Let's Not And Say We Did

They crept into a long, narrow hallway, dominated by huge portraits in highly embellished gilt frames. All the painted faces seem to be looking at me, Dave thought, the draughts chilling his ankles. Oh, Christ, this is a caper to end all capers...

Dave remembered Anna’s description and decided to try upstairs. He pointed upwards and Ernie followed, keeping an eye on the other doors downstairs. So far, no noise or any activity. The stairs stopped at a small landing and then continued up to the left. A window on the landing provided a good lookout point and Ernie gave the all-clear, as Dave went to the top of the stairs.

A long corridor revealed four doors. Dave made his way to the end of the corridor and gingerly tried the door. It opened into a large room with a double bed in the middle of it. The floor was bare, with varnished boards. There was a bay window but no signs of any mirrors or evidence of any burning, although Dave swore he could smell smoke. His imagination was running amok and he felt a chill from his toes shoot up his back. There was a walk-in wardrobe, empty apart from a pair of riding boots and a hacking jacket. There was nothing in the pockets.

The lads went into another room and found nothing. Two other doors were locked. Ernie picked the lock and managed to open one of them. Dave followed him in and stopped dead in his tracks. There wasn’t a bed or mirrors or signs of fire, but there was the slight stench of cellulose thinners. He used thinners at work - he knew the smell. He rushed to the wardrobe and looked in. There were definite signs of removed fixtures and fittings, but no evidence of any film equipment or sex appliances. An adjoining room revealed nothing either. Dave sat on the floor and cupped his head in his hands.

Ernie walked into the small room, shining his torch into Dave’s eyes.

‘There’s nothing,’ Dave said. ‘It can’t be the place, and yet I can feel this strange atmosphere - but I can’t put my finger on it.’
“Yes, Ernie agreed. ‘It’s a rum place. I did find this, on the landing behind a water pipe. The torchlight picked it out.’ Ernie held out his hand and a silver chain swung from his forefinger.
Dave stared at the silver scarab and burst into tears. He stood up and embraced Ernie. You’ve done it! You’ve found it! That’s it! This is the bloody place!’