Colton Manor Read Free Page A

Ursula said, drawing in her breath.
    “People say it’s haunted.”
    “Aren’t there rumours like that about all old houses? You don’t believe them do you?” She tried to laugh the comment off, but Bonnie didn’t even crack a smile as she set her coffee mug down on the table.
    “I’m going to be honest with you, Ursula. This isn’t just a social visit. I came here to warn you about the house. The reason the rent is so cheap for the summer is because no one has been able to stay here for more than a week or two. They all leave in a big hurry because they’re scared away. There’s something about it that isn’t right. I felt it the first time I came here, and that’s why I refuse to set foot inside.   ”
    For a moment Ursula didn’t know how to respond, but she remembered the feeling of foreboding she’d had about the house when the woman at the real estate offered to let them view it, and again when she’d seen it for the first time. She’d always been attuned to her sixth sense, but since she’d arrived at Colton Manor she’d tried to ignore the bad vibes the house seemed to give off. She usually took her intuitions very seriously, but she couldn’t afford to let herself get carried away when she was here for over a month on her own.
    “Plea se tell me this is a joke.”
    “I wish it was, but you can ask anyone in town. Yvette should never have rented the house to you, but she was under a lot of pressure from the owner to find a summer tenant. When I found out you were here on your own I had to let you know. If you want my advice I think you should just cut your losses and get out of here, go back to the city. It’s not safe for anyone, but especially a young woman by herself.”
    “I can’t,” replied Ursula, her panic beginning to rise. “I’m in between houses at the moment and all my stuff is in storage. On top of that I have no money. Every cent I had went into the rent for this place. I can’t leave because I have nowhere to go.”
    “What about family or friends? Surely there’s someone you can stay with? I’d offer you a bed at our place, but with three kids there’s not much room to spare.”
    “My parents live overseas , and most of my friends have gone away for the summer break.  There’s no one else I could impose on for that long. I know you meant well, Bonnie, but I wish you hadn’t said anything. Now you’ve really got me spooked.” Ursula glanced up at the window of her studio, and for a second she was positive she saw someone standing there looking down at them. She put her hand to her mouth. “God, now I’m even seeing people, I just thought there was someone looking out from that window.”
    Bonnie glanced towards the window nervously. “I’m sorry. My husband told me not to say anything to you, and maybe he was right, but I just thought you should know. I feel awful now.”
    “No one has ever actually been hurt by this ghost, have they? ”
    “Not that I know of. From what I’ve heard people just get very spooked and leave, but nothing has ever physically harmed them.”
    “ I think I can handle things that go bump in the night as long as they don’t hurt me. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
    Bonnie did not look very convinced as she stared at Ursula with a furrowed brow. Then her face brightened unexpectedly.
    “ Actually there is one possible solution. It won’t get you away from the house but it will mean you don’t have to be here on your own.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, I have a friend who’s renovating his house and he’s been staying in a motel in town. He actually thought about renting this place himself, but he was only supposed to be out of his house for a few days. The builders found some major problems so he’s going to need somewhere to stay for much longer now.”
    “He’s not worried about the rumours?”
    “He’s a science professor who doesn’t believe in ghosts. He’s always said he’d be glad to spend time in this