The Locked Door

Part 13

Jaya was surprised but not displeased. She closed her eyes, and opened her mouth as a shiver passed through her.

For several minutes they kissed without touching other than with their mouths. When the need for air forced them apart Jaya sighed. “Wow.”

She saw the gleam of his teeth as he smiled “just what I was going to say.”

She laughed and then asked “so if you were going to do it anyway, why did you say it was a shame?”

“Because I knew even before I did it that once wasn’t going to be enough. That I would want to do it again” and his voice dropping lower he added “can we do it again?”

The Locked Door

Part 12

Now that the mystery had been solved she was aware of a feeling of excitement at having dinner with Walker. It seemed that she had known him for longer than an afternoon and remembered with pleasure the feeling of his large hand wrapped around hers.

Within twenty minutes Walker was back with the beer and right behind him was the pizza. It was still light as she closed the door on the pizza boy and carried the pizza into the living room. She had given away all the seats so they sat down with their backs against the wall and after opening a beer each they clinked bottles. “Cheers” Walker said.

“Thanks for helping me solve the mystery.”

“As I said that was the most enjoyable job I’ve had in months. I’ve never been called on to try and pick a lock before.”

“How long have you been a handyman here?” she said as she offered him a slice of pizza.

“About six months” he said. “I’m actually a steel manufacturer by trade but when mum got sick and I came back here to live, there wasn’t much call for that.” His smile was wry.

“Is your mum okay now?”

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.