Culvert Cove

It was a tantalising invitation.  Squatting on the fingertip of Culvert Cove, the cottage looked down in contemplative isolation on the postcard perfect harbour full of chintzy B&B’s and celebrity chef cafes.



“For Sale”.

But not your normal plastic estate agents’ placard.  This was hand-painted, a silhouette of the cottage against a stormy sea.



“Enquire Within”.



Nancy and Tom couldn’t resist.  The weekend away from work, and the worries of running a small but highly successful advertising agency had wetted their appetite for a country retreat.  This was a dream location.  Their combined creative eye saw huge potential. 



As Nancy opened the low metal gate, Tom hung back.



“It’s a bit unusual.  Selling a place privately, I mean.  Are you sure we should knock?” 



“Don’t be so urbane, Tom, this isn’t Kensington, it’s the way things are done down here.”



She folded his arm in both hers and led him to the shiny black door.



Later, sitting in the fragrant fading warmth of the late summer evening, Tom shivered.



“That was,” he faltered and shivered again.



“Weird.  I can’t explain the cottage.  It’s wonderful on the outside, but inside.  It’s weird.”



Nancy hesitated before reaching out for his hand.  Then with a sense of relief, she pressed it to her cheek.



“Tom.”



He lowered his shoulders, kissed her perfectly manicured fingers and stood up with resolve.



“No.  That’s it.  The place was strange.  End of.  Let’s just enjoy our last evening, have a pint, then try one of those kitschy kitchens down on the front.  I fancy a steak.  Had enough seafood for one weekend.”



“Tom!”



Nancy’s voice was pained, but the sunset had caught his artist’s attention and he didn’t hear.  She sighed and followed him down the path to the local just a few yards away.



The bar was empty.  Completely empty.  No staff, no customers, even the fat black cat had disappeared.



Half drunken beer sat on the bar, open crisp packets shed their curly contents on random tables, but like the scene in a spaghetti western as the baddies appear, the place was conspicuously empty.



“What the?”  Tom scratched his head.



“Tom, I need to tell you.”



“No its, probably the match, I bet they’re all down in Aussies Bar watching the game.  Of course they are! So what do we do?  Help ourselves or walk down to Aussies?”



“TOM!”



“What?  What’s the matter?  What’s happened?”



“You really don’t know do you?”



“Know what?”



“Let’s go back to the cottage.”



“Aw what?”  Nance, why?  We both hated the place.  What’s the point?  Let’s go watch the match.”



“I need you to see something.  I’m sorry Tom.  Please, just trust me.”



She squeezed his hand.



“I love you. I always will.”



Reluctantly, he followed her back to the point.  Despite the gathering gloom, their passage was surprisingly sure, never once did they stumble over rabbit holes or rocks.



Once again they arrived at the hand painted sign.



“Okay, here again.  Now what?  An Indian war dance?  Exactly WHY have you bought me back here Nancy?”



“You really don’t know do you?  Can’t you remember anything?”



“What the… what are you talking about?”



“Inside this place lives a evil man.  He has done things.  Things to others that nobody should endure.  In a while you will remember.  But Tom, you’ve stopped him.  You’ve put an end to the decades of suffering that women, girls, children, have endured at this monster’s hands.  You’re a hero Tom.  I never loved anyone as much as I have loved you.  You made me so proud.  Don’t forget.”



As her words faded, the shiny black door opened.



Pain.



Sharp, cutting, bright.  Flashing lights.  Sirens.  Radios.  A helicopter clattering.



“TOM.  Can you hear me Tom.  Squeeze my hand.  Tom.  Can you hear me.”



As he opened his eyes, the paramedic removed the oxygen mask from his face.



“Nancy?”



“You’re a hero mate.  My God he was an animal.  How the hell you survived that I’ll never know.”



Tom’s eye’s flickered as reality kicked in.



At the end of a long black tunnel he watched as they zipped her into the black plastic bag.