Bitesize 3.1

All I got time for today folks. Busy busy busy.

Bitesize 3.1

Alf was right, Acorn House was about an hour from his Dad's place and well signposted too. Ed had no problem finding the place and before long sat outside the gates. They were large metal gates, remote controlled he guessed as he saw an intercom on the side. He pulled up, wound down his window and pushed the intercom button. There was a pause then a male voice.
"Yep?"
"Ed Baxter. Lady Barrington's expecting me?"
There was no more conversation but the large gates swung open and Ed drove through. The drive led straight up, lined by trees on either side, then curled right to bring him out in front of the house. It was huge, much bigger than his Dad's house and covered almost entirely in ivy. Large leaded windows poked out from the greenery and a stone archway framed the front door. Ed pulled his car over to one side and made for the front door. It opened before he arrived to reveal what was presumably Lady Barrington. She didn't look particularly noble, dressed in a crisp white trouser suit. Ed didn't know what he'd expected but she seemed quite normal against the grandiose backdrop. Average height, average weight, a little over fifty with fully grey hair but the way she eyed Ed as he strode toward her spoke of an obvious class divide.
"Lady Barrington?" Ed asked.
She didn't offer her hand, just looked down at him from the doorstep.
"Are you the man from the magazine?"
Ed nodded. The Bureau did operate a bi monthly paranormal magazine, both as a front and as a way to control the flow of information. He fished in his pocket for the fake id card Alf had given him and handed it to her.
"Ed Baxter, Nexus magazine." He smiled.
She glanced briefly at the card then passed it back then turned and went into the house. Ed followed her.
"The house is yours for five days." she said, "I ask that you eat off the premises and be extremely careful not to damage anything." she shot him a look that said 'And I expect you probably will damage something'. Ed merely nodded. "James looks after the house's security." she carried on, "He locks the place down at 8:30 every night so if you're not back on the premises by then..." she left that one hanging.
"Eight thirty." Ed repeated, "Sure."
She led him through a long hallway to the rear of the house and out of another door. There was a garden out here and to one side a large cabin looking somewhat out of place. Lady Barrington rapped on the door and it opened to reveal an overweight chap in his forties wearing a security guard's uniform.
"This is James." she said to Ed and the two exchanged hellos. "Mr Baxter is the gentleman I was telling you about James."
James merely nodded. Lady Barrington was already walking back toward the house.
"I'll show you the mirror." she said as Ed caught up with her, "And the bathroom facilities. There's a suite you can use which I expect you to keep clean and tidy." She checked her watch, "I have an appointment in an hour, let's make this quick."