Tangled In Time

The Gates Of King Lodge

As I looked out of the car window, I nudged William's small, dribbling head off my shoulder. A damp patch had already formed where he'd been. He'd slept for most of the four-hour drive.

Four, sticky and cramped hours wedged between a snoring five-year-old and a microwave.

I must have done something evil in a past life.

"How much longer?" I asked, leaning forward to avoid Will's head and the sun that was coming through the window baking me.

"Not much longer," Dad replied, sounding exasperated. I'd been asking that same question for at least an hour, but I couldn't see the satnav from where I was sitting. I pulled off my T-shirt to get some air, leaving me in just my crop top but thankful as I was now convinced the airco in this car didn't actually work. The thought of finally escaping the confines of this sweltering car had me acting like an annoying child. I was excited too—new town, new people, and a chance for a fresh start.

I twisted in my seat to catch a glimpse of my VW bug trailing behind us. Mum was driving it since she reckoned I couldn't do such a long drive. Thomas, my other brother, had snagged the front seat, leaving me stuck in the back with William. Tom had barely spoken for months since we learned about the move. He'd been moody with everyone, even me, though I had nothing to do with Dad's decision to uproot us all. It was Dad's idea—he'd landed a new job in some small town in Yorkshire, and an Edwardian house needing restoration had caught his eye. It was perfect for him: we'd live there while fixing it up, and Dad would continue with the upkeep even after the renovations. I figured Tom resented me for not kicking up a fuss like he did, but honestly, what was the point? They were the adults; they made the choices. So Tom's silent treatment felt pretty pointless to me, especially since it meant he'd rather stew in the front seat than speak to Dad.

Dad's logic made sense—they were in charge, after all—and there wasn't much arguing with that. Sure, I was annoyed at not having a say in such a major decision, but I wasn't heartbroken. Most of my friends had left for uni, and I'd have been stuck at home either way, still unsure what to do next. I suppose it was different for Tom. He was leaving all his friends behind, and I could understand why he wasn't thrilled.

"Well, we've made it to the village," Dad called out, and I looked out the window. A sign loomed up ahead:

**WELCOME TO KINGS LODGE VILLAGE**

**POPULATION: 324**

"Now that we're off the motorway, shall I pull over so you and Mum can swap?" Dad asked. He'd already flicked on the indicator and was pulling into a layby. Mum followed, towing my car behind. We got out to stretch our legs. Mum had packed sandwiches, but only William wanted any. Dad was too eager to just get there now, and Tom still wasn't talking to anyone. I wasn't keen on sweaty tuna mayo.

I used the car window as a mirror, piling my dark hair on top of my head. The curls were starting to frizz from the heat in the backseat.

"Alright, back in the cars," Dad instructed, glancing at Tom. "Tom, you ride with your sister."

We all settled in again, with Tom now next to me. We turned off onto a winding country lane that led us to an impressive sight: tall black gates with ornate gold letters, a "K" and "L," glittering at the top.

Dad's car pulled up in front of the gates, and I followed. Something wasn't right. I watched as Mum, Dad, and Will climbed out of their car, and Tom and I exchanged glances before doing the same.

"They're locked!" Will whined, his round face scrunched up. He ran over and clung to my arm, his dark curls flopping into his eyes. Dad fished his phone from his pocket, shielding his eyes from the sun as sweat trickled down his bald head.

"No signal," he sighed, glancing at his phone, then at the heavy chains locking the gates.

"I'm going to have a look around," Dad said, wiping his brow. "The old caretaker still lives in the cottage on the property." He looked around before saying "I'll be back"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," I teased, wagging a finger. "You know what happens when people say I''ll be back.'" I made a throat-slitting gesture.

Dad chuckled. "Oh, shut it," he said, heading off into the woods that bordered the gates.

"If this gate is locked how will you get onto the property?" Mum asked calling after him and making him stop in his tracks.

Dad thought for a moment and then shrugged "I can climb that"

My mum snorted but left him too it as we watched him disappear.

I turned to Tom, who stood with his hoodie pulled over his head, messy blonde hair sticking out. It was boiling, yet he still kept the hood up. I tugged one of his earphones out. "Think you could lighten up a bit?" I asked. He glared at me and went to put his earphone back in.

"Come on, for Will's sake?" I pressed, leaning my head on his shoulder. He glanced over at Will, who was now hanging off the gate like a little monkey. "When we get up to the house, we could play hide and seek or something, help him settle in. Then I promise you can go back to ignoring everyone." I nodded towards Will.

Tom sighed. "Fine, but I'm still not talking to Dad. Or Mum," he said, pocketing his phone and heading over to Will.

Tom was fifteen, just five years younger than me. We used to be close, but my lack of resistance to the move had put me on his bad side, lumping me in with Mum and Dad. Unlike me, Tom was sociable—he was into sports, always had friends around, and got invited to all the parties.

I wiped my forehead, the sun now feeling even hotter – of all the days for England to actually have a proper summers day we were going to be spending it inside moving into our new home.

I wandered over to Mum, who was lying on the bonnet of my car, blonde hair fanned out. I tapped her forehead. "Oi, could you sweat all over your own car, please?"

She cupped her hands to block out the sun and looked at me sliding off the bonnet. "How's Tom?"

"Brooding," I said, leaning against the car.

"I hope this doesn't last too long," she said, watching Tom tickle Will with a blade of grass.

"Good luck with that, Mum," I replied, bumping her shoulder with mine.

We waited about twenty minutes before Dad re-emerged, an old man trailing behind him, jangling a ring of keys. Will stopped playing and ran to Mum, hiding behind her legs.

I could see why a five-year-old might be scared. The man walked hunched over, almost folded in half, as if in desperate need of a cane but without one. His head was bald, with a few long, thin strands hanging around his face. Gaunt features, watery eyes, and a ghostly complexion gave him an eerie look.

"Guys," Dad called, wiping sweat from his brow, his shirt clinging to his back. "This is Mr Baker."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Annabelle, and this is Felicity, Tom, and..." Mum nudged Will forward, but he stayed hidden. "This is Will."

Tom and I said hello, and I prodded Will until he managed a muffled greeting into Mum's skirt.

"Mr Baker is the groundskeeper. He wasn't expecting us until tomorrow," Dad explained.

"Sorry 'bout that. I lock the gates when I'm not using 'em. Used to open 'em just for cleaning and gardening, but now you'll be here, no need," Mr Baker said, fitting a key into the padlock and handing the chains to Dad.

Now that Mr Baker was closer I could see he wasn't as old as I first thought I would say he was in his mid to late 60's at a push.

"I'll let you drive up, then meet you in twenty minutes for a tour," he said, before shuffling off without waiting for a reply.

"Friendly" I muttered watching as he disappeared back into the forest.

Tom and Dad pulled open the gates, before we got into our cars.

As I rolled my car forward and through the gates the trees seemed to press closer, my chest tightened not from fear exactly but it was as if my body anticipated something my mind hadn't caught up with yet.

Like the calm before the storm.