CRYSTALLINE - 3. A Male Arrives

A few weeks later Carol was collecting laundry from Dante’s flat when she heard a motor bike coming down the driveway. At first she took no notice as she assumed it was Dante, until she remembered seeing him working in the garden as she went to the flat. Her curiosity now piqued she went to the window just in time to see another Ducati do a skid turn on the gravel drive and finally screech to a stop in front of the garage, but now facing in the opposite direction.

Having not been given the opportunity to ride with Dante in the early days of his arrival at Crystalline, she still had an itch that need scratching, so she wanted to meet this new arrival. Not wanting to be seen as the laundry mistress, she abandoned her apron and the linen, checked her hair in the mirror and made an entrance down the stairs as if she was Cinderella arriving at the ball.

With his back to the garage, the rider removed his helmet, hung it on the handlebars and removed his gloves. As he twisted on the saddle to dismount, Carol heard the sound of leather on leather and she drew a deep breath as he swung his long leather clad leg over the bike and down onto the gravel, his heavy boots landing with a crunch.

“C c can I help you?” she asked nervously.

The rider turned and said “I hope so, hot lady”

Carol was suddenly weak at the knees but was not sure if it was the compliment or the shock of the sight of the rider.

“But..but..” she uttered.

“Sorry, I should introduce myself, I’m Patrick Ricardi”

“Pleased to meet you Patrick, but you look...”

“Yes I know what you mean pretty lady, let me explain. I’m Dante’s twin brother”

“Oh my god, you are a dead set copy of him”

“Yes, apparently that’s what happens when the egg splits in two”

“W..w..what? Oh I see what you mean, identical twins. May I ask how identical?”

“Whatever do you mean, pretty lady?”

“Um...are you...identical in every way?”

“Pretty much. We both have all the same bits and if you’re asking what I think you’re asking, yes we are both the same size”

“That’s nice to know but not what I was asking. You keep referring to me in complimentary terms, does that mean you are interested?”

“Always interested in pretty ladies”

“Oh, that’s a relief”

“Ah, now I see what you mean. We are identical physically, but apparently have different internal wiring. Does that answer your question?”

“Perfectly”

***

Dante had heard the bike arrive and rushed over to greet his brother. As the two hugged, Carol rubbed her eyes to be sure she was not imagining the double image. As the brothers parted they held each other by the shoulders and looked into each other’s eyes.

“So you’re finally back in Oz?” Dante said “How was Italy and how is Nonna?”

“Nonna’s fine, slowing down a bit, but otherwise the same beautiful old lady. I’ll tell you about Italy later. Right now I want to meet this beautiful local”

“Oh that’s just Carol”

“My god man, where are your manners? No woman should be spoken of like that, it’s very un-Italian. So please properly introduce me”

“Oh sure, Patrick, this is Carol and Carol please meet my brother Patrick”

Patrick gave Carol a light kiss on the right cheek and then on the left. The smell of Patrick’s cologne combined with sweat and the smell of leather made Carol slightly tipsy. When she recovered, she replied “Oh my goodness, what a greeting. So pleased to meet you Patrick, will you be here for long?”

“That depends on how welcome I am”

“As far as I’m concerned you are very welcome. Isn’t he Dante” she hinted.

“Of course”

“So will you be staying over?”

“I was hoping to stay for a few days, if that’s OK with everyone”

“Of course it is” Carol assured.

“Well then, have we got a roll out bed I can put up in the flat for Patrick?” Dante asked Carol.

“No need for that. I’ll prepare a room in the main house. Can’t have special guests camping on your floor Dante, what were you thinking?”

“Oh, of course not” he replied with a wink to Patrick.

“Good, that’s settled. I’ll attend to his room and let Cook know we have a guest for dinner”

***

“Who’s coming for dinner?” asked Cook

“Patrick”

“And who is Patrick, may I ask and will he be dining with us or in the dining room?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask”

“You didn’t ask who he is?”

“I know who he is, he’s Dante’s brother. I forgot to ask where he’ll be eating”

“Dante’s brother, that’s interesting. I didn’t know he had a brother”

“Yes, and there’s more”

Carol didn’t say anymore, so Cook did her hands on the hips pose, which Carol knew meant ‘tell me more’.

“You’ll have to wait and see for yourself”

“Oh, very mysterious girl. Well, you had better find out where he will be dining”

“Right onto it and I’m going to make up a room for him, so I’ll be a while”

<>

Carol returned an hour later. “Patrick’s going to dine with us and he’ll be in the room next to mine”

“Do I need to know that? Hey wait, what are you up to girl?”

“Nothing, just being a good housemaid”

“Yes, you’re usually that, but I smell something else happening here. Is this Patrick older or younger that Dante?”

“I couldn’t say really”

“You mean you haven’t seen him yet?”

“I’ve seen him and he’s just gorgeous”

“Ah! Now we’re getting somewhere. Is he as good looking as Dante?”

“I’d say about the same”

“That’s good news for you, but is he...?”

“Yes, he is”

“Then I look forward to meeting him”

“I’ll get him now and show him to his room. Then I’ll introduce you”

<>

“Hi Dante, I was expecting you brother. Patrick is it”

“Um...yes him”

“Carol must be still settling him into his room”

“Yes, must be”

“So what can I do for you?” she asked

“Just checking if it’s ok to eat here tonight”

“Of course it is, Carol’s arranged it all”

“That’s good, I wouldn’t want to impose”

“No imposition, you usually eat here. Will Thomas be joining us?”

“Um...that is...I suppose so”

“Don’t make any rash decisions boyo”

“Yes, I’ll say yes he will be here for dinner”

“I’m glad we cleared that up without a Royal Commission. It’s just dinner boyo”

“Of course”

Carol then rushed into the kitchen and said “Oh, you’ve already met, that’s good”

“What are you on about girl and where’s this Patrick you’re so keen on?”

“Here”

“Where?”

“This is Patrick, Dante’s twin brother”

“Oh my god, you’re the dead spitt’en image of.... You didn’t tell me they were twins my girl”

“Pleased to meet you...Cook is it. But what should I call you?” asked Patrick

“Cook, it’s my name, as well as my occupation”

“That’s easy, never met anyone like that before”

***

Jonathan and Lachlan dined in the main dining room and the staff in the kitchen.

“So, tell me Patrick, how come we haven’t met you before?” asked Cook.

“I’ve been in Italy visiting our nonna. Been there since before Dante started work here”

“Nonna?” asked Cook.

“That’s our grandmother. She’s just the greatest and sweetest old lady you could meet. I wanted her to come back with me but she’s never been on a plane ever. In fact she’s barely left her village since moving there after getting married”

“That’s sad. I take it she’s a widow, since you haven’t mentioned your grandfather”

“Yes, Nonno died last year. Dante and I went for the funeral and I stayed on to take care of her for a while”

“What a sweet boy you are. Did your parents go for the funeral also; you haven’t mentioned them?”

The brothers looked at each other, each waiting for the other to answer.

Sensing something awkward between the brothers, Cook asked “So will your grandmother be alright on her own now?”

“I hope so...that is I’m sure she will be” replied Patrick “She knows everybody in the village and they all know her. It’s a very supportive community”

“So nice to hear”

“Yes, but I couldn’t stay any longer”

“Did you need to get back for your work?”

“Not really, I don’t have a job as such, but I couldn’t stay any longer because Nonna was trying to match me with every eligible girl in the village, and some not so eligible” explained Patrick

“That’s why I came back earlier” explained Dante.

“So she doesn’t know you’re gay?”

“Oh she knows, I’ve never made any secret of it, but you know Italian mothers, always trying to marry off their boys”

“I don’t think it’s exclusive to Italian mothers”

“Probably not”

Thomas then entered the conversation “So what sort of work do you do Patrick?”

“Just whatever I can pick up. I really wanted to be a professional motor bike racer, but that’s hard to break into”

“And expensive” added Dante “Especially when you don’t have a steady job”

“I was looking for a sponsor, but you have to prove yourself first before they offer you the big breaks”

“That sounds a very dangerous occupation” added Carol “I wouldn’t want to see you get seriously injured”

“There’s no chance of that now. I’ve given up on that. I’ll have to start looking around for work soon. Can’t sponge off my brother”

“No you can’t, little brother” agreed Dante.

“Why do you call him little brother?” asked Carol “Weren’t you born together?”

“He likes to play the big brother role because he was born twelve minutes before me” replied Patrick

They all laughed.

“Maybe you can find some work here” offered Carol “I hear we’re going to be a resort soon”

“A resort, here?” asked Patrick.

“I’ll explain later” said Thomas “But, maybe we could find you some work. What work have you done before?”

“Just unskilled jobs like dishwasher, waiting and a bit of labouring, but while I was in Italy I did a bit of writing for the local newspaper. It started out as way to improve my Italian, but they liked my work. I used to write from the perspective of a foreigner observing local customs and events”

“I don’t think we can offer you anything like that” replied Thomas.

“No, of course not, but I did get the writing bug and started writing a story about a young man born in a small village. When he completes high school, as a reward, he sent for a holiday with family cousins in Rome and discovers there’s more to life outside his village. Upon his return he finds it stifling and wants to break out and see the wide world. I’m thinking of bringing him to Australia to continue the story”

“To meet a lovely Aussie girl” suggested Carol.

“Probably”

“That sounds interesting, but can you make a living from that?” asked Cook.

“No, not immediately, but it’s something I can do anywhere in my own time”

“You writing?” accused Dante “You can barely write a text”

“I don’t think the two equate”

“Don’t put him down” said Carol “Give him a fair go”

“Yeah, I agree” added Cook

“Sorry” then turning to Patrick, said “Seems like you have a fan club”

“And I’m the president” concluded Carol.

“Oh really” said a surprised Patrick.

“I think it’s very kind of you to look after your grandma and brave to try something new. You must tell me more about your story sometime. Maybe I could make some suggestions for you” said Carol

“You mean about meeting that Aussie girl?” asked Dante mockingly. “I know where you’re going with this”

“I have no idea what you mean Dante. I am just trying to help Patrick and encourage him. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not at all, he’s all yours”

“Hey guys, I am here” added Patrick

“I’ll explain later” said Cook “Let’s just leave it for now. Thomas, you were saying you might be able to find some work for Patrick”

“As the resort project picks up, there’s bound to be the need for more workers. Let’s have a chat tomorrow Patrick, I can assess your work experience and we’ll go from there”

“Thanks Thomas, I feel very welcome here. Thanks everybody”

***

As Cook and Carol began clearing the table after dinner, Patrick said “Let me help you”

“That’s not necessary” replied Cook “It’s our job”

“Just the same I’d like to help, to say thank you for a beautiful meal and making me feel so welcome”

“Of course you’re welcome,” said Carol “and please help if you like”

While the three were washing up, Dante said “She’s certainly not hiding her lust for Patrick”

“Why should she?” asked Thomas “The poor girl doesn’t get to meet many straight guys around here and she rarely goes off the property, except for shopping”

“It certainly seems she wants to put Patrick in her shopping trolley”

“And don’t you interfere. I don’t think Patrick needs any big brother protection from you. If anyone needs protection it’s probably Carol”

“Are you suggesting my brother would hurt Carol?”

“Not intentionally, but she has very little experience when it comes to men and matters of the heart. If you want to help, talk to Patrick and tell him what you did”

“Me?”

“You did lead her on and then dump her for me”

“I don’t see it that way”

“But Carol did, so tell Patrick to be gentle with her, especially if he’s not interested”

Thomas and Dante took the remaining glasses and empty bottles into the kitchen and Thomas said “We’re off to our flat now, do you want to come with us Patrick”

“Oh..um..now?”

“When you’re ready, you and Dante must have lots to talk about”

“We’ll have time for that later. I might have an early night, it’s been a busy day”

Then Carol said “I thought you might like to see the garden at night. Lachlan and Dante have installed lots of lights. The fairy lights in the Wisteria pergola are magical”

“Well, since you sell it so well, maybe a short walk would be nice” concluded Patrick

Dante raised his eyebrows but said nothing so Thomas took his hand and said “Come on Dante”

As the boys left, Cook said “Now you two be off as well. I can finish up here”

“Are you sure?” asked Patrick

“Of course, you young ones go and enjoy yourselves”

“Thank you Cook. Lead the way Carol”

“Wait a minute, I’ve got something for you” said Cook as she went to the fridge, selected a bottle of wine, handed it to Patrick and added “You get the glasses Carol”

<>

After a few glasses of wine both relaxed and felt comfortable in each other’s company.

“My brother and Lachlan, is it?”

“Yes, he’s Mr P’s partner”

“I was going to say they’ve done a great job with the lighting”

“Do you think it makes for a very romantic scene?” asked Carol

“If one was so inclined, it could be seen that way”

“And are you so inclined?” asked Carol

“You don’t mess around do you?”

“I don’t see any point in acting shy, it’s not really me, although some tell me the man is supposed to take the lead”

“And have I failed in that respect?”

“I’ll give you a pass mark if you kiss me now”

“Would that be considered taking the lead?”

“You ask a lot of questions Patrick, there is another use for your lips”

Patrick did not reply verbally.

***

Patrick tipped up the bottle to indicate it was empty, so Carol asked “Do you want another bottle?”

“It would mean going up to the house to get another”

“We could do that and besides this poolside lounge is not very comfortable for two”

“So what is the plan?”

“You could walk me to my room...or yours...via the kitchen”

“I must say I didn’t expect to be staying in the main house. I thought a mattress on the floor in Dante’s flat was the best I could hope for”

“And why would I let you do that?”

“S’pose not, given how the night has turned out. Was this your plan all along?”

“Again, too many questions”

“Just one more then.... yours or mine?”