Jessica From Number Three
The little red saloon drew to a standstill in the
small but neat car park.
Its occupant ran a slender hand through her tousled
red mane of hair and yawned nervously. This was it, the start of a new episode
in the life of Jessica Hardy aged 25 and single!
She didn't know exactly when she had made the
momentous decision to branch out on her own, maybe it was the acrimonious
break-up with a long-standing partner of four years, the break-up which had made
her run back into the comfortable arms of her ever doting parents; she had even
moved back into their small house for Six months where she'd been cosseted and
cherished .........yes that was the reason why Jessica had decided to go solo,
she was being smothered by the unconditional love of her parents, they always
meant well but the time had come to branch out by herself!
During her lunch-break at Forest and Son, the
accounting firm where she was receptionist, Jessica had been perusing the local
newspaper when the advertisement had jumped out at her
"Two bedroom flat, some modernization required,
use of small garden"
Putting a pencil mark around the piece she had later
made an appointment to view, liked it, signed the papers and hey presto!
Locking up her trusty car, Jessica walked slowly
towards number three Rowland's Park. There were only Six flats built in what had
been a large Georgian House, it was still a really attractive building and she
had received good vibes when she had viewed what was now her new home...she
shivered a little and instinctively wrapped her leather jacket a little more
tightly around her slender frame as with quickening breath, Jessica turned the
key in the lock and pushed open the door.
The early morning sun poured in through the front
windows throwing a blanket of warmth into the little lounge and at the same time
making the wallpaper seem ever more hideous.
Jessica reminded herself that the redecoration of the
lounge would be the first job, the décor as a whole could wait until her bank
account grew a little and the little flat was structurally sound, but the blue
and purple geometrical wallpaper in the lounge would induce the worst of
migraine attacks from anyone unfortunate enough to view it!
All that had to be done now was a bit of unpacking.
Luckily enough the main bedroom had a large built in
cupboard with plenty of hanging space, as the flat had been empty for a while,
Jessica had been able to arrange for a few necessary items of furniture to be
installed prior to her moving in.
An hour later and all clothing having been stored,
Jessica made a start unpacking the saloon
'Kettle, kettle, where are you?' she said to herself,
feeling now a tremendous urge to drink at least a gallon of strong coffee!
Kettle at last located, Jessica settled herself on her
most expensive acquisition, a soft leather sofa...a ten- minute respite, then
back to the grindstone!
The rest of the day passed in a flurry of activity and
by late afternoon the little flat resembled something close to home, but there
was something amiss; it was so deathly silent.
The mini hi-fi system, so recently installed in it's
new shelving unit failed to lift the heavy silence.
Jessica supposed that she had got so used to the noise
that always filled her parent's home...the grand-children visiting, her brother
and his rowdy friends always dropping by, she had craved for a place of her own,
some peace and quiet, now she had it, damn! She supposed that she was probably
being a little hormonal and she sighed whilst resting her hands on her hips.
The early spring sun had begun its journey home by now
and shadows were beginning to form.
Jessica switched on the little brass reading lamp and
thumbed through a magazine, suddenly a loud thud startled her, leaping out of
the sofa she peered out of the window.
Her saloon had a companion alongside, a sporty looking
number that was making the rust on her wing stand out like a pimple.
There was no sign of its owner, although Jessica could
hear heavy footsteps above. It was now 5.pm the other inhabitants of Rowland's
Park were probably beginning to arrive home from their daily activities.
By early evening she had heard at least three more
people arrive home and in a peculiar way Jessica felt a little less stressed
now, basking in the knowledge that there were others in the building. This made
her feel comfortable, warm and settled.
She wasn't stupid; it would take time to adjust to a
new home and indeed, new neighbors...and judging by the hunk that she could see
climbing into the sporty little number, it was going to certainly be interesting
meeting the occupants.
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