God Save The Queen

Chapter 14 POV Ciaren

POV Ciaren

When Poppy and I got into the back of The Queens van I was convinced that she was going to kill me. I had it in my head that she would take Poppy and kill me. We were silent as we drove off. I looked at the queen and she gave me a half smile “listen there are some rules if you’re going to live with us. we share food, there’s no reason to steal or take more and hide it, that’s how you get mice. Everybody works to contribute to the running of things so you either clean or cook or grow food or look after the animals. And the most important rule is that if we catch you howling you will be put out. Before you arrive at Sutton Manor you must pass a test and I think you will both pass with flying colours, but it’s very important” she cleared her throat and started to sing Bohemian rhapsody and all the woman in the van and outside joined in and Poppy looked at me and laughed “right join in or there will be no dessert for you two after dinner tonight” the thought of any kind of sweet treat almost made me howl. We joined in on the singing and when we were done the queen clapped “you guys are by far the best I’ve ever heard and I’m not kidding. I’ve heard a lot of people sing that in the back of this van” “have you helped a lot of people?” I asked “it’s not just me, we all work together to help. We are like a big family” she said and I felt myself relax. I had seen Sutton Manor from Andy’s house and it looked awful but to hear that the people there were just like me and Poppy warmed my heart. Maybe the Queen wasn’t as bad as she wanted people to believe.

When we arrived at the gates of Sutton Manor there was signs of the huge gates warning people to stay out. The walls were over grown with weeds and there was dead bodies of men hanging by their necks from the walls. Then the van stoped and we all got out. I was holding Poppy and I covered her eyes to protect her from this unnerving scene. Poor Poppy seemed nervous but I had to believe that the Queen and her women would never hurt her. All the woman were silent as the Queen climbed up and over the giant wall. It was high and Poppy clung to me. I asked if she was ok and she shook her head “I’m frightened” she whispered. I had heard the stories about the queen and I had even seen her kill with my own eyes but I had also seen the way she was with Poppy and I didn’t know what to expect within the walls of Sutton Manor. The huge gates started to open and it was like nothing I was expecting. There was the sound of children playing and lots of people busy. The house was enormous and we walked behind the queen as the gates closed behind us. She walked up the large drive way towards the house. When she got to the front door she asked everyone to be quiet “everyone can I have your attention, this is our new friends Poppy and her big brother Ciaren. They are coming to live with us. Please do anything you can to help them settle in here. And Poppy and Ciaren both love Queen so they are now my best friends.” All the adults that were there started to laugh and one young boy around 12 years old said “oh no not more queen fans” the Queen put her hands on her hips and pretended to be angry “hey Jonny don’t be cheeky about Queen” he ran up the steps towards her and she hugged him tightly. “You’re lucky your my favourite boy or there would be hell to pay for that” he gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran back over to his friends. “Ciaren, Poppy let’s go inside” she said and two of the woman that were chatting at the door turned and opened it for her “fancy a cup of tea Queenie?” Asked the older lady “yes I’d kill for one. Ciaren fancy one?” She asked I nodded my head “just milk if you have it” I said and the queen came over and took my hand “come on sunshine, you’re home now” she led me into the house and I had never been in such a fancy house before in my life. You could tell it was well over a hundred years old “I like your house, this place is beautiful” said Poppy “it’s your house now Poppy” there was a huge oil painting above the fire place it was the queen standing with a tall handsome guy and two small boys. “That’s my husband and my sons” she said. I must admit I was a little disappointed that she said she was married but I would never have stood a chance with a beautiful woman like her anyway but it was a bit deflating. Poppy asked if she could meet her sons and the Queen shook her head. “They’re no longer with us” she said and my heart broke for her. She was such a natural mother that it was unfair that she no longer had her children with her. The older lady gave me my tea and the queen said she would show us to our new bedroom. We went upstairs and I couldn’t believe how huge this place was. We walked along the corridor and passed a few people and they were all very friendly. She smiled at one guy and complimented his hair and that’s when I asked if I could have a hair cut. She smiled and nodded her head “of course you can, there are a few hairdressers and barbers that live here, I will organise it for you” I was happy that she was being so kind to us but once Poppy was out of sight the queen grabbed my arm “if I hear any howling from you or if you give the women here any trouble, I’ll slit your f*****g throat, you better be on your best behaviour.” She hissed and I nodded my head. This women was crazy but I knew that she was only being aggressive to protect the people of Sutton Manor. That evening after Poppy and I got cleaned up and put on fresh cloths we went down stairs for dinner. I was sitting stuffing my face with food like I’d never ate before when I felt a hand on my shoulder and I didn’t have to turn around to know that it was the Queen. I could smell her every move. She sat with us for the entire evening. I loved being in her company. She was funny and sexy and everything I ever wanted in a woman. She said she liked my new hair cut and she leaned in and ruffled my hair then I felt her fingertips on my neck and I had to hold in a howl. She asked me lots of questions about my life before the bomb and I told her about my mum dying. She rubbed my arm and said that I was an inspiration. From that moment on myself and Poppy were now her people too and for the first time in years we felt safe. That night Poppy and I went upstairs to our new bedroom. It was two double beds in one small room but I was glad to be in a warm safe bed and that Poppy was happy. When I knew that Poppy had finally dropped off to sleep I sniffed the air and I could smell the queen. I grabbed my pillow and put it up to my face and howled into it until my throat hurt. This woman was going to be the death of me.