Chapter 1

Seraphina

I hated moving, I knew it was best for us as a family but that didn't mean I had to like it, I had been away at school when Dad had been interviewed so this was my first time seeing the estate, mum had been full of stories about how beautiful it was here, the opportunities I would have to make friends and try new things and how I would be able to expand my photography here, but although They had waited till school had finished and I had finished my exams, I hated that they had pulled me away from everything I knew, but most of all, I hated that they may be right about us being happy here.The cottage was lovely, covered in vines and roses, the warm golden stone glowing in the soft evening light, my fingers itched to reach for my camera but I had packed it away for the journey and we had to get everything moved in before I could go and explore.

Dad had called ahead and we were met at the cottage by Mrs. Ashford who apologised that her husbands were not here to meet us as they were away working but welcomed us and handed over keys before inviting us to dinner the next day, so we could met the Ashford family, I had laughed at the expression on mums face at the invite, where we had been before there had been a definite divide between the staff and owners but after Mrs. Ashford has insisted we call her Isla and had been hands on in helping us unload, we were soon all relaxed in her company.I had listened in embarrassment as both mum and dad had raved about my photography skills and my grades at school and she had been keen to tell us about her sons, triplets who were also sixteen, and would be going to Thornwood Academy with me at the end of the summer.I was amazed when she told us about her other children, she was not much bigger than me and to have three sets of triplets seemed impossible.

My parents had explained on the journey here the unique nature of the Ashford family, that there were three Mr. Ashford's and one Mrs. Ashford and they were all together, I had been puzzled at first about how that could work but on reflection it sounded wonderful, to have that much love seemed like a dream come true.It was dark by the time we had finished unpacking the essentials and getting beds ready, mum had been touched that Isla had left a casserole ready in the oven for us and after eating we had all crashed in our rooms.

It was the sound of birds and the light pushing through the gaps in the curtains that woke me at the crack of dawn in the morning, I rolled out of bed and to the window, my waking mind seeing the full glory of the garden around the cottage in the early morning light, I grabbed my camera and rushed downstairs anxious to capture on film what I could see outside.I pushed my feet into the boots we had neatly lined up by the back door and rushed outside, the cool morning air raising goosebumps on my body but I didn't feel them, my mind didn't care, I was lost in the need to capture the perfect picture.I moved through the garden clicking away, spotting a woodpecker I followed in the hope it would land, so I could get a shot of it, the dew ridden grass brushing against my legs as I followed it into the woods, relieved when it landed in an old oak, low enough for me to get a good shot.I was lucky to take a few pictures before once again it was off, I looked back through the images I had taken and was happy with what I had caught, returning my mind to my surroundings, I glanced round and realised I didn't know which direction I had come from, I cursed knowing my dad would have a field day with this latest mishap, he had teased me for years and even given me a ball of red twine one day, telling me I should tie it to the house before I went off with my camera as I had made a habit out of getting lost and then I could follow the string back.

I picked a direction and started walking hoping that I would find a road or path soon and maybe I'd be lucky and get back before I was missed, especially as I suddenly remembered I had left the house in my pyjamas.

I saw her standing in the meadow looking lost and jogged to a stop, who was she?

"Hey" I called out and her hair flared out around her as she spun to face me looking scared.

"You look lost?" I teased my eyes travelling down her barely clad body, my eyebrows raising, who would venture out in their pyjamas at the crack of dawn."I'm Seraphina, I need to get back to keepers cottage" she called back and started heading towards me.

"can you point me the right way?"Ahh this was the new gamekeepers daughter, I remember mum had said they were arriving this week, she would be going to Thornwood Academy with us this September, as she got closer I saw more of her and felt myself get mad at her, stupid little girl, anyone could have been out here."What the hell are you doing out here like this" I snapped at her as she came to a stop in front of me, she was tiny next to me, "anyone could be out here and your not dressed" I growled.She glared up and me and fisted her hands on her waist "I got lost, it was a mistake and who are you to tell me I'm not allowed out here" she growled back almost toe to toe with me.

"Ronan Ashford, this is my family estate" I told her glaring back, who did this little demon think she was, standing up to me.

I watched the emotions chase across her face and her rich chocolate eyes darken as she took a step back and gritted her teeth before shocking me.

She bowed "Oh master I am so sorry to disturb, please I beg can you direct me home, before harm comes" she straightened and grinned evilly up at me until her glare returned. I could hear the threat in her words, like this tiny creature could hurt me but I had to grin at her spirit, I couldn't wait to tell my brothers about her, she could make this summer fun."That way" I pointed North towards the nearest road "500 yards and you'll come to a track, turn left and it will take you back towards the estate, your cottage is signposted where the road splits" I told her grinning as she said "thank you" through gritted teeth."See you soon" I called as she walked away from me, laughing out loud as she muttered "not if I see you first".I watched her till she disappeared into the trees and turned back to my run, smiling to myself as I thought of the little devil taking her long walk, I could have shown her an easy shortcut, but where was the fun in that.xx

Callum and Elias were in the kitchen when I reached the house "coach is going to kick your arses if you don't keep up" I warned them sitting down at the table to join them, pouring myself a glass of juice.Elias laughed "Hah, its the beginning of the holidays, I want to relax and unwind, schools done, we're free till September can we not just have fun"I grin to myself "oh trust me, I had fun"Callum's sharp gaze locked on me "explain?""I met the new gamekeepers daughter" I pause wondering how to describe her to them and grin to myself again at the way she had talked back, they needed to experience her face to face.

"she's something else" I tell them, wondering how long it will be before they get curious enough to go see what I mean."Ronan, come on, what's she like?" Elias groans."Oh no, i'm not going to spoil your first impressions, I'll just say good luck" I tease them.Mom's arrival stops our conversation as she growls at us, about the state of our rooms and the amount of stuff she wants us to do to get The Gables ready for our sisters return.Callum gets up and pulls her into a hug stopping her rant "mom we will help you, just tell us what to do" he tells her hugging her tight. We laugh as she disappears into his hold, our mom is tiny at just 5ft 2 small, we all tower over her, just like our dads and older brothers and sisters, but she has a huge personality, I grin again my mind remembering the tiny devil I met this morning, she was moms height, maybe all tiny females were feisty."oh my babies, you are such good boys" she told us, hugging Callum back before kissing the tops of our heads, as she had all our lives.

"eww mom, come on we're too big for baby kisses now" Elias groaned but I know we all love when she does it."okay my babies" she teases us bustling about the kitchen making breakfast as our dads join us and the conversation turns towards what everyone is doing today.xx