Page 19 - The Letter By Ann Newhouse
P. 19

a long driveway void of their foliage now wearing a coat of white cotton. I could see a bright light shining in the distance, it came from a far-off building which otherwise would’ve been completely invisible in the darkness. I felt like one of the three kings who came looking for baby Jesus in the stable. This was my bright shining star. Was this a sign? Was this the place for me to begin a new life?
As I continued down the cobbled pathway I came to a bend in the road that lead to a cul-de-sac where a large farmhouse stood surrounded by a vast amount of land. A giant water feature surrounded by a circular drive stood obscuring the main entrance to the Manor. Many large trees and raised flowerbeds that were bare, understandably at this time of year, made up a large portion of the garden. Next stood five cottages, mirroring the other side of the village, occupied by a hardware store, a hairdresser, veterinary clinic, chemist and a doctor’s surgery. There was a side entrance to a further group of cottages elevated on a hill protected from the road by an embankment and finally a derelict barn on a few acres of land surrounded by trees on one side and a brook on the other. Shamefully left to decay.
Before I realized it, I was back to where I’d parked my car, it now stood alone. I had come full circle. Walking to my car with the snow beginning to fall heavier now, I had made up my mind that it would be foolish to travel any further. I glanced over to the entrance of the B&B to see a light brightly shining, as if welcoming me in.
I pulled the vintage bell pull and listened to a chorus of silent night before the door opened to reveal Paul, the attractive man from earlier.
‘Good evening, Amber I believe?’, he said smiling.
‘Paul! I’m so sorry to disturb you, I’m looking for a room for the night’, I said blushing.


































































































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