Day 18: 25 November 2025

 Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 5

An appointment was set up to meet with Mr Reed the following morning.

In preparation, Teddy made her way back to the study with a stopover in the drawing room.

She collected all the papers and envelopes from the secretary desk, trying to keep them as organised as possible as she transported them.

The door to the study was already open. A fire had been lit in hearth. And there was a pot of coffee along with a thick slice of Victoria sponge on a tray resting near the arm chairs.

Teddy set the papers on one of the chairs, poured herself a cup of coffee and then turned to the large desk behind her. There were very few papers on top, but she carefully moved the cup of pens and few Knick-knacks to the mantle. Then she took the papers from the chair and her cup of coffee and set them on the desk.

‘Let’s see what we’ve got,’ Teddy said to herself.

Looking at the top paper, it appeared to be a menu for a week, as were the next couple of sheets. Curious, she took a look but then put them in the waste basket. Underneath those — from the next cubby in the secretary desk — appeared to be bills. Looking over the cost of wood, gas, water and electricity… Teddy was a bit aghast. ‘How could anyone actually keep up with this?! Especially someone who was retired like her great aunt?!’ She found a clip and stuck them all together. Making sure to keep in the top and make note of any that still needed to get paid.

Underneath that was correspondence her great aunt had kept. She seemed to have been in communication regularly with about seven different people. None of the names were ones Teddy recognized. ‘She probably just phoned family,’ Teddy decided. Teddy felt that reading the letters might be an invasion of privacy, if you can invade the privacy of the deceased. But what if there was something she needed to know in the letters? She took the pile and wrapped a ribbon around it — a moral quandary — to be left for later and put them on the mantle.

A couple of hours had passed since she started and it was time to enjoy that piece of cake!

Just as she was finishing, Mr Drey appeared. ‘Lord Tottington is here and requests an audience, Miss.’

Teddy had no idea who Lord Tottington was. But she answered, ‘I’ll meet him in the drawing room in a moment.’

‘Very good, Miss,’ Mr Drey replied exiting.

It seemed that going through the study’s desk would have to wait.

Teddy stood up and smoothed her clothes and hair and made her way towards the drawing room.

She realised too late that perhaps she should have told Mr Drey to bring tea.

Upon entering the drawing room, she saw a man in his 50s, well presented in a suit. He was tall with salt and pepper hair. He was standing pensively near the fireplace.

‘Welcome,’ Teddy said smiling politely as she entered the room. ‘I’m Theodora Thompson.’

‘Lord Perceval Tottington,’ the man replied. ‘A pleasure.’

‘Would you care to sit? I could call for tea?’ Teddy offered, gesturing to one of the chairs.

‘Thank you,’ said the Lord sitting down, And tea is not necessary. I’m sure you must have a lot going on — and my! Aren’t you young! — but I wanted to introduce myself as I am your nearest neighbour and  was good friends with your great aunt.’

At that, a draft seemed to blow through the house.

‘I see,’ answered Teddy. ‘It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.’ Something about the man was giving her pause. ‘Did you always live next door to my great aunt?’

‘Yes. Tottington Estate is my family home,’ he replied. We have long been neighbours with the Harreborrows, which, of course, is the family your great aunt married into. and what a place of splendor Monkshood Manor was in its hay day.’

Another draft blew through. ‘Strange,’ Teddy thought since she’d not experienced any drafts since she’d arrived.

‘It’s still quite an amazing place,’ Teddy defended her new manor. ‘I’m sure a little good old-fashioned elbow grease and TLC will have her looking more glorious than ever.’

‘So,’ Lord Tottington said shrewdly, leaning a bit forward in his chair, ‘You intend to stay and take on the old place?’

When she’d seen the cost of running the place earlier, she’d had her doubts. But listening to this lord talk about it, she knew she wanted to try.

‘It is my plan,’ answered Teddy somewhat coolly. And the room seemed to physically warm.

‘Well, you will let me know if you decide to sell?’ Lord Tottington asked standing up.

‘Of course,’ Teddy replied as the perfect hostess also standing.

‘I’ll be on my way then,’ said Lord Tottington. ‘Please don’t be a stranger. A big house out in the moors like this all by yourself is bound to get lonely. You’re welcome to visit myself and my wife and son anytime.’

‘Thank you,’ Teddy responded as they walked to the door.

Mr Drey already had Lord Tottington’s coat and hat in hand.

Although neighbours introducing themselves is common enough, something about the whole encounter gave Teddy a bad feeling.

She was nonetheless shocked to hear the professional and reserved Mr Drey harrumph quietly, ‘Good riddance!’ When Lord Tottington’s transport was out of view.