There it stood, almost Luminous in the soft rose glow of the setting Sun. The slabs of stone shone silver as if the Moon itself had graced them with its ethereal touch. The bricks stood shimmering gold, merged in to a fascinating picture of divine colours and beautifully highlighted countryside.
The Manor its self, stood proud and unflinching against the unwavering stares it bore. Its grounds were carpeted in lush grass, manicured to perfection, with colourful yet somehow elegant flowers lining the edges of the grass that framed the front of the Manor.
“Come now Marie dear”. Said the kind faced lady taking her hand. The gentle touch soother Marie and she moved towards the lady automatically.
“I know it seems scary but it’s really not, I have known your Grandfather for a very long time and he truly is a wonderful man. The Manor itself has had all sorts of wonderful people live here and many of the rooms are just shrouded in mystery!” enquired the child petulantly.
Sighing the kind face momentarily flashed downcast. “Because they are so so very busy that they just couldn’t spend the time with you that they think you deserve.”
Marie remained silent but her face smoothed in to a passive one. As they approached the large wooden doors, Marie started to stumble, the thoughts in her head started to go wild, shrieking and howling like a temperamental gust of wind. The Lady knocked on the door, and even though Marie had not long known her, she suddenly felt like she was the only constant left in her life, and gripped on to her tightly whilst tears stung her eyes. With a gust of cool air, a welcome sensation after the long train journey, the door swung open to reveal a stately yet welcoming, fair and kind looking man. His face although mapped with wrinkles had a certain youth about it.
“Do come in my dear Ladies, let me escort you to the cloakroom and then we shall get comfortable!”
He lead them through the entrance porch, which was large and cold with brick walls and stone floors, in to a small room that adorned it. It had pegs with names above them lined around the walls of the room, and then a coat stand labelled visitors.
“Marie” He said kindly pointing at the wall.
“I had a name tag made up for you, you have your own hook and a shoe stand below it”
“Thank you” She whispered, not quite finding her voice. He looked over at her with a smile and gestured towards the door. Out she walked and he led them in to a large living room style room full of ornate sofas and heavy, tall candles.
“This is the downstairs sitting room, generally we only use it for house guests. The young uns have their own living room just on the second floor. Actually the second floor is essentially yours to run around, you see we have the living room for guests here, though there is the staff kitchen and the personal kitchen and further on are conference rooms and such. Upstairs there is five bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, an art room and a living area as well as a couple of other old rooms you are free to explore in.”
Marie looked up, intrigue crossing her face.
“Finally, a GIRL my age!” Shrieked a girl as she popped up, wild eyed from behind the sofa.
“Bernadette ... one of these days you’re going to knock me off of my feet with fright you awful child” said the gentleman smiling warmly at the girl.
She grinned back at him and then bounded over to grasp Maries hand.
“Oh how old are you? Im twelve!”<br /> “Im twelve too” Marie smiled
