What Reuben Saw

This story contains descriptions and details pertaining to inter-family relations.

Reuben Quayle sat comfortably in his Coventry apartment. He was 43, single and very much alone. He was one of those people who enjoyed his own company. There was something contemptible about a man who lived alone and didn’t rely on the kindness or company of strangers. Yet, here he lived. 

On a bright day in early May, he went for a walk through Coombe Abbey. He enjoyed the beginnings of springtime blossoming, and wanted to sit amongst the spring flowers. Never without pad and pen, he would often pause and write down whatever he saw - not verbatim, but usually as thoughts, poetry or even just imagery. 

As he walked through a sheltered area covered by trees and bushes, he caught sight of something out of the ordinary. He was wearing the wrong kind of coat to blend in with the bushes - a pale blue blazer matched with a green shirt and faded grey trousers was probably not the ideal choice, but he hadn’t bargained on becoming a snoop. As he approached the extraordinary sight, he immediately felt the need to reach for his pad and pen. 

What you will read below was what he wrote, with the title Nature’s Eroticism: 

With bodies entangled like branches withered, 

Her di Milo arms stretched wide like compass points,

The brilliance of blonde, the roughness of rouge,

Painted his neck, his arms and his chest. 

The bough she rested upon creaked and groaned,

She was his, and he was owned,

The flash of gold on his left finger glinted,

A bride to be, soon was hinted. 

Hanging on each other, like nooses blowing,

His member in and out of her was throbbing,

A giggle, a cry, a weepy exchange,

A married man and a virgin girl - what a change!

Reuben quietly retreated away from the two lovers. He reached into his pocket and produced his phone. Making sure there was no flash or sound, he snapped the two lovebirds and made back towards the car park. 

***

Two weeks later, Reuben was out again at Coombe Abbey. He was sitting in the café, enjoying a latte and the sounds of nature. At that moment, his quiet contemplation was interrupted by a man with dark brown hair, wearing a black roll neck and cream chinos. He held out a hand, which had a gold wedding ring on.

“Is this seat taken?” came the warm voice.

“Certainly not” Reuben smiled warmly in response “Please, have it”.

“Is nobody joining you?” the man asked.

“I prefer my own company” Reuben’s response may have sounded cold, but the man took it in the way Reuben intended “Are you alone also?” 

“My wife and her sister are with me” the man replied, and indicated to a nearby table, missing a chair. Reuben froze. There was something familiar about one of the two women. The older of the two was clearly the man’s wife, but the younger was a buxom blonde with delicate features. Was this the blonde he’d caught in the bushes two weeks prior? 

“Is everything alright sir?” the man asked.

“Yes” Reuben replied quickly “Just remembered something, that’s all”.

“Okay then” the man smiled “My name is Jason”.

“I’m Reuben Quayle” Reuben offered a hand. The man took it firmly and they shook. 

Jason then took to task of collecting the free chair. Reuben watched carefully was Jason rejoined his party and they began talking away. Reuben reached into his satchel and produced a leather bound notebook, and then collected one of the four fountain pens from inside his jacket pocket. He positioned his chair to make it look like he was admiring the view, but was in actual fact, observing Jason, his wife and his sister-in-law. 

***

Later that week, Reuben was sat at home, typing on his computer when his house phone rang. It was unusual for anybody outside of his publisher or his mother to ring. He paused his work and wandered over to the phone. 

“Reuben Quayle speaking”.

“Hello Reuben, it’s Jason Hayes” the man’s voice replied at the other end “We met at Coombe Abbey some days ago?” 

“Oh?” Reuben felt uncomfortable.

“Sorry to ring like this Mr Quayle” Jason said “But my wife recognised you. She loves your Gossiping Gosling series”.

“I wish the newspapers approved of it as much as my readers do” Reuben joked “Am I to take it that this call is an invitation to something?”

“As a matter of fact, it is” Jason replied nervously “My wife, Angela, was hoping you would speak at a literary dinner she has organised”.

“Sounds interesting” Reuben mused “What’s the date?” 

“June 2nd, at 6:30pm. It’s at the Hilton Hotel just near Walsgrave”. 

“I’m available” Reuben replied chirpily “What is the dress code?” 

“I’ll get Angela to write you an invitation Mr Quayle” Jason responded “But she’ll be so thrilled to hear you’re coming”. 

With that, Jason hung up and Reuben made a note on his calendar. 2nd June at 6:30. What an occasion that would be, he mused.

***

On the evening of the 2nd June, Reuben was being driven towards the Hilton. He had chosen an intricately designed black shirt with a linen suit. There was also the need for a chapeau - which had prompted him to opt for a cream coloured fedora with a black hatband. He felt comfortably stylish. When the car arrived at the hotel entrance, he saw a large crowd of people in tuxedos and formal dress. This was his element. 

He exited the car and the crowd were soon applauding and cheering as he made his grand entrance. Reuben Quayle, the Red Light King of Gossiping Fiction was here. He was fashionably early, and was ready to party. 

The function room, just off to the left of the main reception was decked out with gorgeous blue and gold decorations, a giant photograph of Reuben was over near the stage, and there were many tables, all with copies of his books for people to purchase and sign. 

Stood near the stage was Jason, quite transformed in a black tuxedo, stood next to the buxom blonde from Coombe Abbey. He beckoned for Reuben to join them.

“Hello Mr Quayle, I’m delighted you could make it!”

“Sorry if I’m a tad early” Reuben apologised, being unable to take his eyes from the buxom blonde. “Forgive me if this seems rude, but haven’t we met before madam?” 

“My name is Louise” she purred “I’m Angela’s sister”.

“Charmed” Reuben smiled awkwardly. He couldn’t shake the fact that he’d seen Louise somewhere before. He shrugged it off and continued schmoozing. At that moment Angela walked over.

Reuben guessed that she was somewhere close to her late thirties, with strands of grey starting to show in her perfectly kept chestnut hair. She was glamorous, yet understated. The flash of a beautiful asher cut diamond on her left ring finger caught Reuben’s eye.

“Mr Quayle, I’m literally speechless!” she gushed “I still can’t believe you’re here!”

“It’s thanks to your husband” Reuben replied nonchalantly “He’s quite the smooth-talker”.

“A lot of the women he works with say that too” Angela chuckled “I see you’ve met my sister Louise”.

“Yes, we’ve met” Reuben smiled. He kept looking at Louise. The dress was of green velvet with a low cut to show off her impressive bosom. There was a gorgeous diamond choker around her swan-like neck, and a distinctive scent that Reuben recognised. Black Opium. Our Louise is a woman of taste. 

***

After dinner, Angela walked up to the stage and addressed the gathered diners. 

“Ladies and gentlemen” she said grandly “It is my absolute pleasure to introduce our main speaker this evening. He is a writer of great renown, with many thrilling stories of intrigue and lots of gossip to share. Please welcome, the Red Light King, Mr Reuben Quayle”.

There was a thunderous round of applause as Reuben carefully made his way through the tables towards the stage. He walked up to the podium and held his hands up in gratitude.

“Thank you Angela” he began “for this wonderful opportunity. I haven’t prepared any speech, but I wanted to share with you a plot for my next book”. 

 There were murmurs of excitement and interest. Reuben smirked towards where Jason was sitting. He cleared his throat and spoke clearly.

“I live very much alone” he said “As a bonus, I find that I can often overhear or see things without many distractions. A lot of the material for my books comes from what I see day to day”. He paused, enthralled by the gasps, and whispers from the audience. He continued. “So imagine my surprise when I’m at Coombe Abbey some weeks ago, enjoying the beauty of nature, when I hear an unusual noise coming from a clump of bushes”.

He looked over at Jason. He noticed that he was starting to clasp onto the tablecloth a little tighter than before. The silver ring was glinting the spotlights. Louise too seemed on edge. Her bosoms juggling about as she shifted to find a more comfortable position to sit. 

“Now I’m no prude” Reuben stated, which received a healthy chorus of laughter “But imagine my shock and disdain to find a married man engaging in sexual intercourse with a young woman behind these bushes”. More gasps, and giggles. Louise shrank in her chair. Jason’s face went from scarlet to burgundy. “I wrote a little poem about it in my journal, and then managed to sneak a photograph or two”. 

There was a serene calm all of a sudden. People were stunned into silence. Reuben was the king of shock and awe, this wasn’t new to him. He then continued. 

“On the off chance that they would return, I went back to Coombe Abbey about three weeks ago, and instead came across our esteemed host, Mr Jason Hayes” he gestured towards Jason “his charming wife Angela, and the most bewitching sister Louise”. He laughed politely. “Now, you’re all wondering what has this got to do with a new book? Well…”

“I think we’ve heard enough Mr Quayle” Jason spoke abruptly, clapping in response “You’ve stunned us with your repartee”.

“I’m just getting warmed up” Reuben retorted in a playful way.

“Sit the fuck down you fag!” Jason hissed. There were stunned gasps around the room “Or you’ll regret it!”

“Well, I never!” Reuben snarled “How dare you!”

“No!” Jason barked “How dare you! You are ruining a lovely evening with your…filth!”

Reuben held his hands up in mock defence. He then turned to his stunned audience.

“There’s always one who gets offended” he remarked, to which the entire room fell about laughing. Reuben offered his thanks and left the stage. Jason very quickly followed him. 

***

In the car park, Jason caught up with Reuben and grabbed him by the lapels and shoved him up against a wall. The sweat was pouring from every orifice on Jason’s body. 

“You trying to ruin my marriage?” he hissed.

“So it was you!” Reuben declared triumphantly “You and Louise?” 

“Louise is my mistress, yes!” Jason hissed “But she wasn’t who you caught me with in the bushes at Coombe Abbey!” 

“Well, care to enlighten me?” Reuben had a smirk on his face. Jason so wanted to wipe it off. 

“You must promise to never speak of this again” Jason insisted “I’ll pay you whatever price you ask”.

“I don’t need fucking money!” Reuben smiled “I’m more interested in company. Your charming wife’s will do nicely”.

“Fine!” Jason snapped “I wasn’t fucking Louise in Coombe Abbey. I was fucking her daughter, Samantha”. 

Reuben was stunned. 

“You were having sexual intercourse with your niece?” 

“She’s nineteen” Jason replied “She’d had a crush on me since I married Angela. She knew that I’d also slept with Louise, but she saw me go to the bathroom one night when her dad wasn’t home. I’d gone to keep Louise company…”

“And you then allowed a nineteen year old girl to seduce you?” Reuben sneered “You’re fucking three women at the same time? You man whore!”

“Fuck you, at least I get action” Jason retorted “Anyway, I met with Samantha at a motel one night. The sex was incredible, like nothing I’d ever done before”. 

“You’re a real piece of work” Reuben replied, starting to back away from Jason. But Jason kept going. As a result, Reuben didn’t hear or see the Mercedes that was screeching through into the car park. 

***

The newspapers will all filled with the sudden death of Reuben Quayle after attending the literary dinner. Angela Hayes was in pieces. Louise moved away out of shame, because she believed that it was her that Quayle had been hinting at in his speech. 

Jason and Samantha attended the funeral of Reuben Quayle, out of respect. On the way home, they stopped in Coombe Abbey to enjoy each other one last time. Samantha had a boyfriend of her own, and he was growing suspicious. Jason decided that enough was enough. 

“I love you Uncle Jason” Samantha smiled at him as they finished.

“I love you too Sami” he smiled back. 

“Did you kill Mr Quayle?” she asked finally as they got dressed. 

“What makes you think that?” Jason asked nervously.

“Because he rang me up before the event” Samantha stated flatly “He knew about us the whole time. Did you kill him?”

Jason froze. He didn’t know what to say. All he could hear was Reuben laughing at him.