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PLANE TO TUSCANY - 90 MINUTES LATER


JUSTIN


Dad’s right, I do have moments of inopportune firebranding! After I apologised, I was going to ask him about the silence comment but then saw the flash of pain in his eyes and realised that’s what they always would do to him! So when I said to him: I promise never ever to give you silent treatment again, the smile he gave me made my heart flutter. And when I kissed his hand, he looked so surprised by the gesture, I resolved to do it a lot more.


I felt more of an idiot, as I confessed, when I got back to my desk and realised that he was right about the shit brown; but hoped she’d like it. He just smirked and said nothing.


I reach for my notebook, ready to start the pitch board again, but then marvel at how sexy his walk is. Normally, I am either walking at his side or looking at his face in either love, lust or annoyance. So, to watch him almost prowl-glide down the aisle is like watching liquid caramel being poured onto ice cream, especially as people seem to part like the Red Sea to let him pass. As he nears our seats, I notice a sad looking steward staring at him, after a few seconds, I start to bridle at the hungry look on the guy’s face.


“Down.” He smiles. “As in I turned him and you need to calm. But it is nice to know that you are...proprietary of the Brand Kinney.”


“Arrogant nutter.” I reply, before glaring at the steward until he looks away. “Much better.” I mutter under my breath, then roll my eyes at his chuckle. “So, can we discuss the pitch again?” I ask, pen poised, but then he looks sheepish and a little nervous, I frown. “What?”


“They signed off on it on Monday, they picked one each.”


“They signed?” I repeat. “But we were on a VC with them and I bought the boards with me.”


“You put them in the trunk, but Ted took them out, which was why I was in charge of the trolley. I used your sulk to my advantage.”


“But those big board shape things you put in the hold what are they?”


“Canvasses. Blank ones. I thought you could paint. Also got paints, brushes and have points of interest.” I feel my heart pounding as realisation begins to dawn. “Blame Nonna, she insisted we still took her up on the offer and…”


“This is a holiday?” He nods going a wonderful shade of pink. “But I haven’t packed for a holiday!”


“You are with a consummate shopper, worry not, Tigger. Now…” He takes the two glasses of champagne from the female steward. “...shall we toast and relax?”


“Yeah, we should. I can’t believe...wait, how did you know which canvasses to get? I’m very part...I am going to kill my father!” I slump back against the seat.


“Again!” He laughs.


As I look out the window, after we clink glasses, I grin like an idiot and feel warm all over. Especially when he takes my hand in his and doesn’t let go until we have to eat.


MEL’S TEMP HOME - AN HOUR LATER


GUS’S ROOM


MEL


Ben and I exchange looks, but say nothing because Gus is still giggling.  “You should’ve sawed them, Momma! Daddy even checked behind to see if I was looking the second time! I like Jussin, I said to Daddy it’s because he can draw and he’s snuggly, but I like him because he makes Daddy happy too.”


“Anybody here?!” Carl’s voice booms up.


“Gus’s room!” Ben yells back, and Tyson glares at him as he was just dozing off. “Sorry, Ty.”


“Uncle Ben, you are so funny!” Gus laughs. “Oh, Grampy Carl, what do you have there?”


“It’s a present.” He smiles, putting down a beautifully wrapped box. “It’s for you and Jenny.”


“It is! Who is it from? Is she awake so we can open it?”


“Let me go and check.” I tell him, and am back swiftly because she heard the voice of her 3rd favourite man...Grampy Carl. And, as per usual, she reaches for him the moment she sees him. It is actually quite amusing to watch when all three of them are in the room. She goes from one to the other like a very cute pass the parcel! “Okay, budge up, Gus, so that she can get in. Do you want me to open it and you can both take out what’s in there?”


“Yes please!”

 

While Ben and I hold the box, he and Jenny pull it out. We all stare at a very large box of fur.

“Momma!” Gus squeals. “It’s the blankey! The blankey! Daddy said he would send one, and now he has!” He gets out of bed and attempts to open it but it’s much too big for him. “Unc...Uncle Ben, can you…” He puffs and gives up.


With a smile, he helps Jenny and Tyson off of the bed and opens up the most beautiful faux comforter I have ever seen. “Wow, he went all out for you, Gus! Now you must be a good boy and share with…”


“Momma, what does it say?!” He holds up a card and Ben takes it from him, and looks surprised. “Uncle Ben?” He huffs impatiently.


“It says: to Gus and Jenny, here is your special blankey. I hope you have lots of snuggly dreams and happy thoughts together. Love Jussin. PS - Daddy has one at his house and the other at his loft, so you will always be able to snuggle.


Gus’s eyes get huge and his mouth drops open for a few seconds. “Jussin? Jussin sent this to us?” We nod. “And he sent two to Daddy?” Again we nod, not quite understanding the significance of the blankets, let alone why there are two. “Then he must like him lots too, if he sent one to the loft and one to the house. Oh, it was so nice to snuggle and…”


“Uh Gus, buddy, can you stop a minute?” Ben asks and he nods still stroking the blanket. “I think you said house, what house?”


“Daddy’s house? He said it’s near our new house. He’s gots to talk to you about that, Momma. Jussin gets a room too, but he might have to speak to Jussin’s mommy about that instead.”


Ben, Carl and I exchange astonished and amused looks...all of us of the same thought, I want to be there when they find out about that!


CAR TO DE CAPIO VILLA, TUSCANY - EARLY EVENING


BRIAN


He had his dinner, another glass of champagne then pretty much passed out for the rest of the flight. He was almost catatonic when he got off the plane...which made guiding him to the car a very simple task. Luigi De Capio was there to greet us, which was a surprise and a relief as he took the trolley and I scooped Justin up, which made getting to the car a lot quicker. All he did was snuggle into my neck...I have never been snuggled so much...I like it!


I look across as he shifts in his seat. “Brian?” He mumbles before opening his eyes and looking sleepily confused.


“We’re in the car. Go back to sleep, we’ve got another hour’s drive at least.” He nods before shifting closer and resting his head on my shoulder, I press the intercom. “Luigi, Can you wake us when we get there?”


“Of course, Brian.” He calls back.


Within minutes I am asleep, smiling as I remember Gus’s words...he's right, he does snuffle in his sleep.


DINER - NIGHT SHIFT


DELORES


“He’s done what?” I gasp and immediately Kiki is over. Luckily it is virtually empty in here. She grins, but then pauses as the door opens and in walks Bart, the diners go quiet for a few long seconds before they resume their chatter.


I sigh as he makes his way over to the back booth with an almost pleasant expression on his face. “Can I help you?” I ask in the same tone as his expression, which throws him a little.


“Yes, as you know the Mother of Liberty Avenue is having a welcome back party, which Emmett is catering, to be held here. So I’m here to talk logistics.” He starts to sit down but I shake my head. “Why not?”


“You need to speak to the person organising the party, which is not me.”


“Ah, but you have the ear, as well as the key to Brian, we think it’s him. So, if you can…”


“What? Brian is not organising it. He’s in Tuscany.”


“He is paying for it.” He asserts smugly. “Like I said he is doing this for his Mother…”


“She’s your mother too. Shouldn’t you be paying your share towards it? Or are you going to pay Brian back like you always do?” Carl taunts him.


“As I was saying.” He sounds like he is chewing iron filings and glass. “The Mother of Liberty Avenue is being lauded for her continued support and love she has showed the people here, and they are obviously appreciative because they wouldn’t be throwing this party if they weren’t.”


“He is in Tuscany on a business trip he might not even be here for it, have you thought of that?” I point out enjoying needling him and as expected he gets mad.


“He better fucking be! After all we’ve done for him! If it wasn’t for me he’d have no mother at all! Carl, since you have Ben’s number, and since they are so buddy-buddy, tell him to call Brian! When that asshole calls him back, tell him to be here. Or like Ma said in the loft the last time; we will make what his father did seem like a walk in the fucking park!”


He storms out banging the door shut behind him.


“Did he really just say that?!” Kiki gasps. “Wait a second. Did she really say that?!”


“Yes.” I reply angrily. “She really did, and she really must have meant it for him to repeat it. Apple and tree and all that!”


“Carl, you’re not going to call Ben, are you?” Kiki asks worriedly. “Or even Brian, enough is…”


“Kiki, Brian will be here, it’s his duty to be here. You don’t…”


“Bullshit absolute bullshit! Enough is enough! I have Ben’s number, I shall call him and tell him to kidnap Brian if necessary! He’s not fucking showing up here on Friday night! No, they are not...!” She hiccups and then rushes out the back.


“Is everything alright Del?” Wolverine asks standing up looking concerned.


“Yes, Wolfy, everything is fine? You’re coming on Friday right, you got a very precious invite didn’t you?”


“Invite or summons?” He snorts. “Unfortunately, I will be unavoidably detained, you know, living my life.”


“Oh, please come. You’ll enjoy it, I promise you.” Sighing, he nods. “And anyone else that has been sum...invited has to come to, you must rally the troops! And I must rally Kiki!”


DINER POWDER ROOM - 2 MINUTES LATER


KIKI


I look like a mess! I wipe my eyes and sigh. The door opening brings in Delores with a cup of broffee, coffee with laced with a shitload of brandy, and hands it and my coat to me. “Drink that and go home. All will be well, I promise you. I promise you. Wolverine is going to take you home, okay?”


I follow her back to the booth and smile at the fact we all have broffee and retake my seat. “I can’t believe some twat is welcoming her back!” I grumble. “And that Emmett is catering it!”


“Liberty Avenue does have its own way of thinking doesn’t it, Del?” Carl smiles at her and she just nods and smiles back.


DE CAPIO VILLA - LATE EVENING


LOUNGE


BRIAN


I look up as I hear the padding of feet and the rumble of a hungry-grumbly, as Gus took to calling Justin’s stomach gurgles. This lead to Justin telling him about Winnie the Pooh, and his grumbly-tumbly, which he had never heard of. So after our walk and lunch, he read him the first few pages of the book, and he made him promise to read it to him again the next time they saw each other. Then made me promise to remind him that he promised!


“Hey, how’s the jet lag?” I look up and try not to laugh at his unruly mop as mine is sometimes worse!


“Much better. Did you sleep?” He flops down next to me has a good stretch and I catch sight of his flat and muscled stomach...how very nice!


“Yeah. This may be a silly question as your stomach answered it on the way to the sofa, but how about the wine, can you face that?”


“Definitely. What is that lovely smell?”


“According to the note here, Tuscan Style Spareribs.” I hand it to him and he chuckles. “I take it you forgive her for the ruse?”


“Of course.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. “You, on the other hand, are in a lot of trouble. Sweet, tender, slow and deep trouble.”


“But not tonight?” I turn to face him and capture his succulent mouth before he can answer.


“No, I want to be completely refreshed before I get exhausted.” He groans and I swallow hard. “So shall we...oh look at those!” He exclaims on seeing the glasses. “They are beautiful!”


“Not as beautiful as the ones you gave me, which are at the house by…”


“Yeah…” He smiles shyly. “...I noticed.” He picks up the glass and marvels at it. “Mosaic is beautiful. Shall I do food and you do wine?”



“Definitely not!” I leap up from the sofa and stand in front of the oven. “You do wine!”


“I don’t understand where you have this impression that I am a gannet from?” He gripes as he stuffs two devilled eggs in his mouth with barely a pause between each one. I watch him chew happily before he notices I haven’t spoken and am just gazing at him. “What?” He mumbles.


“You look like a chipmunk. Are they nice?”


“Yes and just for that I’m not sharing.” He declares starting to take the tray to the sofa.


“It’s okay, I’ll have the chocolate salami all to myself…” He stops, turns around and comes back to me. “Have you changed your mind? Feel like sharing?”


“Where is it?” He demands.


“It is for dessert…”


“Aha the fridge!” He exclaims and then looks around before turning his eyes pleadingly towards me. “Which one’s the fridge?”


“Not telling. It’s for dessert.”


“MAN!” He declares.


“Yes I am all man and still not telling you.” I smirk.


“I meant mean arrogant nutter.”


“How does that get you salami? Chocolate or otherwise.” He glares at me but me pulling him for a quick kiss has him smiling! Then we burst out laughing as his grumbly makes its presence loudly felt!


“Was it dark when we arrived?” He asks as we sit down at the table.


“Dusk to dark. So you will have to wait to see it tomorrow.”


He pauses in mid-eat and peers at me. “Has she sent you pictures already?”


“Nope. This is their family estate, which is why Luigi came to pick us up. Nobody but the family and esteemed guests stay here. Now come on, feed and then back to bed for you.” He looks surprised. “Oh, trust me, you are not sleeping alone, the reason I said back was because I slept on the sofa.”


“What a gent.” He smiles and we clink glasses in remembrance of the last time he was.


MICHAEL’S STORE - LATE MORNING, NEXT DAY


OFFICE


MICHAEL


“Anything? Anything at all?” I ask as I come back in again.


“Sweetheart.” Ma says tightly from behind me. “These things take time. Let him do his thing in peace and quiet.”


“But Ma, did you see how smug they looked when they were talking about the house on Sunday?”


“Michael, stop thinking about what they were doing, and go and work in your store. Hopper and I will deal with this.”


“Fine, but the moment you find something let me know!” I snap, and stalk passed her, I am about to say something else but the door is firmly shut.


HOPPER, STORE CLERK


“What is it he wants me to find again Mrs Novotny?”


“Oh, honey, I already told you to call me Debs, everyone does.” She smiles at me, but there is something off putting about it. “We're looking at houses in Franklin Place, we’ve found one, but my son lost the particulars, so we're going by sight.”


“Franklin Park is a nice area. How many rooms is it that should narrow the search down a bit?”


“Six and it looks like this.” She shows me her phone and I whistle. “Yeah, isn’t it wonderful?”


“Can you remember anything distinctive?” She frowns. “I mean about the area, is the house near schools for example?”


“Yes…” She’s interrupted by the door and Lindsay coming in.


“Michael said you are trying to find Mel’s house, anything?”


“No. But Hopper is working on it…”


“Good, now before you get caught up in that. You need to tell me, not Michael, about this party. I think I should host and you be the main attraction. But before all of that let’s get some food!”


“Great idea.” Michael comes in. “I know why don’t we order from Emmett and put it on the party tab. In fact, why don’t we see if...no tell Brian to add us to his account.” He looks cross. “That way we at least get better food. Surely he must have an account with him?”


“Even if he doesn't, suggest he gets one. But for now, Chopper can get the lunch. Now, what shall we order?” Lindsay waves me out of the chair and they switch to another site.


Half an hour later, I am heading to Fabulicious with a very uneasy feeling and seething as she keeps fucking calling me Chopper when she knows that’s not my name!


FABULICIOUS


DARREN


I look up as the door opens and see a young man come in with a piece of paper and a worried expression. “Can I help you?” I smile at him, and he smiles nervously back. “My name is Darren, do you have an order?”


“You’re not Emmett. I was told to speak to Emmett.” He says holding the paper closer.


“Okay, who told you to speak to Emmett?”


“Mrs…I mean Debs told me, said that he would know what to do with this.”


“And that would be what exactly?” Ems comes out having finished his call. “I am Emmett Honeycutt and you are?”


“Hopper. Hopper Jenkins, I work for her son, Michael, as the store clerk.”


“Nice to make your acquaintance. And what is this, is this additions to their party order?”


“Not exactly. This is their lunch order to be added to the bill for the party.” He rolls his eyes, which we both see him do...hmmm seems to be a problem.


“I see, may I have a look at it?” He hands it over to him and Ems gasps. “My that’s a lot of lunch to order before the party?”


“No that’s lunch today?” Hopper corrects him and again with the eye roll.


“Today, they want this today? How many people are they feeding?!” Ems exclaims handing over the paper to me and I can’t believe the amount of food.


“Just the three of them.” He sneers. “Chopper is still in his probationary period and we don’t want him to take benefits that aren’t due to him yet. Diner fayre for him for now. He has to also earn our trust and respect. Snotty assed bitch, my name is Hopper and I wouldn’t take anything from anybody without asking first.” He mutters to himself before realising and giving an embarrassed smile. “Sorry work issue.”


“Well…” Ems flicks me a quick wink. “...while Darren completes their order, why don’t you have a, now let me see here, oh, you definitely look like a mini brisket sandwich kind of guy, want one?” He pauses before nodding and looking blissfully happy as he eats it. “And maybe, oh how about the stuffed vine...no, no, I think not...aha the mandoo. Darren could you heat one up for him please? Actually, make it three, I’m feeling a little peckish…”


An hour later, we have sent him back to the den of incompetent iniquity and are absolutely fuming! Ems has closed so he can queen out properly, and now he is calm he places a call. “Hey, Del, it’s Ems. We’ve just had Hopper, Michael’s whipping boy in here. Now, I want to you to sit down and react calmly when I tell you, Hopper said that they are trying to find a house in Franklin Place. The Empress said that Bart, oh you should so not have told me you call him that, had lost the particulars. I have a horrible feeling that they are going to badger Brian into buying them a place and...he’s bought a place? For Mel! Oh those fuckers! The Leech said something about Mel’s house...so they are trying to find out where it is! Do you know where he is right now? I don’t want to disturb him in the middle of...Tuscany? On busi...with Justin! Oh my god! I will be right there!” He turns to me and I hand him his coat having put on mine. “Wh…”


“Move it! Gossip time a wasting!” I order and cackling, we almost sprint to the diner.


TAYLOR RESIDENCE - TWO HOURS LATER


LOUNGE


CRAIG


“In with the good air, out with the bad, in with the good air out with the bad.” I chant to an incandescent Jennifer. “Look, darling, don’t interfere with that. You know how what…”


“Canvasses, brushes and paints.” She takes another breath. “I was told to say that to you.”


“Ah, yes, that. Now remember your exercises.” I tell her, moving behind the sofa and to the left, she’s not good at throwing to her left!


“What have you done?” She demands, picking up one and checking for heftiness, before putting it down. She selects another one and then looks at me, swinging the cushion idly in her hand. “So, what have you done?”


“Now, Jennifer…”


“Why is my only son in Tuscany, and why did I find out from someone who isn’t him or you?”


“I may have helped Brian select some canvasses and artistic stuff for Justin so he could paint when he went to Tuscany with him.”


“You may have done what and not told me, his mother?!“


“What I just said.” I say slowly and I watch as a beatific smile comes across her face.


“Did you tell him where to take him...for painting, I mean? There were some beautiful places there.”


“Yes. And I told him about the restaurant and the bar and the….mmmmf!” I rub my nose once the cushion drops to the floor and glare at a smiling Jennifer.


“To the right. I can’t throw very well to my right.”


“I noticed.” I remark as I put the cushion back on the sofa.


DE CAPIO VILLA - TUESDAY MORNING


BRIAN


“Brian!!” He whines as I lead him blindfolded to the entrance.


“Only a couple more feet, Mr Sulkypants.” He pokes his tongue out, but lets me continue to lead him. “Okay, no, don’t turn around. Keep facing me and take off the blindfold without turning your head okay? You promise?”


“I promise, can I do it now?”


“Yes.” When he looks at me, I can tell he is getting impatient. “Okay, turn around but slowly.” I hear his gasp as he sees the statues, but it is when he sees the house that he cries out.


“Here?! We are staying here?!” He exclaims staring at it.


“Yep, beautiful isn’t it?” I wrap my arms around him and he sinks back against me.



“So, where are they?” He whispers, still taking it in. “The rest of the family I mean.”


“At the main house. This is just for us.” He slowly turns in my arms and loops his arms round my neck. “Happy?”


“Extremely.” He nibbles his lip. “Would you mind if…”


“Look to your left.” I smile down, and smile wider as he sees the canvas and easel. “I only positioned it. The supplies are in the small case in the bedroom.” I chuckle as he leaps away from me and runs down the path, then he runs back to plant a kiss on me then runs back into the house. I take my time following him, as I am surveying the gardens when a novel idea hits me… but we need to get the first round out of the delicious way before that!


MICHAEL’S STORE - AFTER LUNCH


OFFICE


LINDSAY


How can there be nothing of that house?! Unless, unless it isn’t in Franklin place like she said. I bet that’s why we can’t find it! I look up as Debs comes in with a file.


“Party things.” She explains, sitting down opposite with a frown, and then she sighs. “How can you work in this mess?”


“I know, I know. Oh, how about we make it a duty for Chopper that he has to clean up at the end of the day?” She smiles and nods. “In fact, he can start today, as in now. Michael is here. He can man the front and Chopper cleans up.”


“Why do you call him Chopper?” She gets up dusting off the back of her coat.


“It’s not his name and it annoys him. And that amuses me.” I laugh and go to give Chopper his latest orders. He is stacking comics while Michael watches. “I have something else for him to do.” I tell Michael.


“He can do whatever you want after he has done this.” He tells me. “No, you’ve done it wrong again. In chronological order means by issue.”


“It means by date.” All three of us correct him and he looks annoyed.


“It’s the same thing.” He retorts. “The issues come out in a certain month and…”


“Not necessarily…” Chopper interrupts. “...Mad Pat Parrish doesn't do that, they issue one and then do a prequel issue so…”


“Well apart from them.”


“And Boneshaker, Mystix, Captain Astro even did out of order for a few episodes...it was silly.”


“What was?” I ask enjoying Michael being bested at something as he claims to know all things comic.


“The flashback comics for Captain Astro as he didn’t have a heavy enough storyline, I was glad when they killed him off. But doing it like they did was pathetic.  But not as pathetic as some guy who apparently started a petition to bring him back.” Michael goes redder. “The guy isn’t real. Start a petition for something that matters. So what am I doing with this by date or by issue?”


“I think it would be best if you go with Lindsay and see what she wants you to do, Chopper.”


“Okay. Miguel will do.” He stops stacking and looks expectantly at me. “So Limahl what can I do for you?” My jaw drops. “I know your name and you know mine...so let’s use them shall we?”


“Now just…”


“Unless you want to do what you want me to do, as quite frankly…” He pauses before going to collect his jacket. “...I don’t need to work here.” There are a few seconds of tense silence before I nod and gesture at Michael and he too nods. “Great. Now what is it you wanted?”


“For you to clean the office. Now, Michael, don’t start.” I declare as he starts to object. “I can’t stand the disorder and mess. So, can you come and clean up?”


“Sure.” He smiles and follows me inside.


OFFICE


HOPPER


She is giving me instructions about cleaning, and I am keeping my expression neutral while imaging her slowly being stretched across a rack. Michael listens to her tell me what to do while staring at me in annoyance. He shuts the door hard and I poke my tongue out at it. Forty minutes later, the office is nice and tidy, I decide to start on the desk itself. I am making great progress when I stop as I can’t seem to shut one of the drawers, so I pull it out and a notebook falls out. I pick it up and start to read and start to feel so very sick! I head to the door and he’s serving a customer, I stick the book down the back of my pants and then head out.


“I’m going to lunch now.” I tell him and he just waves me out of the store, and the moment I am outside I pull out my phone and dial a number I have only just been given. “Hey Emmett it’s Hopper where are you?! Okay, can you close when I get there, I have found something but I am not sure what!”


DE CAPIO VILLA - SAME TIME


GARDEN


JUSTIN


I have got the outline of the house perfectly. I am just in my shorts but am squirming as he rubs suncream into my skin. “Can you please keep still?!” He exclaims, as once again I giggle and squirm away from his touch. “I don’t want you to get burned.”


“Then stop tickly wickling me!” I laugh and he stops and just stares. “What?”


“Gus says that, tickly wickly, God, I love that kid.” He sighs.


“Why don’t you call him?” I suggest and he takes the brush out of my hand and kisses me softly. “What was that for?”


“Because, and I can’t believe I am going to say this, but I think, no I know this is absolutely right to say…” He closes his eyes briefly before he looks at me. “...I love you. And I don’t expect you to say it back or anything, but I just know that’s how I feel. And I will never feel about anyone the way I feel about you.” He gives me another gentle kiss. “I’m going to call Gus. You carry on.”


As he walks to the house, I am just stunned, he...he loves me! Me! We haven’t even had sex yet! “I loved you the moment I saw you!” I yell. He stops and turns around before coming back rolling in his lips, he says nothing as he stands in front of me. “I saw you just after my interview, you were in the conference room practising for a pitch, and...wait a second.” He starts to smile. “You saw me?!”


“Yeah I saw you.” He wraps his arms around me. “You caused me to stop in mid flow because all I saw were big blue eyes and that truly hideous cardigan.”


“Which you murdered.” I smile up at him.


“Yeah, I did. You want to speak to Gus or stay and paint some more? If the answers the latter, you need to put on your tee, the sun is getting stronger.”


“Speak to Gus. It’s really getting too hot.” I murmur against his chest.


“Will that be okay?” He asks pointing to the easel and when I nod he steps back, takes my hand and leads me back into the house.


FABULICIOUS - TWENTY MINUTES LATER


EMMETT


I am reading. I am sickened but I keep reading. “Darren, I want you to go and get Del and tell her to call Carl. Now! Tell her it’s an emergency and I am not fucking kidding.” I growl, he grabs his jacket and is gone in a flash.


“Who are Del and Carl?” Hopper asks.


“Del is the lady that runs the Diner. Carl is her boyfriend and also a very good friend of the guy in here.” I tap the notebook and my heart breaks as I try to understand just what the fuck he has done. “Do you need to get back?” He nods. “Then do so. Thank you for bringing me this. Thank you.”


“Has he done what…”


“Yes, yes he has.”


“How can he look at himself in the mirror?”


“A vampire doesn’t have a reflection.” I reply and look up as the door opens bringing in Del and Darren.


“What the fuck is going on?!” Del demands.


“Sit down sweetie…” I start to cry and hand her the book. “...this is horrible.”


DE CAPIO VILLA - TWENTY MINUTES LATER


LOUNGE


BRIAN


We have just finished speaking to Gus, and I am looking at a pink cheeked Justin. “So, um, blankeys?” I tease him, and he goes pinker. “Thank you. For all three of them. Mel said he keeps dragging it from room to room. It’s been less than a day, where they go the blankey goes. So, either you tell me where you got it from or I have to buy my son a blankey he won’t be happy with…”


“Take me to bed.” Justin interrupts standing up and holding out his hand.  “Please take me to bed.”














http://people.com/food/lidia-bastianich-italian-deviled-eggs-recipe/

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/tuscan-style-spareribs-with-balsamic-glaze

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/10396/bistecca-alla-fiorentina--tuscan-steak-.aspx

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-salame

 

Chapter End Notes:

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