-1Bella's POV

"Can I stay here Bella? Please?" she pleaded. I nodded.

"Of course. But I don't get why you can't tell Charlie…they aren't here. They can't hurt you"

"He won't believe me! He won't! They never do! Please Bella! Don't tell him!" after I'd left England when I turned nine, I'd seen Cassie every summer (I went to her, or she came to mine) and Christmas until three years ago. I'd talked to her about everything, boys, girls, school, family and I'd never ever seen her this upset. Obviously, it was understandable but she looked so desperate.

"I promised, only you can tell him. But we need an excuse or he'll just ring your house and they'll get you back" I warned.

"Okay" she looked tired.

"You can sleep here tonight, we'll arrange something better tomorrow. Are you hungry?" she shook her head. I went and fetched blankets and a pillow. She arranged a makeshift bed and curled up on the sofa.

"Can you stay here Bella?" she asked. I could see that talking had peeled off the mask she'd been wearing when she arrived. She was letting her emotions show. She was scared of being alone.

"Okay Cassie" I sat in the armchair. Buddy lay beside the sofa, Scarlett took a position at the living room door, clearly on guard.

"Those dogs won't attack Charlie?" I asked, suddenly thinking.

"No. they only attack those who are a threat. Besides, Charlie smells like family. Same with you" she curled up under her blanket and was asleep within seconds. I pulled my phone from my pocket and rang Edward.

"Hey love, what's up?"

"Err…Edward, you can't come over tonight"

"Why? That mutt isn't still there is he?" I detected a slight growl in his voice.

"No, Jacob isn't here. But you can't come over tonight. Trust me. You'll see tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure love. See you then" I hung up. I sat in the darkness for a little while before I heard a car pulling up. Charlie was home. Crap, I was hoping I wouldn't have to have this conversation until tomorrow.

"Bella? You home?" he called.

"Living room dad" I called quietly. He came in, spotted Cassie on the sofa and stepped back out again. I followed.

"Bella…who's that?"

"That is Cassie, my cousin"

"Cousin?"

"On mum's side. Remember aunt Rachel?" I just prayed he wouldn't remember that Rachel lived in England.

"Oh yeah. She's grown a bit"

"Dad, last time Cassie was here she was ten. Of course she's grown. Anyway, she was having a bit of trouble at home so she came here and asked if she could stay. Just for a little while. She was really upset so I said yes. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Do her parents know where she is?"

"I don't think so" Charlie gave me his best 'dad' look.

"She needs to call her mum so that they know she's okay"

"I'll talk to her about it tomorrow dad. She's really tired"

"Okay. I'll be off early tomorrow, think you can keep an eye on her?"

"Sure dad. I'm heading up to bed. Oh…also, there are two dogs in the living room. They came with Cassie. I was just warning you that they won't leave her alone so don't try. You'll lose a finger"

"Right. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow bells"

A/N: short chapter but it was basically just a filler.