Amelia Haylor

A New Home

A New Home

          On the way to my new home, we passed lots of green fields. I realised that the Stowner family lived in the countryside instead of a city. I didn't mind; I preferred a home with lots of greenery than with no greenery at all. I kept on staring at the fields of flowers and trees.

          "You like the countryside Amelia?" Mrs Stowner asked me.

          "Yes mother I do" I answered. Mrs Stowner told me to call her mother and her husband father. "I prefer the countryside with green areas than a city where there's hardly any greenery at all.

          "I am the same" Mrs Stowner said "I'm not a city person either".

          We soon arrived at Mrs Stowner's house; it was a small white manor. I found it very pretty and it had a big garden, with trees and flowers. I fell in love with the small manor immediately. Mrs Stowner's husband Richard Stowner was outside the manor, waiting for us. After Mrs Stowner and I got out of the carriage, she introduced me to Mr Stowner.

          "Nice to meet you Amelia" Mr Stowner said. He was handsome and his voice sounded kind and gentle.

          "Nice to meet you too father" I replied.

          Mr and Mrs Stowner took me into the manor; the inside of the manor was pretty like it was outside. They gave me a tour of the manor; there was a kitchen where all the cooking and washing up was done. It had a big cupboard where all the cleaning equipment was kept. There was a large lounge, with a big shelf full of books and there was even a piano. I was pleased with that as I liked reading books and playing the piano.

          "Is it all right if I read the books and play the piano?" I asked Mrs Stowner.

          "Of course my child" replied Mrs Stowner "as this is your new home now you can do anything you want to do. You don't need to ask permission".

          "But I was taught to always ask first" I said.

          "It is true, you should always ask first" said Mrs Stowner "and you are a good girl for knowing that".

          "I agree" said Mr Stowner "good manners are very important, no matter how old you are".

          In the manor there were three bedrooms upstairs; one for Mr and Mrs Stowner, one for their three sons to share and the last bedroom was for me to have all to myself. I was delighted; I never had a room of my own before. There was also a bathroom.

          After the tour Mrs Stowner introduced me to her sons. The boys were outside; one was playing croquet, another was reading and the third was reading as well. They were all older than me. The eldest son Ben Stowner was seventeen the second son Edward Stowner was fifteen and the youngest son Jimmy Stowner was twelve.

          "Boys this is your new sister Amelia" said Mrs Stowner "I'm going to fix dinner now, so spend some time together" then she left.

          "Nice meeting all of you" I said politely.

          "Nice meeting you too" said Jimmy "want to play croquet with me?"

          "I don't know how to play croquet" I said.

          "Don't worry" replied Jimmy "I'll teach you".

          I stayed outside with my new brothers for the rest of the afternoon. They were all nice boys and I enjoyed their company. They were not like the mischievous and rough boys I had met in the past. They did seem energetic yes, but not a lot. While playing with them, I found out all about them.

          Ben was responsible, reliable and helpful. He was studying books. I learnt that he was studying hard to be a lawyer. Edward was reading medical books; he wanted to become a doctor. Jimmy, who I was playing croquet with, was a nice boy too, but I had to admit it he was more energetic than his brothers. I asked him what he wanted to be. Jimmy wanted to become a sailor and see other places across the ocean. I thought that would suit Jimmy perfectly; he seemed like the type who loved to travel.

          At dinner time we had a meal of a stew with meat and vegetables. After that we had some small cakes and biscuits to share. It was the best meal I ever had in years; the meals I only had when I lived with my aunt were bread and soup and the orphanage did serve good food, but they were simple and we had similar meals every day.

          That night, when I was in bed, I could hardly get to sleep. I guess it was because today was the happiest day of my childhood life. I had been adopted by a kind and loving family who love me and who I love in return. I sat up in bed and whispered a prayer to God.

          "Dear God" I whispered "I thank you for bringing the Stowner family into my life. I feel happy here and I like them just as they like me. And Mother and Aunt Millie continue to watch me from heaven always". I fell asleep after saying that prayer.