had always believed that home is the starting place of love, hope and dreams and a dwelling place together with family; an environment offering security and happiness. Anyone with good sense and an enthusiasm for success, however hard it is created will take great joy in creating a home, not a house, as a home is just so much more superior.
Chapter 2
As she looked out of the window, a blanket of white stretched as far as you could see, across the vast stretch of beautiful countryside. All the familiar features had disappeared, hidden under the lumps and bumps of the coverlet. The sun sparkled, picking out glittery diamonds clasped in frosty settings. The windows of the very few houses were taught by nature to draw frost flowers on the pane, with thick layers of ice blossoms, expanding the entire glass, forbidding people from watching the outside world. Elinor looked in utter amazement. The weather had completely changed from black to white. From the very darkest colour owing to the absence of or compete absorption of light to the colour of milk or fresh snow ,due to the reflection of all visible rays of light.
Elinor was sure the unexpected weather would be most talked off amongst their acquaintances the coming day. The village had always relished the elation of snow, although it was often thought a burden amongst many people, due to farms and mines being unable to work leaving many families destitute and in despair, it gave the children something to wonder about much to the relief of the parents. Elinor had often delighted in joining them, however often she would watch from afar, laughing at their wonderful ways and the happy atmosphere that they were creating. It would also do great wonders for her poetry writing and create an inspiration for her musical prerequisites. Brightening her father’s spirits, making the atmosphere around the cottage one that should be treasured.
Being the first one to venture out of bed each morning; not wanting to waste the day however feared the imminent events could bring, she would often sit downstairs and play her pianoforte. The gentle chirping of birds as the sun rises, the air crisp with silence, intimidating forestation around every corner of Cornwall. Elinor had always believed dreaming or doing is a choice that will mean the difference between failure and success. This was why she would dedicate hours of time each day, spending it doing something useful, improving what little she was able. Most people believe that dreaming will create your deepest desires to come true, this however is not correct, in order for them to come true you must work and do and you will, in the end, achieve success.
Elinor shivered as though ice had replaced her spine. The cold air enveloped the entire body. The multiple layer of clothing could not protect against the deathly cold. Each step intensified the moaning and creaking as if the steps could collapse at any moment. You could never run up or down the stairs in the old cottage. Every one of them was a different height from the last, making it impossible to judge how high or low to put your foot. Elinor really did believe her father’s health would be much better if they had changed the style of the steps, but her father had said that those being in that way made them unique and added a sense of character. Elinor, this being her father’s choice, had of course agreed, also liking the steps just the way they were. She glanced upon the fireplace.
The chair by the fire place was the one that no one knew where it was from or how it had come to be there, only that its presence was highly valued. The fireplace’s delicate features had often been observed with wonder, ornate and intricate, growing darker by the years. Often upon winter evenings and occasionally the summer ones, its outside frame would become illuminated and shadows would lurk the surrounding area, casting a dark yet warm feel upon the room. Although it is well known that a walk full of fresh air can be one of the most beneficial activities, it is also known amongst the more thoughtful of us that an evening reading by the side of a crackling fire can do the world of good. Setting your mind into a drive of tranquillity, like the fly as it waves towards the light, almost a requirement for the common places of general existence. A cave of pure darkness lit only in one corner by the light of a single candle, dancing to the cape of shadows, cast overhead and around, unable to detect from above, the darkness-like evil from within. This was often the view in the library on various winters, Elinor and her father, battling the elements that lay before them of what their imaginations could picture through the colour and texture of hope and danger, emitted from the fire. A faint sound of a bird pecking at the trees, brought her back to reality and she focused her eyes towards the windows, trying to see the creature through the dazzling rays.
The light streamed through the windows forcing Elinor to tilt her head towards the ground. She wondered what had happened to modify this sudden change in the weather. It is often found surprising how life changes not the way we expect it to, but in a completely different way, sometimes better than we imagined in the first place.
Her desk was positioned by the window; covered in books and writing pens. The table was no larger than a school desk, its crimson color barely visible in the dazzling, blinding light. The table was worn out and old, bits of plaster and paint were beginning to peel off, revealing a mahogany surface.
The pages of the books had started to turn a yellowish colour and emitted a pleasant aromatic smell. The pages fell open in your hand and a faint scented musty smell would touch your nostrils. One of the many wonders of reading an accomplished piece of intricate ideas. Her favourite book lay at the center of her desk, she would sometimes pick it up and read the first page, reminding her of the hours of joy she had experienced when reading it. The different mind sets she had experienced and the journey she went through with each and every character, unique in their quirks and flaws, the tunnels of emotions she felt for them and their intentions and losses.
Elinor’s mind wondered as she was about to sit down. She wondered what the day ahead would bring, but she quickly came to the conclusion that today would be the same as any other day, no adventures, no revelations and no excitement. Elinor felt that her daily routine had become something of a chore and something in which she would have to put a lot of effort into, in order to succeed in carrying them out. You can easily believe, with enough understanding that there are two enemies of human happiness, and they are pain and boredom. Each one a major part in Elinor’s life.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door; echoing through the seemingly empty cottage. It was as though it vibrated the walls, from which Elinor deduced that it was the knock of a man, strong and confident. Who could be calling at this hour in the morning? She looked out of the transparent framed glass, it was her brother, his wife and a clear relative of the new Mrs. Clark; presumably a cousin, knowing she had no brothers. Elinor relieved that she had decided to change in to one of her best dresses, unlocked the door. Taking a deep breath in order to create high spirits for her guests.
“, Henry, Mrs. Clark and …..”
“Surely you remember Mrs. Clarks Cousin, Mr. William Hugo” Replied Elinor’s brother.
“Mr. Hugo, you remember my sister Miss Elinor Clark” said Henry to Mr. Hugo.
“Oh yes…..replied Mr Hugo, “I do indeed remember…” He continued as he bowed to Elinor, a ton of memories coming back into his mind from some years past, “I thought I might join my cousin in Cornwall, change of society and surroundings.”
“Yes sir….,” bowed Elinor, also experiencing the same ton of memories that had been locked in her mind ever since their first meeting, which had been an eventful one at that.
“Sorry sister for the early arrival, the carriages were all ahead of time, which is surprising as they are usually always late. There had been no problems on the journey and it had been a pleasant trip, considering the unexpected weather,” Henry said, his blonde thick hair reflecting vibrant rays into Elinor’s eyes, reflecting from the sun.
“Come in, Come in, “said Elinor “father has been detained in bed due to a slight cold, but any sign of illness must be treated immediately
