As the doors swing open we are welcomed to cheers and whoops from familiar faces, Bell has told all of Dads friends and neighbours to be here tonight for Dad's last drink.

They swarm around us like heroes returning home from war, Dad's eyes glint with tears that threaten to spill as he hugs and shakes hands with friends that are as close to us as family. Everyone fights for the honour to buy Dad his first drink and he jokes as usual "if I knew this is what it would take to get a free pint I'd started dying sooner".

I catch that Liten Vampyr has pulled back and is still standing by the entrance, not yet entering. I push through the masses to invite her in but I'm stopped in my tracks by Bell holding on to my arm "She doesn't need inviting in here it's a public place Oscar, different rules".

Understanding then shock washes over me, Bell knows what she is, yet seems unfazed by it.

"She letting him have his moment and I'd imagine taking it in herself, so she has this memory once he's gone".

I turn back to her and see a slight smile that has crept on Liten Vampyr lips.

"Bell how do you know her" I absently inquire.

"I didn't, not until recently, your father had years ago asked me if anything was to ever happen to him I was to ring a number he'd given me and let her know, he told me she was his oldest friend. So when he got sick with cancer, I did just that".

It dawned on me suddenly how much she really matters to him and I felt a pang of jealousy. As childish as it is, I didn't want to share his love especially as I know I won't have it for much longer.

The juke box's fires up blaring Elton John "Nikita" my Dad's favourite song to sing to whenever there is a karaoke nearby. My Dad has been ushered over to sit in a corner while his friends all regale old stories, I realise this evening isn't about acknowledging his upcoming death but rather a celebration of his life.

I look around and take in all the familiar faces, the PTFA mums - Dad helped with their summer fetes raising money for the local school, Annie, Paula, Karly, Nadia and Alex all sipping Prosecco insisting they won't get drunk as it's a school night but we all know by the end of the evening they will be singing "I will survive" at the top of their lungs, out of tune and demanding a kebab.

Our neighbour Norma who is 81 years old is here who Dad has always helped out with DIY and odd jobs over the years. She looks like a sweet old granny as if butter wouldn't melt but she can swear like a sailor and if you pushed your luck with her, she'd take you out with one swing of her walking stick faster than a ninja.

I see my two childhood friends Kevin and Darren, propping up the bar. Darren is already demanding shots while Kevin shakes his head "Do you remember last weekend when you got on the shots, you were rat-arsed then disappeared with the two barmaids, leaving me here" Kevin remarks, a puzzled look creeps on Darren face that is replaced with a mischievous grin "No". Kevin slams down his pint "I bloody do and their boyfriends that came looking for them".

The whole community have come out for Dad and for once in a very long time I can take a moment for myself so I step outside while he's distracted, I step out into the courtyard to catch my breath. Bell follows behind me and perches on the bench. The night air with a subtle chill nips at my skin as the salty sea smell from the harbour lingers as it's carried on the breeze.

I break the silence "you know what she is ?".

She nods never breaking my gaze.

"And it doesn't bother you ? ".

She laughs "No should it".

"Why do you think he never told me about her, maybe he was trying to protect me from her".

"Or protect her from you, humans are not known for being understanding to things they can't comprehend. She is a vampire, a predator that will hunt and kill to survive but she's honest about it, humans can also be predators Oscar but seldom do they have the capacity to be as transparent of what they truly are as she is".

"I asked her to turn Dad into what she is, to save him and she said no".

"No Oscar, Dad said no".

"How do you know that" I spit at her "Did she tell you" irritated they have been gossiping behind my back.

I hear growling coming from the shadows in the side alley that runs alongside the courtyard, where they bring in the deliveries. Before I can react Liten Vampyr has appeared silently as if she is made of smoke, she is stood beside me hissing into the darkness, her dainty nails now long sharp claws ready to attack, her dark eyes completely black as if she's been drained of all humanity, red veins bulge from her porcelain skin down her temples, that snakes and weaves over her neck like webbing.

Bell stands slowly up, her hands up in the air trying to calm both Liten Vampyr and the growls from the shadows that echo in the night "No harm no foul, we were just talking".

A deep horse voice from the pit of her stomach snarls out of Liten Vampyr "Tell the dogs to stand down from lilla du, Jag får dig att önska att du fortfarande bevakade dödsportarna".

Bell cautiously approaches Liten Vampyr "no one will hurt him, not here" she turns to the shadows "boys all is well,".

Snuffs and snarls of discontent can be heard as if disgruntled acknowledgements to their master's words. Then there is nothing as if an eerie tranquil silence smothers over the courtyard suffocating all the air around us.

Before I can thank Liten Vampyr the courtyard doors swing crashing open by a drunk Darren and amused Kevin. I quickly grab Liten Vampyr and pull her into an embrace so her back is to them and they can't see what she's transformed into - even in their booze fulled state they wouldn't miss her black eyes. Holding her close I'm surprised how cold she is, her tiny body is hard like a rock, it's like trying to embrace a statue.

"Oscar help us out, who would win in a fight PTFA mums or barmaids, I said barmaids, Kevin thinks PTFA mums" Darren slurs until Kevin elbows Darren in the ribs then nods his head towards Liten Vampyr.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something" Darren drunkenly whispers then winks. Kevin rolls his eyes not for the first time tonight.

I silently mouth "she's ok, it's just emotional night".

They both nod their heads, then shuffle back to leave not wanting to deal with an emotional woman.

I shout out to "Kevin the PTFA mums would win in a fight, those ladies are crazy when they get on the Prosecco".

Kevin cheers relishing in his win as they go back inside "told you so Darren, I win it's your round".

Liten Vampyr steps back her face is covered in her long flowing hair like a curtain shutting out the world, she looks up at me, gone are the black eyes that sent chills down my spine, I can see she's back.

She awkwardly mumbles "thank you" then scuttles inside.

Bell follows behind her only stopping to rest her hand briefly on my shoulder "like father like son protecting their beloved Liten Vampyr".