The Mansion And It's Garden
That very next morning I awoke joyfully after having the most peaceful dream – in the beautiful garden of an enchanted mansion. Such fine detail did I remember from that dream, even now I remember everything I saw in that dream. I'd always had particularly vivid dreams. But this one had seemed different at the time. I felt different, waking up from it. I was sad, because I wanted to stay in that garden for ever and a day. But I was also happy. I wanted to tell Mom and Dad about my dream – as I always did. Perhaps they could explain to me why I felt so drawn to that garden.
After dressing, I skipped down the stairs of our house and imagined to myself what the inside of that giant mansion would have been like. In the dream I was perfectly content with staying in the garden, and felt no need to go inside the mansion. I walked into the kitchen, where my father and siblings were sat at the dining table, occupying themselves whilst my mother was at the cooker, making us all breakfast, as usual.
"Good morning, sunshine!" my mother called across to me, as I walked into their focus; knowing they could tell I was happier beyond usual this morning. I walked over to my mother and hugged her; I then headed over to the table and sat right beside my father.
"Hi daddy," I sung out, pouring myself a glass of orange juice and then filling up Dad's half-empty glass. He'd already placed the morning newspaper down on the table when he'd noticed me walk in the room. He smiled at me and then said: "Good morning, Doll," Doll was the name he had been calling me since I can't remember when. I never understood why and, whenever I asked, he simply laughed and said I reminded him of a porcelain doll – beautiful and dainty. "My, you are happy today," he added, observant as ever.
Darren and Deidre began eating at this point, after mother had produced them both their breakfasts first – as she always did. After acknowledging that I had entered the room, they returned to their usual pointless chatting – no doubt about some film they'd both watched when they were supposed to be asleep. Or about someone they disliked at school.
At that point, mother had next brought over mine and Daddy's breakfast, and finally her own. She sat down opposite me at the table. "Yes, Daddy. I'm very happy today," I informed him. I began eating my breakfast with the etiquette my mother had taught me – the usual don't talk with your mouth full, don't lean on the table when you're eating.
Mother then smiled at me and asked, "Go on then, Catherine. Tell us why you're so happy." I smiled back at her and began to chew my food much quicker so that I wouldn't have to prolong my story much longer. Of course, I wouldn't have spoken with food in my mouth – as Darren and Deidre sometimes did, I might point out. "Well, Mom," I began, "I had the most amazing dream last night." My parents were both listening intently; the twins seemed to be completely uninterested with my story.
"And what happened in your dream this time, Doll?" Dad asked me. I explained to them all about the magical garden I had been in. And how I'd felt so safe, despite being completely alone. How I'd been so happy…so content. "It really was the most amazing dream I've had, Daddy. I almost didn't want to wake up…but then I wouldn't have been able to tell you and mother about it. I wish you could have been there too. It was so peaceful and quiet," I told them.
My mother laughed. "Quiet. That would be nice," My father laughed at her comment as she looked toward Darren and Deidre. They appeared to take notice for a split second, and then continued with their own little conversation.
Father turned his attention back to me and then asked: "So, you mentioned a grand house. Did you not go in the grand house?" My mother also turned her attention back to the conversation. "As a matter of fact, Daddy, I didn't." I told him. "I was perfectly content in the garden." Again, I thought back to the beautiful flowers that draped the garden so perfectly; and the trees that supplied detail to such the vast space. I wondered to myself who kept that garden. Maybe it was Mother Nature's own. "I only saw the outside of it…but I know it was definitely such a majestic palace full of wonder and mystery." I gushed praise on how beautiful the mansion looked from the outside and how I thought it would look inside.
"Well, honey, it sounds like an amazing place," my mother told me. I nodded my head in agreement and took a sip of the orange juice I had barely touched through want of telling my story as soon as I possibly could. I was always in a hurry like that.
"The best part of the mansion, I remember, was – when I was walking up the pathway towards the front gates of the house – there was a beautiful gold plaque that stretched the whole distance of the gates, which were also amazing. They were so tall and wide. I almost felt intimidated by them," I explained, losing track of what I was trying to say.
"A golden plaque, Doll?" Ah, yes. Daddy often reminded me of my point when I went off-track; detailing everything I possibly could. I loved it when he did that. As if he kept me focused.
"Yes, a golden plaque. And do you know what it said? It was like an introduction. It was so grand and wonderful. It was as if it were boasting to all those that passed by: this marvel is all mine! The plaque, do you know what it said? It said 'Foxworth Hall'."