Chapter 3
Levi darted forward, sniffing the air eagerly. Before he could get through the door, however, Alex bent down and scooped up a tiny cavalier King Charles spaniel. "My late mother's dog, Millie," he said "She must have got in when the house-keeper prepared your rooms then couldn't get back out." He ruffled her head before putting her back down; allowing her to get to know Levi.
"She's lovely," acknowledge Sue and bent down to pet her. Pushing past the two dogs, Alex led them down a short corridor. "Sue you are at the end, Jack this is your room and you share a bathroom. I hope everything is OK. If you need anything let me know and I'll meet you in the sitting room when you're ready." He took Sue's luggage to her room then gave a big grin and, whistling to Millie to follow, he set off back down the corridor.
Jack opened the door to his room and went inside. It was a good sized room with a large granite fireplace and a large window overlooking the driveway and the countryside around. Seeing a door in the corner he poked his head inside and found a large bathroom with a deep roll top bath and another door opposite to his which he assumed led to Sue's room. Pleased with what he saw, he returned to his bedroom and began to unpack his things.
Sue was standing in the middle of her room totally bemused. There was a tall wide window at the end with glorious views down to a river as well as another smaller window to the side both with comfy window seats. Levi had already curled himself up on one and was preparing to nap. She too had a magnificent granite fireplace but the ceiling surpassed anything that she had expected. It was barrel-shaped and covered in intricate plasterwork leading down to a plasterwork coving covered in a flower frieze. To the side of the fireplace was an impressive double door and Sue went to open it. To her amazement it opened onto a tiny cupboard that seemed to serve no purpose as it had no shelves or hooks which would allow it to be used for storage. Sue giggled and closed the door. The next door she tried was less puzzling as it led into the bathroom, grabbing Levi's water bowl from his bag she filled it with water and set it down in a convenient spot. Returning to her bedroom Sue found herself pulled towards the tall window again and she gazed across the meadow towards the river where she could see small boats bobbing about. Finally, tearing herself away from the beautiful view Sue began to unpack placing her things carefully in the large wardrobe and chest of drawers. Suddenly she felt Levi nudge her and she turned towards him as he moved to the door. She quickly followed him and found Jack waiting outside. "Are you ready?" he asked. "Do you think we can find our way back to the sitting room?" Sue nodded and grinned closing the door carefully behind her, she didn't want Millie coming in and getting stuck again, then followed Jack and Levi towards the sitting room.