Part One
Carla turned into the High Street, hoping there would be a parking space and she would not have to go around the block again. She felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Her new house was finally ready and she was desperate to see it. Also, with so much unpacking ahead of her, she was eager to make a start as soon as possible. Fortunately for her the roads were empty at that time, so it was easy to park right outside the Estate Agents. As she turned the engine off and prepared to get out she noticed the shop next door with its bright yellow sign. It was called "Sweet Dreams." She could see a tall man moving around inside, before he eventually disappeared into the back of the shop.
It was one of those modern health shops, promising massage, hypnotherapy and something called life counselling. Whatever that was! Although, judging by its lush interior, whatever it did it was successful at it. Carla was intrigued, so she wandered over to the window and looked in. For a moment, all that she needed to do that day was forgotten. In the window were displays of crystals and other health-giving artefacts, all promising a healthy life! Carla smiled at the idea. She thought that all that stuff was complete rubbish. The man inside reappeared immediately looking in her direction. He appeared to be staring so Carla moved hastily away. The last thing she wanted to do was to get into a conversation with some spiritual hippy, desperate for new business or as she saw it a new victim.
As she moved away, she heard a noise behind her; the man must have come out of the shop! There was a jangle of keys as though he was locking up. She dived into the Estate Agents forcing herself not to look back. Once inside she realised he had not been interested in her at all. He had jumped into the car parked behind hers and roared off. Behind her the owner of the Estate Agency cursed and muttered that, "one-day he will kill someone driving like that." Carla took a step towards the window, but the car had already gone out of sight. She suppressed the urge to comment or ask questions, it was already gone eleven o'clock, she had to get on.
Carla turned and was surprised to see the two women working in the Estate Agents had necklaces like the ones in the shop next door. They are lovely she thought. Now smiling she held out the keys to the rental apartment. Once again she reminded herself she was running late.
Carla only every sung when she was in a good mood and driving along she felt very happy. For the thousandth time since Mike had put it on her finger she glanced at her shiny wedding ring and broke into a broad smile. The handover at the estate agency was done and she was on route to her new house at last. She turned onto the rough path that led to it, eventually parking outside the row of brightly coloured cottages, one of which was to be her new home.
The removal men smiled to each other at the long-legged and curvy girl, who had just got out of the sports car, but Carla ignored them staring at her. She was used to such attention and although she hated it, she preferred to ignore it. She put her hand up to shade her eyes, and spun through three hundred and sixty degrees, taking in the wonderful view.
The surroundings looked glorious in the bright sunlight. The cottages nestled under a hillside and above was a big house with a church beside it. From a window of the big house she spotted something shining back at her. She guessed it was sunlight reflecting on glass and wondered what it was. She stood looking at the glinting light for a while; this gave the removal men a long time to admire her.
One of the men whispered in his mate's ear.
"I could do wondrous things with those legs matey, and just look at those tits. A handful there and no mistake." His mate laughed at the usual banter they shared, quickly falling silent and returning to work when they saw Mike was approaching.
Carla ran into Mike's arms and he spun her round laughing. As he held her, he kissed her briefly on the lips.
"You made it." He said releasing her. "We have got a few more things to take inside and then we will make a start on sorting the house out."
It was a wonderful sunny day. The row of cottages looked great and one was now her home, hers and Mikes. That idea was going to take some getting used to. Carla could not stop smiling at the thought; this was going to be an amazing place to live. Nearby the removal men were almost finished unloading. It was exciting to think after all the chaos of the last few days, that Mike and her would finally be left alone. Carla with a sigh tore herself away from the view and headed into the cottage. If nothing else it would be good to have the bedroom habitable for their first night, in their new home. She wanted to christen the new bed properly. She giggled at the idea; it was great being a newlywed!
On the hill, in the big house, Edmon took his eye away from the telescope that had been focussed on Carla since she had arrived. It was a real bonus that she had worn shorts and a tee shirt, but the view had been all too brief. He was disappointed she had gone inside so quickly, but he had enjoyed scrutinising her whole body through the lens. Edmon had smiled as he studied every inch of her figure and face. She would do very nicely, very nicely indeed. In his hand, he played with one of the necklaces from the shop. He had been impressed the moment he saw her photograph, but he always had a slight anxiety till he saw the new recruits in the flesh.
Mike and Carla spent the day working through the unpacking; a couple of times the doorbell rang as neighbours from the other cottages dropped by. Carla greeted each one. She soon realised that Mike and her were going to be the odd ones out. For the other cottages seemed to have only single occupants. One by one they appeared, attractive young women, bearing flowers or cakes, generous gifts for the new neighbours. The kitchen was well stocked with treats by the end of the day and there were flowers in all the downstairs rooms. As Carla closed the door on the last one she realised that each lady had been wearing a necklace from the shop in the High Street. Wow thought Carla they are into this mystic crap around here.
They both worked hard and together they made good progress with the unpacking. They had just finished a hastily put together dinner when there was yet another knock on the door. Carla opened the door to find a man standing on the doorstep who introduced himself as Edmon. He had brought no gifts though. Carla was barely registering any of that, as she found herself suddenly unable to speak or move.
Edmon was staring deeply into her eyes. His eyes were the deepest colour of blue she had ever seen and it gave them a hypnotic feel. Carla felt like he was inside her head and now knew exactly what she was thinking. He has what they call, "Jesus eyes," she found herself thinking.
He passed a few pleasantries with them. Explaining he owned the new health shop in the town.
