THE SONBON FAMILY: Strange Happenings at Auntie Bridget's Mansion

By LA PONSONBY

The next day after Tinc's Birthday party, the family read the invitation, left by Auntie Bridget, to join her at the ancestral mansion; in the midlands, for a few weeks holiday. It all seems like a splendid idea. A blown out tyre on the way, proves to be an opportunity for mum and the three daughter to visit an unusual antique shop, purchasing some special items. But with the same Irishman serving them, who Tinc met when in town! Well, is he following them? Finally arriving, Auntie Bridget puts on a mighty brunch, but after this, the secrets lying in the family mansion uncover many mysteries, past sorrows and all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures along the way.. When following the handyman, Henry, on a tour of the mansion, many mysteries and secret doors lead to unusual tunnels and then finding their way out to the top of Mount Devein, Chenzo suddenly gets kidnapped! A big old fashion family fight takes places, with the kids, Henry, the Irishman and two captives one one team, when they discover the the kidnappers! It is the ancient creepy stowaways, that were on the Sonbon Devein ship, travelling from Romania, many hundreds of years ago, They are the three Blouters! Can they defeats them? They are no pushovers! Full of fun, action, adventure, and enchanting happenings for all the family. Ages 7-12! 151 pages full with colourful illustrations!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Aug 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662936210

Book preview

Chapter One - The Invitation

It was a cold winter’s morning at the Sonbon home. Everyone had a big sleep in, due to the fact that it was the weekend and besides that, they were all exhausted from the latest events from Tinc’s birthday party and especially from the frightful commotion due to the dreadful Trespasser, in the early hours of the morning; attempting to kidnap Micca yet again!

On top of everything, the return of the Lagnarh, ‘Retato’, had not only made a lasting impression, but had prompted Sargeth, Marah and the three boys to make every attempt to get to the bottom of this entire and great enigma!!!

As well as these events, Bridgie had made a lasting impression on everyone and she was definitely so much fun with her jokes and theatrical personality, that they all wanted to see a lot more of her.

Marah and Sargeth quietly got up first, they had their breakfast, thus leaving their tribe of kids to sleep in, including a few stop overs, while they went down the backyard to clean up after the party, as well as measuring up the two sides of the backyard, that needed a fence and gate, to protect everyone!

The party had definitely been a success and more strange and unexpected things were continuing to happen about them, scarier than they could ever have imagined, nor could they thus far, explain why it was so!

Auntie Bridget had left very late that evening, because her chauffeur arrived at next to midnight to pick her up, and therefore she had a very long, four hour drive ahead of her. However, before arriving back at her mansion, she had carefully placed a beautifully addressed envelope to the family, for them to open together the next day, on top of the mantle piece. But Marah and Sargeth were waiting until all the children were awake, so they could read and hear it together.

Sargeth took down the lanterns that he had made, which were still hanging about the backyard, as well as the huge and beautifully coloured ribbons, which had decorated the backyard so wonderfully.

He spoke to Marah as he continued packing away and picking up rubbish off the lawn, " I will get you to help me hold the measuring tape in a minute, … so we can see how long our fences need to be, as well as where to place a gate. In all honestly, I feel like getting a professional in to build a nine foot tall concrete wall, because that Trespasser is so very gangly and incredibly strong!"

Marah stopped rolling up the material strips and while looking very worried, she responded to Sargeth, I feel the same way. It won’t look very nice that is for sure, however, I would feel a lot safer and so would the children. You know what, … we could always get Tinc and Tenyt to paint the walls with appropriate art, as they have both studied extra art classes at The Wilton Gallery and are quite talented. Why not put their skills to good use. It would be wonderful practice for them!

Because of the uncertainty that the Trespasser had instilled into Marah and Sargeth and due to their deep longing to protect their children, they immediately agreed on paying for a professional to build a nine foot tall concrete wall, along the two back fence lines, where the grassy backyard and the bushland met. Added to this, they decided on a sturdy, but tall wrought iron gate, to match in strength.

So therefore, when the need would arise, they could still access the bushland through the gate, although, Sargeth had decided a lock would be on it at all times.

After making these decisions, Marah and Sargeth were far more relieved and went inside the house to then searched on the internet for a few local tradesmen; so they could organize with them, the cheapest quote.

The children were all up now and out of bed, including Tenyt’s girlfriend, Jane and as well as her, Tinc’s schoolmates, Jaki and Amber.

It was now 10am and everyone except Marah and Sargeth were still in their pajamas.

Sargeth addressed everyone, while they were all having breakfast in their large, dark blue coloured dining room, which had dark wooden trims and an eight foot tall antique, golden gilded fireplace; with a cracking fire burning in it, Your mother and I have decided on a concrete wall to be built down the backyard, but nevertheless, you can still if necessary, access the back acreage through a gate, but I will have it locked most of the time, so they’ll be no more mishaps!

Amber and Jaki, both with surprised expressions and voices, queried, What’s going on Tinc? Sounds like your dad’s trying to keep someone out! … What sorta mishaps? they both looked wide eyed.

Tinc responded, Oh nothing really, … just to stop any randoms wandering through our land and nicking anything out of dad’s ‘Sacred Shed’! Tinc raised her eyebrows up and down to look mysterious, but at the same time funny.

They all laughed, but the family knew Tinc was covering up and didn’t need to unnecessarily involve anyone else in their Sonbon dramas!

Next thing, Marah