January #3
Simply put, I don’t care.
“You’re gonna do what you’re gonna do, mate,” Darrell says, packing up his things. “And I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces, whatever they may be. But you’ve got to stop pretending that this doesn’t end with consequences because it does.”
He heads to the door and turns to look at me. “Don’t be the kind of man you wouldn’t want to see in the mirror.”
Fuck.
Future Brian’s problem.
You have received an instant message from:
RACHEL
Rachel: Have fun fucking my boyfriend, bitch.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: Delightful Woman
You told Rachel then?
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
…Sorry.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
No, don’t be!
I enjoy being called a bitch. Really gets me going, you know?
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Seems everyone is determined we’re going to fuck.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Ohh! Are you getting lectures too?
I’ve had one from Isla, Felicity, my mum, my mum’s hairdresser, Ewan and my old high school teacher funnily enough.
And I haven’t even told Jerry yet.
Fuck!
I am so not looking forward to that, but it’s future Jesy’s problem. Right now, I wanna talk about our trip.
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Just Rachel and Darrell on my end, but it was enough.
Maybe we should have snuck away in the middle of the night without telling anyone.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Imagine all the things we could get up to.
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Believe me, I’ve been imagining.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Ah, Mr Trainer, you’re flirting again.
Do you think we’ll fuck?
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
No.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Very confident! I’m impressed.
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Do you think we’ll fuck?
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
In another life maybe.
In another life I’d ride you like a cowboy.
15 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
I think I’d like that other life.
15 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Delightful Woman
Me too, Brian.
Me too.
17 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: Getting older!
Happy birthday, beautiful.
I hope the day is as wonderful as you are. Keep an eye out for a present!
To Jesy,
Happy birthday, love.
Something for you to wear when I take you for a belated birthday dinner.
Have the best day,
B x
17 Jan | From: Jesy Pattinson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: Getting cheekier!
I love them, Brian. Thank you.
You have received an instant message from:
PENNY
Penny: What did Brian get you for your birthday?
Jesy: Flowers.
Penny: And?
Jesy: And what?
Penny: Mr The Book of Love did not just get you flowers for your birthday, Jesy. No one is buying that story.
ISLA has entered the conversation
Isla: Happy birthday, babe!
Isla: And I agree. What else did he get you?
Jesy: A gold bracelet with a Capricorn constellation on it.
Isla: Pretty.
Jesy: Very.
Penny: What else?
Jesy: Okay. It was a matching set. Earrings and necklace too.
Penny: Yup. What else?
Jesy: What are you talking about, hen? That’s it. And it’s more than enough.
Penny: It is more than enough. And I know it’s not everything. The guy sent a choir to sing outside your house on Christmas Day. He gave you a spa vacation when you were strangers. What did he get you for your birthday, Jesy?
Jesy: A dress.
Isla: What kind of dress?
Jesy: Just a really pretty, burgundy mermaid dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Penny: Uh-huh. From?
Jesy: … Vivienne Westwood.
Penny: Oh. My. God.
Penny: That man is in love with you.
Penny: Do you know how much those dresses cost?
Jesy: I’m sure he got it in a sale or something.
Penny: Sale prices are still more than my rent!
Isla: It was a very generous gift, and I’m sure you’re going to look beautiful.
Jesy: Thank you. And it was bought for a reason. He’s taking me on a belated birthday dinner when we meet up next month.
Isla: What are the plans there, anyway? Last I heard it was a spa day.
Jesy: It’s evolved a bit.
Jesy: We’re going to go to Blackpool for a long weekend.
Penny: Oh, I haven’t been to Blackpool in so long! What are the plans?
Jesy: Driving down Thursday night, maybe have a couple of drinks at the hotel. Separate rooms, before you ask. Then we’re heading to the Pleasure Beach on Friday. Because you can’t visit Blackpool without going on some rollercoasters.
Penny: I wholeheartedly agree.
Jesy: Saturday we’re going to go to the aquarium, and then to the Tower Dungeons. Followed by my birthday meal and back up the tower to dance in the ballroom.
Isla: Followed by a night of fucking.
Jesy: Followed by a peaceful sleep in our separate rooms.
Isla: Uh-huh. Sunday?
Jesy: Spa day. I figure it’ll be well deserved after being knocked about on rollercoasters and spun around a dance floor.
Penny: And fucked until you can’t walk straight.
Jesy: Ignoring you.
Jesy: Driving home Sunday evening and back to normality on Monday.
Penny: You’re going on a date.
Jesy: Friend date.
Penny: Keep telling yourself that, hen.
Jesy: I hate you both.
Isla: No. You don’t. You love us endlessly. Which is why you’ll tell us all the filthy details.
Jesy: Yeah, yeah.
Penny: Sorry. I know we’re teasing you. And I know you’ve heard a whole bunch of opinions.
But Jes? I just want you to be happy. And quite frankly, I don’t care who you’re married to, or who he’s dating.
You can’t help who you fall for. Even if that person is unfairly unattainable. The heart wants what it wants.
Isla: Interesting take.
Isla: Who have you fallen for who’s unattainable?
Penny: A story for another time, I think.
Penny: I gotta go walk the dogs.
PENNY has left the conversation
Jesy: That was abrupt.
Isla: It was. Can’t wait to hear that story.
Isla: She’s mostly right though. I want you to be happy, and I hope you have an amazing weekend away. I hope you find whatever answers you’re looking for.
Jesy: Me too, babe. Me too.
26 Jan | From: Darrell Griffin | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: Hotel confirmation
Here’s all the information, mate.
Getting real now, isn’t it?
26 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Rachel Nelson
Subject: RE: Hotel confirmation
Look, I know you’re not happy about this. But there’s not much I can do. The timing is horrible, I know, and I’m sorry about that. I know what it looks like.
But I do think this is for the best.
26 Jan | From: Rachel Nelson | To: Brian Trainer
Subject: RE: Hotel confirmation
Fuck off, Brian.
31 Jan | From: Brian Trainer | To: Jesy Pattinson
Subject: It’ll soon be February
I’m watching the clock tick closer to midnight. You know why? Because after that it’ll be February.
Last year, that month changed my entire life because you sent me a message never meant for me.
This month I get to see you in person and finally understand this energy between us.
I can only imagine what next February will bring.
Good night, Jesy.
I’ll see you soon.