Chapter 13: The names Bond, Sadie Bond

Imagining herself a sexy and heroic Bond girl, Sadie peered around the corner and watched as Jude left her bedroom and entered the bathroom for her morning shower. Fighting the urge to hum the James Bond theme song to herself, Sadie tiptoed down the hall and to Jude's bedroom door. She glanced one last time at the bathroom door before entering Jude's room and softly closing the door behind her.

She could hear Jude singing in the shower; some song Sadie had never heard before about Chocolate and wallowing. She smiled to herself and rolled her eyes before glancing around her. 'Wow' she thought, 'Jude is such a slob'. Clothes were strewn on the floor and dressers and the bed was an unmade mess, though Sadie realized her bed was no better. She simply hadn't had time to make it this morning. Not with the limited timeframe she had.

'Where to start?' she thought to herself as she glanced around her. She couldn't help but wonder if she was doing the right thing, taking part in Tommy's plan. She was going behind Jude's back and should events not go as hoped, she would certainly deserve Jude's anger.

She heard a metallic click as someone began to open the bedroom door. She whirled around, one of Jude's bras in one hand and a pair of jeans in the other. Now how would she explain this situation? 'I just decided to do your laundry for you, since its take pity on your sister day and because I'm certain there's another life form about to grow from the dust in here.' Yeah, that would go down well!

The door opened completely and Sadie looked down to see Cassie standing there in her footed pajamas, a Teddy bear dangling from one hand and the other rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Sighing in relief Sadie put a finger to her lips in a 'sshhh' motion then closed the door. She picked Cassie up and placed her on the bed. "We're planning a surprise for Mommy so you must be very quiet ok?"

---

Half an hour later a grumpy Jude sat at the kitchen table and stared blankly at her cereal. She was hung over but not on alcohol – on sugar.

"Morning Jude" Sadie smiled as she walked into the room and grabbed an apple, "Isn't it a lovely day today?"

Crossing her index fingers, Jude held them in front of her face while looking away, "Down with energy and pep! Depart oh evil blonde one!"

"Jude" Sadie smiled, though there was a hint of annoyance, "You're blonde too."

"Not naturally" Jude muttered to herself as she stirred her spoon in her cereal.

The doorbell rang and she watched as Sadie sashayed toward it. She frowned; Sadie looked absolutely gorgeous with full make-up, styled hair and a great outfit. Since when did she look this perfect this early in the morning?

"Hey Honey" Sadie said as she hugged Kwest before leading him inside. She whispered into his hair "Everything's set" Then leaning back she said at normal volume, "I'm channeling my Inner Bond girl today"

Kwest smiled mischievously, "Now that is something I'd like to see."

Sadie laughed then winked at him flirtatiously.

"Is that why you look so perfect right now?" Jude asked with a frown, "I'd have sworn you knew Kwest was coming over this morning"

Sadie paled slightly but Kwest quickly spoke up, "Are you feeling ok, Jude? You look a little tired"

She glared at him, "I'm fine"

Sadie glanced at her watch then excused herself and ran upstairs. She retrieved the suitcase she'd packed that morning from where she'd hidden it under Jude's bed then slipped downstairs, peering around the corner she made sure Kwest was distracting Jude then bolted across the foyer and out the front door. She reached the street and turned left then raced down the footpath.

Right on schedule Tommy's car was parked in a neighbor's driveway. He was leaning on the bonnet, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses. Though she would never have admitted it, Sadie found herself thinking just how much he looked like James Bond in that moment.

He took off his sunglasses and smiled nervously as she reached him, "Everything set?" He asked.

She nodded and handed him the suitcase, "I swear, Tom. If you mess this up and break Jude's heart I will rip yours out"

"Aye Aye Sadie" He pretended to salute, "Threat noted. And yes, I'm very scared" He rolled his eyes and smiled good-naturedly.

She grinned and punched him lightly on the arm, "Today the names Bond, Tommy. Sadie Bond. And you'd do well to be scared" She raised an eyebrow, making a serious expression then turned and raced back up the street.

Tommy smiled to himself then opened the back door and deposited Jude's suitcase inside. He glanced at his watch and waited a few minutes before climbing into the car and moving it up the street till he was parked in front of Jude's house. He watched nervously, waiting.

---

"Ok, you two are just acting freaky!" I told Kwest and Sadie as I deposited my mostly uneaten cereal in the trash then placed the bowl in the sink. I'm going upstairs to hang out with the only normal person in this house – Cassie."

"She's not there" Sadie informed me.

I spun around, gaping at her, "What?"

Sadie shrugged, "Mrs. Jones is looking after her for the morning. Kwest and I decided you needed a day off so we've got a surprise for you"

I glanced between the two of them skeptically, "What kind of surprise?"

"The kind that ceases to be a surprise when you reveal any detail" Kwest remarked. He took a scarf out of his pocket and handed it to Sadie.

"Nuh-uh. Last time I let Sadie blindfold me it went badly. Really badly!" I raised my hands in front of me.

"Oh come on Jude! That was eons ago" Sadie walked over and forcefully wrapped the scarf around my eyes.

I heard the front door open then Sadie took my hand and slowly guided me across the room. She led me outside and I fought the urge to scream and run. I heard a car door open.

"Ok, you're getting into a car now" Sadie said and after a few awkward attempts at locating said car then successfully getting into it, I found myself seated.

"Guys, I really don't like this"

I felt someone lean over me and do up my seatbelt.

"It's fine," Sadie remarked, "Seriously, let someone do something nice for your for a change! Now wait a couple of minutes before taking the scarf off. Okay?"

I heard the car door close.

"Sadie?" I called.

No response.

Now I was really starting to panic.

The car engine roared to life and I leaned back in my chair. I really wanted to take the blindfold off but then I felt bad. If this really was some great surprise Sadie had organized for me it would be pretty low to go and spoil it all over stupid trust issues relating to a childhood of torture at her hands.

I slowly counted to a hundred then reached up and took the blindfold off.

I was in a car, on the motorway and sitting next to me in the driver's seat was…

"Tommy?"

Oh purple polka dotted dinosaurs!

"What the hell is going on?" I yelled.