Moon Angel

Chapter 2: The Big House

Chapter 2: The Big House

Two weeks later, Mrs Matthews drove me out to Mr Carter's house. The trip was long. I stared out the window, watching the countryside pass by. She attempted to make small talk a few times during the journey, but the conversation didn't last very long. There wasn't much to say.

When we finally arrived, Mrs Matthews stopped the car and I climbed out, pulling my suitcase out from the boot of the car.

The house before me made my breath catch in my throat. It was the largest house I'd ever seen, complete with balconies and massive windows. Mrs Matthews walked up to the front door, seemingly unfazed, and knocked. The door opened almost immediately, and Mr Carter stood in the doorway.

"Welcome," he said, stepping aside to let us in. Mrs Matthews entered first. I trailed slowly behind her, trying to take in as much of the view as possible. It felt like a dream that would end if I so much as blinked. Inside the house was just as beautiful as the outside and I had to do my best not to gape. We moved through into the living room area where some sandwiches and small cakes had been put out. "Would you like any refreshments?" Mr Carter asked, gesturing for us to sit down. "I know you've had a long trip to get here."

"I can only stay for a while as I have to get back to the Home," Mrs Matthews said. "But I wouldn't mind a hot drink before I go." She sat down on one of the couches and Mr Carter took a seat on the other. I put my suitcase down and walked over to the window as Mr Carter and Mrs Matthews began to talk. Nothing they said was of much interest to me. I looked out the windows and across the large property that extended from the house.

After a while, I turned around. "Is everything out there yours?"

Mr Carter turned to me, stopping the conversation. "Yes," he answered, smiling. He stood up and walked over to the window to me, crouching so that he met my eyes with his. Mrs Matthews looked quite put out that I interrupted their conversation, but I didn't care. I was too curious about the new place I had arrived at.

"You see that line of trees across there?" Mr Carter asked, pointing. I nodded. "And over to the right, the large pine that is taller than the rest of the trees?" I nodded again. "Those are the boundaries on this side. And on the other side of the house is the driveway and the garden. I own everything in between." He smiled before standing up again and walking back to sit on the couch. "And now you do too."

I beamed at him. He continued, "I'll have to give you a tour some time. I think you'll like it."

I nodded again, as if to say that I thought that would be a great idea.

I turned back to stare out the window while Mr Carter and Mrs Matthews returned to their conversation. Once Mrs Matthews finished her drink, she stood up, gesturing that she was ready to leave. She said a quick goodbye to me and followed Mr Carter to the front door, exchanging pleasantries as she left. I heard the door shut from where I still stood in the lounge.

Mr Carter walked back into the room. "How about I show you the rest of the house and you can put your things in your room?" he asked. I smiled, picking up my suitcase as we left the room.

***

I stared, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, into the room that had just been opened for me. This was mine? All mine?

I walked inside the room and looked around. My suitcase was sitting on the floor beside a double bed, where Mr Carter's housekeeper had put it while he had showed me around the house and property. The walls were cream in colour and the floor was carpeted in a rich blue. A large window sat against one of the walls. I walked over to it and looked out. Rolling hills and flowering meadows lay before me, endless blue sky above. It was beautiful. I turned around and walked back to the bed, running my hand over the quilt and pressing down on the soft mattress. I jumped onto the bed and squealed in delight. My body sunk into it.

I looked over to where Mr Carter stood in the doorway, smiling at my excitement. "So you like it?" he asked. I sat up and nodded enthusiastically. It was better than anything I could remember.

"I'll leave you to get yourself unpacked. We'll serve dinner when you come down. Do you still remember where the dining room is?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, smiling.

He smiled in return and walked away, back down the corridor. I breathed out, letting my body fall back down onto the bed and lay like that for what felt like a long time.

I finally pulled myself upright, got off the bed and found my suitcase.

I lifted my suitcase onto the bed, clipping it open. I pulled out my clothes and packed them into the draws and wardrobe against one wall. I placed my other things on the bedside table and stowed the now-empty case in the bottom of the wardrobe.

I figured I still had some time since I hadn't had many things to unpack, so I inspected the room, inch by inch, trying not to miss anything. I still couldn't believe that it was mine. It was bigger and more wonderful than anything I had ever had. None of the other homes I had been through could compare to this. I didn't know if it would last. Through my experiences in the other homes, I had learnt not to hold on to things for too long. I couldn't help thinking if this was too good to be true. As I walked out of the room and down to the dining room I thought that even if it fell through, I could still make the most of the luxury while I had it.