JOSS

Xander's request I take Vee away for a few hours surprised me. Why isn't he in full-blown control mode? Then, I sensed why. Xander’s fear he's losing control of the situation increased yesterday, and he doesn't want Vee to see or sense his worry. What the hell is with him and Vee? Sure, I understand why they butt heads, but we need to knit tighter. I spoke to Xander about this the other day, but he walked away from the conversation the moment I hit close to the truth.

Hell, I'm happy to share with Vee how I feel. What's the point in throwing up emotional roadblocks that don't need to be there? But Xander is Xander, and he behaves like this to all of us, not just Vee.

I enjoy walking on the Ridgeway, the ancient road that crosses the hills. The long track attracts many visitors as well as locals. The walk stretches miles, as far as Glastonbury, and has connections to ley lines. Perhaps my energy's related in some way, and that’s the draw for me. All I know is I'm infused with calm when I choose to visit here.

The bright day draws hikers, some with dogs charging back and forth. A couple walk towards us, and their brown and white Collie halts as it approaches us, switching from an enthusiastic welcome to wariness. Animals don't like me and the guys much, as if they sense we’re not mortal. Vee bends down to pat the dog’s head, but the dog scampers away, tail between its legs. Vee's face falls.

"Is that because of what I am?" she asks. "I never had problems with animals before."

I wrap an arm around her shoulders, hoping to stop the rising distress. "You're more Truth and less Vee, remember?"

"And part of you all." She sighs. "Do you think that's why Bacon left me?"

I bite back a smile at the name, but she's upset. I stop and turn Vee to face me. Vee's eyes don’t often moisten with tears, but the hurt is clear. I hold her cheeks, and she flinches at the coldness.

"No. He didn’t leave. He just had a few other homes and didn’t always stay at yours. Don't cats visit other homes for food if people living there feed them?"

"I guess." Her doubt remains. "I miss him."

A tear escapes and she quickly swipes it away. Of everything that's happened, this is what makes Vee cry? I pull her close, and her face squashes against my thick coat. Vee slides arms around my waist, and we stand for a few moments in the silence surrounding.

Eventually Vee pulls away and looks up. She tiptoes to place her lips on mine, red cheeked, but tears gone. "I love how you are, Joss."

I rub my nose against Vee's. "And I just love everything about you. You’re an amazing and strong person.”

My heart thumps against my chest as we connect in our own reality for a few moments, where we forget the others and it's Joss and Vee. I'm happy Vee understands that even though the five of us are one, each of us offers her something different. For now, Vee craves gentle affection and I'm okay with that. Jealousy edged in when I discovered she'd had sex with Heath and possibly Ewan, but when she chooses to, I’ll show the passion I hold for this amazing girl.

Vee winds her hands into my hair, and her cool mouth meets mine again. We kiss the way we did before, and she still tastes like heaven and chocolate cake rolled into one.

* * *

My car waits beneath a leafless beech tree at the far end of the car park, and we crunch through the leaves tired but happy. Another couple pass by with a nod and greeting, and head towards their Range Rover. A guy rests on a white hatchback’s bonnet nearby, studying his phone and looking around as if waiting for somebody. An older man, alone with a dog walks to a beaten up Ford close to us.

I unlock the car and Vee pauses. She approaches and winds her arms around my waist again, placing her lips to my ear. "I've seen him before."

Instead of looking, I nuzzle her lemon-scented hair. "Which man? The older guy?"

"No. The younger one sitting on the car. At least, I think I do. He's hidden under a hoodie, but I swear I saw that car before."

Leaning against my car, I pull Vee closer and glance over at the guy while my face is obscured. "Where?"

"Yesterday, at the car park. Don't you remember?"

I tense, and clutch her coat. "The car Xander chased?"

"Yes! Can't you see it's the same?"

"Get in the car," I whisper and open the door.

Once in myself, I position the rear-view mirror to watch him. Is it the same car? It could be, but the make and model are common. I memorise the number plate to compare to a photo Xander took yesterday. If this is the same person, surely he wouldn’t be dumb enough to follow us.

I can't see what he looks like beneath the hood. Are we on alert and reading too much into this?

"Maybe. He's not paying any attention to us. If it were him, he'd run like last time," I say. “I can’t tell from this position, but there might be another person in the car.”

Vee rubs her cold hands together. "Can we go home? Suddenly I don't feel relaxed anymore."

As we leave the car park, I attempt another look at the guy, but he's still hidden. I don't want to say anything to Vee, but something doesn't feel good.

* * *

JOSS

My morning relaxation dissipates further the moment I walk back into the house carrying the coffee machine.

Tension.

In the lounge, Ewan's watching TV, stretched out with his legs draped over the end of the sofa.

"Did you find anything while we were out?" I ask Ewan.

"Not on the creatures, but we have found more on the victim. No next of kin, but we have his address. I searched, and John shared a house with two others—a guy and a girl. Xander wants to head over and talk to them."

"Today?"

"You know Xander, no time like the present."

Vee rubs her hands together and blows on them. "Where've you two been?" Ewan asks. "It doesn't take that long to buy a coffee machine."

"For a walk," says Vee. "But it's bloody cold!" She places her hands on Ewan's cheeks, and he swears at her and grabs them. She chuckles. "Hey, at least I put my hands on your cheeks and not your body."

Vee drops onto the sofa next to Ewan and attempts to dig her hands beneath his shirt. They tussle for a moment, Ewan not winning as easily as I'd expect, but he manages to keep her hands away from his skin.

I cross my arms as I watch them. Should I be jealous that I spent a morning with Vee and now she's back and paying attention to Ewan? Maybe, but I filled her with this happiness and wiped away some of her dark clouds. Only I can manage that. Together, we recharged and brought some calm into a fractured household.

"Hey, man. I was having my Vee time!" I say, tongue in cheek.

Vee looks over. "Sorry, Joss."

"Don't be, I made you smile today. Not in the same way Ewan did the other night, but maybe next time?"

Vee pokes her tongue out, and I can't resist heading over and planting another kiss on her mouth. Ewan's arms wrap around her waist, and I sense something else happening here. Vee's infusing some of her own happiness into him, because I haven't seen him smile recently. I guess he needs some attention after yesterday; dying isn’t an uplifting occasion.

"I'd better ask General Xander for an update and let him know what we saw." Vee chuckles at my statement and lifts her head so I can kiss her once more.

As I walk away, images of my hands on her instead of Ewan's follow.

Ah well, maybe next time.