The Secrets of Tenley House

by Patricia Dixon

  Hearing footsteps on the corridor, Sandy recognised them as Vanessa’s and looking up at the clock, was able to focus on the time, causing her to smirk. The mistress of Tenley never missed mealtimes and was right on cue. She’d be disappointed because Sandy wasn’t going to prepare dinner so she would have to make do with a sandwich, or three. When Vanessa entered the room it was clear that she was unhappy, both with Sandy’s state and the absence of cooking aromas.

  “Is dinner ready, Sandy? Georgie is awake and she needs something light, perhaps scrambled eggs.” When Sandy didn’t answer Vanessa’s eyebrows furrowed, her voice stern.

  “Sandy, answer me. Have you been drinking? You look rather odd. Your behaviour at the door was most disappointing and I will expect you to apologise to Tommy next time you see him. Do I make myself clear?” Spotting the almost-empty bottle of whisky on the table Vanessa realised the stupidity of her question and was angered further by the response from Sandy.

  Picking up the bottle and waving it in the air, squinting as if to examine its contents, Sandy replied, not even caring that her words were slurred.

  “Sorry, I forgot to make dinner… but you know where the cooker is, it’s that big shiny thing over there and you’re no stranger to the fridge so be my guest. Oops, I must remember my place, silly me.” Taking another drink, Sandy regarded Vanessa closely and waited to be scolded.

  “Sandy. Stop this immediately. I won’t have you speaking to me in this way. What on earth has come over you? Now give me that bottle and sober yourself up. It’s clear you’re no use to anybody in this state. We will say no more on the matter but in the morning perhaps you and I should have a chat. Your attitude has been rather tiresome these past few weeks and I’d like to get to the bottom of what’s bothering you because something clearly is.”

  Once again, Vanessa had surprised herself in her handling of the situation until Sandy laughed in her face, shaking her head as she stood, swaying slightly before placing her hands on the tabletop for support.

  “I think that would be a fine idea, Vanessa, and I agree, it’s time you and I had a little chat because you’re quite right, there is something bothering me. In fact there has been a very important matter on my mind for a long time now and I’d like to get it off my chest… I know, let’s do it now, right here in the bloody kitchen.”

  Sandy could no longer control the swell of rage that was washing over her entire body and while she knew now was not the time, in this state, something inside, wild and abandoned was urging her on.

  “That’s fine by me, Sandy, but I’d prefer to have a discussion when you are sober. Drink some coffee and once you are in a better frame of mind we can talk.” Vanessa was astounded by Sandy’s attitude and shook her head before turning to leave the room.

  Sandy, however, wasn’t finished. “Don’t you dare turn your back on me, young lady. I demand you stay here and listen. You will damn well show me some respect for once in your life… Vanessa, Vanessa, come here at once.” Sandy was incandescent, literally shaking with rage as her daughter ignored every word and walked away.

  Pushing the chair backwards, the wood scraping on the clay floor tiles, making Sandy wince, she stood quickly and went to follow Vanessa, determined to make her listen but as she stepped forward, tripped on her discarded shoes causing her to tumble and land in a heap on the floor. Once down, it was hard to stand in her inebriated state so instead Sandy muttered expletives as she crawled on hands and knees to the cupboard and opened the door. Reaching inside, she moved the vases and from inside the tallest she pulled an unopened bottle of Napoleon brandy, laughing as she complimented her own guile and began to unfasten the foil.

  Why should she chase after Vanessa? She would return soon enough because there was no way she’d get through the evening without food. Instead, Sandy resolved to wait patiently and in the meantime enjoy a perk of the job, one she would no doubt soon be out of.

  Upstairs, Vanessa related the scene in the kitchen to Georgie who was feeling weak after even a short walk to and from the hallway. Both women were shocked at Sandy’s outburst and curious as to what could be the cause. After settling Georgie and making sure she was warm and her medicine administered, Vanessa waited for a while until her patient began to doze, promising a light meal when she awoke.

  It was clear to Vanessa that she would have to make their dinner but first, Sandy had to be dealt with. The situation had become untenable and despite her long service, it appeared that for whatever reason Sandy was unhappy with her role and life at Tenley. Unless she was prepared to explain her strange behaviour and apologise, dismissal was inevitable.

  Vanessa felt quite sad at the thought because despite her odd ways and obvious faults, Sandy had played a huge role in her growing up, providing stability and comfort albeit at arm’s length. Vanessa reminded herself to mention this and perhaps provide some kind of severance payment should the need arise, after all they wouldn’t want Sandy to be destitute. As far as everyone knew she had no family to speak of and few friends apart from the church brigade so Vanessa decided that in the event of letting Sandy go, it might be kind and prudent to check she had somewhere to live. That’s what Georgie would want no matter how rude and obnoxious Sandy had been.

  When her tummy rumbled and Georgie was snoring, Vanessa slowly crept from the room, hoping that Sandy had taken herself off to bed and there would be no more confrontations. Once again, it looked like she was going to have to take control of the situation and restore order to Tenley but for the moment all that she cared about as she descended the stairs was looking after Georgie and finding something decent in the fridge.

  Vanessa

  Sandy was nowhere to be seen as Vanessa entered the kitchen, all that remained were her shoes and the empty bottle of whisky and glass she’d left on the table. Picking up a cork, she was just about to call Sandy’s name when she heard a door bang, the noise coming from further down the hall. Vanessa knew exactly what it was and it made her blood run cold.

  The long corridor that led to the rear of the house was in darkness but a shaft of white light stretched across the floor in the distance, illuminating Vanessa’s path as her heart thumped. When she reached the door of the orangery, she paused, placing her trembling hand on the handle, steeling herself to go inside. More than seventeen years had passed since Vanessa had entered the room. The memories of that day had been banished, surfacing occasionally in times of deep anxiety when her brain was overloaded and she was forced to remember. Over the years she had learned to take control and focus on the present but now and then the past had a way of catching up with her.

  Vanessa considered doing just that, turning around and leaving Sandy to whatever was troubling her but then again, perhaps it was time to face her demons. Taking a deep breath, Vanessa pushed down on the handle and opened the door. A flashback of a little girl in her nightdress jumping for the handle was banished before she stepped into the bright light, her eyes taking time to adjust then search for Sandy.

  The scummy water was rippling slightly, it hadn’t been used for such a long time and the room smelled musty, of mildew and chlorine. Flies and insects bobbed on the surface along with the odd bird feather. Grimacing at the sight and stench, Vanessa wished it had been drained a long time ago. During their travels, she had suggested to Georgie that on their return they convert the orangery into a sunroom, somewhere they could read and listen to music, making the most of winter sun and summer days. Georgie couldn’t risk getting a chill and Vanessa hated the place so they had agreed to get the builders in and begin work in the spring. The sooner the pool was filled in the better. The sight of Sandy, standing at the edge of the deep end, staring mournfully into the water only served to harden her resolve.

  Walking slowly towards the silent woman, Vanessa waited for Sandy to acknowledge her arrival and when she finally looked up, there were tears streaming down her face. When both women were just feet apart, the quiet calm of the room was made more eerie by the windows as t
he deep black of night peered in.

  Sandy spoke first. “It’s cold, the water. I come here sometimes to think and remember, going over things in my head. It helps, you know, talking it through, asking for forgiveness.” Sandy’s voice had lost its bitter edge and she sounded sad but at least talking sensibly.

  “You really shouldn’t come here alone, Sandy. You can’t swim so what would you do if you fell in, and why do ask for forgiveness, what have you done?” Vanessa was rather cross to find that Sandy had been coming here, there were plenty of places in the huge house to find solace for heaven’s sake, but that was by-the-by. It was the mention of forgiveness that made her curious.

  “Oh Vanessa, there’s so much I need to explain, why I came here. I have to make you understand but I don’t know where to begin. It’s been so hard for me but now, after all this time waiting I’m scared of how you will react when you hear the truth.”

  “What do you mean, why you came here, what truth?” Vanessa couldn’t believe what she was hearing and presumed it was the drink talking but then again, there was something in the way Sandy spoke. She wasn’t rambling or angry, just thoughtful and yes, scared. Vanessa could see it in her eyes.

  “Do you ever think some things are meant to be? I know you have no time for God but he has been my saviour, guiding my path, showing me the way and in his wisdom he brought me here, all those years ago and ever since he has helped me in so many ways. He is my saviour and as a reward for my faith and prayers he gave me everything I asked for. One by one, all my problems were solved, it was like a miracle.” Sandy grasped the gold cross that lay on her blouse, twiddling it nervously.

  The hairs on Vanessa’s neck stood on end and she had goosebumps. Sandy was giving her the creeps and the fear she’d spotted was now replaced by a glazed, rather manic, look.

  “Let’s go upstairs, this is no place to talk and it’s cold in here. Come along, I’ll make you some coffee and we can get you warm. How does that sound?” Vanessa was freaking out and desperate to get away from the pool and, if she was honest, Sandy.

  “No, I have kept too many secrets for too long. It’s time you heard everything, this is about you as much as me and you need to listen. Let me get it all in the open and then we can move on.”

  Vanessa remained silent but was aware of a thudding, the sound of her heart reaching her ears, fear prickling her skin as she stepped backwards, not sure if she wanted to stay and listen or run. As Sandy turned away, briefly looking down at the water before lifting her free hand, a bottle of brandy dangling from the other, she pointed towards the windows.

  “This is where it all began, in this room and over there. It was God’s will that sent me here so I know he will forgive me. It wasn’t my fault, you have to remember that but in the end I know it was for a reason, she had to die. It was all part of his plan.”

  Vanessa couldn’t make her lips move but her brain was ticking furiously working it out, the terrible truth starting to dawn. Finally able to force out some words, she managed a sentence, she had to be sure she was right.

  “Do you mean Daphne? Is that who you are talking about? Were you here the night she died?” Visibly shaking, Vanessa clasped her hands together, desperately trying to stay calm so when Sandy nodded, Vanessa’s gasp rang around the pool.

  “I was watching, through the window and as she climbed out Daphne saw me. My face pushed against the glass must have frightened her so she ran, along there and then tripped. Her head hit the frame. Oh God, it was awful, and then she fell to the ground and the blood, it was everywhere. I didn’t know what to do, I was in shock, you have to believe me I was terrified.” Sandy sobbed, her hands covered her mouth as hysteria built and all the time, Vanessa just stared while she processed the information, fear rising with every heartbeat.

  “So it was your fault she fell, you caused Daphne to slip and then you stayed to watch her die…”

  “Yes, yes it was me. But we need to talk about what happened next, and why God sent me here. There are too many secrets, Vanessa…” Sandy’s voice had reached a high pitch as she implored her daughter to listen yet she could see from the look on her face she was angry, pale and trembling, riddled with shock and no doubt hate.

  “No! Stop. I don’t want to hear another word. Do you hear me, Sandy? Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet.”

  Vanessa was screaming and her balled fists reminded Sandy of her childhood tantrums, her ashen face turning red, such was her anger and determination get her own way. But Sandy had come too far, it was now or never.

  “Vanessa, please, trust me, trust in God, he has a plan and it is time everyone knew… I have kept our secret for so long and it is time we told the world the truth.” Sandy held out her arms, beseeching her child.

  In that moment, when she heard the word ‘truth’, Vanessa screamed, her mouth open wide, teeth bared in anger, eyes wide, crazed and glaring as she ran forward with arms and fingers spread wide. When the palms of Vanessa’s hands made contact with Sandy’s chest, the thud knocked the wind from her lungs as she hurtled backwards, arms flaying and legs kicking as panic etched her shocked face. The brandy bottle dropped and landed in the water with Sandy who hit the surface with force, going straight under and disappearing in a slimy whirlpool of bubbles before fighting her way to the top, gasping for air as she flapped and thrashed, begging for Vanessa to help before going back under.

  Vanessa watched transfixed from the edge of the pool. Sandy came up for the second time, coughing and spluttering as water filled her throat and nose, making its way to lungs which pumped and sucked, then began to fill. The brief flickering of a fluorescent light about her head snapped Vanessa from her trance and alerted her to the need for action. Turning, she spotted the large pole which hung from the wall, the one Ernest used to scrape leaves from the surface of the water in summer. She had watched him many times through the window, from the safe zone of the patio, skimming and scooping, so she ran and unhooked it then raced back to the pool edge as Sandy came up for the third time, weaker, losing the fight for life.

  Stretching forward, Vanessa saw the look of relief in Sandy’s eyes who, with her last ounce of strength, tried to move closer, her fingertips inches away from the wire. Vanessa waited, just a little closer was all she needed and then suddenly Sandy was within reach so she lowered the net quickly, like when she caught fish or tadpoles in the stream, this time covering the head of the panic stricken women before her, pushing downwards, twisting the net tighter, forcing her back under, holding her in place. It was hard, remaining on the side of the pool and keeping hold of the pole and as she watched Sandy writhe. Vanessa imagined this was just how it felt to be a fisherman hauling in giant tuna, or battling a shark to its death on the open sea. It didn’t take long for the tension to ease and Sandy’s body to become still.

  When she knew it was all over, Vanessa wiggled the pole and untangled the net from around Sandy’s head. Hauling it in back to the poolside, Vanessa banged it dry before replacing it on the hook and as she did spotted some stray hair caught in the mesh so pulled it free and flicked it into the pool. She watched for a moment as the hair bobbed on the ripples, along with the brandy bottle and Sandy’s body. Feeling her tummy rumble, Vanessa made her way around the pool and exited, closing the door firmly behind her.

  In the kitchen, Vanessa hummed as she skirted around the discarded shoes. Leaving the unused pastry, glass and whisky bottle where they were, Vanessa set about making dinner for her and Georgie, searching the cupboards for something delicious to salve her appetite. She was famished.

  Smiling as she cracked eggs into a bowl and fried some bacon, Vanessa felt so pleased with herself for taking control and silencing Sandy who had become far too bothersome and really didn’t deserve severance pay or kindness, not after her dreadful behaviour and what she’d done. It would all look like a terrible accident. A drunkard had toppled into the pool and drowned in a place that was cursed, a ridiculous notion but one which suited Vanessa, just like the idea of
demons stalking Tenley.

  Georgie and Vanessa

  Georgie opened her eyes and waited for the fog in her head to clear. Her lips were dry and her tongue felt enormous and was stuck to the roof of her mouth, a sure sign she’d been out for a while. She had to hand it to Dr Humphrey. The old quack didn’t scrimp on the dosage when he was dishing out sedatives but then again that was what his Harley Street patients expected. A cure for all manner of ills and psychosis, rid them of whatever seemed troublesome or unsightly, a big nose, floppy jowls, the odd foetus here and there. He wasn’t so good at scraping away guilt or heartache; instead he had tablets for that, little pills of paradise.

  A voice and clinking cutlery, breaking through the safety of her cocoon, made Georgie start before turning her head and following the sound. Her eyes rested on Vanessa.

  The dedicated daughter smiled. “Awake at last. I saw you were stirring. Here, would you like some water?” Vanessa held out the glass, holding on until Georgie had it in her grasp, her hand betraying a slight tremor as she sipped slowly.

  After loosening her tongue and wetting her lips, Georgie settled back on the pillows, exhausted by such a slight movement. Never had she felt so weak and depleted, even after Kenneth. Maybe she should cut down on the medication otherwise she would spend the rest of her life wandering in a haze but it was so nice, her fluffy synthetic cloud.

  Focusing on Vanessa who had been such a darling and rather neglected of late, Georgie noticed that she was deathly pale, more so than usual, perhaps a result of too many hours indoors. Her unhealthy pallor was extenuated by a film of perspiration on her brow, causing her to look slightly feverish and somewhat agitated.