Mystery at Merrycliff

By Jean Wroton Hunger

Wilhelmina Thornton's world turned upside down in less than a minute. That's how long it took her father to tell her that she would be spending her entire summer with her great-aunt Agatha at Merrycliff, an old house in the little mountain town of Three Springs.

"Dad, how can you do this to me? I'll be bored out of my wits!"

How wrong she was! The summer turned out to be the best one ever! Full of surprises, secrets, intriguing twists and unexpected turns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887635149

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

1: Bad News

2: Merrycliff

3: An Unpleasant Meeting

4: New Friends

5: The Invitation

6: Stranded

7: Willy Makes Amends

8: The Attic

9: The Accident

10: Recovery

11: A Startling Discovery

12: Who Is Elvira?

13: The Frantic Search

14: The Prowler

15: Startling Revelations

16: The Celebration

About the Author

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Mystery at Merrycliff

Jean Wroton Hunger

Copyright © 2023 Jean Wroton Hunger

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88763-513-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88763-514-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

For my girls:

Karen and Julie,

Melissa and Christine,

Kayla and Sophia,

and

My boy Lucas

1

Bad News

Wilhelmina Thornton's plans for an entire summer were completely shattered in less than a minute. That was the length of time it took for her father to tell her the bad news.

It happened on the next to the last day of Willy's last year in junior high school. She and her friend Julie Ellis were sitting on the balcony of the apartment where Willy now lived with her father.

How did your exams go today, Julie? asked Willy.

Okay, I think, replied Julie.

Great. One more tomorrow, and we're done for another year. Let's hit the books.

Willy opened her textbook and her notebook.

Julie watched the waves breaking on the shore. This view of the ocean is fantastic, Willy. You're lucky to be living here.

I know. Dad and I fell in love with this place the first time we saw it.

They had moved to the beach apartment from their home in the Midwest after the death of Willy's mother three years earlier. Willy had been eleven years old when the tragedy occurred. Now at fourteen, she had settled into her new life among her new friends.

Julie reluctantly focused her gaze onto the pages of her books. They sat in companionable silence until Willy suddenly slammed her books closed.

That's it! I know this stuff. All's right with the world, Julie.

Julie stared at the tall, slim girl with the sparkling eyes and hair closer-to-red-than-brown auburn and said, What's with you? Have you flipped out? What do you mean, ‘All's right with the world'?

Willy laughed. That's one of old Miss Erving's sayings when everything is going great. It's from a Robert Browning poem. She's always quoting him in English class.

So? What's going so great?

Everything, Julie. I'm going to ace my exam tomorrow. Summer vacation starts. I've got books to read and CDs to listen to. I'll have time to work on my projects. We can go swimming. There are zillions of things we'll be able to do. Aren't you excited?

I'll be excited tomorrow if I pass my exam, replied Julie. If I get out of old PJHS tomorrow, it'll be a miracle.

You will. Don't worry.

Yeah, that's easy for you to say. I wouldn't worry if I had your grades, Julie replied enviously.

Willy had always done well in school. Her mother had seen to that. She had been supportive and interested and had made even the smallest task seem like an adventure. That encouragement and enthusiasm, coupled with Willy's natural curiosity and intelligence, had made her an excellent student.

Oh, I can't wait, Julie, said Willy as she gathered her books and stacked them neatly on the table. Just one more day. This is going to be the best summer ever, and it starts out with Karen's beach party on Friday. You're going, aren't you? It's going to be a blast. Everybody's going to be there, even Dad! He's going to be one of the chaperones.

Of course, I'm going to be there. I wouldn't miss it for anything, replied Julie. I've even got a new outfit. It's so cool. Wait till you see it. I bought hot-pink shorts and a hot-pink striped top to go with them.

Sounds perfect. I'm going to see if I can get Dad to buy me an outfit I saw in Berson's window. I'm sure I can talk him into it. He usually likes what I pick out.

Yeah, your dad's neat, replied Julie as she got up and started gathering her books. Well, I've got to go before Mom has a catfit, wondering where I am. I'll see you tomorrow.

Julie hurried out.

Willy picked up a library book and returned to the balcony, where she was firmly determined to get the last chapter read before her father arrived home from work. But on this June afternoon, the salty ocean breeze, the pale scalloped fringe of foam that marked the water's edge, the sailboats swaying in the surf, the gulls soaring, and the vacationers lazing in the sand invaded her senses and made reading impossible. The book soon slipped to the floor, and Willy, her chin propped on her clasped hands, watched the ocean ripple and glint under the sun like a giant silver-blue fish. She gave herself up to marvelous thoughts of her summer vacation.

Willy, are you home? called her father.

Jolted out of her thoughts, Willy replied, Out on the balcony, Dad.

Mr. Thornton, an exporting firm executive, appeared in the doorway. He was a tall, handsome man with dark-brown eyes set in a deeply tanned face. His thick hair was styled becomingly, and he looked very distinguished in a light-blue suit.

Hi, Dad. What's up? Willy retrieved the book from the floor. You're home early, aren't you?

Yes, Willy. I've got some news. He sat down on the edge of a chair and looked slightly nervous. I have to go to Europe for the summer on business. I can't take you with me, so I've arranged for you to stay with your great-aunt Agatha at Merrycliff. What do you think about that?

Willy stared at her father in shocked silence.

He didn't say that, she thought wildly. I misunderstood. Leave the beach for a whole summer? Be alone with an old lady I don't even know? How can he do this to me?

It may not be for the whole summer, Willy. I'll get back as soon as I can, said Mr. Thornton gently as he observed Willy's stricken expression.

I can't do that, she blurted out. Do I have to?

Willy's lip quivered, and her father's face blurred as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

Cheer up, Willy. It's not going to be that bad. After all, it's not forever.

Yes, it is, Dad. I'm going to hate it. I don't even know Aunt What's Her Name, and I have to spend a whole summer with her?

Her name is Agatha. She's your grandmother's sister. She lives in Three Springs, a quaint little town in the mountains, in a wonderful old house called Merrycliff, explained Mr. Thornton patiently. I called your aunt Agatha this morning. She said she'd love to have you. Since I can't take you with me to Europe, it'll work out perfectly.

Perfect for you, maybe, but not for me, Willy cried, knowing that she was being unfair.

Willy argued and pleaded all evening, but she could not change her father's mind. She finally gave up the struggle and retreated to her warm and cozy room.

Willy had decorated the room herself. She had chosen everything with loving care. Green, blue, and white flowery curtains, stirred by a gentle breeze, hung at the windows. Pale-blue carpet cushioned the floor. Her books were arranged neatly on shelves in a built-in alcove. Her handmade dresser scarves and knickknacks adorned the antique white furnishings. Tonight, the room failed to comfort her. She cried herself to sleep.

Morning sunrise brought a pale wash of color into the room. Willy stirred as the filtered sunlight warmed her face. Having slept restlessly, she groaned at the thought of getting out of bed.

The last day of school, she thought miserably. It's going to be awful. I wish I were dead.

Willy, come and get it. Breakfast is ready, called her father from the kitchen.

I'm coming, Willy answered grumpily.

Willy pulled on her robe, shoved her feet into her slippers, and groped her way into the kitchen. She flopped into her chair, put her elbows on the table, and ground her fists into her cheeks. She didn't smile; she didn't even say good morning. She picked dejectedly at her scrambled eggs and bacon, sipped her juice, and left her toast untouched. Her father sipped his coffee. Neither spoke.

Finally, Willy broke the silence in a fit of anger and frustration.

You could take me to Europe if you wanted to. You just don't want to. You want me to be miserable all summer, she bawled as she banged down her fork and sprang from the table.

Mr. Thornton closed his eyes and sat very still as the slam of the bedroom door pierced his ears. Minutes passed before he called in a calm voice, Hurry, Willy. You wouldn't want to be late on the last day, would you?

Willy didn't answer. She banged and slammed, threw herself together, and raced, without a word, out of the door to school.

Mr. Thornton sadly cleared away the dishes. There was nothing he could do.

Willy managed to get to school on time. Her friends bubbled and babbled about their summer plans.

I'm leaving next week, said her friend Amy. We've rented a cabin on the lake. I can't wait.

My dad just bought a boat, said George. Man, I'm going fishing every day.

Well, said Lisa, I'm going to the beach every day and soak up the sun and swim.

By lunchtime, Willy's head ached, and her usual pleasant disposition had almost vanished. As she was trying to get some french fries past the lump in her throat, Julie plopped down beside her.

Two more hours of this prison, Willy, she said happily. I think I passed my exam. And guess what? Mrs. Murphy called last night. I'm going to start working at the candy shop the day after tomorrow. I'm so excited! I never thought I'd get a job, but Mrs. Murphy said she needed somebody to wrap the candy boxes for mailing.

Willy didn't answer. She took her napkin and dabbed at the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Gosh, Willy. Julie gave her a hard stare. What's the matter? Are you sick?

No, I'm not sick, replied Willy sharply.

Well, pardon me for asking. Julie turned back to her lunch.

Oh, Julie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bite your head off. It's just that everybody's so happy and I'm so miserable.

How come? Yesterday all was great with the world or whatever it was you said.

That was yesterday, answered Willy as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. Dad told me, shortly after you left, that I can't stay here this summer.

Why? What happened? Julie was incredulous.

He has to go to Europe on business, and I have to stay with some long-lost great-aunt. I won't be able to go to the beach. I won't be able to see my friends. It's going to be horrible, isn't it?.

Maybe not, Willy. You'll probably have a good time, said Julie, trying to sound convincing. It won't be as bad as you think.

Yeah, right. Willy's voice quivered. Merrycliff. The name of Aunt Agatha's old house is Merrycliff, in a dippy, no, quaint, so said my dad, little mountain town called Three Springs. Can you believe it? It's going to be about as merry as a dungeon, and I have to stay there all summer.

Maybe you can stay at my house and work at the candy shop with me. I'll ask Mom as soon as I get home from school. You want me to?

Thanks, Julie, but it's no use. Dad has it all arranged and his mind is made up. I'm doomed. I leave in a few days, replied Willy as the bell rang.

Julie grabbed up her tray. Gotta go now, but I'll come over later and we'll talk. See ya, she called as she dashed off to her next class.

Okay. Thanks, Julie, Willy replied. She didn't expect to be heard.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Willy moved among her friends, said her goodbyes, and refused to be consoled. At last, the day ended.

Hey, Willy, called Lisa. We're all going down to Pop's Ice Cream Palace to celebrate our ‘parole from prison.' Come on and go with us.

Thanks, Lisa, but I can't. I've got things to do.

Okay. See ya around.

Lisa vanished amid the laughing, chattering crowd that milled toward Pop's. Willy, head pounding, lips quivering, watched in despair for a moment before turning toward home.

For the first time in a long while, Willy thought of her old home and her life before her mother's fatal car accident. She had lived in a beautiful brick ranch house before coming to the apartment. A well-kept lawn had surrounded it, and huge old oak trees had shaded it. One tree in that yard had been very special to her. It had been her refuge after her mother's death. She had found comfort there. Its branches overhead entwined and shaped a green canopy. On a branch that formed a perfect seat, she had thought out her problems, read, daydreamed, and at times, eaten her lunch.

I wish I had that tree right now, she thought sadly, as she shuffled down the block toward home.

Hey, Willy. Wait up.

Willy stopped reluctantly as she heard her name called.

Jeff Avery, a boy in Willy's English class, rushed to her side.

Hi, Jeff, she said without smiling.

Hi. How come you're not at Pop's?