Page 4 of The Fae Girl 1

The air was cold. Chilly. But I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel anything except a need, a pull, something intangible calling out, teasing a part of me it felt was only just awakening after the very deepest of slumbers.

Perhaps it was being here. At Hollingshurst. Perhaps it was finally being home, but something here, something felt right in a way I couldn’t quite get my head around.

I let out a low breath. Grounding myself. Afraid to get lost in emotions I wasn’t ready to dwell on.

Home.

How odd to say that word. To feel that way.

And yet strangely, that was what this place already felt like. As though my soul already knew the history of these bricks, of what this house was to my parents, to my family.

I took a step forward. The scent of pine needles and dew luring me out despite the fact that I was not dressed for the outside, that I didn’t even have any shoes on.

“Alice?”

I nearly jumped a foot at the sound of Bate’s voice.

“I…” I turned, blinking rapidly as though I was coming out of some sort of trance. “I couldn’t sleep.” I said.

She smiled. “How about I make some breakfast?”

“Breakfast would be great.” I replied relieved that she hadn’t pried further.

I watched her go before hastily making my way back to my rooms, yanking on a pair of jeans and a jumper.

By the time I got down to the kitchens Bates was already busy cooking. The smell of toasting bread wafted over to me and my stomach growled loudly in response.

Bates turned smiling. “I’ve done you scrambled eggs and toast.” She said “Assuming you’re not vegan.”

“Nope not at all. Scrambled eggs are great.” I said.

Bates nodded and began serving up.

“Here, let me make some tea.” I murmured. I was starting to feel really uncomfortable about how much Bates was waiting on me. It felt like she was more my slave than a housekeeper.

I rummaged through the cupboards, trying to find the mugs, the teapot, all of it, before Bates once again took over, leaving me little choice but to sit down and let it go.

“How long have you been working here?” I asked as I tucked in. The eggs were perfect. They practically melted in my mouth and it was hard not to let out a moan as I tasted them.

“Since I was sixteen.” Bates said.

“That’s a long time.”

“Yes.” She smiled. “I’ve been here forty six years this summer.”

“Was it always like this? So empty?” I asked.

“Oh no. When I first started there were more servants than you could believe. But that was when it was the family’s main house. There were parties every weekend then. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun.” Her eyes seemed to sparkle at the memory.

“I can imagine. What were they like? The Giffords?” I asked.

“You don’t know?” Bates said.

I shook my head. “No, my parents died when I was young so I never really met any of my family.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise you hadn’t... Well your uncle was a charmer. An absolute charmer to be honest and a bit of a flirt with the maids given half a chance.”

“And my aunt?”

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