Free Double Danger by Margaret Thomson Davis Page B

money piles up in the bank.’
    ‘Nice work if you can get it.’
    ‘And I’ve got it.’
    ‘So we’ll at least go and look at this place in the Campsies?’
    ‘Definitely. On my next leave.’
    Jessica did one of her excited little dances and clapped her hands.
    ‘I’ll really look forward to that. It’ll be a great adventure.’
    Brian’s voice took on a tone of mock drama. ‘A journey into the unknown.’

13
    They left the children with Mrs Mellors in Vale of Lennox and started driving towards Hilltop House, at the other side of the Campsies. Eventually, however, they were forced to abandon the car and started walking, or climbing to be more accurate. It wasn’t that the terrain was too steep for the car. The place was so overgrown with huge rhododendrons and laurels fighting for space with broom and bracken, such a dark jungle, that it blocked out the sun. They had to fight their way through climbing plants that had grown completely out of control, like the ivy underfoot that they kept sinking into or tripping over. Other spiky high climbing plants crushed together, creating a sinister atmosphere. There were huge trees blocking their path too. The soft gurgling sound warned of a small waterfall almost hidden by plants and shrubs.
    ‘The first thing we’ll have to do here,’ Brian said, ‘is get a landscape gardener to clear the place and make something decent of it.’
    ‘I can’t imagine what on earth could be done to make all this look decent.’
    ‘That’s their job. They have the imagination. They do this sort of thing all the time – transform estates.’
    ‘OK. OK. I’ll believe you.’
    Suddenly Brian cried out, ‘There it is. God, what a place!’
    A large black edifice reared up above the trees.
    Jessica shuddered. ‘Real creepy!’
    ‘Stop worrying. We could make it really beautiful and impressive. If we got the house painted and the land cleared, it would be a place to be proud of.’
    ‘And feel happy and at home in?’ Jessica asked sarcastically.
    ‘Yes. We’re very lucky to have received such a legacy. And Jessica, if it suits you better, think of it as a huge money bonus. This place could be worth a fortune, especially with so much land. But wait a minute. I’ve just had another idea. We could eventually make it into a hotel. That would be a great investment, a continuous income for us.’
    Jessica’s voice acquired a more interested and cheerful tone.
    ‘Right enough. All sorts of people would come from all over, I bet. I’d enjoy all the company.’
    ‘Yes, think of it as an investment.’
    At least there was a little clearing around the house and they climbed the couple of steps at the front and rang the bell. It clanged and echoed loudly through the jungle hush.
    A tall, large-busted woman answered.
    ‘You must be Mr and Mrs Anderson, the new owners,’ she greeted them. ‘Welcome to Hilltop House. I’m Mrs Peterson, the housekeeper.’
    They followed her inside. There they stopped to stare in astonishment at walls festooned with antlers and dead animals’ heads and skins. Even a tiger skin stretched across one area. The wood panelling was almost black with age.
    Mrs Peterson explained, ‘The late Mr Nairn used to travel abroad on shooting expeditions and had lots of shooting parties here too. He wasn’t fit enough to enjoy them towards the end. The last one was with pheasants that he reared and the guests stayed here for a few days during their shoot. Will you be doing the same, Mr Anderson?’
    Jessica answered before Brian could draw his breath.
    ‘No way! Fancy enjoying killing poor animals. I’ve never heard the like of it in my life. No way!’
    ‘Mr Anderson?’ Mrs Peterson repeated in a cooler tone.
    Brian treated her to one of his most charming smiles.
    ‘Please forgive my wife, Mrs Peterson. She’s always had a soft-hearted and impulsive nature. But no, I don’t think we’re likely to go in for the shooting business. I have a different