Welcome to Chapter Ten – Thanks, as ever, for your support of this story. It's a privilege to write for you. This chapter contains some significant information – for Bella at least – when she invites both of her neighbours for supper AT THE SAME TIME!
As ever, all things Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I'm merely messing with her delightful creations. No copyright infringement or offense is intended.
The Cullen Dilemma
Chapter Ten
In no time at all, the summer break was almost over. Most of the other houses in the cul-de-sac, now officially named Sunshine Meadows, were occupied.
Angela and Ben Cheney were the inhabitants of number one, along with their 2 year old son, Zachary.
Number two belonged to an older couple who had moved from another part of the country. Thus far, they'd kept themselves to themselves and we hadn't been properly introduced.
Number three was still empty, but a sold sign had been erected only last week.
Number four housed a newly married couple by the name of Jack and Melissa Harper.
Three young professionals were sharing at number five. A guy called Michael Newton had bought the property then let rooms to 2 of his workmates, Eric Yorkie and Jess Stanley.
Jas was well-settled at number six, as was I at number seven.
I caught sight of Mister E-M-C from number eight almost every day as he left for, or arrived home from, work.
Plot 9, a two-bedroomed house not unlike mine, was still for sale – the last one on our small development.
Number ten was a large family home. The inhabitants, Shelly and Martin Cope, had three teenaged daughters, who seemed to spend a lot of time mooching around with mobile phones to their ears.
Number eleven belonged to a slightly eccentric man, who walked around the neighbourhood with a pair of binoculars hanging around his neck. He'd been introduced simply as Aro.
Number twelve, the last house to be finished, had been bought by Jo, the site agent and her partner, Lizzie. They had two beautiful little boys called Simeon and Levi.
So, how did I know all this information?
As soon as the builders were off site, Jo and Lizzie threw a 'getting to know you party' at number twelve, just a few drinks and nibbles to introduce the neighbours. I'd been volunteered to contribute some canapés and a few cupcakes by Jasper, not that I really minded. As we were a little way out of town, Jo thought it would be helpful to know who else was around. People popped in and out all afternoon and into the early evening. There was a lot of polite chit-chat and some discussion about the possibility of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Group.
When most people had left, I walked back down the street with Edward. He'd seen me struggling with a pile of serving plates and offered to carry them for me, which was kind. Jasper had helped me bring everything over, but he'd left early to visit his parents.
"Have you ever considered baking professionally, Bella?" He asked.
I had to admit that I hadn't and that cooking was one of my favourite ways to relax. I loved teaching and couldn't imagine working as anything else.
"I've got 5 days of holiday left and I intend to make the most of them," I told him. "I've done as much planning as possible and I'm going into school for 2 days next week to set up my classroom before the students return."
Edward yawned. "I only recently started my new job, so no time for a break yet. I have to make the most of weekends for now. I'm glad tomorrow is Sunday"
"What are you planning? Anything special?"
"Not much," he said with a sigh. "Leisurely coffee with the newspaper, maybe watch a bit of cricket on T.V., some grocery shopping and that's it really."
Something about his tone made me take pity on him. I know we hadn't got off to the best of starts, and he could still be a bit formal at times, but he was mostly a perfectly pleasant guy.
"Well, as you've nothing planned, come over to supper tomorrow about 7.00 – I was thinking of doing something light, like a Chicken Caesar Salad with home-made crusty bread. Will you come?"
"I'd hate to put you to any trouble." He began to speak but I cut him off.
"We've been here before, remember? It's really no trouble having a friend over for a bite to eat."
Edward mumbled a response.
"Pardon?"
"I'd like that, Isabella. Thank you for inviting me. Until tomorrow evening then."
I watched as he walked next door, a slight spring in his step. Poor man, he doesn't seem to get out much. He could probably use a few friends, although if he speaks to them in his hoity-toity tone it's no wonder people struggle with him.
I put away my serving plates and began to think about supper with Edward. I was looking through a few recipe books, wondering what to have for dessert, when the idea struck me. I'd been looking for a chance to introduce Edward to Jasper, they were of a similar age and, who knows, maybe they'd become friends.
I looked out of my window, but Jasper's car was still not back. I wrote a quick note and went round to shove it through his letterbox. Feeling very pleased with myself, I settled down on the sofa to watch T.V.
T – C – D
When I woke the following morning, the sky was clear and bright and the sun was shining; it was definitely a day for being outdoors.
My garden was now securely fenced and although the panels had been treated, they'd still need a coat of fence paint to prolong their life. I'd found one I liked in a pale willow green colour and had managed to buy several tins as part of a discount offer.
I dragged on an old pair of shorts and a tee shirt, made a quick drink and headed for the garden with my painting gear. Even though the task was repetitive, I was enjoying myself. The only sounds I could hear were birds twittering as they took to the summer sky.
"Morning, neighbour." Jas looked over the fence. "Thanks for the invitation to supper; I'd love to come over."
"Excellent. Is chicken okay?"
"Free range?"
"But of course!"
"Then chicken is just perfect. I'm just off to the shops; I'll pick up a bottle of wine."
"That's great, thanks; white would be best."
"Yes, Ma'am." Jasper stood to attention and saluted before throwing a wink in my direction.
I laughed at his cheek. "See you later, Jasper."
He had turned around and was about to walk away when he stopped and turned back.
"Bella?" he queried.
"Yes, Jas?"
He gave me a very intense look. "I like the colour."
I couldn't say whether he was looking at the fence or at me, but either way, I blushed.
By 6.30pm I was organised. The food was ready, the table set and I'd showered, changed and put on a summery dress ready to receive my guests.
Jasper arrived first, tapping on the kitchen door before entering, a bottle of chilled Pinot Grigiot in his hand.
"Bella, hi, you look great. You've really caught the sun today; it suits you."
"I really enjoyed being out there, just me and the birds."
"It's a special location, isn't it? Open fields right outside of our back door."
I nodded. The front doorbell rang.
"Jas, please would you open the wine while I get the door? The glasses are in that cupboard." I pointed.
"Good evening, Bella," said Edward in a slightly more formal manner. "You look very pretty tonight."
"Hi, Edward, come on through." I gestured for him to follow me into the kitchen.
"Jasper, I'd like you to meet…"
I didn't even manage to get the next word out.
"You!" bellowed Edward.
"You!" screeched Jasper.
"Miss Swan, I find it hard to believe that you would invite this ill-mannered, scruffy, loutish, hapless hippie into your home," spat Edward in his most uptight voice.
"Bella, how could you associate with this jumped up, pretentious, supercilious, snobbish wannabe?" I'd never seen Jasper so angry.
"Oh, that's right Jasper; I forgot they taught you big words at High School. Not that you need them to doss around tree-hugging." Edward responded sharply.
"At least with me what you see is what you get. I'm honest about who I am and where I started out."
"So am I," roared Edward. "I just recognised the value of using my education to my advantage."
Had there been any flies in the room, I'm sure I'd have caught them in my open mouth. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the extraordinary scene playing out in front of me. Two grown, seemingly mature, men behaving like children.
"You sold out," shouted Jasper, "when you went to Cambridge and changed your name. You broke mum and dad's hearts."
To say I was becoming increasingly confused was an understatement.
"Don't be ridiculous; you're such a drama queen," retorted Edward. "Mum and dad knew exactly what I was doing and why. They understood. They wanted me to get on."
"Even if it meant not coming home at holiday times?"
"There were things going on at the time that you couldn't possibly understand."
"That's absolute tosh, Eddie, and you know it. You just didn't want your Cambridge cronies to know about your working-class family. We were an embarrassment."
"Don't call me Eddie!" Edward yelled. "You're so fucking naïve, Jasper."
"That's rich, coming from you, V-boy," snarled Jasper.
"Say's the boy who couldn't keep it in his pants. Like that's something to be proud of, treating girls like objects solely for your personal pleasure."
"At least I don't surround myself with objects and possessions to prove a point."
"No, you keep your artfully tousled hair a little long, wear faded old jeans and lecture on the environment, although you still act like a student. You're thirty-two years old Jasper, not seventeen."
"Well for a thirty-four year old you act like an old man. All work and no play make Edward dull, dull, dull. Your life is as dull as ditch-water."
"You don't know anything about my life, Jasper Whitlock Cullen. You've been much too busy focusing on your own."
"Says the King of Self-centred."
"That's not true." Edward was beginning to turn a rather vile shade of puce.
"Yeah, right," mocked Jasper. "What have you ever done for anyone that hasn't benefitted you in some way?"
"More than you might think," said Edward. "I don't brag about the things I do."
"And yet there was a photo in The Financial Times, announcing your new job and telling the world about your volunteering." Jasper sneered.
"That wasn't my idea. It was a complete surprise to me; HR must have allowed it."
"Don't try to tell me you're not revelling in the publicity, Mister Big-I-Am. I've seen you swanning around in your top of the range Mercedes."
"So I drive a nice car; it's not a crime. I've worked hard, I've earned it."
Jasper made a noise that came out rather like a growl. "Just another excuse for denying your roots."
"I've never denied anything."
"Well, denial by omission then."
"You dare to talk about omission?" squawked Edward. "The man who dropped his last name."
"That's rich, coming from the person who uses his middle name to appear less working class. I dropped our surname to avoid being associated with my over-achieving older brother."
"And that's your problem, isn't it Jasper? The fact that I have always achieved more than you."
"No, it isn't, Edward. I might even have been proud of your achievements if you'd considered your family more."
"I LOVE MY FAMILY," roared Edward.
"Well you have a funny way of showing it is all I can say."
The momentary silence that ensued allowed me to collect my thoughts. I put on my best, no-nonsense teacher voice.
"Would either of you care to tell me what's going on here?"
The silence continued. "Jasper? Edward?"
I was almost expecting one of them to give the classic 'he started it' response.
"This is the older brother I was telling you about, Bella." Jasper offered. "Edward Cullen."
Edward was still rather red in the face. "I'm so sorry, Isabella. My younger brother, Jasper Cullen, seems to think it's acceptable to abuse your hospitality by starting an argument."
"I didn't start it. You have a very short memory, Eddie."
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me Eddie."
The bickering started to escalate all over again and I decided I'd had enough.
"Enough!" I yelled. "I want you both out of my house, now."
"But Bella…" began Jasper.
"Isabella…" Edward said.
"Stop it, both of you. When you remember your manners and start to behave like reasonable adults, I'm willing to hear you out. Until then, you can leave."
"B…b…but…" Edward stammered.
"Bella, I…" said Jasper, a shocked look on his face.
I held up my hand to stop them. "Leave. Now!"
After they had gone, I stared around my kitchen-diner. The table, set for three, was wasted. The food in the fridge would have to be covered and saved.
I sat down to eat my own food, contemplating the scene I'd just witnessed. Whatever have I got myself mixed up with?
AN: Bella certainly got a shock, but did you? You'll find out soon enough about why they fell out!