“Isn’t it incredible?” Brenda asked.
Flick had to agree, she’d never seen anything like it. Surrounded by a perimeter of thick woodland, it was certainly a sight to behold. Although even from that distance, she had to admit it looked more haunted than habitable.
Brenda let out a wistful sigh. “Chateau D’Enchantement. That’s what it’s called, you know.”
Halfway up the drive, Flick brought the car to a standstill. She whistled in appreciation. The place certainly lived up to its name. Staring over at its tired and weather beaten exterior, she couldn’t help but think about the rich history the building must have and the stories it could tell as a result. She shivered, goosebumps pricking at her skin. It was hard not to imagine a couple of lovelorn ghosts wandering through the long echoing halls, no doubt, within.
“You can see why your father loved it so much, can’t you?” Brenda said, a revelation that snapped Flick back into the present.
“What? You’ve been here before?” Convinced she’d remember the two of them mentioning a place like this, it was news to her. Flick faced her mother. “When?”
“It was a while ago. A bit before he… you know.”
Flick reached over to give her mother’s arm a comforting rub, sorrow had made a habit of creeping up on the both of them when least expected. She thought it heartbreaking how her mum still couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud, that her husband was dead. They’dbothlost so much when her dad had passed away, but her parents had shared a love, it turned out, she could only dream of.
Realising time was getting on, Flick pulled herself together. “Maybe we can have a proper look around tomorrow,” she suggested, getting back to the task at hand. “We should probably think about finding where it is we’re sleeping tonight.” Manoeuvring the car forward again, she looked around, expecting to spot a cosy little cottage tucked away somewhere.
Brenda let out a short sharp laugh.
“What?” Flick asked.
She caught another glimpse in the rear-view mirror at all the boxes and bags forced into the space behind them. As realisation dawned, she suddenly felt uneasy and hit the brakes, jolting the vehicle to a second halt. “Please tell me we’re not staying in that.” She looked at the chateau once more. Granted, it didn’t seem to be falling down, but there was no getting away from the fact that it needed a lot of care and attention.
Brenda leaned forward and switched off the satnav, an action that said it all.
“You are joking, right?” Flick said.
Brenda remained silent.
“But look at the state of it.” Flick couldn’t imagine a place less welcoming.
“It’s not that bad.”
Flick’s eyes widened. “Compared to what?”
With her mum’s gaze stuck firmly on the chateau, Flick didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Yes, the whole point of their holiday was to take her mind off her problems back home, and holidaying in the building before her would definitely score ten out of ten on that front, it was so run-down. But trying to look on the bright side was easier said than done when she couldn’t see one. No wonder her mother had kept their destination a secret.
Flick found herself torn. On the one hand she didn’t relish the prospect of roughing it,and if they stayed here they’d certainly be doing that. On the other, she felt ungrateful. Her mother had obviously put a lot of thought and effort into their trip and the last thing Flick wanted to do was spoil it. Especially when holidays even in the most dilapidated of chateaux probably didn’t come cheap.
Staring at the building, Flick thought about her dad again, questioning what he’d do in her shoes. Not that she needed to ask. Unlike her, he’d have seen everything about this trip as exciting and would have delighted in the opportunity to stay in what could very well be a haunted castle. Flick despaired over both her parents, she was obviously adopted.
She tried to reassure herself in the knowledge that images could be deceiving. For all she knew, the chateau’s austere, yet tired, exterior could belie a world of luxury within. After all, it had to have some appeal; it wouldn’t be let out to holidaymakers if it didn’t. She crossed her fingers in sheer desperation, but it was no good, reality prevailed. If they’d had to bring sleeping bags, she could forget all about opulence. They’d be lucky if this place even had the basics. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
Flick’s question was met with a raised eyebrow and a knowing silence. Her shoulders slumped, she knew when she was beaten and shoving the car into gear, she lifted the clutch, slowly moving the vehicle forward. “Don’t tell me. It’s all part of the adventure.”
As they reached the chateau’s main entrance, Flick brought the car to a final stop and she and her mother disembarked.
“What do you think now?” Brenda asked.
Flick gave the building another inspection. Its humongous wooden front door appeared knotted and sun bleached, and white paint peeled from the three sets of large windows that flanked either side. Equally neglected, seven more windows spanned across the whole of the second floor, giving the façade its symmetry and a line of dormers extended across the roof. Against her right mind, she couldn’t help but smile. It might not have been her first choice when it came to their accommodation but seeing it up close she actually quite liked it in an eldritch kind of way. She turned to her mother. “Let’s just say I’m reserving judgement. Shall we see what it’s like inside?”
Brenda strode over to the front door and after scouting the ground for a moment, spotted what she was looking for. She reached down and retrieved a large metal key from underneath a flat piece of stone. “Voila!” she said, excitedly holding it up for Flick to see. Unlocking the door, she stood aside allowing her daughter to do the honours. “After you,” she said.
Flick turned the knob, forced to give the door a good old shove before it would open. Finally able to enter, her breath caught and she immediately understood why her parents had been so enamoured with the place. The entrance hall’s white washed walls, stone floor and ornately carved staircase gave the chateau a grand, yet welcoming, rustic feel. There was a distinct lack of decoration adorning the room, but as far as Flick was concerned it was definitely a case of less is more. “How did you and Dad come across this place?”
Without waiting for an answer, she approached a door to the right and popping her head through, she felt a tinge of excitement. Light flooded in from the huge windows, although it too was void of furniture and accessories. “This would make a great study or library,” she said, already imagining wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling book shelves. Spinning around, she headed for the door on the left. “A reception room,” she informed her mum.
The two women stepped inside and again high ceilings and exceptionally large windows made it bright and airy. Flick ignored the brown floral wallpaper that had seen better days, focusing instead on the wood panelling adorning the walls below. Clearly original, she easily saw how beautiful the room could be with a bit of hard work and a serious wad of cash.
