The Land Lady
The Land Lord
It was seven o'clock a.m. when Mr. John Greenslade awoke and rose out of his bed. Although he was hampered with paperwork all-night he still managed to wake at seven o'clock in the morning. It was a good job that all that he had to do today was check on the new boy.
Whilst on his way to work he got a phone call from his secretary.
"Good morning Mr. Greenslade."
"Good morning Miss Stepson. How can I help you?"
"We have been given a train ticket to Bath. We have been instructed to send you to Bath today."
"Why today?"
"Remember the young boy who we sent to down there last Friday?"
"Yeah I do his name was Billy, Billy Weaver."
"Yes well we got a call from his family saying that they hadn't had a call from him since he'd left London."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"Well you are his boss. You have a lot to do with it."
"Okay well I'll go home, pack some clothes then be at work in a couple of hours, okay?"
"Okay bye."
"See you later."
He did not feel like going away this weekend, he had loads of work to do over the weekend and Mrs. Greenslade was returning from Newcastle tonight and she had promised him a surprise; oh well you have to give up the good life at sometime.
When he finally got to the office it was around ten thirty and his secretary had left the tickets on his desk.
When he got to Bath it was about eight fifteen and he needed to find a place to sleep for the night. He came across a small bed and breakfast. It had a strange sign, which drew him in like a fish caught on a reel and before he knew it he was knocking on the door. There was only silence; he tried a second time, this time he got a reply but it took ...
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When he finally got to the office it was around ten thirty and his secretary had left the tickets on his desk.
When he got to Bath it was about eight fifteen and he needed to find a place to sleep for the night. He came across a small bed and breakfast. It had a strange sign, which drew him in like a fish caught on a reel and before he knew it he was knocking on the door. There was only silence; he tried a second time, this time he got a reply but it took a while.
"Just a minute," cried a panting, croaky voice.
He knocked again.
"Hold on a moment I'm just taking something upstairs."
"I'm 'ere, I'm 'ere. You can stop breaking me door down now."
"H...hi I'm looking for a place to stay the night." He said in a hopefully, pleading voice.
As he looked through the door he could see a small daschund curled up by the fire but as he took a closer look he saw that it was stuffed. It seemed so life like, perfectly preserved its fur blowing in the draught let in by the door being open.
She let him in,
"Just a moment dear, I'll be down in a minute."
She left him alone, with the stuffed dog, alone! By now he had also noticed that the parrot above the entrance to the bed and breakfast was stuffed. It was amazing what people could do with a little fluff and a couple of fake eyes.
"I see that you are interested in my little curly! 'E was such a good little fella 'e was." she said in a sharp voice that startled him.
"Yes well I was just wondering who stuffed him for you."
"I did it me self." she replied sharply but with a down trodden tone to her voice. He decided to change the subject.
"Who else is here with us."
"Oh no-one dear, just you and me."
"So whose is the hat and coat then." he asked abruptly.
"Aah, err," she hesitated, "My last guest must have forgotten them."
"Okay, can you show me to my room. I have an early start in the morning and that was on hell of a journey down here."
"Right this way Mr...?"
"Greenslade. Mr. John Greenslade."
They arrived on the first floor.
"This is my floor. If you find that you ever need anything just knock and I will answer."
They walked up the steps slowly, one by one and slowly one by one he followed her. At last the reached the second floor.
"And this is where you shall be sleeping."
He noticed a third set of stairs.
"Where do tho...?"
"Will you please come downstairs and sign the guest book before you go to sleep. It is open in the sitting room."
"Of course I will."
"Thank you dear. Goodnight."
As she stepped out of the door she thought to herself " he seems a little old, but he's awfully good looking. I will get him."
She walked back into the room. "Sorry to interrupt, but would you like a cup of tea and some biscuits before you go to bed? You must be awful hungry after your journey from? Where is it you are from?" she asked.
"London." He answered.
"London, so would you like some. I heard your stomach rumbling."
"Yes, I will just unpack and then I will be down to sign the book and have a cuppa, thanks."
"You're very welcome dear."
Five minutes passed and he had unpacked. He went downstairs to sign the book.
"I noticed that the last name in the book was Billy Weaver."
"Yes. Why, do you know him?"
"As it happens I do. He is an employee of mine and he happened to go missing. Did he mention where he was going?"
"Going?" she said while handing him the cup of tea. He took a sip and noticed bitter almond straight away. Cyanide.
"Can we swap cups? I don't like too much sugar in my tea." He said shakily.
"Of course not," she said abruptly. "I like my tea the way I make it. Just bring your cup into the kitchen."
As he walked into the kitchen he saw her cup lying on the sideboard. He quickly changed the cups.
"I'll make my own cup," he said before she poured a new one.
"Fine, go on then," she went back inside and sat down. "I'm never gonna to get this one," she thought. "Oh well, he can stay and go tomorrow."
She took a sip of her tea "Hmm, tastes different. Like bitter almonds or something similar."
Mr Greenslade walked back in and sat down beside her. She took a big gulp, and another, and another until all was finished. "I feel a little faint. I think I'll go to bed."
"So will I. Goodnight."
"See you in the mor-morning." "Ahh," she yawned.
"Don't bet on it" he mumbled under his breath so that she couldn't hear him.
It was around 4am when he heard a bang on the floor. He walked down the stairs as quickly as he could and carried the weighty body up the stairs. "I think I may like it here after all. Taxidermy doesn't seem like such a bad profession."
The End
Ryan Sorhaindo 10LE
