The Curse.

The Attic

When I finally made it downstairs, I went into the kitchen and switched the kettle on and made myself and Dad a cup of coffee each, which I took outside to him.

"Hey, Dad. Your coffee is getting cold."

"What coffee?"

"The one I've just made you."

"Oh, cheers, son. Look I'm sorry I've been a bit snappy lately, it's just that I haven't done this for a long time and will have to keep telling myself that Rome wasn't built in a day."

"It's okay, Dad. Do you appen to know where our curtains are?" As there none at the windows and I don't remember unpacking any."

"I don't think we did pack any son. Why?"

"Because I've just been in the attic with those boxes you wanted taking up there, and it looks like Alladin's Cave up there. It's full of all sorts of stuff, and it looks like it is going to take a year to sort through it. But if you want, I could at least try to sort some of it out while you're busy out here."

"Ok. But if you find anything that could be rather interesting put it in one of those boxes or put it back where you found it and I will have a look at it, if it's rubbish then we will take it to the local tip as we have the van for a few more days. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes. That's fine, and if I find those curtains that belong in any of the rooms, I'll bring them down, and we could put them up together."

"You have got yourself a deal. Son."

Dad replied. Holding out his hand, which I shook promptly.

"Another thing, Dad. Where are the bin bags, dust pan, and brush?"

"Err. I think they are in the kitchen, under the sink. Why?"

"Because the stairs in the attic need sweeping."

"And I'll just finish up here and make us a spot of lunch. How does that sound?"

"That's fine by me. Dad." I finished my coffee, taking the cups back inside, washing them up, and then finding the bin bags and the dust pan and brush. Then, I made my way back up to the attic.

I returned to the attic and swept all the dust and spiderwebs from the stairs, then moved on to start examining the contents of the nearest box, which I found contained nothing but books about nature, the second also contained books as did the 3rd, 4th and 5th boxes that I opened.

'Well. That's the library sorted out.' But at the bottom of the fifth box, I found another small box which upon opening I discovered an inkwell and a fountain pen. I thought that they would sit nicely on my desk.

I decided there and then to take these boxes of books down to the library and put them on the shelves. But first.. 'I'll open one more box.'

When I opened the sixth box, I found it contained packages wrapped in brown paper. They were quite heavy, too, but I found that they were clearly labelled with each room written on them. This box had four paper wrapped packages inside, and all of them had either dining room or drawing room written on them. The latter, I pressumed, was the living room.

I left the attic to take what I thought were curtains downstairs and put each package into the rooms that they were labelled for. I returned to the attic and started to remove the boxes of books into the library.

The library was a really weird set-up as there were bookshelves lining three walls and an alcove. There was also a fireplace, which wasn't like an ordinary fireplace.

An ordinary fireplace would have a hearth, flue, and a mantlepiece and would also be bricked up at the back. But this one wasn't. If I knelt down, I could see straight through into the other side of the library.

You might say that this arrangement would be easier to warm both rooms. But instead of there being another alcove lined with shelves beside the fireplace, there was yet another archway leading into the rest of the library.

So what was the point of having two doorways that led into the same room? 'That's another question to ask Dad.'

I made four more trips, going between the attic and library, fetching and carrying those boxes for the library, by the time I had finished my back and legs were really starting to ache and I had quite forgotten about Dad until he called up from the hallway.

"Hey! Michael. Where do you want your lunch?"

"Up here, please. Dad."

"Will be right up with it."

In the meantime, I had opened another couple of boxes and discovered more packages in brown paper, labelled with different rooms, which I promptly took down. I was just putting the empty boxes to one side when I saw the top of Dads head over the bannister, with a tea tray laiden with food in his hands.

"Hello. Up there!" Dad called with a chuckle.

"You're in a good mood. Dad."

I was trying not to laugh.

"Well, it is said that that there is no fool than an old fool." He answered. When he had reached the top of the stairs. Dad looked around the attic and whistled through his teeth.

"You are right when you said that it looks like Alladins cave. Just look at this lot! It'll take us at least two years to even make a dent in it!"

I took the tray from him and cleared a space big enough for us to sit and eat. I noticed that Dad had made a variety of sandwiches and enough of them to feed the five thousand! Plus, there were two flasks of coffee.

We sat eating lunch in silence, looking around us, wondering where to start when Dad asked me:

"What would you say if I decided to get us a housekeeper, painters, and decorators? Also booked us a holiday as I think we will need one after sorting this lot out?"

I thought for a moment that a holiday would be nice before I answered him.

"I would say can we afford? But I guess we can given what you have told me, and a holiday would be nice, I understand about getting the painters and decorators in, as it is a big house. But do we really need a housekeeper, Dad?"

"Yes. We can afford it. Michael, and we do deserve a holiday, but we also need someone to look after the house whilst we are away."

"That's fine with me. At least it will be something to look forward to."

"Ok. Then I'll put an advert in the local paper this week." Dad said, looking around. "Let's see what hidden treasures we can find up here."

Dad and I spent two more days up in the attic where we found alsorts of fixtures and fitting for the house ranging from pots and pans and other bits and pieces for the kitchen. Towels and bedding, there was also three quarters or more silver service, an assortment of ornaments.

There were mirrors and an assortment of oil paintings leaning against the roof, which we sorted through, keeping a few for the house and Dad said that he had seen an art dealership in town to which he could take the painting to, including the one in my library.

Which in no uncertain terms I told Dad was that painting anywhere.

"Why not"

"Because that painting has something about it that is puzzling me and I want to find out what it is."

"Oh. Ok but if you need any help. I'll take it down for you, if you want me to."

"Dad. If there is anything, anywhere about that painting, it's up here." I countered. "Anyway why are we arguing about it?" Like you said it's just a painting."

"I'm not arguing about it. It's you, who has a bee in your bonnet about it. If you ike the painting so much just tell me and I won't touch it"

"Ok. Dad. Ok." I replied. Holding my hands up in defeat. "I like the painting besides it will look good in the library once it's hung up."

"Ok then. Come on let's get on with this lot."

The following two days Dad spent opening those paper wrapped packages. I was right about the curtains! I helped Dad to hang the curtains in all three bedrooms, living room, dining room and library. We also spent some of time filling the van with everything we didn't want from the attic, Dad took it all to the tip.

The paintings that we found and didn't want, Dad had them valued and took them to auction. Altogether they fetched around six thousand pounds. So Dad was happy.

He had also spotted an antique dealership n town too and he had booked an appointment ofr him or her to come over to the house and have a look we had found.

Well, he came around and had a look at few of the items and also had a ood look around the attic, under our watchful eyes of ours. He offered Dad quite a substantial amount for what we had found.

He also said that possibly over half of what was in the attic had antiquity value, and that he would be more than happy, delighted in fact. Dad said that he would keep that in mind.