The Heirloom Obsession

by SD Saunders

  The box room to the back of the cottage where she had always stayed when visiting her grandmother was now repurposed as a storeroom. It was now crammed full of the old furniture from her new room, and items she still had found no place for. The thought of entering her grandmother’s old room was still too much for her to deal with. “One day soon”, she sighed, for now, it would remain locked. Placing her clothes into the clothes hamper, Melody smoothed her hand down her silk pyjamas, curling her toes into the thick pile cream carpet. She glanced towards her bed, the white antique metal frame of the double bed contrasting against the forget-me-not blue of the duvet cover and pillows. A contented sigh escaping her lips, Melody grabbed the journal and letters from her bedside table. After propping the pillows on top of one another and turning off one lamp, she slipped into her bed, pulling the duvet over her knees and gently thumbing open the journal.

  19th June, 1952

  “I am distraught! My walk in the gardens today has left me in shock; my plan to detour my walk to the stables was a success. I was able to slip away from Primrose, and upon arriving at the stables, things took a turn for the worst. I was informed by Tom, the senior stable hand that Jack no longer works for us. No explanations where offered, he could not even say where Jack had gone. I enquired casually from father at this bizarre situation. He seemed quite angry, shutting the conversation down immediately, stating that I was not to speak of Jack again! I feel sure Jack would not just have left without seeking me out first to let me know. If only I could remember, something feels strange about this situation, only I just cannot comprehend what. My headache has returned, I think I shall lie down till it passes. Tomorrow, I will again attempt to unlock my memories; a visit to the ballroom downstairs where my party was held may help me remember”. Christina.

  20th June, 1952

  “Father and mother had to go to town for the morning. With them safely out of the way and Primrose distracted in the library, I decided to take the opportunity to visit the ballroom. As soon as I stepped into the room, a feeling captured my thoughts, like ghosts dancing through my mind just out of reach. Music and dancing, the guests twirling around, a riot of colourful gowns and men in tuxedos, waiters hovering with trays of champagne and someone watching me, but as I tried to concentrate, the images evaporated like steam in the air. Snatches of the memory of my gold gown flitted through my mind. I ran back to my room to look for it, hoping it would bring more memories flooding back, but after a thorough search through my wardrobes, it strangely became apparent that it was missing. If it had been sent away for cleaning, I am certain it would have been returned by now. I decided I would head down to fathers study to look for any other clues as to what is going on. After looking on and around the desk, I observed that the key had been left in the lock of the draw. Upon opening it, underneath several uninteresting papers and bills, I discovered a note. It was addressed to me from Jack, in sweeping script dated the night of my party. It requested me to unlock the French doors in the library for Jack to slip in unnoticed, for us to meet. I must admit my heart did leap at those few words; he was going to meet me. I slipped the note inside my dress and after re-locking the draw, headed back to my room. I am now convinced this note was why father was so angry when I enquired of Jack, and why he had fired him. Oh, it’s such a mess! Will I ever get my blasted memories back”. Christina.

  Melody closed her eyes, the journal falling softly from her fingers, her dreams filled with images of bright coloured ball gowns and distinguished suited men and waiters offering overflowing champagne. As she twirled around the ballroom in the rose pink ball gown, laughter filled the air, a dark shadowy figure appearing between the other dancers getting closer and closer. Melody felt the air leave her lungs, a cold fear clawing up her spine; the other dancers no longer looked happy, their colourful gowns now looking gaudy and harsh. The music’s tempo started to increase, and Melody felt herself spinning faster and faster. She could not catch her breath, she was going to pass out; the shadowy figure now loomed closer, his black gloved hand reaching out towards her throat. As the fingers started to squeeze, she felt herself falling, a scream dying on her lips.

  Melody awoke, the scream still ringing in her ears, a film of sweat trickled down her cleavage. Looking frantically around, she slowly realised that she was in her bedroom; it had just been a nightmare. Leaning over to switch off her lamp, she glanced at the porcelain doll sitting on the chair by the window; its eyes did seem to look directly at you. Shaking her head at her thoughts, the nightmare had spooked her more than she cared to admit; deciding she would try not to read the journal at bedtime, Melody snuggled down for sleep.

  Chapter 3

  Early the next morning, after feeding Toby and filling the coffee machine, Melody headed into her craft room. She had an hour to start Lucy’s party dress before she would have to head off to the shop. Stopping by her clothes rack of gowns from the trunk, she pulled the rose-pink gown out, lovingly fingering the rosebuds around the neckline. She again felt the pull to try it on; letting go of the gown, it swung back onto the rack as the nightmare played over again in her mind. She had been wearing this gown. Shaking herself mentally, Melody made her way over to the mannequin and the gold gown. Time to start unpicking the seams; the main skirt of the gown would be ample enough material for the two dresses, one for Lucy and another to sell at the shop, with enough left over for a shawl and ribbons. Melody rubbed her hands together in glee; she just loved a project like this.

  Walking into the kitchen and pouring herself a coffee, she sat at the kitchen table, her position giving her a direct view into her craft room, which had once been her grandmother’s utility room. The light from the large windows bathing it in sunshine made it a perfect room for her crafts; the sink and washing machine, the only remnants of the old room. The skirts of the gown now lay on her craft table, the bodice remained on the mannequin and she was pleased with the progress she had made. Sipping her coffee, she relaxed back, stretching her legs out and rubbing a slumbering Toby with her toe.

  Heading back to her craft room, she lifted the fabric up from the table. As she did this, something hard banged against her leg. Lifting the material to look at the underside, Melody noticed an out of place cloth pocket sewn into the lining. “Strange to have a pocket here”, she muttered, at the same time reaching into it. Her fingers wrapped around another piece of cloth; she gently pulled the cloth bag out and headed back to the kitchen. Opening the bag, she emptied its contents onto the table. An Emerald and diamond necklace slipped out; as she straightened it out, the filigree gold necklace spread into a fan shape. Melody blinked hard at the main square cut emerald as it shone so brightly, flanked on either side by smaller emeralds and diamonds, the sunshine catching them and bringing them to life with breath-taking sparkles.

  “Geez Toby, I think it’s real”, Melody’s voice barely a whisper, Toby’s low bark the only other sound in the kitchen. “Oh Tob’s, we’re late”! Grabbing her tote bag, she hurriedly replaced the necklace into the cloth bag, scooped up the journal, the letters now safely tucked inside its cover and dropped them all into her bag. Grabbing her keys and calling for Toby to follow, she locked up and hurried to her car.

  He watched as the girl and her dog got into the car; he had seen her easily swing the trunk into her boot. It looked too light to contain anything anymore, but he was not going to take any chances this time. He was pleased that he had decided to drive around the empty town yesterday. His hunch had paid off, when on spotting her red car pulling out from the private car park at the back of some shops, he had been able to tail her at a safe distance to her home. Watching her drive away from the cluster of cottages, he started the engine. Flicking his cigarette out of the van window, he eased his van onto the road. All he had to do now was discover where she was going, and if the trunk was indeed empty.

  As he anticipated, she pulled into the private car park at the back of the shops. Pulling over on the road, he cut the engine as this was a good vantag
e point to watch her. She pulled the trunk out of the boot, swinging it loosely and headed towards the back of the shop, her dog at her heals. Slipping out of his van and crossing the road, he stood scanning the shops and counted the buildings. He made it the fourth one that she had entered. He quickly headed to the front of the shops and at the fourth one, he stopped and glanced up at the sign, “Simple Crafts” emblazoned above the shop, the window display revealing all types of craft wares.

  “Oh Susie, you’re a saint”, Melody grinned, presenting her shop assistant and friend a freshly made cup of coffee.

  Susie laughingly accepted the coffee. “I thought you might be late, I see you had a good time at the boot fair yesterday”. Susie nodded towards the back storeroom.

  “Oh yes and I have some other bits I brought with me today, a rather nice antique trunk I’m going to use in the new window display, and these silver and enamel peacock scissors”, Melody enthused as she reached into her bag and produced the scissors, taking a sip from her coffee lost in thought. Susie shook her head and tutted. When Melody got a window display idea, she was totally absorbed in it till she had it completed.

  Abandoning Melody to her window display in progress and heading over to help a customer who was looking at some rather large felted flowers, Susie smiled muttering to herself. “Now if we could just get these sold, it would afford us some much-needed display space”.

  Taking a step back from the shop, he glanced about noticing a coffee shop on the other side of the road. The iron tables and chairs affording customers a chance to enjoy the early morning sunshine, this would be the perfect place to sit and observe. Making his way over, he sat down at one of the vacant tables and positioning himself to get the best view of the shop, he picked up the shabby dog-eared menu. He pretended to give it a look; soon the waiter appeared and after ordering his coffee, he sat casually watching the trickle of traffic pass by. He could see that the girl was now standing at the window, emptying the display; the trunk sat by the counter.

  “Your coffee sir”, the waiter placed the coffee on the table, “can I get you anything else”?

  “No, that’s fine thank you”, he replied, willing the waiter to be gone, so he could resume his watch. Adding cream and two heaped sugars to his coffee, he contemplated what he would do next.

  The girl disappeared for a moment, reappearing with the trunk. He narrowed his eyes trying to get a better look. She swung the trunk into the window display, lifting the lid. He leaned in closer; it was empty. “Damn”, he swore. Leaving some money on the table with his barely touched coffee, he headed back to his van.

  Melody stepped back, admiring her latest window display. The trunk propped open and the blue and green silk material pooled out of it in ripples. The peacock feathers angled against the cream felt board at the back, an antique looking sewing box with its lid open, revealing cotton spools and embroidery threads with the peacock scissors balancing against it; balls of yarn and brightly coloured buttons were strategically placed around, which finished the look.

  “Stunning”, Susie clapped her hands. “You always deliver Mel, this will make customers want to come in and shop”.

  Melody laughed. Susie was always so positive after a window display was done. “Need anything from the storeroom”? Melody asked picking up the box of old display items.

  “We need some yarn and we are low on the baby pink flower buttons. While it’s quiet, I’ll go get us a pastry, you look hungry”, laughing Susie grabbed her purse. They both knew that Susie had a rather sweet tooth and would often use Melody as an excuse to get pastries. Melody made her way to the storeroom, checking on Toby, who was curled up asleep in his bed behind the counter, oblivious to the treats that would soon be arriving. Flicking the lights on and placing the box onto a shelf, she collected the buttons and yarn, humming softly to herself as she headed back out to the shop floor to re-stock the displays.

  He pulled his van to a stop two streets away from the girl’s cottage. Better to not draw attention by parking nearer. Grabbing his rucksack, he shrugged it onto his back. Pulling his baseball cap low on his head, he made his way on foot, his casual attire of jeans and sweatshirt made him blend in. The eight cottages in the cul-de-sac seemed empty, most of the occupants either away working or running errands. Only two cars parked outside indicated that some neighbours could be home. Slipping through the front gate, he quickly made his way around the side of the cottage, flicking the side gate latch. He looked around, thick hedging on three sides lined the garden, a low fence connecting to the cottage next door that was currently empty. He was sure he couldn’t be seen from here, a quick scan of the back revealed all the windows shut tight, noticing two earthenware pots sitting on each side of the backdoor full of red flowers. ‘What if’, he thought, tipping them carefully, he searched for a key, but no key had been left. Looking back at the old wooden door with its red paint chipping, he decided it wouldn’t take much to break it. Taking a look through the door’s glass panels, he spied the simple yale lock, and raising his large booted foot, he gave one hard kick, the sound of splintering wood made him still for a moment. Everything remained quiet; no-one had been alerted to his presence. He slowly let his breath out, as he pushed his way inside; the only sound was the door groaning softly.

  As soon as Melody pushed the front garden gate open, Toby bounded through, his nose to the ground, a low growl sounding from him as he headed up the path. “Has that cat been here again”? Melody laughed as Toby started to raise his hackles. Misty, the black and white cat who lived two cottages down, had taken to spending the days stretched out on their doorstep sunning herself. She was no-where to be seen at present, always making herself scarce whenever they pulled up, usually just a flash of black heading over the low garden fence that separated her property and Alex’s. As she looked over towards Alex’s, she noticed his car parked outside. She looked forward to seeing him later, a familiar thrill making her heartbeat faster.

  Unlocking the front door, she headed inside, leaving it ajar for Toby, once he had tired of cat hunting. Instantly Melody felt uneasy, the breeze from the front door seemingly too strong. “I know I didn’t leave a window open” she mused looking around. Picking up her mail, she headed towards the kitchen; it was as she was entering that she noticed the back door standing wide open, the frame splintered and broken. “Oh god, no”, she cried out, looking around the dishevelled kitchen, draws hanging open, chairs overturned. Looking towards her front room, the chaos continued, sofa cushions scattered on the floor, her bureau’s draws pulled so far out that they were barely secure on their runners, books and papers scattered everywhere. The sound of Toby barking frantically pulled Melody back from her terror. She had to get them out of here; the burglar could still be here. Turning on her heels, she slammed into a hard chest. As two arms wrapped around her, Melody felt her knees buckle.

  “Please”, she begged, trying to regain her equilibrium.

  “It’s okay Mel, it’s me Alex”, he breathed in her sweet strawberry scented hair as she sagged in relief against him.

  “Oh Alex, I’ve been robbed”, Melody gasped, as the tears started to fall freely.

  “Wait here, and don’t touch anything”, Alex instructed, clicking his fingers and signalling for Toby to stay by her. Pulling out his phone and dialling the police, he took the stairs two at a time.

  After checking the upstairs and the rest of the cottage, Alex returned, finding Melody perched on the edge of her sofa. “Is it as bad upstairs”?

  He nodded. “Once the police give us the all clear, we will need to make a list of what’s missing for their report”, he spoke softly, pulling Melody to her feet and holding her in his embrace. “It’s okay now, Mel, you’re safe”. She snuggled in closer, the warmth of his body easing the tension she felt, his hands stroking her back as he gently rocked her.

  The hours passed in a haze for Melody as Alex dealt with the police, called his business partner Joel to arrange for a new back door to be fitted the
next day, and orchestrated the situation. After replacing the splintered wood frame and securing a new lock on the backdoor for the night, Alex felt more at ease. Placing a pen and pad into Melody’s hands, Alex gave her an encouraging squeeze. “Time to see what’s missing, Mel”.

  As she trailed from room to room, Melody’s frown grew deeper. “I don’t understand this Alex, nothing seems to be missing”. Her jewellery box still contained all its contents, her laptop sat on the kitchen table. Stopping in the front room, she made her way to the bureau. Looking absently, she tried to remember what she had left in there. Her camera sat in one corner, her iPad and mp3 player beside it; running her hands over the items, she tried to remember. “No way! This doesn’t make any sense”, she whispered.

  Alex leaned in. “What doesn’t make sense”?

  “The journals, they are gone”. Rooting around in the other draws confirmed her suspicions; the journals were missing.

  Melody sat at the kitchen table, her mug of coffee warming her icy cold fingers. In the distance, she could hear Alex talking on the phone. Since the police had left, they had put the cottage back to normal, although Melody felt it would never feel normal again.

  “I think Toby deserves an extra biscuit”, Alex announced as he reached for Toby’s treat tin. “What a good boy Tob’s alerting me”, he praised as Toby inhaled his biscuit and looked eagerly for another. “Although I still think that we need to install an alarm, I’ve arranged for our best security alarm to be fitted first thing tomorrow”. Melody silently nodded her head. If it had not been for Toby’s frantic barking alerting Alex, she did not know how long she would have stood there in shock. Alex had always wanted her to get an alarm; he had every security detail covered in his own home. She had often teased him, wondering if he had the crown jewels hidden away inside to protect.