Mystery's Alpha

Unexpected Meetings

Driving into town turned out to be more like driving into a large village. All the basic conveniences of a village were there: pub, a small chemist, a fish and chip shop, cafe, a small Co-Op as well as a couple of odd, small shops. There didn't seem to be a library or a bank but around a bend Mystery came across a sign to a car park. Reversing her van into a tight space she looked across the street to an old building with a sign for a doctor's surgery.

Mystery found a small walkway that led her onto a sweet little bridge over a narrow stream. She realised that the building to her left had once been a mill. As she headed towards the end of the short passage, a bakery window led her round to the front of the cafe that she had seen on the main road - where she came to an abrupt stop.

Sitting right in front of the cafe pavement was the beautiful Aston Martin. Drew was here, but hopefully not in the bakery. Despite this thought, walking through the door, with its bell ringing overhead, she looked around the room for him. There he was, dead centre of the room. Smiling right at her.

Drew indicated the seat on the opposite side of the table. With a sigh, but a feeling of warmth within her, she wound around a couple of tables and sat down opposite him.

"How does this work then?" She spoke in her usual blunt manner, dropping down into the seat in front of him, arms aggressively crossed.

Drew studied her for a minute, looking a little confused. "Well, I suppose that the usual form would be for you to say hello, ask after my health and have a bit of social chit chat?"

"Oh for goodness sake," she snapped at him in exasperation. "Firstly, 'chit chat' is a ridiculous phrase, secondly we only just saw each other a short while ago and thirdly I don't even know you, so 'chit chat' is a little inappropriate wouldn't you say?" Her sarcastic response was a clear warning that she wasn't here for a date with him.

"Alright," he replied, "message received." Yet he was smiling at her now, clearly amused. "What exactly did you mean then?"

"How does this cafe operate? Is it table service? Do I go up to the counter? Is there a bell to ring? I don't see anyone to serve me." There was a little less abruptness in her voice but it was still less than friendly.

"You do seem a bit prickly. Are you hangry?" He laughed.

Mystery couldn't believe that he was being this arrogant. She was riled enough by his comment that she needed to wipe that smile off his face. "I didn't expect to be stalked to this cafe, especially after I made it very clear that I didn't want to come here with another human being. I don't know you and I most certainly am not 'hangry'!"

At the sight of his dismayed face, Mystery felt a noticeable twinge of guilt. This was unusual for her. Usually she rammed through a situation and didn't stay long enough to allow herself to care or feel guilt. However, here she was, still sitting at the table and having been unjustly mean to someone who had shown no nastiness or threat to her. He unsettled her but she hadn't just run off, which she would usually do by instinct. This was why she was best off alone. She didn't play well with other humans. She sighed with regret.

"I didn't stalk you. I was coming here anyway. My younger brother and sister are going to join me later, so I thought I'd kill some time with Mrs Birch's delicious breakfast. If you insist, I will leave." But Drew made no move to leave. With wonderful timing, an older woman bustled over to them.

"Drew, how wonderful to see you this morning." She had turned on the sunshine the moment she started speaking to Drew. Her back was turned to Mystery as she asked after his siblings and the pair of them had a jovial chat about her husband. They both seemed to know each other well, especially when she patted his hand. "I'm so pleased that you are back with us. I really do hope that you decide to stay now that you are here. I know it's a tough decision for you."

Drew quickly glanced at Mystery and frowned. Mrs Birch also turned her head to look at the young woman. She still smiled but there was a warning in his eyes. Mrs Birch seemed to be sizing her up and deciding if she might be some kind of threat to Drew.

Smiling at her, Mystery said, "I'll have the eggs and bacon. I prefer my eggs poached and my bacon however it comes. That is," She hesitated and gave Mrs Birch a smile. Mystery's expression clearly warned this seemingly harmless and friendly woman to be careful of her. "unless you make eggs Benedict."

Mystery raised her eyes, setting down a challenge. She felt satisfied that this was not on the menu and smirked at her tiny put down.

"Of course we do deary. It's one of my favourites too. Such a coincidence as well. Drew does love my Eggs Benedict." She patted Mystery's hand, her face clearly cold and dismissive. "Would you like your usual Drew? Salmon as well as an egg?" Her tone turned motherly as she swung her head back to Drew.

Drew looked a little uncomfortable, clearly picking up on the tension between the two women. "Umm, yes please. You know me too well." He smiled up at the woman. Clearly he was very fond of her and seemed to have an established relationship that was almost familial. "Also, I would love some of your 'special' coffee. I really am in need of a boost. It's been a bit of a straining morning. His eyes flickered slightly to me.

"And what do you want?" This time there was no smile as she turned on Mystery. She fully turned her back to Drew and looked down on the young woman with a very stern expression. There was no pretence at being friendly now.

"I'd like tea please." She felt chastened and clearly understood the older woman's warning. Mystery was not to mess with Drew or she would have Mrs Birch to answer to. Mystery wondered if there was a little army of older women in the village who were ready to hex her or run her out of town. That would be just her luck. she'd better watch her step if she was to stay around here for a bit.

"Am I to guess how you want your tea or are you going to be so kind as to let me know?" Now Mrs Birch was openly glaring at her. Mystery was not passing the test. She seemed to have made an enemy and by the looks of Drew, he was shocked.

"Umm, with milk, no sugar thank you." Oddly she felt as if she had been scolded. She felt almost like she wanted to please this older woman whom she had disrespected. Mystery felt like a naughty child. Turning her eyes away from Mrs Birch's, she folded her hands into her lap. "This cafe really is quite beautiful, just like the woods and countryside around here. The lake is stunningly beautiful at sunrise." She tried to gain back some favour with the woman.

Instead of being placated with Mystery's comments - as she had intended - she looked alarmed. Mrs Birch turned to Drew and asked, "How did you meet this girl? Why was she at the lake, let alone the woods? Nobody goes there."

Drew threw her a warning look and touched her arm. "It's fine. I met her by the side of the east shore this morning at that little cutting. You know the one. Sneaks Lane leads to it. I go there often, so I suppose the path is fairly open nowadays. She just chanced upon it. Nothing to be anxious about." His hand slid down her arm and he squeezed her hand gently." Now, how about our breakfasts? I am starving."

Drew smiled up at her and then added, "Oh, and could I have a picnic lunch for the three of us," he glanced towards Mystery and added, "unless you'd like to join us? Mrs B does an awesome picnic." Mrs Birch puffed out her chest and smiled fondly at Drew, sending a withering look towards Mystery.

Without thought, Mystery replied, "I'd love that." and found herself smiling at Drew too. Mrs Birch threw her another warning look. She sighed. She really was so good at making people hate her.

Drew was no longer looking at Mrs Birch, but at Mystery instead. He was delighted with her answer. "Well," he smiled, "this has made my day. A beautiful woman to keep me sane. I mean, you'll keep me company. I'm not insane. There aren't many people my age around here, I mean. So, uhhh, I'm glad that we have established that." He stumbled to a stop.

Mystery couldn't help herself. She chuckled at his rambling comments and his slight blush. "Who are the other two that are accompanying us then?" She quickly questioned, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. She was also slightly proud of her good social skills at that moment. Perhaps there was hope for her.

"I mentioned them earlier - my brother and sister Storm and Tempest. They're twins. Horrors really. That was what I meant about keeping my sanity. I love them to bits but they are teenagers and they can't see beyond their own nose sometimes. If I'm being fair, they never see past their own noses." He smiled wryly, his eyes lingering on Mystery's face. It was the first time he had seen her look happy.

He'd only just met her but he realised that since their first meeting this morning - apart from the raptured expression that had kept him fixed in the car watching her - she had seemed very alone. Intense and wary was the way that she came across, as well as quick to defend herself. What she didn't seem, was happy. At the moment, she was demonstrating her name very well. There was a lot about her to discover and he realised that he really, really wanted to.

Mystery decided that there was no harm in some gentle flirting. He was more than handsome enough, with unusually vibrant auburn hair, and a strong face which communicated a sense of quiet authority. She felt a sense of safety with him. Besides, a free lunch with a couple of teenagers was nothing that she couldn't handle. She knew that her social skills were up there with thoughtless teenagers.

As Mrs Birch came out of the kitchen with their breakfast, she didn't even notice that her plate was banged down on the table, whilst Drew's was placed gently. She also didn't notice the curious glance that Mrs Birch sent both of them when she realised that they were smiling at each other and unaware of her presence.

Mrs Birch decided that she needed to watch this one. She wasn't one of them. Drew needed this complication as much as he needed the coming conflict. That had to go well, for all their sakes.