The Peacock 1643

"What an absolutely divine house", she rhapsodises as Carl unlocks the front door. "And it is big. How many bedrooms?" "I counted as many as seventeen", I reply, "Including several occasional rooms that could be converted into bedrooms." The house does appear to be in better shape than I thought, and we are now all taking a tour. On the third floor, the garret, Stella goes into a corner bedroom, the top part of a turret with expanive windows. "This is going to be my bedroom", she says, twirling around like a delighted little girl. "Oh, I can hardly wait." "Um, Stella", says Carl. "Yes, darling." "We have to talk..."