Together Emma and I tripped down the stairs in silence, our footsteps muffled by the thick carpeting.
We finally arrived at the dinner table which was set with fine bone china, crystal goblets and fine silverware.
"I believe we should eat from a properly set table everyday. I do not appreciate the misguided sentiments of those who save their good china for company only." Snorted Emma haughtily.
I had no idea what she was talking about and I merely nodded thoughtfully in reply.
"Well, Well." Suddenly came a booming voice "What do we have here?"
I looked up, startled.
I saw a tiny, very thin man with fine black brushstrokes of hair running across his balding scalp. He was grinning broadly with what looked to be genuine delight. He was thin enough to have come from the Willies that very afternoon, although his perfect looking teeth told of a very different life.
"What's your name, my dear?" He boomed.
"Sarah." I said shyly.
"Oh don't be shy, we all have fun in this house!" He thundered happily.
"Charles! stop it this minute. Can't you see the girl isn't used to meeting strangers?" rebuked Emma.
"Oh Sarah'll be fine, won't you my dear." He said giving me a wink.
"Yes." I said easily, Charles had an easy, crisp air about him. There was something in his personality which helped to put me at ease. It couldn't have been easy for him to learn that a new person had come to live with them at such short notice.
I guessed with such a friendly attitude he must be very successful in business. I suppose this luxurious house was a testament to his skills with people.
"Well come and sit down, from the look of you, you must be very hungry," he said eyeing my thin arms.
I ignored the barb and sat down at his left.
Emma sat at his right directly across from me.
"Tonight we are having roast beef with roast pumpkin, potatoes and bread," Emma announced, while lifting the shining silver serving lids.
"Yummy!" said Charles mischievously.
I smiled at him. I guessed they must have been quite lonely people, but of course Emma had said they had many parties here at the house, Charles had many, many friends, she had said. So I supposed it was more that they were just good natured and friendly people.
I asked Emma if I might be able to help her in any way but she insisted that my first evening was strictly for settling in.
As we began to eat Charles was telling me all about himself, his past and present flipping easily between each as it suited him.
I was enjoying the meal so much that I found it difficult to follow what he was saying.
I was glad that he was so self absorbed that all he wanted was a quiet audience, he reminded me a bit of Luke in that way. In the early days before we were married Luke had been one to talk – but it was a characteristic type of talk, of one who never listens in turn. I used to find it quite annoying when I had something to say but it was quite a relief if you wished to remain unknown and silent as I desperately did.
So I sat quietly and allowed him to talk and talk while I tried to relax. I began to grow sleepy as his excitement continued on and on, I was so tired all of a sudden. The day had been too big and life altering.
Charles didn't notice how tired I was becoming, but I silently wished he would, it was becoming nearly impossible for me to eat let alone react to his relentless musings.
I looked at Emma beseechingly.
"You look tired Sarah," she finally said.
"Oh yes I am," I said. "It's been a big day."
"Well why not go off to bed then and I will meet you here in the kitchen tomorrow morning at 9am as we arranged?"
"Ok then, I'll see you both tomorrow and thank you for the lovely dinner and everything," I said carefully.
I wanted to say more, much more. I wanted to pour my heart out passionately about everything they now represented to me – faith, hope, love, family.
But I just couldn't. The time to express my true gratitude would come later.
"Goodnight, my dear," said Emma.
"Yes, goodnight Sarah, lovely to meet you," chorused Charles.