The main themes in this story are fear, isolation and the influence of the past. These are presented through the setting, characters and the layered storytelling structure.
My name is Ivan Allen. When I was a young man. I worked in London. I was a solicitor. I worked for the same company all my life.
Fourteen years ago, I bought this house called Monk's Piece. I live here with my dear wife, Fierré.
Fierré's first husband had died. She was a widow when I married her. I became the father of her four young children. Our years at Monk's Piece have been happy ones.
It was in my armchair, listening to the laughter and the talkings. 'Wake up, Father!' someone called. 'we're going to tell ghost stories!'
The lights were turned off. Suddenly the room was dark and shadowy. I smiled as I listened to the young people's stories. The stories were full of horror, but they did not frighten me. They were not true.
Then I remembered. I remembered terrible things. These memories were terrible - because they were true.
'Tell us a ghost story, Father!' someone cried. 'You must know one!'
I stood up, cold and shaking.
'No, no!' I shouted. 'I have no story to tell.'
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I hurried from the room, away from them all. I went out into the garden. I stood there in the cold and in darkness. My heart was beating fast. I was shaking with fear. Will I never forget? Will I never find peace?
How can I find peace? There is only one way. I must write clown in my terrible story. All the horror, everything. Then I will have some peace.
I turned and walked back into the house.
———
[Author's POV: In the previous chapter, it is written that Sophie was about to marry Ivan. And even the couple were married for some years but why did Ivan said that his wife is Fierré? It will be revealed at the last chapter of this story.]
