Arabella

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»»°»»°ARABELLA

"Here you go Jamie, its still warm".

"Thank you Bella. It will warm me up".

"That's great, its only mash potato and sausages, but there was quite a lot leftover, so at least its a good sized meal".

"Is it your special mash potato and sausages?".

"Yes" said the girl with a delicate smile.

"Well then its perfect. These Polish sausages you buy are so much better than our English ones.These actually taste of something" said the homeless man with a soft chuckle.

"Well, I'm glad you like it." replied the girl, smiling as the frail man dove the plastic fork into the lukewarm container.

"Mmmm" he hummed in appreciation.

Arabella smiled. She made it a regular habit to bring her leftovers to Jamie, having known the homeless man since she was just a girl. It made her happy seeing how even though she gave so little, it was hugely appreciated. Even if she did find the strangest times to deliver her leftovers, Jamie loved her for it nonetheless. Regardless that it was dark and past midnight on this certain occassion.

Suddenly, Arabella heard a scuffling sound further down the alley way. As Jamie's ear's pricked up, they turned their heads towards the noise.

Out of nowhere, a pair of feet came rushing towards the two, followed by another figure. The first was tall, but that was all Arabella was able to notice, as the person was going too fast and out of shock she didn't think to look at his face. They quickly ran past and turned the corner going left. The second figure,who was running considerably slower than he first, began to slow down gradually while catching sight of Arabella as they shone a bright torch towards her and the homeless man beneath her. Arabella mentally noted that the figure was male by the vague facial sculpture and broad shoulders she could make out as he rudely shone a light at her.She also noticed the man was holding a professional looking camera around his neck, in one of his hands he held the torch which he was now pointing down at the ground. Arabella wondered why this man was chasing somebody. With a camera. Through a dark alleyway in London.

"Hell-llo, that man running through here, which way did he go?Straight ahead, left or right?" the camera-clad man rudely addressed Arabella several seconds after getting his breath back and his panting under control.

"He went to the right" muttered Jamie,speaking up to the man who had not bothered to address him too as he spoke to Arabella.

"Umm..thanks, bye" replied the man,acknowledging Jamie's presence for the first time before swiftly rounding the corner. Arabella spun round and gave Jamie a questioning look.

"Why did you lie?" asked Arabella out of interest.

"Didn't you notice? He was paparazzi. He was chasing the first lad, and from what I've understood, paparazzi could be a real pain, so I figured that I should tell him to go the wrong way to throw him off the first guy's tail." replied Jamie with a slightly proud glint in his eyes.

"Ohhhh. I see now, good idea Jamie" Arabella nodded towards him in recognition.

"Oww..FUCK".

Arabella lifted her head up in confusion. Who was that? It sounded like it came from a little way further down the alley. She squinted her eyes towards the sound, but she saw nothing in this darkness. She looked at Jamie, who looked just as puzzled as she did. Jamie then gave a swift nod in the direction of the voice, as if to say 'go check it out'.

Slowly Arabella walked down the alley which was slightly more illuminated than before, lighting her way. She suddenly paused as she heard a grunt. She turned her head, and cocked her ears. It came from the right, she thought. She turned and continued walking down, getting closer and closer to the voice, which was now muttering swearwords like there was no tomorrow.