Chapter Twenty Six

Bella

I hated it that Jasper had to work, it meant I was alone so much, especially as dad was still not happy about me going back to work. I didn't like my job at the library. Once Mrs Anderson took over all the joy had gone out of it and the thought of walking home again terrified me but I couldn't stay trapped inside this house, especially with The Bitch so I decided to ask Charlie to help me get another job. Then I saw in the local paper that he was looking for a cleaner at the station, it would mean I could be close to Jasper and I would feel safer there than at the library.

I wrote down what I wanted to say and waited until after dinner, longing for the same atmosphere I always felt at the Cullens during dinner. Here, I just felt awkward, left out, and unwanted, and although Charlie had tried having a pad and pen handy Sophie always made it so difficult to find space to write that either he or I gave up. I was already angry with her for "forgetting" to give me Jasper's message that he would be working late knowing how disappointed I would be having sat waiting for him. Thank goodness Rosalie had visited and told me, much to Sophie's annoyance, she seemed to delight in making me feel depressed.

As soon as the main course was over and Sophie had gone through to fetch dessert I thrust the sheet of paper into Charlie's hand and sat back tense to wait for an answer hoping he might tell me before The Bitch got back with whatever creation she had whipped up today. Sometimes our dinner was more like a state banquet than a family affair and I knew my dad longed for the familiar and comforting sometimes, as I did.

He stared at the paper then looked at me a little sadly before taking a pen from his pocket and scribbling something at the bottom. I knew from his expression that the answer would be no and I wasn't wrong. I read his reply.

"I didn't know you were aware of the cleaners job Bella. I did discuss it with Sophie but as she pointed out it wouldn't be good for you, with no independence from us at all. I do worry about you going back to the library though and I think you worry about it too. Your hands and feet are healed now but you haven't mentioned it again. Tell you what, I'll talk to Sophie again seeing as you brought the subject up."

A beautifully manicured hand appeared on my shoulder and I knew The Bitch was reading Charlie's note at my back, why couldn't she just go away and stop sticking her pointy little nose into everything?

I screwed the note up quickly and stood, almost knocking her off her feet, the dessert she still held wobbling dangerously then turned and ran upstairs slamming my door behind me and throwing myself on the bed, tears running hot down my cheeks. I wished Jasper was here right now, I knew he would come later but I needed to feel his arms around me, the comfort of his body close to mine.

Charlie

I watched Bella go with a long sigh, Sophie's eyes narrowing in anger.

"That girl needs to learn some manners, Charlie, you have no idea how she treats me when you aren't here and there's no excuse for such behaviour, she isn't an idiot, just a spoiled brat who relies on getting her own way because of the accident."

This was the first time Sophie had been openly hostile to Bella and it shocked me although thinking about it I guess I had tried to ignore the unhappy atmosphere in the house putting it down to the two of them learning to get along. Now, I had to make a stand, one way or the other.

"You never said anything before, what's Bella done?"

Sophie sat down hard in her chair spooning dessert into two bowls and handing one to me before answering my question.

"You really don't see it do you, Charlie? Bella resents me, she always has and I know she would be much happier if it were just the two of you here. She treats me as an outsider as if I don't belong and am only here under sufferance. I've tried Charlie, really I have but I can't go on like this, made to feel unwelcome in my own home. I'm sorry Bella had the accident, I'm sorry Renee died, but she has to learn to live again, to stand on her own two feet and having Jasper Hale, along with his family mothering her isn't helping. I love Esme dearly but you are going to have to tell her to back off. Bella would rather be there than here despite all we do for the ungrateful little madam."

I stared at her, what was she saying? Bella had finally started to live again with the help of Jasper and his family.

"Isn't it better that Bella has friends? After all, I know it's not been easy for you having another woman in the house, and my daughter at that."

"Your daughter doesn't appreciate anything I do, I don't measure up to her sainted mother."

I bristled at that, I had never praised Renee to Sophie, neither had I run her down much, she and I may not have made a go of it but she had done her best to bring Bella up and made a damn good job of it but before I could say anything Sophie was already past that,

"I'm sorry Charlie but I am not her mother and I have no wish to take Renee's place when all I get are scowls and sullen behaviour. I try to keep her within the bounds of good behaviour and manners especially around our friends but it's not easy. Bella needs to understand she cannot use her disabilities as an excuse for surly behaviour and upsetting attitudes, she needs some boundaries, and if she is ever going to be independent then she needs to understand she has responsibilities. A job, contributing to the family home, and most of all a little loyalty."

Seeing an opening I dived in,

"She asked me about the cleaners job at the station."

Sophie snorted,

"Of course she did, working for you is an easy option for her, safe and comfortable, besides it means she can make cow eyes at Jasper Hale all day every day. I'm not even sure he's a good influence on her."

"Bella isn't a child Sophie."

"Oh really? You wouldn't know it from her behaviour. Bella isn't capable of independent living right now. It's like having a difficult teenager in the house and I've just about had enough. We had a nice life before she came along, now all we do is worry about her and tiptoe around so as not to upset her. I don't think I can do it much longer Charlie."

So, that was it, Sophie had come to the end of her tether with Bella. Now if she had said this earlier on I could have understood it much better. Bella had been very hard work when she first arrived and I had been impressed with the effort Sophie had made but now? Bella was more her old self yet Sophie found that harder to get along with.

"Maybe we should have a family conference, see if we can't sort things out that way. After all, I can hardly just give up on Bella, she is my daughter."

Sophie looked at me hard for a few seconds,

"Very well, but I will not be treated like crap in my own house."

"You write down your difficulties and I'll ask Bella to do the same….. with a little help."

"Help? You mean Jasper? I wouldn't necessarily trust what he says Charlie. He's very biased after all and I know he doesn't like me, he thinks I am too hard on her."

I sighed,

"OK, I'll do it with her, if you trust me that is?"

She didn't answer me immediately but her lips were tight and she went towards the kitchen stiff-backed with tension.

"No, we'll sort this out together, each one saying what they really feel."

"And Bella is going to do that how exactly Sophie?"

She turned back to me with a bitter twisted smile marring her pretty face,

"Oh, I have no doubt she can make herself understood…...when she wants to that is. In the meantime ring Jasper and tell him it's not convenient for him to visit tonight Charlie, this is family business and HE is not family."

This was going to be a really happy evening in the Swan house I could see!