Monday, April 18, 2011

Diary extract No. 26


Today;
Home, finally, but only for the week. Or this home anyway--cosy and quiet and always smells like lavender and saltwater. I think all I need to be happy is a small house with a tea kettle and a cosy chair. (Oh, and books.) Grandmaman had a champagne tea to celebrate. Made the gloomy day so much more bright. Wore Papa's old school blazer, the floral dress Bea gave me for my birthday and a large hat. Tripped and muddied up my knees before we got to Gramaman's, though. Found a letter from Henry at the bottom of my suitcase, asking me to bring him back some fresh air. I will bottle some in a jar to take back. Planning a surprise birthday for Clio with my mummy and Cee. Made her a book of secrets and memories between her and me. I do so hope she likes it. So happy to be here. The days were starting to feel like October all over; thoughts like candy floss spider webs. The world is quieter here, somehow, and I can breathe. The Worry shrinks behind my breastbone and I have no need to be Brave. 

Now;
Curled beneath a quilt beside Maman on the sofa reading Luella's Guide to English Style and sipping warm milk. Listening to Papa talk to the man with the shiny shoes about clocks. Reminds me of creeping down the staircase when I was small to sneak into the drawing room--sliding in through the open door and taking cover behind the overstuffed chair in the nearest corner, like a soldier dodging bullets in the trenches. I would close my eyes and fall asleep to the lilting sound of voices intertwining and the soothing smell of the men's mixed tobacco. Most of the conversation was lost to my small ears, but the content was less appealing than the lulling rhythm of the words.


P.S. The roses have begun to grow at my Waterloo. (I went there in the dark.) 

20 comments:

♥ CheChe said...

your such a great writer :). love the secrecy.

♥cheche

be blessed

samantha bee said...

thank you for sharing such lovely words. i hope you enjoy your stay at home and have lots of magical adventures. i always enjoy coming back home to where all my favourite things belong. much love samantha ♥

Anonymous said...

Elly, you are so very dear.

Anonymous said...

You remind me of just how curious I am when visitors visit our old and tiny house. You make it sound so grand when actually I was just being nosy.

I wish I could find that book you were reading.

Anonymous said...

For the moments I escape into your world, Elly, I am a new soul. It's like I go back to the dreams I had in childhood, to memories of events that never happened. You write about things I only dream of and the simplicity and honesty of your words just astounds me. You continue to craft and weave beautiful words into so much more than sentences. You create worlds, my dear girl. I couldn't ever thank you enough for that.

All my love,
Norah x

Lumina said...

This post is so comforting, and yet a bit sad, too. I love your writing style. ♥

Julia said...

that picture is enchanting. and yes, I know what you mean about the sound of words; words can have meanings without being defined.

Rosie said...

beautiful sweetheart x

Sara Downton said...

you write so descriptively and beautifully! love you words, glad you are happy at home for a week. i love going home too, it brings me so much comfort.

Anonymous said...

This post is so very, very wonderful to read. You paint such a lovely picture of your life :) isn't it nice to be home? xx

Unknown said...

Your blog is the most magical place to be. I'm so glad I found it, you are such a talented and wonderful girl.

xx Carina

Lauree said...

this all sounds so very lovely, cosy and dear. have fun at home in the fresh air.
x

Anjelica said...

The roses have grown where I am too, your letter shall be in the post soon dear I promise
Anjelica xxx

Ariana said...

I hope you are enjoying your little vacation, sweetling. Everything about your family sounds so enchanting, you are very lucky. xx

Unknown said...

It gets so hard to pick a favourite among you writer-girls, but elly dear, you are most definitely among the greatest. <3 this makes me feel allsorts of good. x

Anonymous said...

You are wonderful Elly xx

Anouk said...

going to the roses in the dark - that's a should.

Anonymous said...

'The days were starting to feel like October all over; thoughts like candy floss spider webs.' I secretly wish it was October, Elly, because Autumn is my favourite of favourites. And somehow I think candy floss spider webs sum it up perfectly. xx

Junaluska said...

Beautiful roses! Such a lovely pink.

Anonymous said...

lovely, lovely darling, always beautiful.x

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like talking to trees, your whispers hidden in the wind. only sometimes the trees talk back. like wishing on a star and having the star wish on you. say what you like; there's always someone listening.
a very merry thank you.