8
"Oh my god! He believed her?" Andy asked with surprise, listening intently to the recorded conversation.
"Well… here I am. Up shit creek again… you know… I am up this creek so often I am stating to get used to the smell" Ianto sighed.
"Well… where are you going to go now?" Mel asked.
"Well, the Carter pace is still empty right? They offered it as a short term lease for Jack so.. I will take it instead. At least I will have somewhere the dog can be and I can have some peace and quiet to lick my many festering wounds." Ianto shrugged.
"God, so dramatic" Andy rolled his eyes, then nodded to his mother "right, keys. Mum can do the paperwork while we get you settled, then next time you are going past come in and sign."
.
.
The Carter house was in the same lane as the Jones Homestead so it felt weird to drive past his house to another one but at least he was closer. One step at a time right? Andy was helping Ianto with his gear when an old man came flying out of the back property "what the hell are you two up to?"
"Mister Mossey. Ianto is renting the place for a few months over Christmas and New Years." Andy said calmly to the crazy old man who many knew was more than a slight touched.
"What? No. He can't have it. They moved out and it is not for sale until the middle of July. They said!" he snarled with anger "I don't want him in my way!"
"In your.. Mister Mossey. Ianto is not in your way. This is not your house, hasn't been since you sold it to the Carters. Come on now!" Andy scolded helping Ianto as the old man puffed and spluttered at them.
"What was all that about?" Ianto asked as he watched the old man storm up the side road to the back property once more.
"Well, this was the Mossey House until the new one up the back was built, then the younger lived in this one, the older in the new house. The Olders died and the younger… now the old man… moved up there. The bank started to make waves so they were forced to sell this place in front in order to keep the land and house out back." Andy explained "We are sure they grow in the woods but can't find the bloody plot. I swear the smell of marijuana comes off them in waves."
"Right… prime growing season, time to harvest and dry it right? Maybe they are afraid I will spy on them" Ianto frowned "Like I care. Smoked a bit in my time. If they are harvesting now… why should it matter?"
"Our opinion too, why we ignore them for the most part." Andy nodded "but be careful. The Old Man has no teeth but his grandsons Nigel and Chris… they are wankers. Why the Carters re selling, they can't stand the tension"
At least the house came furnished and Ianto was soon back out at the store gathering supplies for the house as he enjoyed some peace and quiet. God. So over this shit. He wanted to pull up the covers and die.
"Ianto?"
Great. Thought too soon. He turned with a fake smile to find Jack there with a sweet little girl in pigtails "Ianto! This is Alice, my daughter. Ali, this is Ianto. The man who owns our house."
"Hello sweetling" Ianto said, instantly in love with the large eyes and sweet cupid bow mouth that moved into a smile.
"Daddy sez you are gonna let us stay for chrisymas."
Awwwwww.
"Yes. Then a new adventure as Daddy finds another house for you to pretty up" Ianto said to her, crouching to be her height "you know… you look like a pink girl to me… I bet you are a princess in disguise, right?"
She giggled as she nodded enthusiastically and Ianto laughed "Thought so. Far to pretty for the likes of us commoners!"
Jack smiled too, liking the way Ianto made Alice feel important and Ianto rose to address him "I had a little spat with Rhys so I have moved in up the lane in the Carter house that was offered to you. The deep lemon yellow to story one about three doors up so if you see me driving past I am not stalking you… much. Andy gave me your phone number and I will text you so you have mine, in case of emergencies. If I am to be your landlord for a while, i need to know if the place is burning down."
"Ours is Sherbet Yellow, I picked the colour" Alice said with a nod of her head "Lemon is nice and sherbet is yummy."
Jack laughed, then they went their separate ways not knowing how soon they would see one another.
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.
.
"Ianto? Christ… what time is it?" Jack groaned checking his bedside clock "Three?"
"Jack.. I am so sorry… I think… I think there is someone in my house… downstairs. I… I didn't now who else to call!" Ianto hissed down the phone and Jack was immediately awake, moving for his pants.
"Are you in a safe place?"
"I am in the bedroom upstairs. Locked the door and I have moved behind the bed… against the far wall. I can't hear anyone coming up the stairs but they are definitely downstairs. I heard voices and things moving about."
"I am on my way. Alice is asleep, I will just jog your way... give me a minute" Jack asked, and Ianto hung up, listening with fear while hugging his growling dog as someone or something continued to move around in his house.