The Mystery Of Eastwick Manor

Chapter Three - The Disappearance of Clara Atkinson

The next morning, Amelie woke to expect her assistant Clara to be there. But she wasn't. There was another of one of Esmeralda's many staff in her bedroom.
"Who are you?" Amelie asked whilst rubbing her eyes. "Where is Clara?"

The woman looked at Amelie with a very strange face.
"Clara didn't show up this morning. We have no clue where she is. Your Great Aunt Esmeralda has sent someone to her house to check if she's ok."

Amelie looked very anxious when she heard this. She was hoping to improve her bond with Clara. And didn't like the sound of her not being here.

"What's your name? As I haven't met you yet." Amelie asked the assistant.

"My name is Lucy. And I'll be keeping an eye on you until Clara returns." Lucy responded to Amelie looking at her with an agitated face.

Lucy helped Amelie get ready. She tightened eher corset and made sure her dress looked presentable. She then led Amelie downstairs to the dining room where Great Aunt Esmeralda was sat.

"Good morning Amelie. Take a seat!" Esmeralda greeted Amelie with her cold smile. And invited Amelie to a chair next to her. Amelie sat down quickly with a nervous face. She looked around at the table and saw Mrs Allen was missing.

"May I ask where Mrs Allen is?" Amelie asked politely. Esmeralda looked at Amelie with a glare of disapproval with what she heard Amelie ask.

"Your dear Mrs Allen has already eaten, she is in the study preparing work for your lessons. I feel like it is better that you only spend time with her for educational purposes. She isn't family to you Amelie. She is not your primary caregiver, I am. Please respect that Amelie."

Amelie looked at Esmeralda and just nodded. She felt hurt once again and started to eat the food that was in front of her. Suddenly another member of Esmeralda's staff walked in to give Esmeralda news about Clara's disappearance.

"Lady Westland, I have just located the house of Clara Atkinson and she wasn't home. It seems that she has made a disappearance. My advice would be to call the police immediately." The man told Esmeralda with a look of concern. Amelie overheard this and felt even more worried.

Esmeralda quickly dismissed herself from Amelie and told Lucy to keep an eye on her. She frantically ran to the telephone in the drawing room located next door and dialled the number to the local police station. She told them what's happened and was told that an officer would be there soon.

Around half an hour after the phone call was made. An officer shows up at the door of Eastwick Manor, Lucy answers it and shows the officer to the drawing room where Esmeralda and Amelie were sat.

"This is Officer Matthew, Lady Westland. I'll leave him with you." Lucy commented to Esmerelda.

"Hello officer it is a pleasure to meet you." Esmeralda says while trying to stay calm.
"We have a missing person case to report, it's one of my house staff. Clara Atkinson. She's been keeping an eye on my niece who's just arrived and she's suddenly made a disappearance." Esmeralda explained to Officer Matthew. He noted it all down in a small black notebook.

"Ok so Clara Atkinson. Any information about her? Background, appearance. Anything I can use to help track her down?" Officer Matthew asked Esmeralda. Esmeralda then begins describe Clara's appearance and background information.

"She's of a height around 5ft and 7 inches. She has long brown hair, blue eyes. A generally polite and helpful person to be around. She's worked for me for around four years now and her background is mainly working in service."

Officer Matthew continued noting this all down.
"Okay will I think that's all the info. I will begin a search for her and I'll keep you updated." Officer Matthew smiled as he left the house.

Esmeralda dismissed Amelie from the drawing room. Amelie quickly ran to her bedroom to get the mysterious letter from her room that she hid in a chest on her vanity. She quickly hid it up her sleeve as she heard footsteps and a knock on her door.

"You may enter." Amelie said quickly.

Mrs Allen, Amelie's governess then walked into her bedroom. Amelie was very pleased to see her but didn't tell her about the letter.

"Mrs Allen!" Amelie gasped.
"I am so pleased to see you I've hardly seen you since we've moved here. Great Aunt Esmeralda won't let me see you it's horrible."

Mrs Allen laughed slightly and held Amelie close to her.
"Oh Amelie, I know it's difficult but you're doing so well. Esmeralda is family now so it'll be something you have to get used to. But don't worry you'll still see me when I teach you. That won't change I'll always be your governess."

Amelie smiled at Mrs Allen. She was happy just to be in her presence again as this has been the longest time she's been away from her since the death of her parents.

"Did you hear about the disappearance of Clara my assistant Mrs Allen? I have to have a temporary assistant called Lucy. She seems ok but I prefer Clara more." Amelie told Mrs Allen with a disappointing look.

Mrs Allen nodded in response.
"Yes Amelie I did hear about that. I'm sure the police will find her eventually. She'll be ok. How about we go to the study area so then we can start our learning for today?" Mrs Allen asked Amelie trying to cheer her up.

"Yes I would like that a lot Mrs Allen." Amelie smiled back at her.

The two of them walked to the study area where Mrs Allen was going to now teach Amelie at Eastwick Manor. The room was a small room with a chalkboard, a selection of books from the main library. They both sat down and began their lesson. Amelie tried very hard to make sure the letter didn't slip out from her sleeve. As she didn't want Mrs Allen finding out. And there was still no news on the disappearance of Clara.