Curse of Ridgeway House Ch 2
By Astropirate
Jane waited patiently but nervously for her latest client at the end of the pathway that led to Ridgeway House. Paul Redmond, a forty-seven year old architect, had contacted the Estate Agents about the property. He explained that his firm were opening a new office in Brookford and Ridgeway house seemed like the ideal location for him, his wife and other family members. It was secluded and in the outskirts of the town.
Jane sighed as she saw the blue car arrive. She got out of her own car to greet the couple, who Jane correctly guessed were Mr and Mrs Redmond.
"Hello, Mrs Madden. I'm Paul Redmond and this is my wife, Shirley," he said cheerfully as he shook the Estate Agent's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you both," responded Jane with a smile and led the couple up the pathway as they followed her in the car.
Paul Redmond took a few moments to survey the outside of the building touching various points of it with his hands and just giving slight grunts each time.
Jane remained silent and assumed that the architect was in deep thought about changes he was planning to make. All three walked around the outside of the house and Jane pitched about the amount of space there was to build and develop and the fact that planning permission would not be a problem.
Still uneasy from the experience she and Lucy had on their visit Jane struggled to hide her nervousness as she turned the key to the front door. In contrast to her last visit Jane felt none of the eerie unease she had previously experience. On the contrary it was just like showing normal showing of a property for sale. Paul Redmond expressed his delight at the downstairs rooms and gave only slight hints at the changes he planned.
They moved upstairs and along the corridor. This time however Jane felt that strange haunting feeling. She thought she heard those strange ghostly voices again. She thought it strange that her clients never mentioned it, unaware that they heard nothing. Jane opened each of the dusty bedrooms for the couple to view. She held her breath as she nervously turned the key to the last room just wondering how she was going to explain the ornate bed and cleaned up room. When she finally did open the door Jane Madden almost passed out when she saw it was empty and dusty just like the rest. For a few moments, the Estate Agent stood motionless and silent.
"Mrs Madden, are you ok?" asked Paul Redmond with concern.
"Mrs Madden?" repeated Paul when Jane failed to respond.
"What? Oh, yes, of course. I'm sorry. I just remembered something I was supposed to do. That's all," lied Jane.
"Phew, for a moment there I thought you had seen a ghost," said Paul Redmond with a laugh.
Shirley Redmond also laughed, and Jane forced herself to laugh at the architect's joke.
Relieved to be back outside in the grounds of the estate Jane turned to the couple. "So, what do you think? Will it suit?" she asked, praying for a positive response.
"Well, it looks ideal for me," said Paul Redmond. "What do you think, dear?" he asked his wife.
Jane held her breath.
"Oh, Paul, it's wonderful. I can just see the tennis court and swimming pool now," she responded enthusiastically.
Paul Redmond laughed heartily.
"You and your exercise routine." He said and turned to Jane.
"Ok, Mrs Madden. I believe you've got a sale. I'll have my solicitor draw up the necessary papers from my end."
Jane gave a sigh of relieve. "That's wonderful, Mr Redmond. I'm sure you'll both be happy here. I'll contact the owner with your offer and with luck the ball will start rolling within a week."
Back in the office Jane discussed with Lucy what she had seen in the room. Lucy was, like her mother, shocked.