𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙽𝙳 || Original Story

nine | cakes

After finally sorting out the stacks and stacks of books in the study and getting most of the way through cleaning the kitchen, I decided to have a stroll around Maplebrook, which would be my first opportunity that I had to explore it properly.

I'd grabbed my tattered messenger bag from the hook in the hallway and stuffed my reading glasses, camera, journal, and a set of pens inside before changing my mind about bringing a jacket.

The sun was shining and a warm breeze blew, bringing out the immaculate beauty of the village.

All of the houses I saw were made of the same sandy-brown stone and all had front doors in varying colours to make them all different from one another. Most had white picket fences and gardens spruced with beautiful flowers and plants. I hoped that Old Farm would look as good when I'd completely finished with it. 

The river glistened in the sunlight, sparkling like priceless diamonds whilst babbling and bubbling at a fast pace. The air around the water felt fresh, clear, a far throw from the stuffy and smoggy atmosphere of the city.

The clarity was captivating.

I'd spent the next hour strolling around the park, the little side streets, and even managed to visit the outskirts of Maplebrook. Everything was so wonderful, so different. And I think I'd fallen in love.

I couldn't believe that all I'd witnessed in one morning was a stone's throw from my new home.

I eventually found my way to Main Street at around midday and there was a little café on the end of the road that caught my eye. Its window frames were painted a glossy white and the door was sky-blue with gold trimmings. A sign hung from above that read 'Maisie's Marvellous Tea Room'. And it did, by the looks of things, live up to its name.

"Good afternoon, sir!" The lady at the counter greeted chirpily as I entered the café, the little bell above the door ringing shrilly.

"Afternoon," I replied with a nervous smile.

"Help yourself to a menu," she added, pointing to the table that was just behind me. "And I'll be over in a moment."

"Th-Thank you."

I took one of piece of laminated paper from the table and found an empty table in the corner by the window with a good view of the street outside. The menu was decorated with gold like the door of the café and seemed to offer a very wide variety of beverages and food. Almost too wide to decide on something for definite.