Window of Love

15х14

"'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like comin' home
All I know is a simple name
And everything has changed"

Taylor Swift (ft. Ed Sheeran) - Everything Has Changed

Colin Bridgerton was walking down the street next to his mother and sister, returning home after visiting their mother's friend, Agatha Danbury. His thoughts were somewhere far away. Tonight his friends were waiting for him at a party, and he still hoped that he would make it there in time after this endless visit. But he promised his mother that he would keep her company, and it was simply impossible to refuse Violet - especially when she asked with such a gentle look.

Eloise and Violet walked ahead, animatedly discussing something, and Colin lazily trudged behind, planning how quickly he could leave for the party once they got home. The summer evening dragged on slowly, and his irritation gradually grew.

They had almost reached their house, when suddenly a short girl with bright fiery red hair, hastily tied into a careless braid, ran out from behind the gate of the house next to them. She waved her hands, clearly trying to attract their attention.

- Sorry! Please help! - her voice was full of excitement, and her eyes burned with anxiety. - My cat... ugh... he's stuck in a tree by my window and... and he can't get down. I... I can't reach him and I don't know what to do!

Colin looked at the girl carefully. He knew that a family had recently moved into the house opposite, but he had not seen their children before. Now this stranger stood in front of him - with bright red hair and eyes full of despair.

- What? Cat? - Eloise asked, exchanging glances with her mother. - Where?

The girl pointed to a tall tree that stood near the house, its branches stretched straight to her window. On one of the branches, with its tail raised, sat a fluffy cat, desperately looking down and meowing pitifully.

- I can handle it, - Colin said, stepping forward. His gaze shone with mischief, and he could not help but smile slightly.

Eloise shook her head, but smiled.

- You're not going to climb that tree, are you? - she asked with a drop of sarcasm.

- Why not? - Colin grinned. - I always liked climbing trees. Who knows, maybe this time a new view of the world will open up from there.

Before Violet could say anything, Colin, bypassing the fence of the house, headed towards the tree and, deftly grabbing the lower branch, began to climb up. The feeling of height was familiar, and he quickly reached the place where the frightened cat was sitting.

- Well, buddy, come on, it's time to go down, - Colin said, carefully extending his hand towards the cat. He almost grabbed it when the branch under his foot creaked treacherously.

- Carefully! - the girl shouted from below, but it was already too late.

The branch broke, and Colin and the cat flew down. The fall was not too high, but painful enough to knock out the breath. Lying on the ground with the cat, who quickly got out of his hands and ran away to his owner, Colin tried to come to his senses.

The panic in the girl's eyes gave way to tears. She rushed towards him, kneeling down.

- Are you okay? - her voice trembled, and large tears flowed down her cheeks.

Colin, having difficulty holding back his laughter, stood up on his elbows and smiled.

- It's okay. Please, don't cry, - he said, looking at her softly. - I like to climb trees. This, as I said, opens up a new view of the world.

He laughed, and his sincere laughter made the girl look at him in surprise. The tears on her face stopped and instead of sadness a smile appeared. She chuckled quietly, rubbing her eyes, swollen from tears.

- Sorry, - she whispered, looking down in embarrassment. - I didn't want you to fall, - she said, gently stroking her cat.

- Don't apologize, I..., - Colin began, but they were interrupted by Violet Bridgerton, who finally ran up to him with Eloise.

- Colin Bridgerton! - she exclaimed sternly. - Are you trying to hurt yourself or scare this sweet girl?

Colin grinned and turned to the red-haired girl.

- I'm Colin, by the way, - he said, holding out his hand for her to shake. Her face turned slightly red, but she gently took his hand with her small palm.

- I... Penelope, Penelope Featherington, - she answered softly, squeezing his hand and quickly letting go, as if afraid of breaking some rule.

Eloise walked over to her brother and with her free hand helped him up from the ground. She then looked at Penelope, who couldn't take her eyes off the book that Eloise was holding with her other hand.

- Do you also like to read? - she asked with interest.

Penelope nodded happily, a bright smile on her face.

This sight immediately revived Eloise.

You know, when in films one character looks at another and immediately understands that it is love at first sight. This is what happened to Eloise. Only she, not yet knowing, found her soul mate that day. Her best friend for life.

- Darling, my name is Violet Bridgerton, - the woman began with a warm smile. - And this charming young lady is my daughter, Eloise. You have already met my son Colin. We live right across the street, - Violet gestured gracefully toward the stately Bridgerton mansion rising across the street.

Her gaze lingered gently on Penelope, as if she was trying to understand the girl better.

- I didn't meet you at Eloise's school, although it seems you are the same age, - Violet asked with slight interest, carefully and curiously studying Penelope's face.

Penelope lowered her eyes, slightly embarrassed by so much attention, and quietly answered:

- I am very pleased to meet you all. And, yes, we just recently moved. I will go to school this fall.

Eloise's eyes immediately lit up with enthusiasm.

- Oh, this is so great! I'll show you everything! - She spoke happily, waving her arms with excitement. - We have a great library, I'll tell you which sections have the best books. And if you want silence during recess, I know a few secluded places. Oh, and the teachers! You need to know something important about them, they are all so different, and..."

Colin smiled as he watched his sister talk non-stop. Penelope listened to her with such genuine joy, her blue eyes sparkled, and a slight smile played on her face.

He couldn't help but have a feeling that was too real to ignore.

Penelope Featherington, sincere, kind and bright as the sun, will become an integral part of the Bridgerton family's life.

And now he didn't regret at all that he would be late for the party.