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Chapter Nine
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Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Ten
CHAPTER TENClutterbuck and Postlethwaite InvestigateGeorge Beecham made his way into the parlour whilst working his way through the post. A wad of large envelopes was held securely under one arm as he rifled through several smaller ones in his hands. With the shop being busy during the week, he tended to leave Saturday’s post until Sunday morning, giving him ample time to address any pressing matters.‘If bills were paycheques we’d be millionaires,’ he said to Maureen as he sat down at the kitchen table.‘We’re not doing too badly,’ she smiled, placing a mug of tea in front of him and kissing the top of his balding head. ‘Things have been worse.’‘Indeed they have,’ Mr Beecham said softly and sipped his tea. He smacked his lips. ‘Nice brew, love. Almost as good as the one Thomas brought us in bed earlier. Well, what I managed to salvage after I dropped it in shock.’‘It’s going to take a few washes to get the tea stain out of the duvet.’‘Look on the bright side,’ George Beech
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Eleven
CHAPTER ELEVENVeil of EvilAgnes was already hunched over a thick book by the time Maud had made her way down the narrow staircase leading from the librarian’s flat to the main reading area. In typical fashion, Agnes’ glasses were balanced on the tip of her nose, her keen eyes fervently scanning the text.‘What ye got there, Agnes?’ Maud asked standing at her shoulder. The pages under scrutiny were etched with neat text and black and white photographs.‘It’s worse than we could ever imagine,’ Agnes said without looking up from the pages.‘Then tell me,’ Maud said, her face severe.Agnes finally looked at her friend, and in her face Maud could see dread, pure and simple. ‘Upstairs I said that this was all about perspectives, right? What if the villains in the Blue Bolt comic aren’t villains at all?’‘Ye’re goin’ to have to un-muddy that for ol’ Maud.’‘It’s easier if I read this passage to you,’ Agnes said turning back to the book on the reading desk. ‘He is no master people;
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVEThe Cryptic CryptSt. Norman’s Church occupied a space in a small, sedate part of town, not too far away from the library. It was hidden amongst large oak trees and weeping willows, and several dense thickets peppered with bright yellow flowers. The building was made up of a high bell-tower with squared walls and a flat, featureless roof which butted up to a long narrow structure, housing the main hall, giving it the appearance of a clumsy letter “L” that had fallen over on its back.To the left of the horizontal structure was a small cemetery with many headstones, each covered with green moss and lichen, and leaning on the undulating landscape like the misshapen molars of some giant stone ogre. And it was through these tombstones that Patience Userkaf and Elmo hastily made their way, eager to get to the church before the sun shut up shop for the day.‘Why us?’ Patience muttered. ‘That’s all I have to say.’‘If only that was true,’ Elmo said.‘Sorry?’ Patience said
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEENBirthday Surprise!Over the next few days, Beatrice focused on the birthday dinner, in an attempt to distract her from many concerns and anxieties.Those who knew her understood cooking was the only thing that diverted her attention from the real world. As she considered the recipe she was able to diffuse thoughts of Lucas and his hurtful words, the strange behaviour of her parents and Thomas. Even the information Patience had since told her relating to the Cryptic Crypt.A sense of calm descended over her as the recipe—the task—consumed her. The relief that came with it was embraced like a good friend.As the evening of Uncle Badru’s birthday celebration arrived, Beatrice was in complete control—a welcomed state of mind, yet short-lived.***The guy standing at the door to The Blue Thunder HQ was large and square. The scalp of his bald head twinkled in fading sunlight. His brow shimmered with beads of sweat. One of these rivulets trickled down his temple and on
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Fourteen
CHAPTER FOURTEENWolf at the DoorIf Miller’s garden was a tangled hotchpotch of junk, inside the shack was three times worse. There were spindly chairs blocking the narrow hallway, the boys having to navigate around them before finding themselves in a large living space littered with newspapers and magazines. Here and there buckets had been strategically placed to catch rainwater from the creaking, buckled roof. A table in the middle of the room appeared as though it would collapse if so much as a glass of milk were placed on it, and a small camping bed was under the large window, piled high with coarse, crumpled sheets and blankets.To Lucas it felt as though he was in the belly of a pirate’s galleon; one that had been peppered with Royal Navy cannon balls and was a hairsbreadth away from sinking below the waves. The wooden walls were warped and split, deep grooves in the grain giving the unsavoury impression of bloated veins.Over in a corner, lying on a coarse, grey blanket, Wo
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER FIFTEENThe Last SupperThe Macbeth’s were staying in a rented cottage not far away from Dorsal Finn’s museum. The cottage was compact, yet consisted of many rooms that led away from a hallway made even smaller by wallpaper with deep purple flowers. There were many pictures dotted around the small wooden cupboards and dressers in the hall.Beatrice noticed what she presumed to be images of the many stages of Alice Macbeth, one with raven hair and unblemished skin. Another had an image of a middle aged woman leaning on a cane with a moorland scene in the background.‘Welcome, my dear,’ Macbeth said. ‘It’s good to see you again.’‘Thank you, Ms Macbeth,’ Beatrice said politely despite her nervousness.'Oh, call me Alice! Please go through to the lounge,’ Alice said gesturing with her hand to a door a few metres away. ‘Marcus is just putting together a little supper, seeing as we’ve brought our tea date forward a day or so.’‘There really isn’t any need,’ Beatrice said, not
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Sixteen
CHAPTER SIXTEENTime nor TideMaud struggled against her seatbelt.‘Trussed up like a kipper,’ she groaned. ‘Never saw that comin’ when I woke up this mornin’.’‘Don’t worry, Maud,’ Albert said unclipping his belt. ‘I’ll have you out of there in a jiffy.’‘Me hero.’ Maud grinned. ‘Who said men are good fer nowt most of the time?’‘I think that was you, wasn’t it?’‘Ye know somethin’, ye might be spot on.’‘Yes,’ Albert said positioning himself so he could assist Maud’s escape from her confined and indignant position. ‘Good job I ignore such rubbish.’‘Aye, ye’re a good un, no doubt about it,’ Maud conceded, patting him on the arm.‘Don't you be going soft on me now, Maud,’ Albert said working on the seatbelt mechanism which appeared stuck.‘Me? Nah,’ Maud said. ‘It’s this blood rushin’ to me noggin.’‘Well, I’m working on it,’ Albert grimaced as he yanked on the seatbelt clip.‘Hold up, Albert,’ Maud said, her nose wrinkling suddenly. ‘Ye smellin’ that?’Albert sniffed th
Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Seventeen
CHAPTER SEVENTEENChamber of HorrorsPatience couldn’t believe what was going on, despite the evidence playing out before her very eyes. Albert’s car was on its side and on fire. Its owner was on his knees, hands clasped behind his head, an unearthly howl playing on his lips and reverberating around the street. But amid the howl was one word that had Patience moving towards him, fast.Maud.‘Albert, what’s the matter?’ Patience crouched beside him.Albert looked up suddenly, his confusion matching that of the olive skinned girl squatting next to him.‘Patience?’ he said. ‘Maud, the car ... ’‘Are you saying Maud’s in the car?’ Patience clarified. ‘The burning car?’Albert nodded, the lump on his head glistening in the lamp light. ‘Seatbelt’s jammed.’Patience looked around and espied the cold chisel. She grabbed it and sped to the car, the heat almost making her hesitate. She fought on. She got to the open door and peered in, thick smoke hampering her vision as she
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- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Epilogue
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Nineteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Eighteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Seventeen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Sixteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Fifteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Fourteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Thirteen
- Beatrice Beecham's Cryptic Crypt Chapter Twelve
