Page 22 of Scary In Love
I lead her through the grand ballroom that stretches the full depth of the house, with windows to the front and tall doors that open out to the patio at the back. There’s a history here that I haven’t even begunto unfold, but I want to eventually. If the peeling walls could talk, I bet they'd have some amazing stories to tell.
Through the next door is another sitting room, with more wrapped furniture and a huge open fireplace. Jenna follows close behind me.
“It’s like a time capsule.”
“I don’t think the old man used this part of the house at all. When I arrived, it seemed like he’d only been using the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom for a long time. Other rooms were closed off and untouched for years.”
“It’s a big house for one person. I hope he wasn’t lonely.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of creepy being here on your own. Especially at night after everyone leaves, and it’s just me in my room. Lot of random creaks in old houses.”
“Can I see your room?” She bites her lip, something I’ve noticed she does when she says something bold, then tries to hide it.
“Eventually. But first, you need to see the library.”
I push open the double doors, delighted with the sound she makes when we step inside. Every wall is lined with books, floor to ceiling, with rolling ladders on the lower level and a staircase in the corner to reach a balcony that circles the room for access to the upper levels.
It’s my favourite room in the house. The first time I came in here, I sat for hours, just taking it all in.
Most of the books are old and degrading, with that gorgeous musty smell people go nuts for. There were several desks in here, which made me wonder if this was a place for study at one point. There’s nothing modern, and no soft furnishings, so it’s not much of a reading room by modern standards, but I’ve made good use of it, anyway.
Jenna hovers in the doorway, her hand over her mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she says, her gaze bouncing in all directions. “This is incredible. All these years, and I had no idea what it was like inside.”
I watch her explore at her own pace. She runs her fingertips along the spines, then leans in to take a deep sniff. Her satisfied sigh is heaven to witness. She likes it too.
“Do you want to see the original haunt plans?”
“I’d love to.”
I guide her to where I lined the desks up in a long row in the middle of the room, and the roll of paper spread out on top. It’s taped in parts and covered in scribbles, but this is where I spent weeks running up and down stairs, drawing maps and planning the haunt route.
The mansion is almost two houses, one enveloped by the other, with the main family rooms all connected by hidden doors and hallways designed to keep staff out of sight. Every detail of the experience came to life here, and by the time I’d invited a few friends up from London to test it out with me, I knew I was onto a winner.
Jenna traces one fingertip through my blueprints, and when she bends to look more closely, her skirt lifts a little at the back.
The urge to step closer behind her and bend her until her face presses into the desk is unbearable. I shove my fists in my pockets instead and keep my distance.
“This is incredible,” she whispers, and my heart swells with pride. “The Ritual. That’s my favourite room, I think.”
“Really?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. It’s terrifying.” She presses her hand to her chest. “All those hooded figures just staring at you, not knowing which ones will move. Do you change itup each night?”
“We do.”
“That’s smart. Mum bolted, but I looked every one of those fuckers in the face, even though my heart was pounding. They got a genuine scream out of me when they finally tried to grab me.”
It’s subtle, the way her body language changes when she talks about being scared. For most people, the enjoyment of a haunt comes from the relief. It’s like catching your breath after being on a rollercoaster, the chemical rush of euphoria that floods our systems once the frightening part is over.
But not Jenna Laing. She leans into the scare and stays in the moment.
In every room, she plays along with the characters, embracing the roleplay rather than trying to rush through and avoid them. After her visit, I heard several of the actors talk about how fun she was to interact with.
“So you inherit a mansion. Why turn it into a haunt?”
