Free Thornhall Manor by George Benton Page B

have I told you? Peg’s the name. I’ll be back in about one hour.”
    â€œSo this is Thornhall Manor, Annie.”
    â€œWell, what’s left of it, Steve.”
    Although gutted by fire parts of the remaining structure retained some of the former splendour of the manor. As they passed under the stone archway leading on to the gravel drive, Steve realised that maybe he had been wrong to ask Annie to come with him. He could see the sadness in her face.
    â€œThey would meet there,” she said, pointing to their right. “Horses, dogs, master of the hunt. I used to serve the punch. It was quite a large area with stables all around.”
    Farther along they came to the blackened steps leading into the manor.
    As Steve made his way up the steps, Annie said, “I won’t come with you, Steve. I will wait here.”
    Steve disappeared into the ruined manor. Annie stood there, looking across the remains of the lawn to the river. In her memory she could see the children playing on the grass. Steve was amazed how large and splendid the building must have been. He stood looking up the great oak half-burned stairway with a clear sky above. He realised it was a mistake to think that by coming to the manor he would be able to help William. Too many years had passed.
    He made his way back to the front steps, but to his surprise there was no sign of Annie. The vast open landscape reminded him of Australia and the unhappy and happy years he spent there. Back home in England he had found friends and two grandchildren. He was rich. How he would love to share his fortune with his great friend William.
    His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by “Steve - come with me.”
    Annie had noticed footmarks on the narrow pathway she knew so well - the path which she used to take with the children to the woods. Across the pathway lay a heavy beam, burned black. Steve helped Annie over the beam and they continued along the path.
    â€œThey used to call that the prison,” Annie said, pointing to a large oak door.
    Steve tried, but was unable to open the door.
    â€œIt’s locked, Annie.”
    What happened next Steve would never forget. Annie began screaming. Approaching them from the woods was a tall bedraggled man.
    With the colour slowly returning to her face, Annie exclaimed, “It’s Samuel!”
    She thought she must be mistaken. It couldn’t be.
    â€œThank God, Samuel, you’re alive!”
    Then there she was, not thinking of her attire, embracing a friend she thought had died long ago. After a one-sided conversation (questions being answered with a nod of the head), Steve realised this poor chap was unable to talk.

Chapter Thirty-Two
    MASTER OF THE MANOR
    â€œAfter you, William.”
    As he entered the room he was surrounded by family and friends - Dr Haywood, Annie, Mary, Ned, Mr Pegington, Terry Morgan, the children and, last but not least, his mother and father. Overwhelmed with emotion, he broke down with tears streaming down his face.
    â€œOh, please forgive me. I never thought this day would ever come. I’d like to thank you all for everything you’ve done for me - especially Steve, my dear Australian mate.”
    This was greeted by loud laughter.
    â€œWilliam, we have one other surprise for you. Now shut your eyes. You can open them now.”
    William just stood there.
    â€œIt’s not possible! I don’t believe it!”
    For there standing in front of him was Samuel, his boyhood friend, who he thought had perished in the fire. Members of the family looked on in silence as the two men hugged each other.
    At this point Dr Haywood said, “William, all charges have been dropped. You are once again a free man, thanks to your friend Steve and Annie.”
    William listened intently as Steve told him how Samuel had appeared from the woods. “If that wasn’t a shock, what happened next was. That door I could not open - Samuel unlocked it and