Day 25: 2 December 2025

Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 6

 
Mr Reed’s office was just what one would expect of a solicitor. A large wooden desk with a fine leather chair was the focal point and two smaller leather chairs across from it. A fireplace was off to one side with a fire crackling away. Along the other wall there were books.

Scanning the bookshelves briefly, Teddy noticed they were predominantly case studies and unsurprisingly law related. But there was a shelf of novels towards the back and bottom.

‘You’ve got me,’ Mr Reed said genially. ‘I love a good novel! Even a mystery from time to time.’ He let Teddy digest that and then proffered his hand saying, ‘Mr Reed. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Thompson.’

Teddy shook his hand and replied, ‘The pleasure is all mine.’

‘Can I get you anything before we dive in,’ he asked. ‘Tea? Coffee?’

‘A coffee would be appreciated. Thank you,’ Teddy answered. ‘With a splash of milk.’

Mr Reed stepped over to the little stand next to the fire place. He came back with a coffee for Teddy, a tea for himself and an assortment of biscuits on a plate.

‘Now,’ he said, ‘I assume you found Hilda’s letter, since you’re here.’

Teddy’s eyes went a little wider and her coffee stopped midway to her mouth. ‘You know about the letter?’ she asked.

‘Of course! Hilda even let me read it before she sealed the envelope.’ Seeing Teddy’s growing surprise, Mr Reed added, ‘To be better able to explain things.’

‘So you’re trying to tell me it’s true? And my great aunt wasn’t just a little addled in her old age?’

‘Hilda addled? Never!’ said Mr Reed with gusto.

Secretly, Teddy wondered if Mr Reeds was addled. She took a moment to take in the man sitting opposite her. He was tall, probably in his fifties, salt and pepper hair, a mustache. He wore a navy coloured suit and brown leather shoes. He looked impeccably presented and sane.

Mr Reed started again, ‘I’m sure that there were things in that letter that were difficult to even imagine. Your great aunt Hilda was a remarkable woman! And she had great faith in you being able to be imaginative enough and intelligent enough to handle the truth and take on the responsibility of Monkshood.’

Teddy looked into Mr Reed’s eyes and answered, ‘I should hope so. But certainly…’ She trailed off not knowing exactly how she’d end the sentence. It’s because she’s intelligent that she’s struggling to believe it? It’s because she’s imaginative and those strange drafts that she’s tempted to hope? That she should be given at least a few minutes to be able to process and digest this new piece of information?

‘It’s a lot to take in,’ Mr Reed ceded. ‘It took me months to believe. And in a way, you can take all the time you want, just know that Monkshood isn’t your usual estate.’

Teddy took a moment to try and reel her mind back to the present. Then she asked, ‘Mr Drey?’

‘What about him?’ asked Mr Reed.

‘Is he…?’

‘Human?’ Mr Reed finished. ‘One hundred percent. But he was born and raised and has lived his whole adult working in Monkshood, so he has a special relationship with it.’ After a short pause, ‘So did your great aunt Hilda.’

Teddy nodded. ‘Do you know if or how renovations would work?’

‘It does look like it’s seen better days, doesn’t it?’ Mr Reed sighed. ‘I believe in part it reflects the owner but also you can just hire someone. Your great aunt fell quite ill towards the end. No one really knew with what. It was strange because she’d always been a force unto herself.’

Teddy nodded again.

‘I imagine this in and of itself has been quite a bit to take in,’ Mr Reed said. ‘Perhaps today I give you a copy of the deed and a few other legal documents. Then a few days from now, come back and we’ll read the will then.’

That seemed as good a plan as any to Teddy, who was still trying to get a grip on her spinning and tangling thoughts.

‘Call me when you’re ready,’ Mr Reed said standing. ‘I’ll be here. And it was a genuine pleasure to meet you, Teddy.’

Teddy stepped back out into the sunshine. She’d driven her great aunt’s black automobile here and it sat waiting where she’d parked it.

She climbed in and rested her head on the steering wheel for a moment. ‘What…?’ She shook her head and took a deep breath. Then Teddy started the car and began the hour drive back to Monkshood.