Hungry is the Night - Page Nine
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Catlin walked into the family meeting room about 30 minutes before the sun rose. The others stopped talking as she entered.
"I've made my decision."
There was a pause.
"What is it?" Alex asked, gravely.
"I have decided to accept the position, and stay."
Immediately, Jade grinned.
"I'm so glad. The boys have been threatening to get another girl for years, so I'm glad it's someone I can put up with, not some bimbo like the last girl Damien brought home."
"I'll allow she was a little lacking in the brains department, but I didn't bring her home for her intellectual conversation."
"No, just a feed-and-f-," Jade cut herself off quickly, glancing at Alex.
"Believe it or not, Jade, I have heard the term before," Alex commented, dryly. "Catlin, welcome to the family. I'll set about making the appropriate arrangements. Do you have a preference for your car?"
"My car?"
"Yes. Didn't I mention that you get a car? Of course, Damien will have to move his tools out of your car space."
"I get a car space?"
"I'll walk you through it all tomorrow," Gabriel offered. "There's a lot you still aren't aware of, given that you've been here such a short time."
"I'm busy tomorrow. Can we make it the day after? Night after?"
Gabriel looked surprised.
"Sure."
"Good. Well, I guess I will take myself off to bed, before I collapse. Goodnight. Day. Whatever."
They smiled, and Catlin left the room.
"MK, what do you think you'll get for the house?"
"I would guess about... £230? Once the mortgage is paid out of that, we'll end up with about £70,000 each. I think I'll get about 250 pounds a month child support, and I could probably get a £45,000 mortgage on my own, but I'm not likely to get anything with two rooms for that. I think I'll be looking at studio flats."
"Well, I had an idea. The apartment next to me is for sale. I made some enquiries on my way over this evening, and apparently we'd be able to get it for £100,000, but it does need a fair bit of work done to it. So say we bought it, and spent £20,000 doing it up and making the adjoining apartments into one big one."
Slowly, Catlin explained her plan, which would leave them each with a half share in a £100,000 mortgage, but also in a 3 bedroom flat worth at least £300,000. In addition, Mary-Kate would still have £10,000 in savings, and Catlin would be left with £1,000 out of her "redundancy" pay out.
"I'm a bit worried that this plan of yours leaves you with £1,000, no money coming in, and a £500 pound per month mortgage. It sounds great for me, because I'll have somewhere to live, part ownership in a home which will be paid off by the time Juniper is 18, and still have £1250 per month coming in for bills and food. But you won't be so well off. I don't think it's a good idea, Cat."
"Well, you're forgetting that I have £20,000 from Dad's estate that became mine at 21, that I never touched 'cause it would have meant them finding out where I was - but I was asking Gabriel as he drove me over, and he says he can get it, without Mother dearest finding out where I am. It would currently be sitting pretty at about £36,000. Add my £1000 to that, and it'll bring me in £155 pounds month in interest. Plus, this job with Alex apparently pays quite well. Trust me when I say I'll have no problem meeting the repayments."
Catlin mentioned the figure Alex had casually mentioned to her as she left with Gabriel, and Mary-Kate gasped.
"You could have the mortgage paid off in 5 years with that. The whole lot, not just your half."
"Earlier, really. So you see... I'm not in such a bad position."
"But Cat - with that sort of pay cheque, you could own your apartment next year, if you were careful what you spent and used those savings you just mentioned. Or do this whole idea without me. You'd be complete in 10 years."
"Yes - if I lived on £500 pounds a month and didn't care what was happening to my best friend and god-daughter. If you'd prefer, MK, I can just sell you the apartment for what's left on the mortgage, leaving you with the flat and £14,000. The disadvantages there are that this place only has one bedroom, and I wouldn't have anywhere to go if I needed to escape from the others."
"It's just... Sorry, Cat, it seems almost too good to be true."
Catlin laughed.
"Just think of all the months we'll have to live next door to renovations. It doesn't seem too good to be true now, does it?"
"Now that you mention it... not really."
"Not to worry, it wouldn't need that much done to it. And we can renovate the other half, then take out that wall completely. The only difficulty is putting a bedroom for Juniper over where the front door is, though I suppose they can leave the "blocking up the entrance" until they've knocked down that wall."
"What if that wall is structural?"
"Have you seen how thin it is? There's no way it's structural. But we'll get someone to come and check it all out."
Mary-Kate pulled out a notebook, and sketched out Catlin's flat.
"Is that right?"
"Yes, and the other side is the reverse. So what I was thinking, if we enclose this area to be Juniper's room, you and I can have the two existing rooms, We can move the kitchen to the other wall there, turn that bathroom into a workroom for you, add a laundry and separate loo where my table is, maybe add a storage cupboard there, 'cause we'll need one, and then have this nice big open-plan lounge area."
"Looks good to me, but where do we eat?"
"Get a new table and put it there?"
"Well, I can write my name on the bottom of our table. It seats 8."
"Sounds good to me."
"There is one thing."
"What's that?"
"Don't tell Alan what you are now."
"Is it important?"
"Well, yeah. I'm sure that he wouldn't believe you, but he might kick up a fuss about his daughter living with someone "Who believes she is a vampire". I can just see it getting messy if that came up in court. That and my being a witch."
"Did you ever tell him?"
Mary-Kate laughed, slightly bitterly.
"No. There never seemed to be a "right time". I guess now I know why."
"MK... Shit, hon, I'm sorry."
"Oh, it isn't your fault, Cat. Things just didn't work out with him and me. And now, rather than sharing everything, I have to worry about not telling him things which might mean them taking my daughter from me. It just..."
"Sucks," Catlin finished for her. "I know. I suppose we should do something about getting your workroom packed up. At least the eye of newt and toe of frog. You know - the obvious stuff."
Mary-Kate laughed, and Catlin was glad.
"Darling, he'd never find the obvious stuff. It's always just looked like a sewing room. But you're right. We should get started. Let's box up some stuff."
Shortly after midnight, Catlin taped up her box and sat on the desk.
"We've probably done enough for tonight, pet. You should go to bed and get some sleep, seeing as though you obviously didn't sleep last night, with me being here."
"It doesn't matter. I've taken until the end of the week off work, so I have nothing to do but play with Juniper all day. But you're right. I should sleep, particularly seeing as though Alan's at his mother's until Monday."
"He's not coming back until Monday?"
"Nope."
"Well, listen. If you spend tomorrow and the next day packing up your things, I'll bring the boys over the night after tomorrow night and we'll move you and Juniper into my place. Then there's the weekend to get settled in, and bring over anything you've forgotten, and when he gets back, it's all sorted out."
"You're not coming tomorrow night?"
"I can't, darling. Gabriel is going to show me the ropes for this new position."
"Alright then. I'll get myself organised, and I'll see you Friday night."
"Now, get some sleep."
"Yes mother."
After leaving Mary-Kate's home, Catlin visited her flat. She moved her desk into the lounge, and packed her two suitcases full of clothes. The remaining clothes - mainly dresses - she condensed into the single wardrobe, leaving the two doubles with drawers for Mary-Kate and Juniper. She emptied her bedside table, and moved the other one into the lounge, then spent almost an hour figuring out how to rig a curtain between the bed and the rest of the room. Juniper's crib would have to be brought over, but Catlin placed the box of toys she kept for Juniper's visits against the curtain wall. In the lounge, she rearranged things so that her breakables were safely locked away, and moved all the cleaning products into a high cupboard in the kitchen. It meant that her wine glasses were on the bench, but they'd figure out a solution for that later. Then she visited the 24 hour Tesco, and got milk, bread, butter, and eggs. Anything else, Mary-Kate could either bring with her, or buy once she arrived. After putting her shopping in the fridge, Catlin called Gabriel to come and pick her up. It was time to go back home.
Catlin woke the following evening, to find Gabriel sat just outside her bedroom door.
"Good evening."
"Evening. Are you ready?"
"I suppose so."
Gabriel began with another tour of the house, starting from the top. There wasn't anything Catlin hasn't already seen on the top floor, though he did point out the guest rooms were designed for humans, werewolves, or other supernaturals, not vampires - unless they were particularly important. The next floor down was the family floor, which Catlin knew quite well, though she did get to see Alex's bedroom, which she hadn't previously. As well as the sitting room, Dining room, Ballroom and kitchen areas on the Ground floor, Gabriel also showed her the staff sitting room, and the stairs which led down into the basement. Under the house, there were four large rooms. There wasn't anything in the rooms other than beds, but there were 25 beds in each room so they could easily fit in 100 people. There was also a sitting room at the bottom of the stairs. Then, Gabriel revealed the secret door which led into Alex's private library, a music room, a study area, a sitting room and second bedroom with bathroom. Being careful not to disturb anything, Catlin investigated the bookshelves. Gabriel led Catlin through to another staircase, which led down. To her surprise, there was a huge underground area, which would easily contain 500 vampires - which Gabriel explained was large enough to sleep every vampire in the world.
Turning a vampire wasn't as easy as it was made out to be, and there was only about 550 vampires world-wide. Gabriel explained that the 100 beds upstairs were for the members of their house, and that if - for whatever reason - the other houses were all here and needed refuge, they would take over the bottom level of the house. Outside, he showed her the garage, and gave her a set of keys, identifying the main ones that she would need.
"Can you drive?"
"Pardon?"
"Can you drive?"
"Of course I can drive."
"Don't get all snippy, I was only asking. A lot of people these days can't, because they don't need to. I've never seen you with a car."
"Well, that's because I sold it. When I was living with MK, we shared one, and when she and Alan moved in together, they bought a new one and we sold ours and split the money. I never bought another one, because I didn't need one. I got my shopping delivered, and if I needed to go out of town, I usually had a boyfriend or MK to rely upon."
"Do you have a preference for type of car? Anything that you've always wanted?"
"Sure, I'd love a TT, but the insurance is astronomical."
"An Audi? You want a German car?"
"Damien drives a Porsche."
"You don't want a nice British car, like an Aston Martin?"
"Aston Martin is owned by Ford, Gabriel."
"They are not!"
"Yes, they are. Bought out in 1993."
"You're thinking of Jaguar."
"No, I'm not. Daimler became part of Jaguar in the 60's."
"1960 exactly," Gabriel agreed, "and Jaguar was taken over by Ford in 1990."
"Yes, and Aston Martin joined the Premier Automotive Group of Ford in 1993."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Trust me, Gabriel, my step-father ranted about it for weeks."
"Are there any British companies left? What about MG?"
"They're bankrupt. Bought by a Chinese company, I think. Is that your Beemer?"
"The BMW belongs to Alex. Bentley?"
"Bentley is owned by Volkswagen. As is Rolls-Royce, though BMW have the name, I think. So what do you drive? The Lexus?"
"The Lexus is Jade's."
"A Merc?"
"Do you see a Mercedes in this Garage?"
"C'mon, Gabriel. What do you drive?"
"I drive a lotus."
"You don't."
"I do. Why?"
"Ugh, they're so ugly. No offence intended, but they really are my least favourite car. It's not yellow is it?"
"No, it's silver."
"That's a little more dignified I guess."
"At least it isn't German."
"War's over, Gabriel."
"It may seem a long time ago to you, Catlin, but I assure you, it wasn't."
"Touchy."
"You know a lot about cars, for a girl."
"You know a lot about clothes, for a straight male. What's your point?"
"Touché. Shall I tell Alex you'd like a TT?"
"Really? I'd really get whatever car I said I wanted?"
"He'll probably make you go on one of those defensive driving courses, but yes."
"Fantastic!"
Gabriel finally relaxed, and laughed.
"My first gift from Alex was a chariot, with a perfectly matched team of 4 black stallions. My status went through the roof when people saw me in that."
Catlin smiled.
"Gabriel, I need a favour."
"What's that?"
"MK is moving some things into my flat. Will you help with the lifting and carrying?"
"Sure. Do you need a truck?"
"MK is hiring a van."
"Okay. No problem."
"Thanks. You know, you're a lot more fun when you relax."
Catlin slipped out of the garage, and hurried back to the house.
Jade drove them, as her car was the only one with five seats. Damien and Jade had both said they'd help, and to Catlin's surprise, Alex had offered his assistance also. Jade parked at the front, and Catlin led them to the door. Mary-Kate answered, with Juniper in her arms.
"Juni!" Catlin exclaimed, delighted, holding out her arms.
"She's been grizzling," Mary-Kate explained, gratefully handing her daughter over. "I think she's sensing that something's wrong. Alan and I have been fighting again."
"Shit, MK, I'm sorry."
"Ah, it's alright. We're managing."
Mary-Kate smiled, as Catlin pulled faces at Juniper.
"I see you brought some help?" she hinted.
"Oh, of course. Sorry. You'll have to invite them all in. You remember Gabriel?"
"Of course. Come in."
"Thank you."
"And this is Jade."
"Hello, Come in."
"You have a lovely home."
"Not for much longer."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"And Damien."
"He looks like your type, Cat. Come in."
"Thank you," he purred, eyeing Mary-Kate speculatively.
"And this, is Alex."
"Shit," whispered Mary-Kate.
"Problem?"
"He's old."
"I know."
"Safe?"
"I wouldn't have brought him if I didn't trust him, MK."
"Alright," she breathed. "Come in."
"Thank you for your trust," Alex said.
"Everyone, this is Mary-Kate. She is my best friend. And this is Juniper. She's my witch-daughter."
"I take it, from the nature of your glare, that the child is under your protection."
"They both are."
"Then they are also under ours. You have nothing to fear from us."
"I know. Just wanted you to realise that you touch a hair on her head, and I'll kill you."
Catlin smiled sweetly.
"It is understood, mon chaton."
"Good. Let's get started then."
Mary-Kate had hired the van, and backed it up the driveway, so items could be taken out the back door, and placed into the van. She had been hard at work the previous two days, and had packed up most things, and Catlin sent her off to pack whatever else she wanted to take, while the others loaded the van. Juniper refused to settle in bed, or in her play pen, so Catlin put her in her baby backpack, and carried her back and forth to the van, along with the various other household goods. Juniper soon tired of the back and forth, and fell asleep.
"Mon chaton, the bébé is asleep."
"Is she?"
Catlin slid the box into the van, and Jade stacked it at the back.
"So she is. I'll go and put her down."
Catlin hesitated.
"Jade, will you give me a hand?"
Jade hesitated a moment, then jumped out of the van.
"Sure."
Jade glanced around Juniper's room as Catlin moved the backpack around to her front. She unstrapped Juniper, and hesitated again.
"Will you hold her, while I get everything organised?"
Jade nodded, and sat in a rocking chair in the corner. Catlin handed Juniper to her, and Jade gently cradled her. Catlin put the backpack back into the box, and slowly remade Juniper's bed. She selected a toy to go in her crib from the array on the shelf, and removed the other items and put them in the box. When she couldn't delay any longer, Catlin turned back to Jade. Jade was gently stroking a finger down Juniper's cheek.
"Bed's ready."
Jade glanced up, then stood and waited for Catlin to take Juniper. Catlin leaned over, and kissed Juniper, but didn't make any move to take her.
"Goodnight, Juni, darlin'. Why don't you put her down?"
Hesitantly, Jade moved over to the crib, and laid Juniper in it. She firmly tucked the blanket in, and placed the soft rabbit near her hand.
"Goodnight, Juniper-chan."
Catlin smiled and held the door open until Jade left the room. She peeked in a Juniper one last time, then pulled the door mostly closed.
"Cat?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Catlin smiled.
"No problem."
Jade returned to the boys, and Catlin went into Mary-Kate's room.
"Juniper's down."
"Finally. Thanks, pet."
"No problem. How're you doing?"
"Not so good, Cat. How am I meant to decide what to take and what to leave? Most of this stuff we bought together, or was a wedding present... How am I meant to sort it out?"
"I dunno, MK. But you can keep the ones from me."
Mary-Kate smiled.
"Of course. I think, really, I've been quite fair. I've left him a couple of pots and pans, and the every-day dining setting, and I've taken the good one, and my coffee mugs. I left him the juicer and I'm taking the coffee machine. I'm leaving him the fridge, and the freezer, and the microwave, and I'm taking my bed, and all of Juniper's things, and the bookshelves."
"I think you're being fair, MK."
"I hope so."
"You are."
"Cat?"
Catlin smiled.
"Yes, Damien."
He appeared in the doorway.
"Is there anything else to go in the van? It's not even half full, and we've packed all the boxes."
"That was fast. Well, everything in this room is to go," Mary-Kate replied. "And everything in Juniper's room, though I'd rather leave that until last, so she's had some sleep. And the furniture that was in the room with the boxes."
"Right."
Damien picked up the bookshelf and walked out, leaving Mary-Kate blinking.
"He's strong."
"Supernatural removal company. worth the money," Catlin winked. "Come on, let's finish packing."
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