The Two Vampires Read Free

please,’ he replied - he’s so polite, thought Sarah – and then he continued, ‘I’m very hungry, it’s been a busy day.’  He half smiled, the corner of his mouth curling up in a way Sarah couldn’t help imagine had hidden meaning, while he looked secretly amused. 
    Alice had returned with the potatoes and taken her seat.  Everyone helped themselves and began buttering them.  The children’s chatter helped to cover Sarah’s silence as she tried to remain calm.  His arm was so close.
    She took a steadying breath and tried to chew her food.  Her father, Keith, picked up the bottle of red and refilled their glasses.  Alice and Keith, being either side of Megan, fussed over her while she tucked into her food.  Even Bea started to eat her casserole.  Sarah was relieved she didn’t have to hassle them - her parents were an exciting enough influence to give her a break. 
    But Sarah could not relax, she was aware of Daniel’s every movement.  Every time he took a bite.  The sound of him eating.  Every time he picked up his wineglass. 
    Her parents weren’t paying him any attention; they were fixated on their food and grandchildren. 
    Sarah decided to be brave; she looked over towards him, after swallowing the food already in her mouth.  He was already looking her way, still with that half amused look on his face.  As if he’s aware of how uncomfortable he’s making me.    And how attractive I find him.  
    ‘Where have you come from Daniel?’
    ‘Oh, I’ve lived lots of places,’ he confided with a smile, ‘but most recently I moved from not so far away, a little town in Alaska.’
    ‘Alaska?  Wow that must have been incredible’, said Sarah, imagining walking in icy landscapes. 
    Where they lived in Canada had plenty of snow and ice in winter too, but the more extreme weather always appealed to Sarah.
    ‘Incredible?  That’s not the response I usually get.  Most people associate further north with cold and depression.’
    ‘No, I find cold and ice inspiring.’
    Daniel looked amused, again, as though this was not the response he was expecting from her.  He also looked freely intrigued; his eyes boring into hers, as though he was searching her.
    Sarah looked down, embarrassed, and slowly chewed her food before returning to the conversation.  God, he was intense, he really did take her breath away.  But he made her feel funny.  She was not entirely sure of him.  What was it about him?  Something she didn’t trust?  Was it merely his unbelievable attractiveness, his secrecy, or his confidence in an unfamiliar household?  Hey, maybe he’d been here before. 
    Sarah drank some more wine.  It was a good job she could stay tonight as she was already on her third glass.  The food her mom had made was good, and the combination of getting some food inside her - and the confidence the alcohol fueled, allowed her to ask the next question.
    ‘Did you move here with anyone?’
    Oh god, he must know I find him attractive after asking that question.  He must also know I’m married.
    But not giving his thoughts away in the slightest, he smiled, his grin dazzling.  ‘No, I moved here alone.’
    Sarah felt relieved, but tried not to show it.  God, what if her parents saw?  Although would they really care anyway?  It’s not like they’re so fond of Jo.  And they know we’ve had, and still do have, our problems.
    ***
    Jo drove furiously out of town and round the winding back lanes.  He reached Quarry Bridge and parked his car.  He got out and leant against his bonnet, looking across the Quarry Lake and cliffs in the darkness.  It was a vast space and he breathed in the night air, smelling the scent of conifers on the breeze. 
    It was chilly but now he didn’t feel the cold.  And he no longer felt scared.  He was peacefully relaxed and at ease with himself.  As the bat landed next to him on the bonnet and materialized into a dark haired man, Jo didn’t even blink.  At