Chapter Three

"Something about this place just gives me the creeps." Edward said with a quiver. He was busy with the electrical installations.

  "You and your wild imaginations." Nelly ridiculed.

  "No honestly, you should have seen the bloodstains, they were everywhere." Alex who busied himself with the furniture put in. "Makes me feel like this place was some kind of slaughter house."

  "Good thing you painted it. But still, couldn't you guys have found somewhere else - somewhere more 'public'?"

  "Don't blame me Nelly, it was all Trice's idea."

  "That wife of yours," Nelly remarked. "I'd be damned if I couldn't do a better job."

  "Easy vixen," Edward teased. "No one's turn is ever too far away, especially if you're looking in the right direction, right?"

  "Hey guys, I baked some snacks!" Beatrice announced as she joined the trio in the sitting room. She put down the tray containing biscuits on the table and took of her mittens.                "Turns out the oven and gas still works, nice job Edward."

  "Right on time," Edward said, leaping over a chair to get the first bite. "I'm hungry."

  "You're always hungry." Nelly commented, throwing them into laughter.

  "Guilty as charged!" He agreed with raised hands.

  "Where is Anna?" Alex asked his wife.

  "Playing outside, seems she's enjoying the place." Beatrice smirked.

  "Of course you brainwashed her, but why wouldn't you?"

  "Hey love folks, what happened to the little angel?" Edward asked the couple in between munches.

  "What do you mean?" Beatrice asked,  as she made to hang the family photo on the wall.

  "I mean, I saw her limping earlier."

   Alex and Beatrice turned to each other with puzzled faces.

  "Yeah, I think I noticed it too Alex." Nelly put in.

  "That's not possible."

  "Trice is right,  Anna bruised her toe yesterday, but she's okay now."

  "Yeah, I never saw her limp back at the old house."

  "Well it's either you both had it intense last night, " Edward began.

  "Oh please." Nelly rolled her eyes.

  "Or, you certainly need to get yourselves glasses."

  "Call her." Alex said to his wife.

  "Anna!"

   No response.

  "Anna!"

  "I thought you said she was outside?"