Hi again! This chapter isn't my best, I absolutely hated writing it but I needed to write to hopefully get to know the characters more. Narnia will soon be discovered so please stick with this! Please review, I would love some feedback!
Thanks and enjoy,
Phantomshadow99
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Louise's POV
The rest of the journey was spent watching the landscape change to a more peaceful setting, one none of us had seen for years. The green trees and fields beyond the track mesmerized me and the others as the thought of safety started to fill our heads. Lucy and the young boy was sat playing with a doll while Susan, Peter and me sit and talk about where we're going.
"I'm staying with my mum's uncle, Professor Kirke. I only met him once when my family visited but I was very young so I don't remember much about him." I say, glancing out the window as we pull up at another station. The little girl and boy get up, obviously this is their stop. The little boy smiles at me and a wave a little, hoping they are able to stay together. As the train pulls away again, Peter comes and sits next to me so there's more room.
"Does he have a housekeeper called Mrs Macready?" Susan asks, looking hopeful.
"Well yes, I think so. The letter said she was going to meet me at the station. But how do you know about her?" I ask, looking between her and Peter. Lucy smiles and throws her arms around my neck.
"Because we're staying with them as well!" she cried in excitement. I looked across at Peter, who nodded and smiled. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and hid my face in Lucy's shoulder, hiding the tears that were threatening to drop.
I have a family again!
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We all stood in a line, facing the empty space in front of us as the train chugged away. I looked at Peter who stood next to me, and he looked worried. A car horn sounded and we all rushed to see if it was Mrs Macready, but the car drove right past.
"The professor knew we were coming." Susan reassured us. I nodded, backing her up. Even though I couldn't remember much about the professor, I knew he wouldn't just abandon some children.
"Perhaps we've been incorrectly labelled," Edmund said, checking his ticket. It was first time I'd heard him speak a full sentence. I was quite proud of him. Just then we heard a horse and cart coming up the hill, with a woman steering towards us. She pulled the horse in front of us and looked down on us, her eyes never once showed emotion. Peter and Susan exchanged a glance.
"Mrs Macready?" Peter hesitated as he asked, fearing the answer.
"I'm afraid so," she said, in a voice devoid of all emotion. Lucy looked at me scared, and I gave her a quick reassuring smile.
"Is this it then? Haven't you brought anythin' else?" She asked, lingering her eyes on me and Peter.
"No ma'am." Peter said, looking at the floor. I glanced at him seeing he wanted to say more.
"It's just us." I said, squeezing his hand while keeping eye contact with Mrs Macready. Lucy nodded; putting attention on her while Peter looked at me and smiled a thank you. The woman's eyebrows rose, and looked at each of us.
"Small favours," she stated, and motioned to get into the cart. The four siblings sat in the back while I sat next to the housekeeper. She nodded at my acknowledgment, letting me know I could sit there.
"Your father was always kind to me, he was a good man. I can see him in you," she whispered as we set off to the professor's home. I smiled at her, hoping she knew how much that kindness meant to me.
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"Come on girl, come on." As Mrs Macready encouraged the old Shire horse to overcome the slight hill, we all gazed up at the old manor house. The clearing of trees with the afternoon sun shining through them started to thin. The first glimpse of the giant windows and the 3-storey building oozed history and adventure. I looked across at the housekeeper, and was smiling at the old building that had served as her home for so many years.
"This is amazing," I said to her in awe, hearing the muttered agreements behind me. We got out of the old cart and grabbed our one suitcase each. As we followed Mrs Macready into the house, she was informing us of the house rules.
"Professor Kirke is not accustomed to havin' children in this house. And, as such, there are a few rules we need to follow. There will be no shoutin'. Or runnin'. No improper use of the dumbwaiter." We all follow the housekeeper, staying silent as she shows her authority over us. Just as Susan is about to touch the nose of a marble bust on the stairway landing, Mrs Macready stops her. "No touchin' of the historical artifacts!" she shouts, giving Susan a look that could kill. Lucy and I smile while Edmund and Peter snigger as Susan looks furious. We move along the stairs, and halt outside a door.
"And above all, there shall be no disturbin' of the Professor." She smiles and continues the tour. Lucy stops us both outside but I quickly pull her in front of me when the person behind the door stands in front of it, as if he can hear us.
"Now this will be the boy's room and the girls' room is just down the hall. I'll leave you to get settled in before tea which will be served at 6pm sharp, I don't want anyone to be late." Mrs Macready gestured to us and before she left she added, "Oh and Louise, I believe the Professor wanted to see you when you arrived. His office is one we went past." And without another word she left. As we all looked at each other, the boys started to get unpacked. I nodded to Susan who took hold of Lucy's hand and walked out the door to our room. Peter came up to me and smiled shyly.
"Well, I shouldn't keep the Professor waiting," I said, looking up at him. He suddenly turned serious as he walked me to the door.
"Do you want me to wait for you outside?" he asked. I smiled to myself, glad I had people around me who cared (except Edmund).
"No, I'll be fine. I'll see you soon." I shook his hand and quickly went to my room to unpack. Susan and Lucy had turned the wireless on to hear any news of London.
"I won't be long." Neither heard me as they were too engrossed by the newsreader. I smiled and shook my head, and continued my way to the Professor's office. My mind whirled with the different thoughts, wondering why he would want to see me. I let out a breath and knocked on the ancient door.
"Enter!" An old man's voice shouted from inside. I opened the door and gently closed it behind me. My first thought of the Professor was immediately kind due to his wrinkles that has been caused by smiling so much. His face slowly fell into a smile of joy as he saw it was me.
"Ah my dear, please sit down." He gestured to a chair which I gratefully took. I couldn't help but smile as he pulled a stool in front of me and sat down. Thoughtfully, he smoked on his pipe, thinking of what he wanted to say. I beat him to it.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay here, you don't know how much it meant to my mother. I think the only reason why I let her send me away from London was because I knew I would stay with someone she always spoke so fondly of." The professor looked very pleased and a little bashful at my words, but I was glad I had got them out. He took hold of my hand and squeezed, his old tired hand covering my little one.
"Thank you my dear, but I wanted to make sure you wasn't looked after by a family of strangers. I know you don't remember me but I certainly remember you." His smile slowly fell as he looked at the floor. "You're so much like your father; I can already see him in you." I squeezed his hand and stayed silent, letting a few tears fall. The professor handed me a handkerchief with roses sewn around the edge.
"This was your mothers, she never went anywhere without it." I smiled at the thought of her. "If you ever need to talk to me, then don't hesitate to knock on my door." I wiped the free falling tears that I couldn't stop.
"Thank you sir." I whispered, and we spent another few minutes in silence before I left.
