THE WORLD OF NICHOLAS MALLET. Copyright 2002
When being driven by my sister, with my mother who loved an afternoon drive, near the New Forest, we came across a large mansion with a front pediment, down a long driveway, I thought the colour of the mansion garish. But it was set in a lovely dell and surrounded by old trees. I also imagined a small river behind the mansion. We were there just briefly only passing slowly. When my sister delivered us safely home I got fingers to laptop. As I was on holiday from Australia I must have got a little home sick! Well yes I could had thought of another name other than Nicholas but I didn’t! By the way I have lovely siblings, so this story is based on imagination only! Or did someone whisper it in my ear, perhaps Alex!
Chapter One. Looking for a home.
Beneath the bower of two tulip trees, two figures lay peacefully side-by-side, their fingers entwined, both listening to the sound of the leaves brushing against one another in the summer breeze. A fourth honeymoon to celebrate, some real time together.
After a while they began their exertions once again. Eight months and fourteen days later a son was born, the fourth boy, fifth in line after the daughter who was three years older. They named him Nicholas, but were still bitterly disappointed. They had wanted another girl after all to take care of the hand me downs and to even up the children.
Shirley and Bill forked out the old baby clothes once again; the pram stroller was decrepit, but would at a pinch last for one more time. So the old clothes and fifth hand stroller would follow young Nick throughout his childhood, always the smallest and the easiest to cloth. Often dressed in an assortment of his sibling’s old clothes. Nick would be easy to find with his cream coloured bubbly hair and high-pitched voice. Made louder as the elders constantly teased him unmercifully. After all, who would wear an old dress over a patched pair of shorts? Gary was the worst, just four years older, taller and slimmer and a bully to boot.
Tamara would side with Gary, whenever Nick complained, she took the side of the elder who ever that might be, and thus Nick was looked upon as an inveterate liar.
The Estate Agent drove quickly through the narrow lanes with barely a glance at the autumn colours.
“Soon be there Mr. Mallet” he eyed his client’s golden head. The head merely nodded.
They seemed to have travelled an age through these country roads. Nick wasn’t surprised that they seemed to slow down at every house or farm for sale. He supposed the agent was sizing up the opposition and how many properties were on their books. He smiled inwardly nothing so far seen had interested him.
“A bit run down, but you’d expect that after a few decades of absence. But the grounds are extensive with the Avon running near the boundary. And water rights as well.” The Agent quickly glanced at him but no reaction. Strange one this he thought.
“Village about a mile away, down stream if you get my meaning, but it’s a fair price, buy it myself if I had the loot!”
Nick nodded, uninhabited for decades, run down, extensive gardens probably over grown, priced to sell quickly, it seemed a snip at the price but that was the problem. Still worth a look, New Forest and all that. Far from the maddening crowd. Now who said that?
But he just nodded and as they reached a gravel road with sprouts of grass seeping up.
“Far is it now?”
“Just along here.”
Just along here took another ten minutes and a bumpy rutted track. They slowed as two stone piers beside a two rusty metal gates came into view. The Agent got out and pushes the gates wide open then drove through.
“Not locked?”
“No need round here, nobody would come this way, they’d rupture their suspension.”
“Locals?”
“None as far as I know one foresters house bit further over the bridge. But turn left at the start of the gravel leads you to the village. Well you said you wanted somewhere substantial and quite”.
“I did indeed Mr. Denton, by the way I did not see your Agents sign here.”
“Well we did have one, in fact we put five in all, but they keep getting blown away!”
Denton drove down a narrow curved tarmac road set between a wide avenue of huge beech trees. Soon a palladium style house came into view, Denton stopped the car by the imposing front steps.
“Think I’ll sit over there on that garden seat whilst you peruse the house in your own time” Denton handed over the house keys and locking the car strolled over to a bench seat.
Nick clambered up the four stone steps and used the large door key to turn the lock, then pushed. The solid oak door didn’t budge so he turned the key back and pushed again, this time the door swung open. To his surprise an elderly man in black stood patiently waiting for him.
“What an idiot I am. It was already unlocked; you must be the agent’s man to show me around. I trust we haven’t kept you waiting.”
“Indeed not Sir, you have both arrived on time, and in good time.” He bowed and then ushered Nick into the house. “Feel free to wander about as you wish, I would suggest the attic rooms first and then down to each floor.”
“How many are there?”
“Three floors, no basement as the water table is high and the house itself was built upon a plateau, thus the steps outside. If you would come this way, the servants staircase and is most useful to reach all floors.”
Nick traversed the various floors without incidence, one of the attic bedrooms had a small glass pane missing and shards of glass lay on the inside, a blackbird’s nest lay in the corner with five little beaks actively searching for food. A small pebble had caught under the door when he had first opened it and had scraped floor, he picked the pebble up and put it into his pocket. When he returned to the ground floor the caretaker had disappeared so he closed the front door and joined Denton on the bench.
“No furniture to speak of but I didn’t expect any not for the asking price, have you had many people interested in the property?”
“We’ve had a fair number look over it, but take a walk down by the river and just see what you get, admittedly the garden is unkempt but there’s 500 acres in the property as a whole, a worthwhile investment I’d say”
“Here are your keys to the house, didn’t need them really as the caretaker had unlocked the door already, seemed a nice sort of chap.”
Denton blanched but said nothing, so Nick strolled off along the path toward the river. He thought he smelt smoke as the pathway veered around the house rear and on down to the riverbank. There lay a decrepit boat ramp half submerged and a small wood fire burning brightly in a rock circle by a roughly made bivouac. Nick peeked inside and found two overcoats in the back. He heard voices coming toward him and two lads came along the riverbank. They were startled when they saw him and were ready to run.
“No just hold on there, I’m just a visitor here, do you guys live here?”
“We live over there, the white cottage but we come here to fish.”
“And get away from the family no doubt!” said Nick.
“No just fish, and cook as well, you see our fire.”
“Indeed and looks a pretty safe to me surrounded by river rocks and pebbles.” Nick dug into his pocket, “ I’ve got this purple one to add to your fire surround.”
Before he could place one of the boys took it from him.
“My best one, Ash here nicked it last summer, didn’t you?” The boy turned to the younger one.
“I lost it Jack.” Replied the other sheepishly.
“I found a broken pane up in the attic there, the stone was in the room.”
“You won’t say anything will you to the gentleman in the house will you sir, he advised us we could build our shelter and fire here and we wouldn’t want to be asked to leave.”
“No I wont say anything. But tell me what you know about this place?”
“You thinking of buying it then?” Jack the elder put a small branch on the fire and placed a fish carefully on top.
“I guess it would be better to skewer the fish so you can rotate it.” Nick grabbed a piece of willow branch and cleaned off the leaves, then handed to Jack who lifted the fish from the fire and thrust the stick through the mouth and tail.
“Where did you learn that?”
“A long way south of here,” Nick smiled as the lads sat down to cook their fish.
“No rod.” Nick said more to himself but the boys pointed up stream where they had come from.
“The road bridge just up there, that’s how we get here from the cottage, if you want to know more ask Dad and Mum they’ve been here years, you can see our cottage through those birch trees.” Jack pointed across the river.
“Indeed I can, I have to go now, the Estate Agent is waiting, and I may pop in tomorrow if that’s convenient. Please ask your parents.”
“Best make the evening, Dad be home then.”
Nick nodded and returned up the pathway to rejoin Denton, who had moved into the car.
“Well any interest in the place”, he looked across at Nick when the passenger he was seated.
“Maybe, perhaps, but one more visit tomorrow. No don’t worry I have a hire car to bring me, just have a chat to the neighbours. Incidentally I’m surprised no one has taken a fancy to it, seems a great buy for the price.”
Denton stopped the car and got out to open the gates, he then got in again and drove through.
“I’ll close them,” said Nick and got out and swung the rusty iron gates closed.
“Probably because no one lives there any more, the atmosphere of the place if you get my meaning.” Denton looked squarely at Nick, “We don’t have a caretaker in the house nor any colleague of mine. You are the fifth one to tell me about an aged gentleman showing you around.”
“Well he didn’t actually, just pointed to the staff staircase and left me.”
“And how did the house feel on your perambulations through it?”
“Right, a bit of dust here and there, rooms seemed empty, save for a desk and chair in one plus a broken pane of glass up in the attic.”
“Right so how did the house feel about you?”
“That’s an odd question, but I’d say welcoming.”
“Really, most of those interested in viewing had found it the opposite. To be truthful I wouldn’t feel right about selling it without asking you that question. I myself have only been through the one time and to be frank once was enough!”
“You didn’t see the old gentleman then?”
“No but I got the distinct impression I was not wanted!”
“May I ask who will be the beneficiaries of the sale, are there family members left?”
“Of the Malling family, possibly not. In fact the estate was willed to the village as a whole, presumably for upkeep of the various facilities, such as the playing fields and memorial hall. You would need to ask around the village we are only interested getting it off our books quickly.”
“Thus the reduced price.”
Denton shrugged and drove them back through the forest now gloomy in the dusk.
xxx
Chapter Two. A home is found, complete with a resident family.
Nick found the road bridge and turned into the track that led to the white cottage. There was a Forestry Land rover parked on the small lawn so he drove in beside it. A short stout man came out the cottage and signalled him to come inside.
“Names Trent, Tom Trent and this here is my wife Florence. Jack told us you would come by, thinking of buying the old manor house he told us.”
Jack was sitting at the kitchen table and nodded. There was no sign of Ash and presumed as he was the younger he was in bed. He looked at his watch and it was past nine.
“I apologise for it being so late and this will only take a few minutes.”
“If it’s about the boys building a shelter on the bank over there, they were given permission by the old caretaker. Florence can’t understand why they couldn’t build in our yard but still that’s lads.”
“ I was just after some information on the property and the people who used to own it. The lads are welcome as I also saw the old gentleman and he seemed a pleasant sort of chap.”
“Well then,” Florence beckoned to the table, “have a sit now. Tom has been here thirty years now and he’s never been over the once. I went over when we married just to introduce myself and got short shift from them. Rang that huge bell and rattled that massive door, but never a peep. Felt quite eerie that place, spooked me up. I come from the village and heard all sorts of stories about the place, none of them pleasant.”
Nick nodded, Florence continued.
“Sometimes at night we see lights on in the upper floors, but we know nothing other than when its sold the village will gets its proceeds. What did you say your name was?”
“Nick Mallet.”
All this time Tom Trent had been nodding his agreement so Nick decided to leave them and he was ushered out into the night. He shook Tom’s hand and he whispered.
“Florrie’s not herself these days, we cope though.”
Just then they heard a high-pitched voice come from the barn.
“Be that you Uncle Tom?”
“Me and Mr. Mallet both, he’s come about the big house, now you get some sleep now young Ash and school tomorrow.” Tom turned to Nick,
“Sleeps in the barn, Florrie won’t have him in the house poor lad, not since he dropped her ruby glass, he be my dead sisters lad, now so we have him here. Company for our Jack you see.”
“Thank you Tom, I’ll pop over to the Manor another time but I am interested in it, goodnight.” Nick drove back over the bridge and was just about to turn towards the Ringwood road when he spotted the old caretaker by the roadside. He stopped and opened the window.
“Do you want a lift Mr.?”
“Dunning Sir, just Dunning, and yes that be most welcome. Just turn here the right and you’ll see our entrance a little way along.”
They drove through the old iron gates and down the beech drive stopping in front of the steps.
“Be obliged if you could come in for a moment Mr. Mallet.” Nick followed Dunning up the steps into the house. The ground floor was ablaze with candles perched on three and two branched silver candlesticks on the floor.
“My apologies Master Nick we couldn’t place them any higher.”
“No furniture?”
Dunning nodded.
“Just along here to the kitchen, I’m sure Alice will have made a nice cup of tea.”
“Alice?”
“My wife”
They passed the main staircase and preceded along a side corridor, and then they came to a glass-panelled door and wonders of wonders a long refectory table with a dozen chairs and a large candle spluttering in a dish.
“Very medieval, and a Ray-burn to boot! Pleased to meet you Mrs. Dunning I do hope we have not put you to any trouble.” Mrs Dunning turned to a cream coloured teapot and poured a cup, which she then gently pushed toward him.
“Please do sit down Master Nick” Dunning indicated a chair. “Could you please advise me of your intentions to purchase the manor?”
“I can understand you wanting to ask me intentions but I can assure you both your jobs would be secure if I did buy the property.”
“That’s kind of you Sir, to consider us, however I’m asking on behalf of the Master and Mistress.”
“Of this house you mean?”
“Indeed.”
“I am seriously considering the property but cannot understand why it is so cheap, I wonder if I should engage surveyor, perhaps its roof or foundations are at fault. There’s an old saying in civil law about a buyer should be wary of a deal that seems too good.”
“Of course it’s a dam good deal my boy, and there absolutely nothing wrong with the house.” Nick spun round in his chair and there seated at the end of the table sat a middle aged man dressed in tweeds. The problem was that Nick could plainly see the chair back behind the man.
“ Ah, so the place is haunted that rather explains the cheap price and the strange goings on as reported by Mrs. Trent. Where do you keep the coffins then, do I run to fetch my gun, or stake, perhaps a silver bullet? ”
“Don’t talk absolute nonsense Mr Mallet, and never mention Florence Trent’s name in this house. Certainly I am not as I would seem, but I can assure I have no intention of harming you. Apologies for the shock, however we are getting rather fed up at the constant visitations and no sale.”
“May I ask who you are?”
“The names Malling, not to different from you own. We took a vote yesterday and have decided to offer the position, in short, part owner of the house.”
Nicks mouth dropped.
“Now drink you tea. Alice has made it very sweet which I understand is good for shock.” Malling then lifted his arm and swept it over the other chairs, two women and two young men suddenly appeared.
“Father, I wish you wouldn’t swish us in so fast it affects the balance of my ectoplasm whatever its called.”
“Ectoplasm” said the elder.
“Peter” he said nodding to Nick
“Alex” said the younger.
“My wife Lady Celia and my daughter in law Joan, Peter’s wife” Malling flourished his hands again and two ladies came into view, he wondered how many more spectres were to appear. But the younger lady kept flickering on and off.
“My wife is somewhat shy of strangers, but that’s the family” Peter smiled.
“You mind read as well.”
They all nodded.
“Presumably you gave everyone else the rattling chains and groans?” Nick looked at Lady Celia.
“I did no such thing young man, but I cannot vouch for the others.”
“There’s another thing Sir Horace.” Dunning raised his frame slowly from his seat.
“Indeed Dunning, but first things first, Mr. Mallet do you have enough
cash or whatever to purchase the manor and its land and provide furniture to
restore the house.’
”I do have sufficient funds to cover the sale and legal fees. Plus enough left
over to rewire the house for electricity and maybe furnish a small flat.”
“Then that is decided, we welcome you into our home, you will be joint owner with myself. In future you can call me HE.”
“His Excellency? "
“Don’t be frivolous Nick, my name is Sir Horace Edgar. We shall call you Nick. Everybody in agreement say Aye?” and there was a chorus of Ayes. Nick wondered what he had let himself in for but managed to say Aye to himself, at least Peter would have heard.
“Yes I did” came Peter’s far off disappearing voice. The Dunnings were still there.
“What was the other, Mr Dunning”?
“Well Master Nick, it concerns one of the boys over the river, but I think the master is more concerned with wrapping up the property, no doubt the other will come up soon enough.”
“You will excuse me if I ask if you were both employed by the Malling family?”
“Once Master Nick, we keep ourselves to