Jonathan Creek – A long way home
Chapter 8:
After a few days of tests, check ups and lots of hospital food and treats Maddy was ready to go home. Well to Sally's anyway, which would be a definite improvement on her last accommodation.
"Right, have you got everything?"
"Hmmm" She said looking round at the empty shell that had been her home for nearly 3 days.
"Well, I have the lovely flowers and card you got me and the clothes, Thank you for them"
"No problem" She beamed.
"And I think that's it, I haven't got anything else" She said with a sigh, all she had in the world was the clothes she stood in.
The drive back to Sally's place was a long one, but peaceful. They left the dirty, dusty streets of London and the further they got away the greener and more picturesque it started to look. The scenery was so lovely, and it was such a sunny day that the light came streaming through the gaps in the trees.
They started to approach a lovely Victorian village, like something off a biscuit tin. All old fashioned black and white houses with beautiful big gardens, roses adorned arches that went over gates. There was an old-fashioned red post box built into a wall, with ivy creeping round it. Maddie looked in awe, it was such a beautiful place, nothing like she had ever seen before. She grew up in a council house so not quite the same feeling or look.
"Here we are"
Sally said smiling as she pulled up the handbrake and turned off the ignition. They pulled up outside a lovely cottage made of Cotswold stone. There was a lovely hedge adorning a wall either side of an old wooden gate, with the name "Ivy Cottage" emblazoned on the gate. As the gate opened, they walked up a paved path which lead to a large red door. Two old fashioned white timber framed glass windows either side and two dormer windows above coming out of the lovely slate roof. Maddie was speechless and so quiet as she slowly paced up the path.
Sally stopped and looked back at her.
"Are you okay? She pondered.
"Ummm yeah…, it's just wow…. Well this place is amazing" She said flabbergasted.
Sally walked back down the path to join her and linked up arms.
"It's nothing like I've ever seen before, like something out of a dream"
"Yeah its beautiful isn't it, we're very lucky and hopefully you'll find it a good place to convalesce"
She said as they approached the door and stepped inside.
"Oh my gosh" Words which caught in Maddie's throat as she stepped in to such a wonderful and surprising site. A roaring open fire warming the room and leaving a nice glow all around, cards adorned the top of the fireplace Congratulating them on their new home. Then there in front of her was a beautifully laid table, with a white tablecloth covering it, a large teapot, with beautiful flowery china cups at every seat and a huge plate of scones in the centre, with jam and clotted cream at the ready. There were sandwiches laid out on plates, sausage rolls and jam tarts. It all looked so amazing like they were at a posh hotel, it made Maddie feel so special and welcomed.
"Oh wow"
"Welcome home Maddie" David said as he held out his arms to her, pulling her in for a hug. Tears started to form in her eyes, she felt a flutter inside, she had never ever been treated in this way.
"Hay, Don't tell me you don't like scones?" He asked as he lead her to her chair.
"Come and sit down"
"Is this all for me?"
She said barley able to contain her tears
"Yes" He said beaming as he led her to her chair.
"Well we thought you might have been sick of hospital food by now and we wanted to welcome you home"
A few tears fell down her check as she sat down.
"Thank you, Thank you so much"
It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her and made her feel like maybe this could be a new start for her.