Whispers of Serpent's Manor

Caught in the Act

A soft, warm glow spilled from beneath the closed bedroom door. Holding the bunch of flowers behind his back, Coby gently rapped on the door and cautiously stepped inside. Gracie lay on her stomach, her shoulders slumped and her gaze fixed on the ground, clearly displaying her melancholy. Slowly, he inched closer and tenderly stroked her back. “I am so sorry,” he apologised, his voice filled with sincerity as he presented the flowers.

Gracie’s face lit up, and she jolted upright, snatching the flowers from his outstretched hand. Overwhelmed with emotion, she pulled him into a warm embrace and kissed his cheeks, her eyes glistening with tears.

“You’d better watch yourself, Jacob McTavish,” she warned, wagging her finger playfully. Coby chuckled and leaned in for a kiss. “Hold on,” she quietly murmured, placing a finger over his mouth. “I want to check if Ewan is asleep.”

Coby changed into his nightclothes as Gracie tiptoed down the hallway, the floorboards creaking softly under her careful steps. His eyes widened with surprise when he heard her exclamation echoing down the corridor, “Ewan!” she shouted, “Oh my God, I am so sorry.” The door to Ewan’s bedroom slammed shut, and Gracie’s hurried footsteps resounded down the hallway.

Instantly, Coby knew what had transpired as she rushed back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Her face flushed crimson like a ripe beetroot, clearly displaying her embarrassment.

“Don’t worry,” Coby comforted her, his empathetic tone conveying his understanding, “he’s just a teenager.” Gracie’s piercing gaze met his, but quickly softened as she took in his affectionate smile.

“It’s absolutely dreadful!” she cried out, shivering as if a chill had overcome her.

Softly, Coby whispered, “You don’t have to fret,” his voice exuding a calming tone that seemed to stroke the air. Gracie’s eyes remained fixated on him, her lips parting slightly, as if on the verge of uttering something profound. Yet, all that escaped her was a gentle shake of her head. As the crimson hue subsided from her cheeks, her complexion returned to its customary pallor, a stark contrast to her lustrous ebony tresses that cascaded around her.

Sensing the unspoken question lingering in the air, Coby felt compelled to offer an explanation. With a slight tremor in his voice, he stated, “I was only twelve at the time.”

Filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, Gracie’s voice finally emerged. “I can’t express how truly thankful I am to have you in my life,” she whispered, her words floating on a gentle melody. “Having a man by our side means the world to me.”

Watching his beloved with affection, Coby’s gaze softened and he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with love. Memories of her late husband’s untimely demise flooded his mind. Without hesitation, he pulled her close, enveloping her in a tender embrace that conveyed both comfort and strength.

Gracie and Coby couldn’t help but feel Ewan’s absence at the breakfast table, the usual lively chatter replaced by a sombre silence. They could sense his embarrassment, prompting Coby to volunteer for a personal, heart-to-heart conversation. He saw this as a valuable learning opportunity, especially since they were expecting their own child.

However, things took a turn when Elaine called to inform Coby that their beloved dog, Janie, had gone missing. They decided not to share the news with Ewan, fearing his tendency to overreact. Instead, Coby and Gracie launched a social media campaign, sharing pictures of Janie and pleading with anyone who might have seen her to reach out to Elaine.

Now that Coby had dealt with the smaller issues, his attention turned to the enigmatic Serpent’s Manor. The place seemed to have a life of its own, with dark corridors and hidden rooms that were a hotbed of supernatural activity. With Cameron’s help, they carefully assembled a sizable whiteboard in the library, ready to chronicle their discoveries.

Meanwhile, Gracie meticulously filled every available inch of white space on the board with plans for Ewan’s birthday and the impending arrival of their child.

Stepping back, Coby admired the intricate details he had meticulously etched onto the board. At the centre stood the imposing Serpent’s Manor, surrounded by the names Isobel Kerwood, Imogen Creighton, and Alistair Chancellor. Beneath them, he jotted down the names of three children – Lilly, Thomas, and Emily. The name Lilly seemed to perfectly capture the essence of the young ghostly girl he had encountered yesterday. But Coby couldn’t quite place why he thought so, although there was a nagging feeling at the back of his mind that he couldn’t ignore.

Reminders and deadlines swirled around him, causing an overwhelming sense of pressure. Gracie’s approaching due date, the winter deadline for completing his job, Ewan’s birthday, and his publisher’s constant pressure to finish his first draft. Coby knew he had a tendency to become consumed by his work, and Gracie often referred to it as his compulsion. He had his own unique way of getting his work done, and he never failed to accomplish it.

Above all, one thing constantly gnawed at his mind – Isobel’s apparition never appeared, and he couldn’t comprehend why. By now, she should have shown herself, especially since Lady Grimloch confirmed that her wandering spirit was constantly interrupting her sleep. He shifted his focus to her name, hoping to find a clue that would link her downfall to the manor. Beneath her name, the phrase “illicit affair” caught his attention, prompting him to centre his research around it.

Settling into the hard chair in front of his laptop, he eagerly narrated every detail of his recent findings. His fingers effortlessly danced over the keys while the events were still fresh in his memory. Just then, Gracie entered the room, carrying a tray of steaming tea and freshly baked treats. As she placed the cups and saucers down, they clattered slightly.

She leaned in close, her breath warm against his cheek, and planted a soft, lingering kiss. “See you later,” she whispered, her footsteps echoing against the polished hardwood floor.

Coby, surprised, reached up and wiped the trace of lipstick from his cheek. “Where are you going?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice, expecting her to join him for tea.

“Cameron mentioned a storm brewing, so I’m heading out to buy candles,” Gracie replied, her voice fading into the distance. Gracie’s absence left a void, but Coby found solace in immersing himself in his writing.

The deep chimes of the grandfather clock echoed through the house, filling the air with an ominous sound. Coby took a break, savouring the warmth of his tea and the aroma of freshly baked pastries that filled the room. Yet, an unsettling feeling gnawed at his mind, like a silent voice taunting him. Frustration consumed him, as if a thick cloud had settled over his mind, while Isobel’s apparition remained stubbornly hidden. His mind drifted to the rooms he had visited, but then Lady Grimloch’s stern warning resurfaced, echoing in his mind: “the private library is strictly off-limits to guests.”

While he chewed on a flaky pastry, Coby mused over the warning, lost in thought. He decided the risk was worth it. With newfound determination, he whistled a merry tune as he hurried down the eerie hallway. As he leisurely strolled past the aromatic kitchen, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Ewan, sitting in solitude at the breakfast table. Gracie’s heartfelt plea to engage in a conversation with Ewan echoed persistently in his mind. Pausing for a brief moment, he hesitated, contemplating the timing for such a discussion. However, in this moment, there were more pressing matters occupying his thoughts, leaving little room to worry about the natural inclinations of a growing boy’s libido.