Chapter 1

Shelia vaguely realised there was a crystal chandelier above her? ... where before there was sky!

Then a female was speaking; Shelia turn her head, seeing Pamala and Guy beside her.

“Well she’s a sexy little thing Guy, is she sleepy or something?”

“No Pam, she went down like a ninepin, having shied Romeo who nearly crushed her!”

“My god Guy! She’s wearing some of my old clothes! Who is she anyway?” Pam exclaimed.

“She’s mother’s new little foster-girl from the slums of London; and she’s a bit accident prone in her new surroundings.”

Shelia began to move, then mumbled,” I’m so sorry I ran into you Mr Guy.”

Guy’s finger gently stroked her cheek and his spice-scented cologne penetrated her senses. “ You OK little thing?”

His kindness supprised her and she reponded to him, “Right as rain,” she smiled weakly.

Guy and his sister Pamela both let out an amused chuckle at her cockny expression.

Guy stood up ... then leaving his older sister to attend the girl. He went off to see his horse Romeo who had already been led to the stable.

Pamala chuckled, “Well little thing, its nice to see my old clothes are still useful ... I understand that your to be my son’s night-nurse; so we’ll be rubbing up against each other from time to time.” ... Her fingertip sensually brushed Shelia’s lip, then she turned and left the girl alone.

Shelia straitened herself up; then wandered out into the grounds; her head brimming over with so many questions; Why had she been brought to this big house? Why had she been chosen by this family with staff and servants, when she was but a simple slum girl? Gazing at the mature trees planted long ago, she guesed the family here may be far richer than even London’s wealthy lords?

She paused at a very old oak-tree; it’s low-slung branch so large and heavy, it almost toutched the ground; and it seemed to beckon her as a refuge; and a strange and sudden urge took hold of her!

She clambered onto the bough, and scamppered deep into its foliage and got astride a broad branch; then sat soaking in its still cool peacefullness.

She had never experienced such tranquillity. She quietly began to hum a tune to herself; but then after a short while she was startled by a mans presence! It was Mr Guy! ... who had also been slumbering in the tree; and had suddenly but gently, applauded her singing.

“Why ... Mr Guy! Where did you come from!”

He chuckled,

“We’ve be drawn together by nature little thing! ... this has been my secret place since I was a lad. I came here when things got to much for me on the outside ... inside this ancient tree is like entering into the past ... perhaps you felt some of its power, before you decided to explore inside it?”

Shelia was surprised he was talking in such an adult manner with her, although not quite sure what he meant.

“I ... well I’m not sure? Can a tree have power? So many questions have come in at me since I arrived at Squires Lodge Mr Guy.”

“O K little thing ... like what for instance?”

“Well ... firstly, why is Pamala and little Rupert here at Squires Lodge when her husband lives in London? Don’t seem natural for a young wife like Pamela to be cut off from her husband?” Also odd to me was hearing a late-night disturbance outside while in the nursery with Rupert; from the widow I watched Miss Pamela with others make off towards the woods on the hill? Why would they they be doing that so late at night?”