I knew that my first journey would be interesting, but so far it's more than thatΓÇöit's positively amazing!
I have to note down every detail: Remember my plan to visit Cousin Jeanne and Aunt Marie near London? Well, Mother agreed, and we arrived this very afternoon!
When we arrived, I nearly jumped out of the coach and into my cousin's arms. ΓÇ£I've got something to show you,ΓÇ¥ Jeanne said, and took me straight away inside her garden. It was unlike anything I've ever seenΓÇötall bushes that grow so close together they make solid walls, with passages you can get lost in. The very middle has a hidden fountain. We talked in private there, like real adults. Jeanne kindly gave me a ribbon from her dress. She said that I could come to London any time if mother gave me permission.
When our governesses called for us to go inside, Jeanne led us swiftly out of the maze. We skipped along the garden's edge until we reached the big stone house. The scent of rosemary and spice was everywhere, and violets peeped out from the garden hedge. We took off our cloaks and raced to Jeanne's rooms for supper. After so much travel, I was hungry! We delighted in a mutton stew (that's lamb cooked differently from Mother's) and rosemary cakes.
In the evening, we sat next to the fireplaceΓÇöa deliciously warm spot for reading verses out loud. Mother and Aunt Marie played a card game called Gecko. We heard them laughing. At first, we strained to hear their gossip. But Jeanne winked at me and I knew exactly what she meant: we had our own secretsΓÇöMother and Aunt Marie could have theirs, too!
