.Chapter Two.

Jen and I were sat in my car outside the Jackson’s house, Jen looking confused at the house.

“I seriously imagined it to be...bigger. Ya know...?” She scrunched up her nose.

I laughed at her, “You watch too much American telly.”

She shrugged, “Well? Are we going in? It’s almost six.”

I lay my head back against the headrest and sighed, “Hokay. Let’s do this.”

“Gee, no need to sound so cheerful there hon.” Jen smirked as we walked up the drive.

I rolled my eyes, “Just…pretend you’re invisible.” I muttered as I rang the bell.

Jen snorted, “Sure, no problem. Consider me vanishimo.”

The door opened before I could reply, “Ah, Ella. Come in, come in. Thanks again for doing this.” Mrs Jackson was around 43 years old and obviously your average Mum. Her dark brunette hair was pulled up into an elegant bun and she was wearing a dark blue trench coat over a royal blue ball gown.

I grinned, “It’s absolutely fine, Mrs. Jackson. You know I love Annabelle. I should be thanking you for asking me to watch over her.” Good Lord, that was a bit suck-up-ery.

“Stop calling me Mrs. Jackson, it makes me feel old.” She grinned, “Nellie.”

“You’d think she’d want to sound like she’s married to me.” Mr. Jackson smiled as her came out from the kitchen, “Hi Ella, how are you?”

“I’m good thanks, Sir.”

His eyes narrowed although he was still smiling kindly, “Andy.”

“Mum, Dad, aren’t you meant to, you know, not be here?” Nick was smiling as he came down the stairs.

I heard Jen sigh dreamily next to me.

“Ah, right you are, Nick. Ella, you know where everything is, Annabelle is in the living room watching the Lion King and I’ve left money on the kitchen counter in case you decide nothing is to your liking in the fridge or something. Nick…you do whatever you were going to do and we’ll be on our way.” Andy told us as he ushered his wife out of the door.

“Bye kids!” Nellie called as the front door closed.

I stared at the door for a moment before shrugging and kicking my shoes off, continuing into the kitchen.

“You’ve been here four times, how can you be so comfortable already?” Nick asked me as he followed me, pushing himself up onto one of the counters.

I smiled to myself as I grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard next to him, “Want one?”

He “Mhm’d” in response.

“What if I told you that I’m just acting comfortable around here so I don’t seem weak?” I walked to the fridge and pulled out some banana milkshake.

“Can I have one?” Jen whispered.

I grinned and discreetly shook my head.

“I wouldn’t believe you.”

I shrugged, “Well then. I’m comfortable because I don’t feel threatened by any presence in here.”

He took one of the glasses whilst looking at me, “You’re rather strange.”

I picked up the other two and sashayed toward the living room, “Why thank you.”

“Ellie!” Annabelle gave me a toothy grin and let me put down the glasses before she cannon-balled towards me.

“Bellie! I laughed, picking the five-year-old up and balancing her on my hip, “Did you miss me?”

She put a chubby finger on her chin as if to think about it and then nodded, “Yes! Did you miss me, Ellie?”

She looked at me with wide innocent eyes, “Of course I did, Sugar. I even missed Nick.” I whispered, winking playfully.

The little girl giggled and looked over my shoulder at her older brother, “Did you miss Ellie, Nicky?”

I turned around to look at the guy leaning against the door frame and saw him smiling slightly, “Life wouldn’t be complete without Ellie, or Bellie.”

Annabelle scrunched up her nose, “Ellie doesn’t like being called Ellie. Only I’m allowed to call her that ‘cause I’m special.” She nodded sternly.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing at Nick’s hurt expression.

“Oh God, he looks so cute. Can I steal him?” Jen sighed.

“No-one can steal Nicky! Nicky’s mine!” Annabelle said stubbornly.

Jen and I gasped almost silently.

Nick grinned cheekily, “Ella wants to steal me, does she?”

I blinked, Damage control, damage control. Houston, we have a problem!

Annabelle shook her head and pointed to the sofa where Jen was perched, “Nope. She does.”

Abort! Abort!

“Hey Bellie, let’s go upstairs and play with your dolls, ‘kay? I’m sure Nick’s got…stuff to do. See ya.” I called out to Nick as I jogged up the stairs with Annabelle on my hip and Jen right behind me.

I closed the little girl’s bedroom door and leant against it after putting her down.

“Belle, love,” I said softly. “Can you um…is there anyone else here?”

Annabelle looked up from her doll’s house, “Sure. Jenny Wren is here.”

I started to nod when I realised something, “How do you know her name?”

She shrugged, “I’ve seen her before.”

Jen crouched down next to her and smiled kindly, “Honey, how can you see me?”

Okay, crap place to end it but...meh.

Tell me what you think, please!

L
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