Manderley always appears in my dreams now, haunts me with its lofty towers and steeples. Dark clouds always hover close, ominously, trees weave around it, hiding it from view until you approach, when the light from the doorway welcomes you in, begging for homely visitors again. I wished to make it homely, wished to settle but perhaps Manderley was never meant to be owned by anyone else. It was always fiercely protective of its original owner.

I suppose my adventure with Manderley started in the South of France where I was holidaying with Mrs Hopper. I had never been to France, always wanted to go and never could have afforded to go on my own but Mrs Hopper had paid for my fare and board and it was supposed to be an exciting way to travel. She was a demanding lady, boorish and ignorant but I found if I ignored her inane conversation I could observe the people and scenery around me and forget she was ever my companion. She caused scandal by having a male companion so young but it was soon obvious by anyone who had a conversation with either of us, that any kind of relationship between us would be ridiculous. Mrs Hopper didn't discourage the gossip though.

Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Kurt Hummel and I am originally from Ohio although Mrs Hopper is from New York. I answered her ad for a paid holiday companion, and the excitement of Monte Carlo certainly lived up to expectation though after a week of the glitz and glamour, I soon tired of it and wished for home.

I found myself on a walk by the cliffs one day, hoping to draw something of the view, when I spied a man near the edge. As I looked closer at him, he looked perplexed, worried and I had a sudden fear he would fall, deliberately or accidentally and I shouted.

"Watch out! Be careful!"

He turned suddenly and looked in my direction, suddenly uneasy on his feet and he walked closer to the bench I was sitting on.

"What a foolish thing to do, when I was so close to the edge. Anything could have happened."

"I'm sorry," I stuttered, "I was worried you would fall."

He looked more kindly at me then, softened his frown and I noticed his eyes, globes of warm honey and amber; kind eyes set in a beautiful face. His hair was black and gelled down and he smiled.

"Thank you for your concern, but it isn't necessary. Enjoy your holiday." And he walked away from the cliff.

xXx

I didn't see him again until the following evening when Mrs Hopper had decided to have her dinner in the hotel. I was instructed to eat with her and I followed like a forlorn puppy. As she waited for her after dinner cocktail, sitting on the plush sofa, the man I had seen by the cliff entered the room. He looked about him, wondering where to sit and his eyes suddenly found my face. He smiled and was talking to the waiter when Mrs Hopper started shouting.

"Oh Mr Anderson," Mrs Hopper waved dramatically, "Mr Anderson, over here."

He looked startled at being addressed so rudely but he approached nonetheless.

"Hello," he said quirking an eyebrow, clearly unsure how he knew this woman.

"Mr Anderson, how amazing that you should be here too. How are you?" Mrs Hopper said, gesturing at the seat next to her, which Mr Anderson kindly accepted.

"I am doing very well thank you, Mrs?"

"Oh Mrs Hopper, I would have thought sure you remembered me. I knew your first wife well."

At the mention of his first wife his face clearly changed but remembering his company, it changed back just as quickly. A smile was plastered there.

"And this is my companion Kurt Hummel." Mr Anderson smiled in recognition, and I instantly felt sorry for him. He had found the most annoying woman to talk to on his vacation when he had clearly wanted a peaceful trip.

"It's been lovely weather here and quite exciting all this glitz and glamour, don't you think Mr Anderson?"

"Yes, I quite agree Mrs Hopper, very exciting." Although his face showed a different emotion entirely.

"And what do you think of it all Mr Hummel?"

"Oh," I had not expected to be addressed directly and clearly Mrs Hopper thought it beneath Mr Anderson to enquire of my opinion. "I liked it to start off with I suppose, but I find myself quite bored with all the excitement now. I like the quieter moments."

Mr Anderson was clearly intrigued at my opinion and smiled. The waiter approached our seats and explained to Mr Anderson in a whisper that a table was now available for him and he took our leave, bowing politely at Mrs Hopper and smiling at me.

"A strange, quiet man I think," Mrs Hopper whispered, close to my ear as she took her leave of the room and we went upstairs to our separate rooms.

xXx

The following day Mrs Hopper proclaimed she was too ill to venture downstairs and I was given leave to enjoy the day and leave the nurse to take care of her. I found myself having breakfast alone and accidentally knocked the vase of flowers over. I felt so embarrassed and apologised profusely, gathering napkins to cover my mess, when a shadow appeared on one side of my table.

I looked up to find Mr Anderson looking kindly on me and he asked the waiter to set another place at his table for breakfast.

"Oh I don't want to be any bother," I said, "I'm sorry I've made such a mess but I'm quite alright here."

"I would have asked you to breakfast with me anyway, had you not made a mess," he smiled kindly and walked over to his table. The waiters hurriedly set my place at the table and I ordered coffee and scrambled eggs.

"You are an enigma to me Mr Hummel," he smiled, "I cannot understand how you find yourself here, a companion to the world's dullest woman. How did this happen?" I laughed.

"Oh, she's not too bad really and I wouldn't have been able to afford the trip on my own. I come from a small town in Ohio and have no family. I simply answered the ad and here I am."

"Where is she today?"

"She is ill in bed with a cold."

"And how long is your stay?"

"Another two weeks."

"Then back to Ohio?"

"Yes, I will either answer another ad or find employment somewhere else. I find it easier to flitter around without family."

"And where are your family? What happened to them?" he asked, hastily adding, "If you don't mind me asking of course."

"Oh no I don't mind, my mother died when I was eight and my father died last year of heart failure." I couldn't help the tears that appeared but I looked away to save embarrassment. I think Mr Anderson noticed but kept silent.

"I find myself alone too," Mr Anderson said, after a while. I smiled. "What are your plans today?"

"I thought I might go for a walk, draw if I find a nice spot."

"Good, I shall take you to some lovely spots in my car."

"Oh don't trouble yourself," I said, flushing, "I don't want to be a bother and I can easily walk."

"It is not a bother," he laughed, "I would like your company if you don't mind?"

"No, that would be nice," I could feel the blush deepen. He smiled warmly at my nerves.

"Eat up then and we shall go."

xXx

We found ourselves driving for quite a while in a peaceful silence as the weather blew around us. He had a convertible car which allowed the wind to rustle through my hair. I appreciated the peace and freedom of the journey and found myself looking at Mr Anderson's profile, so rigid at times, other times relaxed. I wondered what he was thinking and what he was really like. He intrigued me and I wondered what such an important and clearly wealthy man would want in my company.

We found a nice spot overlooking the sea and the sand where we could sit in peace and admire the view. The weather continued to be breezy but the sun was appearing more prominently in the sky and I was extremely relieved that Mrs Hopper had a cold.

"You are very quiet Mr Hummel; it always makes me wonder what you are thinking."

"Oh my thoughts are inconsequential really."

"No I don't believe they are. Your face always tells a story and I only ever see kindness and optimism in those blue grey eyes of yours."

I could feel the warmth returning to my cheeks. I had not known my face was that expressive.

"What do you think of me? I believe you could tell so much about me, just from a single look," he said.

"I don't know what to think. I barely know you and I would hate to be so presumptuous as to offer my silly opinion of your character."

"It would not be silly and I would like to know what you think of me. What does my face betray?" He looked serious and although I could think of nothing worse I decided to share my opinion.

"I don't really know what to think. Sometimes you appear lost in thought, perplexed and worried, like some great tragedy has befallen you and at other times you are light-hearted, carefree. I wonder if that is your real self."

He looked at me carefully, unsure how to take my words and I regretted saying them when I saw the hurt expression appear on his face.

"I had not known you would be able to see so much. You are indeed very clever Mr Hummel."

I felt sorry I had said anything as he looked at his hands in his lap, wringing them gently. Without thinking I touched his hand gently, trying to ease the pain etched on his face.

"I am sorry Mr Anderson; I did not mean to offend."

He smiled. "Don't worry Mr Hummel, I think you have earned my first name now, it is Blaine."

"Blaine," I tried the word on my tongue, "My name is Kurt."

"Kurt," he whispered, almost enamoured, "It has been nice to meet you."

xXx

We found ourselves journeying back once the wind had picked up and I returned to Mrs Hopper's room to enquire if she was better. The nurse was still in attendance and she was gossiping away, unaware of my presence at the door.

"I know Mr Anderson well," she was telling the nurse, "But of course I knew his first wife Rebecca extremely well. She was very beautiful, a great woman, until of course tragedy befell her and she died. Drowned they say, such a tragedy. Oh there you are Kurt. I have been waiting for you, come and play rummy with me."