The Secret Garden

(Number: 13)

Fairy and I had already skipped down the old path and turned right at the Lavender. The sun had hidden behind the clouds and the drizzle was already falling. Mrs Alex had already set out her cushions. Mrs Alex was 60 years old, but she was my best friend. It was in this garden, I had found Fairy and adopted her. Mom and dad had been trying to find me the right pet for ages, but I found myself one. Fairy, is a one year old Pink Fairy Armadillo, hence the name. I could feel her in my backpack, so I took her out and knocked on the old oak door. I could hear the old couch squeak in the living room and I heard Mrs Alex shuffle to the front door, she opened it and smiled at me. “Elizabeth.” she said, her eyes crinkling at the edges. She pulled me into a warm hug and I put my tiny seven year old arms around her. “Mrs Alex,” I shouted, “I got some plans for the garden.” I said. Mrs Alex smiled, well, she hadn’t stopped. Mrs Alex and I were going to make our un-touched garden beautiful and I was going to fix the old, cracked pathway. Mrs Alex looked at the drizzle outside and frowned, “I found a gate, Elizabeth. We should wait until tomorrow, if it’s a nice day.” she said, excited. “That’s sounds very exciting! Go sit down with Fairy, I’ll make us some tea.” I said. Mrs Alex nodded and took Fairy from me, she put on the old television so we would have voices echoing through the quiet house. I lit the gas stove, the electricity was off, and filled the metal kettle with water. I placed it on the warm stove and watched it boil. I grabbed the mugs, milk and sugar. I switched off the stove and made our tea, just the way Mrs Alex likes her’s. I placed it on a tray and placed a bowl of our biscuit and rusks on the tray. I carried it to the lounge and placed it on the coffee table, I watched as the unstable table wobbled. Mrs Alex smiled at me, “Dearie, where are you supposed to be?” she asked. I frowned, “At Heather’s party, Mrs Alex.” I said, she frowned. Mrs Alex didn’t like me lying to my parents and friends, but I preferred to see Mrs Alex. I looked out the window, to see the sun. “Mrs Alex, can we go see it?” I asked. She nodded, placing her empty mug on the wobbly table. She led me down the garden, through the dying hedges. She stopped, and pushed the branches away. There stood a gate, on the other side I could see a building and a pool. There was a small amount of moss, and I pushed it off the breaking wall. I gasped and saw engraved symbols, this was the start of a mystery.