Miss Matilda lay crumpled on the forest floor, pain radiating from her fall. The world spun around her, and she blinked up at the stranger who extended a hand. His eyes were wrinkled yet wise.
The woodcutters had unwittingly disrupted her peaceful ride through the forest, and this had scared off her horse, now she lay sprawled on the ground, her breath knocked out of her.
A shadow fell across her, and she looked up to see a farm-looking old gentleman standing over her. His wrinkled eyes bore into hers. He extended a ruff hand, helping her to her feet. His touch was surprisingly gentle given he was old.
"How do you feel Miss..."he murmured, his voice gravelly.
"Lizzy" Matilda lied. She gasped at a sharp pain in her leg.
"You can call me Uncle Charlie" Matilda nodded. "I think the best is for me to take you home, you most certainly won't manage to walk would you?" The old man whistled and a black horse pulling a wooden cart came walking towards them. It stopped and Matilda put her hand on the old man for support as he lifted her up into the wooden basket. Miss Matilda pressed her lips together so she wouldn't scream out in pain as sat down.
"You rest, my dear....in no time my dear wife Martha will give you medicine"
The gentleman and his horse led her through the dark forest, the ancient barn house looming ahead.
As they approached the ancient barnhouse, the air grew colder, and the moon peeked through the thick canopy of trees,night was setting in. Uncle Charlie's horse pulled the cart along the winding path, its hooves crunching on fallen leaves. Matilda's leg throbbed, but she was grateful for Uncle Charlie's kindness.
The barnhouse emergedâa weathered structure with sagging eaves and a crooked chimney. Warm light spilled from its windows, casting dancing shadows on the ground. Uncle Charlie helped Matilda down from the cart, and she leaned on him as they crossed the threshold.
Inside, the cozy farmhouse smelled of wood smoke and freshly baked bread. Aunt Martha bustled about, her apron dusted with flour. Her eyes widened when she saw Matilda, and she hurried over.
"Who's this, Charlie?" Aunt Martha's voice was as warm as the hearth. "Another lost soul in need of our help?"
Uncle Charlie chuckled. "This is Lizzy," he said, using the name Matilda had given. "She had a fall in the forest. Can perhaps you tend to her leg?"
Aunt Martha nodded, her hands gentle as she examined Matilda's injury once she had been seated on a wooden dining chair. "Broken ankle," she frowned "You're lucky, Lizzy dear,it could have been worse."
Matilda winced as Aunt Martha wrapped her ankle in a clean cloth. "Thank you," she whispered and managed a weak smile.
Uncle Charlie smoothed out his mustache and pointed towards the fire.
"Auther!" Aunt Martha's voice echoed through the cozy farmhouse, and from the shadows emerged a young gentleman not much older than Matilda. When locked his eyes with Matilda who was sitting by the fire, her ankle elevated on a cushion, it made her blush and look away shyly.
"Hi " he said pushing his hair out of his face. Uncle slapped Auther's back. "This is Lizzy," he said. "She had a fall in the forest. Broken ankle."
"Can I check your foot? I love working with herbal medicines"
"Sure," Matilda whispered, heart racing at the gesture of this handsome boy.
Arthur fetched a wooden stool and sat beside Matilda. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to her ankle.
Matilda nodded.
Matilda watched i shyness as gently unwrapped the cloth. His fingers moved gently examining the swelling. "It's not too bad," he said. "We'll make a poultice with comfrey and chamomile. It'll speed up the healing."
As Aunt Martha prepared the herbs. Arthur chatted with Matilda.
"Where do you stay?"
"Very far from here, up in the hills," Matilda replied. "My family lives in a small cottage near the forest. I'm staying at Mayfair Manor for a while for important work."
Aunty Martha and Uncle Charlie exchanged looks of concern.
Arthur nodded" Very well Miss Lizzy"
Matilda smiled shyly.
"I ought to think you need a week's rest. Or should we send for someone to pick you up?" Aunt Martha asked
"If you do not mind, I would like to stay on till I am well. After all, I'm in no rush to go home"
"Of course! It's such a pleasure!" Aunty Martha exclaimed with a big smile revealing her big white teeth. "Some tea? Auther my boy? I know you fancy some!"
Miss Matilda locked her eyes with Authers and something in his bright blue ones made the pain from her broken ankle seem to fade at that moment.
Matilda knew that this was more than a chance encounter and she wondered what adventures lay ahead in this enchanted home...