Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1 : SETTLING IN THE NEW HOUSE
“Shifting is the best activity in the world”, remarked Jason while settling the suitcases in the trunk.
“No, it isn’t an activity, it is tiresome business. Look at the dark circles your Daddy and I have!“, replied Mammy who was helping him.
Ella joined their conversation, “Everyone has a different point of view but in my opinion, it is fun. All the wonderful things happened this week! For example, Aunt Meg’s coming back from Malaysia for a month-long stay!“.
“Come on El, be sensible, and let’s save the chatter for the journey. For now, you help Mammy to make snacks for the trip and please send Jake to come to help me load the van.“, Daddy came and spoiled the fun by hushing up the argument.
It was a Tuesday afternoon. The Williams were moving from their country house to a nearby city due to Mr. William’s job issues. The kids: Jane,1.3 years in age,Jason,10, Isabelle,13, and Jake,16, were excited according to their ages. Mrs. Williams, Clara, was a countrywoman and was reluctant to leave her childhood neighborhood and move to the city so she was a little edgy nowadays. Margaret, the children called her Aunt Meg and we will too, was Clara’s sister and Harry’s cousin. The children were very attached to her until she had to migrate to Kaula Lampur, Malaysia, because of her education and better future four years ago. She was only 24 and the children loved her like a cousin. She was friendly and easy to talk to and share secrets with, in the case of Ella. Aunt Meg paid regular family visits but a month-long one with the Williams was the children’s dream.
“Oh My! The rest of my life in London, it is going to be a nightmare! If Meg had not come to stay with us, I don’t think I would ever be able to settle there...!“, Mrs. William, or let’s just call her Mammy, was mumbling to herself while making the snacks. She was a born cook and for the journey, she had taken egg, chicken and chocolate sandwiches, some pasta, soup for Daddy, cookies and muffins, juices, shakes and water in bottles. After one action-packed hour, the family was ready. The things had been loaded in the lorry and the petrol was taken for the journey. Dad was driving and it was decided that he and Jake will swap so only Daddy doesn’t get tired.
Throughout the journey, the argument was continued and everybody vomited their heart out while munching on some of the better-than-restaurant-style snacks made by Mammy. The children slept and the parents took power naps and the decision was acted upon. When they reached their new house in London, they found their goods already being loaded in the house and the men were being guided by a smart lady who was wearing a lively smile and a bright yellow dress that overpowered the sunshine. Yes, she was.. “Aunt Meg!“, all three of them rushed to hug her. She returned the hugs with the same enthusiasm and excitement. After that, the elders shared embraces and news.
For the rest of the day, the house’s furniture was settled. There were four rooms: the master bedroom was occupied by the couple, the second one by Jake and Jason, the third by Ella, and the fourth room was to be used as the guest room where, at the moment, Aunt Meg was to live. The living room had a television, a dining table and some sofas to relax. In the drawing-room there were sofas and a glass table for guests, it was beautifully decorated. There was a store which was quite messy, littered with apers and broken stuff which no one cared about. There was a small scullery near the kitchen and a backyard and a garden. The house was very modern so everyone was glad about it. It was night time and everyone ate the rest of the snacks made by Mammy and went to sleep.
It was 2 o’clock in the morning. Ella woke up thirsty and went to the kitchen to sip water. When she was returning she saw the guest room’s door ajar, the tube light on and a shadow was nervously moving here and there. Ella entered and started, “Aunt Meg! It is 2 in the morning! What are you doing....??!!“.
“Isabelle Williams!! You scared me to death...!! And about me? I just had a phone call, I am going to sleep. I just have a bad feeling about this house...“.
“Bad feeling?Why?“, Ella was shocked.
“No no, don’t worry yourself, darling! You know, a new place so I can’t sleep the first night here. But I’ll try, you go and rest your sleepyhead!“, Aunt Meg assured her.
Ella went back to her room. She was a bit convinced but when she lay down, her head was filled with confusing thoughts. But fortunately, she was tired because of the day so in just moments, she was asleep again but on the other side of the hall, Aunt Meg was still doing the tension parade.
In the morning, Mammy woke up first. Everyone else, except Aunt Meg who had not slept at all, was snoring like a bear. Mammy went to wake up Jason and Jake when Aunt Meg came out of her room. “Good morning sis! Did you sleep well?” she asked Mammy.
“Yeah, I guess! But as this is the city, my night was not so smooth as in..“.
“Come on now! Everyone must learn to move on and that includes you!“, Aunt Meg interrupted her. “Now you go and wake the guys up while I will bring my dear Ella to the dining table”.
After half an hour, everyone was eating breakfast happily. All, except Meg, who just had a fake smile plastered on her face and was twiddling the piece of pancake with her fork.
“What happened Aunt Meg, why aren’t you eating?? “, Jason inquired.
“Oh my darling, it is fine, I am! But yes, I have some news to share and it might be a bad one so get yourselves together to hear it!“. The family gulped and exchanged then Daddy said, “Yess..??“.
“Well.. the bad news is..“, Aunt Meg started. “I will not be able to stay for a month, I will stay for three to four days more but that’s it! I have some urgency to attend to. My job is at stake and I don’t believe that anyone of you wants me to sacrifice my job for some quality family time, do you? I know it’s also important but..I know it sounds rude but I must go back, try to understand, please..!!“. There were groans from the little ones but everyone understood. “I will come back next year or later and I will try to best to make it earliest but for now..“. Mammy cut in, “But for now, let’s not waste any moment and make the most of the entertainment and enjoyment we can, in the limited time we have together. Is this what you wanted to say?“. “Yeah..!“, was the feeble reply.
Over the next few days, the family enjoyed it very much together. Although Daddy went back to work, Mammy once more dedicated all her focus to cooking and cleaning and the children had enrolled in school but at night, they made time and watched television together, did experiments in the kitchen, and played board games. Aunt Meg helped her sister in the kitchen and her niece and nephews with their homework.
On the last day of Aunt Meg’s stay, the three children were emotional. Then once Mammy got Aunt Meg and talked to her privately.
“You look tense Margaret, is everything okay?“.
“Yeah sissy, everything is fine, just that about my job.. “, Aunt Meg tried to slip away from Mammy’s grasp on her arm.
“No, you have to tell me! Your smile is fake, you’re having dark circles, you don’t laugh like you used to, you don’t enjoy our presence like in the old days, you are not applying proper makeup and even your fashion sense is wearing off! Something is not just right, you’re not the Meg I knew, I hardly recognize you! You must talk to me openly. I’m your sister remember? I might help you!“.
“I’m sorry Clara but you know, I cannot tell you. Not until I am here, maybe when I reach home..“.
“What’s going on here? The children are waiting in the car, the suitcase is loaded, get a move on you two, we need to drop you at the airport, remember? Or have you changed your mind?“, Daddy came and interrupted.
“No no, I have not changed my mind, I still stand by my decision. Let’s go!“, Aunt Meg replied.…
