Game

Chapter 6

Carpenter Manor came into view after Cameron turned into a lane five miles or so from the village.

From the lane there was a slight bend were now they could see just how impressive the manor was. "Look at this place." Eve said as Cameron drove up the driveway leading to Carpenter Manor.

"Remind me to check my lottery tickets."

It was truly a magnificent mansion. It belonged to the Carpenter family since the seventeen hundreds. Rebuilt over many years to eventually become a place of weekend breaks and wedding parties and events.

An ornate marble fountain, wrapped in vines, and topped with a group of dolphins surrounded by a flower bed, stood in the heart of the drive.

Two sets of wide stone stairs led upward to the entrance.

Cameron parked up. "Now we need to pick up the keys and we're on our way."

Vicky parked behind the civic. Levi followed her as she got out of the VW. The entrance opened up to a reception area with Chesterfield sofas and chairs arranged around oak coffee tables. Burgundy Wilton carpet covered the floors. Levi, in fresh, dry clothing, headed straight for the hearth. The mantlpiece was tall enough for a man to stand in. On the mantelpiece a clock gently ticked the seconds away. He was glad to feel some genuine warmth.

Buiness types were sat around gathered in groups around the tables and at the bar over the other side of the reception area. Levi shifted his feet, he couldn't have felt more out of place. The staff uniform consisted of black sports coats with blue piping, a copper plate C embroidered on the breast pocket, and matching trousers for the male staff and skirts of tasteful length for the female staff. Crisp white shirts, blouses and dark shoes with Blue ties and scarves topped off the uniform.

Cameron found the reception desk, a large wide polished oak affair which, like the rest of the furnishings, wouldn't have been out of place in a gentlemans club.

The receptionist smiled. "Good morning sir, how may I help you?" She said.

"I'm here to collect the keys to the holiday cottage," Cameron said.

The receptionist opened a red ledger and ran a manicured nail down the list.

"Ah, yes the Butchan party." She smiled again and closed the ledger. "One moment please."

Eve found the souvenir shop and took a look round. Vicky waited by the information desk by the window with Andrew. He took a leaflet from the stand it squeaked rudely as he did so. Vicky turned away in mock embarrassment. He saw the gesture and smiled.

Andrew read the Carpenter Manor information.

"Surrounded by a wild landscape of moorland, heathland," he read, "and the ancient Bracken Forest. Carpenter Manor nestles in the heart of Bracken Gate."

"We could see that on the drive down." Vicky said. "Listen to this," he went on. "Boasting, many on site activities such as clay pigeon shooting, archery, badminton, and tennis."

"Sounds like too much hard work for a holiday," Vicky said.

"I might book something, I haven't shot a bow for a couple of months." Andrew said.

Vicky cocked her head, "You're having me on?"

"No," he said. "I've been a member of Hackton Sports club for around ten years now."

"I wouldn't have took you for the sporting type." She said.

"Well, I'm not into team sports. I joined to get myself out of the apartment."

Vicky nodded. "You get bored easily, don't you." It was a statement not a query.

"How would you have guessed?"

"Smart arse."

Andrew continued reading the pamphlet.

"For more relaxing activities we have art courses covering a broad range from still life to pottery lessons."

"No, thanks, I wouldn't mind walking though. The country has some great places to see."

Andrew looked at her. It was his turn to be surprised. He would not have guessed Vicky of all people would think of walking was a worthwhile past time the same way he did. He didn't say as much though instead he carried on reading.

"Carpenter Manor has sixty-two bedrooms," he whistled at this. "I imagined this place might have had forty or something."

"These places had servants once. Can you imagine living here scrubbing all those floors from morning till night?" Vicky said.

"Well, according to this they're all en-suite, with four-poster beds," he read.

"Even worse." Vicky wrinkled her nose.

"...Modern-day comforts that you would need...," he paused. "I wouldn't have supposed they'd have outside toilets."

"Here, let me have a look," Vicky said. Andrew handed her the leaflet.

"Oh look, stunning views over the lawns and gardens," Vicky sounded sarcastically impressed. "And views of the surrounding countryside as well!"

"This place has got seven private meeting and dining rooms." Andrew said.

"That explains this lot," Vicky waved her hand in the general direction of the suited men and adult females.

"An award winning restaurant, excursions to the abbey, traditional crafts centre and activity centre. Blah, blah, blah. It's a fancy sports club." She refolded the leaflet and handed it back.

"It's about an hour away from here." Andrew said. The map on the reverse had all places of interest marked out. He put the leaflet in his pocket.

"As soon as the weather settles," he said, stifling a yawn," I'm going there."

Vicky looked out of the window. Sleet had transformed into a heavy flurry of snow.

"I wouldn't hold out much hope." She said.

Cameron pocketed the keys and thanked the receptionist. He turned around looking for the others. Eve stood by the fire with Levi. She had two fancy looking bags with her bearing the mansion crest. Vicky and Andrew were occupied in some discussion or other beside the window. He called out to them which made a few of the suited and booted wrinkle their faces into expressions of displeasure.

Cameron and his friends were watched as they gathered together and exited the manor.