The Music Box

Part 5

The apartment was smaller than Charlotte expected and clutter lay everywhere she turned. Alice led her to what Charlotte guessed was supposed to be the kitchen-though it contained merely a wood-fire stove and a sink-and instructed her to leave her suitcase on the worn wooden table. Charlotte looked about herself as she stood there, noticing the odd art on the walls and the stacks of books and notebooks in the corners and on the chairs.

"Sorry about the beastly mess," Alice said with a touch of red in her cheeks. "I can't remember it ever being orderly around here." She laughed. "I can pull out the sofa for you to sleep on. I know this isn't a five-star hotel, but-"

"It's all right," Charlotte interrupted. "I don't want to cause any trouble. Just go about your day and thank you again so very much for having me."

Alice smiled and then jumped, startling Charlotte. "Blast! There's something I forgot to mention-" Just as she began to explain something to Charlotte, the front door swung open and in came a tall blonde man in cuffed jeans and a black and grey striped sweater. Charlotte took a step back and Alice covered her face with her hand.

"Jack, you aren't supposed to be home yet!"

The man stood in the doorway, staring at Charlotte as if he'd seen a ghost. "I got off work early," he responded slowly in a rich British accent.

"Well you could've called."

The man moved toward the table where Charlotte and Alice stood. "Are you going to tell me who this is?" he asked Alice through his teeth.

"Jack, this is Corrine. She will be staying with us for the time being."

"Blimey, woman. 'You could've called!'" Jack countered, mocking Alice's further accusation.

Alice grabbed his arm and tugged him away from Charlotte. They began to converse silently in the opposing room. Charlotte leaned against the table and let out a long sigh. How intrusive she felt in that instance. What had she been thinking? That she could just waltz into a strangers home and expect everything to be hunkey-dorey?

Just as she had picked up her suitcase and decided to leave, the tall blonde man returned, Alice trailing behind him.

"I apologize," he said. "I greeted you horridly." He stuck out his hand for Charlotte to shake. "I am Jack, Alice's brother, and it is a pleasure to have you staying with us."

Charlotte gave him a polite smile, "Nice to meet you."

Jack returned the facial expression and then asked, "How did you two meet anyway?"

"She had a terrible incident on her plane ride, and I was the nurse that aided her at the airport," replied Alice.

"Oh? What kind of incident?"

"Nothing too bad," Charlotte said quickly. "I'm much better now anyway."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Jack took a quick look at his watch. "Alice, remember, we promised Branson we'd meet 'im at the pub at seven."

"Oh, yes, that's right." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked at Charlotte. "Do we have to?"

"He's my best mate, Alice. And you told 'im you'd join us as well." Jack glanced quickly at Charlotte, who was beginning to feel uncomfortable all over again. "You may join us if you'd like."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude."

"It's no intrusion! You're our guest," he insisted.

"I'm awfully tired..."

"Oh, come along, Corrine," Alice whined. "It'll be fun."

She sighed. She really wasn't in the mood. And who knew what members of Vincent could be out and about...