George Woodpecker

Chapter 2: THE FARM

   It was a wonderful morning in the Goldhat house. A pleasing scent could be felt all over the manor and the kids were just waking up. The birds outside were chirping without pause, the sky was blue, and there was no trace of cloud on it. Such weather was uncommon, but it was always welcomed with a broad smile by the local people.

   Mrs Goldhat was cooking breakfast. A simple meat pie made from the pith of a hare that was hunted and skinned just that morning by the brother of Mrs Goldhat, Mr Smith, a well known and very skilled huntsman in the town of Bedford. After a while the children came downstairs from their dorms to see where the heavenly aroma was coming from. They were pleasantly surprised to see that the breakfast was already made and was waiting to be eaten on the big dining table in the living room. Mrs Goldhat, her children and her brother, Mr Smith, sat down ready to eat but before everyone jumped on their prey to devour it and fill their stomachs, Mrs Goldhat stood up to speak.

   "Before eating, " she said nodding at them, "we need to wait for daddy. It would be rather impolite for us if we would start eating away without him, wouldn't it? He is coming from a long trip after all, and should be here any minute."

   The children were very hungry and wished they could eat then, but they secretly agreed to their mum. They were very excited for their father's arrival, as always.

   "You're right, what were we thinking?" posed Mr Smith in a light hearted tone. "I should go bring some ale from the grocer before he arrives. I will be very quick. My old friend Gideon would enjoy a pint of cold ale after such a trip, don't you think?" said Mr Smith in a grin, standing up.

   "I suppose it wouldn't do any harm. While you are there, also visit the baker and buy a loaf of bread if you please." said Mrs Goldhat with a kind tone.

   "Certainly sister, I shall get the most beautiful loaf they have. Goodbye for now." responded Mr Smith as he left the house through the big wooden double doors that were located at the front of the mansion.

   Mr Smith, while out shopping, met with Gideon in the town centre while his coach passed through Saint Paul's Square. Since he was headed back home, he boarded the carriage as well. Gideon shortly introduced George to Mr Smith. They were both pleased to meet each other. As the carriage moved seamlessly through the final stretch before the driveway of the house, the two old friends, Gideon and Mr Smith, started chatting away like in their old days, using words, exclamations and mannerisms that George was unable to comprehend but that he enjoyed to observe nonetheless.  Soon, the coach finally reached the Goldhat mansion and docked close to the barn that was located near the back. The coach was to return to the stables, where it was hired from, but for now the tired horses had to cool down, drink and eat, to gather their strength in order to continue. Gideon, Mr Smith and George climbed out of the coach to the sight of a wonderful two story house which Gideon was lucky to call home. At the front door a tall woman with wonderful long brown hair and a freckled face stood looking. She was wearing a long emerald brocaded gown with an astounding red floral design around the sleeves and torso. Her dress was made with silk of the highest quality. Around her, there were four smiling children that were eager to embrace their father again. The children were dressed similarly to George, only their garments certainly looked much more expensive than his. It took Gideon and his new apprentice a whole night to get to Bedford but finally they had most definitely arrived.

   "The feeling you get when you see your home again after such a long journey is something that cannot be described in words, George!" said the parson glancing at his house, his wife and children.

   "I am sure of it..." snarled George slowly, remembering where he lived even before he was abandoned. He couldn't relate to what Gideon was saying as even at his best point in his life, he was still a poor commoner nobody wanted to look at. The house George's parents owned before the illness struck was very small. The cold always found its way inside during the winter. No matter how big a fire they would make, it would seem pointless. Even the warmth wanted to escape that wretched place. His brothers and sisters would get most of the only bed that everyone slept on, and it won't be uncommon for him to sleep on the hard stone floor. These memories kept creeping up even though they were hated by George. I must not think about the past! George told himself mentally.