"I’ve missed you my little Kazzy, how you doing?" she said giving me one of those head tilt looks I had become so accustomed to and also tired of, since the "Incident". This is the name given to my dark past, one never spoken of but always remembered.
"Good..... I’m really good.” I always over did it when answering this question, like pushing an automatic switch that enabled me to say what everyone expected or whatever answer would make it easier for them to deal with. Of course then I was always paranoid whether or not they bought it and let’s face it, I wasn't about to win any Oscars for my acting skills. I hated centre stage at the best of times, but seeing that this was a new start, at least no-one here would know of my past and I wouldn’t have to act as if everything was just great all the time, when really I felt like I had died inside.
My sister on the other hand knew me well and pretended to be happy with my response, when of course she knew the truth even before she had seen me. Our mother had kept her well informed about my “progress.”
"Great, well let’s get your bags and get out of this ice box airport, I’m freezing!" A statement I totally agreed with. I chuckled to myself. Libby had always hated the cold. On the other hand, I didn’t mind it so much. Growing up in the North of England, you got used to not having much of a summer. I enjoyed the seasons though, welcoming the different colours coming alive in the trees, the different smells that filled the air and most of all the snow. I loved the snow. The way it completely transformed the land, making everything look clean and crisp. Like a thick blanket had covered the earth to protect it in some way.
Getting my bags was surprisingly quick as I’m sure they must have been the first to come off the plane, so getting in the car, well to the heater in the car more like, was most welcomed. Libby complained about the weather as always. Living here hadn't softened her thoughts about the cold then.
The ride was also quick, mostly due to the fact that after 20 minutes of Libby’s catch up gossip about people I didn’t yet know, I was fast asleep. Car journeys always did this to me. I think it was mainly down to the rocking motion of the vehicle. Of course it was also down to the trust I held in the driver and thankfully Frank was driving instead of my scatty sister. It’s not that she is a bad driver, just a bit...Umm…well, quick to arrive at her destination should we say, whereas I would prefer to take my time and get there in one piece without getting beeped at. Thanks to Frank’s careful, smooth driving, I didn’t wake up until we had pulled up outside their house.
I had seen the house in the pictures she had sent me via emails, but I now realised my little laptop screen really didn’t do it justice at all. It was amazing to look at. I stood wide-eyed and speechless. My mouth had dropped and a wide grin lit up Libby’s beautiful face.
"So I take it you like it?" it wasn’t really a question as she already knew the answer.
"It’s... it’s so BIG" I said without needing to exaggerate.
"Welcome home kiddo!" Frank said as he grabbed most of my bags with one hand and opened my door with the other.
Finally I managed to say a lame thanks in a broken croaky voice. The emotions were getting to me as I fought back the tears that had started to form.
I was overwhelmed.
The place was huge and very old looking, with that ancient fairy tale touch. It had so much character, which I adored. It was a large wooden structure with faded white paint that just added to the charm. Clusters of little nooks and windows of different shapes and sizes and slate coloured roof tiles came down at different points on the unconventional shaped house. The front of the house was framed with a large deck, which even had a swinging chair that looked as ancient as the building itself. Faded green shutters framed most windows, which were now nailed open after being retired during the installation of triple glazing. Still the effect was charming and the whole aura