The Old House Adventure: A Two Jays Story

By Chris Wright

When Jessica comes to stay with her cousin James for the summer half term, they pass a creepy old house on their way to the town museum. James rescues Maddie Quedgley, a girl their age, from being run over by a speeding truck, but when James and Jessica, known as the Two Jays, insist on taking Maddie home, it is to a house where she seems to be living on her own. From down in the basement they hear footsteps walking around above them. When the door to the basement is suddenly locked, things become dangerous. Someone is very keen to get hold of a valuable item Maddie's father is guarding. So who is the man watching them in the museum, and who is the mysterious Ethan? This is the fifth Two Jays adventure story. They can be read in any order, although each one moves forward slightly in time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Tree Publishing
• Release date: Jun 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781912529070

Chris Wright

Chris Wright is a young author who enjoys reading and is keen to share this joy with others. He lives in England, but he grew up in a small village in Hampshire. He wants to inspire young readers with his tales of a simpler time, outside among nature.

Book preview

About the Book

When Jessica comes to stay with her cousin James for the summer half term, they pass a creepy old house on their way to the town museum. James rescues Maddie Quedgley, a girl their age, from being run over by a speeding truck, but when James and Jessica, known as the Two Jays, insist on taking Maddie home, it is to a house where she seems to be living on her own. From down in the basement they hear footsteps walking around above them. When the door to the basement is suddenly locked, things become dangerous. Someone is very keen to get hold of a valuable item Maddie's father is guarding. So who is the man watching them in the museum, and who is the mysterious Ethan?

This is the fifth Two Jays adventure story. They can be read in any order, although each one moves forward slightly in time. You can write to me if you like, but please get your parents’ permission first.

The Old House

Adventure

by

Chris Wright

© Chris Wright 2018

e-Book ISBN: 978-1-912529-07-0

also available as a paperback

ISBN: 978-1-912529-06-3

Published by

White Tree Publishing

Bristol

UNITED KINGDOM

Website: www.whitetreepublishing.com

Email: [e-mail]

The Old House Adventure is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Book

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

About White Tree Publishing

About the author

More books for young readers

Chapter 1

That, James said, is one creepy old house. Stop here a moment and look at it, Jessica.

Jessica Green had come to stay with her cousin, James Cooper, for the summer half term. James's parents were working, and unable to take the time off that week. So instead of going away as they usually did, Jessica had come on the train on Friday evening to stay with James and his parents. It was now Saturday morning.

James had planned to take Jessica for a walk on the common, but Jessica insisted they went to the museum in town. She said it was much larger than the one where she lived, and she wanted to look at some of the Roman exhibits for a school project she was working on.

Well, at least it's not the shops, James had said, before they set off.

They were making their way down a wide road in what had once been a well-to-do part of town, but now most of the houses had been turned into low-cost apartments, and seemed to be badly cared for. Many of the gardens were overgrown.

James frowned. I've got a weird feeling I've been inside that house. A long time ago. He gave a pretend shiver. The creepy creeper growing up the walls doesn't help.

This was not a part of the town he knew, but it was a fairly direct route to the museum. The old house was built mostly of brick, with tall narrow windows with stone surrounds. The windows looked in need of urgent replacement. The strangest feature of all was a turret room high up on one corner, with narrow windows that looked out in three directions.

Jessica pointed up to it. It can't be all that creepy, she said. There's a small wooden cross hanging in one of the windows.

James gave an even bigger shiver. That's there because the house was built over a mediaeval burial vault. Deep down in the basement there will be skeletons and spiders. You wouldn't like it down there at all.

Jessica laughed. "And tight squeezy passages where you'd probably get stuck," she said, remembering James's dislike of being underground.

James shrugged. "Well, one thing's for certain, we're never going to find out what's down there. Just look at that front door. It could do with a new coat of paint. The doorknocker is like a hand. It would probably grab hold of you if you tried to knock on it."

I think we'd better go on, Jessica said. I've just seen someone moving about in the turret. It's rude to stare into people's houses.

James was already walking away. Especially staring into creepy ones, he called back over his shoulder. You might see some ghastly face staring out at you from the window.

Jessica hurried to catch up with him. The problem with you, James, is that you've got too vivid an imagination. Anyway, whoever it was didn't see me. You're right, fortunately we're never going to find out what's in the basement. Are you sure the museum is open all day on Saturdays?

Bound to be. If not, we can always go on the common, which is what I planned. You'd like it there.

Jessica shook her head. I know it's the holidays, but I really do need to have a look at the Roman bits and pieces. I hope they let me take photographs. Most museums do nowadays. How much further is it?

The museum? About half a mile. We have to cross the main road and then we're right in the middle of town.

Known as the Two Jays, the cousins had been involved in several adventures together when on holiday, but James didn't expect anything especially exciting to happen on this holiday.

When they reached the main road James looked both ways. It seemed to be busy. We'd better use the underpass, he said. "You never know when ... Hey, look out!"

A girl with unruly dark hair was walking in front of them, wearing earphones. She had bright blue leggings, a short yellow and black striped dress, and a bright red top, and was about to step into the road. James reached forward and grabbed hold of her top, pulling her to safety as a large truck almost brushed against her, its horn blaring.

The girl turned quickly and stared angrily at James.

Jessica came forward. My cousin saved your life, she said. Didn't you see the truck coming?

The girl pulled her earphones away. I thought I was being mugged, or kidnapped. I was miles away. Yes, thanks, James.

James shook his head as he stared at the girl. Her brightly coloured clothing reminded him of an exotic bird, probably a parrot, but he certainly wasn't going to comment on it. Although the girl was quite small, she had an older looking face, and was probably about their age. But he'd never seen her before. Well, not that he could think of. She certainly didn't go to his school. Glad to help, he said. But how do you know my name?

I'm.... The girl stopped, and began to shake. I'm.... I need to.... That was so stupid of me stepping out without looking.... I need to sit down for a few minutes.

Jessica pointed to the other side of the main road. I can see a café there. We'd better go with you. A hot drink might help. You look really shaken up.

And we take the underpass, James said decisively. Okay?

Five minutes later they were sitting in what called itself a coffee shop, although it served a range of hot and cold drinks, and hot and cold snacks. The girl had opted for a fruit smoothie instead of a hot drink, but Jessica and James, feeling equally shaken now, had gone for hot chocolate, with James opting for added cream on top.

You know my name, James said when everyone had settled down. But I don't know you. At least, I don't think I do.

I'm Maddie, the girl said. Maddie Quedgley. Our mums knew each other, years ago. I used to come round to your house. You had a paddling pool in the back garden.

Maddie Quedgley. James repeated slowly. He nodded. Yes, of course. I'm surprised you can remember me. We must have being really small at the time. You had a knitted rabbit called Mr Binks that you took everywhere with you.

Mr. Binks' mouth was crooked, and his eyes were at a strange angle. James remembered being frightened the first time he saw the toy rabbit, and running to hide. He felt himself going red as he recalled a little girl in a bright red swimsuit playing in the water, while he wore skimpy swimming trunks. He remembered Maddie splashing water in his face as they giggled like two silly little children, which he realised is what they were at the time. He hoped Maddie wasn't going to mention that embarrassing scene.

Your swimming trunks were blue, Maddie said thoughtfully, winking at Jessica. And your hair was shorter then. I called your mother Aunty Amy, although she wasn't really my aunt. Who's your friend, James?

"Sorry. This is Jessica Green, my cousin. She calls my mum Aunty Amy, as she really is her aunt. Jessica's come to stay for the half term. We're on our way to the museum."

Jessica shook her head. Not yet, James. We can't let Maddie leave here on her own. Where do you live, Maddie? You ought to go home. We'll make sure you get back safely. You look really shaken up.

Maddie Quedgley pointed vaguely back across the main road. It's only a few minutes. You're right though, I'm still feeling a bit shaky. But please don't bother about me. I can manage okay.

Jessica was insistent. The museum can wait. I'm here for the whole of next week.

James sipped his chocolate. We can't go yet. I want to finish this. It's still a bit hot. Yes, Maddie, it's all coming back to me now. Your mum and mine were friends. I seem to remember your mother is French. I haven't seen you or your mother for ages. What happened?

Maddie shook her head. Didn't you know? Maman died five years ago.

Oh, I'm sorry, James said quietly, guessing maman was French for mum. No, I don't think I did know. It was our mothers who were friends, not you and me. I don't think I'd have recognised you if you hadn't recognised me.

So who are you living with? Jessica asked gently.

Maddie looked surprised. With my papa of course. You're right, my maman was French. Maman used to speak to me in French, and Papa spoke to me in English, so I was bilingual. She frowned. I've forgotten most of the French now, as Papa only speaks English. Maman wanted me to call my father papa, which as I'm sure you know is French for dad. She thought for a moment. And sometimes it's just me, when Papa is away. He's a Professor of archaeology, but I can't go with him on excavations and conventions in term time.

James stared at Maddie in amazement. You don't mean you stay in the house on your own?

Maddie shrugged. It's no big deal. Papa's only ever away for a few days at a time. I have my own bank card. Even when Papa is home, I buy all the food for the week, and buy my own clothes and school uniform when I need things like that. Papa makes sure I have plenty of money in the account. He trusts me with it. Anyway, Papa is coming home today. He said he's taking me to a dig on a Roman site next week. A village called Happlett Parva. It's my half term too.

A Roman excavation sounds great, Jessica said, her eyes lighting up. Just the sort of thing that would help me with my school project.

You could come as well, Maddie said. She seemed much calmer now.

Jessica shook her head. I don't think I'd be allowed. I've come to stay with James and his parents. Do you really stay in the house all on your own when your father is away? It sounds a bit scary to me.

Maddie pulled a face. It can sometimes be a bit scary. It's a large house, and it's old. The floors creak at night, all by themselves. She laughed. Well, I always hope they're doing it by themselves! No, I don't really mind. Not too much, anyway.

Talking about creaking floorboards, James said, finishing his hot chocolate and wiping the brown moustache from his mouth, we passed the creepiest of creepy houses on our way here. It had stuff growing up the walls, and a weird turret thing with a pointed roof. The front door had a brass knocker like a hand, ready to grab hold of anyone using it. We wondered who on earth would live in a house like that.

Jessica laughed. And James thought the basement would be full of skeletons.

And spiders, James added, then he caught the expression on Maddie's face. Oh.

I'll take you down to the basement if you like, Maddie said, getting to her feet. That sounds like my house.

Chapter 2

James stared at Maddie, trying to see a hint of a smile. She seemed to be serious. You're not kidding?

Maddie clearly wasn't kidding. I know what you mean, she said quietly, "but it's my home. And if Papa is back from London, please don't tell him I