****
I woke up to the sound of the alarm on my phone at 7am, to find a pair of bright blue eyes staring right at me. Jumping up disorientated and confused, I rubbed my eyes and tried to remember where I was, looking around the room to try and get my bearings. Recent events came crashing back and I laid down and tried to get back in a comfortable position. It’s only then that I remember I wasn’t alone in the room, and I looked toward the foot of the bed where a child sat, just staring at me and smiling. The girl was tiny, looking no older than 5, with curly blonde hair and angelic features.
“Erm, hello.” I said, whilst keeping the sheets held firmly to my body as I remember I was only wearing my underwear, and my clothes were still all the way on the other side of the room.
“What’s your name?” I asked her, when her smile became slightly unnerving.
“My names Annabelle.” She said in a sweet voice, before clamouring up the bed to sit cross-legged next to me. Reaching over, she placed her tiny hand against my cheek and smiled a toothy grin, which I couldn’t help but return.
“You’re a pretty human.”
I laughed and her smile widened. “Not as pretty a human as you, though.”
“I’m not a human!” She shouted, before giggling and running out of the door. I followed slowly, feeling bemused by the child as I grabbed my clothes from the day before and threw them on. I debated with myself whether to have my shower first, but the thought of eating some food took over all other thoughts and my tummy rumbled in response. I had woken feeling a positivity which seemed to be non-existent yesterday, and felt a strength which seemed to go through my whole body. Just because my ex-husband had been a total prick, didn’t mean than my life was ruined. In fact, it was even more reason to get out and do something for myself. I wasn’t going to wallow, because then he had won. No, super-strong and positive Laura began from today! As I turned to leave the room, Jasmine rushed in looking scared and when I smiled at her she slumped as if in relief.
“I’m so sorry about my daughter.” She said, as I looked at her in confusion.
“The young girl, who is far too curious for her own good. My daughter is unfortunately very skilled at vanishing and when she found out we had a visitor staying, she just had to come and see you. I do hope she wasn’t too intrusive?”
I laughed and waved my hand. “Oh no! She’s a very sweet girl, she made me laugh. Did give me a bit of a fright to wake up to her small face hovering over me though.”
Jasmine laughed and it just made her look even more beautiful. “I can imagine. You look brighter today and I’m glad. Breakfast is ready whenever you are.”
Remarking mentally at how much more positive I felt, I replied, “Oh, fab! I’ll just follow you down.”
Jasmine led the way and before I knew it, I was sat down at a large dining table, tucking in to the best cooked breakfast I had ever had. Bacon, eggs, toast, beans and even more bacon! Seriously, I always said that if I was ever given a choice between giving up sex or food it would be food every time, but after eating this I think I’ve changed my mind. I wasn’t even embarrassed to grab seconds, and Jasmine looked elated at the way I was enjoying her food so I didn’t feel bad at all about scoffing it all in my face. Noah and Jasmine were also eating breakfast, with Annabelle sat down the end happily munching on some toast and joining in the conversation with random comments every now and then. She really was very sweet and I enjoyed just making small talk with the family, whilst we ate our breakfast.
“So, Laura. Where are you heading to?” Noah asked, tucking in to his bacon like a starving man in a desert.
“I don’t actually know. I don’t have anything tying me down, so I’m looking around for somewhere new to settle, lay down some roots. I must say I like the feel of the area around here, so I’m thinking about hanging around for a bit. I’m a freelance writer as my job, so I can take that with me everywhere I go too, which is useful.”
Jasmine and Noah’s smiles faded slightly and they gave each other a knowing look, before Annabelle piped up from the bottom of the table.
“Please stay pretty lady! I can show you my den in the garden, and we can play hide and seek and have so much fun!” She yells, her little legs swinging on the chair as she bounced up and down in excitement. Jasmine laughed, and the tension from a few moments ago seemed to disappear.
“It seems my daughter has taken a liking to you.”
“Well, somebody had to at some point.” I smiled, and offered to help the couple clear up, but they batted me away with their hands and told me that guests never do any cleaning, under any circumstances. I felt a bit bad leaving them to clear the table, so I walked towards Annabelle and sat down next to her, my heart warming at the excitement in her eyes. Wow, this kid really does like me.