My fake fiance

A New Home

Ida Champion jumped off the buggy and started running towards her cousin. She didn't care that it wasn't ladylike for a young woman to run in her best travelling clothes. The long journey from Sydney to Brisbane had taken 2 days and Ida was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed again and catching up with her aunt and uncle but especially her cousins' news since her last visit.

'Welcome, to your new home away from home, Ida!' Aunt Beatrice came toward her niece with outstretched arms but Rachel was quicker.  

'I am so happy to see you!' Rachel embraced her cousin heartily. 'I can't believe you'll be staying with us from now on!'

'You'll be sharing a room with Rachel. I've put Ruth in the bedroom with Marianne.' Aunt Beatrice said.

'We'll have such a great time together, you'll see!' Said Rachel.

'You weren't that happy when you and I shared a room.' Ruth remarked. Rachel just rolled her eyes.

'Well, that's because you are messy. Nobody wants to share a room with their messy little sister!'

'Hey, I am not that little anymore, I will be 12 in 5 weeks!' Marianne poked out her tongue.

'If you're still counting the weeks and days until your birthday, you are still a kid!'

Marianne ran into the house. Big sisters could be really annoying!

'Girls, be nice! Let's not fight on Ida's first day back on the peninsula. Paul, can you get your cousin's luggage, please?'

Paul, the oldest of the Greene cousins took Ida's trunk off the carriage and carried it into the house.

'Where's Benjamin?' Ida asked.

Benjamin was the youngest of the Greene children and had just turned 8 last month. 'He's probably in the kitchen with Cook. He was so hungry for lunch, he said he couldn't wait until you arrived, so I told him to get a snack.' Said Aunt Beatrice.

'Seems like he hasn't changed much in the three years since I've been here last, then.' Ida smiled. Aunt Beatrice shook her head in agreement.

'He's a bottomless pit!' She laughed. Aunt Beatrice motioned the children to get into the house. 'But I bet you could do with a bite yourself.'

'I had something on the train, thanks, aunt. I think, I just want to change my clothes first but then I wouldn't mind a cup of tea and a piece of your famous sugar plum crumble pie. Rachel promised me you'd make some...'

'I think we can manage that. You still remember where Rachel's room is? There are some fresh towels on the bed and Rachel can help you unpack your trunk later.'

Ida took a deep breath and took a quick look around. Her aunt and uncle's timber house had been built in the typical Queenslander style, raised, with a wrap-around veranda at the bottom and first-floor level. 

To the left of the house, Ida could see aunt Beatrice's vegetable garden and around the house, as far as the eye could see, there were flowers and native trees in all kinds of different colours giving off a sweet scent, attracting bees and lorikeets. 

Summer was almost over. Further afield lay the citrus orchard, macadamia nut trees and berry fields, which used to be Ida's favourite place. She used to love to climb up a tree and pick the sweetest oranges or pick the biggest strawberries she could find, then lie in the tall grass and eat fruit until her belly ached. Those were good memories. And she was looking forward to making some more of that kind. 

West of the main house were the stables for the horses, goats, chickens and a few cows. 'It really is good to be back!' She said with a content smile.