“As you wish.”
Her cousin patted her shoulder sympathetically, and they headed back to the house through the chapel.
“Where is the key to the crypt kept? I would like to come here again to bring flowers to Grandpa.”
“In Malcolm's former office. In the drawer of his desk, you'll find the keys to all the doors in the castle.”
“Thanks. I'll go to my room. What time shall we meet for dinner?”
“At seven. Is that time convenient for you?”
“Yes, perfect.”
Megan spent the next few hours reviewing the documents previously given to her by Gregor. She also called her assistant Sam to check on the restaurant's affairs. He assured her that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. Megan breathed a sigh of relief, it's good to have someone reliable to count on.
* * *
When she came down for dinner, Glenn was already busily helping the cook set the table.
“Hi, Megan! Warren said you had a tough day today.”
“Yes, it wasn't the easiest. I'm so sorry I didn't make it here earlier while Grandpa was still alive. Things would have been entirely different.”
“Don't be so hard on yourself. It's all God's will. It must have been predestined for you to come to us when you did. Finella has prepared stewed lamb with mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. I hope you'll like it. This dish is very popular in the north. Sorry, we didn't ask in advance what kind of meat you prefer.”
“I'm not picky about food. I'll be very happy to try the local cuisine. Glenn, I've been meaning to ask, who takes care of the castle and its surroundings?”
“Finella is responsible for preparing lunches and dinners, and she also keeps the dining room clean. Everyone cleans their own room. About once a month, a cleaning company comes to mop the floors, clean the walls and carpets; basically, do a deep clean of the whole house. When needed, we call the gardener, who has been trimming our lawns and bushes for many years. Malcolm used to take care of everything. Now it's our responsibility.”
Over dinner, they discussed production matters, and Warren explained his management duties. Megan replied that his responsibilities would now increase and so would his earnings accordingly.
Towards the end of the meal, Glenn turned to the cousin of her husband, “Warren mentioned you're interested in the traditions and legends of our area. We'd be delighted to share everything we know about it with you.”
“And I'll be delighted to hear it!”
“Then we can move to the living room, and over a glass of whisky, begin our stories, which you've been anticipating like little girls. Oh, ladies, how you love fairy tales!” Warren said with a playful smile.
Megan took a seat on the sofa. The couple settled into armchairs by the fireplace, where logs softly crackled, adding warmth to the large room.
“There are no ghosts in the castle, right?” Megan asked cautiously.
Warren laughed and replied, “I've never encountered any, and Malcolm never mentioned any to me. So, I can assure you, there have been no ghosts here for at least the last seventy years. And you, I see, are quite the scaredy-cat. Afraid of everything.”
“Well, not everything, just inexplicable things: the darkness, and the dead.”
“You should be afraid of the living, not the dead! Inexplicable things are always explainable, depending on how you look at it. The dead, they’re sleeping peacefully and not making any trouble. Why do you have this fear? Did something happen in the past?”
