“I’m curious about this new place. Do you fancy taking a walk and you can give me a tour?”
“YAY!” She hollered right in my ear, causing me to jump backwards and she hopped down from the table, running to ask her parent’s permission. After I assured them we would just be in the back garden, Annabelle grabbed her small backpack that was lying beside the back door, and marched out shouting for me to follow, clearly taking her role as tour guide seriously. Smiling, I hurried to do as I was told and followed her through the door.
After about ten minutes of me following Annabelle as she babbled non-stop about the cottage, her family and the woods, she led me to a section of trees, and demanded I crawl and follow her through the bushes. As I followed her, I noticed the way the surrounding trees and the sunshine offered me a sense of peace, and I breathed in the fresh air that only came when leaving the hustle and bustle of the city. She led me to a small area, under a canopy of trees full of everything to make a perfect den. There were pink blankets on the floor, with sweets in a small pink mug and battery operated fairy lights twinkling very faintly in the daylight. I knew that during the night time, they would look pretty special. I smiled as I noticed a distinct theme running through the den, and Annabelle settled on to a blanket before gesturing for me to sit next to her.
“So, you like the colour pink, huh?” I asked her, and she started pulling two juices from her backpack and handed me one, with a wide smile.
“Pink’s my favourite! What’s your favourite colour?”
“Hmm, I’d have to go with pink too.”
“Yay! We can be sisters!” She jumped up and wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me tightly before sitting back down and humming quietly, sipping on her juice as if nothing had happened.
I swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat as the small gesture from a sweet child left me feeling emotional. I’d always wanted children, and I’d just presumed that after Craig and I had got married, that it would be the next natural step in our relationship. I had no idea why Annabella had taken such a liking to me, but if she wanted me to hang out and be her sister for a short time, then I was more than happy to oblige. Spending time with a child can make you forget all about your problems, as you get immersed in a world of innocence and imagination.
“So, do your parents know about your secret den?”
“Oh, yes! Daddy found me here one day when I was playing hide and seek. I told him I wanted a princess den, and he brought the blankets and the lights that twinkle!”
“I’m so jealous, I would have loved a den like this as a child.”
“It’s okay. You can share mine!” She smiled, and we sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before I heard movement in the trees around us. Thinking it was probably her parents coming to see her, I didn’t feel particularly worried, until I saw a pair of brown, unfamiliar eyes looking through the trees and staring right at us. I tried not to draw attention to us, but Annabelle noticed the man at the same time, and jumped up running towards him. I jumped up too and followed after her, shouting at her to come back, terrified that she was walking in to danger and I wouldn’t be able to protect her.
“Ethan!” She shouted, before she jumped up in to the outstretched arms of a young man, wearing the biggest smile I had ever seen. He was extremely tall, covered in tattoos and wearing jeans and a t-shirt which showed off his amazing body, which I couldn’t help but stare at. Honestly, they must be putting something in the water here, because all of the men I’d seen so far had been extremely good looking. I breathed a sigh of relief, as I saw that Annabelle knew the man, and slowed my pace as I walked towards them.
“Hey, pickle!” He shouted, before throwing her in the air gently, and catching her as her wonderful giggles carried through the air. The man noticed me, and smiled again whilst holding out his left hand for me to shake, at the same time as carrying Annabelle on his right arm. It was when he held his hand out, that I spotted the tiny paw print tattoo on his hand, and I remembered what Jackson had said the night before. This man was clearly one of his, but I still had no idea what they did. Were they police officers?
“I’m Ethan. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Laura. I’m so glad Annabelle knows you, my heart just about stopped back then when I thought a stranger was snooping in the woods.”
“Hmm, it’s good you keep your wits about you, there are some unsavoury characters around here sometimes. I didn’t mean to frighten you though, I’m one of Jackson’s enforcers and was patrolling in the area and heard this little one’s giggles through the trees. I was going to make sure she was safe, and it turns out she is. Are you new to the area?”