It's us {Dani and Jamie}

Her.

10
- Dani -

Ahh. The age of flirtation.

Arguably one of the best phases in a new relationship. The post-first kiss, post-first time era of suggestive glances, stolen kisses and of course: insufferable flirting.

"I'm working Jamie," Dani struggled free of the grasp on her hand, but couldn't control the smile plastered to her face.

"I don't care."

"You're working Jamie!"

"At least come take your lunch break with me."
The gardener begged.

Dani glanced at the clock on the hallway wall, "It's ten o'clock in the morning."

"I don't care!"

"How about this," She suggested, taking Jamie's hands in her own, "You go pull those weeds you've been putting off, I'll play with the kids for a few more hours and then we meet back in the kitchen for lunch. Deal?"

"I guess so..." She frowned.

"Good." Dani let go of her grasp and peered around the halls, "Where are those little munchkins anyway?"

"Hello."

Dani gripped her hand to her chest, and spun around to face the voice behind her, "Jeez Flora you scared me."

"Sorry Miss Clayton," She said sweetly.

"Hey kid," Jamie said, crouching down, "What's shakin'?"

"Nothing is shaking."

She grinned at the serious tone in the girl's voice, "It's an expression."

"Oh."

Jamie's eyes frowned. Usually Flora idolized her - ate up everything she said.

The gardener tried again, "Want to do our handshake, Flora?"

"Not really," She sighed, turning to Dani, "Can we go up to the attic to play dress up again? And dancing? I liked playing prince and princess."

Jamie straightened out, obviously trying not to look too hurt. Dani frowned for a different reason, "I don't know Flora, can't we play somewhere else?"

"But all the good outfits are up there."

"Doesn't Miles want to play with us?"
She shook her head, "He's being boring - reading in his room."

The au pair's frown deepened, "Honestly Flora, I don't really like the attic. I always get weird feelings up there."

Jamie's grin returned, "Look who's afraid of ghosts now."

"Not like that." She sighed. Though to tell the truth, she had been feeling the darkness more and more lately. It worsened in the attic, for whatever reason, "It's just strange up there, I can't describe it."

"How about I come with?" The gardener suggested, eyes lighting up, "Yeah, I can be the royal guard. Protect the prince and princess from ghosts in the castle."

Before Dani got a chance to respond, Flora spoke.

Hard and clear.

"No."

The women looked down at her curiously, "Why not?" Jamie asked.

Flora peered up at her with a look that could only be described as a glare, "She doesn't want you to play."

"No, I don't mind Flora." Dani assured her.

"Not you Miss Clayton," The girl said, "Her."

The gardener and the au pair shared a glance, "Who?"

"My imaginary friend."

There was an uneasy quiet for a moment before Jamie spoke up, "Well alright," She said, obviously hurt, "If she doesn't want me to play..."

"Jamie," Dani sighed, catching her hand.

"No no," She shrugged, whispering so only Dani could hear, "She's obviously mad or something, I don't want to make things worse. I'll just... I'll just go pull the weeds."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, Poppins, I'm sure," Jamie managed a smile after a quick glance at Flora, "Still on for lunch?"

"Of course."

Flora and Dani did end up playing in the attic. It was fine, nothing happened. But she could feel it.

The darkness.

It grew. Festered. Lurked.

Flora simply danced.

**So yeah, there's gonna be some spooky stuff coming up. Sorry if that's not what u wanted in a fanfic but I like writing stuff with plot so that's what I'm gonna do lol. I hope you'll read!