Tales From Ragby Castle

There was even more history here than she dreamed...

- ELLIE HOLMES

Emily paused by the fountain. The trees were all wearing their best autumn colors and set off against a brilliant blue sky. Emily couldn't help but smile. There were worse offices to have.

"The fountain you see here was constructed in 1766. In fact, all of the inner parklands was landscaped between 1766 and 1768 following the fashion of the time. While Capability Brown never visited Ragby, his influences are plain to see. The gardening team was led by..."

Emily stared at the droplets of water cascading from the fountain's centerpiece. They sparkled as they caught the afternoon sun.

Why can't I remember his name?

"Oh God," she muttered.

"I don't think God had a hand in it...although then again, maybe He did."

Emily turned sharply. A woman with bobbed dark hair and a pretty floral tea dress stood a short distance away.

"The name you are trying to think of is William Stevens," she said.

"Thank you. Yes."

The woman smiled. "Why were you trying to remember it in the first place?"

Emily raised the badge on the lapel of her navy jacket. "I'm the new tour guide."

She had felt such pride when she had pinned the badge on that morning but now her pride seemed worryingly misplaced. "There's a lot to remember..." she said, lifting her notes with a half-smile.