Chapter Nineteen

Bella

The next morning I didn't feel uneasy when I found I had slept in Jasper's arms, we had reached an understanding of sorts, we were in love so what felt natural was OK. After breakfast we went shopping although I was still uneasy at him paying for everything but he just shrugged it off,

"Bella I have plenty of money, one of the perks of having had a seer as a wife, my investments never fell. You are with me and I'm happy to buy whatever you need so stop arguing and let's shop."

Unlike most men he was happy to hang around while I tried to get as much as I could for as little as possible although I noticed a few of the more expensive items I had put back miraculously reappeared at the cash register. The most important supplies were food for me and I ended up with a trolley piled high, not too much fresh stuff though because the house didn't have a refrigerator or freezer, only a cold store. He also went into a hardware store and came out with gas for lanterns, wicks, candles, flash lights and several other things which he put in the back of the truck we rented and then it was time to go. He offered me another night at the hotel but I was eager to start my adventure and see his house. He warned me it was basic but I didn't care,

"It reminds me of home, the past. Remember when I was young most houses were still without electricity especially in the countryside or running water, the house has a well. Cooking was on a range or over the fire and lighting was lantern or candles. Think you can handle the cave man existence?"

"As long a you're there with me sure. Do you have books?"

"Yes that's one thing I have a good supply of. I like reading."

"And a tub?"

"Well a hip bath but you'll get used to it. There's no plumbing don't forget."

"Ah, what about a toilet?"

"There's an old outside toilet but that's all I'm afraid."

"No snakes or spiders?"

"I'll make sure its free of all creepy crawlies for you."

"Then it'll be fine."

He looked at me rather suspiciously and I guess he really thought I might go screaming down the road in horror when I saw it but actually it was really pretty nestled in among the trees.

I was about to get out as he drew up by the door but he put a hand on mine to stop me,

"What's wrong Jasper?"

"Someone is here."

"How do you know?"

"I can smell them and there's smoke coming out of the chimney."

I groaned, why hadn't I seen that?

"Well I doubt its an enemy, they wouldn't give themselves away like that would they?"

"I think its worse than an enemy Bella, its an old friend and I have to wonder what he's doing here."

"Does he use the place?"

"No, so he's here for a reason."

He sighed,

"Come on, you may as well meet him."

I scrambled out and took Jasper's hand as we walked up the steps to the door. Before Jasper could grab the handle the door flew open and a man stood there with a big grin on his face.

"About fucking time. Where the hell have you been? We've been waiting ages and you don't even have a TV. What kind of place is this?"

"Up to now a Peter free zone, Just the way I like it."

"Well sometimes life is a real bitch. Who's your friend?"

He stood aside so we could go in but his eyes never left me.

"She said you had company but I wasn't expecting a human."

"Who?"

"Her"

He pointed to me and winked,

"Who Peter?"

Jasper sounded exasperated although I thought it was all quite funny.

"Oh...who? I thought you meant who were you with, silly mistake. I had a call from your dear ex Alice."

"Alice rang you? She must have been desperate."

"Hey, I talk you listen or I'm taking my ball home and you can play on your own."

I kept silent but Jasper stood arms folded waiting while I bit my lip to stop myself laughing

"If I were you young lady I would avoid biting through, blood and vampires don't mix"

I nodded and tried to keep a straight face,

"You know I've been here for a week now with no football, no news, not even a fucking computer. Why you insist on living in the dark ages is beyond me, embrace technology."

"Thank you for those words of wisdom Obi Wan, was there anything else you wanted to tell me before I kick your skinny butt out."

"I resent that. My butt is not skinny, it is manly"

The stranger turned round and waggled his rear,

"What do you think young lady?"

"Its Bella and I think its fine."

"Only fine? Oh well you can't win them all"

"Peter, two minutes and you are leaving, head first if necessary"

"Now Bella, I'm going to warn you about The Majors threats, he's a real bully to me. I need protection so if he starts getting physical I shall hide behind you, your rear is also fine."

"Thank you Peter"

"You are more than welcome. At last a woman with manners. As I was saying Major I had a phone call from Alice"

"When?"

"I think the clue was in my earlier statement and I quote "I've been here for a week now". If I was clairvoyant I could have arrived before she told me to come here and I would also have seen you were going to take your time and arrived later but as I'm not I came after she rang and it follows from that the phone call came about a week ago. See, brains as well as a wonderful ass."

Jasper sighed again and ran a hand through his hair,

"Are we ever going to find out what Alice said? Maybe even why she sent you here to plague me?"

"Oh I think so...yes. By the way Bella its very nice to meet you"

He held out his hand as Jasper's arm came up and gripped him round the throat pulling him close,

"Peter, you now have ten seconds or you are going to get a free flying lesson"

"OK" The word was strangled but Jasper let him go. Peter rubbed his throat,

"Tetchy aren't we? Not getting your leg over will do that to a man"

Jasper grabbed for him again but he moved to stand behind me, using me as a human shield.

"Temper, temper, Major. I surrender"

Peter whispered in my ear,

"Bella, you really need to get him in the sack"

I laughed as Jasper groaned and walking past us sat down on the couch leaned back and closed his eyes,

"I'm hoping when I open my eyes again you'll be gone"

"Not a chance Major, I enjoy myself here too much. Besides Bella and I are only just getting acquainted. So Bella how long have you known the miserable sod?"

"A while."

"A while eh? And you still like him?"

"Yes."

"Good, it's about time he found somebody who did, besides me that is. Anyway coming to the reason for my visit"

"At last"

Peter stuck his tongue out then put it back very quickly as Jasper spoke,

"You're going to lose that any second, company or no company, now get on with it."