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Jessie sat on the windowsill, a book in one hand and a large mug of coffee in the other.
It was a warm sunny day and from her comfortable spot Jessie could see right out onto the main village gardens.
Alex was over at her father's place for the day and had been forced into some father/daughter bonding time, which she of course despised.
Now Jessie was looking forward to a nice quiet day with absolutely no distractions.
Taking a sip of her coffee she turned a page, placing her mug back down onto the sill beside her.
She gave a long, relaxed sigh before…..
TAP TAP TAP.
Jessie frowned and turned, seeing a familiar face gazing in at her through the window.
She rolled her eyes, placing down her book and moving over to the front door and tugging it open.
Richard was stood on the porch, dressed in a grey button down shirt, a smile lingering upon his face.
"What are you doing here?" she said, standing aside so that the figure could move past her.
"Good morning to you too," said Richard grinning. "I just got back. Thought I would pop by and see how you had been coping without me."
Richard had been off the island for a few days after being sent on a recruiting drive by Ben.
"Just fine actually," said Jessie sarcastically, giving the dark-haired man a nod as he closed the door behind himself.
Jessie suddenly grinned at him.
"So," she uttered biting her lip. "Did you remember?"
Richard remained blank faced for a moment before his face cracked into a smile.
"Of course," he said, pulling a shiny Apollo bar from his back pocket and handing it to Jessie.
With a squeal she flung her arms around him, giving him a swift squeeze.
He chuckled and patted her back affectionately before the pair wandered into the kitchen.
"You want a coffee or a juice?" she asked, opening the chocolate bar and taking a bite. She momentarily closed her eyes, savoring the taste. "Oh my god, this is good."
Richard grinned. "I would love to but I have to be getting back. Ben needs me to help Ethan settle the new recruit."
Jessie wiped her mouth with the back of her slender hand.
"Oh, so what are they like?" asked Jessie conversationally.
Richard shrugged. "It's a she. Her name's Juliet. She's a baby doctor. Ben thinks brining her here will make a difference…but….well…"
"You don't?" asked Jessie tilting her head
Richard gave a long sigh. "I don't know. It was Ben's decision to bring her here. Its up to him I suppose."
Jessie nodded.
"Well shall I see you later then? I have an appointment with Harper at noon but I'll be free all afternoon."
Richard smiled. "Then I'll come and find you after I'm done."
Jessie grinned. "Ok, and thanks for the chocolate," she said as Richard made his way out of her home and shut the front door quietly behind him.
It was 12.05 and Jessie sat in Harper's front room.
Harper was the village's psychiatrist.
Jessie had been made to attend fortnightly meetings with her since she had arrived on the island just over three months ago.
Jessie moved forwards on the large sofa, making to grasp for a bowl of apples that lay upon Harper's coffee table, but she quickly retracted her hand as the door swung open.
"Sorry I'm late," uttered the brown –haired woman, striding in into the room and taking a seat to Jessie's left. "Just meeting and greeting our new resident."
"Ah yes," said Jessie folding her arms across her chest. "Juliet, right?"
"That's her," murmured Harper with a slightly irritable tone. "Blonde of course, just to Ben's taste."
Jessie gave a cough and self-consciously tugged at her caramel blonde ponytail as Harper picked up her pen.
"Ok then, shall we start?" she uttered, scribbling something at the top of her notepad.
Jessie nodded.
"So, let's begin with something nice and easy… how are you Jessica?" asked Harper narrowing her eyes and leaning back in her seat.
Jessica shrugged. "Yeah fine."
"How are you getting along with the other villagers? What have you been here…is it three months now? Any problems since you've been here?" asked Harper blinking slowly.
Jessie gave a small smile. "No like I said last time. Everyone's been really nice," she uttered in a pleasant tone.
Harper gave a nod.
"And how about Richard?" asked the physiatrist. "How would you describe your relationship with him?"
Jessie frowned suddenly. "Were just friends," she said quickly.
She could see Harper noting something down, scribbling furiously with her pen.
"The two of you seem to have become very close since you arrived here," said Harper, the corners of her lips twitching.
"So," snapped Jessie.
Harper paused, observing Jessie's sudden outburst.
"Well Jessie, a lot of people have tried to get close to Richard over the years, but every time he has turned down their offer of friendship," said Harper placing down her pen. "But you have somehow succeeded. The pair of you seem very close. Why do you think that is?"
Jessie paused for a moment her brow furrowing. "Do I really need an explanation as to why I'm friends with someone?" she said shaking her head.
"I just wondered if there was something more there, something more than just friendship between the two of you," said Harper raising her eyebrows.
Jessie got her feet suddenly. "Why? Is that what people have been saying?" she asked heatedly.
"Not necessarily," said Harper, crossing her legs. "But people have started to wonder what there is between you."
Jessie gave a gulp, staring daggers at Harper. "There's nothing between us, okay!" shouted the blonde girl angrily. "Richard is my friend, end of."
She made for the door.
"We still have another forty minutes," said Harper, pointing at the clock on the wall.
But Jessie ignored her, instead tugging open the door and making sure to slam it shut behind her.
On the porch steps he paused, sucking in a breath to calm herself. She was almost shaking with anger. She knew Harper was a piece of work but she couldn't believe she had let her get to her like that.
Taking in another deep breath she smoothed down her hair and began to walk back across the lawns towards her house.
As she did she caught sight of Richard talking to Tom near to the village hall. She noticed the way he frowned when being spoken to. There was none of the joviality present like the way he talked to Jessie.
He gave a sigh and made to walk on but as she did she heard Richard's voice calling her name.
She looked up to see him, Tom and Ethan all beckoning her over.
Trudging over to where he was standing she noticed that other villagers were making their way over to them also.
Alex exited out of Ben's house just to Jessie's left and jogged to catch up with her.
"Hey, I think my Dad wants us out here to welcome the new arrival," muttered the dark-haired teenager, quickly scooting off to stand next to Karl.
Jessie nodded as she came to stand beside Richard.
"Everything alright?" he asked peering at the frown still plastered across her face.
"Just Harper," she murmured folding her arms across her chest.
Richard gave a tut. "Just ignore her, " she said quietly. "You know what she's like."
But Jessie and Richard's conversation was cut short by Ben stepping out from the crowd with a tall, blonde woman beside him. She looked very pretty, wearing a smart blouse and skirt.
"Hello everyone," said Ben in his drawling tone. "This is Juliet."
There was a murmur of hello across the crowd.
"Juliet is going to be staying in our village for a time so I hope you will all make her feel welcome. Make sure you all attend our dinner in the hall at 8pm this evening to celebrate our village's new recruit."
Juliet smiled as Ben pressed a hand to her back leading her off to show her her living quarters.
The crowd slowly disbanded but Jessie stayed where she was.
"She seems nice," she said turning to Richard as they both made their way back past Ben's house.
"Yeah," said Richard lightly.
"She's really pretty," pushed Jessie. She paused glancing up at the dark-haired man beside her. "You never know, you might even be in with a chance."
Richard smiled narrowing his eyes at Jessie for a moment. "No," he muttered shaking his head. "I don't think she's really my type."
Jessie forced a smile back at him. "Are you sure?" she said, trying to sound conversational. "You should snap her up…y'know, before people start to think that you and I are a couple."
She gave an uneasy laugh, as Richard stopped in his tracks.
She gave a gulp and turned towards him.
"Would that be a problem for you?" he said, his brows knitting together darkly.
Jessie rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "I don't know..." she said giving a shrug. "Its just that people are starting to talk…"
Richard frowned taking a step towards her. "Listen its no one else's business. I don't see why you care what they think?"
"I don't," said Jessie angrily. "But I just don't want to rumors spreading around. Rumors that were…well…you know…..together."
Richard tutted angrily. "And that would be the worst thing in the world would it, for them to think that?"
Jessie opened her mouth to answer but soon closed it again, unable to think of a reply.
"Just forget it," said Richard turning o his heel and marching off.
"Richard…" said Jessie running a hand through her hair.
"I said forget it," he called back snappily. "I see you at the hall later."
And with that he was gone, striding across the lawns to his house on the far side of the village.
Jessie looked away sadly, noticing several villages dotted here and there who had been watching their dispute from a distance.
One of them was Alex, who slowly walked towards her, placing a cool hand to Jessie's arm and tugging her in the direction of their house.
"Come on," said the young girl sweetly. "I'll make us some coffee."
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