The Lake on Havelock Manor

Chapter 1: The forbidden lake:

It had only felt like yesterday that we had moved up to Scotland, but it had been in fact a few weeks since we had left my beautiful home town in London. It all happened so quickly, just like that our house was on the market and sold within a week. Yes we had moved to a bigger place but I had to leave so much behind, our old house, my school, the friends that I loved like family. Everyday here was making my old life feel like a distant memory. I don’t know why we had to move, everything was perfect, mum just said it was for the best and of course being a 12 year old boy, I just had to go along with it. So I had to pack what little belongings I had acquired into boxes and kiss goodbye to everything I had ever known. It was weird seeing all of our belongings being loaded into the moving van, and I had a tear in my eye as the last boxes were piled up against the wall of the house that I will never forget. “I’ll get that one son” my mum called out, as I tried to lift the last suitcase up and into the van, it was heavy, really heavy. But knowing mum she was able to grasp it with ease and place it in the truck, she made it look effortless, she made everything look effortless.

I cried all the way here, there was nothing that my mum could do or say to help, not even the promise of my favourite tea, sausage and mash with extra lumpy potatoes, and everyone knows that I love that, but it would have taken a lot for me to stop feeling this way, I don’t even think that my favourite teddy Bobo could have calmed me, who in the rush of packing I had forgotten on the front step of our old house, he’s definitely long gone by now.

I hate it here, its old, its creepy, it smells kinda funny, the food here tastes different, even mums cooking doesn’t taste as good as it used to.

Being an only child I’ve always had my own room, apart from when I used to have sleepovers with my old friends. But I’ve always loved having my own space and freedom. My room In the new house is cold, gloomy and empty and makes me wish I had someone to share with. On a dark night sometimes I feel like I can hear whispering, but I always tell myself that it’s all in my head and that it will eventually go away. At night the cobwebs that sit cosy in the corner of my room glisten under the moonlight, I have never seen the spider that is behind the masterpiece, and I would rather not, as the web is huge. I can imagine that it comes out while I’m asleep to build on its creation, feasts on the smaller and weaker species and skulks around until it’s time for me to wake up in the morning. Cold shivers run through me when I think about it. I’m sure I’ve seen something big and fluffy in the corner of my eye when I’ve jumped out of my sleep after having a nightmare. I can never run to my mums bedroom quick enough, though it’s all the way down the hall. Why are all the rooms so far away from each other in this house?

“Is it too late to move back to our old house mum? "I think I’ve asked her that countless times. “ Yes James, look I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it’s for the best” she has said that numerous times and I don’t know what she means by it, but mum never really goes into detail. “But mum, I miss my old friends, I miss the house, I even miss the creepy neighbour from next door” I don’t, but it just goes to show how much I just miss being in London. “DONT BE SO SILLY JAMES!, I’ve had to make sacrifices as well, you’ll understand when you’re older” mum never really shouts and I must admit it made me jump a bit. We were just about finished with breakfast. “Why don’t you go and explore the house a little bit more, you’ve barely left your room since we’ve gotten here, you know the Garden is beautiful” she said with a concerned look on her face. It was true, I had a brief look around, the garden is huge, filled with beautiful flowers that smell amazing.

The one thing that I really wanted to explore was the lake. From the day my mum and I had moved here, it had a massive appeal to me. I could imagine dipping my toes in on a warm summer day, or skim rocks across the water like I had done in our local park. I’d always gaze over at the lake and think, what a beautiful site. It looked like it went for miles and miles, though I was never allowed close enough to confirm my suspicions. On a dark night, I would stare at it from across our kitchen window and it would call out to me almost beckoning me over. “Why am I not allowed near the lake mum?” I had lost count of how many times I had asked that question. Mum would always say the same thing, each time with increasing frustration. “It’s too dangerous for a little boy to play near, and I won’t tell you again, besides, there’s plenty of other things for you to play with, like that swing there” she points to the swing made of rope just outside of our window. “Muuum, I’m not little anymore, plus I’m pretty sure that swing right there would land me in A&E faster than a little walk round the lake” I hate when she calls me little, I’m pretty sure I’m the tallest in my year group, or I was. I was hoping that I could keep that record in my new school. The rope lay there slightly swaying in the wind, from a distance it looked pretty safe but the rope at the top on close inspection looked slightly frayed and it wouldn’t take much for it to completely snap. “Ummmm hello, earth to James, hurry up and finish your breakfast or you’ll be late” I shook my head and jumped at the surprise of her calling my name, and finished the last 3 mouthfuls of my cereal.

Chapter 2: New school, new start

I gulped as I stepped into the classroom, I could feel my heart beating very quickly, the sweat slowly building up on my forehead, I really hoped nobody could see. It felt like a thousand eyes were on me as I walked up to where the teacher had told me to sit, but in reality there were only 29, I know because I counted every single one of them as I walked through the middle of the classroom. I really wished I could read what they were thinking. Why did my seat have to be all the way at the front of the classroom? As soon as I had sat down the teacher called out to the class “Good morning class, I hope you all had a fabulous summer holiday, we have a new student starting with us today” the teacher glanced over at me “Why don’t you introduce yourself. With a little hesitation I stood up from my chair and turned to the class, it felt like their eyes hadn’t left me from when I first walked in. “Hi everyone, my name is James” I said sheepishly as I saw a few giggles from a few students in the class. “Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself” I cleared my throat and got the courage to speak again. “I’m 12, I’ve just moved here with my mum, we live in Havelock Manor near the lake”. Just like that the giggles stopped, I even think I heard someone gasp., I wasn’t sure if they were gasps of amazement or fear. Did they know something I didn’t?

Just as I was shyly looking through the stunned group of children I saw someone I thought I had recognised. My friend from my old school Jamie. I was in a state of shock. What was he doing here? Why didn’t he tell me? I just wanted to run up to him and give him the biggest hug. Right at that moment I could feel myself tearing up, maybe I was overwhelmed, all I knew is it was talking all of my strength not to run out of this classroom, this building and just keep running until I couldn’t run anymore, but the only choice I had was to sit down so the class could resume. In all honesty I couldn’t tell you what the teacher was talking about because no sooner had I sat down had I drifted off into a dream like state, trying to figure out how on earth this could have happened.

I was bounced back into reality with an almighty thud with the ring of the bell, I jumped as it rang in my ears, thank goodness it’s break time. I had no idea where I was going but I followed the crowd of children bundling their way out of the building. “AHHHHH WHAT?” I screamed as I felt sometime tap me on the shoulder. Just like that I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort with him being before my very eyes, I started sobbing as I pulled him in for a hug. “Your mum didn’t tell you” Jamie said as he smiled as he held me even tighter. I shook my head as I could barely open my mouth to speak. “Turns out my mum was speaking to your mum about the move, but my mum had been planning this move for months, I don’t know how your mum managed to pull of the move within a week, but she wanted to surprise you.” “Do you think your mum would let you stay over tonight?” I said, the excitement in my voice evident. “Your mum said I could come home with you after school, I can’t wait to see where you live” I screamed again “Oh my god, this is going to be great.”

The school day seemed to pass by so quickly, a day I thought was going to be hell was the beginning of an exciting new start with my best friend by my side. I couldn’t wait for the school day to finish so that I could catch up with Jamie.

Chapter 3: The sleepover

It was finally home time, I grabbed my bags and headed to the gates where my mum would be waiting for us. I I couldn’t get out the building fast enough, I had to manoeuvre myself through the crowd of children who were in my opinion moving way too slow. “James, wait for me, please” Jamie was slightly out of breath as he tried to catch up with my pace of walking. I spotted my mum parked across the road, she spotted me and waved. We both got into the car. “I can’t wait to see this new house of yours” Jamie said as he did his seatbelt up. Now that I have a friend here, things would be different. I felt a sudden calm rush through my body, everything I had been worrying about was slowly disappearing.

The road that lead up to the gates of Havelock Manor were shrouded with tall trees either side, the afternoon sun beating down on the path. The dry dirt crunching underneath the wheels. The car grounded to a halt. Jamie stepped out of the car and gasped “wow it’s huge” he said. The floorboard creaked as we walked inside. “I’ve seen that lake as we drove in, it’s beautiful, I really want to see it up close, “I’m not allowed” I said “Awwww no fair” the smile on his face disappeared. “What do you want for dinner boys?” My mum interrupted, almost like she had overhead the conversation. Jamie and I both looked at each other “FISH AND CHIPS!” We both yelled at the same time. It was almost like we had never been away from each other.

I took Jamie upstairs to see my room. “Oh my god it’s HUGE, it’s so much bigger than your old room back in London” Jamie squealed as he made his way round “It’s kind of creepy though” he looked at the big cobwebs sat in the corners of my room. Jamie paused, he looked at me as I was still looking round at the cobwebs to grab my attention, he whispered “I’ve got an idea, later when your mum thinks we are asleep, let’s go and explore around the lake” I was shocked at his rebellion. “We can’t, we’ll get in trouble, BIG TROUBLE” I said whispering back “ I promised my mum I wouldn’t” Jamie shrugged his shoulders “ what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her”. I heard shouting from downstairs “BOYS DINNER’S READY” I nodded my head reluctantly “I suppose we could have a little peak, what’s the worst that can happen?”.

Jamie and I ran down the stairs to the dining room. The table was already laid, that was usually my job, but I think mum let me off today. Looking at the food spread on the table made my stomach growl, I remembered I didn’t have anything for lunch earlier today, I was hungry but couldn’t bring myself to eat. “What’s wrong James, you’ve barely touched any of your food”. Part of me wanted to tell her “nothings wrong mum, I had a big lunch “I lied. I ate as much as I could and excused myself from the table “mum I’m just tired I think I’m just going to go to bed, goodnight” I got up from my chair , kissed her on the cheek and made my way upstairs, Jamie, who had already finished his dinner followed closely behind. The wait begins.

Chapter 4: Underwater

The sound of the clock ticking rang in my ears, I have no idea how long we’ve been laying here waiting. The silence was deafening, and it was taking all my power not to fall asleep. Each moment I was getting closer and closer to telling Jamie I had changed my mind, but every time I did the curiosity was getting the better of me. How cold was the water? How far did it go out? Breaking the rules felt so wrong, but this might be the only chance I ever get to see the lake.

“Do you think she’s asleep?” Jamie whispered “let me check, she usually turns her lights out when she’s going to sleep” I peered out of the door, as I turned I could see the light was off, I gestured to Jamie to get up. “Shhhhhh” i winced as the floor creaked as he attempted to stand next to me. We had to get this right or it could be over in a split second. We creeped down the hallway and down the stairs all without making a peep. We celebrated in silence as we got through the last door. The cold breeze hit me, I should have brought a coat, I was so caught up in being quiet I had forgotten it in my bedroom.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this” I don’t think I would have been brave enough to do this on my own. “We are nearly there” i said as the water was almost in clear site. The moonlight was reflecting and bouncing off the water, it was as beautiful as I thought it was going to be. “Let’s get a bit closer” Jamie said as he held my hand and moved closer towards the edge of the lake. The water lapped at my feet “wow, it’s really cold” from the corner of my eye I had noticed something floating in the water, I pointed it out to Jamie “I didn’t know seaweed could grow in the middle of nowhere” Jamie walked up to where I had seen the seaweed, he gasped and let out a scream. “Omg it’s not seaweed, James come here” he said sheepishly, I shushed him as I headed over, he’s gonna wake mum “Jamie don’t be silly you’re going to wake mu” I couldn’t finish my sentence as I let out a pained scream, it definitely wasn’t seaweed, it was hair floating in the water, I looked closer I’m pretty sure there was a head attached, attached to a face I’ve known all my life, I covered my mouth to avoid letting out a shriek “but James” his voice quivered “that’s, thats, that’s your mum, how is that possible?” We backed away from the lake, right now would be a good time to wake up from a dream, I pinched myself to bring myself back to reality, it didn’t work. How is this possible, who was in my house? Why did we have to move all of a sudden? At that moment the light in the house turned on, James looked at me with a desperation that I had recognised “I don’t know what’s happening James, all I know Is that we need to hide, NOW!