The approach to the Manor was unchanged, the trees down the avenue that led to the large gates, closed for a long time now, the fortified Manor on its own island in the middle of a lake.
The bridge over the moat leading to the Manor gave a fantastic view of the manor and of the lake that surrounded, the sky reflected in the water, white clouds appearing to float there.
Inside the Manor all the rooms had or were in the process of getting a spring clean, the library
that was a favourite room for Thorn, and one she had sat for many hours in working when she had originally arrived in Fenia all those years before. The kitchen 
was warm, scents of fresh bread, pies, cake, a pot of stewing beef simmering away, vegetables already chopped to be added, stock being stirred to complete te mixture... The cook was in her element wanting to make sure her mistress was welcomed the only way she knew how. The scullery and the buttery, the stores all stocked up ready, waiting for the event of Thorn's return. When Thorn had originally come to the Manor she had been astonished at the size, not really understanding why any house would want two dining rooms, one for formal occasions, the other she had used, a dining room
that she had found bright and warm. All these rooms were now spotless, not that they had not been before, just now not looking neglected. The formal dining room had never been used by Thorn, and this led into the ballroom, but both had stayed closed. Thorn had grown into the Manor, adapting to the size, and by the time she had left would not have questioned its size. There were sounds from the front of the Manor, wood being placed in the fire grate of the sitting room
, a light and airy room where Thorn had often sat on an evening to sew or to play her favourite piano that stood to the back of the room, its lid up and a sheet of music stood on the stand. Yet during the day Thorn had been known to use the library for the most part, and the morning room
that stood between the library and the kitchen, a room that in winter offered more warmth that the light sitting room. The hall had recently been mopped, the large space with its marble floor shining in the sun light that shone through the windows high up. The wide staircase led up to the first floor, the bedrooms. One room was permanently closed, all forbidden to access. Away to left of the stairs, to the front of the Manor was a large room
, Thorn's bedroom. All the bedding and curtains were freshly laundered, the floors washed, the walls wiped. Fresh flowers had been placed in the vase on the window sill, and the bedcovers were folded back to air. All was ready. Across the hall Thorn's bathroom was stocked with towels and soap. The second floor was rarely used, now more for the servants. Later that morning Thorn's carriage rolled along the avenue towards the gates of the Manor. Pausing long enough for the coach driver to jump down and to ring the bell for attention, the gates were soon opening and the carriage passing through. Thorn was sat idly looking out of the carriage as it entered the courtyard, and she looked up at the Manor somewhat nervously. It had been so long, and so much had changed. She had changed. As the carriage came to a halt she waited for the door to be opened for her. As the door was opened Thorn stood from her seat and lowering her head slightly to not bump it she left the carriage, and as her feet touched the ground her eyes went to a slight movement between the pillars either side of the front doors. She was amazed to see a cat... the cat she had last seen when in the tavern at Cork?
What are you doing here? she asked gently, crouching down and reaching out her hand to it.