𝐴 𝐶𝐸𝑅𝑇𝐴𝐼𝑁 𝑅𝑂𝑀𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸-𝐴𝑙𝑒𝑥 𝑇𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟

Myserious Daydreams

"Have you ever gotten drunk?" I asked Alexander as we sat out on the little deck chairs on the balcony, I'd now changed into my sleepwear with my dressing gown over me.

"Once, I was 17 though and it was back home." Alexander nodded as he poured us both a glass of champagne.

"Thank you." I said, Taking my glass from him and clinked it against his. Slumping further back into my chair as I curled my legs up to my chest and gazed up at the night sky.

"It's beautiful isn't it." I said as I dot to dotted the stars sprinkled above us.

"It is." Alexander agreed and craned his head up towards the sky.

"You have to live here forever don't you?" Alexander asked me quietly.

I took a sip of my champagne and turned my head to face him.
"I do, yes" I said nodding slowly.

"Are you happy about that?" He asked me again and I let out a lengthy sigh.

"Well, I suppose once my parents have you know...kicked the bucket, it'll be different living here then. I'll be starting a new family.." I shrugged and he nodded before bringing his glass to his lips.

"You going to have this job forever Alexander?" I asked him furrowing my brows a little.

"I'll have it for a few more years of course.." Alexander said and took another sip of his champagne.

"Can you imagine my Fathers face if he saw us sat out here like this right now." I giggled and stared up at the crescent moon.

"He'd actually lose his shit, I don't want to imagine.." Alexander chuckled and I glanced over at him.

"A cuss word Alexander?" I asked him with a fake-shocked face.

"I could go on if you'd like?" Alexander chuckled.

"Using my own words against me, you are something aren't you.." I said huffing a laugh.

A bell was rung from below us signifying that dinner was ready.

"Right, are you eating with me tonight?" I asked him as we stood from our seats and headed inside.

"What time did you say Your Mother and Father will be home?" Alexander asked as we exited the den and sauntered down the corridor.

"Most likely midnight or later.." I said as I gripped onto the banister with my right hand and trotted down the stairs.

"Evening Matthew." I said as I headed into the dining room.

"We all eating together?" I asked Jamie and Matthew whom had already sat down.

"If that's alright Arabella?" Jamie asked unsurely.

"Of course it is, my favourite parts are the day are the times I spend with you all." I said with a smile as I pulled my seat back and sat down, Alexander came and sat next to me.

"It would be nice if Miles and Nicholas would join us sometimes." Alexander mumbled as he wrapped pasta around his fork and brought it to his lips.

"They're busy with guard duties outside Alexander." Matthew said as he brought a cup of wine to his lips.

"I wish you could all just drop your jobs and still live here..." I sighed and gazed down to my plate of food.

"Why do you wish that?" Alexander asked me, I turned my head to the side to glance at him.

"Because you're all my friends and I hate how I can hardly see you or that when I do you're working.." I said with a sad smile.

"Do you not have any other friends than...us?" Jamie hesitantly asked me and I looked across the table to him.

"Have you met the people my parents want me involved with?" I said pulling a face and the boys all chuckled.

"We're happy to be your friends Arabella, just if your father found out we will be running for our lives...quite literally" Matthew said and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I think over the past few days is an obvious view that my Father won't do anything bad-bad to any of you because of me" I stated and brought some pasta to my mouth.

"Thank you for sticking up for us when you do, it does mean a lot." Alexander said by my side.

"Friends do these sort of things for eachother." I said as I swallowed the last of my pasta down.

"Right, let's get cleared up then shall we spend the evening in the library or something?" I suggested as I stood from my seat, the boys all looked really unsure.

"My parents won't be home yet." I reassured and then they followed my actions.

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"Alexander!" I squealed as we stood side-by-side washing the plates and cutlery, he'd dipped his hand into the soapy water and splashed it onto my face.

"Alexander, splash me one more time and I will not hesitate to dump this all over your head." I warned with a giggle as I pointed to the water.

"Sorry, yer looked a little flustered and thought I should..." Alexander said and dipped his hand in the water one more time.
"...Cool you down." He chuckled and I squealed and grabbed the towel on the counter.

"You're actually asking for it Alexander." I giggled as I began to chase him round the kitchen cracking the towel against his legs. He'd gallop and jump in the air like a bunny, yelping and squealing like a child.

"I've never run faster in my life.." Alexander sighed as we both slumped into the plush sofa in the library.

"What have you found?" I called to Jamie and Matt whom were searching for some books.

"Do we want a horror?" Jamie asked and I gasped and clapped my hands, Alexander whined and groaned.

"Don't be like that Alexander if you get too scared I might let you hide behind me, but emphasise on the word 'might'." I giggled as I watched him groan and throw his head back to face the ceiling.

"How about this?" Jamie suggested and held up a book to Alexander and I.

"In a glass darkly?" Alexander questioned.

Jamie and Matthew sauntered over and sat down on the carpet beneath us.

"It might be good." Matthew shrugged and I curled my legs up to my chest, leaning back further against the couch.

"Right, let's begin.." Jamie said in a fake horror accent making Matthew and Alexander scoff and take the piss, but I laughed.

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"Goodnight boys! Thank you for the evening!" I called as I headed up the stairs.

"Goodnight Arabella!" They returned then shuffled around downstairs.

I went to go head into my bedroom but I turned on my heal and headed back down the hall.

Pushing open the den door I headed inside and shut it behind me. I sauntered over to the grand piano and lifted the lid, revealing the glossy keys Alexander and I were playing the other day.

I took a seat on the stool and knitted my eyes shut as I let my fingertips run along the keys gently.