Well here's ANOTHER story for all my readers to enjoy while i repair the damage to Hearts Intertwined, very sorry about that by the way but i hope this makes up for it! Anyway i won't diddle daddle. Love you all for you're support and i talk to you later then! Ciao!
Disclaimer- Blahblahblah...you know i don't own it, so why do i have to? lol!
Chapter 1 - Something i've forgotten
"My lady, are you sure you don't require any assistance?"
The maid bustled around the young woman and the many boxes around them, picking up a few of the things on the elegant dressing table hopefully, trying to convince her to attend to something else. It was highly unladylike to pick up after oneself, especially as the packing of this particular room was such a large job for such an important person, and when there was the option of the maids doing it for her.
Sighing slightly, the girl took the objects out of the old woman's hands and laid them carefully back on the dressing table, making the maid flutter after her in objection.
"Please Sarah, you know I asked specifically to pack my room myself. I don't need anyone else to help me. This has been my room since I was born and I think it only right that I should put my possessions away on my own."
"But your father insisted tha-
"You know very well I do not agree with my Father's opinion on these matters Sarah" The girl cut across the stuttering maid, looking suddenly frustrated. "This is my choice, and my choice alone. I will not hold you responsible if difficulties occur with him"
The young woman's face lifted slightly as she managed to smile softly at Sarah. She patted the maid's arm lightly. "You worry about me too much Sarah" She said, as the maid smiled back sadly at her. "Please, let me do this on my own"
The maid sighed and fixed a place on the girl's dress that had buckled slightly. "I'll go fetch you some tea then" She said, turning away and walking out of the room.
Relieved at finally being left alone, the girl attended once more to her bedroom. She glanced around to choose a section to start at. The dressing table and chair she had placed her things on just before were standing neatly against the wall nearest to the door. A large and elegant chest of drawers with beautiful carvings was further down, but was somewhat blocked by the mountain of boxes surrounding it. Boxes also covered the stunning dark red rug that was lying on the carpet underneath her. A cupboard sat on her other side, filled with rows upon rows of one of a kind designer dresses, each more magnificent then the next. A large, four poster bed, embroided with glittering golden strands sat next to the floor to ceiling window that took up most of the wall. The curtains rippled silently every so often as the wind rushed through them.
Her expensive heels clicked softly as she walked around, picking up items of value and placing them neatly on top of each other in boxes. Some things she placed in the suitcase lying open on the bed, because they were extra special, or too precious to be transported by anyone but her. Some were discarded into a large bin in the corner, because she had grown out of them, or they were broken beyond repair. At each glance of a possession, she smiled, being reminded of where it had come from or why it was special. She carefully opened the light blue jewellery box on her dressing table and a sweet tune tinkled out of it, circling around the room. She ran her fingers over the beautiful spinning swan ornament inside it, thinking of when she had got it. Her father had given it to her as a present for her 14th birthday, right after she had returned from…
She paused, frowning. Where had she returned from? Her hand dropped onto the table as she stood, puzzled. Surely she could remember, it was not like her to be forgetful. Perhaps she had been on holiday with Aunt Millicent? No, that wasn't it. An excursion with her school? Unlikely, school would have already finished by then. Ah, what about Finishing school? She knew there was a holiday school in far England, outside of London. It was very possible, a lot of girls that age went there to prepare for their older years. Yes, that was probably it.
Although she went back to her packing, content at this excuse, a small part in her brain couldn't help but feel as if she was missing something, like she hadn't been at Finishing school that summer. Like she had been…somewhere else…
Brushing this fact away quite quickly, she picked up a few rings, all encrusted with rubies, diamonds or some other precious stone, and wrapped them carefully in some soft material so they wouldn't get damaged. She then placed them one by one into the small box next to her. She went deeper and deeper into the jewellery box, picking out valuables and wrapping them up carefully before placing them on top of each other in the box. Always pausing and gazing at each of them in turn, admiring their beauty and marvelling at how lucky she was to have all of these wonderful things. Ever since her father had become the Head manager of the Bank, which in itself was an outstanding achievement, the family's social status and income had skyrocketed, leaving them to have anything their hearts desired. She remembered when her dear father had been a simple bank clerk, so many years ago. Since then he had risen magnificently and was now the pride of the entire Bank, not to mention very well respected among the community. It also showed to the rest of the social critters that they were rising to the top as the family had recently acquired a brand new house down in Clamsy Street, right next to the Country club. That was why their house was currently a construction site of boxes. That evening, everything would get packed into a large truck and sent down the many streets to their new home. It was indeed a very extravagant and expensive home, every room glittered with shining chandeliers and golden curtains. She hadn't really seen anything of it except the outside and some photos. It was wonderful, of course, and she was delighted that her father had done so well, but…
Some part of her, most of her, was objecting about the move. This was her home, and had been for as long as she could remember, and there were memories in this house that she didn't want to leave behind. Some, most that she felt were important, she somehow couldn't remember. But she felt that whatever these memories were, she couldn't leave them. They were too precious.
Though it saddened her to know that not everyone appreciated what they had in this family. Her two brothers, John and Michael, however much they had changed over the years, had been too young to remember when they were just an average family, and without all the privileges they had now. Sometimes, though it pained her to admit it, she thought they even acted quite spoilt, expecting everything to be given to them, and ordering the maids around like mice. She sometimes even wished they hadn't become so proper and well known, so she could know the life of being an average girl, and to grow up with average people. John and Michael had moved to separate rooms years ago, as they did not take kindly to sharing a room with a girl. She insisted however, that she would be able to remain in the, nursery, as they used to call it. There was no way she was leaving for any other room. But, despite everything, and all the changes, she was still happier than she had been in a long time, and that was what mattered most.
She reached her hand back into the jewellery box and groped around for another necklace or ring. But her fingernails merely scraped the bottom of the box, feeling the soft velvet material gently. She looked into it to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. But, and she looked inventively down towards its bottom, she squinted her eyes, as she had just seen something that she hadn't noticed before. It was a small, golden latch, dug firmly into the velvet. It was as if it opened up to something. She couldn't remember this ever having been there but she hooked a finger around it and pulled.
The centre of the floor lifted up, exactly like a trap door. Her eyes widened as she tried as hard as she could to remember ever having it there before. As if swung open, she saw a box-like hole being revealed. It was pitch black, and she couldn't see anything inside it but her hand descended into it all the same. She was suddenly shocked as she felt her hand close over a tiny object she couldn't make out.
She held it tightly and lifted it out of the box and up to her face so she could have a better look at it. Sitting on her chair, she slowly opened her fist to see what was inside.
Her eyes lay upon what appeared to be an acorn, tied to a small pink ribbon that had frayed at the edges because it was so old. The acorn was still green however, as if it had been picked only yesterday. She ran her thumb over it, staring at it as if in a daze. Then, as if suddenly snapping back out of it, she got up and walked over to the bin in the corner. It was simply an old, dirty acorn. Probably a childhood toy. It was no use to her now. It swayed like a pendulum in her grip, suspended over the bin. But, just as she was about to drop it carelessly, she stopped, paused. The hand that was holding the necklace shook and she looked back at it, confused.
Something was telling her not to throw it away, to keep it, and keep it safe. She closed her eyes momentarily and wished she could remember where it had come from, then maybe she could work out why she wanted to hold on to it so much. But she did have a feeling that someone had given it to her…when she was only young…
She thought for a moment, then, without really thinking, she walked away from the bin and placed it carefully into a pocket of her suitcase, before heading out the door, thinking that, if she couldn't work out where it had come from, perhaps she would remember later. In any case, it wouldn't take up too much room.
"Wendy dear? Wend-ah there you are, hurry up child! The carriage will be here any-oh good lord there it is!" Mrs Darling shuffled her two boys onto the carriage where their Father was sitting, scowling out the door and checking his watch reproachfully. He didn't like being late.
Wendy was the last to arrive. She had temporarily lost her glove, but now having found it, she was now arguing with the driver about the arrangements of travel. "But surely it does not matter where they sit?" She said, frowning at the driver who was looking flustered and irritable. "I will not have them sitting in a truck!"
"My dear lady, my job is to transport you and your family to your new home, and that is what I am going to do! I will not have common two common maids and a butler sitting in my carriage!" He said, looking more annoyed by the minute.
Wendy glared at him before stalking back to the front door, where three people were standing, looking awkward as they huddled together, trying to look as insignificant as possible. "Sarah, Lucy, Frank" She said regretfully, inclining her head to each of them in turn. "You have my most sincere apologies. You will get a pay bonus for this, I am so sorry."
At her words the three people in front of her looked shocked and shook there heads. "Oh no, my lady" The butler Frank spoke up for the others, giving her a small smile. "There will be no need for that. It is perfectly right for the family to be in the carriage, we did not think of anything different-
"Oh Frank don't be absurd" Wendy said. "We are not any higher than you, nor will we ever be" She opened her small handbag and took out a roll of money. She took sections out of it and handed them to each of the servants in turn. "Don't say anything" She whispered, putting a finger to her lips and smiling. "Now go, I will see you all at the house then!"
They all made motions of protest at receiving money from her but she pushed them all towards the truck. "Not another word!" She said sternly. They stopped and smiled before walking towards the truck, and out of sight.
Wendy walked back to the carriage and opened the door, intending to get in. But before she did, she looked back at the house she was leaving behind, wondering if she would ever see it again. Her eyes travelled up to the large window on the top story. Her window. She sighed softly and turned away from the old, enchanted house and stepped gracefully into the carriage. She sat next to Michael neatly and looked out the window to take one last look at her childhood home, before horse hooves could be heard as they moved away, from the place she had always known.
"About time!" said an angry voice. She turned her head and saw John looking at her with his arms folded, an irritated look playing about his face. "What took you so long?"
"I had other things on my mind John" She snapped back, frowning slightly.
He scoffed and looked at her, disbelieving. "I hardly think arguing with the driver in the middle of the street is very captivating, Wendy"
She looked up at her mother for help and Mrs Darling leaned down to him. "John, settle down, be nice."
He looked sulky but before he could answer, Mr Darling had spoken. "No Mary, He's right" He looked sternly at Wendy. "Wendy, you have to stop fooling around. You are almost a woman now; a 17 year old must not act like this. Lateness and dawdling are two things that are forbidden in a lady. Surely your Aunt Millicent has taught you that"
"Yes Father" She mumbles, looking down at her feet. It was better not to argue in this case.
"Well then, I am glad to know it will not be happening in the future" He said curtly, as the coach came to a halt. He opened the door and stepped out onto the pavement, looking proudly at the huge house in front of them. They all got out and as Wendy took the hand of Frank gratefully, who was waiting at the door, he smiled at her as she walked inside.
She entered a gigantic marble hallway, glittering with statues and wall length pictures in beautiful golden frames. She took in the scent of the house, which gave her the feeling that it was a place of great elegance and cleanliness. She walked absentmindedly through a door into what seemed to be a lounge room. Again she was taken aback by its beauty and she spent quite a lot of time examining the walls and ceiling, admiring to décor. The two boys ran excitedly upstairs before exploring anything else, eager to choose their bedrooms. Wendy rolled her eyes at them but followed them shortly after, thinking she might as well find her own room so she could begin to unpack.
She hitched up her dress neatly and walked up the stairs, her palm sliding up the golden hand rail with ease. As she stepped out onto the landing and began to walk down the dark blue hallway rug, she looked interestingly around her, counting the doors she passed. Most had already been swung open by movers or John and Michael, and she could see many men moving around within them, lifting boxes and unpacking objects of various sizes. "9,10,11,12…goodness!" She exclaimed, still counting the endless rooms. "How many bedrooms do we need?"
"Oh, they're not all bedrooms dear!" A voice said behind her. She turned around to see Lucy walking out from a room which Wendy saw John had called his own. He was already sitting comfortably on a cardboard box, swinging his legs happily and gazing around himself at his new room.
"Oh no," Lucy continued, smiling. "Some are playrooms; or sewing rooms, bathrooms…
They travelled down the corridor and Wendy looked into each room in turn, trying to decide which one to pick as her own. They were all wonderful of course, overlarge and positively glowing with radiance, but none seemed quite right for her. It wasn't until they reached the very last door in the corridor which had still remained closed, that Wendy had really found any room that suited her. She turned the brass doorhandle and pushed it gently so it swung open immediately.
For the first time since she had walked upstairs, she smiled. This was the one. Its walls were a light shade of lavender, with gold lining around the ceiling, which was mostly white. A lovely antique fireplace was burning happily in the corner and she approached it, warming her hands gratefully. The room was completely empty having not been occupied by anyone yet, but Wendy's eyed had suddenly rested upon the opposite wall, where a large, floor to ceiling window was situated, displaying the twinkling stars behind it. She sighed in awe and walked towards it, delighted. "Oh would you look at that!" Lucy said. "It's just like in your old room"
Yes… Wendy thought. It was just like her old room. Well, that settled the matter. "This is definitely mine!" She said happily, nodding at Lucy who strode off to tell the movers.
She walked around the room several times, beaming around the place as if it was a particularly interesting firework display. She was very happy about this, even if it did mean leaving her old home behind. A knock on the door made her turn around and she saw four men standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Where would you like the bed then Miss?" One said. She noticed they were all carrying pieces of wood she knew to be part of her bed. "Oh' she said, looking around for a good spot. "Ah, how about there, opposite the fireplace?"
The men nodded and began piling things into the room. Wendy stayed the whole while the were putting her bed back together and even decided to bring them some tea and biscuits, in case they got hungry. They all took the food and ate it gratefully, stammering their thanks. She simply smiled at their confused faces and when they had all finished she bid them goodnight and said she would see them in the morning, as they were coming in the next day to put everything else in its rightful place.
Before they left, they rolled a large cabinet into the room which she opened to find all her clothing hung up in colour-coded rows. No doubt the work of Sarah, who lived for the fact that everything must be perfectly organised and symmetrical. She rummaged through the dresses until she found a group of long nightgowns and dressing-gowns.
Pulling out a white nightgown and a long, purple dressing-gown, she slipped out of the dark pink dress she was currently wearing and put on the sleepwear quickly. Tying the gown around herself she sat down on the window sill and drew her legs tight into her chest. Her eyes looked outside; smiling slightly at how much alike the window was to her old one. But, as her eyes roamed over the stars twinkling in the sky, she couldn't help but feel she had seen them, much closer, once before.
