CRYSTALLINE - 4. No Secrets

The following morning Carol and Patrick entered the kitchen together and offered Cook an embarrassed smile.

“Thanks for finally showing up Carol, I’ve got breakfast started”

“Sorry we are late” said Patrick “Maybe I could help, to apologise for keeping Carol from her duties”

“Good, Carol you set the tables and Patrick, can you make toast without burning down the house?”

“Most certainly, it’s my specialty”

“I look forward to seeing this. Knock up a batch of each, white, wholemeal and raisin toast. Then if that works out I might upgrade you to tea and coffee”

While Patrick went about his appointed duties, Cook kept the conversation going.

“So, I take it you and Carol spent the night together?”

“Isn’t that a private matter?”

“Not in this household and especially if it involves Carol then it’s my business also. I don’t need details, just the main facts”

“The short answer is, yes we did spent the night together but what do you mean by, not in this household”

“I’ve been here a long time and seen and heard it all. The parties and the bedroom antics and relationships that I have seen would fill several novels if I were inclined to write”

“Tell me more”

“Not now, but you’ll pick it up if you stay around for a while. The one thing you can’t keep from the staff around here is a secret. We’re a pretty open community and that standard was set by the owners, Mr & Mrs P. They never really tried to keep their respective relationships private and that meant less gossip and in the long run more respect for all”

“I’m intrigued, should I be making notes?”

“Definitely not, openness is one thing, but putting it in writing is another and one that would not be entertained by Mr P. Do I make myself clear?”

“I think so. I need to keep my ears and eyes open, not have secrets, but not report what I see or hear outside the household?”

“I think you’re going to fit in well. Now how’s that toast going?”

“I’ve got some keeping warm”

“Good take it into the main dining room for Mr P and Mr Lachlan”

“I haven’t met them yet”

“Then no time like the present. Introduce yourself; there are no formalities around here. Carol will show you the way”

“What will I do?” Carol asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Show Patrick where the dining room is. He’s going to deliver the toast and meet the boss”

<>

“Gentlemen, this is Patrick, a guest here for a while”

“A guest you say... guest of whom and why is he serving breakfast?” asked Jonathan

“Let me explain Sir” said Patrick “I am Dante’s brother and helping out in the kitchen this morning”

“Don’t tell me, you’re twins, Dante never told us he had a brother” said Lachlan

“Yes we are and not sure why he kept me a secret. I have been in Italy taking care of Nonna, but back home now and looking for work”

“You expect to find work here?” asked Jonathan

“Not necessarily Sir, I just came to stay with Dante for a few days, but Thomas asked me to see him this morning with a view to finding me some work. Is that not ok?”

“Thomas knows what he’s doing, so I’ll leave that up to him. He doesn’t tell me everything but I trust him”

“That’s good to hear. Oh I forgot, here’s your toast. Afraid it’s a bit cold now”

“That’s ok, but some hot tea to go with it would be great” replied Lachlan.

“Right away Sir, I’ll ask Cook”

“Thank you Patrick”

When Patrick and Carol left, Jonathan said “If he stays around here, I think I might have some difficulty telling them apart”

“You’re right, I don’t think I’ve ever seen twins so identical”

“Maybe we could get one of them to grow a moustache or a beard” suggested Jonathan and Lachlan laughed at the suggestion.

“What?” asked Jonathan “You don’t think that’s a good idea?”

“It might help you, but I’m not sure we can ask him to do that just so you can tell them apart”

“If he’s working for me I can”

“We'll see what happens”

<>

Carol served Jonathan and Lachlan their breakfast then Thomas and Dante joined the rest of the staff for breakfast in the kitchen.

“I must introduce you to Jonathan and Lachlan after breakfast” suggested Thomas

“We’ve already met. I served them earlier”

“So what do you think about them?”

“Are they father and son?”

“No, Lachlan is Jonathan’s reasonably new partner”

“So they’re gay?”

“Yes”

“But Carol called him Mr P and Cook made reference to a Mrs P earlier. How does she fit into all this?”

“They are divorced now and Mrs P, or Virginia has married her chauffer and moved into Jonathan’s Potts Point apartment he gave her as part of the property settlement”

“Let me get this clear. They were married, but he is gay and now she’s married to the chauffer and he has his lover living here”

“Yes, any problems with that?”

“No, I think it’s amazing. No wonder Cook said there were no secrets here. So do they have any children?”

“No, they really did not live that sort of life. They each had their own lovers from time to time”

“Oh this just gets better and better”

“But remember this all stays within the household” reminded Cook.

“Of course and thanks for sharing with me. Now I won’t make any mistakes by asking the wrong questions. Is there anymore I need to know?”

“That will do you for now”

“You mean there’s more?”

“Enough Patrick, don’t push it on your second day” Dante scolded.

“So, is your room comfortable?” asked Thomas

Before Patrick could answer, Carol giggled and Cook laughed raucously.

“Is someone going to let me in on the joke?” asked Thomas

“Sorry Thomas” said Patrick “The ladies seem to be amused by what happened last night. I think they are laughing because I can’t answer your question, as I didn’t sleep in my room last night”

“But where did you...Oh now I get it; you and Carol?”

“Yes, Cook said there are no secrets around here”

“And neither there should be, but I must add, you are a fast mover Patrick. Your brother took considerably more time to make his intentions known to me”

“Good luck to you both” added Dante as he gave Carol a wink; to which she returned a frown.

“I suppose I deserved that” he replied

“Is there something between you two I need to know about?” asked Patrick

“Not any more” replied Carol “If there ever was”

<>

After breakfast, Thomas asked Patrick to accompany him to his office.

“Is this a job interview?” asked Patrick

“Not exactly, just an opportunity to get to know each other. Would you like to work around here?”

“Sure, but I’m not expecting any privileges just because I’m Dante’s brother”

“And none will be given, other than the fact that Dante is a hard and honest worker, so if that is a family trait you will be welcome when an opportunity comes up”

“Thank you Thomas, but in the meantime am I welcome to stay around for a while. I don’t have anywhere else to live at present and can’t get my own place without steady work. I don’t expect to be accommodated in the house. I’d be just as happy with a sleeping bag in the garage if that’s ok with your boss”

“That won’t be necessary. As Dante’s brother you’re welcome to stay, Mr P won’t have any problem with that, and as far as staying in the house is concerned it sounds like you don’t have a need for your own room” Thomas said with a cheeky smile.

“Oh you mean Carol, well I’m not sure we’re a thing yet”

“Do you like her?”

“Yes, though she does seem a bit...how shall I put it...?”

“Needy?”

“Forward and direct, I was thinking. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Women should be free to express themselves and take the lead if they choose”

“I hadn’t thought about that. Being gay means either one can take the lead, but I suppose traditionally that’s how straight relationships have been”

“Well it’s early days yet, but just between you and me, I am interested. Do you know much about her?”

“We’ve both worked for the Prices for many years, in fact this is the only job Carol has ever had. She came here about eight years ago straight from school. Her mother works for a friend of Virginia, Mr P’s former wife. That’s how she got the job, but Cook tells me she’s a good worker”

“I was hoping for something more personal, like relationship experience”

“Carol has very little in that regard, so you will need to take it easy with her and not expect too much”

“She’s doesn’t seem too shy and certainly gave me the impression she knows her way around a man, if you know what I mean”

“I’m really not the one to be giving relationship advice, but I am a bit protective of Carol and would not want to see her hurt”

“Cook said much the same thing. You do look out for each other around here”

“That’s how it’s always been”

The conversation was then interrupted by a phone call.

<>

“Sure Jonathan, I’ll get onto it straight away” concluded Thomas

“A problem?” asked Patrick

“Not a problem, but Jonathan needs some documents collected from his solicitor’s office immediately. He needs to sign them and get them lodged with before 5.00 pm”

“Can I help?”

“You? ... Oh maybe you can. Will that bike of yours get you through traffic faster than a courier?”

“Of course”

“Ok, I’ll give you the address and I’ll let the office know to expect you. Bring the documents back to me and when Jonathan signs them you can return them to the solicitor’s office and they’ll take care of the lodgement.”

“I’m right onto it”

“I’ll pay you an hourly rate for your time and travel allowance”

“No need for that, I’m happy to help”

“We’ll keep it professional. Here’s the address in the city. Do you need directions?”

“I’m sure I can find George street Sydney”

“Good, onya bike as they say”

***

As Thomas heard Patrick speed away on the bike he thought ‘Maybe I do need some help around here. He seems willing and sounds like he could turn his hand to anything’

Thomas then called the kitchen “Hi Cook, is Carol around?”

“She’s making beds, can I help?”

“When she’s finished will you ask her to come and see me?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not yet, I’m just trying to avoid one in the future”

“Do you mean Carol and Patrick?”

“Yes, I suspect you have the same idea”

“I do and have already had a chat with her”

“Good, I’ve spoken to Patrick and just want to make sure Carol understands the possible difficulties of an in-house relationship”

“I hear you loud and clear”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page Cook. I don’t want to interfere in their relationship but I also don’t want a household problem, especially if it goes wrong”

“I agree it’s a good idea to talk to her about it”

“While I’ve got you, I’ll let you know I’ve sent Patrick on a job for Mr P and I’m considering offering him more work as it becomes available. I saw him helping you this morning, how did that work out?”

“He only did simple tasks, but was efficient and friendly”

“Ok, if you need any help when we have more staff for meals, don’t hesitate to ask”

“Thanks Thomas, I will”

<>

Thomas spoke to Carol later in the morning. She understood and promised not to let the relationship interfere with her work.

Patrick completed his task in good time and upon return went to see Thomas.

“All signed, sealed and delivered, as they say”

“Good, that was a job well done and very quickly. I hope you didn’t break any road rules”

“What happens on the road stays on the road”

“I’ll ask no more. Now to get you some pay, I’ll need some details from you. Fill out this employee details form and don’t forget your tax file number, or you’ll be taxed at a higher rate. Then fill out this time sheet for today and include the distance travelled”

“Does this mean I’m an employee?”

“Only casual at this stage. You helped us enormously today so I’m prepared to give you some casual work as needed”

“Great, I’ll do anything you want”

“No promises, but from time to time we need extra help, so it will be good to have you on call”

“That’s me, have bike, will travel”

“That’s an interesting expression”

“Yes, my father used to say variations of that. Said it was from an old western TV show”

“Can’t say I know of it”

“If you don’t need me anymore, I’ll go and get something to eat. I missed lunch while I was on the road”

“Of course, I’m sure Cook can rustle up something for you”

“I don’t want to bother her, I can make my own sandwich”

“Oh by the way, I spoke with Carol while you were out and reminded her that if you two enter into a relationship, then it should not affect her work or the household harmony. The same goes for you as well”

“Of course, thanks for giving me a chance”

“No problem, now go and eat”

***

When he finished working in the garden, Dante called Patrick and suggested he should join him in the gym.

“You have your own gym here?”

“Sure, it’s above the garage next to my flat”

“Ok see you there”

<>

“So who’s the dude in the photo, an old lover of Mr P?”

“Who...? No that’s Jared he was Thomas’ partner and before that Mr P’s wife’s lover”

“What! How does that work?”

“It’s complicated, I’ll tell you some other time”

“Can’t wait to hear that. No wonder Cook said she’s seen it all since working here”

“Settle down”

“So why is his picture on the wall, if he’s an ex?”

“I haven’t asked specifically, but I think it’s a memorial because he set up this gym”

“Memorial...you mean he’s dead?”

“Killed in a car accident”

“That’s sad, but looks like he made good use of the gym”

“Yeah, seems he was a hunk”

<>

During their workout, Patrick told Dante about his day.

“Did an urgent courier job for Thomas’ boss today and he’s going to pay me, even put me on the payroll as a casual in case other jobs come up”

“Great, play your cards right and you could get a permanent job here”

“That’s what I’m hoping. I even offered to do today’s job for free, you know to get on their good side and it seems to have worked”

“Welcome to Crystalline”

“Hey, is there history between you and Carol?”

“What did she say?”

“Nothing much, but I can pick up the signals whenever you two are in the same room”

“She forced herself upon me and I went along with it for a while, but eventually Thomas showed interest and I leaned in that direction”

“So you led her on, knowing there was no future in it?”

“Not leading her on, just going along with it. She started it. Speaking of which, what are your intentions?” replied Dante

“Honourable and that’s all I’m prepared to say now”

“Ok Mr Cool”

*****