By Chloe

Y6

Dear Mr Brown,

I am writing to apply for the advertisement you put in the evening news. I am very willing to stay in Darkwood Manor for five hundred pounds as I need to pay my mortgage off and I would like to go on a short holiday. But…I am not willing to suffer so I hope you don’t mind me asking a few everyday questions? So I will begin.

First of all I was wondering if there will be any other applicants staying at the same time to keep me company? I am also hoping that the accommodation is reasonable and that I’m not staying in a dark and gloomy house with leaking roofs, and any other nasty evidence that I would find.

I’m sorry for any inconvenience in asking you all these questions, I know your house is super on the outside, but I’d like to know what it’s like on the inside because I’m not wasting my own time staying in a rat hole . If you could send me some good information I will be delighted to stay.

I hope you succeed in your advertisement even if I do not decide to stay but I’ll say it now good luck.

Yours sincerely

HETTY PEAKOCK

* J *

"Mike dear," I asked as soon as I got the letter, "do you have any idea who Mr Brown is?"

"No, don’t have a clue…….. Why?"

"Oh well, it doesn’t matter." I opened the letter eagerly. Darkwood Manor I thought, I do recognise it? I scanned my memory. Oh yes, it’s Mr Brown, yes now I remember … it’s the article I applied for last December. It’s appallingly late and it doesn’t seem right. But I’m eager enough to go.

When I arrived at the Swan Hotel, a beautiful place to stay, definitely recommended by me, as an Estate Agent I know these things. As I walked into the lounge I saw a large crowd of people all in different groups; obviously everyone was there apart from me, I’m always late for- um- just about everything. But you can’t blame me, after all nobody’s perfect.

I went over and joined a couple of ladies aged 38 and 25. I started a conversation as both ladies didn’t seem to be talking.

"Hello I’m Hetty Peacock." I shook hands with both the ladies.

"Why hello," replied one. Later I found out her name, Christine Shore, a very nice lady.

"Can I offer to buy either of you a drink?" I asked.

"No thank you," I heard from one of them.

Now the conversation really started. We talked about what food we liked. (I absolutely adore grapes,) Christine likes pasta and Rachel, who has a terrible memory, (the one who didn’t tell me her name when we first met) well guess what she’s forgotten? Her favourite food! This was a shock to me as I would never forget my favourite food, my precious grapes. We also talked about our hobbies: Rachel’s was sports. "I can’t ever forget my hobby," she said. Well that’s a good thing I thought, and Christina’s was horse riding. I’ve got to tell you my hobby - well what do you know? It’s eating grapes! But I do like shopping- you should try it, its real great fun.

Suddenly Mr Brown walked in and all turned silent. He was wearing a very smart suit and a top hat which didn’t go together at all.

"He looks very idiotic," I whispered.

Rachel just stared in horror; it was Christine that replied to my comment.

"I agree," she managed to fit in before she was interrupted by a stuttered "Hello." It was Mr Brown.

"H-h-hello, I’m Mr Brown" he announced in a flustered tone of voice. "Welcome to the Swan hotel-hotel," he said.

"I-If you wanted to ask any questions ask them now," he blurted out quickly.

There were a few questions, mostly about scary rumours but they weren’t really true. Rachel, Christina and I didn’t ask any questions. I bet Rachel forgot hers.

"I - um, am sorry for any inconvenience b-but-um I do-do apologise r-really, honest. The night a-at D-Darkwood Manor has been cancelled until n-next Wednesday, there has been a delay, s-stay here or go home," and with that he walked out. There was a sudden angry uproar from the small cosy lounge of people. I joined in. I was appalled. "I’d packed all my grapes as well, they’ll go mouldy!" I shouted.

"Quieten down about your grapes I know you like them," Christina advised.

What’s happening? I thought. What’s the mystery? Why are we going home? Why’s it been delayed? Why, why, why?

All these thoughts were running through my mind like an angry blood vessel going through my body dramatically. At this point I had a good mind to go home and not come back, but I’m willing so I will.

The uproar finished and everyone started to leave, including me. "Well see you next week" I muttered in an ugly voice "What a person." I drove of in a sulky mood.

Well, here I was back at Darkington about to arrive at The Swan. I was not looking forward to this at all, and chills were running through my veins. Swish, swash – the sound of my wipers wafting in front of my face on full speed. They needed to be as the rain was thrashing down in torrents.

"Lucky me, I forgot my umbrella," I muttered in a sarcastic voice. Here we are back at the Swan Hotel, I parked my car. After this I opened the Swans door and…..

"Oh" I slipped in as I got pushed out of the way by a couple of men.

"No time we’re going early," shouted one in note form. A crowd followed them out (also running) so I followed and found Christine and Rachel a few from the back. I joined them.

What’s the rush?" I asked.

Well it is quarter past ten" Christine said.

We ran all the way to the Manor as we didn’t want to get wet.

"Well here we are," said Mr Brown.

"The Manor," there was an echo as his voice came to a halt.

He walked steadily up to the wooden door. Everyone followed cautiously. The door was wooden, a wooden door I could see. It wore a large brass knocker, waiting, silently to be touched. He opened the door-still all was silent apart from the shrill creak as it swung open. He locked the door behind him.

My first impressions were simply: Cold, damp, musty, spooky nothing much really. I’d started to think I had made the wrong decision in coming; it was such an awful sight. I bet I could make a list of the nasty things in the Manor of a page and a half without even thinking. The stairs had holes in; there was dust everywhere, cracks in the ceiling and a lot more disgusting finds.

"If you would like to put your luggage in the ballroom, then I will give you a guided tour," advised Mr Brown. He opened the ballroom door and our luggage was dumped in.

"So here we go," he said.

We followed the mysterious man on the tour, only because we didn’t want to get lost. The worst room had to be the kitchen; a square, pretty room. No way! A square, dusty choky room! I nearly had a choking fit.

We arrived back at the ballroom and set up our air-beds and lilos. A few people bought camping chairs but I didn’t bother. I was more bothered about my grapes to concentrate on unimportant chairs.

I set my Air-bed up next to Christina and a lady called Lucy. There were a few other women near us too. We all set our air-beds up in a circle and started to chat and share our food, Christina’s wine, my grapes, and any other food and drink.

Our crew had a lovely start!

"Cheers!" we all chorused as we held up our plastic cups.

‘Click’ the door closed without us realising. Mr Brown had gone, disappeared. We were locked in.

Everyone waited for a couple of minutes ……… silent until voices started to rise.

"Well we might as well make the most of our time," I started.

"Yeah, let’s check it out", Andrea (one of the ladies) exclaimed.

We split up into groups and set off to explore the room and see if there was any sign of escaping. We all got along really well. There were six of us in our group: Christine, Andrea, Lisa, Jenny, Molly and I

First we checked out the room, I’d done so already but I went with my other friends too. Two other girls, Jenny and Molly, went to check for keys. No sign though.

Then we all went to check the main door lock, still not a hope. I was hoping for some luck. A few minutes had passed now and we were getting bored out of our skin, until Molly spotted an amazing painting in the corner (Molly is a very clever artist and she thought it was beautiful). So we went over to check it out. As we were walking over, I tripped over and fell to the floor in pain.

"Ouch!" I yelped. The girls came rushing over and Jenny (who was training in university for nursing) examined my foot. Luckily it was OK and the pain by now was starting to fade.

I decided to check the floor out where I had tripped up to see if there were any cracks or just a lump.

I flicked my torch on full beam and examined the wooden floor cautiously, hoping for something exciting.

In the end I found myself picking up a rectangular shape. I dusted it over with my frilly sleeve……..

"It’s a key! Look, it’s a key!" I shouted just loud enough for my group to hear.

"What, Really?" Lisa questioned.

I dropped a couple of grapes in excitement.

"You must be joking."

"No come and look, honest I’m not." I said getting impatient.

"OK, then," said Lisa as she came over with a slight bit of excitement.

Meanwhile Molly and the other girls were looking at the painting.

"Let’s keep it a secret for a minute," Lisa said.

"I don’t think they heard you," she whispered hoarsely.

"Deaf or what?" I giggled.

We walked over to them.

"Isn’t it brilliant?" Christine squealed, pointing to the marvellous picture.

"Yes of course," I said just recovering from my giggles.

"Look at that!" cried Jenny putting her finger on the nicest part of the painting.

"What? What are you looking at?" Jenny questioned.

Whilst Jenny was talking the painting had moved and left a square gap with a small hole in, there on the wall.

"Jenny," Andrea said slowly, "look behind you."

A sudden smile grew over our faces, especially Lisa and mine, as our key might just be the doorway to a passage.

"Guys," I said "guess what? I’ve found a key." Christine jumped.

"Try it then! Try it then!" she cried.

"OK! OK! OK!" I placed it in the hole and turned it steadily.

"Creak" the door opened slowly………..

"Well, let’s go in," Molly said beckoning towards us. We followed with Jenny at the back shutting the door behind her.

"Torches please," said Andrea, the only one without a torch.

We flicked our electric torches on… "Pat, Pat, Pat" was the sound our feet made on the floor. We stopped.

"Don’t, go further," said Andre (Andrea’s nickname).

"There’s a hole." Now was a good time to stand and have a look around.

There were cobwebs everywhere. Literally everywhere. I noticed an old plaque, switched my torch on full, squinted and read the sign as well as I could.

"Ahhh!" I screamed after I had read it.

"What’s the matter?" Christine asked.

"L-look at-at t-t-the p-p-p-plaque." I stuttered.

"It says," Andrea began "Boy died here in 1958. Right here in this passageway. Aged ten."

"Oh my word!" exclaimed Andrea and the others.

Looking over my shoulder I saw the shocked open mouthed faces of my friends gazing, staring at the plaque.

I waited for a voice, stood, listened, my feet glued to the echoing floor………..

Minutes had gone, wasted because of our fear!

I looked around.

"Click!" The door closed, and Molly whimpered.

"Um, errrrrr, I don’t think we’re alone."

"Who is it? Tell me!" She changed to a shout "I’ve got a large torch and I’m not afraid to use it!"

"Oooooo!" The voiced cooed, "Oooo!"

"Stay back, stay back!" Molly carried on. Even the torches weren’t bright enough to make out what the thing was!

"Ahhhh!" Christine screamed, and the cooing stopped.

All was quiet. Even Christine and Molly had given up.

A bright dusty lamp clicked on and a low chuckle burst out in hysterics.

"We spooked ya out!" said a boy behind us.

"How on earth did you get in?" I asked.

"We sneaked," whispered another.

"How though?" I cried.

"We found the door too, ya know?"

"Jenny!" The girls looked around.

"I didn’t mean to!" Jenny had forgotten to shut the door properly and it had clicked back open.

"Well, at least they found the light." Andrea said.

"Do you want to come with us?"

"Yeah," one of the said.

We walked. I went to the back to talk to the boys, tell them about the plaque, and ask them their names. One of them was called Shorn (what a weird name!). The other named Joe.

We all walked up a couple of stairs. "CREAK!" We found ourselves in a room that looked like a kitchen. My feet were aching painfully in my high heels, I was worn out.

"A chair! Yes!" I’d spotted a chair and sat down.

"L-l-look!" Andrea stuttered and fell to the floor.

"What? What? What is it?" Jenny (the training doctor) ran over.

"It seems that Andrea’s fainted in shock."

"Really?" I said.

"Yes, we need to get her out."

"But how?"

"I don’t know…. Somehow!"

"I wonder how she fainted." I muttered stroking my chin, puzzled.

"T-that’s h-h-h-how," Lisa pointed to a dead body over in one of the corners.

"Wow! That would make a brilliant painting!" Molly exclaimed.

"Molly, No! This is serious." Jenny started

"Look, he’s got a passport, I’ll read it."

"OK," we all chorused, except Andrea who was still on the floor.

"Derek Jones," she read on, "age - 16, country – England, village – Darkington." There was also a picture of him (quite good looking actually).

I started to move back in horror, slowly.

"Boof!" The last thing I knew I was crashing down a blacked out tunnel. I didn’t say anything, I was frightened, too frightened to speak. I had landed on a soft bit of rug but was hurting all over. I was lost, extremely lost.

"Help God," I whispered.

Meanwhile:

"Where’s Hetty?" echoed Lisa.

"What on earth do you mean?" Christine cried, "She’s behind you."

"No she is not!" Lisa shouted.

"Look, there’s a hole in the floor where she must have fallen."

"Oh, I-I-I d-d-d-didn’t rea-realise." Christine stuttered, going red.

"Let’s follow her," said Molly.

"What about Andre?" Jenny asked.

"I know," said Lisa, "you and the boys try to get back to the hall or get help. Christine, Molly and I will follow." She instructed.

"Agreed?" She asked.

"Yes, agreed." The girls said.

Back were I had landed, the bats that I had spotted, were staring at me with red, eagle eyes, as if watching their prey.

"Ouch!" I heard as I looked around finding Molly, Lisa and Christine just about on top of me all in a pile.

I got up, brushed the dust from my dress and discovered where I was. The Parlour! I immediately thought, "Mr Brown showed us this room."

"Hi Hetty." My daydream was interrupted, it was Christine.

"Oh hi. Did you fall down as well?"

"NO! We came to find you!"

"Well, well done," I laughed, "you’ve found me alright, and if I am correct, we’re in the parlour, close to the Ballroom." I noticed Lisa’s dark blue eyes squinting at different spots of the room.

"Yep, it’s the parlour alright," she giggled.

I looked at my expensive watch and realised Mr Brown would be coming in, any minute now.

"We’ve got to get back to the Ballroom, its five to six. Anyway, where are Jenny and the boys?"

"They’re getting Andrea back," said Molly.

We decided to stop chatting and try and get back as quick as we could. Luckily the door was left open so we stepped out into the echoic large hall.

"Nearly there now." I whispered.

Walking over to the bathroom door I noticed a mousey squeal as I stood on a lump. They certainly need a few mousetraps around here, I thought, hoping it wasn’t a mouse, because they really are rather sweet. But to my horror, I found that it was a rat! Eergh! I thought.

"I don’t like this place!" Christine shuddered.

"Don’t worry, it’s 6 o’clock, we’ll be leaving soon and just imagine 600 pounds!" I exclaimed.

"And a free breakfast", Molly licked her lips, "I’m so hungry!"

"We’ll have to wait here," I began "there’s no chance we’re going to get into the Ballroom."

"Why, hello ladies." It was Mr Brown, but he wasn’t the Mr Brown we were used to! He had a great, wide, beam on his face and was chuckling merrily. He wasn’t stuttering either!

"Shall we make our way back to the Ballroom?" he said, leading us to the door.

"There aren’t any here," he muttered.

Gazing around the room he watched the people talking and interrupted them.

"Hello, it’s nice to see you all…… well, I shouldn’t say all! There’s only about half of you here!" He laughed, his beam spreading.

People started to arrive back at the Ballroom. A lot of distressed people also arrived. A lot of very mucky people and just about everyone had grey bags under their eyes from tiredness.

"Any questions?" he asked.

They weren’t actually questions, they were shouts!

"I found a dead body!" shouted someone.

"I found a plaque about a dead boy!" cried a short boy.

"Come on, let’s go for our breakfast," Mr Brown smiled.

"What?" Lisa screamed. "What about our questions?"

"And our money!" carried on Shorn.

"Please, guys, come on, I’m starving." I said.

"Listen to the lady" Mr Brown said, "I bet you’re hungry," he added.

We walked down the road to a restaurant called The Everly and ate a delicious, yummy breakfast. He told us all about The Manor, and that it was all a joke and everything was fake. A few ladies were annoyed at first but they soon settled down.

"Can I just say well done?"

What do you mean?" Molly questioned.

"You’ve all been on TV!"

Everyone jumped up in surprise and a few started hugging Mr Brown.

"Thank you!" he laughed.

The money was given out fairly and everyone set off home.

"Bye Christine," I called, setting off to my car, which was at The Swan.

"I’ll keep in touch," she answered.

"Phew! I’m glad that has ended," I muttered, looking at my money.

600 pounds, I thought.