Arriving

Allison P.O.V.

The morning is beautiful when I drive into the town of Marigold. I have driven all night to reach here, and I have prepared myself as well as I can for what the cottage looks like. I’ve bought cleaning stuff, a vacuum, bucket, gloves and other house stuff. I don’t even know if it has a washer and dryer, or anything else about this place. But right now it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I’ll be there in a few minutes and I’ll be home. A new home, a new start and new life. A life away from Bane and his abusive ways. 

I still have nightmares almost every night, but I am getting better at going back to sleep. Listening to quiet meditation music and soundscapes helps as well.  

The town is a decent size from what I can tell from the main road. I have to go straight through and do a right turn on the other end of town. Then I’m down a forest way, used frequently as there are fresh tiremarks, and then I’m there. The cottage is a little way into the forest, with a view of a big lake. I sit in my car for a few minutes just looking at the place. It’s not big, but not small either. It has a porch in the front, and it looks like it wraps around the house, going around to a patio in the back. Four steps lead up to the front door, and to the one side there is a tea table and three chairs. 

 It doesn’t look abandoned or neglected. I don’t know what to think or feel? Shouldn’t it be more.. Ghost house like? I found the house key in the glove compartment with the papers and the deed to the house. Maybe I overlooked something when I looked it over in one of the motel rooms. 

The last will and testament of Ardenia Nellie Avalon. 

I, Ardenia Avalon, leave all my possessions and money to my granddaughter Annabel Avalon Simmons on my daughter's side. She will be my one and only rightful heir, as my daughter Elena Nellie Avalon Simmons, is dead as this will is written. 

In my possessions is a cottage in the town of Marigold, where my family's ancestors reside in peace. It is where our history begins, and I hope my granddaughter will find it intriguing to discover our history. That goes along with the fortune of the old Avalon family, which on this day is around 2.7 billion dollars. (Note; see my daughters will regarding the share from the Simmons family, to be paid into the same account as this upon my granddaughters 22nd birthday.) 

Furthermore, I am leaving her my jewelry, which is in a safety box in the Bank of Marigold, and the codeword is going to be Luna Ellinor, and the number combination to the vault will be 22-03-1801. 

I also am paying into the future - there will be a weekly cleaning done inside and out of the cottage for the next 25 years. And I have made plans of renovations inside and out as well, so the cottage will be up to date with the time when my granddaughter takes over. I have also made arrangements with Mr. Felton regarding contacting the companies for cleaning and renovations before my granddaughter moves in, so they will have a time frame before they have someone new to answer to.

And lastly I’ll say sorry to you Annabel! I am sorry for the way things didn’t work out. Your mother loved you dearly, and I am sorry she is not here to protect you and guide you. I know you don’t understand right now, but when you're stronger perhaps you will! If you're reading this paper, and have gotten this far, then you have gotten away from that horrible man to your father. Maybe you will even meet your soulmate here? How knows?! All I know right now is that I love you dear girl, and I hope someday we may meet again, but for now I have to leave you. 

Love, your grandmother. 

I look at the piece of paper utterly confused for a moment. Why haven’t I read this before? Where was this when I looked over the paperwork in the motel rooms. I do not even remember seeing this before. And it’s definitely more detailed than the one Mr. Felton read to me and my father. I look over the paper again. The amount in the bank account - 2.7 billion?! What is the world? I also never knew it was that much. And maybe that isn’t even all. I shuffle the papers around until I find my mother’s will, and then I change my mind. I am not going to sit out here and read this. I need to be inside and warm before I read this. 

With that in mind, I put the papers back into the envelope and bring them with me out of the car in the handbag. The house key suddenly weighs a ton in my hand. My grandmother set me up to live here. She hoped this would help me get away from my father, and she thinks I’ll meet my soulmate. HA! I am done with men, and I’m definitely not repeating the disaster of getting married anytime soon, if ever at all. Sorry to disappoint you grandmother. 

At the door to the cottage I hesitate for a second before putting the key into the lock. It fits perfectly, and a small part of me is actually surprised. On some level I think I was expecting it to be an elaborate joke on Bane’s part. Or my fathers. One of them would have come around the house and be like “you really thought you could get away?” I turn the key and open the door to my new home. A wash of relief courses through my entire body as I step over the threshold into a small entrance hall. 

The cottage is clean - as if it’s just been cleaned. The words of the will entered my mind “there will be a weekly cleaning done inside and out of the cottage for the next 25 years.” and she also had Mr. Felton called when I moved there. He must have called them and told them I’ll be arriving around this time, and they kept it clean. I nod to myself. That must be the reason.

From the entrance hall I take a left into the living room. It’s cozy with a fireplace on the wall to the entrance hall, and a couch in front of it. A big flat screen TV is placed above the fireplace, and on the right side from the doorway there is a built- in bookshelf. The couch is standing up against the opposite wall, with a reading lamp in the corner by the window. Besides the window is a door to the porch outside the front of the house. The colors are held in gold and white, going from the colors of the walls to the colors of the furniture. I like it! It has a warmth and calming effect on me.

 Moving further in, I walk into the kitchen which is adorned with the living room. The size of the kitchen surprises me. It has an eating area easily placing 6 people, and an island in the middle. Everything looks new and modern, with all the appliances I’ll need. I put my handbag on the island, exploring the kitchen. There’s a door besides the one going outside, and in there I find a decent side pantry, with a washer and dryer. This is a very nice surprise. 

Back in the kitchen I stop what looks like a note on the fridge, and when I look closer I see someone indeed left me a note.

Dear Miss. Solei. 

It is our pleasure to welcome you to Marigold. We hope you find the cottage up to date with the latest fashion designs, and latest appliances. We have kept our word to your esteemed grandmother, and shall be delighted to keep working with you. We have made sure the cottage plumbing and water supply has been updated as well, which will be the reason it looks like someone dug outside your garden. We have also updated all electric systems. 

The cleaning company will be here tomorrow morning, and all will be ready for your arrival, which according to Mr. Felton should be around these days. 

I apologize for the garden, and we will bring that to order soonest. 

Best regard, 

Leonard Halllifax, House recovery inc. 

Mr. Felton even made sure these people used my new name. Damn he is good. I smile at the note. These people seem very friendly, and somehow I’m looking forward to meeting them. 

I open the fridge and it’s working and smells freshly cleaned as well. This is a very nice surprise. Especially the fact that I don’t have to worry about the house and such for the foreseeable future.