TALES FROM MORTIFER HOUSE - Part Fourteen - The Nursery,

 

A month passed in the blink of an eye, Eleanor was busy, the children took up so much of her time. Rightly so, as she assuaged her guilt of spending so much time on the journal and being distracted by 'ghosts' who, quite frankly, she refused to accept existed, except in her own mind. This was only a temporary feeling as she battled hard to keep everything normal, she would not let anything disturb her family. However, the ghosts soon had other ideas. 

Rumours swirled around the town, about Florence, about Eleanor's sanity. Tall tales emerged of townsfolk having seen strange lights and once again the name of Stitchy and his mysterious disappearance surfaced. Not that Eleanor ever heard this first hand, she was well aware that people stood huddled together in the street as she passed by, her head held high. They stopped talking when she walked into the shops and polite society either shunned them or wanted to conduct seances. 

It had been very quiet in Mortifer, too quiet. No visitors to speak of, Rebbeca was too scared to come. She never said as much but she was suddenly full of prior engagements when previously she would jump at the chance of visiting the girls and Eleanor. Even Victoria, Flora and Amelia came less and less although they were all happy to have Grace and Alice to visit them.

The asylum were still refusing to let anyone but Angus go to see Florence much to Eleanor's anguish, she still felt so guilty at how they had let her stay there all these years. She felt helpless and at a loss as to what they could do, not that she could even talk to Angus about this. 

The ghosts had ceased their games, or so Eleanor thought. Sure, there had been the odd thump or whisper in the night, but it was as if the presence had lost its strength. Or it was regrouping itself for a final showdown. Eleanor shuddered at the thought and the hairs stood up on her arms once more. She refused to accept that thought and instead decided to arrange to take tea with Flora at a new tea shop in town. 

Eleanor sat at the writing desk in the drawing room and composed a short letter to her beloved daughter. She needed the light relief of an afternoon spent with one of her older dear girls. Reaching for a stamp she placed it on the envelope, if she hurried she could catch the afternoon post. 

Calling out to Angus as she put on her coat and buttoned it, he appeared briefly from his study door. He agreed, a little gruffly to watch the girls, they were out playing dolls in the garden so there wasn't much watching to be done. 

Eleanor waved to Grace and Alice as she slipped through the gates. Curious they ran full pelt to the now closed gate. 'I won't be long girls' she said with a smile and a blown kiss. They ran off after pleading with their mother to bring them some marshmallows, which Eleanor agreed to if they promised to be good. 

Setting off down the street Eleanor turned her face to the afternoon sun, it warmed her and she felt herself relax for the first time in what felt like forever. She hadn't quite left sight of the house when something made her turn and look. A feeling of dread filled the pit of her stomach as she looked at the house glowering and forbidding even in the full sun. There, in the nursery window was a black shadow. She blinked and closed her eyes but the figure remained. Too tall for a child, Grace and Alice could only see out of the window if they stood, or sat, on the sill. The figure remained fleetingly and passed across the window disappearing from view. At the same time a cloud passed across the sun and a breeze chilled the air. 

Her imagination, she told herself, unconvinced. Pulling the collar of her coat up around her neck she walked quickly until she could no longer see Mortifer and its brooding exterior.  She hastened her steps to the post box  and pushed the letter into the slot with trembling fingers. She visited the bakers for bread and the haberdashers for embroidery thread and finally the sweet shop for the children's marshmallows. Not wanting to return too quickly she stopped and had a pot of tea at the new tea shop. It was indeed a lovely establishment, full of beautiful china and dainty little cakes and people. People whispering and nudging each other, looking in her direction, some even gathering their children to them as they watched and judged. 

Finally she replaced her teacup in her saucer with a clatter and stood up. 'If you have something to say, at least say it directly to me!' she shouted looking around at the accusing faces. Embarrassed they looked away, coughed or pretended nothing was in the least bit out of place with their behaviour.  But nobody spoke up.

'I thought as much, nothing to say now then?' Eleanor said angrily. She paid the waitress in her newly starched white apron, who was as red as a tomato and left closing the door a little too firmly. The bell on the door jangled on its brass hook in violent protest at the abrupt closure. 

By the time she had walked home Eleanor's anger has dissipated, the girls eager faces waiting for their sweets greeted her and she didn't even glance up at the nursery window. She wouldn't allow it. She no longer cared if people shunned them, all that mattered was that she shielded her family from it as much as possible. She took Alice's hand, grimacing at the marshmallow stickiness. Once inside the sweets were put aside so as not to spoil their dinner and hand washing was in order. 

Although the girls were keen to disappear to the nursery to play Eleanor told them to go and read in the drawing room quietly, she couldn't quite shake off the black figure from earlier. A pleasant evening was spent, even Angus joined them and played a round of Old Maid a little begrudgingly but much to the girls delight.  

The night surprisingly however, passed without event. Eleanor rolled over and realised she had slept for a solid eight hours, it was daylight and the clock in the hall was striking seven o clock. Refreshed, she got up and made breakfast. Angus arrived downstairs in the kitchen and announced his departure, Eleanor had forgotten he was due at a business meeting in Bath and would be away for the night. She felt a little pang, she knew things sometimes occurred when she was alone and vulnerable. She played the dutiful no nonsense wife however, lining up the girls to say goodbye to their father and shooing him out of the door assuring him everything was under control. She was going to take charge, it would be fine.   

Just after Angus departed a letter thudded onto the mat. It was Flora agreeing to meet for tea that afternoon. Eleanor pulled a slight face as she read it, she wasn't eager to repeat the previous days encounter but knew she needed to do this with grace and dignity. She pondered as to what to do with Grace and Alice then remembered that Miss Hettie was coming to give the girls some extra arithmetic tutoring for a couple of hours. Relieved that the problem was perfectly solved.

Miss Hettie was a no nonsense former private school mistress with white hair in a perfect bun, a stern exterior but a kind heart.  She smelt faintly of carbolic soap and lavender. The girls feared but respected her and worked in steady silence without interruption. Miss Hettie preferred parents not to hover over them while they worked so Eleanor was sure she would not mind her disappearing for a short while.  

That afternoon after lunch Grace and Alice went upstairs to the drawing room as soon as Edith Hettie arrived. Eleanor asked about leaving the house and Miss Hettie dismissed her with a wave of her hand. 

'No longer than two hours mind you, I do have other children to see today!' she said as she peered over her gold half glasses perched on the end of her angular nose. 

'Of course!' Eleanor agreed readily as she backed out of the room with a comical half bow. Gathering her things and pulling on a coat and hat she made her way to the tea room once more. Thankfully Flora was waiting for her already and Eleanor was able to ignore any stares as she entered the shop and took her place at the little table. 

The waitress, much to Eleanor's relief, not the same one who had been present the previous day, came along and took their order for neat little sandwiches, delicious cakes and copious cups of tea. The pair enjoyed light surface chats for a while, Flora talked of her new dress she was wearing, Eleanor told Flora that her father had actually enjoyed a game of cards with her sisters. Flora raised her eyebrows and laughed at that. Then they fell silent. 

'How are things really?' Enquired Flora taking her mothers hand, searching her face for the truth. Eleanor glanced around the tea room, all the tables were engaged in conversation, laughing, clinking teacups. The focus was not on them. 

'It's so quiet Flora' Eleanor said with a heavy sigh. 'No one visits, not even Rebbeca' 

Flora looked guilty and took her mothers hand in both of hers 'I'm.. I'm so sorry we haven't visited. I am trying to avoid undue stress at the moment..' her sentence trailed away. 

Eleanor looked at her alarmed 'What on earth is wrong Flora?' 

Flora took a quick glance around the tea room, it seemed safe enough. 'I have some news' she took a deep breath and seeing her mothers anxious face she burst out 'I am having a baby' her face shone with obvious joy.

Eleanor went from anxiety to shock to elation in seconds. She jumped up and embraced her daughter all other thoughts disappeared from her mind. 

'How wonderful Flora, I wont tell Grace and Alice I will let you tell them and please, just stay away from Mortifer, its not good for anyone.' 

Eleanor could barely contain her delight and the next hour passed very quickly as she dispensed advice and listened intently to her daughter. How she laughed when she heard that James, her daughters husband, had whirled her round the room at the news. Flora stifled a giggle when Eleanor said she would offer Angus the chance to pass on fatherly advice to James. The women looked at each other with a knowing smirk. Before she knew it, it was time for Eleanor to return or face the wrath of Edith Hettie, a thought she did not relish! 

Mother and daughter exchanged their goodbyes, Eleanor couldn't hide the tears that had sprung to her eyes and Flora saw and hugged her extra tight. 

'I'm happy' muttered Eleanor unconvincingly, brushing away Flora's concern with a wave of her hand. She watched her daughter disappear from sight and hurried back to the house.  

Miss Hettie was waiting for her, glancing at the hall clock , it was a whole minute past her allotted time. She tutted and then regained her composure. The girls were doing well she reported, but that didn't mean they could rest easy, there was still much to learn. She gave Alice and Grace a look that sent them scuttling back up the stairs as soon as they had politely said goodbye. Edith Hettie was not to be messed with! Eleanor showed her to the door and allowed herself an inner moment of delight at the prospect of a new baby in the family. This would be a hard secret to keep, but keep it she must! 

After supper Eleanor retired to the drawing room and read to the girls until the evening light started to fade at which point she told them it was time for bed. 

They disappeared without complaining, they were always so good, extra good when their father was not there as if they were unwilling to cause their mother stress. Eleanor went up the stairs to tuck them in and blow out their lamp. Neither of the girls were particularly bothered by the dark. Their nursery was filled with moonlight as the sky was clear and the stars seemed extra bright Eleanor reflected as she glanced out of their window. 

'Goodnight' she said gently as she closed the door and the girls both blew her kisses and hugged their respective teddy bears tightly, closing their eyes dutifully. 

Downstairs Eleanor watered her plants in the garden room, she had not spent much time in there lately. It still had a strange air since the discovery of the bones and she was also afraid that she might regain her powers of seeing the future. As she watered the very last plant and returned the watering can to its rightful place she suddenly thought of the strange figure she had seen in the nursery window earlier that day. Eleanor tried very hard to push the thought down, banish it completely, but she couldn't. She rushed through her chores, washing and drying the supper dishes at speed, poured herself a glass of water and after locking the front door returned to the drawing room. 

She tried to read but her eyes were tired and the figure played on her mind until she was jumping at her own shadow, every flicker of the lamp casting a new and threatening enemy lurking behind her chair. Unable to settle she decided to go up to her bedroom first of all tiptoeing to the girls room and opening their bedroom door slightly. She knew, even though she was trying to deny it at the same time that this was in case, something happened in the night. She came back down to her room passing Angus's study which was in darkness, no light spilled from under the door. This made her even more anxious. Never normally one to mind her own company she wished her husband was not away tonight. Not on the night she had seen THAT FIGURE. 

She shivered as she undressed and quickly got into bed after extinguishing her lamp, pulling the covers up and around her. She slept fitfully, expecting at any minute to hear a scream from the attic from Alice or Grace or to sense a presence in her room. Dawn came without event and she breathed a tired sigh of relief even though it felt as though she had had only five minutes sleep all night. 

Eleanor still had a sense of dread and unease despite the apparent inactivity within Mortifer. It turned out she was right to feel this way. Two days later, on a warm, bright sunny afternoon, not in the dark, not on a stormy night, the presence returned. 

Eleanor was alone in the house, gently humming to herself whilst folding laundry in her bedroom when she heard a noise in the attic. The children had finished their studies for the day and were out playing in the garden with their skipping ropes. Angus was due home but not until late. At first she went to the window thinking the girls had returned to their room without her hearing them, unlikely as they were quite heavy footed on the stairs, but there they were, singing and laughing as they skipped.  The noise came again, a soft thump and then scraping, like nails on wood, maybe the floorboards ? she frowned trying to make it out. As the noise continued she climbed the stairs, her heart was in her mouth. There was another sound like metal, it sounded like chains, maybe, and still the scraping getting louder and more frantic. With every step, Eleanor willed it to stop but it didn't. She opened the nursery door quickly, half closing her eyes and shaking violently. 

She looked around the room expecting to see the figure she had seen previously but the room was warm and bathed in afternoon sunlight a gentle breeze caught the curtains and cast a flapping shadow and that was it.  Eleanor was cross with herself as she went to close the window but as she scolded herself Alice's rocking horse began to sway vigorously. Frozen with fear Eleanor demanded that the presence go away but as if mocking her, although the horse abruptly stopped rocking the scraping, scratching noise started up even more frantically. 

She dismissed the rocking horse almost immediately and convinced herself they had rats under the floorboards. With her courage partially renewed she started to look around the room to see where the noise was coming from, each time she moved it became louder until she knew perfectly well that unless they had rats the size of dogs it couldn't possibly be the source of the scraping. It seemed, to be loudest where the girls had their bookcase full of toys and games. She bent down towards the heavy wooden bookcase and realised it was coming from BEHIND it. 

She tried with all her might to shove the heavy furniture, at the same time she was thinking it had been there forever, as long as she had been in the house and it had never been moved. With a resentful squeak of the floorboards it scraped a few inches away from the wall a dust cloud rising into the air making Eleanor cough and splutter. She could see nothing and the noise had abated, but determined she lit a candle and looked behind the oak bookcase. A spider scuttled into a thick cobweb, almost making her drop the candle, she was so jumpy and nervous. 

She put the candle down on the floor, it flickered as if in a breeze except there was none, the windows were firmly shut. If the rocking horse started again Eleanor knew she would flee from the room, take the children and leave. With the bookcase inched away a bit further she could get her arm into the space, it was a tight squeeze and she noticed the wall was clammy and smelt musty. Made sense since there had been that roof collapse all those years ago, she doubted the wallpaper had ever been replaced. 

Shoving with all her might Eleanor managed to get enough space to actually stand behind the bookcase and examine the wall. She noticed the paper was peeling and the surface of the wall was bumpy as if something was behind it. Reaching once more for the candle and not knowing why, she started to peel the paper back.

Within a few minutes of careful tearing she realised she was staring at a boarded up door. it looked as if it had been hastily and untidily done and the paper shoved over it. Again this made sense, it was obviously the boarded up guest room which had been rendered unusable.  As she stood staring at the door the scraping, which now sounded like fingernails on wood started from the other side of the door.  Shaking, Eleanor jumped back from the wall hitting the back of the bookcase hard with her hip. 

She ran as fast as she could, scooped up clothing and left the house taking a bemused Alice and Grace to the town where she left them with a friend until Flora could come and get them. She had to get the children to safety while she tackled this. 

What on earth am I thinking? Eleanor questioned herself over and over. Why not just admit defeat, leave and go to Floras, speak to Angus and let him deal with this entity. Except he would refuse to believe her and would dismiss her claims. But obviously he had to be aware of the room that was boarded up didn't he? 

Instead, with fresh determination and more than a little fear and trepidation she returned to the house, found a claw hammer and ironically as the light was fading from the sky she mounted the stairs to the nursery once more, the smell of mustiness filling her nostrils as she breathed in deeply. 

If this couldn't be settled the Mortifers would be homeless - Eleanor would not accept that. The ghosts were obviously trying to tell her something. 

Little did she know the dark secret that lay in wait for her....

Sarah Russell 2024