Emma's Letters to Ann Ann's
Letters
Confused about Fanny? |
Dear
Ann,
Got it! We puzzled over the password to the safe and then I remembered the cricket game that was played here in 1882. Basil Hall was an avid cricketer at University, and obviously idolised the man who saved the day at the Stoney Grove match. WGGRACE was the password. Anyway, inside the safe was a locked box, TWO manuscripts written by Fanny Blake, and a set of old books. In a bizarre coincidence, three of them were written by Helena O’Rall—you know, Miss O’Rall of the wretched miniseries that Simon’s so keen on filming here. Anyway, back to the manuscripts. One looks like the missing part of the one you’re already working on. I glanced through it but won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what I saw. The other one, also in Fanny’s handwriting, is in French. My foreign language skills are appalling—hope yours are better. I’ve tried to get the locked box open. They key is long gone, and unfortunately the village locksmith is on holiday in Barcelona for a month. I phoned the locksmith in West Bean and he is in hospital. Apparently in Imbiben they just break and enter at will, so there isn’t enough work to keep a locksmith in town. So, for now the box is a mystery. What next? I’m not really keen to fly out to the Caribbean. A few things have come up around here that I’d like to be able to keep an eye on. What about asking Chester to bring it out to you? I’m sure he’d fancy the trip. I await your advice. Emma |