Day 39: 16 December 2025

 Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 10

The next morning after breakfast, Teddy climbed into the old car again and started her drive into town to Mr Reed’s office.

As she wound through the countryside, she had a few thoughts occupying her mind: Who was watching her last night and why? Is she going to learn anything else abnormal about the house or will today? If she doesn’t, what’s next for her?

There wasn’t much traffic on the road, just a single car behind her. There wasn’t anything outstanding about it. The only thing of note was a dent on the right side of the fender.

And since she couldn’t make heads or tails of the man, and didn’t know of anything else to anticipate in regards to her visit with Mr Reed, she allowed her mind to wander relating to the third question.

What’s next?

She wanted Monkshood Manor to not just be her home but to be something special for a community. Plus, that would help with repair and renovation costs along with the usual overhead costs. She saw Monkshood Manor as a place with so much potential and potential beauty as well!

‘Either,’ she said to herself after much internal discourse, ‘an orphanage or school for children OR perhaps an event place.’

She pulled into a parking space in front of Mr Reed’s office a few minutes later. And the car that had been behind her the whole way drove past.

Inside, Mr Reed greeted her warmly, ‘You’re looking well today, Miss Thompson! Certainly better than you left a few days ago.’

‘Thank you, Mr Reed,’ Teddy answered. ‘I’m embracing the sentient house and interested to learn what you have to share today before things are finalized.’

Teddy paused then added, ‘It’s probably of no consequence, but do you know of any reason why someone might be watching me or the house?’ She then briefly shared what had happened with the man in the copse.

‘That’s troubling,’ Mr Reed agreed. ‘The only thing I can think of would be that someone wants the house?’

‘A Lord Tottington has expressed interest,’ Teddy said.

Mr Reed’s face darkened.

‘You think there could be malice from him towards me? Perhaps he is behind the man watching me?’

‘He’s more dangerous than he looks,’ Mr Reed advised. ‘Can you remember anything about the man you saw?’

‘Sadly, no. It was starting to get dark and the copse isn’t that close to the house.’

‘Hmmmm. And you notified the police?’ Mr Reed asked.

‘Yes,’ Teddy answered. ‘But they said that there wasn’t anything they could do, since he’d left and I didn’t have a description.’

Mr Reed nodded. After a pause he changed gears saying,’ Well then, shall we get on to the will?’

‘Of course,’ Teddy said and they both headed over to his desk.

Mr Reed pulled a file out from one of the drawers in his desk and opened it for both of them to see. ‘It’s pretty straightforward. You’re set to inherit the manor and its estate along with nearly £200,000 your great aunt left behind.’

Teddy was a bit surprised by the sum but also thankful.

Mr Reed continued. ‘The only stipulations being that you live in the house and you will never sell the place but instead leave it a family member of your choice upon your death. If you agree to that then you will need to prick your finger and leave a drop of blood on the will and upon the doorframe of the front door of the house.’

‘I’m not planning on selling the place but I am confused about the clause,’ Teddy wondered.

‘Because of the nature of Monkshood, your great aunt’s husband’s family was very particular that it not end up in the wrong hands. By not allowing it to be sold, the hope is that it will be lived in by someone who wants it and wants to be there,’ Mr Reed explained.

‘And the bit about the blood?’ Teddy asked.

‘Something to do with binding you and the house together as I understand it,’ Mr Reed said. ‘But to be honest, I don’t really know the science or belief behind it. Your great aunt was very clear that it had to be done though. And witnessed by me.’

Teddy raised her eyebrows, but she answered, ‘Okay. When is it convenient for you to come out to the house?’

‘Saturday morning?’ Mr Reed’s offered. ‘That’s two days from now.’

‘Saturday morning it is. 10:30?’ Teddy suggested.

‘Fine by me,’ Mr Reed said and he handed her a hefty set of keys and an envelope with her name written in her great aunt’s hand. ‘She said to give it to you if you decided to stay,’ Mr Reed explained.

Teddy nodded and took both the keys and the envelope. ‘If that’s the legal business concluded,’ Teddy ventured, ‘Might I ask for a recommendation of a contractor?’

‘I’ve used Thomas Millings to do work on my own home,’ Mr Reed suggested. ‘Let me write down his number.’ Pen in hand and looking at the paper he added, ‘Have you decided what you’ll do with the place?’

Teddy answered, ‘I’m wondering how many legal and bureaucratic hoops I’d have to jump through to turn it into an orphanage and school.’

Mr Reed sat back pensively. ‘I could help you with the legal side and put you in touch with local councilman.’

‘Thank you,’ Teddy said appreciatively. ‘Let me see what Mr Millings says the cost will be first to convert. And also I should talk to Mr Drey. It seems Monkshood is as much his home as it will be mine. And perhaps I should ascertain who the cook actually is.’

‘That sounds like an excellent start!’ Mr Reed agreed.

Both he and Teddy stood up.

‘Let me know if there’s anything else you need before Saturday; otherwise, I will see you then,’ Mr Reed said walking Teddy to the door.

Outside, Teddy headed to the car. Inside, she set the envelope and house keys on the passenger seat. Slowly she reversed out of the spot and started driving home.

She’d been on the road about fifteen minutes when she noticed it: the car behind her had the same dent on the right side of the fender as the car this morning.

‘How strange,’ Teddy whispered to herself.

Looking in her mirror, she tried to see the driver. He was wearing a hat and had a dark moustache. That was all she could make out. His clothes weren’t particularly fancy nor were they farmers.’ She turned her eyes back to the road.

‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ she said to herself.