The Golden Telescope

23 - GRANDMA LYDIA

DUBLIN, IRELAND – PRESENT DAY

"Where does this lead?" Jack asked, and he began to descend the steps.

"Oh, those stairs lead down to the house. This room is the pinnacle of the building. Shall we head down, then?" Arthur grabbed both hats and briskly moved toward the stairs.

At the bottom, Jack found a walnut door with an ornate golden handle. "Wow, fancy..." Jack muttered as he grasped the handle and turned.

Jack's jaw dropped at the splendor that awaited him on the other side of the door. Where the upper room had been sparse—-nearly vacant, in fact—-this hallway was beautifully appointed. Plush carpets covered the floor, colorful tapestries and oil paintings hung on the walls, ornately carved crown moldings in the same rich walnut as the door accented the ceiling, and even the light fixtures exuded an ambiance of warm yet gracious elegance.

"It's a bit much to take in, isn't it?" Arthur asked, gazing fondly at the sight before them. "I've lived in this home for more than half my life, and I am still in awe of its beauty." He walked ahead of Jack and past several rooms before stopping to retrieve a large key-chain from his jacket pocket. Unlocking the door in front of him and opening it, he turned to Jack, "your accommodations for the evening, Master Jack," he said it with a sly little grin, and Jack dashed the rest of the way down the hall to meet him.

For the second time, Jack's jaw dropped as he slowly stepped over the threshold and into the room. After his dank basement bedroom at the O'Brien home, this room felt fit for a king! Jack walked past Arthur and into the room, where an enormous, four-poster bed dominated the space.

He turned around to the butler for permission, "Can I?" He asked, gesturing to the bed.

"Please do, Master Jack! This bedroom is your room," he said. Jack grinned and jumped, flopping down in the middle of the bed. He bounced a few times on the soft mattress, allowing himself a moment to revel in luxury.

"Would you like to retire for the evening, or could I interest you in supper and a tour?" Arthur stood expectant in the doorway.

Jack's stomach grumbled loudly at the mention of sustenance. It hadn't been that long since the burgers, but a lot had happened since then, and the expenditure of nervous energy left him ravenous.

"Food sounds fantastic! He said, jumping off the bed. Maybe show me where the kitchen is, or whatever?"

"Of course, Master Jack! You will have a chance to see quite a lot of the main part of the house on our way down to the kitchens." Arthur said, then, "No rush, of course. Take as long as you'd like."

"Oh, I'm definitely ready to go now! Lead the way, Sir Arthur!" Jack said enthusiastically.

And the butler smirked slightly, "Pardon, Master Jack, but I'm not a knight. And only knights have earned the right to be called sir. Your grandfather, Sir Edward, was knighted by the queen many years ago, and that is why I address him as Sir Edward. You may call me Arthur. Or, if you prefer, sometimes your grandfather liked to call me Arty." He smiled and turned toward the massive, open staircase just beyond the door.

"Good to know," Jack paused, then added, "Arty!"

Jack was following the older gentleman, trying to take in all the incredible artwork hanging on the walls as they went. The butler made sure to pause and tell him the name of the ancestor depicted in each painting, which Jack found fascinating. But when they came to the bottom of the staircase and turned the corner, Jack stopped abruptly, frozen in his footsteps. His mouth was hanging open, and he was beginning to hyperventilate. Arthur, who paused in front of another painting, noticed that Jack was transfixed, staring up at what was the largest of the portraits he had seen so far.