“Please tell me the weather gets better than this. I really don’t want to spend my summer wearing a coat and scarf. My friends will be very glad they couldn’t make it if it rains the whole time I’m here.”
“What happened to your friends, if you don’t mind me asking? Yvette at the real estate agency said a group of you rented the house but the others had backed out after you’d paid. That seems a bit unfair.”
“Oh, it wasn’t their fault. My best friend Rachel was in an accident and she broke her leg. Her boyfriend obviously couldn’t come without her. The other person, Dale, well, he and I had a bit of a thing going but we split up not long ago. It would have been fine if the others had come, but we both agreed that just the two of us would have been a bit awkward.”
“And you couldn’t you find anyone else?”
“No, by the time all this happened everyone had made plans, so I had no choice but to come on my own.”
“How have you found it so far?”
“To be honest it’s a bit lonely, I’m used to being around people all the time, so it’s hard being by myself. I think I’ve started imagining things. I actually thought I heard someone calling me in the middle of the night last night.” She expected Bonnie to laugh, but instead she looked serious, and she didn’t say anything for a moment.
She cleared her throat and looked uncomfortable before she finally spoke. “I really don’t know how to put this, and I don’t want to scare you, but there are rumours about this house that you should know about.”
“What sort of rumours?” Ursula said, drawing in her breath.
“People say it’s haunted.”
“Aren’t there rumours like that about all old houses? You don’t believe them do you?” She tried to laugh the comment off, but Bonnie didn’t even crack a smile as she set her coffee mug down on the table.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Ursula. This isn’t just a social visit. I came here to warn you about the house. The reason the rent is so cheap for the summer is because no one has been able to stay here for more than a week or two. They all leave in a big hurry because they’re scared away. There’s something about it that isn’t right. I felt it the first time I came here, and that’s why I refuse to set foot inside. ”
For a moment Ursula didn’t know how to respond, but she remembered the feeling of foreboding she’d had about the house when the woman at the real estate offered to let them view it, and again when she’d seen it for the first time. She’d always been attuned to her sixth sense, but since she’d arrived at Colton Manor she’d tried to ignore the bad vibes the house seemed to give off. She usually took her intuitions very seriously, but she couldn’t afford to let herself get carried away when she was here for over a month on her own.
“Please tell me this is a joke.”
“I wish it was, but you can ask anyone in town. Yvette should never have rented the house to you, but she was under a lot of pressure from the owner to find a summer tenant. When I found out you were here on your own I had to let you know. If you want my advice I think you should just cut your losses and get out of here, go back to the city. It’s not safe for anyone, but especially a young woman by herself.”
“I can’t,” replied Ursula, her panic beginning to rise. “I’m in between houses at the moment and all my stuff is in storage. On top of that I have no money. Every cent I had went into the rent for this place. I can’t leave because I have nowhere to go.”
“What about family or friends? Surely there’s someone you can stay with? I’d offer you a bed at our place, but with three kids there’s not much room to spare.”
“My parents live overseas, and most of my friends have gone away for the summer break. There’s no one else I could impose on for that long. I know you meant well, Bonnie, but I wish you hadn’t said anything. Now you’ve really got me spooked.” Ursula glanced up at the window of her studio, and for a second she was positive she saw someone standing there looking down at them. She put her hand to her mouth. “God, now I’m even seeing people, I just thought there was someone looking out from that window.”
Bonnie glanced towards the window nervously. “I’m sorry. My husband told me not to say anything to you, and maybe he was right, but I just thought you should know. I feel awful now.”
“No one has ever actually been hurt by this ghost, have they?”
“Not that I know of. From what I’ve heard people just get very spooked and leave, but nothing has ever physically harmed them.”
“I think I can handle things that go bump in the night as long as they don’t hurt me. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Bonnie did not look very convinced as she stared at Ursula with a furrowed brow. Then her face brightened unexpectedly.
“Actually there is one possible solution. It won’t get you away from the house but it will mean you don’t have to be here on your own.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I have a friend who’s renovating his house and he’s been staying in a motel in town. He actually thought about renting this place himself, but he was only supposed to be out of his house for a few days. The builders found some major problems so he’s going to need somewhere to stay for much longer now.”
“He’s not worried about the rumours?”
“He’s a science professor who doesn’t believe in ghosts. He’s always said he’d be glad to spend time in this house and prove all the gullible the people wrong. This is a chance for him to put his money where his mouth is. What do you think?”
Normally Ursula wouldn’t even have contemplated living alone with a total stranger, especially in such an isolated location, but she was desperate.
“Sounds great. When can he move in?”
Bonnie laughed. “Let’s not jump the gun. It might be a good idea if you meet him first. He’s very well-known in town and a perfect gentleman. You won’t have any trouble with him. Why don’t you come around to my place for afternoon tea and you can get to know him before you make up your mind.”
“Okay, I’ll be there. What time?”
“Oh, around three. Just turn right from the drive and follow the road right around the point. You can’t miss the house.’
“Thanks, Bonnie.” They talked for a little longer and after she’d waved her guest off fifteen minutes later Ursula tried hard to be brave as she turned back towards the house. Again, for just a split second she thought she saw someone at the upstairs window. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was go back inside after what Bonnie had told her, but the rain was coming down harder now and she had no choice.
Whatever this friend of Bonnie’s turned out to be like, she didn’t care. He could have two heads for all it mattered to her, just as long as he provided her with human company and helped to ward off the evil spirits that dwelled in Colton Manor. Bonnie had mentioned he was a science professor. In her mind she pictured a crusty old man who did not suffer fools gladly and would be quick to dismiss any fanciful notions she might have. That was exactly the kind of man she needed right now, and she couldn’t wait for the next few hours to pass so she could meet him, and hopefully convince him to move in with her.
Chapter Two
Ursula had already fallen behind in her work but she couldn’t bring herself to go back upstairs to her studio after Bonnie left. Instead she stayed downstairs and phoned some friends to cheer herself up. She didn’t tell anyone the house was possibly haunted because she knew they would just laugh at her, and she tried to pretend she was having a good time despite the rain. She figured that if she could convince others it wasn’t so bad here on her own then maybe she’d be able to convince herself.
When she couldn’t think of anyone else to call, Ursula spent the next half hour on Facebook, but the sight of her friends enjoying their summer holidays did nothing to lift her mood. She made herself a coffee and settled on one of the overstuffed armchairs to read a book, but every single creak the old house made caused her to jump. The mist had rolled i
n from the ocean, and although it was still early, she had to switch on a lamp to read. She couldn’t focus on the page for long enough to get into the story because she kept imagining ghosts lurking in the shadows. She could almost feel their eyes on her and it gave her the creeps.
Abandoning her book she picked up her sketch paid and began to draw idly. A woman’s face started to take shape on the page in front of her. The woman had her mouth open as if she was screaming, and her clothes and hair were blowing around her. She was wearing a long, old-fashioned dress. Ursula had no idea where the image had come from, but that was not unusual for her. She kept drawing and behind the woman a dark figure loomed. It was faceless but had an overwhelming sense of evil about it. Ursula was surprised with the finished result because she didn’t often draw pictures like this one. She figured the talk about ghosts had just seeped into her subconscious and come out through her sketch.
She was steeling herself to go upstairs and get changed for her visit to Bonnie’s house when a noise from outside caused her to stand up and look out the window. She was very surprised to see a car coming up the long drive. The white SUV looked almost ghostly as it emerged from the mist and then pulled up behind hers. A man got out and for a moment he stood there and looked at the house before he began walking towards it. He obviously didn’t see her watching him from behind the curtains, and Ursula considered not answering the door when he rang the bell. He was a complete stranger after all, but her curiosity got the better of her. She figured he was probably from the real estate agency, or someone who’d taken a wrong turn and was looking for directions.
When she opened the door, Ursula noted that the man was in his early thirties and he was good looking enough to cause her pulse to jump. He had light brown hair and he was dressed casually, but conservatively, in tan chinos and a blue chambray shirt. Although he was attractive there was something serious about his expression, and he seemed a little taken aback at the sight of her multi-coloured hair.
“Hi,” she said, making sure to leave the security door locked between them. Just because he was good looking it didn’t mean he wasn’t a serial killer.
“Hi,” he replied, breaking into a smile that revealed dimples and made him seem much warmer. “Sorry to just barge in on you like this without warning, but Bonnie forgot to get your number, and Yvette at the real estate agency didn’t return our calls.”
“Oh, you’re a friend of Bonnie’s?
“I’m Damien Knight. Bonnie had to cancel afternoon tea as one of her kids has come down with a fever. She sends her apologies.” Ursula tried to hide her shock that his was the science professor. He was not at all what she was expecting. She had thought he would be a crotchety old man, but his man was much younger than she’d anticipated, and cute too. He was still far too old for her though, which was good because the last thing she needed was to develop a crush on her new housemate.
“That’s okay.”
“Bonnie said you wanted someone to move in quickly, so I didn’t think you’d mind if I turned up unannounced.”
“No, not at all. I guess you want to come in and have a look around before you make up your mind,” she replied, unlocking the security door to let him in. Stepping inside he let out a low whistle as he scanned the entrance foyer.
“I haven’t been out here for years, but they’ve done a great job fixing this place up. I don’t need to see anymore. I’m more than happy to stay for as long as you can put up with me.”
“That’s good to hear. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“The builder won’t be finished at my place for quite a while, if it’s alright with you I’d like to stay till your holiday lease runs out. I’ll keep to myself and won’t cramp your style if you have friends over.”
“That won’t be a problem,” said Ursula, suddenly feeling shy around him. “I probably won’t have anyone over to stay, and I also like to keep to myself.” He was older and much more sophisticated than the boys she usually hung out with and she became very self-conscious about her appearance. She was wearing an oversized paint-splattered shirt with a pair of old leggings, and she couldn’t even remember if she’d bothered to brush her hair that morning. She raised her hand and tried to pat it down unobtrusively, but only managed to draw his attention to it.
“Those are interesting colours you’ve got there. Bonnie mentioned you were an art student and I can see she was telling the truth. You obviously don’t limit yourself to painting on canvas” He smiled again, and although she got the impression he was making fun of her, Ursula couldn’t help smiling back.
“Bonnie said you don’t believe any of the stories about the house.”
“Nope, I’ll tell you right up I don’t believe in ghosts or any of that other garbage that Bonnie has been filling your head with. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bonnie’s great, and we’ve been friends for years, but she can be a bit…...you know.” Ursula laughed as he rolled his eyes and pointed to his head. She decided not to tell him that she believed in ghosts too.
“So when can you move in?” she asked to change the subject.
“I hope I’m not being too presumptuous but I have most of my stuff in the car. When I got Bonnie’s call I checked out of my motel straight away. Being in a cramped room can get a bit claustrophobic after a while, especially now that summer break has started. I’m willing to pay whatever you think is fair.”
“Fantastic, but I’ll only charge you half of what I paid, which isn’t much at all. Why don’t you go and get you stuff and then you can choose which room you want. They all have their own bathrooms and you’ll have plenty of space to make yourself at home.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll be right back.” Ursula watched as he strode back to the car and pulled out a large suitcase and a couple of smaller bags. It was beginning to rain again and he had to run back to the porch to avoid getting drenched.
“You know, it was actually sunny in town before I left. That rain came over really quickly.”
“Really? It’s been raining here for hours.”
“Oh, I forgot, apparently that’s part of Colton Manor’s curse. It’s always raining and cold. Bonnie must have forgotten to tell you that bit.” He laughed when he saw Ursula’s expression. “I can see you don’t share my scepticism about all things supernatural. Don’t worry, I’ll protect your from the ghosts, Ursula.” This time there was no denying the patronising tone in his voice.
“No, it’s not that,” replied Ursula, a little annoyed at his attitude. “I was just surprised when you said that because it’s been miserable since I got here five days ago but everywhere else around here has had nice weather according to the weather reports.”
“I think you’ll find it has more to do with the location of the house than anything sinister. Clouds form over the mountains just east of here, and the winds in this direction, bring the moisture with them. It’s a well-known phenomenon but far too rational an explanation for the crazies who’d prefer to believe in ghosts and curses.”
Despite his attractive appearance, Damien Knight was starting to seem very much like the science professor she’d been expecting, and Ursula wondered if it he would turn out to be an arrogant bore. At least the house was huge, she told herself, and if they got on each other nerves it would be very easy to avoid each other. The thought gave her some comfort as she led him up to the first floor to show him the bedrooms.
****
Just a few short hours later, Ursula was enjoying a glass of wine with Damien Knight in the manor’s huge eat-in kitchen. They chatted politely in the way strangers do when getting to know one another, while inside Ursula was still struggling to come to terms with the sudden turn of events. When she woke up that morning there was no way she could have guessed that by dinnertime she would have a new housemate, and a handsome one at that, even if he was too old for her. She also had a new friend in Bonnie, she hoped, and a bit of knowledge about the history of Colton Manor and why it seemed to have such a negative
vibe about it.
Bonnie’s account had only whetted her appetite, and after another glass of wine, she decided to broach the subject of the ghost with Damien.
“What exactly is the story with this house? Bonnie didn’t say much at all except that no one has ever been able to stay here for very long. I was a bit too shocked at the time to ask many questions.”
“As you know I think that the whole thing is ridiculous, but from what I’ve heard most people around here believe it’s the ghost of Edward Stanton. He’s the one who built the house around 1850 and he had reputation even when he was alive of being a bit strange.”
“In what way?”
“Oh, apparently he was normal for the first few years but then he became very antisocial and started isolating himself. There were rumours he beat his first wife, and when she fell from the cliff many suspected that he murdered her.”
“The cliff here?”
“Yes, on the path leading down to the beach.”
“That’s terrible! Is it her ghost people believe is haunting this place?”
“One of them. You see, she wasn’t the only wife of his to die in suspicious circumstances. Another one was found dead right here in the kitchen, and the other just vanished into thin air, all in the space of a couple of years.”
Ursula felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought that someone had died in the very room they were now sitting in. “I’m not surprised people were suspicious. Three wives is a lot to lose in a short time.”
“Yes, but you have to remember the era we’re talking about, Ursula. Medical care was extremely basic back then, and even a minor illness could be fatal. It seems shocking to us, but in those days many people died very young, and we’re relying purely on rumours that have been passed down for generations. These stories have a way of becoming distorted over time and blown way out of proportion. I wouldn’t put any store in them at all if I were you.”
Colton Manor Page 2