The moment the door opened there was a chorus of Laughter and warm greeting and above all the chaos was Feliciana's nasally voice.

Stephen was there and so was Sebastian.

"Oh we're so glad you're here".

Feliciana rushed over with her arms open, while Stephen intercepted her rather awkwardly.

Feliciana shoved Stephen out of the way.

"Would you not get in front of me!

You're blocking the view looking out to my beautiful niece!

Egads she's my niece, she was related to me first, so move aside.

At least let me have the

first hug".

Stephen glared at her but he sidestepped a bit to give her room to embrace Noel.

"Of course i did nothing".

Algee retorted as he entered the door and took off his imitation leather gloves.

"Yes thank you Algernon.

Your help was invaluable and it is much appreciated.

I am grateful to you for bringing our niece safely to our house.

Although next time I'd prefer her to take a plane here, Feliciana.

You needn't have Algee go traipsing off such long distances outside the Hamptons.

Of course I'm more concerned about the millage on that black beauty."

"Hey she could've taken a cab.

Just imagine the horror when i hear that my drop dead gorgeous niece was going to take a greyhound.

She was waiting at a bus stop for crying out loud!

You know how dangerous bus stops can be!

Well maybe you don't, but i do and that's what matters.

I once saw a man knife a homeless guy for a tin can full of spare change.

There wasn't even any quarters in there, at least none that i could see.

Oh don't look at me like that?

I gave him a few dimes, maybe a dollar or two.

Oh nevermind you know i meant well.

You're happy that she's here now aren't you hun?"

"Yes of course i am.

Noel we are happy to have you here.

I must admit i am quite pleased you're here.

I am sorry to hear about your parents.

I heard what happened and considering the circumstances i think it's best that you live here for the time being unless you have other plans".

"Well i don't really.

It's just that i don't want to be a burden to any of you.

I don't wish to be a bother.

I know you're very busy and i wouldn't want to trouble you with my problems".

"Oh nonsense.

You've never been a burden nor a bother to anyone in this house.

So it's no trouble.

You are a part of the family so it's only right that you should stay here.

So it's no trouble at all.

So i want you to banish all those negative thoughts from your mind.

You can stay here as long as you like."

Stephen looked genuinely happy but she was still doubtful.

"Well if it is an issue, i shall be on the look out for work, so i could pay-"

"Oh no that's absolutely out of the question.

You shouldn't have to pay rent here.

I simply won't hear of it.

You are family and i refuse to charge you for anything.

Heavens you've been through enough, you shouldn't have to pay your way on top of it.

Jobs are vastly overrated after all".

Algee interjected Stephen with such abrupt compassion it almost made Noel go red.

"Oh I suppose you should know.

You're hardly home these days".

Algernon said with the usual sighing lilt in his voice.

Stephen thought about reacting to this but decided to keep his objections to himself.

"Oh boy have you got that right.

You really should lay off the work.

You know you're not getting any younger.

I only say this cause i had cousin that went that way.

He was fit, he was healthy but he loved to work and then just like that he was 6 feet under"

Feliciana snapped her fingers to demonstrate the severity and speed of the situation she was explaining.

"Well thank you for that Fel, i shall keep that in mind the next time i go working out in the fields outside a Kabbutz in bloody Israel".

"It wasn't outside a Kabbutz in Israel.

I'll have you know it was in a office building in a cramped desk without air conditioning and if he'd only taken a lunch break for 5 minutes he wouldn't have died from freaking heat stroke!"

"Oh the sounds of joy have come to my ears yet again".

Algernon took off his coat and he headed down the hall towards his room.

"Oh if you need me i shall be in my room...retiring from life".

Algee than very gallantly walked off.

There was some strange inclination that came over her that was urging her to follow him which she remembered was something she had done many times before.

She remembered coming here as a little girl and follwing Algee around.

She continued to do so when was a teenager.

One time when she was 13 her cousin Sebastian had found her waxing the floor and since he was 4 years younger than she was, he ran to his father Stephen and reported the event in full detail.

Stephen than shouted at Algernon for well over 30 minutes.

"I'll have you know he had nothing to do with it, Uncle.

I offered to help him.

He didn't ask, he didn't make me do anything, I'm the one that offered. "

At that she went running to her room to soak her pillow in tears.

She had her own room everytime she came to visit which was very often, on every major holidays, some of which were Jewish ones and of course on every birthday.

Algernon remembered being touched by her courageous act of compassion.

Those words eventually moved her uncle as well to which he apologized to Young Noel at the time but unbeknownst to her, he even apologize to Algernon himself.

Uncle Stephen, had a bit of a short fuse at times but usually he was always sorry afterwards about his behavior and his conscience would eventually win in the end.

"Well if it's any consolation I'm happy that you're here too".

Sebastian spoke up for the first time since she'd come on.

Sebastian had been gawky kid at one time with reddish blonde hair,a wide button nose and he reminded her of that mad Magazine icon without the freckles.

Now his hair was a sandy chestnut and he was well over 5"10 and his voice was no longer sqeaky and annoying.

He was rather handsome nowadays.

Growing up he would play strange and often bizarre games like Bury the Mummy, Dig for the Dead Doggy and Help me I've been stabbed, to which he would squirt ketchup on his nice clean shirt, cry out in false agony and then fall over limp onto to the floor.

Algernon at that would purposely step over him, sweep around him and at one point he pulled out the mop, which then sent him running Since he didn't want his clothes to get soaked from the excess water.

"I'll give you two options, i can either wash out the stain now or later".

He always chose later which pleased Algernon tremendously.

He was however not pleased when be had to remove the ketchup stains from Sebastian's shirts later on.

Although in all honesty Noel was fascinated by him sometimes she'd stare at him for hours observing his every move, waiting for him to say something witty.

Noel was a rather a serious child and when she first came to Knightdale Manor she rarely ever smiled.

Unfortunately nobody really knew what a sad life she had except Algee.

When her parents were home she was happy but when they were gone her happiness faded and she became distant and dismal.

Algee was the one that originally helped young Noel step outside her thick outer shell.

Feliciana knew a little but unfortunately she didn't understand how it felt to be lonely.

Algernon knew what it was to be lonely because he was often neglected by his father very much like how Noel's parents had neglected her for their work.

So of course naturally the two formed a special bond.

In a way Algernon became a new sort of father figure for her.

I don't think anyone knew how obsessed she was with him.

It wasn't the obsession where you'd stalk and constantly fantasize about someone, it was the kind of obsession where you have a intense interest and fascination in someone.

Auntie Fell found it adorable, Uncle Stephen thought it was cute and Algernon himself saw it as endearing.

When Auntie Fell and Stephen finally finished bickering Stephen slapped his leg and got up attempting to change the mood of the room as well as the conversation.

"Well you must be absolutely exhausted.

I suppose you should get some rest and we can talk more in the morning hopefully without the arguing".

Stephen raised an eyebrow in Fell's direction.

"I suppose you don't need anyone to show you to your room since you know where everything is already.

So I'll leave you to it in the meantime I'd like you to think this place as your second home.

I just want to let you know it's wonderful to have you here".

"Yes i should get some rest.

Thank again for everything.

It's very kind of you all to take me in".

"Well we couldn't have our favorite niece go homeless now could we?"

Stephen's crows feet became more prominent as he scrunched up his eyes in his happiness.

Uncle Stephen was a very pleasant looking man, even though he was very reserved and proper.

Stephen always reminded him of a British Richard Gere.

He had a streak of grey in the front where a huge tuft of hair hung down like a deflated pompadour.

His eyes always appeared to be narrow and squinty which gave him the appearance of Peirce Bronson who forgot his sunglasses in the Bahamas, so he had to take on the sun firsthand.

"Meanwhile tommorow is going to be a new day.

We'll go shopping, we'll get our nails done, Maybe we can do something about that hair, not that it isn't beautiful.

It's just terribly short.

Oh honey did you cut your hair out of mouring?"

Auntie Fell shoved her bottom lip out of pity and sympathy.

"I cut it as a symbol of my parents cutting me off from my happiness and inheritance.

They died and then they left me with nothing.

I don't mean to bitter.

I'm not bitter about the money, I'm more bitter about their death."

"You know I've heard that anger is all a part the natural process of grief.

So you know its okay to be angry about death."

Sebastian was trying to be a comfort to her and she appreciated that however Stephen gave his son reprimanding look.

"Oh that's understandable honey.

I've had plenty of relatives die on me and i was plenty angry about it, believe me.

Nothing gets your knickers in a twist more than somebody dropping dead.

So of course i understood, why when i was your age, maybe i was a bit younger, i went through a awkward stage.

I wore way too much makeup, i had one of those stylish Bobs, like Angela Housten in her younger years stylish.

I was a rebel, let me tell you.

Yet i love that shade of lipstick sweetheart.

What's the name of that?

Dance of the Dark Sugar Plum fairies?

Well anyway it suits that wintry complexion of yours.

Oh you're looking from frightfully pale?

Stephen does she look pale to you?" Fell fussed over niece.

"Fell I think she looks just fine and if she is pale it's no doubt from pure exhaustion...

no doubt from hearing you talk non stop.

Just stop fussing over her.

She needs some rest".

"Of course pardon me, Lord of the Manor.

You get some rest sweetheart and tomorrow we can give you a makeover.

It will be fun, trust me". She gave Noel a wink.

At that she went up the tan carpeted staircase and went to her room which was always reserved for her whenever she came to visit.

However sleep was not to be her ally that night.

In fact many nights she spent awake and often she would sneak out for long walk around the city.

Sometimes she'd even make it as far as New York where she would hit certain clubs and rustic lounges, bars and grills and old Mom and Pop restaurants.

The only one that knew about her active night life excursions was Algernon but out of loyalty to her he never said a word to either Feliciana or Stefan.

He kept it a secret which was a incredible feat since Algernon rarely kept secrets of any kind.

He was far too outspoken and talktive to keep a secret for very long but strangely enough he kept her nightly activities a secret from eveyone in the household.

However he felt rather uncomfortable keeping it a secret from Noel herself.

So one night he quietly announced himself.

"Out and About again i see".

Noel was slightly shaken.

"I just came back from a walk."

She tried to be casual about it since she wasn't sure if he was going to report her whereabouts to either her Aunt or uncle.

"Oh yes that's quite the normal routine you have there.

You're very consistent with soaking up the night life of south Hampton every night and wandering the various clubs of New York.

Tell me how do you maintain a healthy sleep schedule?

Do you sleep during the day or are you just the average insomniac night owl?"

"Have you actually been stalking me?

Tailing my every move have you?

Do you constantly keep tabs on me or this just a hobby of yours?"

She tried to keep her cool but a bit of uncomfortable irritation came out in her voice.

"Oh heavens no, I asked the cab driver, i gave him a tip and he gave me information in return.

I could understand the South Hamptons but New York, that's a whole mess of trouble.

It's unpredictable and can be a very dangerous place at night.

Word of warning stick to South Hampton, at least you won't be mugged, shot or raped."

"Crime happens everywhere, Algee and South Hampton is no exception.

Besides you sound just like my aunt.

I'll have you know my aunt did the same things at night, before she was married so now I'm no exception.

So please spare me the lecture."

"I'm not here to lecture you and for a moment there i thought you were going to say i sounded like your mother.

Yet nevermind that, yes it's true crime happens everywhere, but don't you think you've dealt with enough tragedy?

New York might seem full of life and excitement but underneath all those bright lights there's alot of pain and tragedy, many people have been hurt and broken because of that city.

The crime is only getting worse, I'd hate for you to be one of those lost souls that wander the street corners at night."

"You make it sound as if I'll become a call girl.

I'm not dating the mafia, I'm not stumbling out of bars and collapsing behind dumpsters.

I'm not heading down alleyways with white powder on my nose.

I'm just soaking up the nightlife of New York just like you said.

I stick to the fancy nightlife i don't venture to the slums.

Look You know me, I'm not going to be get into trouble.

Oh by the way if i did anything like this when i was growing up my mother wouldn't have batted an eyelash.

She wouldn't have said anything which is exactly what I'd like to hear now."

"Of course.

I understand.

I didn't mean to interfere and i dont mean to be a drag but the only reason I'm saying all this is because...i care about you.

I wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to you.

I'd hate if any more tragedy were to befall you.

I trust you of course and i know you won't get in any trouble, but trouble has a strange way of finding you.

I mean not you personally but anyone in general.

I don't trust New York or any of those other people that walk into those clubs.

There are so many variables, so many terrible possibilities, there are stalkers, predators, even a few murderers.

You could very well never run into such unscrupulous characters but then there's always a chance that you might.

I don't wish to scare you and I don't want to bring you down.

I'm not trying to control you in any way nor am I'm not trying to tell you what you should or shouldn't do.

If you want to traipse all over long Beach in a polka dot bikini you can go ahead and do so.

I won't judge you and honestly if you're that set on exercising your rights as a free agent of the world that's fine by me.

You're an adult after all and there won't be much i can do to stop you from these nightly escapades but do keep in mind that Since i suffer from acute insomnia that I will most likly be waiting for you when you get back and I'll most likely be awake."

Algee's eyes were wide with a comical sort of seriousness.

"Would it be better if i called to let you know I'm alright?"

"Well i suppose that would satisfactory but you should probably call my cell and not the house phone just incase you don't alert anybody about your absence.

Sound travels very fast around here.

Who knows the phone might wake someone up like your Cousin Sebastian".

"Sound always travels faster when you're here, Algee.

Don't tell me my cousin is still a tattletale".

"Oh he has the worst case of oral diarrhea I've ever seen and seriously that's saying something when it's coming from me.

He makes me look like a tight lipped saint compared to his loose lips flapping all over the place.

Don't get me wrong i do like to gossip but the mouth on that boy is embarrassing.

He knows more dirt than a Trashy UK Tabloid.

I've had to keep my wits about, be on the look out, censor my talks with your Aunt.

Sometimes I've even had to hold back entirely in fear of him blabbing things to his father.

It's been a absolute nightmare at times.

The Boy is a menace and he always has been.

He's not sensible like you are.

You know i can see why he admires you.

You seem to be all the wonderful things he'll never be.

I don't mean to be hard on the boy but his father spoiled him rotten ever since the death of his first wife.

Feliciana was the only one that could straighten him out which is surprising because your aunt doesn't have a straight bone in her body."

"Well since you've become such an expert at being on your toes, i suppose you wouldn't mind keeping this nightlife business a secret."

"Who am i going to inform the media? Your secret is safe.

Besides what would i gain from telling anyone?"

"A raise, maybe a bonus, a trip to the Bahamas perhaps.

I'm sure you could use your imagination."

"Well imagine this...your Aunt is bawling her eyes out and through her high pitched sobs she's moaning about how you're all grown up and she's lost her baby and you're not a little girl anymore.

You're uncle is storming through the halls, he's shouting, he's in a blistery mood, he has that furious fire in his eyes and he's demanding to know why you're traisping all over New York without an escort.

He says he refuses to have his niece unchaperoned.

Your aunt will call up her mother and she'll put her on speaker phone and Your Uncle and Mrs Leiberman will take turns shouting at each other.

Now as much i excel amongst the chaos in this house, i am not keen on creating it.

If i want drama I'll invite her mother over.

Why not invite Mrs. Knightdale as well that way we can at least make a party out of it.

So no i have no intentions of telling anyone in this household about your nightly activities.

Besides it wouldn't be fair for you.

You've been through enough as it is."

"You're Sweet Algee... I'll give you that.

So thank you for looking out for me.

I appreciate your concern, your compassion and your empathy.

I should probably head in for the night since my nightly escapades are over.

Goodnight".