CHAPTER TWO

After a couple of hours Amadeus, the lynx, and a couple of young (and admittedly good-looking) cats had moved all of the furniture into the apartment and she went inside. She carefully locked and chained the door and then looked at all the work they had left to do.

"Thank God you sorted it into piles like that," she said. "If it had been the way I would have done it I think I'd be going crazy right now..."

"Oh," said Amadeus. He was in the middle of setting up the stove. "I thought it was bothersome for you."

"It was...," she hedged, then went over to the counter.

"What is that, anyway? I don't recall bringing it," said Amadeus, pushing the stove against the wall.

"Oh, the neighbours gave it to me," she said. "So we don't have to cook tonight."

"That was kind of them," said Amadeus. "I, for one, don't feel like cooking."

Rosemary didn't either so while Amadeus unpacked the kitchen boxes she put the lasagna in the oven and watched him as he worked. Rosemary knew she hadn't done a whole lot that day, and she had no reason to be so tired and irritated, but she couldn't help feeling that way all the same. Even though he had been working very hard all day, first helping her pack up the last of the boxes and then unloading all of them and also moving the furniture, he was still working with the same methodical efficiency as he had when the day had started. He showed no signs of irritation or frustration and in fact seemed quite content to put things away while she sat at the table and wished she were in bed.

After about 10 minutes she decided it was ready and told him so, and he set the table quickly while she cut up the dish. Amadeus was of course ravenous, but Rosemary was not altogether that hungry, so mostly she just watched him a while longer. It amazed her how content she was just to watch him. Maybe it was because he wasn't around very often. Maybe it was because his behaviour was just so unique. At any rate she found enjoyment in just watching him sleep. And if he found this strange he didn't comment on it.

There were only a few dishes and Rosemary was happy enough to leave them until morning, but Amadeus looked at them like they were going to haunt him if he didn't do them.

"Oh Amadeus," she told him, "it can wait. You need to go and wash up, you're all dusty. Then you need to get some sleep."

"But…it's going to get crusted on…"

"I'll do it. You get going."

"All right," said Amadeus, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room. Rosemary quickly cleaned up the dishes, more because she wanted to get them put away in case Amadeus came back and noticed she wasn't using dish soap than anything, and turned off the lights and went into the bedroom.

Amadeus of course had already finished his shower, demonstrating his usual military efficiency, and sent her off to have one herself. He said he was going to take a bit of a walk and would be back in 20 minutes. Rosemary didn't worry about where he was going because she knew he would be back in EXACTLY 20 minutes, probably down to the very second, and took her time. She felt strangely dirty for some reason, even though she hadn't really done any work. Oh well.

When she got out of the shower she was surprised to see that Amadeus had not yet returned. This was so unusual for him that she actually became frightened, and quickly putting on the dress she'd been wearing instead of her nightclothes, exited the apartment and looked for him up and down the hall.

She had only taken a few steps before she realized where he had gone.

He was talking to Jules and Bernadette.

Reluctantly she went to join him. She didn't want to go near them but didn't really want to sit in a strange apartment by herself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, my dear," said Amadeus. "I completely lost track of time."

"You had me worried," said Rosemary. Her tone was a little harsher than she intended, and when Amadeus looked at her he looked so apologetic she regretted speaking.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "I shan't do it again."

"No, it's alright," she said. But he shook his head firmly.

"I said I would return in 20 minutes, and that time has passed. I bid you farewell," he said to Jules and Bernadette, who were both sitting in the living area watching television.

"Come by anytime," said Jules genially. "We enjoy having visitors."

"I shall," said Amadeus. "Thank you for your kindness."

Now was one of those times Rosemary wished her husband was not quite so polite.

"What were you talking about, anyway?"

"Oh, this and that. Things about the apartment, really. Apparently our apartments used to be joined. Ours was the back of theirs at one point. I guess the living room wall is the partition."

Rosemary was silent as she put on her nightdress and climbed into bed. She felt a bit strange. She couldn't pinpoint the feeling.

Amadeus got into bed and as his comforting weight settled beside her she started to feel a bit silly. There was nothing to be afraid of. She was safe. Amadeus would protect her from anything.

Still, as she turned over to put her body against his already sleeping form, she could do nothing to stop the cold chill from running down her back.

She was sure the hedgehogs had been staring at her again.

She was sure of it.