Chapter Nine: The World Turns Upside Down

APOV

"Morning Esme, sorry I can't stop. I am running a little late to meet Rosalie this morning" she said rushing into the school room, and kissing Ollie quickly before dashing back out with a wave goodbye. She rushed through the traffic, expletives rampant within the confines of her car when a silver BMW decided to cut her up on the round about, she finally parked a behind the store and composed herself before walking round to the entrance. "Sorry Rosalie" she ran up the road to meet her "traffic was killer this morning.

"It's OK, I only got here a couple of minutes ago myself, I was worried I was going to show up late and make such a bad impression" replied Rosalie.

"No need to worry", she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Placing her keys down under the cashier's desk, she turned back to Rosalie "So I thought before I open the shop and let you run wild, I could just chat to you about what your role will entail " smiling at the women to help rid her of the nervous look she was sporting. Rosalie nodded smiling back a little. "OK so you would be in charge of re-stocking the racks and shelves, helping customers on the shop floor and working on the cash register, once you have this down we can move you onto doing the orders and then I can show you how the accounts software works" she said gesturing to the back room where her office and the stock rooms where.

"OK" said Rosalie looking around at the shop.

"I will be here helping as well obviously but this means I can also be working on the new designs, If this week's trial period work's out then you'll get your own set of keys to do early openings and close ups".

"I was wondering as well if we do any sales, theme weeks etc?" asked Rosalie

"It is something we can discuss, I've only been open for a couple of months and have been so swamped, so I haven't been able to think about anything but keeping the store going, but if you have any idea's that you think will help revenue then please write them down and we can go through them together" she replied happy that Rosalie had initiative.

Rosalie took another look around "Great" she moved to stand behind the register to familiarize herself with it.

She showed her how to work the register and the layout of the shop, where the stock was all kept and the log books, as well as how to work the coffee machine, and her wage while she worked there.

Walking through the arch leading to the corridor and her office she looked back to see Rosalie already jotting down notes and probably ideas on what to do next, she felt she really had made the best decision with getting Rosalie to work there.

A knock on the door broke her from her concentration, she looked up to see Rosalie standing in the doorway "I'm just going to grab lunch, do you want to come?"

Looking over to the clock on her PC, she was shocked to see that it was gone one o'clock already. "Yeah" she replied, standing up and stretching the kinks out of her back.

She followed Rosalie out of the shop, locking it up behind her, and began heading down to the small sandwich shop that she had taken Ollie to the first weekend he had come to work with her. They grabbed a sandwich and water each, heading back to the shop as the weather began to turn cloudy and cold.

"Thanks for this" she said, leaning back in the chair "I sometimes get so caught up in the designs I don't notice anything else around me especially the time passing I would have forgotten to eat".

"I can't have that" replied Rosalie "Jasper would never forgive me if I let you starve" she blushed deeply causing Rosalie to laugh harder.

"Thank you for the job" said Rosalie, looking down at her half eaten sandwich.

"You're helping me" she said shaking her head, "anyway you really are the best candidate, you have great style and presence and you're confident, all the things I need in an assistant", Rosalie smiled.

They quickly finished their lunch and tided up the small staff room, which barely fit a small table and kettle but it did in a pinch and headed back to their tasks.

"Alice, it's time to get going" called Rosalie from the door, she looked up and noticed it was time to grab Ollie, "could you dive me to the school? I promised mom I would stop and have a coffee with her today" asked Rosalie as they locked up.

She nodded and headed towards her car, the drive over was full of laughs and mostly embarrassing stories of Jasper's younger life, but they discussed their shared love of shopping and movies, as well as Rosalie wheedling information about Emmett out of her though to be honest she really didn't mind giving Rose the information; she hoped it would blossom into something more.

"Alice" greeted Esme coming over to hug her as they walked in, a smile on her soft face; she hugged her back no longer feeling strange about it, letting the warm feeling spread through her as she felt part of the close group.

"Can't stop today Esme, Ollie and I have an appointment we need to get to" she said in apology, quickly picking up the lunch box Ollie handed to her, and made sure his coat was done up she waved goodbye "we'll see you tomorrow".

She briskly walked from the car into the warm house, her nose tingling from the cold that had sprung up on them, she helped Ollie out of his coat smiling as she looked back at him "perfect teeth, I was sure we would have had a least two fillings from all the junk I know Emmett snuck you while he was here".

Ollie looked up at her shocked "Oh yes I know all about the candy trips in the night" she giggled, "but I'm proud of you for keeping them healthy and clean". Ollie grinned showing off his white little teeth.

She made her way into the kitchen to begin dinner "OK, it's half an hour before dinner so you can watch the TV but don't forget to wash up before it's served" she said watching him run off for the living room, she placed her bag and keys on the counter and sorted through the mail she had picked up on her way in, separating the bills from the junk mail. She stopped when she came to a white envelope which just had her name on it no address.

She tore open the paper, and grabbed the letter thinking it was possibly from one of her neighbours.

She made a chocked noise in her throat as she read through the letter, the name at the end giving her chills.

To my darling Alice

I was so sad when you flew from my side, while I was left in a tiny box to think and miss you.

I have flown my home, to chase, I want to hold you.

I see you have attracted the attention of the man with honey blonde hair; I don't like it when others gaze upon your beauty to covet it as their own.

I shall free you soon and we can both fly away

From one who truly loves you

Alice could hear her phone ringing from her purse the loud sound crashing through the air causing her to drop the letter, she grabbed the phone "Emmett" she cried.

"Alice I'm sorry he got out" came the almost soft voice of Emmett.

"I know, he's here, he left a note he knows about Jasper he knows where I live Emmett" she cried, trying to catch her breath, she was glad Ollie was paying attention to the television, she moved down the hallway so he wouldn't hear her.

"Shit" swore Emmett over the line.

"I'm coming up, I'll be there tomorrow. Go to Esme's house, go to anyone's house I don't care just get out of there Alice" he instructed. "I'll keep you safe I promise".

Alice hung up and moved back into the kitchen, she slumped down into one of the chairs, her mind racing but none of thoughts letting her move, she picked up the letter and looked at the words that where tearing apart her carefully constructed world.

Authors Note: Yes finally some drama I know a lot of you have been waiting for it and as it has been a long time coming I will be posting Chapter Ten this evening as well.

Thank you to all who read this chapter I hope you enjoyed it

Disclaimer: all the adult Cullen's, Brandon's, Nessie and Jake belong to Stephanie Meyer; the other kids are all my own imagination