Ivy snakes up the walls is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.
The pony trap turns into a long drive bordered by beech trees, their gold and red leaves wreathed in a light, sun-drenched mist which has risen since Hester left the doctor’s surgery.
The driver halts at the top of the gravelled carriage circle. Hester peers out at a substantial farm house, more like a small manor house, with tall windows either side of a heavy black door. Ivy snakes up the walls to the wide gables. White smoke from chimneys either end of the house meld into the mist.
Hester alights. She has left her carpet bag at The Royal Oak where she plans to stay overnight. Depending on what she will discovers here, she might need to stay longer. She has promised to send Ellen and Rose, who are staying with Catherine in Shiphaven, a telegram with her news. One way or the other.
Before Hester can knock, the door is opened by a tall, slim and elegant woman somewhere in her thirties, Hester guesses. She wears a grey woollen skirt topped by a red-and-white striped linen shirt with leg-of-mutton sleeves trimmed with a shiny blue satin bow at the neck. The blue bow reflects the colour of her eyes, which burn into Hester’s face from pale, faintly freckled skin below a tall sweep of auburn hair.
‘Mrs Appleby?’ the woman says.
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Lovely description. And more intrigue to come, I presume.
Oh yes!
IVY SNAKES UP THE WALLS
Sitting isolated in the middle of the Scottish moors, Grant thinks the old mansion must be at least 200 years old. It looks like it has been abandoned for some years as ivy snakes up the walls covering eaves and windows alike, choking the light allowed inside.
Wonder who lived here, he thought, as he approaches the house to explore further. The grey mist rolling across the open spaces gives the building an eerie, ghostly feeling – almost like something from a hackneyed vampire movie.
“Hello,” he calls, “hello, anyone here?”
No answer, confirming his suspicions the place is abandoned. Grant wanders round the back to find more ivy and tangled undergrowth making passage almost impossible.
He returns to the front and bangs a brass door knocker. The booming sound reverberates through the building before silence once more reigns supreme.
Grant is about to leave and continue his exploration of the moors when the front door creaks open and an ancient, white-haired figure appears in the doorway.
“You rang?” he inquires, in a perfect mimicry of Lurch from the 1960s TV comedy series The Addams Family.
“Ah, yes,” replies Grant. “I was just passing by and wondered if anyone still lived here. The place appeared to be abandoned.”
“Well,” responds the old man, “as you can see they do. Don’t suppose you would like a cup of tea.”
“Now that you mention it,” says Grant, “That would be very nice. It is very cold and miserable out here and I’m sure a cup of tea would warm me up no end.”
“Follow me, then,” says Lurch and, with a wave of his hand, shuffles off down the hallway.
Grant trails hesitantly behind, wondering what he is about to find. Could this be a house of horrors, or just a dilapidated abode that has been let go to rack and ruin because no one has bothered to care for it.
They reach the kitchen, where an antique woodstove fires up pots and a kettle boiling on the grate.
“How do you like your tea?” the old man asks.
“Black with two sugars,” replies Grant, sinking gratefully into a proffered chair.
He looks around and spots several figures that looks suspiciously like Gomez and Morticia Addams and Uncle Fester from the famous TV series.
Unable to contain himself, Grant blurts out: “Am I on a movie set? Is this a remake of The Addams Family – you know that 1960s TV comedy series?”
“How did you ever guess?” Lurch’s voice again, this time tinged with a chuckle as he handed Grant the mug.
Lucky Grant – I fully expected something rather more scary!!