Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 13

"I'm sorry dear that happened to you. I was just telling Freddie how lucky we're to have you in our lives."

"Thank you ma'am."

After ending the call with my parents I look at Isabelle's she was grinning at me. It seems genuine she kisses me good morning. I love the familiar feeling of this ritual between us. "I know you're staying in today but are we being lazy and watching tv all day. Or should we do something else?"

"Since my niece and nephew are still so young Bianca will be looking after them herself today. And Noah and Samantha are on their way to school. So that leaves mum and dad who have engagements to do all day. I want to go out for breakfast I fancy having some fresh pastries. In a café where I can smell nothing but that wonderful smell of my favourite breakfast treats being cooked."

"Are you sure the doctor said you need to take it easy for at least a day remember."

She sits on my lap, "And I will. I'm going to have breakfast in my favourite spot. Then you and I are going to the ethnic supermarket. So we can buy some items for the cook to make my favourite dinner. After that we're going to have lunch at McDonald's, it's time. I'm ready. Then I want to get some new clothes and order a Gucci bag for mum."

I understood what Izzy was doing now. Her planned day was her way of relaxing and dealing with everything that was happening to her.

"Does Jay know about your plans?"

She shrugs, "He said as long as you're with Freddie I don't mind but take Zoe with you. That way it looks like friends having a good time. Are you okay with Zoe coming with us?"

Truthfully I would've prefer it was just me and Izzy. But I get why her brother insisted my cousin comes with us, optics.

"Yes."

"Are you wearing that?" I was wearing a pair of dark jeans with a white shirt. My sunglasses were in my shirt pocket.

"Yes."

She looks over my outfit and go into my wardrobe. "I think you would look better in a polo shirt and a pair of shorts."

She hands me the clothes, "Go on then change."

I start to change and she doesn't raise a eyebrow. When I was finish she adds mousse to my hair and styles it in a way she was satisfied with. When she was finished I look at myself in the mirror. The girl can put together an outfit.

Isabelle's POV

In the past

It was Isabelle's first full week living in her new home. She was convinced everyone assumed she was dead. She smiles for a brief moment remembering having a perfect day with Freddie. They went to her favourite place for breakfast, bought ingredients to make her favourite American dishes. Later they bought clothes for friends and family. Whenever she needed to think about something positive she thought about that day. She look around the cramp cell. She finishes reading war and peace and was itching to start something else. Amanda true to her words and that guard have been good to her on the quiet. The screams she was trying to block out was happening again. It was a woman screaming no please no. Her mind starting thinking of every possible horrible thing that could be happening to her. Then she began to worry the same thing would happen to her.

She sighs and stands and squat over the bucket and start to pee in it. In the day she could make noise and a guard or Amanda would take her to the bathroom. At night or when they were too busy the bucket became her toilet.

She hated a particular male guard who tried to open the toilet door while she was using it. Her screams bought another guard who came to see what was wrong. He pull his fellow guard away from watching her. Then told him to stay outside the bathroom door at all times. She cleans her hands with the wipes Amanda placed under her pillow for her then she lifts up her mattress and take a square of chocolate off a bar and eats it.

PRESENT DAY

I take a bite of my still warm Danish pastry it was delicious. My cousin Zoe who had recently turned eighteen smiles mischievously at me. Her brown eyes telling me whatever she was going to say or do wasn't good.

She stands and goes to the till and I see her point at some photographers and says something to the cashier. She walks back to our table with a cappuccino in one hand and a piece of cake in the other.

"What was that about?"

She doesn't answer me instead she bites into her chocolate cake and stick her tongue out at me. Without thinking I raise my wrist and feel a sharp pain which I couldn't hide. "Wow that hurts."

"I'll get you a slice of cake," just as Zoe makes to get up. A server brings over a selection of cakes. Everyone was looking at me in concern. I look at my phone I still had twenty minutes until I could take another painkiller.

"Thank you for the cake."

The server smiles at me, "Thank you I can get you some ice for your hand "I'm a fourth year med student I'm helping my mum today because she's short staff. I can look at it in the back for you."

I look at Freddie he shrugs, I follow the woman to the back of the shop. She looks at my hand "I'm sorry that moron hurt you your highness."

"I didn't say who did this."

"It's been announced you and James broke up and someone told the newspapers. He hurt you at a party yesterday. I'm glad you had the courage to leave him."

I didn't know what to think everyone knew my boyfriend hurt me. "Don't go back to him my friend went back to her boyfriend and he killed her. You and I both know I can't touch your wrist. I'm not a qualified doctor and I don't know what your X-ray's said. Why did you come back here with me?"

"The pitying looks."

She laughs, "No one in here pities you. My image of you wearing those blasted pyjamas covered in blood. While you fight alongside us will always remain with me and the people of Denmark. You don't have to feel ashamed you were forced into wearing those pyjamas. The dead prime minister is the one that should be ashamed not you. H&M have some cute pyjamas sets you should treat yourself to some."

I couldn't believe this stranger would comfort me like this. "Thank you for those kind words."

"No thank you for fighting for Denmark because if you hadn't with your family. My Asian family and I would most likely be dead now."

I hug her and walk back into the bakery.