Collette Bonnar's Short Stories: Halloween at Hancroft House

“Once we reach the village of Glenvary, Hancroft House is ten miles further on west,” said Megan. “Although Eva emphasised that we’d need to stop and ask directions as there are so many little side roads.”

“Well, let’s get to the village first,” said her husband, David, who was driving the people carrier.

Their friends, Jack and Debbie, were in the back passenger seat. “I have to say, the scenery is breath-taking,” said Debbie as she admired the panoramic views in this rugged part of west Clare.

“It will be interesting trying to find the place,” said Jack. “This area is so remote.”

The four friends were heading to County Clare for the Halloween weekend to visit their friends who had moved to live there last year.

Eva and Owen were really looking forward to their company for the weekend. They’d planned a dinner party for the Saturday night as this would give the couples a chance to meet the new friends they’d made since moving to the south-west. Owen and Eva had sent photographs of the house after they’d refurbished it but now the couples were looking forward to seeing it in reality.

The weather was cold but bright as they travelled down the western seaboard. Finally, arriving in the village of Glenvary, they decided to stop at a local pub for coffee and get directions. Seated in the olde worlde pub with the flag floor, polished oak beams and a blazing fire, the barman, Paudie, came over to take their order.

“Coffees all round?” asked Jack as he turned to the others.

“Perfect,” they chorused as the barman went off to fetch the order.

“What brings you to these parts?” Paudie asked when he returned with the coffee.

“We’ve friends living in Hancroft House near Eagles Glen and we’re hoping you’ll give us directions,” said David.

“Ah yes, I know that area well,” said Paudie. Then smiling, he added wryly; “Easy to find if you know where you’re going.”
“Oh, gosh,” said Megan. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll write down the directions and hopefully, you won’t get lost.”

A short time later, the friends were on their way and sure enough after following Paudie’s detailed directions they came on Hancroft House quite easily. The old country pile stood on two acres of sprawling grounds adjacent to parkland and a forest.
Owen and Eva bounded out to greet them; “Welcome to Hancroft,” said Eva while Owen helped the men with the luggage.

“I’ll give you the grand tour when you get settled in,” Eva added.

“Your home is fabulous,” said Megan, her eyes sweeping around the large hall with a fire blazing in the grate.

“You’ve the place done up beautifully for Halloween,” said Debbie, as she admired the ghoulish decorations, carved pumpkins and vases of fresh autumn flowers dotted around the hall and reception rooms.

After supper, the friends spent the rest of the night reminiscing and catching up on their news. The conversation finally turned to the dinner party the following evening.

“How many are you having?” asked Debbie.

“Well, including ourselves there will be fourteen,” Eva told them.

“Wow! that’s a lot,” said Megan. “We’ll help out with the cooking,” she offered.

“There’s no need,” Eva replied. “Peg is coming in to help in the afternoon,” she told them referring to the part-time housekeeper. “Besides, I’ve a good bit of the prepping done. The four of you can go off touring and enjoy the scenery so no arguments.”

The following day, the four friends set off exploring after breakfast. Starting out, the weather had been mild but by afternoon a storm had blown up.

As they travelled along the narrow coastal road, the waves from the Atlantic were crashing on the beach below. Negotiating the people carrier on the hairpin bends, Jack declared; “I think, we’ll head back,”

“Good idea,” said Megan, shuddering as the gales grew stronger and driving became more hazardous.

When they arrived back at Hancroft House, Owen had a blazing fire going in the drawing room and shortly after, Eva arrived in with a tray of tea and warm barmbrack.

“Are you sure we can’t do anything to help in the kitchen?” asked Debbie.
“It’s all sorted,” replied Eva. “Table is set in the dining room, the lamb is ready for the oven, vegetables and desserts all done.”

Later that evening, after showering and changing, the friends made their way downstairs to the drawing room to meet the other guests and have an aperitif before dinner.

“The house is huge,” said Debbie. “You could easily get lost here,” she joked as her eyes swept around the vast hall with doors leading into the various reception rooms.

“Let’s have a peek into the dining room,” said Megan. “I know Eva spent ages setting the table, I’m dying to see it.”
Entering the room, they stopped in their tracks as they spotted an elegant, stylish woman dressed in a black and gold dress.
She was seated at the head of the table.

“Hi.” Debbie called out. “We’re just having a little peek; the table looks fabulous…”

The woman didn’t answer, she just stared straight ahead.

“Ooops, someone’s not being very sociable,” whispered Megan but went on to admire the mahogany table which was laid with hand-cut crystal, a Wedgewood dinner service and silver cutlery.

“Wow!” said Debbie. “This is amazing. I’m really looking forward to dinner now.”

The two husbands stood by the blazing fire, amused by their wives’ curiosity. Leaving the room, Megan glanced around, the lady was still seated at the top of the table. She then whispered to Debbie; “She’s certainly not going to miss out on dinner. What would you take and plonk yourself down ahead of everyone else.”

“It takes all kinds,” said Debbie as they made their way towards the drawing room to meet the other guests.
Over a sumptuous dinner, the couples engaged warmly with Owen and Eva’s new friends, afterwards, Eva suggested; “Let’s go to the library for an after-dinner drink.”

As they gathered around the fire, Debbie nudged Megan. “It’s only now I’m realising the mystery woman has disappeared. She wasn’t at dinner.”

“Oh, you’re right. I was too busy chatting to the others I’d forgotten about her.”

A few minutes later, while Owen was stoking the fire and Eva busy pouring drinks for the guests, Megan and Debbie wandered over to the baby grand piano which was covered in framed photographs.

“Oh look, there’s the woman who was in the dining room earlier,” said Megan as she picked up a silver-framed photograph.
“So it is,” said Debbie. “She’s wearing the same dress and smiling at the camera.”

With that, Eva arrived over to ask what they’d like to drink; “Wasn’t she beautiful,” she commented, nodding at the woman in the photograph.

“Who is she?” asked Debbie as a chill stole over her.

“Edwina O’Rourke. We found the photograph in the attic when we moved in. We made enquires and discovered she owned this house some years ago…”

The two women froze as Eva continued; “But she died tragically in a boating accident on Drimagh Lake - just a few miles from here.”

Debbie and Megan felt goosebumps on their arms as Eva continued with a sceptical laugh; “It’s rumoured she haunts the house but so far we haven’t encountered her…”