Noisey Nights Part One “You will have to say something to them Father. This just cannot go on. It was bad enough before...but this! With the two of them together...well, we just can’t get any sleep at all now”, William as speaker told Jacob Wells, as quite a few of the tunnel dwellers congregated in his chamber late into one night. The sounds drifting through from Vincent’s chamber only emphasising the point. Father shuffled uncomfortably, he hated embarrassing problems, especially when Vincent was concerned, “What can I say to them though? It will be so difficult.” “As head of the community and being that he’s your son, it is only right that the job falls on your shoulders, Father, but you have our every sympathy.” William told him honestly. Mary listening in, and hoping to alleviate matters for all concerned, but especially for Father, suggested, “Perhaps we could move them to another chamber further away. Are there any available? Far better to offer a new chamber by way of a gift, then to actually come out with why we insist they move out of the home chambers.” Father was doubtful, until a high pitched squeal split the night, Catherine’s squeal coming from Vincent’s chamber, followed by a deep and husky roar. Groaning, Father buried his head into his hands, whispering, “All right leave it with me, I shall endeavour to speak to them, and Mary that idea of the new chamber has suddenly become very appealing.” It had been continuing for some days now. At first the tunnel dwellers were amused by it, but as night after night, the sounds of passion between Catherine and Vincent echoed through the tunnels, each oblivious to it, the other occupants of the world Below were left climbing up the wall, some with unfulfilled desires of their own. The exploits of the two lovers served only to enhance their own longings, their own memories. Father for one, had lain in bed at night thinking of himself with Margaret, the only good coming from it as far as Mary was concerned, was the way his eyes had started to follow her every move, even though he wasn’t aware of it, as a long diffused hunger started to burn within his loins. Mary too, seemed more attentive towards him, trailing a hand longer than necessary over his shoulders, touching his fingers more often when passing a cup of tea, or a plate of biscuits, eyes meeting and holding that bit longer. Father shook himself when this happened, as if out of a trance. No-one was unaffected from the obvious love displays between Vincent and Catherine these days, but it was sending their usually peaceful community into a strained atmosphere, as people who were kept awake at night, suffered from lack of sleep, frustration or both. Short tempered, adults had started to snap at one another, while the youths were seen lingering with members of the opposite sex in the tunnel ways, as every night they were stirred by the sounds drifting along the tunnels, of Vincent and Catherine making love. Before was bad enough, like William had said. When Vincent would return from Above, unfulfilled and frustrated, roaring of his need into the night. Oh the bliss, when the two had eventually given in to the drive of passion and become lovers, and for a time Vincent returned from Above satisfied and at peace. Until Catherine’s need of him, drove her out of the world Above to come to live Below to be with Vincent. From then on the tunnel dwellers were entertained nightly by the love these two shared whether they wanted to be participants or not, then to top it all, while they were forced to get up and go about their daily chores, Vincent and Catherine on the other hand could sleep until late afternoon catching up on lost sleep. Something had to be done. Changes had to be enforced, and only Father could do it. While he pondered over the problem, Father reached across to Mary who had lingered behind, and taking her hands within his own he asked her, “What should we do my dear. You know how Vincent will take this don’t you? I mean everyone else lives in and around the home chambers, even the married couples, yet they haven’t been asked to move further away. Vincent will see it as being singled out, and for only one reason, that his animalistic side is the cause of this noise, and that could destroy him.” “Perhaps we could get them to marry, and give them their own chamber as a wedding present Jacob?” Mary told him softly as her eyes met his, and fleetingly Father thought he saw an unmasked light of love within their depths, yet he chose to ignore it, as he replied, “That’s a marvellous idea Mary. At least it would be easier to bring up. Yes that is what we will do,” his eyes lit up, “I’ll speak with Vincent tomorrow.” The following afternoon as the two lovers came hand in hand into Father’s chamber to say hello before going for something to eat, Father beckoned them to stay a while, offering them tea and biscuits. Vincent sat down pulling Catherine onto his lap, where his arms clasped about her waist, and his lips nuzzled her neck just below her ear. Catherine squirmed, and beneath Father’s scrutiny, she blushed, feeling compelled to free herself to go and sit in a chair opposite Vincent. Busying himself overlong with the tea and biscuits, left Vincent perplexed and Catherine bemused, as they wondered what was on his mind, for usually he would be chatting to them as he went about his work. This time he remained silent, and they were left in no doubt that what he was about to say was of a very delicate matter. Finally clearing his throat, Father began as best he could, “Vincent, Catherine, none more than me are happy to see the pair of you so, er, er, in love...and obviously you have become, er, ....” Catherine’s lips twitched, and she shot Vincent a look that said, ‘help him Vincent’ as Father looked helplessly from one to the other still searching for the correct word. “Lovers?” Vincent asked him softly. Father’s face lit up, and spurned on, he confirmed, “Yes, lovers.” then stopped dead once more, what else could he say? Catherine smiled at Father’s acute discomfort, as his lips fumbled for words but no sound came. Taking pity upon him, she asked, “What is it Father, you know you can talk to us?” Exhaling a great sigh he went on, “I had so many ways to say this, well versed words, but now looking at the two of you, sat there so expectantly, none seem right, they are too long and drawn out, the point is...oh hell, I’ll come straight out with it, you’ll have to forgive me if my words sound harsh, they aren’t meant to be, and I don’t want to offend the two of you...” “Get on with it Father.” Vincent told him, his eyes laughing. Ignoring him, Father went on, “Well the fact is, this love making...” there he’d said it, he hurried on, “between the two of you, it is, too noisy.” A moments silence lapsed, then Catherine threw her head back and squealed with laughter, throwing up her legs level with the seat on which she sat, while Vincent too laughed more at her than what was said, his lips drawn back to reveal his fangs, as he watched the tears slide down Catherine’s cheeks. Brushing them away with the back of one hand she waited for Father to say some more. When he didn’t, she apologised profusedly, “I’m sorry Father, I don’t know why I found it so funny.” she suppressed a giggle by hiding her hand over her mouth, but her eyes were alight with mischief and Vincent’s lips twitched in anticipation. Pursing her lips tightly to hold back more laughter she spoke softly, “Please go on Father.” Father’s twinkling eyes belied the sternness he was trying so desperately to present and continued, “Perhaps I could have put it better, and perhaps its because of the nature of our home here, you know, all these tunnels that echo, nonetheless the community here are finding it difficult to get to sleep at night because of your activities.” Catherine blushed, “You mean everyone?” She whispered incredulously. Father nodded, “More or less. Its not only lack of sleep that has affected people though, apparently your antics have stimulated otherwise dormant responses and desires in both young and old. No-one it seems has been unaffected.” Father looked down, slightly embarrassed, as suddenly he realised he too, had been a victim. Speaking at last Vincent asked him, “You Father?” Wearily Father replied, “Yes Vincent even me.” He sighed, “I thought I was long past all of that, but it would appear that listening to the two of you night after night, something within me has re-awakened and has manifested itself upon Mary.” Vincent smiled deeply, “But that’s good isn’t it?” Looking up Father enquired, “Good?” “Yes, for Mary I mean, she has been in love with you for years.” Vincent told him happily. Father was clearly very surprised, “She has?” He whispered, more as a question to himself than to Vincent. How could he have been so blind? The revelation of Mary loving him thrilled yet frightened him, and when he thought about it, it should have come as no surprise, it was so obvious, so perhaps he had noticed but had chosen to ignore it, was that it? Whatever, he knew he would have to do something about it now. Vincent’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “So what would you have us do Father? This is what you are leading up to isn’t it?” Over the rim of his glasses, Father looked hard at his son, this was the crunch, the time to tell them what he had in mind, carefully he answered, “There have been some suggestions Vincent, the most obvious choice is that you are to marry and go to occupy a chamber of your own further away from the rest of us, where you can make as much noise as you like.” Vincent chose not to reply, and as Father shifted uncomfortably under those penetrating blue eyes, he heard Catherine ask, “But won’t that be like being exiled Father?” Grateful for the distraction, he looked away from Vincent to turn his attention to Catherine, who was still smiling, “I suppose it could be taken that way my dear, but in all honesty Catherine what else are we to do. I well remember what it is to love, and to try to be quiet is so off putting and not easy at all. Surely then it would only be better for the two of you to be able to be some place, where you can make as much noise as you like, especially now you know how it is at present, for the rest of us.” Catherine blushed, she hadn’t thought of that. They could no longer act as they were used to doing, knowing everyone could hear them. Looking at Vincent, she smiled to see his lips twitching, and wondered what impish thought he had in mind. In response he told her via the Bond, “Listen to this Catherine, I have my own suggestion to make. This one is for Mary.” Then to Father she heard him say, “Very well Father.” Father sighed, and let out a long steady deep breath, unaware that he had been breathing shallow for some time, anticipating their answer. Vincent went on, “Catherine and I will move to another chamber, but as to marriage, I have yet to ask her, however, whatever she says, our moving to another chamber is on condition.” “Condition?” Father queried, he didn’t think he liked the sound of this, there was something mischievous in the way Vincent had said it. “Yes, Father, on condition that you and Mary marry first.” As Father’s mouth gaped open, Catherine giggled again, increasing in volume as Father spluttered, “Vincent!...” but no other words would form. “Take it or leave it Father.” Vincent’s penetrating gaze met and held Father’s, whose eyes were filled with such a ray of emotions, that Vincent wanted to laugh. Suddenly Vincent’s stomach rumbled, not to be appeased by a few biscuits after the night he’d had, and he continued, “Catherine and I are going for some over due lunch now Father, so we’ll leave you to tick this over in your mind, and you can tell us your decision later.” With that Vincent rose, kissed his father’s temple, and offering Catherine his arm, the two of them left Father in a somewhat dazed state. Just outside, Catherine slumped against Vincent as his arms wound around her waist, her eyes lighting up as she looked at him. Hugging him tightly, she told him softly, “Oh Vincent.” then began to laugh quietly, lest Father heard her. Looking down at her, Vincent whispered, “I can’t wait for his answer Catherine, that’s got him well and truly cornered.” then bringing his mouth down to capture her own, she was amused by the ripple of laughter she felt upon his lips. Father sat in his chair, unmoving, his mind void of rational thought, while words scattered through his mind like autumn leaves blown about by a furious wind. And to make things worse, Mary came down the steps to his chamber moments later, before he had time to gather his thoughts together and make some sense out of them. “Tea Jacob?” He heard her call. “What? Oh, er, no thank you Mary, I’ve just shared one with Catherine and Vincent.” “You have?” Mary enquired looking down at the still full cup on the table before him, “This one Jacob?” she pointed. Following her direction, Father blushed slightly, “Yes, I suppose that must be it.” Absentmindedly, he focused on anything but her, embarrassed suddenly to have her near. “Hard was it?” Mary asked him. “What?” Father’s brows drew together. “Your conversation with Vincent and Catherine, I take it that it didn’t go well?” Father didn’t seem to hear her. Mary exhaled a short sharp amused breath, “Jacob, I take it you did speak with them?” “Eh, who?” “Why Vincent and Catherine of course.” Father nodded, “Oh them, yes I did.” “And?” “And what?” Mary frowned, “Jacob aren’t you listening to me, whatever is wrong?" when he made no attempt at reply, she exasperated, “Did you tell Vincent and Catherine about the noise or not?” Father shook himself, trying to shake off an inpenetrateable fog, as he watched Mary, as if really seeing her for the first time. He could not visualise life without her, and he realised somewhat belatedly, that she was a very attractive woman. Even hidden away beneath the city streets, she had kept herself well, and dressed appropriately for the temperature Below, still her choice of clothing emphasised her beauty. That they made a good team, was unquestionable, but love? Marriage? Did she love him as Vincent had made known? And more importantly, did he love her? Mary blushed at his open scrutiny of her, feeling a warm glow start in her toes, quickly sending wave upon wave through her entire body. Shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot, as a sweep of desire loosened itself within her, she heard herself question him softly, “Jacob?” The spell broken Father visibly shook, and opening his mouth to speak, found no words would come. Concerned now, Mary asked him, “Jacob, what has happened. Did Vincent take it badly?” “Badly?” “Jacob!” Mary’s voice rose, as she shook her head in disbelief, “Whatever happened?” Instantly Father was brought back to the present, “I’m sorry my dear. Come sit beside me,” then taking her hands in his he went on, “I did speak to them.” a short burst of nervous laughter followed his words, “And Vincent is agreeable.” “Well that’s wonderful...” Mary began, then catching sight of his face, added, “Isn’t it?” “Ordinarily yes, but Vincent placed a condition upon the agreement. I’m afraid my dear I allowed myself to become cornered, I walked right into his trap.” He paused, “Mary, there is something I have to know?” Mary had began to laugh, wondering what condition Vincent had come up with, clearly it disturbed Father, yet his next question stilled the laughter upon her lips, as her mind tried to come to terms with what he was asking, “Mary, do you love me?” Clearly shocked, Father watched Mary’s face, her eyes stared wildly at him. Self-denial had over the years manifested itself between them. Whenever her heart had been about to betray her, Mary had managed to mask the love that she felt for this man from him. Even now, when confronted with the question she desperately sought to keep her feelings hidden, “Love you?” she queried, the words catching in her throat, then shakily went on, “Why, everyone loves you Jacob,” while she thought to herself, ‘who would have told him this? Vincent? Catherine?’ Squeezing her hands more tightly, Father told her, “That’s not what I asked Mary. Perhaps it was too cruel of me to have asked it at all. Please forgive me Mary?” “There is nothing to forgive Jacob”, she told him, though her eyes lowered from his gaze and her hands entwined in his began to tremble. “Mary” he told her gently, “You and I are a good team, and I could not imagine life here without you. You are so much a part of what we have down here. I also expect other’s see you as much as Mother, as they see me as Father, but that doesn’t mean...” Again he stopped, what was he trying to say. For one so well versed in books, today he was finding it increasingly difficult to find the words he needed. Extracting one of his hands from hers, he ran his fingers over his brow, massaging his aching temples. “Doesn’t mean what Jacob?” Mary prompted him gently, as hope flared and died in her heart. Was he letting her down gently or what?, “What are you trying to say Jacob?” Taking a huge deep breath, and exhaling it sharply in a long sigh, Father replied, “Oh Mary, I don’t know what it is I am saying, only that it is coming out very badly, and you don’t deserve that. Mary can you leave me for a while, I simply have to think things through in my mind, lest I shall be compelled to make utterance to words I may later regret. Please my dear, don’t be offended, but please Mary will you leave me alone this day.” Despite his gentle words, Mary did feel offended. Always they had shared every trial, and this one so raw, so obviously about the two of them, they could not share, because he chose not to share it with her, and that hurt. Really hurt. Mary rose, “As you wish Jacob” she told him, and was gone, leaving him only to stare and gape after her retreating back, feeling forlorn and alone. Mary’s fury took her straight to the kitchen, where she had seen Vincent and Catherine heading, and she exploded the moment she entered the doorway, “Whatever did you say to him?” she fumed at a startled Vincent, who had been sat beside Catherine, asking her to marry him. “Who?” Vincent queried. “Your Father. Whatever did you say to him?” her voice a fraction lower repeated, then in a whisper lest anyone outside the kitchen overheard she went on, “Vincent did you tell him, that I loved him?” Shamefaced, Vincent looked away, unable to meet her eyes, giving her the answer she needed, “Why Vincent? In Heavens name why?” “I thought it would help.” he muttered softly, still keeping his eyes averted from hers. “Well it hasn’t! You know Vincent, for thirty years I have loved that man. Prayed and hoped that one day he would return that love, never letting him know how I felt. I knew you see, the torch he carried for Margaret, I would never allow him to feel cornered into something he was unprepared for. But you knew, and a few others knew, what your Father chose not to see, nonetheless I always hoped that one day...” her voice faltered, “Do you know what you have done Vincent? You have killed that hope, smashed it beyond revival.” Vincent winced and as Catherine reached for his hands, he snatched them away. Mary went on, “How can I stay here now Vincent, answer me that?” she asked though she did not wait for his answer, “How can I bear to see the look in his eyes, the pity and hopelessness. You have ruined everything Vincent, Everything!” she made to leave, but Catherine’s words stopped her, “Where are you going Mary?” Turning to Catherine she told her quietly, “ I must leave. Go Above, and start a new life for myself there.” Jumping to his feet, Vincent hurried across to her, “No, Mary, please don’t leave me.” “You! You!” Mary flared, “If I never saw you again Vincent it would be too soon!” Stung, Vincent roared with pain of her outburst as she went on, “I never thought I would ever say this to you Vincent, but right now I almost hate you.” Then she was gone, leaving Vincent gasping for breath, as his lungs seemed to collapse along with his heart. To be concluded in part two.