Digging Up the Past

 

Image created in Leonardo Ai 

The old house looked the same. In all the years that have flown by it hadn't changed, although it bared the scars of time. Built in early 1900's it bore the marks of a typical grander Edwardian style house. The red brickwork now faded and the tuckpointing was somewhat dulled, gave the facade a tired look. Its steeply pitched roof and high chimneys with their terracotta finials, stood out against the landscape. 

As I approached closer I could see the panes of the bay window covered in a layer dust. I fumbled in my pocket for the set of keys that would open the large panelled door, the stained glass, an intricate floral pattern in the upper section, was a work of art. 

This property had been hiding in my family for years. I didn't even know it existed until I got that letter from Balm & Beedle Solicitors. You can imagine my surprise when I learned that I had been left this by a Miss Lillian Strap - a very distant relative.

I asked around my family if anyone knew of her. The only one that did was my great grandmother, now 97 years old. She told me that the Staps were connected on my father's side, and that they only had one daughter. She said she once met Lillian when they were girls and she visited that house. After Lillian's parents had died, one after the other, Lillian by then was a grown woman, had made her own life elsewhere.The house had stood empty. Apparently, she was not interested in the property and left it to slowly decay. By the time she died, the house was still standing. Having no offspring herself, had decided to leave it to me. How she knew of me, I'll never know. 

Now as I turned the key in the lock and the door creaked open, light was thrown into what was once darkness and dust motes danced in the air around me.The house seemed to sigh as it awoke from its long sleep. I walked through the hallway, the musty smell of long forgotten carpets, drapes and furniture filled the air. 

I wandered into what I assumed was the front parlor and drew back the curtains, which started to fall apart in my hand. Light filled the room and slowly my eyes adjusted from the dimness to take in my surroundings. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs hung in the corners of the ceiling. Such a high ceiling with an ornate cornice decorating its edges.The room had various pieces of furniture scattered around it and to the far side stood a piano. On its top were several framed photographs and I moved closer to inspect them. I recognised none of them all wearing vintage clothing. 

But one photo I did recognise, or at least it seemed familiar. As I picked it up and took a closer look, I gasped, it was me, it was definitely me. It fell from my hand and for a moment I felt dazed. Picking it up again, my heart thumping in my chest, I took a deep breath and staring once more at the photograph, I gasped again, the photo had changed, it was now someone else. A laughter seemed to echo through the house, as though it was emanating from its walls. A cold feeling crept over me like icy fingers. Was this the reason Lillian ignored the house?

I dropped the photo and hurried back through the hall and out the door, locking it behind me. I too would be ignoring this house, no way would I be digging up the past.