Kraal

Chapter 3: Rose

I woke to the smell of eggs and bacon, my stomach grumbling like a feral animal unfurling after being disturbed from a deep sleep.

I blinked in the light of the morning sun streaming through the crack in the curtains and surveyed my new bedroom. There was an aged, floral lightshade suspended from the ceiling and cobwebs lingered in every corner of the room. I wrinkled my nose at a sinister damp patch near the window as I kicked back the covers.

I padded over to the old cherry-oak dresser to check my reflection in the dusty, vanity mirror. My chestnut hair fell forward in a tangled mess and I let out a groan as I rubbed at the smudged mascara under my eyes. I have brown eyes, like my father, but the rest of my face is just like Mum's – rounded with a small, upturned nose.

I found my suitcases standing near the tall wardrobe and I pitched the biggest case up on to the bed, looking despairingly at the narrow wardrobe. I fished out my toiletry bag and shoved it under my arm, before tying my hair up into a knot on top of my head. I was desperate for a shower.

I followed the sweet, smoky smell of breakfast along the hall to the kitchen and I gasped as I peered round the door. Gran's former country kitchen had been replaced by a huge, extended space. The floor was stone and there were exposed beams in the high ceiling, Gran and Mum sat at a huge, oak table in front of a roaring fire with a tall hearth.

Mum had her back to me. Gran looked serious as she spoke to her, but she brightened when she saw me. "Morning, sweetie. Are you feeling better?"

"Much better, thank you." I cast a glance across the glossy worktops and the chrome handles, feeling a little resentful that my bedroom wasn't given the same attention.

My Mother looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Morning. There's fresh coffee if you want some?" Her eyes were ringed with red and her hair was dishevelled. I'd never seen her without a full face of makeup or her signature shades. The effect was a little startling, like she had already given up on herself.

"Coffee would be great."

"How do you like the new kitchen?" Gran asked.

"It's amazing."

Gran smiled. "I thought it was time that I updated this old place," She cast her eyes up to the ceiling. "There's a new bathroom too."

"Great, I need a shower." I said, scrunching my nose as I pulled at the knot on top of my head.

"You go ahead," Gran said. "I've put fresh towels out. But don't stay in there all morning, breakfast won't be long."

I hurried upstairs, my stomach complaining noisily. I found the bathroom at the end of the hall, it was huge, even bigger than my bathroom back home. There was a deep, claw-footed bathtub and a glass shower cubicle, disturbingly big enough to permit two bodies.

The water seemed to take forever to heat, but when I finally jumped under the spray, it was glorious. I felt all of the tension in my shoulders melt away, the knot of anxiety in my stomach loosened and the anger I felt towards my Father.... still burned as bright as ever. I cursed him as I scrubbed at my hair. He didn't even say goodbye when we left.

I left the bathroom feeling refreshed, if a little irritated. I padded back downstairs to my bedroom, each step making the old stairs groan. I couldn't help but sulk when I took in the aged décor, the new kitchen and bathroom were like a different building.

There were two other bedrooms upstairs, Gran's room and my Mother's. I wondered, selfishly, if my Mother's room was any better and I thought about asking her to swap. I pulled the towel from around myself and used it to pat my hair dry, enjoying the feeling of my skin drying in the warm light seeping through the threadbare curtains.