The Revolution

Introduction

Hey, this is my new story, I hope you like it :)  As always, I'm open to criticism as I want to improve this book :)

Introduction

In the year 2030, the world was balanced.  There was little, if any, unemployment throughout the world, poor countries developed the skills they needed to rise out of debt, and everything finally seemed to slot into place. 

Just outside the small town of Helston, in Cornwall, there was an immaculate road that twisted through the small forest, a snake that gently weaved it’s way up to a stone house - well, house is an understatement.  Mansion seemed like a better fit for the towering building that stood before the road.  It's old brick walls were painted over in a cream colour, to disguise the age of the building.  From afar you would think that it could be twenty year old, at most.  But when you near the mansion, and are able to study it in more depth, you notice the slight wear in the bricks, the age of the columns that supported the roof of the front door.  However, the house was so well kept that unless you were really looking, you wouldn't notice any of the flaws - and if you did, the owners of the house would most likely flap around at their servants until something was done to restore the house to it's glory. 

The mansion belonged to Joseph Ashby the Fifth, his wife Cora Ashby and their daughters Charlotte Elizabeth May Ashby, Marnie Jane Ashby and Louisa Ashby.  For five generations, the Ashbys were the richest in the town, and it remains so now. 

A young girl, 17 (nearing 18) slipped out of the arched door, and strolled into the garden. It was no usual garden, for it stretched for acres in every direction.  A crystal stream trickled through the centre, and led to a great lake.  There was a wooden stable beside the lake, housing three magnificent horses.  The teenage girl however paid no attention to them, as she continued to walk beside the lake.  Her head hung lower, letting her unbrushed hair fall to her hips.  She sat by the lake, pulled the hem of her dress to her thighs and dabbled her feet in the sparkling water.   As she absentmindedly swayed her feet, little fish danced around her, yet even their charms didn't bring a smile to her troubled face.

"MISS ASHBY!" a shrill voice screamed from the house, making the girl jump in fright.  She quickly pulled her feet back and frantically rearranged herself to look presentable.  Just as she'd straightened out her dress, a short, plump woman in her middle forties tottered out towards her.  As she neared the young girl, she sighed and tutted in annoyance. 

"Miss Charlotte, why do you insist on sneaking off?" The short woman ask, pursing her lips.  Charlotte, the young girl, seemed to bite her tongue to avoid making a rude comment. 

"I do apologise, nurse." She said patronisingly.  Nurse scowled at her rudeness, grabbed her elbow and pulled her towards the house.  Charlotte pulled her arm away, and scowled at Nurse from behind, but smiled innocently when the Nurse glanced behind.  When she stepped into the house, Charlotte was pulled into a crushing hug by a strikingly beautiful woman.  She appeared to be in her late twenties, but the small wrinkles around her delicate eyes gave her true age away.

"Oh Charlotte, I was so worried!  Why did you not tell us where you had gone?  You know how I worry about you!" She gushed over Charlotte, who gently pushed the woman back.

"Mother, I am fine, I was in the garden." Charlotte her mother, who didn't seem to relax.  "I'm nearly eighteen you know, I can take care of myself." She insisted.  Her mother's eyes softened, and she smiled sympathetically.

"Oh honey, I am sure you could, but thankfully we won't find out.  As soon as you're married, I will calm down, I promise - that way I will know you are ok." She smiled lovingly at her daughter.  Charlotte faked a smile, but it was quite obvious that she wasn't keen on the idea of marriage.

"Yes mother." She said quietly.  Her mother gently stroked her cheek, but her eyes wandered to the floor. 

"Oh Charlotte, how are you so wet?  Go on upstairs and tidy yourself up, you are meeting your future husband tonight." Her mother said excitedly.  Charlotte's mouth gaped open in shock - this was clearly the first she'd heard about it.  Nurse whisked her away upstairs before she could say something she'd regret.  

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OK so that was just the short introduction to give you a bit of a feel for the book, please comment and vote if you like it :)  I've proofread it quickly, but there may still be errors - sorry!

I'll upload the next chapter soon, Shrimpy x