The Locked Door

Part 5

“Mum” Jaya said when her call was answered.

“Hello darling” Christa Hughes said. “How’s it going?”

“I’m just about finished but I’ve come across something weird.”

“Weird?” he mother said “what is it?”

“A door” Jaya said “it was behind that huge old wardrobe in the second bedroom. Do you know anything about it?”

“No, what sort of door? What does it lead to?”

“An ordinary door” Jaya said and I don’t know where it leads, it’s locked.”

Her mother was quiet for a minute.

“Mum” Jaya said wondering if she was still there.

“I’m here” Christa said “I’m just thinking. I don’t understand why your grandparents would have blocked it up or what it may be. Maybe it’s just a cupboard that wasn’t big enough so they put a bigger one in front of it.”

Jaya thought for a second. The answer her mother had offered wasn’t one that she had considered and it did indeed seem the most reasonable explanation but for some reason it disappointed her. There was no mystery to it. It was just a matter of practicalities. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. We still have to get in there before we sell though. Who knows what might be in it?”

“I have no idea how you can do that” Christa said “maybe there’s a key somewhere.”

“I’ve tried all the ones I found packing up. If there was a key, it’s not here any longer.”

“Then maybe you’ll just have to leave it locked” her mother said.

Jaya could not believe that her mother wasn’t even curious about what might be in the cupboard. “Don’t you want to know what’s in there?”

“After all these years, it can’t be much. I’m sure your grandparent’s wouldn’t have put anything of value in a cupboard that they were not ever likely to open again.”

“Well I need to find out” Jaya said or I’ll always wonder.”

“Have you ever heard the saying curiosity killed the cat” her mother said.

Jaya laughed “yes I’ve heard it and if I was a cat I might be worried” she teased.

Christa laughed. “You do whatever you need to honey. I’m very grateful that you took this on.”

“I was happy to do it mum. I’ll call you when I work out what I’m going to do.”

“Okay darling, take care” her mother said before hanging up.

Jaya lowered her phone and tapped it against her knee as she thought about what to do. Her mother may not be curious but Jaya knew she would drive herself crazy if she left without knowing what was in that cupboard. If indeed it was just a cupboard. She could call a locksmith, she thought, but she was aware that there was not likely to be one in the small country town. Bringing one from the city would be expensive. That was not going to work.

A minute later Jaya had an idea. Jumping off the bench she went in search of the local paper that had been delivered the day before. She had put it in the bin with the rest of the junk mail. After a quick search she found the paper and dragged it out. Luckily it wasn’t buried too deep. Now to find what she needed. She turned to the classifieds and looked through the business ads. In the second column she found what she was looking for and with a smile she grabbed her phone and called the number.