CHAPTER 3
I stood there soaking it all in. My eyes were trying to take in everything at once, and I could picture summer afternoons sitting at a table with my laptop. I realised Eric was talking to me and turned to listen. He was telling me how the building was structurally sound, and the surveyor had found nothing that required urgent attention. Of course if I wanted to bring my own surveyor in, then I was more than welcome. He explained, as he led me to the front door, that the house had full electricity but with the location it sometimes went off for short periods of time, and therefore had a generator as a backup. It also had running water and a few mod cons such as a telephone line. Nothing could put me off, I was home, and I just knew it.
As soon as I entered the front door, my feelings were confirmed. I felt I had stepped back in time. The cottage was not shabby or old fashioned; it was more quaint and welcoming. I made my mind up there and then and I boldly declared, 'I’ll take it'. Eric's jaw dropped. After the initial shock, he insisted I take a look around the rest of the house and then he would take me back to the office. I only took a quick look, I didn’t care, and I knew already, it was the house for me. Once we were back at the offices of Graham and Johnson, we immediately got down to arranging all the paperwork, informing the clients, and contacting my solicitor. Within 4 weeks, deeds were exchanged and the property was mine. I did not want to change a thing, so arranged to purchase the furniture along with the house, this pleased the relatives, as I knew they would have just scrapped the lot.
Moving in went so smoothly. My belongings were stored and personal touches were made by pictures and ornaments that I could not part with. I immediately loved the peace and just wanted to relax and soak up the atmosphere, but first, I decided I should deal with the mundane things, like obtaining the internet, power providers being switched to my name, and new address cards being sent out.
Once all that was out the way, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to explore. The kitchen was more than fully stocked, and a big range stove dominated one side. The previous owner must have loved cooking. I was not even sure how to use most of the utensils. Herbs grew on the window sills and I guessed the gardener must have been tending to these also. Of course this meant he must have a key, and I decided to let him keep it. If the previous owner had trusted him, then so would I. An enormous table stood in the middle of the kitchen, it was well used, but this only added to its charm. This room had most definitely been the heart of the home, I could feel it, and thought of cold winter nights, and me sitting warm in front of the range, with a nice cup of tea. I shook my head and smiled and I moved on to the living room.
The large overstuffed sofa stood in front of the fireplace and I sat down on it. I seemed to sink into comfort, the sofa easing its way round me in a big caring hug. I had to be careful not to sit there to work, or nothing would get done. I would more than likely fall asleep. Small tables were dotted round the room, in perfect position for ease and efficiency. A glass cabinet hung on either side of the fireplace. I had placed my lovely ornaments here for display. It was not until I was admiring how my ornaments fit in so well; that I realised there was not a speck of dust on anything. The house had been empty for so long, but looked like it had been lived in yesterday. I wondered if the family had hired a cleaner to keep the place looking fresh for prospective buyers. I discounted that immediately and thought Eric's’ agency had probably arranged it. I would have to send a note thanking them.
I climbed the wide staircase onto a large landing and headed to the main bedroom, one of four, and stood at the door. The wallpaper was pink floral and must have been there for years, but did not look worn. I walked over to the bed and tested it. I had never before felt such comfort. It comprised of a mattress on top of giant coiled springs, it must have been over a hundred years old. A huge patchwork quilt lay on top of crisp clean sheets and I smiled at the thoughtfulness of Eric and his staff. I must have been a dream come true to the firm, for them to go above and beyond the duties of Estate Agents. A big rocking chair stood to the side of the bed, complete with a cushion which matched the wallpaper. A beautiful white distressed dressing table resided under the window, it held a trio of ornate mirrors on top of it, and a chair in front, once again upholstered in matching fabric; I felt like a princess. Two enormous wardrobes matched the dressing table and yet there were still lots of room to move around. I felt so at peace in this room and looked forward to sleeping in it that night.
I walked to the other bedroom. It was a pretty, guest room, about the same size as the main bedroom. It had been decorated in a bright yellow and held two single beds. The furniture in this room was dark wood and complimented the yellow perfectly. I walked along the landing to the bathroom. A large roll top bath stood at one end of the room and it was fully tiled. It held no shower, and I thought I could wait to put one in; it would be a nice change for now, to lie and enjoy a relaxing bubble bath. I moved on to the smaller two rooms. Both were decorated beautifully, and each had a single bed. There was nothing spectacular about these rooms and one seemed to have been used for storage, even so, there was nothing I wanted to change. The décor and furniture suited me perfectly. All in all, I was so happy with my purchase.
I went back downstairs, made a sandwich and a cold juice and spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the garden, laptop ready, trying to write. I felt I could do that here, but for today I just wanted to soak in the view.
It was soon time for bed, I got changed and sat at the dressing table brushing my hair and I looked out of my window into the garden below. I saw a very large grey dog pacing along the edge of the forest. I watched it for some time as it patrolled the edge of the garden. It stopped and turned to look at me. I didn’t feel worried or scared; I felt calm for some reason. I had the impression the dog was protecting me; I smiled, said goodnight, and turned to my bed.
My first few days in my new home flew over. My internet had been installed and I had begun writing, in earnest again. I loved my long luxurious bubble baths and decided against a shower, I could never go back to the hurried cleansing ritual I had been used to in the city. I would sit at the dressing table each night and look out into the garden to find my protector, always on patrol, and say goodnight to him. I had even bought dog food to put out for him, but it was never touched. I had already settled in to my new life so well. It was on the fifth night, however, that my whole world changed.