After The Dust Settles

Pulling up to the guarded gate of her family's large home, Madison leaned her head slightly out of the driver's side window of her light blue Fiat 500e electric car to quickly speak to the guard to ask him a question. "Evening John, is everyone at home this evening?" she nervously asked. "Evening Young Miss, Yes, including Madam's parents" John politely replied. "Oh, goodie." Madison sighed inwardly. Madison had always received a cold shoulder from her mother's parents. From a young age, she never understood why but would question it as she began to grow up. That might will be the reason why her own mother wasn't a very affectionate woman towards her, and always seemed prim and proper with others, except when it came to Madison's older sister and twin brothers. Even Madison's father wasn't included in this type of affection from her mother except when attending parties, gatherings or out in public and even then it was only smiles, lopping an arm through Madison's father's arm or dancing at formal black-tie events. Madison wondered why she wasn't informed of her maternal grandparents' arrival. She shook her head slightly as the tall, thick black gates slid open, "Thank you, John" she loudly said, as she drove through the opened gates and around the estate to park her car in the attached garage to the staff accommodation where her car's charging point was. After grabbing her large art case and her handbag from the backseat, she walked in the direction of the mansion a few feet away and made her way up the back garden patio steps and walked into the kitchen where Maria, her family's head housekeeper, was giving orders to the other house staff. She was a small 5ft 2in woman in her early fifties, with a round-shaped olive-tanned face with dark brown hair pulled into a tight ponytail. "Jess, take another tray of drinks out to the family lounge. Make sure there is jasmine tea for both Madams and Miss Smith. How long until serving, Mich?" Maria turned her head towards the direction of where the head chef, Michael, was hovering over the pots and pans, stirring and adjusting the heat of the flames. "20 to 30 minutes until it's plated." he said over his shoulder. "Evening everyone!" Madison called out to the room has she stepped more into the kitchen and placed her art case on the bench by the back door while everyone greeted her back. Maria turned around and approached with a big grin and asked Madison how her day was, "Same old same, like always. Any clue why Grandpa and Grandma Holts are here, they weren't due to visit until Ellie's birthday?" Madison curiously asked Maria, "Not got the faintest idea, but Mr Smith is currently on a meeting call in his study" whispered Maria. "Well, I'd better go and greet them, or I won't hear the last of it from Mother or Ellie" Madison rolled her eyes. Leaving the kitchen and entering into the small hallway that was attached to the family lounge, Madison straightened her back, pulled her shoulders back, took a few deep breathes and plastered a big fake smile on her face before turning the corner.