The Secret – Jackie Lane

            The estate agent opened the front door revealing a large hallway with a grand, sweeping oak staircase in the centre. Jess felt shivery vibes run through her body as she gazed around taking in the atmosphere of the old house. The agent led her around the various rooms including a spacious sitting room with French doors leading to the garden, a large dated kitchen and a generous dining room. The four ample bedrooms were ideal for her large family. Jess had fallen in love with this slightly tired old house. The gardens revealed more enchantment with sweeping lawns, tall trees and neglected flowerbeds filled with spring flowers fighting to escape the strangling weeds. 

Jess was also intrigued by two small windows on what appeared to be a third storey but the agent said there was no record of another floor. Jess  tried to suppress her excitement not wanting to make the agent too aware of her feelings as it all depended on the price .She rushed home to discuss the purchase with her husband Tim who was guided by his head not his heart. She needed someone sensible to decide. Jess had already decided and nothing would persuade her not to buy this wonderful house.

The sale for “The Trees” was agreed and moving in day arrived. The morning, although cold was dry which was very suitable for unpacking from Johnson’s removal van. Jess’ excitement could not be contained. She jumped up and down on the spot like a three year old anticipating presents on her birthday. Her enthusiasm spurred her to unpack with ferocity unable to stop until every piece of furniture was in its place. The removal men although encouraged by her enthusiasm began to tire. Tim decided to make them coffee as he was waning too. Revived by this welcome break they all completed the task by lunchtime. The van drove off. Jess and Tim flopped down in the nearest chairs to catch their breath.

The following day the children arrived with Nanna. They spilled out of a worn Land Rover like baked beans from the tin at tea time. First appeared Toby a sturdy nine year old full of life, followed closely by Taylor a real tom boy of seven. Next was the delightful three year old, fairy-like Angel whose smile could melt the severest heart. Finally clutching tightly to Nanna was ten month old George whose plump legs dangled from his chubby body. Jess and Tim hugged the children ushering them into the house to let them explore. They rushed through the rooms screaming at each new discovery, clambering up the staircase to find their bedrooms and finally discovering the garden.

The family settled into everyday life with the two eldest at school and the youngest both asleep, Jess decided to explore. She had been puzzled by the two windows on what seemed to be a third floor. She looked for signs of a door to reach this floor but nothing was apparent. No hidden door handles lurked in built in cupboards   or wardrobes but Jess would not be beaten. She would try again another day.

The next day when the babies were fast asleep Jess decided to search for a hidden door again. First she must pack all the bed linen, towels and various items of underwear into the airing cupboard on the landing. She sorted as quickly as she was able, her heart beating rapidly as she anticipated the search ahead. Various items fell to the floor. As she bent to retrieve them she noticed a panel in the side of the cupboard with a small metal knob. She turned the knob which seemed at first to resist her efforts but gradually it moved and the door opened to a reveal small staircase. Jess could hardly breathe as she, armed with a torch, climbed up to the unknown.

 At the top of the stairs it opened up into a large dusty room which seemed to have been untouched for centuries. Cobwebs hung from every possible place, their lacy embroidery   giving an eerie atmosphere to the room. Shining her torch around the attic she could see furniture from a bygone age, boxes whose contents were still to discover and an old rocking horse that had seen better days. Moving through the attic Jess could see another door. Her instinct for discovery encouraged her to cross the creaky floor boards to open the door.

The second attic space gave Jess a sense of sadness which she could not understand. This too held many relics from the past including a battered suitcase. She opened it to discover tiny, with delicate embroidery and beautifully preserved baby clothes wrapped in tissue paper. The sound of a crying baby startled her bringing her to her senses. No, it was not from the clothes as she realised her own babies’ were awake.

Jess had to put aside her investigations until the weekend as her motherly duties encroached on further probing. This did not stop her thinking who did the clothes belong to? Were they ever worn? Why were they left in the attic? Her thoughts were mixed up with feelings of sadness, did the baby die or was had the baby been born secretly and was buried in the garden? She shuddered at these morbid thoughts. She decided she would do some research of the house as it dated back to the Victorian era.

Her next visit to the attic revealed more information, as tucked away in the side of the suitcase were some sepia photos. They were pictures of a young baby dressed in the very clothes she had found. She realised the baby had actually worn them and they had not been made in vain .Jess needed to know more about this mystery child. She decided to search on the internet looking at the census records for “The Trees.” The eighteen fifty-one census gave Mr Gerald Carter as head of the household with his wife Constance, and a fifteen year old daughter Lily but no record of a baby. Since the house was built in Eighteen forty nine Jess needed to look for the eighteen sixty-one census. This showed the same family minus the daughter who would be now twenty five. She was puzzled as on the photos was written Adeline, eighteen fifty two. More investigation was needed.

Jess found she had become completely obsessed to find out more and decided to take the children for their afternoon walk to the little churchyard in the village. The gravestones were worn away with age making it difficult to read them. In the corner under an old yew tree she found a small stone with the engraving:

Our darling daughter Lily and her infant daughter Adeline

Taken from us 1852 age 16 years and age 4 days

God bless the little children

Jess felt sad to realise the fate of these two young lives but the mystery was solved and she would treasure the little clothes and photos found in the attic and show them to her own children in the future.

...ooOoo...