Chapter 2 #3
Rolling the window down, he informs us he’s going to park the car, if we both want to go inside. He’s already pulling away before I realise all my luggage is still in the boot, but I have my phone, so I decide against running after him.
Eyeing Cardinal next to me, he’s frowning up at the house, but I manage to take him in fully without him noticing.
He’s tall—I’m five foot, so that makes everyone a giant, but he is at least over six foot five.
Swallowing, I shamelessly run my eyes down him, but he’s now scowling at me when I drag my gaze back up his very muscular form.
“Do you permanently look that grumpy?” I deflect, hoping he doesn’t say anything about the burn in my cheeks of being caught checking him out.
I’d never been around someone so ruggedly attractive before.
“I was meant to be at a football game this weekend. Instead, I’m here.” He gestures to the house with his free hand, his other tightening around his duffle bag. “My sister didn’t bother to pick me up, nor meet me here or even reply to my text messages. Instead I’m standing here, with you.”
“Bloody hell Cardy, tell me how you really feel,” I feign shock, placing my hands over my heart.
“I don’t know you but maybe stop being a wet blanket?
She’s probably just inside waiting for you.
The signal is shocking here, so she probably hasn’t gotten any of your messages.
” Rolling my eyes, I move towards the duckegg blue front door, which is propped open with a cute rabbit weight.
I don’t really care if he follows, but I hear his steps on the gravel behind me anyway.
Stepping up to the cobble porch, before I can step inside, a familiar floral perfume hits my senses first. Lily collides straight into me but thankfully she has great balance, pulling me into her. “Rob! Thank god Darling, I was starting to get bored. Who is this delicious tall glass?”
His eyes flash with concern as he looks to me for help, but she’s already invading his space, the swish of her long dress covering his toes as she wraps a bare arm around his waist. She’s wearing a white sun dress and it looks ethereal.
Tiny flowers cover the entire thing and she’s wound daisies into her hair.
Flashing him that heartbreaking smile she’s known for, I expect him to at least look at her, but whilst she’s introducing herself, he still stares at me with disapproval.
Chuckling slightly, I pull her away from him and loop my arm with hers. “Cardinal this is Lily, Phoenix’s sister and the pea in my pod. Lil, this is Cardy.” I leave out that he’s also the grumpiest Eeyore impersonator I’ve ever met.
“Let’s go inside shall we? It's simply divine what they’ve done to the place. Honestly, I was starting to get worried that they really meant bring your own alcohol, but the fridges and bars are fully stocked! I’ve already popped a bottle of champers for us.”
“It’s not even twelve yet.” I shake my head, but she just shimmies her shoulders and I let her pull me through the front door. I remind myself over and over to push down the anxiety that tries to fill my body.
This is for Phoenix and Merle.
I can do this. I can step into a house I once escaped.
They’ve kept the black and white checker tiled floor the same, but I am relieved to see that this is where the familiarity ends.
The walls are now a gorgeous shade of sage, with dark oak furniture and vintage framed photos.
Paintings on the walls too. I look at the art, realising they are paintings of the lake and some of the woodlands.
The photos are of the property too, black and white close up shots of the glass bird house and gardens.
The foyer is empty of clutter, so I assume no one else has arrived.
As the entrance gets bigger, doors and corridors spring up in every direction.
A wide staircase in rich, deep wood is to the left and in front of us, two glass doors are open, revealing a high ceiling dining room.
A tall fireplace which keeps going upwards is to one side of the room, a mixed stone, looking tall enough that I could stand in it.
The opposite wall houses books, pictures and decor which fit in with the countryside.
Sculpted animals lean against literature, with plant pots full of muted flowers or leafy plants.
The photographs I’m surprised to find are of either Phin or Merle, some of them together, faces beaming for one another.
I love the homey touch on a classically styled room.
Below my feet is a rich paisley rug, running the entire length of the room and upon it sits a long wooden table.
There must be twenty or more chairs around it, and its extravagant dresses.
Plates, cutlery and glasses are all set ready for dinner tonight.
Huge stems of feather-grass and flowers engulfed in gold pots sit on the table, but the center piece is the champagne tower gracefully sitting in the middle.
Pearls and confetti are scattered around.
I can make an educated guess at the theme of tonight’s party, but based on the fact that not even Phin has told me about what to expect this evening, I think it might be a surprise.
Beyond the dining room is another set of open glass doors, twine cords hold back thick curtains and see through drapes.
The fabric moves in the slight breeze that ventures into the house.
Attached to the dining room and the back of the house is another giant conservatory.
The bifold doors are already open, making the entire wall an open space, straight outside onto a sandstone patio.
Finally my eyelids flutter up to look at the gardens that stretch right down to the woods.
The lake lies beyond, a trail opening up just past the pool and guest house.
This view, the open living area, the gardens; it's all what made me fall in love with this property.
This place was once where I was told my dreams were meant to sprout and grow, making a heavy slab sit on my chest, that I would give anything to shift right now.
Cardinal coughs, which brings my attention back. “Do you know which rooms are ours? I want to unpack and find my sister.”
“Yes I do, there's a little reception table out front with everyone's keys.
They're all themed! It's so cute.” Lil replies, her blonde strands swaying with her hips as we're led back out into the entrance area.
I'm pretty excited to see how the keys turned out, because I helped design them.
I also was part of endless nights staying up late, planning themed rooms, hunting for decor and helping them to blend the perfect style of themselves in with the country life.
I think Merle recruited me because he realised Phin had no clue about paint names, and seemed mortified that people sold their used furniture on marketplace.
He did however know good wines to pair with which meals, so whilst we oversaw the refurbishments, he focused on the entertainment spaces, food and drink areas.
We made the perfect team, so it does feel rewarding standing now in their finished efforts.
Nails scratch against the porcelain bowl as she digs for our keys, tearing off a paper tag with my name on as she hands my key over first. I’m bubbling with excitement because I haven’t been informed which room is mine.
My fingers graze over the key as I take it, turning it over to examine the long, brass old fashioned key with moth wings.
Carved swirls decorate the wings, a slight shimmer in the marks.
I instantly recognise the reference and my heart sores.
Growing up I was obsessed with the book series, and each Halloween I would hang moth keys, candles and other crafts from the ceilings, in my Aunt's kitchen.
We make our way upstairs and I look down at the key again, taking in the etched number of my room, just as Lil tells me her room is in the opposite direction. Giving her a departing squeeze, Cardinal bounds ahead of me not speaking to either of us.
“You know, humankind has this handy way of communicating, it's called talking. Hellos, Goodbyes? People would like you more if you said either, more often.” His shoulders tense and his head tilts to the side as he stops.
Slowly he turns to me, his expression dripping with annoyance.
I really don't know why I love to goad this man so much, but his lack of patience just spurs me on.
The moment I saw that tick in his jaw when I laid down my first bad joke, I knew I'd keep pushing him to see what reactions burst free.
My determination to crack a smile from him before the weekend is done sends a wild flare through me. “Problem Cardy?”
“Yes, actually. She's a pint sized, cardigan wearing elf that for some reason is giving me a headache.”
I frown. Is my cardigan even that bad? I look down at my attire and thumb one of the bows attached to my knitwear.
“How is this not adorable? You meant to say, a pint sized elf who is wearing an adorable cardigan and is blessing me with her attention.” Meeting his unimpressed gaze, I see his jaw tick and my frown turns into the biggest grin I can muster. I’m so close to cracking him.
He turns away and puts his own key into his door, a solid elephant head crowning it.
He must be in the room that is decorated like an adventurer's trove.
A classical map wallpaper, sandy coloured sheets upon a four poster canopy.
Woven rugs and light honey toned paint. I smile, because I hope he likes it.
I hope all the guests love what my friends have done to the house.
Without saying goodbye he shuts himself into his room and I head further down the corridor.
We're in the right wing upstairs and my room is next to his, the last door which will be overlooking the back of the house.
I can already picture the gorgeous view of the gardens from the tall, arched windows.
Unlocking the thick, walnut door, without hesitation I push inside and almost squeal at the dark academia styled bedroom.
The walls are a midnight black, but the more I look, there's a tone of emerald to them.
The ceiling is so high, and to either side of a king sized bed, are bookcases full to the brim with novels.
I see old leather spines, newer releases and I instantly spot my favourite fantasy book series on the shelves closest to the bed.
The sheets have a forest design on them, with a selection of velvet and fluffy throw cushions on top.
The floor is dark wood and below my feet is a persian rug of reds and greens, which takes up most of the entire floor space.
Directly across from where I am standing, two sets of long arched windows are framed with dark green curtains, mirroring the shade of the walls to make them almost invisible.
The only other furniture in the room is two bedside tables, a tall set of drawers for clothing and a vanity desk, which is placed under the windows and I walk straight to it.
My gaze casts out over the gardens and I fall in love all over again with the view.
I can see the tops of trees swaying in the August breeze, the sun still creeping upwards on its ascent.
I look at the rows of carved flower beds, vibrant colours against the layers of shrubbery.
The gardens go on forever and I can see that the doors to the converted barn of the swimming pool are already opening, behind a wall of trees to keep it private.
I don’t know what causes me to look down to the patio below, but movement peaks my interest, at the same time my heart stops. The door to my room flings open as Phin's voice breaks the taut silence.
“Aren't you just obsessed with the room? I knew you'd fucking love it! Tell me you love it Robbie.” Pure excitement laces his words but I don't hear them. All I can hear is my blood pulsing in my eardrums, a slick layer of sweat coating my forehead as I feel nausea rise.
He throws himself down onto the bed as he continues talking, but I hear nothing. I’m looking down upon his brother, sitting at the patio table with a dark haired woman between his spread legs, her head bobbing up and down as his own head lays back, soaking up the sun.