The Locked Door

Part 11

Jaya got to her feet and as she turned back to face him she realised she was holding him up “crap” she said “you must want to go. Sorry I guess I got carried away.”

He smiled “no problem.”

“What do I owe you?” she said.

“If you think I’m going to charge you for uncovering a decades old mystery, you’re crazy. This has been the best job I’ve had in months.”

Jaya laughed “I have to give you something.”

“I know it’s not exactly ethical and you can say no, but I’d settle for a beer and some pizza” he said with a warm smile.

Jaya blushed “oh” she said and looking at her watch she was surprised to see that it was after five o’clock. Where had the time gone?

The Locked Door

Part 10

Walker pushed the screw driver further in and levered it against the door jam. The door swung forward and he grabbed it and pulled so the lock parted. The door was free of the opening now and lifting it he set it against the wall to one side.

Jaya hadn’t moved. The space beyond the door was dark and for some reason she could not bring herself to go in there.

Walker turned back to look at her and he must have read her expression. Bending he pulled a torch out of his tool box and holding out his hand he said “I’ll come with you.”

Jaya lifted her eyes to look at him. She felt stupid but she could not move. To her relief he did not appear to be making fun of her. His expression was serious but kind. Jaya put her hand in his and after turning on the torch he turned towards the door. “Sorry” she said.

He turned back and smiled “forget about it, a room that’s been locked up for decades is a bit creepy.”

Jaya smiled. She did not believe that he was affected in any way but she appreciated him pretending he was. She also liked his large warm hand wrapped around hers.

“Right here we go” he said and led the way towards the doorway.

Jaya’s heart was beating fast as she followed the torch light around the room. 

The Locked Door

Part 9

 In the second bedroom again it took less than a second to see that there was only one window.”

“That answers that” she said and thinking for a minute she said “but why isn’t there a door into the hall instead of into this room?”

“Maybe originally it was one large room but at some stage it was divided up?” he said.

“Yes, that would explain it but it still doesn’t tell me why my grandparents blocked it off.”

“I guess you won’t know that until you get in there” and with a smile he added “and that’s my cue to get back to work.” He finished his coffee and smiled at her.

Returning his smile Jaya put out her hand to take his mug.

“Thanks” he said.

“No problem” Jaya said and took the mugs back to the kitchen before returning to the bedroom. 

It took Walker another ten frustrating minutes before he finally got the pin to move. Once started, it still took some time to inch the pin out, but eventually he got it, and he turned his head to grin at her.

“What do we do now?” Jaya said as excitement bubbled up within her.

The Locked Door

Part 8

Within a few minutes she walked back into the bedroom with two mugs. He dropped his tools and took the mug she held out.  “I got the top one out” he said. “The bottom one doesn’t want to be as co-operative.”

“Well we are one step closer anyway.”

“What are you thinking is in there?” he said.

“I have no idea” Jaya said. “I had a look and going by the surrounding room to me it looks like it might be a bigger space than just a cupboard.”

“Mind if I check it out?” he said.

The Locked Door

Part 7

“I’m not much of a lock pick but I can give it a go" Walker said. "Anything else I try is going to cause damage I’m afraid.”

“Then please let’s try picking the lock first” Jaya said.

“Okay let’s see if we can find some instruction then” he said and as Jaya watched he pulled out his phone and typed “how to pick an old door lock.”

She smiled and said “is there anything you can’t google?”

He looked up and grinned “if there is I haven’t found it.”

Jaya laughed and looked over his shoulder as he scanned the answers. She could smell his aftershave. Without warning he turned his head and met her gaze. A slow smile spread across his face.

The Locked Door

Part 6

The handyman Jaya had called did not think it would be a problem getting the door open but he could not come out until the following day. Jaya sighed and agreed. So much for going home she lamented.  

For the rest of the day Jaya cleaned up the mess that she had made looking for the keys, repacking all the boxes she had emptied. Once she was done she decided to make the most of the time she had with nothing to do and relax. With this in mind she ran a bath. After soaking until she was wrinkly she ordered a pizza for dinner and went to bed. 

The next day, just after lunch, there was a knock on her door at the time she had agreed with the handyman.

Excited to solve the mystery at last Jaya was already smiling when she answered the knock. However one look at the man on her doorstep and her smile faded away.

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.