THE NEW CARETAKER

by Nosbert

FOREWORD

For those of you that have read 'The Caretaker', you will recall that the story was set in the years 1987/88. However, as you read this next adventure you will slowly discover that 'The New Caretaker' has themes that can only be attributed to more recent times. I've tried to make these anomalies as transparent as possible in order to keep the story flowing, but there is always some smart-ass who will notice the time warp. I therefore apologise in advance… Sorry!... The characters may not have aged, but in certain cases the world around them may have moved on some thirteen years. However, I have deliberately refrained from mentioning the Internet and also avoided the use of mobile phones. The story remains firmly in the year 1988 as far as communications are concerned.
Anyway, for those of you who do not particularly care what year the story is set in, the last chapter of 'The Caretaker' saw the body of Malcolm Smith, the main character of the story, being brought to the surface at ten o'clock on the morning of Friday 7th January (of no particular year). We take up the story one hour later after the body has been officially identified and Inspector Hawkins has found time to inform all those concerned.
One of those calls would most certainly be to Malcolm Smith's former employers, Madam Troudeau's of London.

Now read on … … …

Nosbert
 

CONTENTS

Part One

Chapter  One … … … … … The New Appointment
Chapter Two … … … … …The Unexpected Visitor
Chapter Three … … … … … … . Rack and Chains
Chapter Four … … … … …Clearing the Basement
Chapter Five … … … … … … . Three Ceremonies
Chapter Six … … … … … … … Keys to the Castle
Chapter Seven … … … … … … … ...The Old Barn
Chapter Eight … … … … … …Laddered Stockings
Chapter Nine … … … … … …The Disused Tunnel
Chapter Ten … … … … … … The Bluebell Woods
Chapter Eleven … … … … … .The Big Dark Cloud
Chapter Twelve … … … … … . Love Turns to Hate
 

Part Two

Chapter Thirteen … … … … … … … . Dark Glasses
Chapter Fourteen … … … … … … … . The Listener
Chapter Fifteen … … … … … … … … ..  Pony Girls
Chapter Sixteen … … … … … … … ... Gone Missing
Chapter Seventeen … … … … ... ..  Calling of the Pact
Chapter Eighteen … … … … ... .  Return to Lancashire
Chapter Nineteen … … … … … ... Back Down South
Chapter Twenty … … … … … …Two New Members
Chapter Twenty-one … … … … … …Making Friends
Chapter Twenty-two … … … … … …Detective Work
Chapter Twenty-three … … … … … … ... .Sightseeing
Chapter Twenty-four … … … … … .. All Wrapped Up
Chapter Twenty-five … … … … … Comfortably Numb

Part Three

Chapter Twenty-six … … … … … …Shock Treatment
Chapter Twenty-seven … … … … … … ... Revelations
Chapter Twenty-eight  … … … … As One Door Closes
Chapter Twenty-nine… … … … …Another Door Slams
Chapter Thirty … … … … … … … ... ..Retracing Steps
Chapter Thirty-one … … … … .The Old Railway Tunnel
Chapter Thirty-two … … … … … … .The Pony Parade
Chapter Thirty-three … … … … … … .Under Hypnosis
Chapter Thirty-four … … … … … … … ... ... ...Escape
Chapter Thirty-five … … … … … … ... ... ..Surveillance
Chapter Thirty-six … … … … … … ...The Missing Link
Chapter Thirty-seven ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..Secret Passages
Chapter Thirty-eight ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Conclusions