AN: Alright so here's another update! Thanks for the lovely reviews for the first chapter. They really motivated me to keep writing and writing. Shout out to JuggernautJJ for being the first reviewer! And it was such a lovely review as well that gave me lots of inspiration and a great muse - the secret garden. Such a great book choice and it really relates to what I've got planned for this story so I really feel that you understand what I want to achieve here with it. So thank you for your input and compliments, it really made me smile :) Anyway this chapter may be a bit boring but again it's more of a setup and filler and a way to get the feel of the characters a bit better. I'm trying to get a good build and pace so that I don't rush it.

Hope you guys enjoy xx

It was an awfully awkward and slow ride to my uncle's house. Uncle Jack tried hopelessly to start up many conversations in the car but constantly found himself troubled over what to say. My silence definitely wasn't helping but I had no energy to talk. I was both jet lagged and completely exhausted from the trying two weeks I just went through - you would think he would've considered all this in the first place, but no. Thankfully, he gave up about halfway through the trip when he realised that I wouldn't give anymore than a one worded answer or just a plain blank stare. So instead, he decided to give up on his pursuits and just turn on the radio in defeat. Uncle Jack obviously wasn't a big fan of silence, but I didn't care too much about that. At least the radio didn't ask me silly random questions. What was my favourite colour? Seriously?

I leant my head against the car window and snuggled up against the door closing my eyes in hope to get some sleep. Perhaps it would make the ride go quicker. Oh how I wished it would. I let out a breath of relief at the chance to finally get some rest, pressing my face further into the cool glass for comfort. My shoulders relaxed and my mind was finally able to quieten enough to drift off into the realms of sleep - the surrounding whoosh of passing cars faded away, the Coldplay song on the radio was sinking as if it was drifting underwater and...the engine stopped. I jerked awake at the lack of sound and motion. My eyes blinked several times to clear away the blurriness of sleep, adjusting to the light and the new surroundings. Had we arrived already? I swore I only shut my eyes for a second. Well it sure only felt like a second-

"Okay kiddo. Here we are...home." My Uncle announced with a soft smile. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door to hop out of the car. I sat still for a moment as I focused on what he just said.

Home.

Was this really going to be home? Here in London with Uncle Jack?

No. Never.

I was resolved in my thoughts as I undid my seatbelt and climbed out of the car.

No. This new place would never be called home. It's just a house. Home was the smell of mum's beef casserole. It was the warmth of her freshly brewed tea, the comfort of her spontaneous hugs. It was the sound of her soothing voice and the sound of her scolding me after I did not put the dishes away. Home was the love that was always there, but now it was gone...

And it was never coming back.

I slammed the door shut, discreetly wiping away at my eyes as I turned around to help Uncle Jack with my bags.

"Alright is that everything?" He asked as he pulled out my two suitcases out from the boot of the car. I nodded my head and held onto the strap of my laptop bag which hung over my shoulder. I stood awkwardly onto the side, staring at nothing in particular.

"Okay then, let's head in shall we?" Uncle Jack suggested, shutting the boot and locking the car with a click of a button. He led the way with both suitcases in hand, pausing when he got to the door that led into the front yard so that he could get his keys out. He fiddled with them for a little bit until eventually he found the right one to open the door. Once he finally got it opened, he moved to the side and gestured with his hands towards the entrance.

"Ladies first." He spoke in an gentlemanly manner. I gave a weak smile in a sign of acknowledgement and headed on through, Uncle Jack trailing not too far behind me. I stopped about halfway to the house, pausing a moment to admire the outside of it. I was not able to see it from the car as it was hidden from view due to the brick wall that blocked it from the street side. It was quite lovely and...big, very big actually. It wasn't anything outrageous but still quite a lot bigger than what I was used to. It did have a certain charm or something other about it; light brown bricks with white trimmed windows that took over the whole house, and a striking yet fitting bright yellow door that was centred right in the middle of an archway. Overall I didn't hate it, and that was a better start than anything else.

"Enjoying the view?"

I turned back around at the voice of my uncle, nodding my head again in reply then began staring off at the garden around me. It was quite a pretty garden, had a sort whimsical feel to it. And although it was slightly overgrown and looked as if most of the plants were wild flora it suited the rest of the house perfectly. If I weren't so tired I would've come to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of it a lot more, but unfortunately most of my thoughts were reserved for finding a bed to sleep on.

Uncle Jack sighed and shook his head, moving on ahead of me to open the front door. I knew he was becoming quite irked at my resolved silence but strangely I found a bit of satisfaction in his annoyance. It was childish, I know, but there was something ever so amusing about pushing one's buttons and I had no fear in doing so. It was one of the only things I could actually have control over.

Soon enough I found myself in the house, staring up at the daunting staircase before me. I dearly hoped that my bedroom would not be up there for I would be more than likely to trip and fall from sheer exhaustion. I was clumsy enough as it was, there was no need to add stairs and jet lag to the mix.

"Uncle Jack. Can I go to bed? I'm so tired." Just to show I wasn't lying I literally dropped down right to the ground in exhaustion while my eyes decided to droop drown half-lidded.

"Ah so she speaks!" Uncle Jack jested light-heartedly. I turned my head around to look at him directly, giving an unamused glare but I don't think he found it very intimidating seeing as he towered over me while I slumped on the floor.

"Oh blimey you weren't kidding. Those are some serious bags right there." He pointed out as he stared down at what I guess were bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair. I must've looked quite the sight - a twenty-three hour flight will do that to anybody.

"I guess the full tour can wait. I'll let you get some sleep before dinner. Your bedroom's this way, come on, up and at 'em." He commanded offering a hand to help me get up from the floor.

Unfortunately because of my great luck, my bedroom was of course upstairs. I was lucky enough however to not have to carry anything up for Uncle Jack had already offered to take my luggage to my bedroom. I was in no way going to waste such a gracious offer, might as well put it all to good use while I could.

I didn't really observe much as I walked upstairs and across to my room, too determined to get some much needed sleep. Eventually I made it there, miraculously with no tripping or injuries. This was quite an achievement seeing as I was literally a walking zombie with a historical record of being a grade A klutz. I almost cried when I saw the bed, sitting there in its luxurious covers, pillows looking as soft as a feather. I dropped my laptop bag to the ground and pretty much belly flopped onto the queen mattress, bouncing up and down slightly from the springs within the bed. My eyes closed in bliss at the comfort of the fleece cotton quilt against my face, and I let out a deep sigh as my body fully relaxed.

Uncle Jack chuckled at the sight of me flopping onto the bed like a little kid, shaking his head as he placed both my bags aside near the door.

"I'll come and wake you in a few hours when dinner's ready. Does pizza sound good to you?" He said before he departed. I lifted my arm in a thumbs up, not even bothered to move my position on the bed nor say a word. He laughed again awkwardly, not sure how to respond to my laziness.

"Okay then. Sweet dreams."

I sighed in contentment once the door finally closed and snuggled deeper into the pillows, not even bothering to go under the covers. It only took a few seconds until I felt the familiar foggy sensation of the world around me slipping further and further away and then just like that- the world went dark.

AN: Don't forget to review on what you think! I'd love to hear all your feedback :) Ciao xx