It was nearly five by the time I got back to St. James Manor, which was also Mom's base for her writer's retreat business and of course, my new home for the next couple of months. The estate sat back and hidden from the main road of the small town. The elegant building itself was securely tucked amongst the many tall trees, wildflowers, and flora and fauna that were unique to this island. Behind it sat a grand, lush forested mountain that acted as a protective barrier for the house, which never ceased to fascinate me.
To say the place was mysterious and magical was an understatement. I was never the type to believe in supernatural things, but from the moment I had first stepped foot onto the estate a couple days ago, I had felt something different about this place, as though there was some sort of magical energy coursing through the earth, which made a connection with me. Oddly enough, it made me feel breathless, in a good way.
I strolled along the gentle curve of the driveway toward the stately building while my eyes feasted on my surroundings. Bright, colorful wildflowers grew amongst the thick groves of pine, maple, and cherry blossom trees that adorned the house, a charming two-story building that had stood for over four hundred years, with its thick, dark gray stone walls and many glass windows. It was a picture-perfect setting that'd make any photographer eager to take a snapshot.
When I came to the courtyard at the main entrance of the house a few moments later, I saw Mom loitering about with a basket of fresh vegetables in her arms. She must have been busy picking them while I was away for my beauty treatment.
"Mom!" I called out to her.
Slender and beautiful, Elizabeth Nakamura turned and smiled brightly at me, her blue eyes twinkling, as per usual. As I came close, she said, "Oh, you're more Alfie than ever."
Her pun on words, eh? How cute.
I turned my head this way and that as if I were a model and asked cheekily, "You like it? I look like a boy elf now."
She laughed. "You're going to make your father's heart swell with joy."
"That's a good thing, isn't it?" I asked.
She nodded as we both entered the house into the foyer. "Just as long as he stops short of making you wear one of those elf costumes, then that's fine."
I chuckled. "I don't mind wearing them, though. I like cosplay."
After I closed the door behind me, we walked along the hallway toward the back and then headed over to the kitchen. There, Mom placed the basket of fresh vegetables on the benchtop and proceeded to make dinner for the guests, as well as for us. I decided I'd be her kitchenhand again today, which I could tell pleased her, as I knew she had missed me and wanted to spend as much time as possible with me during my short stay.
It wasn't long before Anna and Margret turned up, two St. James natives in their mid-forties Mom had hired to help with running the business.
"What have you got planned for the guests tonight, Elizabeth?" Anna asked enthusiastically, checking out the neatly chopped vegetables in the various bowls.
"And you've got your little kitchen helper with you again, I see," Margaret said in amusement, looking at me. "You had your hair cut, sweetie?"
I nodded. "Today," I said.
"Looks good on you."
"Thanks," I said, grinning.
It wasn't long until dinner was ready and the four of us started setting up the tables for the five guests we currently had on the premises. They were all writers here on their special retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and just relax, let their imagination run wild, and of course, get some words written for their next books.
Once the guests were nearly done with their evening meal and were now on to their very delicious dessert, it was our turn to chill and have our dinner.
I was just finished setting up the table when Dad, Touma Nakamura, turned up. I noted that once again, his dark hair was a mess and his glasses were haphazardly sitting on the tip of his nose, threatening to fall off if he wasn't careful.
Without a word, he pulled me into his arms and chuckled. "Alfie, you're so cute with that haircut. You look just like an elf character in the book I'm working on."
I chuckled as I kissed him on the cheek. "Don't make it sound so weird, Dad."
He pulled back and frowned as he looked at me. "How is that weird? You and you alone have inspired me to write some of my best books since the day you came to us all those years ago in your angelic form." Then he cocked his head to one side. "But now you look more like a son than a daughter."
I laughed. I couldn't help myself. "Then I can be your son until my hair grows long again."
He thought about this for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "From today onward, I have a son named Alfie Yuki Akari Nakamura. Perfect. Just perfect."
Behind him, I noted Mom looking heavenward while Anna and Margaret were chuckling. As for the guests at the other end of the room, I had no doubt they must have found Dad rather an oddball, though an entertaining sort nonetheless, especially with his intelligence and creativity.