The Cosy Teashop in the Castle. Caroline Roberts

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       5

       Ellie

      ‘Just one more flight,’ Ellie tried to sound cheery against the noise of her father’s huffing and puffing. She had rather overloaded that case. Thank heavens he was well built and strong, but she’d need plenty of clothes, and the jumpers and cardigans were essential this time of year, especially here.

      It was cold and draughty in the stairwell, though her dad was dripping with sweat, balancing her massive suitcase against his broad chest as he wound his way up the spiral staircase to her room. Jason was following with a huge black sack of shoes, and her mum was tottering behind with a cardboard box full of kettle, mugs, tea, coffee and basic food essentials to start her off.

      Deana had showed Ellie and her family up to her new lodgings ten minutes earlier. They all stood nodding appreciatively, taking in the room. It wasn’t hotel grade, but it wasn’t bad, considering Joe had asked a mere £100 a month for it – which was some relief. It was a medium-sized bedroom with a high ceiling, white-painted walls, a double bed with black-metal bedposts (like something out of Mary Poppins), a simple dark-wood dressing table and stool, wardrobe, cosy armchair in burgundy velvet – there seemed to be a lot of red velvet around the place – that had seen better days but was extremely comfy when she tried it out, and a small fireplace that was set with kindling and coal but not lit. The only other source of heat was a solitary Victorian-looking radiator that was merely lukewarm. Dad set about trying to adjust the valves, letting some air out with a radiator key he’d had in his coat pocket – the joys of being a plumber.

      In all honesty, the room was a bit drab and Mum looked nonplussed. The small window served to highlight the fact it was grey and drizzling outside, and that didn’t help matters either. But Ellie was determined to stay positive, setting out a few nick-nacks from her room at home, and installing a small TV on the end of the dressing table (was there an aerial point?), and she had her new double duvet to put out (thank heavens she’d gone for the toasty twelve-tog). She’d chosen red-and-cream country-style plaid covers with red scatter cushions to match. It’d be fine. She’d make it feel homely.

      Deana had set out a kettle and tea bags, mugs and biscuits for them. Ellie was touched by her kindness. It was lovely that she’d made such an effort to welcome her.

      ‘Thanks for the tea stuff,’ Ellie remarked later, passing her office with armfuls of gear.

      ‘Oh that’s no bother, flower, thought you’d need a cuppa after tripping up and down those stairs with all your stuff. Do you need a hand with anything?’

      ‘We’re fine, thanks,’ Dad answered, passing by with a stack of DVDs. ‘We’ll manage won’t we, Son,’ he clipped Jason’s ear, who shrugged his shoulders with embarrassment.

      ‘Okay, then. But if there’s anything you need, Ellie, just pop in and give me a shout. Joe’s about somewhere too. I expect he’ll drop by at some point. And really … don’t be afraid to ask if there’s anything you want, or we can help you with. Welcome to Claverham Castle.’

      Dad and Jason headed back to the car to unload the next lot of luggage, while she and her mum took the new bedcover set out of its packaging, tugging it over the duvet and pillowcases.

      ‘Are you sure you’re going to be alright here?’ Sarah began tucking the sheet in, muttering ‘Well, this has seen better days,’ as she eyed the mattress with caution.

      ‘Of course, Mum. Look, it’s what I really want to do. And I just need a change, to get out and do something different. I’ve never really enjoyed the insurance job.’

      ‘Well СКАЧАТЬ