Our loyal readers had no idea yet about the impending amalgamation, so Doug was writing a special editorial for next week’s edition.

I didn’t envy him that job.

I stared at my screen, not focusing on it. I had decided not to tell either of them about my job application to Goddess. I was worried about jinxing it and decided to wait and see how my application was received first.

I forced myself to focus and finished bashing out several hundred words about Silver Ness’ oldest fishing boat and pinged it over to Doug. I glanced down at my notebook on which I’d scribbled “Merry Wood” a few times. I pictured the fields and Harley tearing away from me, mingled with images of the grand black and white house with its wild gardens.

“Have either of you heard of an old house situated in the fields on the outskirts of Silver Ness? Well, it’s closer to Drummond, actually.”

Frances looked up from her desk, startled, as though I had dragged her away from somewhere else. None of the three of us was coping well with what was taking place, but were trying to muddle our way through the best we could. “What’s the address?” she asked.

“That’s the thing. I don’t have an address as such. The house is called Merry Wood but it’s in the middle of woodland.”

Doug took a thoughtful mouthful of his tar-like coffee as he leant against the sink top “Nope. Never heard of it.”

Frances shook her lowlights. “Me neither. Where did you say it was again?”

“In amongst the fields and woodland between here and Drummond.”

Frances pulled a face. “Blimey. That’s a bit out of the way.”

Doug studied me over the rim of his mug. “You onto something, Leonie?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I took Harley for a walk up there last night. She spotted a fox, chased after it, and I was trying to find her when I came across this strange house.”

Frances gave a small smile. “Haunted, maybe?”

I rolled my eyes. “Deserted, more like.”

Doug sauntered back to his desk. “I’m a bit confused.”

I played with one of my pens. “That’s the thing. The house is all furnished, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone living there. It’s like the place has been abandoned.”

Doug rocked backwards and forwards in his chair. “Maybe give your contacts at the council a ring. See if they know anything.”

“Births, Deaths, and Marriages too,” added Frances. “Check with them as well.”

I nodded, chewing over what they were saying. “That’s what I was thinking.”