I’ve made an educated guess that he's from London, from the twang in his accent, to his smart attire which looks more appropriate for a business meeting in the city.
Slipping further into the countryside, we pass a small sleepy village, with a narrow stone bridge that exits us onto a one-lane road, and the fields dwindle to dense woodland. I’m studying the trees, waiting for the pops of colour that scatter across the undergrowth this time of year. As expected they start to thin, wildflowers emerge and become luxuriant across the woods floor. The morning sun coats each flower, making the left over dew shimmer. I see buttercups, snowdrops, blue bells, dog violets and endless cow parsley. As I admire the wild nature, I’m transported to a similar woodland, on the grounds where Phoenix’s Grandmother lived.
Growing up we’d spend endless summers there, pretending to be hobbits, digging for potatoes and tending to our imaginary crops. We’d make capes out of bed sheets, pick grass and try to stick strands to our toes, to make them hairy. Phin and I would always demand to be Frodo and Samwise, Lily on the other hand always preferred to be an elf instead. At the time it felt like she broke our dream trio when she refused to be Merry. We’d run through the woods, camp outside in the garden until one of us heard a noise, shrieking back inside to be tucked into our warm beds. Unlike his Grandmother's property, these woodlands didn’t hold fond memories—the opposite, actually.
Even though I told my best friend it was fine, Iwas fine–I told myself six months ago I’d never step foot on this land again. I’d told myself to never look back, as I ran from the front door. To never imagine this house as my future and to let go of all the dreams I’d wanted so badly to manifest into existence. The universe can be unpredictable, but I always knew it could becruel. Corbin had bought the house for me to make it into our home, so what a twisted parallel that instead his brother would make it his.
THE brand new sign forThe Nightingale Hotel & Events Venuecomes into view, as he flicks on the indicator and slows to turn left. Iron gates swing open slowly and we creep through at an idling pace. I take it all in; the stone pillars with sculpted birds on each side of the gates, giant willow trees hanging slightly over the long gravel drive, that we start to descend down. I can’t drag my gaze away from the wildflowers that continue to cover every inch of the ground. The drive bends to the right and I see the flash of glass between the trees, along with sandy brick structures that I know to be outbuildings on the property. Both the guys were so eager to show me all the plans they had drafted, sending me endless photo messages of the building's progress, until a month ago. They said the final look was to be a surprise when they could reveal it to us all at their opening weekend. Anything that happened through these gates, for the next couple of days, would all be for Phoenix and Merle.
“We’ve turned the outhouses into a street food style restaurant, bar and games area.” He says, pointing through the trees to the left of the house. “We also built a wooden port to rent bikes and we’re thinking of small quads if we can get the permits.” He explains for Cardinal’s benefit, because I haven’t had a moment's peace about the renovations.
I expect him to remain disinterested as we continue down the drive, but looking over my shoulder, I find him glued to the window, with a look of admiration. “Is that a giant glass house?”
“Yes! It used to be a birdhouse—owls, I think. It's the only building not finished yet, but we plan to make it into a venue for parties, receptions, that sort of thing.”
Slowing down the car, he makes a left instead of continuing down the gravel lane. If we were to continue that way, it would take us to a large space they’d reserved for parking, beyond that was the lakes edge. What had called to me so much was the glimpse of the lake, which you can see from the back of the house. The light shimmers on the water right until sundown. The trees sway in the gentle warm breeze, making me all the more eager to try and get some alone time down by the shore. The entire place was incredibly peaceful.
The grey stoned house comes into view and my stomach flips. It is something out of a Grimm’s fairytale. The charcoal grey slate roof has many slopes and chimneys, light wood features, lattice windows are everywhere, my eyes not knowing on which set to linger on first. Ivy climbs the front of the house and window baskets of pansies sit sunbathing. An orangery wraps around the left of the house, where it meets the edge of the wood and a neat gravel path. Where the orangery is, to the front of the house is a large section dedicated to a herb garden.
I watch who I assume to be a gardener, decant soil from a wheelbarrow into the ground, smoothing over freshly planted rosemary bushes. His khaki uniform is crinkled but clean, the only part of him dirty being his gloves as they pat down the earth.
The downfall of living in an apartment is that we residents don't have a garden. I have an abundance of indoor plants and the odd tomato plant, but what I’d give to find solace in a hobby like gardening. It had occurred to me that with my upcoming book tours, I may have to give them away to one of my neighbours. The beauty of writing is I did it mostly from home, the money my Mum left me in her will was enough to sustain a comfortable life, but I always wanted a career after university. I tried to not wonder if she’d had any expectations for me, butwe’d been parted when I was so young. My home was my safe space, so I felt a little uneasy with how long I’d be away from it.
Gravel grits the tires as we ascend up to the house and we pull up around the pale stone fountain. A birdcage has been sculpted at the top, with more Nightingale birds flying from its open door. Tiny toy boats float in the water, as a stream of blue falls down from the sprout. The car stops and I feel a squeeze on my knee, Phin’s smile warm and reassuring.
“We got this.”
I give him a shaky nod, opening the door before I chicken out and drive myself back to the safety of my apartment. The warm air hits immediately and I shift uncomfortably in my cardigan. Why in the world did I opt for knitwear anyway?
Rolling the window down, he informs us he’s going to park the car, if we both want to go inside. He’s already pulling away before I realise all my luggage is still in the boot, but I have my phone, so I decide against running after him.
Eyeing Cardinal next to me, he’s frowning up at the house, but I manage to take him in fully without him noticing. He’s tall—I’m five foot, so that makes everyone a giant, but he is at least over six foot five. Swallowing, I shamelessly run my eyes down him, but he’s now scowling at me when I drag my gaze back up his very muscular form. “Do you permanently look that grumpy?” I deflect, hoping he doesn’t say anything about the burn in my cheeks of being caught checking him out. I’d never been around someone so ruggedly attractive before.
“I was meant to be at a football game this weekend. Instead, I’m here.” He gestures to the house with his free hand, his other tightening around his duffle bag. “My sister didn’t bother to pick me up, nor meet me here or even reply to my text messages. Instead I’m standing here, with you.”
“Bloody hell Cardy, tell me how you really feel,” I feign shock, placing my hands over my heart. “I don’t know you but maybestop being a wet blanket? She’s probably just inside waiting for you. The signal is shocking here, so she probably hasn’t gotten any of your messages.” Rolling my eyes, I move towards the duckegg blue front door, which is propped open with a cute rabbit weight. I don’t really care if he follows, but I hear his steps on the gravel behind me anyway.
Stepping up to the cobble porch, before I can step inside, a familiar floral perfume hits my senses first. Lily collides straight into me but thankfully she has great balance, pulling me into her. “Rob! Thank god Darling, I was starting to get bored. Who is this delicious tall glass?”
His eyes flash with concern as he looks to me for help, but she’s already invading his space, the swish of her long dress covering his toes as she wraps a bare arm around his waist. She’s wearing a white sun dress and it looks ethereal. Tiny flowers cover the entire thing and she’s wound daisies into her hair. Flashing him that heartbreaking smile she’s known for, I expect him to at least look at her, but whilst she’s introducing herself, he still stares at me with disapproval.
Chuckling slightly, I pull her away from him and loop my arm with hers. “Cardinal this is Lily, Phoenix’s sister and the pea in my pod. Lil, this is Cardy.” I leave out that he’s also the grumpiest Eeyore impersonator I’ve ever met.
“Let’s go inside shall we? It's simply divine what they’ve done to the place. Honestly, I was starting to get worried that they really meant bring your own alcohol, but the fridges and bars are fully stocked! I’ve already popped a bottle of champers for us.”
“It’s not even twelve yet.” I shake my head, but she just shimmies her shoulders and I let her pull me through the front door. I remind myself over and over to push down the anxiety that tries to fill my body.
This is for Phoenix and Merle.
I can do this. I can step into a house I once escaped.
They’ve kept the black and white checker tiled floor the same, but I am relieved to see that this is where the familiarity ends. The walls are now a gorgeous shade of sage, with dark oak furniture and vintage framed photos. Paintings on the walls too. I look at the art, realising they are paintings of the lake and some of the woodlands. The photos are of the property too, black and white close up shots of the glass bird house and gardens. The foyer is empty of clutter, so I assume no one else has arrived.
As the entrance gets bigger, doors and corridors spring up in every direction. A wide staircase in rich, deep wood is to the left and in front of us, two glass doors are open, revealing a high ceiling dining room. A tall fireplace which keeps going upwards is to one side of the room, a mixed stone, looking tall enough that I could stand in it. The opposite wall houses books, pictures and decor which fit in with the countryside. Sculpted animals lean against literature, with plant pots full of muted flowers or leafy plants. The photographs I’m surprised to find are of either Phin or Merle, some of them together, faces beaming for one another. I love the homey touch on a classically styled room. Below my feet is a rich paisley rug, running the entire length of the room and upon it sits a long wooden table. There must be twenty or more chairs around it, and its extravagant dresses. Plates, cutlery and glasses are all set ready for dinner tonight. Huge stems of feather-grass and flowers engulfed in gold pots sit on the table, but the center piece is the champagne tower gracefully sitting in the middle. Pearls and confetti are scattered around.
I can make an educated guess at the theme of tonight’s party, but based on the fact that not even Phin has told me about what to expect this evening, I think it might be a surprise.
Beyond the dining room is another set of open glass doors, twine cords hold back thick curtains and see through drapes. The fabric moves in the slight breeze that ventures into thehouse. Attached to the dining room and the back of the house is another giant conservatory. The bifold doors are already open, making the entire wall an open space, straight outside onto a sandstone patio. Finally my eyelids flutter up to look at the gardens that stretch right down to the woods. The lake lies beyond, a trail opening up just past the pool and guest house. This view, the open living area, the gardens; it's all what made me fall in love with this property. This place was once where I was told my dreams were meant to sprout and grow, making a heavy slab sit on my chest, that I would give anything to shift right now.
