Day 7: 14 November 2025

Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 1

 She stood on the gravel drive, tall oaks looming and twisting on each side, looking up. 

The house stood in front of her. It’s three stories of grey stone intimidating. It’s large windows watching. Ivy climbing up one half. 

The sky was grey and although it wasn’t raining yet, it held the promise of a storm later. Not too much later though, as birds weren’t even chirping. 

What had brought her to this cursed place in the middle of nowhere? 

Her cheerful sky blue outfit made her stand out. It was the only colour to be seen anywhere. And here? She wasn’t sure that standing out was a good thing. 

The black taxi cab was already driving away, leaving her no way to go but forward. Squaring her shoulders, she picked up her suitcase and placed a foot firmly on the first step. Then up she went. 

It was only three steps to the immense front door with the cast iron gargoyle knockers. The wood was dark. She tried the handle and with the help of a large push, the door slowly opened. 

Inside was dark but still impressive. 

‘You must be Miss Thompson,’ said a basso voice to her left. 

She jumped and sprung round. 

‘I’m sorry to have startled you, Miss,’ the voice continued. ‘Can I help you with your bag? Do you have other luggage perhaps?’ 

‘You must be Mr Drey, the butler,’ she said. ‘I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. And this is my only luggage for the time being.’ 

He walked over and picked it up. Causing her to take a step back. ‘Follow me, and I’ll take you to your room, Miss.’ 

‘As the new owner of this house, surely I get to choose my own room?’ she questioned. 

‘Of course, Miss. As you like. Only, for tonight at least, perhaps you’d stay in the room that has been prepared for you?’ Although phrased like a question, it was spoken as a statement. ‘We are but a small staff of two at the moment. And the previous mistress only used but a small portion of the house regularly.’ 

The previous mistress. Her great aunt Hilda. She’d never even met the woman, much less been to her family estate. She wasn’t sure why, of all of the cousins, she had been the one set to inherit the old place. And the more time she spent here, the less certain about it she was. 

She nodded curtly. The butler set off and she followed. He directed her attention to the various other rooms at her disposal as they walked: a drawing room, a dining room, a library, and so on. 

The hallway leading to her bedroom appeared to be a gallery of sorts, lined both with suits of armor and with portraits. 

The butler opened the door on their right, turned on a light and stepped aside. The room wasn’t large, but it hosted a four poster bed, a wardrobe, a fireplace already alight, and a small sitting area with two chairs and a small table between. Things looked antique but well cared for. Perhaps not so cursed after all? 

‘The washroom is through the door there,’ he pointed, ‘If you care to freshen up before dinner.’ 

And with that, he was gone. 

Teddy, for that is what Theodora had always gone by, slowly turned in place surveilling the room again. 

‘At least there are no creepy portraits in here,’ she laughed to herself, picking up her suitcase and opening it. 

She wasn’t sure it was worth unpacking it. She planned to only be here for a few nights to begin with. But she pulled out what she’d need to take a bath and headed to the next room.

The bathroom was pristine: white tiles, green paint, gold taps and light fixtures. Teddy turned on the water and watched the steam rise. 

‘Objectives for this week,’ she said to herself as the tub filled. ‘First and foremost, learn as much about Monkshood Manor as I can. Second, if possible, solve the mystery of why Great Aunt Hilda chose me as her successor. Along the way: make note of any valuables or repairs that might need to be done. Old houses.’ She sighed. 

A while later, she was back in the bedroom, dressed. 'There's still time until dinner,' she thought to herself looking at the clock on the wall, 'Might as well explore.' 

And with that thought in mind, she left her bedroom, firmly shutting the door behind her. Using the mental map she'd made as Mr Drey took her to her room, she retraced her steps until she found herself outside of the drawing room. 

Upon opening the door, she saw that the fireplace here was also already lit. That felt like a positive and certainly helped dispel the feeling that she was an interloper. The walls were papered in a rich golden colour. The furniture was in reds and velvets. All of it was slightly faded from time and use but it was still a beautiful room. There were landscapes and a needlework sampler adorning the walls. There was a small rotating bookcase that also served as an end table. And in the far corner, near some doors that led outside, there was a mahogany secretary desk.

Teddy walked over to the desk. It was very tidy and appeared that her aunt did her business and correspondence at the desk. In one of the pigeon holes, she noticed an envelope with her name on it: Theodora 'Teddy' Thompson. 

Curiosity piqued, she reached for it. 

'Dinner will be served in five minutes,' Mr Drey's voice came from near the fireplace. 'Would you like me to take you to the dinning room? Or do you remember your own way?'

'Seriously? How does this guy keep sneaking up on me?' Teddy wondered to herself before answering, 'I can make my own way there. Thank you.' 

'As you wish,' he said and exited the room. 

'Guess this will have to wait for later,' Teddy whispered to herself, putting the envelope in the pocket of her trousers and turning to make her way to the dining room.