Katie
Between the two large stone pillars, a sign hangs precariously by one nail:Eden House. The driveway is long and rutted, and my Honda bounces along, rattling across every bump. It’s a sure bet I will bust a tire. Wooden fencing lines each side of the road, but no two parts seem connected. There is no sign of life in the fields; it’s just an expanse of rolling green grass.
As I reach the peak of the hill, a house comes into view, and it looks nothing like the cozy cottage I was promised. Confused, I stop my car and recheck the Google location. Nope, I’m in the right place.
A man appears on the doorstep of the old gray building. He waves, beckoning me forward. He’s tall, lean, and dressed somberly in a black suit. Vacant eyes run over my dilapidated appearance, the mud on my boots and hole in my jeans the result of the curbside rock I tripped over due to a loud bang frommy car that made me pull over. I’d expected my bumper to be missing, but no, the only casualty was me.
“Good evening, Miss Clark.” His voice is as boring as he looks. “My wife and I will be leaving in twenty minutes. Here’s a letter detailing all the requirements for the land and animals. Your accommodation is at the back of the property. The main house will be locked, and you’ll not require access unless there’s an emergency. A spare key is in the key box in the cottage. You’ll need to call our security team for the code if you need it.”
I nod, stunned.
“Okay, and how can I contact you, sir? If there’s a problem?” I blurt, instantly regretting calling a thirty-year-old ‘sir’.
Blank eyes meet mine. “You can’t. We’ll call you every Sunday at 6 p.m. on the cottage phone. If you don’t answer, I’ll call security to come check on you.”
My jaw drops.
A woman, I assume his wife, totters out the front door and down the steps.
“Jeffery,” she snaps. “We need to go. We have a plane to catch.”
Without so much as a look in my direction, she stalks past me and climbs into an old Rolls Royce, faded with age but still as stylish as hell. He follows, and they bounce off down the bumpy drive, out of sight.
Turning to face the depressing mansion, a chill crawls up my spine. I rush to jump back in my trusty Honda in search of my cottage.
The little house, painted green, is tucked at the back of the property between the trees. I sigh in relief. There’s a white picket fence and a charming thatched roof.
This is more like it.
Holding my instructions, I wander up the short stone path and push open the red front door. Relief fills me as I look around thequaint space. It’s like I’ve been transported back in time to an era of flowery fabric and heavy wooden furniture.
“Meeeeooooww.” A screech behind startles me, and I turn to see a ginger demon sitting in the doorway. It looks me up and down, then hisses violently. I jump back and hold my fingers up in a cross, like I’m warding off a vampire. Grabbing a cushion from the sofa, I hurl it at the creature, and it runs off.
Then I tear open the envelope, remove my instructions and begin to read.
Dear Miss Clark,
Thank you for agreeing to house-sit at Eden House & Grounds. Your accommodation is the “Wee Cottage,” and you should find all the necessities you require inside. If you need any assistance, please contact Ainsley at The Coorey Inn. She will be able to help you.
The animals all have their own living space around the property. Please see the map attached.
In the top field, you will find Spencer the pony, Jimmy the goat, and Patrick the bull. In the pigsty are James and William, the potbellied pigs.
Our bottom field is home to a small herd of reindeer, ten in total. Their names are on their collars.
Marcus, the ginger cat, is not particularly friendly. Please be careful. He will bite. Thomas and Bob, the terrier dogs, roam freely around the grounds. Finally, Robert the rooster and his ladies, Helen, Babs, and Donna, live in the hen coop in the back garden.
The feeding schedule is attached, and all supplies can be found in the hay barn. There is a contact list pinned to the notice board too.
Once again, thank you for agreeing to assist us at Eden House. Please be aware, the main house is out of bounds.
Kind Regards
Jeffery Eden
I stare at the letter in my hands.
A few pets, the advert said. This place is a fucking zoo.