Vesta Mansion: Book One - The Power Inside

by P. A. Priddey

  Amy’s eyes grew big. ‘There are stables here, and we’d be in charge of them?’

  Alex smiled. ‘It means you’ve have to order the food and whatever else it takes to run one.’

  ‘We’d love to,’ she said. ‘I’m Amy Andrews and this is Lucy Lodi.’

  Adhara’s eyes grew big again. ‘We have stables, Papa?’

  ‘Yeah, we do.’

  Sarin’s face lit up. ‘Do I have a horse, too?’

  ‘You have one each.’

  ‘You’ve forgotten Asima and Blaze,’ said Sally.

  Alex looked at Asima who gave him an uncertain look. ‘She already has a job as the children’s protector, and will carry on as long as she’s happy to do so.’

  Asima smiled. ‘I’d be honoured to continue.’

  ‘Isn’t that your job?’ Paige grunted.

  ‘True, but you can’t get enough help and Asima is special.’

  The other women looked at her; she was their new friend, a tall beautiful black woman, with some presence about her.

  ‘This is all well and good, but I’m sorry I really don’t think I could work for you,’ said Paige, sounding more than angry with Alex.

  ‘You won’t be working for me as I won’t be in charge . . . Blaze will be.’

  Blaze looked stunned. ‘What me? I wouldn’t know how to run this place.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll find it quite easy, and the others trust you.’

  ‘And it means you get to live with us,’ said Sarin, putting her arms around her waist.

  Blaze stroked Sarin’s hair and smiled. ‘Well then little one, I have no choice.’

  ‘If Blaze is in charge we didn’t need to give you our names,’ said Michelle.

  ‘I knew most of your first names anyway,’ said Alex. ‘But at least I know who the rest of you are.’

  ‘How much are you going to pay us?’ said Carrie cheerfully.

  ‘Ask Blaze, she’s in charge.’

  ‘One question,’ said Claire. ‘Where are the washing machines?’

  Alex realised he had forgotten about those. ‘That’s what the room next to the salon is for, and I guess you had better order some machines and big ones.’

  ‘Why didn’t you let Blaze choose a room?’ said Paige.

  ‘That room is a little different to the others, as she’s in charge.’

  Blaze raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you going to let me see it?’

  ‘Of course, dear lady.’ Alex took her arm, and led her to the room next to the office.

  ‘You put me downstairs,’ she said, somewhat surprised.

  ‘It was the only place to put this room, but if you don’t like it you can always have one upstairs.’ He opened the door.

  Blaze stood, shocked. ‘Oh my, oh my, I love it,’ she said, and embraced him.

  The children ran into the room. ‘Wow, Papa,’ said Adhara.

  The others came over and Alex heard a few gasps. It wasn’t the most spectacular room of the mansion by far. It was almost an exact replica of Blaze’s living room, without her personal items and a larger television. At the far end was a door which led to her bedroom.

  ‘You conniving, sneaky, shit,’ said Claire, and burst out laughing.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ said Sally.

  ‘We’ve been set up. It was his plan all along to get us working here . . . it’s brilliant . . . I love it.’

  Michelle arched both brows. ‘Is this true?’

  Alex couldn’t hide is guilt. ‘I’m afraid so,’ he confessed.

  ‘But why? And why us?’ said Summer. ‘You could get anyone to work here.’

  ‘A few reasons, one is that the children love you, another is Blaze and I didn’t want to take the girls away from her.’

  ‘But you don’t really know us,’ said Livvy. ‘You must have known some of us had ill feelings towards you, and I was one of them.’

  Alex smiled softly. ‘I can live with it, as you’re the only ones I could trust.’

  Claire leant on the door frame. ‘You trust us? And you’re OK with a bunch of mad lesbians in your home?’

  ‘Actually I’m very OK with it, but my feelings don’t count, they never have,’ said Alex, and there was silence with everyone looking at him. He felt two little hands grab his.

  ‘Papa,’ they both said, and he picked up his daughters.

  ‘It’s all about these two, and I’d do anything for them.’

  Paige stared at him, she didn’t look angry any more.

  Carrie stared with her eyes filling up.

  ‘I’m sure you’re supposed to be celebrating a wedding and getting drunk,’ said Alex, breaking the silence as he put his girls down.

  They all agreed, and most of them walked to the party room. Carrie decided to give him another hug and kiss his cheek, just to thank him for the job, of course.

  Paige sat on a sofa and Alex joined her.

  ‘For years I was worried sick,’ she said. ‘I was so empty when you left, and now I find you here in this mansion with more money than sense.’

  ‘You believe I left because of money and to live the high life?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, giving him a scolding look. ‘And I would’ve been happy if you’d been honest with me instead of telling me lies in a letter. How did you think it would make me feel?’

  ‘Probably as crap as I felt when I wrote the damn thing.’

  ‘But you did write it, and then you left.’

  ‘I had to tell you something even if it was a lie,’ Alex sighed, not knowing what to do and leant forward with his chin resting on his hands.

  ‘Why would you need to lie to me in a letter, and not to my face?’ said Paige, more sad than angry.

  ‘I couldn’t have lied to you in person, and even if I tried would you have let me go?’

  ‘Not at first, but if I knew you were going to become some rich lord I’d have accepted it.’

  ‘If that was the reason I’d have dragged you along with me. I moved into a one-bedroom-flat and found a job answering the phone in a complaints department to pay the rent.’

  ‘That makes no sense at all, and I still would’ve come with you?’

  Alex shook his head. ‘No, you couldn’t, I had to get away as I loved you too much to stay.’

  ‘That makes even less sense,’ said Paige, a little agitated.

  ‘It will when I tell you why one day, but not yet,’ he said, he wanted to tell her but knew she wouldn’t believe it.

  ‘Why can’t you tell me now? Don’t you owe me that much?’

  ‘Yeah, and more, but it would sound ridiculous at the moment, just give me time.’

  ‘You’ve had over five years,’ said Paige, starting to get angry again. ‘Did you ever think about me on your nights out?’

  ‘I never went out once, never made any friends. I always thought about you, and tried to forget by drinking stupid amounts of whisky.’

  Paige swallowed a lump in her throat. ‘You tried to forget me?’

  ‘The pain was unbearable, you were my best friend and I missed you. I’ll understand if you never forgive me, but please don’t hate me.’ His five years alone with only the odd visits to see his mother and brother was hard to think about even now.

  Paige took Alex’s hand in hers. ‘I don’t hate you, and have already forgiven you.’

  Alex lifted his head and looked at her. ‘Why forgive me so quickly?’

  ‘I just needed to know you still cared.’

  ‘I’ve never stopped caring, but I couldn’t do anything about it until a few months ago.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘My daughters, then I woke up one morning able to walk, and found out I was a wealthy man.’

  ‘Are you going to elaborate on that?’

  ‘Yeah, but not tonight as your friends are waiting for you, and I believe there’s some kind of party going on.’

  ‘I best go in there, and you, too.’

  ‘I’ll join you in a minute,’ said Alex, as Paige
kissed his cheek before she joined everyone else in the party room.

  Well you showed me, said House.

  How do you mean? Alex asked.

  You managed to get them to work here when I didn’t think they would.

  This amazing place helped, I really didn’t do anything.

  You designed it with them in mind.

  True, so what’s their mood like?

  Everyone is happy.

  Alex walked into the party room. Good.

  The music was playing from a music system. Alex had one of the workers set it up via a computer. He had no idea how it worked, but Michelle appeared to have nailed it. He walked over to the bar. ‘Pint of your finest please.’

  ‘What’s going on?’ said James. ‘There’s a lot of chatter amongst the women, and I only left you for a few minutes.’

  ‘Let’s just say the wage bills got a lot bigger.’

  George passed him a pint of lager. ‘You started hiring?’

  Alex nodded before taking a long drink, he didn’t need the alcohol but his throat had gone dry. ‘Started and finished.’

  George smiled. ‘You don’t mess about do you? How many of the women are going to work here?’

  ‘All of them.’

  ‘How on earth did you manage to persuade them?’ said James.

  ‘I didn’t . . . they offered.’

  ‘I owe you an apology,’ said George. ‘I thought you went over the top with the mansion, but now it all makes sense.’

  James looked like he just realised something. ‘You planned to get the women here all along, I’m impressed.’

  ‘So am I,’ said Blaze, as she approached them. ‘And you made it look like it was our idea.’

  Alex put his glass on the bar. ‘I know it was sneaky, but I did it for you too, and I had a feeling they might have said no if I asked.’

  ‘I know, and I’ll be forever grateful.’

  ‘They won’t change their minds will they?’ said James.

  Blaze shook her head. ‘Not a chance; Alex was far too clever in giving some of them certain jobs.’

  James nodded. ‘The kitchen was a masterstroke, I saw Summer’s face and she wanted to cook there and then.’

  ‘Some of them haven’t had much of a chance in life,’ said Blaze. ‘And you put them in charge of the gardens and stables.’

  ‘And you in charge of the mansion,’ said Alex.

  James sat on a bar stool. ‘You had all this planned and never said a word.’

  Alex shook his head. ‘No, I couldn’t, they’re your friends. I didn’t want to put you in a position where you might have to lie to them, and I didn’t want to look silly if they decided otherwise.’

  ‘We still might,’ said Claire. ‘Can I have two white wines please?’

  ‘You will let Livvy and Donna design my garden first?’

  ‘That was crafty as they’re really excited about getting started, so we might help you out for a couple of weeks.’

  ‘That’s decent of you,’ said Alex, as Livvy and Donna approached him.

  Livvy, now looking shy with no hint of the bitterness she had earlier. ‘Is there anywhere to smoke?’

  ‘I never thought about that. There are doors behind those curtains which take you outside, and don’t worry if you see anything as the deer and wolves are out there.’

  Livvy did look worried. ‘Wolves . . . ?’

  ‘Yeah, but they’re friendly, come on, I’ll go out there with you.’ He walked over and opened the curtains and doors, the two young women followed him.

  ‘Are those the deer? Won’t the music disturb them?’ said Donna, as she looked at shapes not too far away.

  ‘Yes, but they’re not asleep so don’t worry about the music.’

  Livvy looked around in the darkness. ‘Where are the wolves?’

  Alex pointed towards the sheds. ‘In one of those small buildings.’

  ‘Are you sure it’s safe with them there?’

  ‘Would the deer be standing this close if they weren’t? You’ll be fine.’

  Livvy smiled. ‘Thank you.’

  Alex liked the smile. ‘What for?’

  ‘Giving us a job, and one we love doing.’

  ‘You could have had one of the cleaning jobs, but I had a feeling you prefer the outdoors more and you’re going to make my garden look lovely.’

  Smoking is not good, said House.

  I know, I used to do it myself, said Alex. But my body’s been cleansed, and I don’t have the craving for it anymore?

  I have started removing the bad stuff from their bodies. It will be a slow process, but they will not feel the need to smoke within a week.

  You can do it just like that?

  I remember being a healer a long time ago.

  Alex stepped back inside and the women were a lot friendlier than when he first met them. Paige and Claire walked over to him.

  ‘I never thanked you,’ said Paige.

  ‘What for?’

  ‘We’re married because of you.’

  ‘No, you’re married because you love each other.’

  ‘We called it off and you decided to put it back on.’

  ‘You’re not upset I had ulterior motives?’

  ‘No, we’ve had a great day, and now we have a new home with all our friends.’

  Claire grinned. ‘What would you have done if we didn’t wanna work here?’

  ‘Panicked.’

  * * *

  ‘I reckon this could be fun,’ said Michelle, sat at one of the tables near the stage.

  ‘You could be right I guess,’ said Carrie, feeling nervous. She couldn’t help touching Alex if he was near, and now she was at a party with him in his mansion.

  ‘What do you think of Alex?’

  Carrie stared at her glass, not wanting to make eye contact with her friends. ‘I quite like him, he seems nice.’

  ‘That’s a silly question,’ said Skye. ‘Cas was holding his hand.’

  Carrie felt embarrassed. ‘I wanted him to show me around the place.’

  Michelle shook her empty glass. ‘Well, drink up I’m going to the bar.’

  ‘I’m OK for a bit,’ said Carrie. No way am I getting drunk tonight, she thought. I’ll end up getting in his bed, which would ruin everything.

  ‘It’s unlike you to refuse a drink.’

  Carrie stuck her tongue out. ‘It’s unlike you to offer . . . oh wait . . . it’s a free bar.’

  ‘Ha-ha bitch.’

  ‘I’m only teasing.’

  ‘So,’ said Skye. What’s this thing with him and Paige?’

  Michelle leant forward. ‘Claire told me they had known each other since junior school, and Paige loved him.’

  Carrie felt her stomach double up. ‘Did he love her, too?’

  ‘Oh yeah, it was mutual, well it was until he disappeared five years ago.’

  ‘Doesn’t it bother Claire?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ said Michelle, as she stood. ‘They loved each other as friends, nothing more.’

  ‘It would be nice to have a friend like that . . . I’ll have that drink after all.’

  ‘What about Asima?’ said Skye. ‘What did he mean she was special?’ The women would never normally talk about each other, but there were revelations tonight and they wanted to know.

  ‘You don’t think they’re together, do you?’ said Carrie. She was angry with herself for saying it, and at the stupid thoughts which kept jumping into her head.

  ‘What you like, Cas?’ said Summer. ‘One minute you think he’s the devil, and the next you’re hugging him.’

  ‘I’m just being nosey, I still like him,’ she said. But for how long will I like him for? She thought.

  ‘Well, they’re not together, but there’s some kind of link between Asima and his children, and he trusts her to look after them.’

  ‘But why special?’

  Summer shrugged. ‘Dunno, but would you mess with her?’

  ‘That’s true.’ Carr
ie felt more at ease, and then he walked over as if he owned the place.

  * * *

  Alex approached their table. ‘Hey.’ He told himself he would keep away, but wanted to see her again.

  ‘Hello, Lord Alex,’ said Skye.

  ‘Please don’t call me that, I’m no lord, I’d rather you call me, Shit-head.’

  ‘Hello, Lord Shit-head,’ said Carrie.

  ‘Thanks, but I’m sure that’s defeating the object.’

  ‘I’m only teasing, come and sit down,’ she said, and moved over for him.

  Alex didn’t need any second invitation, and sat next to her. ‘I just wanted to tell you I’m not always playing games.’

  ‘That’s a shame . . . your last one was fun.’

  ‘Blaze’s room is amazing,’ said Summer.

  ‘I know she loved her house and hoped the room would be a comfort for her.’

  ‘Yes, but not as much as your children, they’re special to her.’

  ‘I know, and it hurt me to think of what she was going through, knowing I was going to take the girls away.’

  Carrie grabbed his hand. ‘Do you ever do anything for yourself, and not just for others?’

  ‘It’s not completely selfless, just look at my girls and how happy they are, and I have a lovely bunch of people looking after the mansion,’ he said. And you should stop holding my hand, you don’t know what it does to me, he thought. But had no intentions of moving his own.

  Carrie did remove her hand to accept a drink off Michelle. ‘I reckon you were too quick handing out jobs here, as I’ll be doing bugger all most of the time.’

  ‘Join the club,’ said Alex, and turned his gaze to Summer. ‘Sorry, but I’ve a feeling you’ll be one of the busiest here.’

  ‘Probably, but I’m happy with it, as I love what I do.’

  Carrie smiled. ‘I’ll be sitting on my arse most of the time.’

  But it’s such a nice one, he thought. ‘It’s why I put the other rooms in here, so you don’t get bored.’

  ‘You’ll pay me if I’m in the cinema or swimming?’

  ‘If you’ve nothing else to do,’ he said. I’ll pay you double for swimming, he happily thought.

  Alex spent the next few hours chatting to his new housemates, and his girls, who thought he was the cleverest papa in the world. He realised he wasn’t going to bed early. House, do you get tired?