Just Rose

8

Later that day, Rose finally had been deposited back at the cottage. Rob had never returned from whatever business he was dealing with, so sweet Tommy had brought her home; appearing at the bedroom door to inform her Rob had called to make him act as chauffeur. She had felt the instant disappointment weigh down in her stomach at that revelation.

With her torn dress in hand and dressed in some of Abby's jeans and designer ripped t-shirt emblazoned with a punked out puppy, her hair was tied up in a girly ponytail and she had some pink trainers on, he drove her home. A perk of being a comparable size to Abby.

Soiled high heels in hand and her clutch bag under one armpit, she thanked the elderly gent at her gate and he told her Rob would return her car later when he came back. He had not wanted her to chance driving with the amount of alcohol she had consumed last night, even if it was only a short trip and had made it clear he wanted to return the mini himself. She had agreed, feeling warm and fluttery in her stomach at his protectiveness and knowing she would get to see him again soon. Silly school girl flutters that she scolded back down.

Rose sighed with relief as she watched the little green metro bump away down the gravel road, glad to finally be home and alone after such an eventful few hours. She needed some breathing space and a long nap in her own house. Her hangover still plaguing her, despite the power shower she had taken in Rob's room. She had spent way too long looking at his toiletries and smelling his aftershave while getting ready.

The cottage, much like Muffin, welcomed her like a beautiful familiar friend and for the first time, almost with new eyes Rose really did feel like she was home. Muffin ecstatically jumped around her ankles, whining for affection, so she showered him with cuddles and kisses and a brief walk to relieve his bladder.

Rose took in the rooms before her, blinking; being away all night was almost like refreshing her sight and the realisation as she walked in the door at how cosy and welcoming and homely the cottage finally looked. Her living room with its overstuffed leather couches and plush rugs, small wooden tables, strategically placed with lamps and trinkets. The huge fireplace and mantle lined with pillar candles and modern photo frames of her family. The neutral tones ranging from creams, to caramel, browns and chocolates in her furniture, throws, cushions and rugs, just made her want to roll onto the couch and sleep forever surrounded by her safe haven.

Without opening her curtains, she pulled one of the thick fluffy throws she kept folded in a huge blanket box against the wall. She laid down on the couch discarding her dress and accessories, kicking off Abby's trainers and swiping all her cushions to one side to make a cosy day bed. She pulled up her throw and slid the Tv remote from the wooden chest, which served as a coffee table. Muffin cried to get up beside her and she lifted him gently, letting him snuggle in the hollow of her stomach as she curled on her side, reveling in the little hot water bottle. Clicking on some old western movie for atmosphere and drifted off to sleep, wrapped up in quiet cosiness.

* * *

The fright with which Rose woke sent a horrible beating pulse through her stomach, causing internal shakes at the loud hammering in her head. Momentarily disorientated, it took a few seconds to come back to her surroundings and realise the noise was someone at the door. Sitting up in a hurry and startling Muffin from his sleep with a yelp, he angrily leapt from the couch and went to lay down under a side table to return to the land of slumber. Muffin, as far as dogs went was one lazy little beast at the best of times. Disturbing a nap was a fate worse than death.

It was darker than when she had laid down and there was some modern horror movie on the Tv, strangling screams echoing from it. She shrugged off the throw weakly, yelling out to whoever was about to get throttled