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
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