1
I returned home with a smile upon my face. My boss had agreed with my plan and soon arrangements would be made for my trip. Everything would be paid for me and all I had to do was take the plane and go to Scotland. There I would take my residence in an old castle for a few months, writing an article about it. My boss had relatives who owned that castle and after contacting them, she told me I could stay there as long as I wished. I did have to pay some sort of rent, but it wasn't much. In the meanwhile, I would also pay the rent for my appartment in London, where I lived with my good friend, Alice Brandon. I had some money on my savings account and I had done some calculations. I should be able to afford it all.
I got out of the metro station and walked the few yards home. I looked up at our appartment and smiled contently. I would miss it for those few months, as would I miss Alice. We had been living here for some years, moving in straight after we had finished college, where we had met. In college, we immediately became friends, even though we studied very different things. I had studied English Literature and History, she had studied Interior and Clothes Design. We had both finished a few years ago and decided to rent a small appartment in London. It had been expensive, but we had found jobs quickly.
While living in London, Alice had met Jasper Whitlock. He is a fantastic guy and the two fell in love immediately. Jasper is a bit shy, but when you get to know him, he is really kind and I know he loves Alice incredibly. Sometimes I worry that when they go live together, I won't be able to afford an apartment on my own. Alice has often reassured me that she isn't planning on moving in with him yet. She is only twenty-seven and wants to build up her career a bit more. Jasper says the same thing and I should believe them.
I sighed and put the key in the lock and opened the door. I found Alice and Jasper sitting on the couch, watching TV. As I walked in, Alice turned the TV off and smiled at me. "Hey, how did it go?" Alice asked, as I sat down.
"You won't believe it! She accepted and told me she had already contacted her relatives. They are now making the castle ready for my stay and I will be able to leave in a month." Alice smiled and hugged me, excited for me, but I couldn't help notice the hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Of course, I will miss you both so much. But you two will have each other and I will only be gone for a few months. And we will keep contact thoroughly, won't we?" I asked her teasingly.
"Yes, of course! But we will still miss you. Promise me you let me help you shop for new clothes and pack." I rolled my eyes, but agreed.
"Bella, congratulations. It must be great to go to Scotland and live in such an old castle full of mysteries," Jasper said, while smiling at me. I nodded and returned his smile.
"Yes, I'm really excited and a little frightened. It'll probably be scary to sleep in such a large and deserted castle. I can't help but imagine how dark it must be there in the night." Alice laughed and stood up.
"Anyone up for pizza tonight? I think this is something to celebrate." Jasper and I agreed and we all put our coats on.
"I suppose we will go to our usual pizza place?" I asked, while laughing.
"It's not very original, I know. But they do have the best pizza in whole London. I'm sure."
"I can't help but agree with Alice on this one, those pizzas are very tasty," Jasper chuckled. I nodded and opened the door.
"Are we taking the metro?" I asked them. Alice shrugged and looked at Jasper.
"Why not? I suppose it will be busy on the roads." I nodded and we started walking towards the metro station.
In the station I noticed a large advertisement about a new movie. It wasn't the movie that attracted my attention, but the large estate that was in the background of the scenery. I started wondering how the castle I would be living in looked like. I quickly followed Alice and Jasper as I saw they were already far up ahead, afraid I might lose them in the crowd. We got inside a metro and found a place to sit.
"So, Alice, how was your day? We have only talked about mine so far," I said, feeling slightly guilty.
"Oh, that's no big deal. Let me see, I got a new assignment. I have to design a small collection of clothes, so that different companies can see what I'm worth," she laughed. Jasper looked at her with a proud look in his eyes. I smiled and noticed how they were holding hands.
"That's great Alice. Do you have any ideas yet?" She shook her head.
"No, but tomorrow at work I will brainstorm for some ideas. I really need to make this good." Jasper and I both nodded.
"I'm sure it will work out," Jasper said and he gave her a short kiss. She smiled at him.
We got out of the metro and the metrostation. The pizza restaurant was not very far from the station, so within a few minutes we got there. We had discovered this place a year ago and have been going here ever since.
"Is there a table for three?" Jasper asked the waitress.
"Yes, follow me, please." We were guided through the crowded space and were lead to a small table. The waitress gave us all a menu and asked us what we wanted do drink. After we told her what we wanted, she left and we picked up the menu.
"It's actually been quite some time since we've been here, isn't it? I believe more than three months." Alice thought for a while and then nodded.
"I believe it is. Well, then we better make up for it now." I laughed and decided what I wanted to order.
The waitress returned and took our orders. She turned around and walked away, almost bumping into a different table.
"God, I'm starving!" I said. Alice rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Patience, woman," she said.
"But back on the subject of your little trip, Bella. What exectly is it you are going to write while you're there?" Jasper asked me. I sighed and raked my hand through my hair.
"Well you see, that might be a little problem. There is enough to write about that castle, but I really need to decide what. I can write about the building and the environment it stands in. But I can also write about the history of the castle, the families that have lived there. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, there is even an ghost who haunts the castle." I laughed and smiled as the waitress brought our pizzas.
"That would be very exciting. Oh, I do hope there is a ghost," Alice said with an excited glint in her eyes.
"You didn't want to came with me, did you?" Alice frowned and looked at me.
"I would love to go with you and live in a haunted castle for a few months, but there is no way I can get so long off from my job." I nodded and smiled at her.
"I will take pictures and tell you everything about it."
"And we will make sure we are having more fun than her," Jasper said teasingly, squeezing Alice's hand. I rolled my eyes at Jasper and started eating. Alice and Jasper laughed at me and pretended not to see me glaring. I huffed, but gave up and gave them a defeated smile.