THE LANDLADY by Jay Jay.

Moving Day.

Ash and Darren borrowed a truck from their boss. They drove around, gathering belongings and furniture from various address's. The bulk of the gear had been stored in Raewyn's parents' rumpus room.

They met at the old house gate. Zane had the key from Mrs Jones, and when he arrived, they all rushed into the house, laughing and arguing over which bedroom to have.

"Loft for us, because we are two and need the biggest space," Zane called from upstairs.

"Yeah, get that bed up there quick," Raewyn giggled. "I've missed my Zane!"

"Aww," Zane said. "I missed you too,"

"Get a room, you two," Ash snarled, "Oh, that's right. You have. Well, give us a hand with the unloading, we've got to get the truck back soon as."

Darren was having trouble with Buddy, the dog. Buddy refused to come into the house, and after he was man-handled in, he ran straight to the bedroom furthest from the door, nearest to the living room, and refused to come out.

"Not my first pick," Darren grumbled, "but I guess it's a decent enough room. You lot better not keep me up late with your noise, Ash and I have early starts."

Ash took the room that had been Candy's. "Has a nice, feminine vibe in here," he said. "Should attract the girls, eh?"

Audrey took her time picking a room, and settled on one upstairs. "I can always change it later, she said. "We still have three bedrooms to fill."

"Yeah, we'll have to advertise for some flatmates," Ash said. 

"That agency might have some good people on its books," Zane said.

"I'll put a note on the university notice-board," Audrey said. "We'll get someone easy enough."

They had finally unloaded, Darren and Ash disappeared to return the truck, whilst the others settled in and explored their new surroundings.

"Come in here," Audrey said to Raewyn. "It's odd, it seems so hot in here."

Raewyn touched the walls. "Maybe, because it is the front room, the sun warmed it up this morning before we got here?"

"It is way warmer that the day outside. Zane, do you think its O.K.?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Stop worrying, it's not going to burst into flames. Come and help me sort out the pantry. We probably need to get some shopping. Some of us have have work tomorrow, and you've uni, and I don't want you yelling at me 'cause all the milk's gone."

The girls glanced at each other, but felt reassured. "I was worried it might be some electrical thing," Audrey said. "It will be a good room for winter."

"I know it's hot in here, but it gives me the chills, Like something really bad happened here," Raewyn said.

"You too? Interesting. Probably who-ever takes this room will be the type that doesn't notice," Audrey said.

"And you realise, that is the type we'll be stuck living with, an insensitive soul with no feelings!" Raewyn said dramatically, and they laughed.

"A regular psychopath!"

"Who will murder us in our sleep!"

"Woo-oooo-oooo!" both girls said in unison.

"You two making up ghost stories again?" Zane said, carrying some empty boxes outside.

"Well, it is perfect, isn't it?" Audrey said. "Big creepy old house, with a chequered history, you know it had some murders here, way back twenty years ago."

"I heard that, is this truely the place?" Raewyn said.

"Yeah, but look how nicely it's been done up, not creepy at all, really," Zane said. "Besides, Dad says that's the reason we got such a fantastic house in THIS neighbourhood for such a good price."

"Never look a gift horse in the mouth, my Mum always says." Audrey grinned. "And think of all the creepy parties we can have, with Halloween coming up soon."

"Don't do the parties too soon," Zane cautioned. "We don't want to get kicked out."

"Spoilsport," Audrey said.

Zane left to put the boxes in the rubbish. Raewyn and Audrey looked at each other.

"I do love him, but, he acts like an old woman sometimes," Raewyn said.

And they both laughed, and couldn't stop laughing for ages.

By the time Darren and Ash came back in Darren's car, most of the chores were done, the living room was sorted, and everyone wanted take-a-ways for their first meal, to celebrate moving in.

Fish and chips were acquired for all from the newly discovered Chinese take-a-way at the end of the block. Some bottles of wine were opened, and a toast was made to all, for good times ahead. 

The meal was declared to be first class, and a promise was made to include the take-a-way on the future dinner menu.

More wine was consumed, followed by some beer. They laughed and talked, getting re-aquainted with each other after their short separation. All agreed that it was good to get away from parents/aunties/friend's spare bedrooms. All agreed to get on well together, as they had mostly managed to up to now. All agreed to pull their weight, and keep the flat tidy and functioning well.

The future looked good.

They settled in for the night just before mid-night, and had pleasant dreams on that first, uneventful night.