The Mystery Of Eastwick Manor

Chapter Two - Strange Encounters

Amelie had been at the house for a couple of hours. She had been learning her bearings so she can navigate her way around Eastwick Manor. She hasn't seen much of her governess Mrs Allen since she arrived at the estate and goes to look for her. As Amelie walks through the straight, dark, long hallways of the house she spots her Great Aunt Esmeralda lurking in the corner.
"Hello Aunt Esmeralda. I was wondering if you have seen Mrs Allen anywhere?" Amelie asked politely. Esmeralda looked at Amelie with a strange expression.
"Mrs Allen? Well if I be honest I haven't seen her since I showed her to her bedroom. Don't worry Amelie. Mrs Allen isn't your caregiver anymore. I am. You only need her for your studies. Let me or your assistant Clara help you with your worries."

As Amelie listened to Esmeralda she felt a little hurt that Esmeralda didn't want Mrs Allen to care for Amelie and spend as much time with her as they used to. Amelie had a tear in her eye and Esmeralda noticed this.
"Amelie don't cry. Mrs Allen isn't your family. I am. Trust me it'll do you good to not rely on educators like Mrs Allen."
Amelie just stared at Esmeralda and felt many emotions. Sadness, anger, fear. She took a deep breath so she didn't get angry at Esmeralda.
"Look Aunt Esmeralda. Mrs Allen has been caring for since my mother and father died in the sinking of the Titanic. You have no clue how hard that has been for me to be without my parents. Mrs Allen stepped up and treated me like I was her own. It would be unfair if you've stopped me to have a caring relationship with her as she knows me better than anybody else does."

Esmeralda looks at Amelie and then Amelie walks away. She walks around the house in search of Mrs Allen. She notices a lot of strange things going on around her. Everything looked really old and unmaintained. She noticed old paintings on the wall that looked like they would fall off at any moment. The floor boards were creaking. Most of the doors were locked and out of bounds.
"This house doesn't seem right." Amelie quietly whispered to herself.
"Something isn't right. Aunt Esmeralda doesn't want me to see Mrs Allen. Half of the house is out of bounds. What is going on here I wonder?"

Amelie walks through the house and eventually finds Mrs Allen's bedroom. She knocks on the door.
"Mrs Allen? It's Amelie can I come in?"
"Of course Amelie." Mrs Allen replied.
Amelie walked into Mrs Allen's room with a worried look on her face and tears in her eyes.
"What's happened Amelie you look like you've seen a ghost?" Mrs Allen asked with confusion.
Amelie then burst into tears and was crying her eyes out.
"Mrs Allen I hate it here. Great Aunt Esmeralda doesn't want me to see you anymore."

Mrs Allen looks into Amelie's eyes and sees her distress. She's heartbroken by the fact that Esmeralda wants the two of them to not be as close as they have always been since the death of Amelie's parents. She gives Amelie the biggest hug and whispers to her.
"You'll be ok Amelie I know you're a fighter and I know we can both get through this. It's not like she's sent me away back to London. I will still see you when I teach you."

"Mrs Allen it won't be the same. You've always looked after me and I don't feel comfortable with someone else doing what you've done for me." Amelie cried. Tears were filling up her eyes blurring her vision.

Later on that day, Amelie was exploring more of the house trying to learn her way around. She took a visit to the gardens. They were all so beautiful. There were little rope swings tied to the willow trees. Roses, bluebells and lavender were all growing around the gardens. As well as a variety of other flowers. It was a really nice place for Amelie to come. She knew instantly it'll be somewhere safe for her to be. She then walks back inside and decides to go back to the library to have a read of some of the books that Great Aunt Esmeralda has in the house.

Amelie wanders through the old dusty library, there were so many books on the shelves. Ranging from Shakespeare to Dickens. She has a good look around to try and find one that may interest her. As she pulls one of the books out a letter drops to the floor. It wasn't addressed to anyone. It just said 'Whoever may find this' on the envelope. Amelie looked at it in confusion. She was intrigued to what this letter might say. She opens it quickly to see what it says and so then no one finds it. Amelie rushes over to a table and places the letter down so she can wipe the dust off it.

Amelie quietly reads it to herself.

'To whoever may find this letter first,

You maybe confused as to what this means. But I want you to follow these instructions very clearly.
In the west side of Eastwick Manor, there is an abandoned room. It used to be an old sitting area. There will be dust sheets covering some of the items in this room. Look for one that's next to an old painting of Sir Eastwick. And you will uncover a door. I won't tell you what's through this door. That is your decision to make.

Signed
Anonymous'

Amelie hides the letter up her sleeve of her dress and runs out of the library.