Page 20 of Daughter of a Monster

He appears at my door moments later, umbrella in hand, ready to shield my dash to shelter. Despite his efforts, I’m soaked when we make it inside. The woman who was waiting at the entrance takes my bag.

“Welcome,” she says with a wide smile. “Welcome to the Sanctuary.”

I shake away droplets of water and return her smile. “Thank you. I’m—”

“I know who you are, my dear. You’re the dance tutor. Miss Berkley, isn’t it?”

“Just Berkley,” I raise my voice to be heard over the rain, but it’s just as Barrett pushes the doors shut and my name echoes loudly in the cavernous space. “Just Berkley,” I say again, quieter.

“Very well, just Berkley.” She smiles again and it strikes me how pretty she is. She’s an older woman, her hair streaked in gray, her body padded with life, but her smile is where you see the beauty of her soul. I think I’m going to like her. “You may call me Mrs Bellamy.” She turns. “Right this way.”

The ceilings are high and the space is lined by ornate arches, each framing another set of doors. Our footsteps echo loudly before being swallowed by the vastness. There’s very little decoration and few furnishings, giving the place an almost cold and barbaric mood. Any conversion to modern technology has been tastefully hidden, lights disguised as lanterns, switches concealed, no visible sign of modern life.

“Mr Priest sends his apologies that he is not able to greet you this evening. He will touch base with you tomorrow. You will meet Ette, your pupil, tomorrow as well. She’s already in bed for the night.”

I follow her, trying to keep track of the hallways and corridors we’re turning down. If we stopped now and I was told to make my way back to the entrance, I’m not sure if I could. Mrs Bellamy carries my bag in one hand and a light in the other. It’s made to look old, like an oil lamp, fitting in with the aesthetic of the house. Not that I should refer to it as a house. It’s too imposing. It’s more like a castle. It seems strange that people should live here. The light casts a circular glow around us as we walk and I strain to see anything beyond the halo.

Eventually we walk through a set of swinging doors and enter the kitchen. The cupboards, fittings, and fixtures are all dark, the walls pale. The floor is covered in black and white tiles. Again, all modern signs of life are hidden. Even the oven looks as though it’s stoked by fire rather than electricity, like an old coal range.

“Can I fix you something to eat before I show you to your room?”

I shake my head, still looking around in wonder.

“It’s quite something, isn’t it?”

I nod, my eyes finally meeting hers. “How many people live here?”

“Not too many. There’s me and Alma, we take care of all the housework and cooking and Alma likes to spend her spare time tinkering in the garden. Then there’s Barrett of course, who you’ve already met, and Miss Jones, the governess, but she keeps to herself mainly. You’ll see others milling around from time to time, guards and the like, but you don’t need to concern yourself with them.” There doesn’t seem like anywhere near enough staff for the size of the place. “Oh, and of course Mr Priest, Gideon and Ette.”

“Gideon?”

“Mr Priest’s younger brother.” She frowns. “You’ll get used to him.” She turns slowly on her heel as though looking for something. “You sure I can’t fix you something to eat? I can’t cook nearly as well as Alma, but I do make a damn good grilled cheese.”

“No, no, I’m fine. Honestly.” A yawn overtakes me. “I think I’d like to just be taken to my room, if that’s okay. It’s been a long day.”

“Of course, dear. You’ll be tired and here’s silly old me yapping your ear off. Come on. I’ll show you the way. I’ve poured a bath in case you’re wanting to warm yourself up. The rooms all have their own bathrooms and Alma, Miss Jones and I are just along the hall if you need anything.”

I get caught between listening to Mrs Bellamy and trying to see as much of the place as I can as she leads me up a circular staircase to the level above.

“Breakfast is served at eight, lunch and dinner at midday and seven. Don’t be late. Mr Priest hates it when people are late.”

We get to the top of the stairs and take a sharp right. Arched windows look out over a stretch of water. The reflection of the full moon ripples across the surface.

“You are expected to teach Ette in the afternoons, after her lunch. You will have her for two hours and then she’ll need to return to Miss Jones for her afternoon lessons.”

“Only two hours a day?” I don’t know why it surprises me. To ask a young girl to train for longer would be cruel. “What am I expected to do in my free time?”

“That’s up to you, my dear. The grounds are beautiful so feel free to explore. Tomorrow we’ll give you a tour of the Sanctuary. There’s the library, the pool, and the gymnasium. I’m sure you’ll find plenty to keep yourself amused.”

“Why do you call it the Sanctuary?”

Mrs Bellamy opens a door and signals for me to enter. “Because that’s what Mr Priest calls it.” She smiles warmly.

Like the rest of the house, the room is sparsely decorated. There’s a bed propped against the wall, a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling and a chest of drawers off to one side.

“All the staff rooms are on this level. I know it’s not a lot. Mr Priest intends on doing more, but the renovations have been delayed for a while. In fact, further back, not all the restoration work has been done yet and it’s rather dangerous. Stay away from there, alright?”

After she leaves, I flop onto the bed. Sinking deep into the mattress, I let out a sigh. I think I’m going to like it here. It’s heaven compared to my little apartment. There’s no mildew on the walls, no leaks or strange smells.

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