ruthmedia
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
A PASSION FOR COOKING
Jo was at the private baths club when she first saw her glide gracefully across the swimming pool. Strands of Rosemary's hair had escaped from the royal blue cap and were glistening like spun gold. Rosemary's body was tanned and toned. Her well-cut blue swimming costume clung to her curves and emphasised her long legs.Jo caught sight of her own reflection and thought about her own thick, unruly black hair which was now streaked with grey. Time, gravity and periodic bouts of inactivityhad not been kind to Jo's rather solid frame. She looked round the faded Victorian splendour of the swimming pool. It had had its day but now the tiles were stained and paint was flaking. The prospect of such decay sent a shiver through her and she felt suddenly cold. She returned to the dressing room and quickly pulled on her combat trousers and t-shirt over her still-wet costume. She left the building and walked quickly to her nearby apartment. Within minutes of entering, Jo had assembled a rice steamer, large wooden bowl and paddle and a bamboo sheet on the large pine table.The rice that she had washed earlier was transferred to the steamer and carefully simmered on the cooking hob. She resisted the temptation to lift the lid while the rice was cooking. Later she ate a satisfying solitary meal went to bed but had a disturbed night with images of Rosemary and her long, silky hair flashing into her mind.
Next morning Jo had a decided spring in her step as she returned to the Baths Club.The grass in the nearby park appeared greener and the grey stoned tenement buildings she passed did not seem as grimy as usual. Even the constant stream of cars on the busy main road didn't break into her thoughts. Even the air seemed somehow fresher. Soon she would be seeing Rosemary again. Jo went over in her mind how she would make her move. Where would she try and talk to her? The comfortable Ladies' dressing room, the sauna or in the Turkish Bath room?What should she say to her? Did Rosemary live nearby? Were they neighbours? How long had she been a member? Should she ask her name? But of course Jo already knew the answers to those questions – she had made it her business to find out. She would need to play it very low key and not arouse any suspicions.When she reached the baths, she quickly changed into her swimming costume and went to the swimming pool where she positioned herself to immediately see Rosemary when she came in. Time passed …minutes ticked by on the huge wall clock. Soon an hour went by with no sign of her. Feelings of dread started to arise in Jo, along with recurring unsettling memories from her childhood and half forgotten emotions.
Hours of being left alone in a tiny flat while her parents slaved at their restaurant. Feelings of abandonment at the school gates when other girls' parents arrived and she was left alone. The final horror on the day that the city shook with an earthquake.At the end of that day Jo found herself completely and utterly alone with no parents, no home and nobody to turn to.The pool water was now icy cold as panic gripped her and Jo rushed back to the changing room. She hurried home distraught and prepared udon noodles with tempura. But later she was visited by the same disturbing dreams and slept fitfully.
Next day Jo was unsure whether to go. Could she take the pain of another disappointment? Reluctantly she dragged herself round to the baths but on entering she saw Rosemary and her spirits soared. The passion for living returned. She quickly changed going over for a final time the script she had prepared in her head. In the pool her chance came immediately when Rosemary swam towards her."The water is a bit cold isn't it?" Jo said. "I've complained about it three times already," Rosemary replied smiling. They exchanged a few further banal pleasantries about the club and the beaurocratic jobsworths who ran it."We should try and shake things up around here," said Jo."What can we do? The committee are very stuffy and old fashioned," Rosemary said."Well, what are our skills? What kind of work do you do?" Jo asked – knowing full well that Rosemary had a top job in a well known, local public relations agency.To her relief the conversation continued the way Jo had anticipated and soon they were sipping coffee and planning their committee coup.
Over the next few days their conversations widened as they discovered a shared love of art and culture. At first they met in the club bar but later in Jo's flat because, as she had hoped, Rosemary was fascinated by her minimalist design and orchid collection. In this flat Jo's aesthetic vision was truly expressed and to her joy Rosemary seemed to feel comfortable. So many people thought the stark white walls were more reminiscent of a hospital or institution, but Rosemary was completely at home comparing it favourably to the overgrown clutter of a typical Scottish flat.They explored their mutual love of photography. For Rosemary it was more of a casual hobby but her comprehensive collection of shots taken in European capital cities brought over-enthusiastic compliments from Jo.
Jo preferred black and white art studies and was pleased to find that Rosemary spent hours enthusing over her boxes of finely composed and textured prints.They discovered a shared passion for opera, especially Mozart. Excerpts from 'Cosi Fan Tutti' formed the backdrop to their growing relationship. Jo was even delighted to find Rosemary responded warmly to the world music that made up so much of her collection.
Of course there was cookery. Rosemary was more used to take-away and instant microwave meals. Jo was able to initiate her into a world of the freshest of ingredients, meticulous preparation, slowly building to the final gourmet explosion of tastes and sensory pleasures.
Rosemary's birthday was in May. For Jo this was the culmination of her hopes and desires. She had planned the day meticulously. She had personally delivered the flowers - the biggest hand tied selection of exotic flowers that she had been able to find locally. Then she had prepared her masterpiece meal after it she would invite Rosemary to model for her latest photographic project and then………a loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Rosemary looking more beautiful and elegant than ever. Jo kissed her lightly on the cheek and took her coat. The sounds of the beautiful harmony ' Soave sia il vento' drifted through the flat and the last traces of daylight faded as Jo brought a warm ceramic bottle of sake and they settled down on the futon that served as a sofa.They moved over to the table and Jo served dishes of spicy Miso chips with tuna; Kumamoto Oysters with Maui onion salsa; Sashimi salad with Matshusi dressing this was followed by hot dishes of noodles, tempura, black cod with miso; shrimp and lobster with lemon sauce. As the sake flowed, Jo's courage rose she had no problem in asking Rosemary to pose for the pictures. She was pleased to find that Rosemary willingly accepted.Jo got her Nikon from photographic case and hastily arranged the lighting. She had no problem directing Rosemary into a variety of poses. As time passed she grew bolder and her hands brushed over Rosemary's body while she rearranged her clothes and even unbuttoning her white silk shirt. Then came the moment that Jo had been waiting for and she kissed Rosemary full on the lips. The atmosphere suddenly changed. Rosemary jumped back and screamed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she shrieked – her face contorting in disgust."But I thought ………." Jo was confused. What could possibly have gone wrong?"Well – you thought wrong!" "The past few days. You and me………." Jo eventually stuttered."There is no you and me" came the curt reply that cut into Jo like a knife."Just because of a few flowers and some food …….you think you have the right to do what you want with me. You're sick!""But I thought you liked me?""No. I've never really liked you. I felt sorry for you. In fact you are pretty sad. You are one of the saddest people I've ever met. Give me my coat. I am getting out of here!"
Breathing heavily, Jo staggered back. Her head was reeling. She felt something with her hand. For a cook their knife is their heart and soul. Jo raised her right arm and plunged the knife once, twice, three times into Rosemary's heart. The blood spurted. She had hit a main artery. Rosemary slumped to the ground. Her death rattle echoed round the room. "How had it come to this?" Jo thought. It had started so well.
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