always been good."

Carmen looked at the redhead and frowned, "Come on Florence, you know better than that! Someone's word is good, right up until it isn't."

"You still giving me lessons then?"

The woman ignored the petulant comment and extended an almost delicate-looking hand toward Marta, "Up you get my dear. Shame on you Florence, you're frightfully rough."

"Why are you here Carmen?"

"You know why."

Marta swallowed, "Er, hello, I'm Marta."

"Goodness gracious! Where are my manners? I'm Carmen, an old associate of young Florentia here. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance doctor."

"Uhuh... Er, don't take this the wrong way, but are you here to kill us?"

Carmen burst out laughing. Eventually wiping a tear from one eye she looked back at Florence, "Oh my God, she's adorable! I can see why you're taken with her," looking back at Marta her expression sobered slightly, "I'm afraid the answer to your question is "maybe" my dear."

Marta sighed, "Fair enough, can I offer you a coffee, or something, in the meantime."

"Sadly, I don't drink caffeine, but if you could spare a glass of water perhaps, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Sure, let's go upstairs and you can tell us all about our impending murder while I fetch your drink, I have chilled mango juice if you prefer by the way."

"That sounds pleasant, you're very kind."

It was distinctly weird to sit drinking a cup of coffee with your potential assassin Marta thought as she passed a glass of mango juice to the dark-haired woman. "Lovely place you have here doctor."

"Well, at least she has manners,"

thought Marta.

Florence rolled her eyes, "You've already searched it haven't you?"

"Of course."

Marta sighed,

"Okay, maybe not then."

Florence sipped her coffee, "All right, what's the scoop?"

"I beg your pardon?"

The redhead sighed, "There's no way you would have let us see you unless you wanted to talk, so spill it."

The strange woman smiled, "You're almost as uncouth as I remember."

"Blow me."

"Not now my dear, we have company."

Marta looked back and forth between the two, "Wait? Were you two?"

"Oh yes."

"No."

"What?"

Carmen laughed again, "Never mind, I'm sure it will all come out in the wash as they say. But you're right Florence, I wanted a chance to talk to you."

"Okay. Say your piece."

The woman shook her head, frowning in annoyance, "Well, as you surmise, I've been approached with a contract that entails, among other things, the removal of certain annoyances meantime present on this island."

"Have you accepted the job?"

"Not yet, you know I always like to do a little reconnaissance first, just in case the task is not as advertised."

"Will you?"

Carmen seemed to consider the question for some time before she looked up, "Why did you leave? I thought we had something, that we were... friends. But one day you go out to buy cigarettes and you vanished without a word. I searched for months, in fact, come to think on it, I tortured at least six people for information because I thought you'd been kidnapped or something."

"Truthfully?"

"Obviously."

"I was losing it. It was only a matter of time before I fucked up spectacularly and got you killed... I didn't want you to get hurt, so I left."

"I could have helped you."

Florence sighed, "You know the old saying about taking a horse to water? Well, I didn't want help then."

"And now?"

Florence glanced at Marta and her eyes were unreadable, "Now, I don't need it."

"What did you do?"

The redhead laughed bitterly, "I got utterly shitfaced, and six months later, when I sobered up, I found I was working in a seedy brothel in Jakarta."

Marta's mouth fell open in shock, "You were a hooker?"

"Near enough, I was the bouncer, though I collected some debts for some shitebag of a bookie occasionally."

Carmen sighed, "What a waste of talent."

Florence shrugged.

Carmen sipped her fruit juice as she stared at the redhead with cold, dark, unblinking eyes, and Marta could almost hear the wheels turning.

Eventually, the dark-eyed woman spoke, "You owe me an apology."

"True."

"Tell me you're sorry, and if I believe you, I won't take the job."

Florence looked up and grinned, "Ah, but I'm not sorry. I did what I thought was best because I didn't want you to get hurt because of me. But, for what it's worth I missed you, a lot."

"Is that it?"

"Well, you look good."

"Fuck you, Florence."

The redhead sighed, "If you take the job, any chance you could leave Marta out of it?"

"Why the fuck should I?"

"Old times sake?"

"If you're going to beg Florence you should be on your knees. Is that what you're doing, begging?"

Florence looked directly into those cold eyes without blinking, "I will if you told me it would work."

"For her?"

"Yup."

"Well, I'll say this for you, you're still every bit as aggravating as when I first met you!"

"Aye, true enough."

Carmen shook her head and her voice sounded almost sad, "They'll just send someone else you know."

"Aye, but then I won't have to kill someone I like."

"You think you could kill me?"

Florence blew out her breath, "You've already worked out that the best way to get to me is through her. I've already worked out that if I play the game your way, I'm probably not quite fast enough to stop you and protect her at the same time. So, I'd be daft to even try that, but If it comes down to just you and me, I'm pretty sure I can kill you. There's a fair chance you might get me in the process but either way, you'd still be very, very, dead."

"That's assuming I fight fair."

"No, it's not, you know."

"How so?"

"Because if I think you're taking the job I'm going to kill you right here and now."

"But I said pax."

"I never said a fucking thing."

"Oh."

A lingering silence fell across the room and the tension between the two women was all but tangible.

Marta blurted out, "I like your outfit."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, I'm really scared. I just said the first thing that came into my head."

Florence shook her head and Carmen giggled involuntarily before she looked back at the green-eyed woman who was sitting within disturbingly easy reach of her.

"Fuck it. I'm out!"

"You won't take the job?"

"That's what I said, you want me to pinkie promise or something?"

"Thanks Carmen, I owe you."

The dark-haired woman smiled wolfishly, "I'm not you Florence, if you say you owe me then one day I'll likely collect."

"Fair enough."

Carmen placed her glass carefully down on the coffee table, "Thank you for your hospitality, Marta, it's been an absolute pleasure meeting you. We must do it again someday."

"Riiight..."

Rising gracefully to her feet the woman turned to go. Florence waited until she had reached the door and Marta saw the impish smile on her face as she spoke, "Carmen. I dinnae suppose you would do me a favour would you."

"Seriously? After all these years you ask me that? Oh, you have got to be bloody kidding!"

"Well, there's this lass up at the villa. Her name's Margaret."

"The other redhead, yes?"

"Aye. Well, she wants to put the hurt on someone real bad. I was wondering if you would be available?"

"Not really my thing darling, I usually go for a more 'permanent' option, too many loose ends otherwise."

"S'funny, that's what I said. But I'd appreciate it if you could maybe help her out nonetheless."

"What's the job pay?"

"Oh, I think she could maybe scrape up as much as fifty bucks, but I'm no sure."

Carmen turned, "Are you trying to be funny?"

"Nope, but for what it's worth, I would really appreciate it."

"You would?"

"Aye."

The woman considered, "I'll see what I can do, but no promises."

Florence grinned, "Good enough for me."

Marta looked nervously between the two lunatics she somehow found herself sitting between, "Er, I'll just see you out then I guess."

"You're too kind."

As Marta walked Carmen to the door, she couldn't help but notice the woman moved as silently as a ghost, and she couldn't shake the eerie feeling that if she turned, she would see those dark eyes regarding her thoughtfully.

There was a whisper from behind her, "Yes, I am thinking about you."

"Jesus Christ! How the fuck do you people do that!"

Carmen chuckled quietly, "Maybe it's magic."

Marta paused at the front door, "Would you really have killed me?"

"Oh, probably not my dear, I like to think I'm a professional and as such it would behove me to avoid murdering innocent bystanders when I can."

"Well... Thanks for not murdering me in some ghastly and dramatic fashion, I suppose."

The woman smiled, "I think I see why Florence is so taken with you," she slid close to the doctor with frightening speed, "I don't suppose I have to threaten you to be kind to her, do I? That would be such a cliché."

"You were never going to take the job, were you? You're fond of her, admit it."

The woman grinned, "Oh yes, I can definitely see why she likes you. Good evening, Marta, and Godspeed."

Marta watched as the woman turned to saunter down the street, moments later two figures detached themselves from the shadows and followed.

Upstairs Florence was making toast, "How did you get on?"

"I think she just threatened to murder me if I wasn't nice to you."

"Yea, she's like that sometimes, creepy wee bitch."

"Do you think she'll go see Margaret?"

"Aye, I think so. She'll probably just appear in her room while she's sleeping and scare the shite out of her or something like that. She's always been awfy dramatic."

"You gonna tell Gunter she's coming?"

Florence giggled, "Fuck no!"

...

"We're getting married."

Natassia had waited until Kady was sipping her coffee and she timed it perfectly.

Once the woman had stopped choking and the coughing fit had subsided, she glared accusingly at the impish little brunette, "What the fuck did I do to you to deserve that?"

"Sorry, couldn't resist. But if you can hold off murdering me for a minute or two, I was wondering if you would be my maid of honour?"

Kady wrapped her arms around her old friend, pulling her in close, and tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, "I remember when you were a homesick little scaredy-cat who used to sneak into my bed for a cuddle. I don't think I've ever told you how much I miss those days."

"Me too."

"Susan is a lucky, lucky woman."

Natassia gripped her friend tightly, "Please be my maid of honour Kady. You're my oldest and best friend, you looked after me when I first got here and... and I don't know what I'd have done without you."

"Oh Natassia, of course I will! I'm absolutely chuffed to bits that you asked me. I can't help but be just a teeny-tiny bit sad, but at the same time, I'm so amazingly glad to see you this happy. It's wonderful!"

Natassia sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve, "Thanks Kady, and don't be sad, you'll always be like a big sister to me."

Kady reached up and gently wiped a tear from the brunette's cheek and her voice was filled with emotion, "So where's Susan now?"

"She went to tell Portia. Later on, we're going to facetime her mum and dad and give them the news."

"What about your folks?"

"My dad disowned me the minute he found out I liked girls; said I was a disgrace, and he was ashamed of me."

"I'm sorry. I'd hoped he would have come around by now."

Natassia smiled, "Fuck him. I have you guys, you're my real family."

Kady gave her a squeeze, "Too right!"

...

Portia looked up from the sun-lounger as Susan wandered out onto the patio. The dark-haired woman pulled her sunglasses down onto the bridge of her nose and smiled at the young blonde, "Is this the part where I ask, "Whose been sleeping in my bed?"

Susan blushed, "Yes, er, sorry about that, but we couldn't resist."

"I was sooo tempted to tell Mrs Beatrice just so I could watch the two of you getting your backsides thrashed. But you're safe, for now."

Helen giggled from the adjacent lounger, "If they do get those lovely backsides thrashed, can we at least get some good photos?"

"Helen! I thought you were on my side?"

"Sorry, I'm being evil today, ask me again tomorrow."

"Traitor."

The two women had only recently re-emerged from Helen's room and the noises, moans and lust-filled screams that had emanated from behind the closed door left little doubt as to what they had been up to for the last few days. Now, at least momentarily sated, they lay side by side on sun loungers, and apart from sunglasses and a spot of lotion they were as naked as jaybirds.

Portia rolled over onto her front and Susan almost automatically began rubbing a little more lotion on the woman's back as she talked.

"Portia, I was wondering if you would do me a small favour?"

"Ohh, that feels good, you will do Helen next yes? Wait, what was that you just said?"

"Nothing much, just that I've asked Natassia to marry me, she said yes, and I wondered if you would be my maid of honour."

Helen sat bolt upright, and her sunglasses fell off revealing a look of both surprise and joy, "WHAT?!"

"Don't worry Helen, me and Natassia are going to have to fight over the rest of you guys for bridesmaids."

Both women leapt to their feet, wrapping their arms around Susan as they laughed and squealed in delight.

"Is that a 'yes' then?"

...

Mrs Beatrice sat in her office pondering the mysteries of managing a staff that was still either at least partially inebriated or suffering from the most atrocious hangovers. Mind you, it had been a thoroughly splendid affair and she had also rather enjoyed herself, though she was a little aggrieved to find her penchant for gin was not, quite, what it used to be.

The sudden and seemingly calamitous knocking on her door startled her from her reverie.

"Dear God, come in and stop that damnable noise!"

Stella and Barbara almost fell over themselves as they burst into the office, babbling incoherently and clearly in a state of near panic.

"Bloody Hell girls, what is it?"

"Mrs Beatrice! You've got to help us!"

"Oh, we are so fucked."

"She's going to murder us!"

"QUIET!"

She might be getting on a bit, but she was gratified to find that her voice still demanded instant obedience in the two younger women.

She pointed at Stella, "You! Tell me what's going on."

"It's Bethari! Natassia told us to look after her at the party and I swear we did! We did and she had a great time, and she was sober, okay we were drunk, but she wasn't and it's not our fault! And she's going to murder us when she finds out!"

The older woman shook her head, "Okay, not useful at all."

Pointing at Barbara she nodded, "Your turn, bit less panic, bit more information please."

The young woman swallowed, "Natassia told us to look out for Bethari at the party. She even let us off with a thrashing when we said we would, and I swear we did! But now she's gone off and started shagging Dave and Natassia's going to kill us when she finds out."

"Is that it?"

Both girls nodded.

"Oh bugger me, I thought there was a Martian tripod stomping about on the beach or something."

"But Natassia..."

Mrs Beatrice actually smiled, "You're worried about what she might do?"

The girls nodded frantically.

"Scared of her are you?"

Stella nodded again, but Barbara tilted her head and gave the older woman a curious look, "Why are you smiling like that?"

"You didn't close my door and she's standing right behind you."

...

Mrs Beatrice actually cried.

Natassia hugged the woman, and she felt the tears beginning to wet her own cheeks.

Having been summarily dismissed the two younger women had long since fled, and Mrs Beatrice couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at the looks of only slightly mollified panic and gratitude as she sent them on her way with a promise to smooth things over on their behalf.

She turned to the brunette with a wry grin, "Good afternoon, Miss Natassia, what can I do for you?"

"It's funny you should call me

Miss

Natassia actually."

"Hmm, how's that my dear?"

Mr Beatrice had poured a cup of tea for them both and was just turning back to Natassia when she quipped, "Because Susan asked me to marry her, I said yes, and I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle and give me away?"

The crash as the two cups hit the floor was particularly gratifying.

Natassia stared at the wreckage with mischievous glee, "Ooh, I think that's twelve strokes you owe me."