Chapter Nineteen

Hey guys, am having serious block on this story so i finished this little section for you to keep you ticking over.

Enjoy

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Esma sat beside the river watching the fast water flow past, the occasional duck sitting on its skin gliding effortlessly from one side to the other. Daisy was by her side mixing the herbs they’d collected earlier for a poultice, she’d missed her only female friend, and Daisy had missed her too.

“I still can’t get over the fact Juan got you pregnant.” Esma laughed looking over at her friend once more, her rounded stomach more prominent than ever. “I’m looking forwards to it.”

“Me too.” Daisy grinned gripping Esma’s hand tightly, “You’ll be his aunty right?”

“Of course.” She laughed kissing Daisy’s hand. “I’ll help as much as possible, my brother Ed turned out a good lad.”

“Was it nice being home again?” she asked a wistful tone to her voice.

“Heart breaking.” Esma admitted, “I’ve missed so much and I’ve only been away a year, well nearly a year. Edwin’s taller than me, Ceolwulf is hanging after a girl from the village a mile away and Fyren’s started wrestling bulls for entertainment.”

Daisy laughed, she couldn’t help herself, “Your Fyren sounds like a handful.”

“You wouldn’t believe, Juan stole my spoon!” she exclaimed making Daisy’s laughter turn into howls as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Apparently, they’re dangerous.”

“Only if wielded by an older sister.” She grinned before turning serious, “I’m surprised you’re not pregnant.”

“Why would you say that?” Esma asked turning away from Daisy’s all seeing eyes to stare at Handbridge over the river.

“Juan told me about you and Albus, I told you he liked you.” She stated pulling Esma’s attention back to her, “I’m happy for you Es, I just wish it wasn’t secret.”

“Me too.” She sighed, “We should find Felix a lady friend.”

Daisy’s mouth fell open before it spread into a grin, “Who could argue with a pregnant lady and the wife of Blandus?”

“Exactly, we’ll have them cornered.” She grinned turning around to make sure Felix wasn’t in hearing distance as they started to plot and plan their revenge for the gentle giant.

---

Almost frowned as he watched Esma heave Daisy onto the city walls and grin at every soldier they passed, leaving each watching them smitten as they carried on. He elbowed Juan who smirked and shook his head.

“Let’s see where they’re going first.” It didn’t take long for the two women to back Felix into a corner, one on each arm as he looked around madly for help. “I think they’re setting him up with some poor woman they’ve threatened.”

“My sweet Esma?” Albus asked quietly as Juan grinned, “This has Daisy written all over it.”

“Yes, but sweet Esma seems to be leading the way.”

“That’s because Daisy can’t move very fast.” He smirked, “Should we go and help him?”

“No, it’s time Felix had some fun.”

“That’s not what he thinks; I think I can hear him screaming in fear already.” Both men grinned at each other before swapping their stations with the next guards and returning to the pub, eager to watch Felix be tortured from a safe distance.

“Do you think it’s that fat one with the six children?” Juan teased as we settled into a darkened corner.

“I’m not sure, they’ve done one of two things; gone for someone funny or someone perfect.”

“Daisy’s pregnant so funny.” Juan grinned, “But then it’s Esma, so perfect more likely.”

They watched as Esma forced Felix to stay seated, a metal spoon in her hand as Daisy disappeared out of the pub, the door beside them swung open nearly hitting Juan as Blandus entered the pub. Albus grabbed his arm and yanked him down.

“Why are you touching me?” Blandus sneered looking at the other men. “I’m here to collect my wife and be gone so…”

“Esma and Daisy have set Felix up with someone, we’re watching.” Albus stated grabbing another beer off the bar and putting it before Blandus. “This is going to be entertaining.”

“That huge German you hang around with?” he asked, the sneer dropping in curiosity.

“Over there, Esma’s guarding him with a spoon.” Juan nodded pointing to them, “A beer says she’s fat.”

“She wouldn’t do that, she’s probably really young and innocent.” Blandus stated, “And a beer says I’m right.”

“You don’t know my Daisy.” Juan smirked shaking his head.

---

Felix sat glaring at the woman he’d called little sister; he was ready to disown her, that Daisy was a bad influence – Juan deserved her 100%. He made a mental note to avoid their child; it’s got to be a monster.

“Come on, we’re not terrible.” Esma grinned from beside him, the large metal spook resting against her shoulder, “We’re only doing this ‘cus we love you and want you to be happy.”

“I was happy on the wall.” He muttered as Esma leant against his shoulder, “Why do women insist on finding other women for their single men?”

“So we can have more friends.” She teased making him smirk despite himself.

“She better not be fat.” He stated poking her arm, “Or a child, or old or-”

“She’s perfect.” Esma grinned as the door swung open, “Look, how much we love you.”

Felix looked over to where Daisy was walking in, pushing a young woman forwards. She looked about eighteen, her blonde hair had been pulled back in twists away from her face; her father ran the inn. Her cheeks were red in embarrassment as she sat down opposite him, Daisy by her elbow and Esma by his.

“I’m sorry about these two, I hope they didn’t terrify you.” He smiled nudging his head up at the two standing women.

“You’re a lot bigger close up.” She managed and he laughed shrugging.

“He’s a gentle giant are you Felix?” Esma butted in nodding eagerly.

“Are you two going to stay here so we can’t escape?” he asked and they nodded.

“My father only agreed as long as it was in the pub and they didn’t leave.” the blonde admitted looking over at the bar where her father was keeping an eye on them. “I’m Hazel.”

“Felix.” He stated, shrugging before offering her his hand as he would a man. “So, you’re father runs the inn.”

“Yes, I help out; my brothers are all over the place with the army.”

“Do you help him brew?” he asked and she nodded.

Esma looked over their heads as they chatted about the best types of beer and winked at Daisy who was grinning like an idiot. She looked over to where she’d spotted Albus sneak in earlier, only to see her husband also. Her heart sank, having hoped to have snuck off with him before she’d had to return.

“Told you!” Blandus laughed as Juan walked to the bar and bought another beer before placing it before Blandus. “You think I don’t know women, I can tell you more than you think.”

Albus winked over at her and Esma’s heart fluttered about her body; he nodded his head down to the three tankards of beer before Blandus and sent her a wink.

“Looks like you’re getting some tonight.” Daisy whispered having seen the interaction also.

“I love him.” She whispered back, “Like seriously, I can’t stand it sometimes; almost like I love him too much.”

“I see nothing wrong with that.” She smiled sitting down on the table next to them, “My feet feel about six foot wide.”

“Lovely.” Esma laughed, “They look it too, I’ve never seen anyone’s ankles that swollen!”

“Can I have a foot rub?” she pouted, “Juan has a thing about feet, he hates them.”

“Strange.” Esma laughed wanting to help her friend and sitting opposite her, within arm’s reach of Hazel and began to rub at the swelling. “I love you Daisy.”

“Love you too Es.” She sighed enjoying the massage. “You’re the sister I never knew.”