Day 64: 10 January 2026

Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 17 

‘I can come back another day and we can discuss my notes and your plans then if that would be easier,’ Mr Millings said still looking concerned. He topped off Teddy’s coffee.

Mrs Winter bustled in. ‘The nerve!’ Seeing Mr Millings there, she smiled generously, ‘Oh, hello! You must be Mr Millings. Teddy mentioned that you’d be coming over to assess the house. I do hope she’s not in too dire of shape. And then for that odious Lord Tottington to show up and start shouting his vitriol.’

Mr Millings looked taken aback. He’d never heard staff speak so freely around their employer or use their first name.

‘Mrs Winter is a bit of an enigma,’ Teddy offered guessing at Mr Millings thoughts and smiling affectionately. ‘An absolute treasure! But a bit of an enigma.’

Mr Drey then entered the room. He, too, looked taken aback to see Mrs Winter who had now settled herself into one of the chairs with a cup of tea. He sighed resignedly and then looked at Teddy. ‘The inspector is coming post haste.’

‘Thank you, Mr Drey,’ Teddy said kindly.

Mr Millings looked at Mr Drey wondering if he too was going to sit down and help himself to tea and food. But Mr Drey politely bowed and left.

‘Well, there’s nothing else for us to do while we wait,’ Mrs Winter said cheerfully. ‘Might as well hit us with your notes about the old girl.’

Looking bewildered but trying to pull himself together, Mr Milling picked up his notebook.

‘As I’m sure you have noticed yourself…’ and with that he launched into talk about plaster and drywall, structural integrity, plumping, electrics… In fact, it seemed to Teddy that there was little he hadn’t noticed and didn’t comment on.

He was just wrapping up his notes when Mr Drey entered again. ‘The inspector is here, Miss Thompson.’

‘Please, show him in,’ Teddy instructed. Mr Millings made to get up but Teddy said, ‘As you also witnessed everything, perhaps it’s best if you stay as well. As long as you don’t mind?’

Mr Millings sat back down as the inspector entered. ‘Althea. Miss Thompson,’ he greeted. Even Mr Drey was found quietly standing off to the side.

‘Inspector.’

‘Will.’

Teddy turned to Mr Millings, ‘This is Mr Thomas Millings. Mr Millings, this is Inspector… Will.’ She finished realizing she didn’t know his surname. ‘Mr Millings was here looking over the manor to make sure everything is in working order. We’d just returned to the drawing room to discuss his notes — and had sat down — when the incident with Lord Tottington happened.’

‘I’ve heard Mr Drey’s explanation,’ the inspector said. ‘But I’d be keen to hear both of yours.’