Chapter forty one.

Ayla sat on the sofa, the curtains were drawn and she had wrapped herself in the biggest, fluffiest blanket she could find. It was April and the showers were coming down in full force. The lights flickered as thunder and lightening flashed overhead. It was late, Kris was working and wouldn't be back for hours. She knew there was nothing to worry about, but the bad weather was making her jumpy.

Lightening flashed again, and Ayla yelped as shadows flickered across the room. She tried to calm herself, she knew she was in a good area and was in very little danger. But she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had. She tiptoed to the window, and pulled the curtains back a tiny bit to peek out. She yelped once more and jumped back from the window. Someone was out there, in the garden. She moved the curtains, trying to get a better look. But there was no-one there.

She panicked. She was sure she had seen someone. Her mind started to race. She was hardly a vulnerable person, being able to use magic gave her an edge on muggle women who lived alone. But in dangerous situations she tended to panic and get muddled. She could call Sarah for help, but Sarah was prone to panicking too. Who then? She hadn't spoken to her family in weeks, and Oliver was definitely not talking to her. There was nothing for it, she dived for the fireplace and the floo powder.

"Marcus!" she bellowed.

She heard footsteps come thumping towards her.

"What? What's happened? What is it?" he called, before spotting Ayla's head in the fireplace.

"I think there's someone outside, in my garden. Will you come and look for me?"

"Yeah sure."

Ayla re-wrapped herself in the blanket and waited for Flint to arrive. The fire burst into emerald flames. Flint strode through the living room and headed for the garden. Ayla sat on the sofa, waiting for him to return.

"Well I can't see anything. But it's chucking it down out there. You sure you saw someone?"

"Yes, well I think so. Sorry, I shouldn't have dragged you here."

"Nah, its ok. Better to be safe than sorry and all that shit- uh stuff."

"Thanks. Agh!" she screamed and jumped as the thunder crashed, sounding as if it was trying to split the house in two. Flint just laughed.

"Why are you so jumpy?"

Ayla sighed and began to explain the situation with Adam, Kate and Oliver.

"Woah you have really bad taste in men you know?"

Ayla giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Well uh, I probably shouldn't say."

"No, go on."

"Kris thinks you're gay. If she heard you say that her head would probably have exploded."

"She thinks I'm what?" he said incredulously.

Ayla nodded and burst into fresh laughter, her fears suddenly gone.

"That's not funny."

"Yes it is, well the look on your face is anyway."

"I'm not gay. You better tell her I'm not!"

"It wouldn't help. She'll want proof."

"Proof that I'm not gay?"

"Yeah."

"How do you prove that?"

"I dunno, flirt with her or something."

"Right where is she? I need to set her straight before she tells anyone else."

"She's working. Besides it's a bit late for that. She's already got out friend Terri convinced and I think Sarah's joining the club too."

"What?"

"Yup."

"Merlin's beard! This is 'cos' of that bloody Skeeter woman isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Right. Right then. If I flirt a bit with this Kris girl, she'll convince the other two right?" Marcus asked.

"I guess. Does it really matter though?"

"It does to me! I'll just have to give her a bit of the old Flint charm."

"Well you shouldn't have to wait too long. She'll be home in ten minutes."

"Good. So uh, how's the baby?"

"Fine. Healthy according to the Healer at Saint Mungo's"

"Cool."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure?"

"Why did you hit Wood? The real reason."

Flint hesitated. "The real reason?"

"Yeah."

"Well it's just guys like him you know. People think he's some sort of god just 'cos' he was in Gryffindor. And he's not, I mean you know that. He's such a false bastard. Guys like him make my blood boil."

"Why?"

"I've got this cousin right? And she kinda ended up in the same situation as you. And no-one blamed the guy. And he just fucking left her. He knew the baby was his, and he just fucked off. But no-one blamed him. Made it out to be the most reasonable thing in the world. And the poor cow just had to put up with everyone talking about her like it was her fault."

"Oh how did she cope?"

"She didn't. "

"Oh."

"Look let's not talk about it ok?"

"Ok."

Ayla was interrupted from saying anymore as Kris burst through the door.

"Honey, I'm home! Oh, hello Flint."


Bit of a shorty I know, but I remembered that I started to talk about something here that I go into more detail about later so I had to cut a few things. Which means I'll probably have to cut a few things in a later chapter as well. Whoops. Hope you enjoyed anyway.