One
As you drive down the main road of Glen Peaks, you may not notice the lack of children in the village. The only sounds that come from here are the soft tinkling bells of a local bakery, the aroma of pastries wafting across its cobblestone walkways and the distant sound of a butcher shop echoing through the streets. You may not notice the quaint river which winds its way through Glen Peaks, passing under ancient stone bridges, slicing through perfectly manicured flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. You wouldn’t notice where this river ends - right in front of Hope Cottage’s tall grey walls. The cottage’s picket fence gate is firmly closed between two walls, with a gleaming brass door knocker beneath its solid oak door. Although it seems invisible to a strangers eye, Hope Cottage stands proudly in its own corner of Glen Peaks.
The night of February 29th, 1984 was a strange one in the village of Glen Peaks. The inhabitants awoke to find the town’s oldest house alight with activity - Hope Cottage, secluded deep within its own garden and fields, had come alive. Lights filled every window, spilling out onto the cobbled streets, and smoke billowed from the chimney into the night sky. The elderly townsfolk whispered amongst themselves, their voices intermingled with worry and excitement as they gathered around the cottage. At No 16, Rose spoke excitedly while George of Willow House listened intently. Charlie refused to believe it until he saw it himself. As the townsfolk slowly made their way towards Hope Cottage, those brave enough to venture up the garden path peered through the living room window to find Martha and James, nervously sipping their drinks.
For tonight was the night that the first baby would be born in the village of Glen Peaks. The first baby in 30 years. That night, may just be the night that the curse is broken…
