Once Upon A Tale (Published Amazon)

Chapter One

Melbourne, 2017

The little girl looked up at her mummy and smiled.

"I love that story mummy, but I wonder what happened to Clara and the baby?" Her mother shook her head.

"I have no idea baby girl. There was a lot of speculation that they went to europe, but we are not sure."

"I don't think the story is finished. I think there is more." She told her mother.

"I've always thought that too. But right now, it's time for bed." She tucked her daughter in and gave her a kiss goodnight. She then walked to the door and turned off the light.

Eliza made herself a cup of tea and sat down on the couch. It was the only thing that had not been packed in a box. She looked around the room at the few boxes she and Aurora had filled with the personal items they had decided to take with them. Eliza had been given a most prestigious position as head pastry chef in a castle that had been turned into a Hotel. They had offered her and Aurora lodgings as well as Aurora's tuition fully paid for. It was an opportunity too good to refuse. The only problem was they had to travel to the Scottish Highlands. Eliza and Aurora had never been out of Australia. Lady Grace who owned the house had been extremely helpful over the phone.

"My dear, you will want for nothing. I have a cottage all ready for you and your daughter, I've organised a tutor for her schooling, and I will be sending my personal jet to pick you up. All you need do is pack what you would like in your new cottage." Eliza had been in shocked at how far she had gone to procure her services.

"Well it all sounds wonderful, however I do need to speak to my daughter about this. It's a big change." She'd told Lady Grace on the phone.

"Of course. If I call back in two days, do you think that will be sufficient enough time for you and your daughter to make up your minds?" Eliza nodded then realised that Lady Grace couldn't see her.

"Yes, yes we will have our answer for you in two days." Eliza had told her. She had hung up and waited for Aurora to get home from school.

"Sweetheart, an opportunity has come our way and I'd like to talk to you about it." Aurora looked at her mother and picked up the lemon meringue cupcake her mother had made earlier.

"What sort of opportunity?" She asked as she took a bite of the cupcake.

"I have been offered a job working in a castle that has been turned into a Hotel." Aurora gasped and smiled.

"Oh mummy that sounds like so much fun. Do you think I'll be able to come and investigate the castle after school and see if I can find any treasure?" Eliza smiled at Aurora's enthusiasm. She should have known her daughter would take this as one big adventure.

"Well actually, the castle is in Scotland and I'm pretty sure they won't mind you looking around as long as you don't get in anyone's way."

"Scotland! Oh my god, how exciting. When are we going?"

Eliza was laughing at her daughters enthusiasm. "Well I told Lady Grace I'd speak to you first to see if you wanted to go."

""Of course I want to go." Aurora was now kneeling on the couch bouncing up and down. Eliza laughed more. Her daughter reminded her so much of her husband. He had been the one to bring adventures into Aurora's life. He had been a fireman and loved to draw maps to treasures he would hide for Aurora. Unfortunately, one tragic night Brian had gone back into a house to save a child the same age as Aurora. The child had survived but Brian had not made it out in time before the house became engulfed in flames and collapsed. That had happened six months earlier and Eliza had felt they both needed a change. That was why she applied for the pastry chef position in Scotland. She hadn't thought she would get it being so far away, but her credentials and experience had wowed the owner and she was willing to do anything to have Eliza work in her Hotel.

"Okay, I'll let Lady Grace know I will take the job."

"Mummy do you know what castle it is?" Her daughter asked. Eliza smiled.

"It is called Lacairtam Towers baby girl."

They were both very excited. The only one who wasn't excited was Greg. He had been Brian's best friend since they were small boys and he was also Aurora's godfather.

"What do you mean you're leaving the country?" He'd said when Eliza gave him the exciting news.

"Well, I got a job that is too good to say no too. And Scotland is such a beautiful place to live." She'd told him.

"It's freezing there Eliza. You wouldn't like it. Stay here." He'd asked her gently.

"No. Aurora and I need a change. The last six months have been miserable." A tear ran down Eliza's face. He leaned forward and pulled her into his arms.

"Alright, you go. But I'm coming with you." He'd said. Eliza pulled back and looked at Greg.

"You can't leave you're life here Greg? I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't ask, I offered. Besides, you and Aurora are my family. I don't want to be here without the two of you. Also, I promised Brian I'd always look after the two of you."

Eliza took a sip of her tea and smiled at the memory, Aurora had been so excited since finding out she was going to be living near a castle. She'd been even more excited to find out Greg would be going with us. Even the private jet ride paled in comparison.

Eliza thought back on the story she had just read her daughter. It was one of those family heirlooms handed down through time from mother to daughter. She suspected it was written by one of her great grandmothers for it was not the only family heirloom handed down. Eliza washed her cup, wrapped it in paper and placed it in the box she'd left open. She then headed to bed.

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