12 Grimewalled House.

Elsie had walked this path all her life, and she loved it, on her right and left were the few remaining Victorian houses left in the city, with their well worn steps leading to tiled porches with solid wooden doors. Her favourite was number 12 Grimewalled House, they were all something House, no one used the street name except the London buses.1

Number 12 had been bought and refurbished by a local man only  ten years ago.  2

When Elsie was little on her way to school she would imagine living in number 12 and dream about the secret garden that she thought must be in the back. So this day she stopped and looked and was surprised to read a plaque  describing the beautiful flat that was available to rent in this very house. But it was only a dream that she knew she couldn't afford, a flat here was going to be too expensive so she carried on her way to the local primary school where for the next few weeks she would be working. 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4

   Elsie is a photographer, self employed and advertised in the Yellow pages and the local news paper. She takes work where she can and is kept rather busy. Because of the expenses of living on her own she lives at home with her robust mother who is also her best friend, Shoulder length brown hair usually tied in silver clips, Jeans and tops that have the appearance of a blouse with a jumper to give a hint of professionalism. Enough about Elsie lets get to the story.5

Trudging back along her street she stopped again outside 12 Grimewalled house, a habit since childhood. Just as she is about to leave she hears a shout, 6

'Ha Elsie, you always stop here, did you read the plaque? are you interested in renting the flat?'7

'Mr Jones, Yes I always stop, I love this house but I couldn't afford what you would be asking, I am only a photographer and I know this is way over my budget.'8

Elsie liked Mr Jones as he had been a good friend to her father before he died a few years back, and now he owned 12 Grim walled House and let out it's flats.9

'Don't be to hasty Elsie you don't know which flat it is or the rent, why don't you come and have a look inside the flat and then we can talk about the rent?'10

So Elsie followed him in through the great big double doors, her dream coming true.11

What she saw took her breath away. She soaked in all the details, from the curving double stairs, laid with a deep red carpet, the enormous hallway to the pictures on the wall, obviously done by a local artist.12

'Who did these?' she asked.13

'Oh there by Matthews, he has the attic flat, all he could afford, and no where to put his work, so I let him hang them on the walls, saves me buying pictures.'14

Mr Jones took Elsie to a door beside the bottom of the stairs, opened it and she knew she was home, She could smell apple blossom floating on the air, and wood polish.15

The entrance hall to the flat was big enough to put a coat stand, and there were several doors leading to different rooms.16

'Now let me show you around Elsie, here on the right through this door, well this used to be the masters room, where he would come, smoke his pipe and do any business, but as you can see this is now a kitchen, with a door leading to the garden.'17

Elsie could see through the large window a big apple tree just over to the right, with a very old wooden swing attached to a lower branch, well mowed lawn, with a little patio just outside the door. The kitchen was bright and well equipped, with room for a little table and chairs.18

'Come my dear there is more to show you yet, I will leave the best until last,  knowing your a photographer and all.'19

The bedroom was also just perfect, with a big double iron bed, and a little bedside table, also looking out onto the garden.20

' Out there is where the vegetable plot used to be, Still get potatoes coming up, and along the stone wall  there you'll get strawberries and blackberries.'21

The bathroom had a very old bath, probably came with the house.22

'Tell me Mr Jones, the bed, the bath, the stone sink, is this all original, did it come with the house?'23

'Well many years ago the family that lived here all perished, it seemed that the master of the house fell asleep in his study, now your kitchen, while the rest of the family were asleep upstairs, he's pipe fell out of his hand and they all perished, For many years it was left derelict until I bought it, I tried to keep what was left, each flat has something of the old house, but your flat has the most, the children died from the smoke, the mother died trying to break down the masters door and burnt to death along with him.' 'Now let me show you the most interesting room.'24

Opposite the kitchen door was another door. 'Now this used to be the master living room.'25

He opened the door and stood there, there was no  light, it was pitch black.26

We have electricity in all the flats, but this room won't light up, I don't even know how big it is, and It hasn't been touched, can't see to paint it or anything, this is why the rent is so cheap, but you doing what you do, I think maybe you could use it as a dark room, What do you think?'27

Elsie couldn't refuse, this felt like home, so within the week she was moved in.28