Annie and the Golden Hill Hotel

The Golden Hill Hotel

The air in Toronto was fragrant, the airport was very different from the one in America, Annie liked changes in her surroundings and with some exploring around got used to the entrance area. Brianna trotted behind her, slightly dazed, the adults, along with Camilla and the funny, silly man, eventually followed them, Beryl leisurely made her way out, and was grabbed on her hand by Brianna and ushered to follow Annie.

"Look! Isabella, Anna and Casper-" Annie exclaimed as she saw her friends, they were waving to Annie and they were urging her to come faster. Annie was interrupted by Brianna, who remarked at Casper, who had come straight from the orphanage with an unknown grown-up behind him. Betty rushed to greet her son when Brianna shouted, therefore interrupting Annie's speech.

"Casper! You've.....grown....so....much!" Brianna's jaw almost dropped upon seeing her brother once again, and she trudged to talk with him, just like Betty had. Annie got ahead of them, for being more athletic and also, she couldn't wait to talk with her friends in person after a few years of online texting.

"Isabella, Casper, Anna!" Annie gathered them in an embrace and included Brianna when she arrived by Annie's side, Isabella and Anna had no idea who Brianna was, so they slightly shifted from her. They embraced from across the fence until Betty, who slowed down, Monica, Mrs. Lemona, the mysterious man, and Beryl emerged from behind. Beryl stayed clear from them, avoiding Casper especially. Mrs. Lemona smiled to see two of her students so elated, Monica was elated also to see Annie so delighted, and Betty was extraordinarily happy that she had reunited with her son.

"I am Mrs. Lemona, or Camilla, if you prefer, I am Annie and Brianna's math teacher, this is Beryl, my daughter," Camila pinched her ear gently and playfully, "This is Rowan, he is Beryl's father, oh and this is Brianna, Annie's friend." Anna and Isabella smiled and nodded at them, adding a 'Welcome to Toronto', to each of them.

Casper launched Brianna into a large hug as soon as she stepped from the fence, they talked about all sorts of things, excluding their uncle's death, for it was too brutal and mournful for a topic for a happy occasion such as this one. Annie grabbed Isabella and Anna's hands and talked with them, sometimes talking with Casper too, Monica, Camilla and the grown-ups simply talked among themselves. However, Betty was busy placing her hand on Casper's shoulder and showering him with remarks and exclaims of his growth.

The woman that has transported the children here stayed close to them, closely near them, trailing them. Then when Casper saw that Annie, Brianna and Beryl were personally bothered by her presence, Casper launched into an explanation.

"That is Agatha, my caretaker until mother arrives in Toronto to take care of me, she is only protective not anything to worry about." He reassured, and when he saw that they softened, he sighed and stopped his explanation. Everybody skipped cheerily despite the constant drizzle, it didn't bother anybody just yet, it was a merry and content afternoon, they simply skipped to the bus terminal, and waited for a while. Annie invited Isabella, Casper, Anna and Beryl to explore the contents of her stretch book and they each drew something on it, including Brianna.

Later, after some drawing, Annie took her Big Book Of Animals out and began reading peacefully. She was a fast reader, scanning through the pages and learning at the same time, when the bus arrived in sight, Annie was already scanning the page of 27. Annie placed her book in her bag and boarded the bus with a smile. She talked to Isabella and Anna about her adventures in America while Casper was attended to by Brianna. They spent a while chatting merrily, they sang a silly song together quietly, shyly peering around for any strangers who may have experienced their singing. Beryl had heard, but she didn't really care, she listened and eventually drifted off. Annie was feeling quite weary after being completely awake for all times during the flight. Brianna was still very energetic after a short rest on the plane, so was Anna, Casper and Isabella. Monica suggested Annie take a short rest until they reached the hotel, which wasn't too much, but Monica urged Annie to close her eyes.