Jeannie and the Jealous Master

It had been a long, and tiring, day for Major Anthony Nelson as he pulled up on the driveway in his car. He was almost too exhausted to switch off the ignition as he sat back in the seat, head back and eyes closed – yawning briefly, his ears filled with the low rumbling of the engine. Lowering his head he shook it, trying to shake some of the sleepiness away as he reached out and turned off the engine. Taking the key from the ignition he placed it in his pocket. Reaching across to the seat behind him he gathered up his briefcase, pulling it towards him, pulling a face as he felt a slight twinge in his shoulder. He knew better than to twist to reach something, or at least he thought he did, with his already overtaxed muscles from the exertions he'd faced earlier in the day.

Lifting the briefcase onto the passenger seat beside him he exited the car, reaching back in to grab it. He paused, finding it strange that he'd been home this long and without company, that his ever watchful companion, Jeannie, hadn't witnessed his return and come out greet him as she so often did. He didn't let this bother him as he shrugged it off and walked towards the front door.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his key and unlocked it. As he pushed open the door he found it again unusual that he wasn't immediately greeted or acknowledged. He had to admit that though uncommon, there had been occasions where Jeannie hadn't noticed his arrival home or been out herself. What struck him as strange this time was the fact that she'd not mentioned at breakfast the intention of leaving the house, 'and not like this,' he thought as he walked further into the house, observing the living area as he removed his hat and put down his briefcase.

It didn't appear as though Jeannie had done any of her daily jobs as he surveyed the space further, ironic as they were jobs she normally did in seconds with a quick blink of her magical eyes. If she had done them the place hadn't stayed clean for long and, he realised with a sharp twinge of panic, it looked as though she'd had company.

"Jeannie!" He called out into the air around him, waiting a few seconds before shouting again, "Jeannie!"

"Yes, Master?" A voice asked behind him, causing him to yell out and whirl around.

Catching his breath, Tony calmed himself. It was only Jeannie. His face stern he looked at her, indicating the coffee table laden with two coffee cups, two small plates and the general dishevelment of the living area he asked her, "What's this all about? What have you been doing? Did you have someone round her?"

Jeannie's eyes moved fleetingly from side to side as she joined her hands together at her stomach, biting her lip nervously before replying, "A…..friend came to visit. I…..I meant to tidy up before you got home but-" Jeannie trailed off before quickly changing the subject, "I'll tidy up now," she announced, folding her arms and was just about to blink when her master stopped her.

"But what?" Tony picked up on the point where Jeannie had left off.

"Nothing," Jeannie rapidly swerved the question, dropping her arms and returning to her original stance.

"Jeannie," Tony warned, tiredness and the mess he'd come home to wearing his patience thin, "You have to have a good reason for not tidying up, young lady, friend visiting or no friend visiting. And speaking of 'friends' who was it? You're going to answer me or you're going to get straight into your bottle and stay there until you can tell me what's going on."

Throwing her arms down with frustration and pouting, Jeannie made the noise of an indignant child, adding to it a quick stamp of her foot.

"Come on," Tony prompted, his tone indicating he was on his last nerve.

He was going to get the explanation out of her, even if it was going to kill him.