Sara's Child by Susan Elle Read Free Book Online

to the steering wheel as the road narrows and winds hazardously.
    “How lovely.” Her voice is wistful, dreamy. “All that space, all that room to breathe in the tranquillity of your own little piece of paradise.”
    Even in the dim light of late evening, Catherine can appreciate the beauty of the countryside. Stone built walls, crafted by skilled hands, are still standing after tens, or maybe even hundreds of years. Hedgerows standing neat and tall provide homes for wildlife and form windbreakers across the fields.  She watches as a large grey horse rears up at something she can’t see or hear, then gallops off with mane and tail flying.
    Oh, to be a horse. The freedom. The speed. The knackers’ yard!
    Logan doesn’t speak, not wanting to break the spell, until he knows that Lakelands is coming into view. Turning a wide bend in the road, Logan smiles broadly. “There she is,” he points in front and off to the left.
    The evening sky is now red and gold, the sun spilling its last rays over the waters of Lakelands. The many windows glitter like jewels, and the house, which is almost a mansion, stands regal and all alone.
    “Oh, Logan,” she can’t say anymore, the sheer beauty has stolen all her words away . Beautiful. Just beautiful.
    They drive the rest of the way in quiet anticipation.
    Hearing their car door slam, Logan’s father, Henry, opens the front door to greet them.
    As tall as his son, Henry claps Logan on his back then turns a welcoming smile on Catherine. “Do you have any luggage?” Henry moves towards the boot of the car preparing to carry a suitcase or two, but when the boot pops, he gets an eyeful of the shopping bags and clothing still on their hangers with polythene covers. Raising curious eyebrows over at Catherine, Henry can’t help but notice the colour rising in her cheeks.
    “It’s his fault,” she points accusingly at Logan. “The man wouldn’t take no for an answer – just kept piling things on until I all but bought the whole bloody shop!” Catherine looks aggrieved and embarrassed, then flushes even deeper when both men turn to face each other and laugh uproariously.
    “Don’t you worry,” Henry tells her, his old brown eyes still glittering with laughter, “his mother was just the same. Ellie didn’t compromise on anything, if she couldn’t make her mind up between a blue dress and a red suit she’d just buy them both. It seems Logan enjoys shopping, too.” Tell me about it!
    Between them, all the shopping bags, boxes and hangers find their way up to a bedroom that Henry has had made up for Catherine. “You make yourself comfortable,” Henry turns to leave, “I’ve already got supper cooking. Just come down when you’re ready – it’s nothing that will spoil.”
    Logan has gone to put the car away and Catherine is glad of some time alone. The bedroom is simply, but beautifully furnished. Admiring the deep bronze curtains that hang at the French windows, Catherine looks out on a balcony. She imagines it would be the perfect place to curl up with a book on a warm evening. Turning to the double bed, she trails her fingers over the beautiful patchwork quilt. Such a skilful blending of so many autumnal colours, with pillows and decorative cushions to match; Catherine can only assume that Henry has a housekeeper, or someone who comes in to help with the house. She definitely cannot see her very masculine host picking out matching cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings. Walking over to a large wardrobe, her toes now scrunching deeply into beige carpet that feels soft enough to sleep on, Catherine begins the tedious job of hanging up her new clothes and putting all the other items away.
    Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly a couple of times helps to steady Catherine’s erratic heartbeat and calms her nerves. “He seems nice,” Catherine tells herself as she closes the bedroom door, making her way to the staircase, “not too scary, anyway…”
    “Not scary