Hidden Secrets

The Cottage

Before. Before  all of this. Before everything. Before the moving. Before. Before Mum had left we were living the life of royalty, the beds were always neatly kept and the dining room was constantly dishing out amazing meals, thanks to our maid of course . Now we were the ones who had to work, making our beds as best we could and eating packet pasta with chunky tomato ketchup. The trip from Fortleer Mansion was not that long of a drive, but when your sister does not bother to get the snacks the whole thing turns into a living hell. When we arrived to the cottage, the first thing that hit me was the smell. It smelt as if roses had been crushed and thrown around like confetti, the smell was so strong that it took me a while to re-gain my surroundings. Alessia was already at the front porch yelling at us to hurry up so she could look around. Alessia and I were extremely close, and obviously the closer you are to someone the more you have the power to hurt them, Our Mum knew that, she knew it with every fiber in her body, and she used it against us, and against Dad. After she left, Dad had to leave to work over seas and so the maid was told to look after us. The porch creaked and groaned as I walked towards the door to our new house.

 As I climbed the stairs I look up into the dark hole in the roof to the attic which was to be Alessia and my room. As I pull myself into the room, I hesitantly brush my hand against the sloped wall trying to find a light switch. After a few minutes of searching in the dust my hand finally grabbed onto a string to the left of the entrance, bright light scorches my eyes. I walk over to the dust covered window which seemed to not have let light in through it for a thousand years. I grab the handkerchief from my pocket and wipe a sliver of dust off the windows, I stare down as Alessia draws one of the native flowers in her journal with as much precision as possible, Aunt Kas, who was formerly our maid, Is drinking a cup of tea sitting on the porch steps. I put the handkerchief back in my pocket and turn toward the light cord and give it a firm tug, darkness fills the room. I take my time climbing down the stairs, once I place my feet on the oak floor I look up once more at the black entrance and as I do I see the thin line of afternoon light pouring in from the window from where I cleaned It, even with that fine amount of light the room looks warmer and almost inviting. I smile to myself. I spin on my heel and walk to the door to join Alessia and Aunt Kas outside.