The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 45

I heaved open the huge wooden doors.
"Maria!" Loveday called after me.
"Maria, you open those doors and I'll-" Uncle started.

"You'll what Benjamin?" The figure infront of me challenged.

There was a long pause. "Mother" Uncle greeted, rather coldly.

"Nice to see you too Benjamin. Merry Christmas to you" the figure said with a shaken but cheerful voice.

I couldn't help but giggle. The figure had a long dark cloak placed above their head covered in flakes of snow. "Please, do come in" I offered.

The figure slowly shuffled into the manor hall and removed the hood. It revealed an elderly woman, with short grey, curly hair. She wore a black dress, quite simple but dragged along the floor.

Was this my grandmother?

To break the silence, the woman spoke in a soft voice, "Maria?"

My eyes met hers and I smiled. "Grandmama?"

She shuffled over to me again with her arms open and tears filling her eyes. "My sweet sweet grandchild" she wrapped me in the biggest hug which I delicately returned.

"Mother, why on earth are you here?" Uncle demanded, breaking my prescious moment.

"You invited me you fool" Grandmama chuckled.

"I did such a thing?" Uncle said shockingly.

"Uncle" I shook my head "You make it sound as if it's an awful thing! I've been reunited with my childhood carer before Ms Heliotrope. This is your mother, you should be delighted to see her!"

Uncle sighed and wrapped his arms around Loveday. "Very well. I suppose it's Christmas; full of cheer and all that baloney"

We all giggled and Loveday introduced herself. "Hello Anne"

"Hello my dear. You must be the one that holds my son's heart. And what a beautiful person you are! Oh my" she stroked Loveday's cheek.

I stood beaming. I couldn't believe she was here, let alone alive. As soon as Ms Heliotrope took over looking after me, I never heard from my grandmother again. She just left, I don't know where or why but she vanished and no one had heard of where she went. She wasn't even there for my father's funeral. But she was here now which is what mattered.

"Oh! Maria, I have a present for you! Gather everyone, this is something that isn't to be missed" Grandmama excitedly announced. Loveday skipped off to gather the party, and Anne took my hand, leading me outside and down the steps to the front of the manor. The sun was setting in the sky and the snow continued to fall.

I stood next to my grandmother, Uncle next to me and the party behind us. Kathleen and Lester looked excited to see Anne but she was concentrated on the outside. "Harold!" She called. From around the corner came a clatter of hooves and a short man in a long black coat, calvary boots and a bowler hat led a highly strung horse. It was jet black with a long curly black mane flowing down to its shoulders to match. It's hooves were feathered and fluffy and its tail was pinned high. It carried a light trot, lifting its legs high and delicately. It was a magnificent creature. The man who I presumed was Harold halted infront of us and stepped away from the horse, still holding the lead chain.

"Maria, Merry Christmas! This is your very own friesian stallion, a little highly strung because of course he is a stallion, but something you'll get along nicely with. He's now yours to own and ride. He's faithful to you and wouldn't dare do anything to harm you or put you in the way of danger. Merry Christmas my dear" Anne explained, waving from me to the horse.