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Chapter 4

Moving In and Sightseeing

It didn't take me long to pack up my things in the morning. Most of my clothes and valuables were kept in the suitcase which I had jammed into the small space underneath the bed (so that the maids wouldn't steal anything).The only things I had to re-pack were my toiletries, my outfit from yesterday and my make-up. I knew it wouldn't take me too long to pack so I had had a lie-in today. Till eleven. I had to be out by twelve, giving me just enough time to get dressed and check everything was back in my case.

I checked out and was leaving what was my home for the last couple of days. I knew I wanted to sightsee today, like any normal tourist, camera and all. But, I needed to unpack and get settled into my new home with the Masens.

I knocked on the front door. Even though it was technically my house too, I felt too weird just walking in, so I waited patiently for someone to come to the door. Esme opened the door within seconds.

"Oh, Bella dear! You know you can just come in! Me casa sue casa…" she said.

"Okay…thanks" I pulled my suitcase behind me into the hallway.

"Anthony? Can you help Bella with her suitcase please?" Esme called. He soon appeared from outside in the back garden. He gave me a grin before picking up my suitcase, carrying it upstairs.

"Thanks!" I shouted after him. I could hear his chuckle from upstairs.

"Anthony and I have to pop out soon to do some grocery shopping, but you won't be alone for long. Lizzie's coming to visit around 2-ish. That'll give you enough time to get settled in. Perhaps you can go see some more of London with her?" she suggested.

"Umm, yes that would be great. There's so much I would love to see and I really want to meet your children" truthfully, I was a little nervous about whether she would like me. But, if she was anything like her mother, we would get along great. After settling on Lasagne for dinner, I headed upstairs to pack. I heard the door going not long after that, signalling that the Masens had left.

I let out a huge sigh before beginning to unpack the small amount I had in my case. I put my favourite picture of my Grandma and me on the bedside table. We were sitting on one of the benches along the harbour early in the morning. We looked happy.

I placed all of my clothes in hangers in the wardrobe. It wasn't much, I would definitely need to go shopping soon. My favourite books were placed on the bookshelves. The classics like Jane Austen collection, the Bronte sisters and George Orwell. Charles Dickens and Shakespeare. There were some modern ones like the new Vampire Saga and some cute romantic-comedy books by Dorothy Koomson and Sophie Kinsella. These had all been packed in a big cardboard box that had been hidden in the boot of my car.

The knick-knacks me and my Grandma had collected over the years joined the books on the shelf. A little lucky bear from Ireland, a small camel made of silk from Tunisia. A bronze elephant from some caves in Wales; and some stones with diamonds in them! There was a cute little fairy statue of my Gran's. She had bought it when I was young. My Gran's teddy bear also got pride of place on the shelf. Next to unpack was my DVD collection. It was split into two small-ish boxes in the back of my car. A quick trip downstairs and a not-so-quick trip back up and the boxes were ready to unpack. I managed to sort them into alphabetical order and stack them neatly on the other bookcase. I was a neat freak when it came to my DVDs. I had everything from the Sound of Music to Rambo. From Mama Mia to The Blind Side and Kick-Ass. I was very proud of my collection indeed. And, of course, I had every single film that Edward Cullen had starred in. He was my guilty pleasure.

I was exhausted by the time I had finished and I sank into my new comfy sofa, drifting into a lovely nap.

"Hello?" I heard a woman's voice from downstairs calling out. I leapt up from the sofa and checked the time. It had been two hours! I rushed downstairs to greet Lizzie. She was standing just inside the door, her coat still on and bag in hand. She was even more beautiful in real life. I was slightly jealous…okay a lot!

"Hi, sorry, I fell asleep after unpacking. I'm Bella; the lodger of sorts…you must be Lizzie?" She answered with an affirmative nod.

"It's nice to meet you Bella. Now…get your shoes, money and communications. Mom said something about a tour of London?" she said with a grin.

"Oh yes, that'd be great!" I answered excitedly. I quickly put on my shoes and coat, grabbing my bag before exiting through the door. Lizzie followed behind, locking up the house after us.

We decided on visiting the museums first. They were free and entertaining and we'd have time to get to know each other. We arrived a the Natural History museum. Seeing some of the animals looking so life-like was starting to freak me out.

"So, how old are you Bell?" She asked, breaking our comfortable silence. I loved how she had given me another nickname. It showed we were bonding.

"I'm 17, I'll be 18 in a couple of months though" I said uncomfortably. I knew that I was much younger than her and I didn't want her to treat me like a kid.

"Oh, I've always wanted a little sister!" she exclaimed happily. We both started giggling when other people turned to stare at us. We walked into the next section of the museum all about babies…great. Some of it was really gruesome. I can safely say I won't be getting pregnant any time soon.

"So what brings you to London anyway?" she asked.

"Oh, well I was living with my Gran in a small town in Wales. It was okay, but I'm not the small town type. When she died not long ago, I began to feel claustrophobic in the little town and decided it was time for a new life in the big city" I explained briefly.

"I'm sorry to hear about you Gran…if you don't mind my asking, where are your parents?"

"My parents? I don't know. I've only ever seen them twice. The last time was at my Gran's will reading. They wanted some money," I could see the pity in her face, "don't worry, I don't care for them. They were too young when they had me and so they dumped me with Gran while they did want they wanted. She was like a mother to me…" I could feel myself tearing up so I changed the subject.

We talked about everything from favourite colours to fashion to films and I found out we actually had lots of things in common. Including a love for Indian food. She promised to invite me over to her new flat for some Take-away next week. I gladly accepted, happy that I had made a good friend already. The big city didn't seem half as scary when you knew a couple of people.

I was absolutely shattered when I got in from sightseeing. Not that we went anywhere besides the museum and the café close by. We had made arrangements to go out on Friday with Victoria too, we were going to have a picnic in the park and then go on the London eye. I just hoped Victoria was as nice as Lizzie is.

I greeted the Masens, quickly explaining my day and how I had already eaten with Lizzie before dragging myself upstairs and collapsing onto the bed. Darkness overcame me instantly and the next thing I heard was the annoying beeping sound that I knew belonged to my alarm.

R&R so that i can get better...please? xx