Page 149 of The Diary of the Vam'pir Jacques

Before Jack could say another word, I left the pub and returned home.

The next day, I waited all morning for Eden to arrive and finally resigned myself that she wasn’t. At two o’clock, I was getting ready to visit Eden. Something told me there might have been trouble when a timid knock rapped on the door. Anxiously, I rushed and opened it, and Eden stood there in the pouring rain.

“Jack is working nights, so I couldn’t leave till he had,” Eden said as she walked in.

Relived Eden was safe, I led her into the living room and walked into the kitchen. Eden followed me out as I made coffee.

“I love your house. It feels… well, homely,” Eden finished inanely.

“The result took time. This is not my main home, I have many, but if I want to remain anonymous, this suits. Nobody would expect someone like me to reside here. Not in a terraced house in Dagenham. Here, I can relax, and I have to admit I am happy.”

“Somebody like you?” Eden questioned. “Oh, you own other properties?”

Eden was clearly thinking I dabbled in property. The truth was, I owned many houses around the world and rented them while I didn’t live in them. They might as well be useful.

“Quite a few. That’s where a lot of my money comes from. If I’m not using them, I rent them out.”

“You’re well off,” Eden said, and I nodded.

An awkward silence fell, and we sat staring at each other across the room.

“Jaq, I have never done anything like this before, and I don’t know why I’m doing this now,” Eden finally broke the quiet.

“There is something between us. Accept that. Eden, this is why you’re here. Don’t deny it.”

“I’m not, but I’m scared and confused.”

“Come and live with me. If you want to flee Dagenham, we can. We travel anywhere in the world.”

Eden stood up and paced the carpet.

“Jaq, I can’t just up and leave Jack. That’s not right.”

Prepared to fight for Eden, I rose to my feet. “Who cares what’s right or wrong? Eden, we are meant to be together.” I grabbed her arm gently, intending to pull her into my arms, and the response frightened me.

Eden hissed in pain and pulled away in fear. Belatedly, Eden tried to hide the spontaneous reaction, but it was too late. I’d witnessed it. Without a word, I pulled Eden back and rolled her shirtsleeve up. There was a huge bruise on her upper arm.

“How did you get this?” Stupid question; I already knew how Eden had received it.

“Fell…” Eden broke off at my glare and fumbled around. “It’s nothing to do with you.”

“No? The bastard’s beating you up.”

“Jack doesn’t mean it,” Eden cried.

“Why are you defending Jack?” I yelled. “There is no defence for this. I’ll kill him!”

“No!”

Eden gathered up her bag and coat and walked to the front door. Running after her, I cut Eden’s escape route off and slammed my hand against the door, holding it shut.

“This was a bad idea, Jacques. I must go.”

“Don’t,” I whispered in Eden’s ear.

Eden looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Where were you during my school days? I made my bed then, and now I have to lie in it.”

“No, you don’t. Leave Jack. Eden, I’ll give you the life you deserve. Divorce is not banned nowadays.”

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