The Forest Cottage

6

Laura took Meg up to her room. It was just beside her.  Meg unpacked her bags and later came down to dinner with them.  The butler had prepaeed roasted chicken with white sauce.  Clint was wearing a, navy blue blazer and his hair were all gelled up.  He was looking very nice. After dinner Meg came in Lauras room. Laura was reading a gothic novel. " So Laura, im thinking a, night walk in the garden below.  Are you joining me.  Maybe i will smoke a, cigarette too " Meg said.  " I don't think so i am coming as im feeling quite cold.  It has, rained and is very cold outside too dear.  And, Mrs Chiller wont like it " Laura replied.  " Tell ypur mrs Chiller to take a chill pill.  I am going now with my jacket to keep me warm. You sleep " Meg said. 

" Thats a nice jacket. I like its color light yellow " Laura said.  " They gave it to me to keep in return of the fashion event that i had done last month " Meg said.  " I like it too.  See you tomorrow morning " Meg said closing the door. 

Meg went into the garden. She was strolling around the bushes.  Rose ones.  " The gardener here has taken quite good care of this shrubs here.  And the roses dark red in colour are very beautiful. They should call it the rose mansion. This name would suit it more.  Its, a nice place to live but where exactly had i read something about this, family.  Wait let me remember.  Yes five years back. A governess was hired here and she was found murdered in the forests.  The case wss closed without any further investigation. So i think this Clint is, a fishy guy. I have to tell this to Laura " Meg thought. A sense of emergency overcame Meg and she started to hurry out of the garden. But a something heavy fell at the back of her head and everything went black and she fell unconscious.

The butler was knocking feverishly on Lauras, door.  " What is it what happened? " Laura, asked opening the door.  " Your friend Meg had fallen in the gardens. She has been taken in her room.  And a, dr has, been called for " the butler said.  " Oh my god let me see " Laura, said and rushed out of the room with him. She found Meg lying on a pillow. " What is this red spot on her head.  I think some intruder or thief had entered and on encountering Meg hit her with something heavy on the head.  Or was it someone from the mansion itself. She has, been suspicious about this family all along " Laura thought. 

Dr Hemmingway arrived and applied some balm on Megs head and prescribed some medicines and confirmed Lauras opinion.  It was the work of some burglar maybe.  " What was she doing at 11 30 in the night outside in the gardens. As i can see one side of the mansion is exposed to the forests.  Anyone can intrude here.  Tell her not to venture out like this " Dr Hemmingway said. 

**** 

The next day as Laura was, sitting with Meg having tea. Meg was feeling better. Mrs Chiller entered the dining room. " It was very silly of you to go out like that at midnight. Do you city girls entertaon such fetushes " she said.  Laura, thought " she reall just has, to talk like this only doesnt she.  " " Meg had actually thought that as its a big mansion with fences all around. It would be safe.  Why dont you fix theexposed part of the mansion with some electrified fences. Maybe who knows one day a wild animal will venture out here " Laura said. " Sure i will tell the butler to get some one right now about this issue " Mmrs Chiller said and went out of the room. Clint entered.  He was, wearing a navy blue tshirt and light blue jeans. " So Meg how you feeling " he asked. Did Laura saw a hint of smile on his face. He turned towards Laura and said " so are you both wiling to come with me on a, tour in my car of the neighbouring area. Meg replied " sure we are.  " When will i get a chance to tell Laura about that newspaper clipping i had read about and remembered yesterday night " Meg was thinking. 

In Clints silver car they drove off.  The road was surrounded by meadows and lush greenary. A cattle were there too. Meg and Laura were sitting in the backseat.  Clint said " would you two like to do some shop there are, some very nice stores here. " Meg said " yes why not no harm in checking out. " After half an hour of driving he stopped at a boutique near a village. It was very quaint looking with pink lights spelling its name the village fashion shoppe.  " A great name " Laura laughed.  " You really should see there are sime very nice clothes inside. " As they got out of the car and entered the shop.  Laura saw that some very nice clothes were on display. Dresses in baby pinks and shimmers and beiges. Laura brought for herself.  A white cotton shirt.  And Meg bought a black top.   A spectacled saleswoman greeted them. She had a short haircut and was wearing a white shirt and black pants.  " So what exactly are you looling for in dresses so i can help you " she asked. Laura, replied " anything in cream colour and what about you Meg. "

As they were looking at the dresses Laura still had a, feeling of coldness over her about last night. And Meg was behaving creepy. Clint had gone out to make a call.  The saleswoman came and, asked her " are you the new governess. Because the last one had died in the woods " with a look of fear on her face. " No im the estate assistant " Laura said. She was shocked to hear this. On the way back there was silence in the car through out the trip. 

In night it was, near midnight.  Laura was feeling restless. She heard something. Was it the sound of muffled laughter and some talk. All rooms, were far from each other. Was someone walking in the corridor at this time. Should i wake up Meg. She was behaving all sullen from that incident of night. As, if she wanted to say something to Laura.  She got up slowly and creeped out in the hallway towards Clints room and was surprised to see the door wide open with him nowhere in the room.  At 2 in the night where had gone and what was that laughter sound.  

In the morning Laura, saw, that a heavy snow storm was predicted. For the remaining two days. So they all sat watching from the window the lashing of the snow. " So i guess we are all snowed in for two days now inside. Its risky to go out in this weather. " The lights went out suddenly.  The butler came saying that the power line was cut because of the snow. And the phone lines have gone dead too. So i will light some candles " he said.  " This is kind of creepy " Laura said.  Meg replied " good time to live like how they used to live in the past medieval times.  " " I think i will go and catch up on my knitting " mrs chiller said.  " She knits too " Laura was surprised to hear that.  " For whom are you knitting by the way " Laura, asked.  " For my daughter. She coming this weekend.  I am knitting a scarf for her. " 

Clint  said " actually shes my step sister and shes coming from California for the weekend. " But how she will travel in this weather " Meg asked. " You cant say with het.  Anyhow she will come " Clint replied.  From the window the headlights of a, car could be seen.Outside it was, dark as twilight. " The snow is, falling so heavily that its looking like nightime " Mrs chiller observed.  The butler came in with a, tra of hot coffees for everyone. 

Someone rang the doorbell.  " Its John " Clint announced.  John came entering inside.  On his jacket all snow flakes were there.  " The roads are all blocked with snow.  I think im stuck here now till it all clears up. I actually came to tell you that theres some huge discrepancies in the annual trade report of your business in the states.  But as the phone lines had all gone cut.  I was driving through the town so i dropped by.  " " More the company " Clint said. " And yes again i get to see the beautiful  miss Laura and whose this " John said gesturing towards Meg " as he took the cup of coffee from the butler.  Shes my friend who came to visit me " Laura, said.  John looked good with with his hair falling on his eyes. Clint said to John " let's go and discuss the problem that you came here to discuss.  "

Later as, Laura was going up to her room.  She saw the lock on one of the rooms which Clint said they dont use.  " Whats the mystery behind this room " Laura, wondered.  " Have they hidden something secret there.  " To her surprise she saw that it was open.  " It 5 pm in the evening. Clint and John are in his study.  Mrs chiller in her bedroom.  Meg is, taking a nap.  I will go and see exactly whats, there in this room. " Slowly she went inside.  Inside it wall all dark as lights were still out. With her no network mobile flashlight she opened the dusty cabinets.  A old doll was sitting on top of the cabinet. Laura coughed because of the dust. 

In the cabinet some diary was there.  She opened it and read. It was of the previous girl who was hired here.  " What its doing here.  In it was, written as to how the governess found something which she shouldn't have and.. She felt a coldness on reading this.  Before she could read any further.  Laura heard footsteps coming up.  Quickly she closef the cabinet took the diary with her and ran out of there.  " That was quick. What if someone had seen her here.  " Laura thought. " I will read it in the room. "

In her room she went.  And started reading the previous governors diary.  Laura was, shocked to find that she had found some secret about this, family. And was no more interested to work with them.  After that pages, of the diary were blank.  What exactly did she find. I should discuss this with Meg.  Laura, went into Megs, room and told her about the diary. " This is, exactly what I wanted to discuss with you. I remembered that I  had written about this in that old newspaper " Meg said.  " So should I ask Clint about this " Laura, asked.  " I think probably not.  Its not like as, if hes going to tell you the truth. It would be better if you think twice about working here. Because tomorrow i am going and you will be alone here.  And you know what happened in the garden at night " Meg said.  " That could have been a thief "  Laura said.  " Mostly not. Why would a thief come here in this mansion in the forests " Meg replied. Laura slept with confusion in her heart that night. 

The next day Meg went back to the city telling Laura to call her everyday. During afternoon Clints step sister Rita came. Laura saw that she was a shrewd person with arch shaped eyebrows. " It was difficult coming here in the snow.  I thought i would not reach only. But here i am " she said. In afternoon Clint showed her the estate office work. The office had a, red chestnut table. And a classic painting.  " So what you say once the snow fall decreases we go for a skiying in the snow " Clint asked.  " Okay that doesn't sound bad.  But what about that person whose lurking around here and who hit Meg with something heavy. What if he intrudes in the night here through the windows or follows us on our ski trip " Laura asked. " Dont worry we still are looking out for that burglar and Rita too is, very much looking towards this  ski trip " Clint said.  At night they had dinner and Laura, went to her room to sleep. In midnight she again got up because someone knocked on her door but when she opened it no one was, there. " Who thismust be.  Is it a ghost. This mansion may be haunted.  Or someone from this, family is, trying to scare me.  I will tell Clint about this tomorrow " Laura, decided. She called Meg and told her.  Meg said on the phone " dont open the door next time anyone knocks ok.  "

In morning when she did told him. That day Clint wore a, white shirt and his, hair was all wet from shower.  But inspite of looking good there was something about him which Laura was, not able to pinpoint.  Laura was surprised to see his, reaction. He laughed and said " it must be the wind or you must be dreaming." " Ofcourse i was not imagining. How can you say this " Laura felt anger building inside her. " Okay i am not saying that you are imagining but this is a old mansion.  There is a possibility that maybe it was, some other sound.  You know how heavy the snow was falling yesterday " Clint said. 

The next day Laura,  Climt and his step sister. They all went to that ski lodge which Clint was talking about.  Actually Laura, was no more in the mood for any ski trip anymore but she thought that maybe her mind will change.  So they left off in his sedan car. The snow was falling still heavily and it was bit hard to drive in this weather but Clint was adamant about making this trip. Thete was, a, layer of whiteness all around.  And even in afternoon time it seemed like it wss late evening.  " Only a psycho will go out in this clinate. I think he is a bit.  And his step sister Rita , shes no less. How much she wants to ski and dragging me along too in with them. I should have left off with Meg that would have been better. No more i find this Clint attractive. Romance has, gone out of the window. I am trying to analyze him. But dont know where to start " Laura was in her thoughts. Rita broke her out of her reverie by saying " Laura dear where are you this is the second time i am asking you its going to be quite cold there.  Would you like to take my purple jacket. " " Its okay my beige one would be fine to keep me warm. But if i do need it i will let you know " Laura said.  " As you wish " Rita replied.  There was silence in the car except for Clint once saying that " it would be lovely to remove some pictures as, a memory of our ski trip.  I have bought my camera with me.  " After one hour of driving the snow was falling in drizzles now.

" I think we may have lost out way the ski lodge is not that far. Because of this snow im not able to see properly  " Clint said.  " Here let me drive " Rita said and she took on the wheels.  After half an hour atlast they reached the lodge.  It was one storeyed fully made of wood with a porch and a chimney.  Few wild flowers were growing on the sides of it. " It looks pretty comfy but why they dont have lights on.  Its so dark. What's the time " Laura asked. " Its six in the evening " Clint said looking at his, designer white watch. " Dont worry the maid Matilda must have done everything to kep the lodge in perfect conditions for us " Rita said. A maid opened the door.  She had a hairband on her head and was wearing a apron.  " I hopeit was a pleasant journey for you people.  I have made some cookies and dinners also ready.  I have made noodles " she said. Laura, felt like inspite of er cheery demeanour there was an air of grimness about her. As if she didnt wanted them to be there. They all went inside and got refreshed. And sat at the small dinner table. A small sunflower vase was at its centre. Clint and Rita ate heartily.  Laura didn't felt like eating much.  Later she drank some hot cocoa brought by the maid Matilda.  " So Laura try some of the famous Matild butter cookies now " Clint said.  A big dog came rushing in from nowhere.  " Here come Teddy " Clint said.  " His our lodge dog " Rita said. 

The dog was grey in colour with droopy eyes. He was wagging his tail. And came towards Laura and sit beside her.  " Hes nice natured " Laura said.  " Here you have the first cookie " Laura said and handed him one from her plate.  " No dont do that. Later we will give him " Rita was saying but it was, too late and the dog had already taken the cookie.  After a, few moments he started to choke and was rolling on the ground. " Whats happening what was in the cookie " Laura gasped. " Take him to a vet hurry up " Laura said to Clint.  He immediately went out with the dog in his hands and took his  car off to the nearby vet. " I was nearly poisoned who did that.  That cookie was meant for me " Laura thought as Matilda looked on in shock.  Rita was angry with the maid.  Matilda said " I really dont know how it happened. " " I think i will just go and retire to the room upstairs.I have to tell Meg about this " Laura said and rushed out of there. 

Laura called Meg. And told her about that dog food poisoning incident.  " Maybe it was the maid.  But you know what i think one of either thm Clint or Rita is behind it " Meg said.  " I dont know what to make out of what's going on here. I think i will return to the city.  But i have to wait for the snowfall to decrease.  Its an avalanche almost and this idiots brought me on this ski trip " Laura said. From outside her room she heardfootsteps and muffled conversation. Rita, seemed to be telling Clint this " what if she makes this poison incident famous..  " Clint replied " that the dog is, dead so i told to bury dispose him off. "Laura tried to hear further but couldn't as the door was shut.  " I think i will just go to sleep now And tomorrow I will tell him that i am no more interested in any skying and would like to return to the mansion. And time to think i need further on my further course of action.  When i return to  Newyork. " So the dogs dead too " Laura was thinking while she tried to watch some television.

Next day Clint told her to get ready for the ski trip.  " I am not in the mood " she said.  " You will feel better once you start skying in the white snow " Clint said hurryingly handing her the ski board. So they went skimg. It was a, very chill weather.  The snow was falling down heavily. Laura, adjusted her parka. Even in daylight above the stars could be seen. It was that dark. Laura, started sking. Clint was beside her.  And Rita had already gone ahead.  The wind brushed against her.  Laura felt exhilarating. And forgot all her doubts. Rita was an expert skier.  The tree tops were covered in snow. 

After half an hour of sking they sat down. On a tree branch that had fallen. From far a skier coukd be seen coming.  " Whose it " Laura said.  " I dont know its, supposed to be a, private ski area " Clint said with a, scowl on his, face.  Then as the skier came into view Laura recognized it was John. Whats he doing here.  He reached them.  " Hey there how, are you guys. I came to know from the butler that you all had gone for ski trip.  So i thought why not join you all here.  I had nothing much else to do and was getting bored too " he said.  " No problem my friend " Clint said.  But Laura saw he had a hint of scowl on his, face.  The sun was shining on his, head making his johns hair look golden brown.  " He really seems a simple nice guy " Laura, thought. " Hey wait guys im making aˋtrip on the right side and coming " Rita said. " Okay you expert skier " replied Clint.  Meanwhile John started throwing snowballs on Laura, and she threw them back on her.  All this, while Clint kept sitting in a, scornful way as, this two kept laughing. " Okay you expert skier " Clint said.  After Rita had, been gone fpr awhile. The sky was, becoming darker.  " Lets, return back its going to get darker with a impending snowfall " Clint said. 

As they returned back to the lodge. As, they were just walking on the porch.  John lost his, balance and fell.  That was a, pretty heavy fall. " Whats, that a wire has, been strung from the trees, till here.  It was, meant for someone to fall.  Who could have done that " Laura, scremed.  " Are you okay " Clint asked John as he helped him get up. " " John how did you  fall " Rita said in a shrill voice.  Laura got a feeling that she liked him.  Its okay a bit of sprain on my ankle " John murmured. In night Laura, sneaked into Johns room. He was sitting up and reading a book. " I really felt bad, about your fall hows it now.  Hope the ointment and medicine are healing it " Laura said as she sat on a chair.  " No big problem. I am a, dare person " John said. Laura laughed at this. " So you still not slept " John asked.  "  No i have been for a, while wanting to talk this out someone. Some things have been happening here.  Its all suspicious type. "  And Laura told John everything. He listened in silence. " I dont know what to say on this.  I still as dont know much about this family.  But if you feeling uncomfortable ypu you can return to Newyork.  Do you like Clint " he asked.  " Uh no i found him handsome at first but now i think hes kind of weird " Laura said. " Whatever you sleep now.  Tomorrow you back to the mansion and then return to Newyork. And be careful.  Call me whenever  you want. Tomorrow i will heal with this, sprain and, return too " John said. " You are, such a support " Laura told him.