THE WARD

We walk from room to room, each room has a theme. All nature related and in relative good state. Except for the last one, the third and last bedroom, which depicts a meadow at sunset, but sadly the wallpaper is hanging loosely off the walls, as if as been shereded. There arent any marks on the walls, so I just assume that it has deteriorated due to water ingress, and perhaps the hole in the window hasn't helped either. Even though it is in the most sheltered part of the house, and uts facing the mainland as opposed to the sea like the other two bedrooms.

This the only bedroom that lacks an ensuite bathroom. Neither are the other two unless you count a bathtub crammed in the corner of the room as a bathroom, but they are decent in size and that can be changed.

As we walk back towards the front room I peek inside each room for good measure while, Lavinia keeps telling me about the house.

It's a mess, but it has potential. One man's trash, another man's treasure or woman in this case.

" This the best part of the house," She points enthusiastically at the hazy glass panes that would offer an exquisite view of the sea if they weren't so dirty.

" It is," I wholeheartedly agree. I can already imagine myself waking up to this majestic view.

Lavinia heaves a deflated sight at my side while looking out the open door revealing the expansive sea in front of us.

It will be a while before the sun sets, so there is no point in lingering about.

" Thank you very much for taking the time to show me around. I will let you know by the end of the week. I still have a few places to see before I decide," I extend my hand for her to take, and she takes it, maybe a little reluctantly.

Nodding, she composes herself and plasters a sweet smile ," Of course. You know where to find me," She says cheerfully, as we make our way out of the door.

She locks the door behind, struggling to get it shut while I inspect the veranda a little more. It needs a lot of work, that's for sure.

Once she is done locking the door, Lavinia wipes her sweaty brow as we begin walking towards the back of the house, which is nothing more than a sprawling meadow in full bloom. Spring has arrived in full force, and brightened everything around us.

She looks around for a bit, confused," How did you get here?" Suprise registers in her tone, as her gaze scrutinises the surroundings.

" A friend gave me a lift. She lives in the quarter," She acknowledges that with a nod, before pulling the car keys out of her suit pocket.

" Would you like a lift back?" She opens the car while I shrug.

" If you don't mind," I say as I walk to the passenger side and yank the door open.

" Of course. I'm going that way anyway," She giggles while we both settle in our seats.

The engine rumbes to life and Lavinia puts the car in drive while focusing on navigating the pasture. There are no roads leading to the house. If there ever were any roads, the nature has reclaimed the land a long time ago.

The terrain is a little bit rocky, so the car shakes a little each time we hit a bump or a dip in the ground, but eventually we emerge onto the dirt roads in the Quarter. Apart from the heavy work that Mason has commissioned a the other end, the Quarter looks undisturbed.

Driving though the Quarter is not easy. There are no markings on the road, there are no stop signs despite of all the roads cris-crossing the Quarter like a grid. So, Lavinia is driving at a sluggish pace, one that could easily lull to sleep an unsettled child.

She stop here and there, to let other cars pass, each time her grip on the steering wheel tightening like a vice.

" Youre nervous, " I note as I look at her hands from the corner of my eye.

She preses her lips together as if thinking on how to respond," A little, " She admits with a small smile.

" Why?" I carry on the interrogation.

" Well," She deflates," I've been robbed about four times in the Quarter while I was waiting for other cars to pass. I think it's a scam they have going on," She says tightly lipped.

" This may be a little counterintuitive, but the Quarter is a bad place," She warns.

" Noted," I press my lips together to keep myself from smiling.

" I mean, don't get me wrong. I want to sell the house. It would boost my income considerably but you have to know that eventually they will rob you blind," The urge to laugh suddenly overcomes me, catching Lavinia's attention.

" What?" She she asks curiously and somewhat vexed.

Smiling, I focus on the passing scenery. We pass metal build after metal build each looking more depressing than the other," Can you blame them?" I say quietly just as we reach a yet another junction on the road.

" Well," Sabine stammers, probably trying to find a good argument, but seconds turn into minutes, and nothing comes out of her mouth.

So I carry on," How can you not see the disparities? The invisible line that they have been put behind for so many years. Out of all the wealthy people living in Morston, none have even taken a moment to spare these people a glance. Not even in passing,"

Sabine swallows thickly white knuckling the steering wheel," Mason Kinnaird has," She tips her chin in defiance.

" He is an outsider. He is not even born in Morston," Only God knows where he was been born.

" Well, Morston's adoptive son. The future son in law of the Mayor. He is one of our own," Of course he is, because he has succeeded. If the tables would turn, I don't think anyone would spare him a glance.

Money makes the world spin. It is a statement as old as the world itself, and still stands to this day.

" We shall see about that," That is all I have to say before silence descends in the car.

It doesn't take long to exit the Quarter, giving me a glimpse of the work has been done so far.

It's not much, but it's a start. The frames of a few houses stare back at me. The workers milling about, carting all sorts of building materials and tools. Everyone is busy. And in the midst of all those workers, he stands. Imposing as ever, an undeniable presence one that commands attention. I loose sight of him as we pass the border and slip into Morston traffic. One day the Quarter will no longer be the Quarter, but a distant memory.

I find solace in that. Children like Hazel, Nicholas and Cole won't have to suffer though harsh winters, and scorching summers trapped in a tin can.

Adversity breeds resilience and I'm overwhelmed by the show of strength on their part. To endure such harsh conditions and still strive, its a true testament to their endurance.

I feel humbled. It hasn't been easy, but the cards I've been dealt are far better than theirs. And I can't wait to kick start the bussiness that will change my life and hopefully theirs.