Chapter Twenty Five
Bella
The bed was large and too cold when I woke up alone and I missed Kat, where was she? I jumped out of bed and throwing on my robe ran through only to find her sitting at the kitchen table with Rose tucking in to boiled egg and toast soldiers. She looked up and smiled,
"Sorry Bella but you were still asleep when Kat woke up so I gave her breakfast I hope you don't mind. Its just...well having a child in the family is wonderful"
"No, I don't mind Rose. Is she OK?"
Kat turned and smiled at me, egg yolk running down her chin and I couldn't help smiling back.
"I think she's fine but we might need a shower afterwards, what do you think Kat? A shower after breakfast?"
Kat nodded but didn't look up from her breakfast again, it was one of the things that fascinated me about young children, the way they concentrated on what they were eating to the exclusion of everything else. It was a shame we lost that enjoyment as adults. Often we ate without really taking notice of taste or texture.
"I'll shower and then I'll be back to take over."
"Ah I think you have work Bella"
I'd forgotten and I groaned looking at the clock but seeing with relief I had over an hour before I started. Then I noticed Emmett and Jazz were missing.
"Did they leave early?"
"Actually they went out last night and they aren't back yet."
"Do you think there's a problem?"
"If there is it wont be with those two. Stop worrying Bella and get showered. Would you like me to get you some breakfast?"
I nodded
"Thanks Rosalie, just some toast would be fine"
When I got out of the shower I listened and heard Emmett's voice, so they were back. If they'd been gone so long hopefully they'd found Dwayne and warned him off. I dressed and went to get my toast to find Emmett standing by the back door looking out.
"Hi, where's Jazz?"
He looked at me too innocently,
"I'm not sure. He'll be back soon though."
"Is there something wrong Em?"
I could hear the panic in my voice and Kat picked up on it. She looked up her eyes wide,
"Jazz"
"He'll be home soon Kat, don't worry"
I smiled reassuringly and after looking at me a little longer she went back to her egg. I motioned for Emmett to join me in the lounge,
"What happened Emmett? Why isn't Jasper with you?"
"He went to hunt."
"Oh, did everything go OK?"
"Yeah we found them and I don't think they'll be bothering you again Bella"
There was something strange in his voice but I didn't have time to pursue it, I had to get to work,
"I'll drive you if you like Bella"
I looked at Rose then Kat,
"I was going to take Kat into town. She wanted to show me the Christmas Tree"
"And then restaurant, the lime milk shakes I assume?"
Rose grinned,
"So that's what she was trying to tell me. Well maybe if its OK with you"
I nodded, why not let Kat be spoilt a little, it was all new to her.
Emmett stayed behind but though I asked Rose if there was a problem she just shrugged,
""Emmett only got back just before you came through. I didn't get a chance to talk to him. Is there anything you need while I'm in town?"
I shook my head,
"You being here is all I need Rose."
She hugged me before letting me out in front of the store and she and Kat waved until I went inside.
"Wow! Who is that beauty? Another of your friends Bella? You should introduce me"
I looked at Clive scornfully,
"Why would I do that? I like Rosalie."
He laughed but he was scowling, I'd hurt his feelings
"Besides which her husband is big, very big, and I don't mean fat."
He went back to his shelf stacking while I went through to hang my jacket up glad to be inside, I really needed a new one but it was beyond my budget for now, Kat needed one too and she came first every time.
The morning went quickly and luckily the boss came in so I didn't have to put up with Clive too much, he was crawling as usual! But after my lunch break, a coffee and a couple of cookies left over from Christmas the boss Mr March called me through to his office.
"Please Bella, sit down. How's Katherine?"
"She's much better thank you. Is there a problem?"
"I hate to do this Bella but Clive says you've been late to work the last two days and you've been slacking since before Christmas. He says your attitude towards customers leaves a lot to be desired as well. Are you sure you don't have a problem. He thought it might be a boyfriend and I remembered the guy who came in to see me when Katherine was sick. I understand its very hard for you but I really need people I can depend on"
I was furious, I hadn't been late at all, this was because I'd cut Clive off, he was getting his own back.
"I think if you check I was on time yesterday and today, in fact I got a lift in because of the bad roads."
"I see, well it puts me in a difficult position as I'm sure you can see."
Oh I saw only too well, Clive was married to Mr Marches niece, he was family!
"Am I getting the sack?"
"No, I'd like you to stay on until you can get something else. Maybe a month would be long enough?"
I nodded getting up annoyed and frustrated,
"Thank you for your kindness."
I don't know if it sounded sarcastic or not I just went out and through the back watched by Clive and Sandie who followed me.
"What's wrong Bella?"
"Clive just got me the sack"
"What?"
"He told Mr March I was late every morning and rude to customers"
"The slimy bastard. I'll tell the boss he lied."
"Don't bother, I don't have to work with him any longer and that's a plus."
"Where are you going Bella?"
Mr March had followed us and watched as I put my jacket on.
"I don't have to work a month, if it gets me away from Clive. I'm leaving now."
"What about your pay?"
"Pay me or not, it's up to you but I'm not staying here with him"
I put my gloves on and walked to the front of the shop where Clive stood smirking so just for good measure I slapped his face as I went past and Sandie applauded loudly.
It was snowing again and I cursed, I hadn't brought my boots with me, they were in my trunk and I didn't have any change for the phone so I'd have to walk home. Shivering slightly I started to walk across the square when I heard a shout from one of the girls at the restaurant,
"Bella, did you hear the news?"
"No what?"
"A plough found a car buried under a drift. It seems it collapsed on the car burying it and the four guys in it are all dead. It was pure luck they were found. The plough blade got caught on the rear bumper"
"How did they die? The crash?"
"No, well two of the passengers did, they broke their necks, weren't wearing seat belts, the driver suffocated, the air bag got caught around his face with the weight of the snow and the front passenger died of hypothermia. Awful isn't it?"
"Were they locals?"
"No, guys from outta state, they were staying a few days in a motel in town."
Inside I froze, four out of state men died in a car crash last night? Oh God, were they Dwayne and his brothers? Had Emmett and Jasper killed them? Was that why Emmett was in such a strange mood this morning? I hadn't wanted them dead, just frightened off. I needed to get home and speak to Emmett if Jasper still wasn't back and If he wasn't then where the hell was he?