In January 2011 I started to write a story which became Merewood. At the time it was just another attempt at a story line featuring a large country house full of servants and the family they served. These stories always failed on me, Edwardian England was not all that friendly to same sex couples. But what if said story took place at a different time and planet. This allowed Merewood to do something none of my other stories have done. A full rough draft was finished on June 10th 2013. 68,522 words, of course the short story “Our Best Christmas” moved beyond this and was published last December. But back to Merewood, which was written in pieces not from beginning to end, so there are bits which will be trim away, as well as parts which will be added to, or changed completely. With that said may I say I never liked the way it started after I wrote it, and knew I’d come back and change it. Below is the original and revised. If you’re reading this I very much would like to know what you think. So please leave a comment.
But please keep in mind that neither have been edited.
ORIGINAL JANUARY 2011
Merewood Manor ancestral home of the Silverton family sat placidly enjoying a fine summer’s day, its inhabitants both family and servants were going about their daily business. None had any hint of events unfolding out across the stars where the luxury star liner Wesson developed a series of cracks in its power core and exploded ripping apart the ship with no warning or survivors. News of the tragedy began to spread across the stars and reached Eaton Prime just before dinner time.
“Who is left in the dining room,” Mr. Hawkins asked as Gareth the head footman and Fredrick came down the stairs with trays. Did the ladies go through yet?”
“Yes they have Mr. Hawkins,” Gareth said as the backdoor bell rang. “Fredrick, answer it,” he added wondering why the boy had waited to be told.
“Now who could that be at this hour,” Mrs. Pelly, the cook said. She hated anything that changed the normal routine.
“Special delivery Mr. Hawkins,” Fredrick said as he came back holding out the tablet. “Said his lordship was to see it straight away.”
“I’ll take it,” Gareth said taking it from Fredrick and starting for the stairs.
“Use a salver,” Mr. Hawkins called out. “Never hand it, all ways present on a salver. I will not allow standards to drop in this house.”
“Yes I know Mr. Hawkins,” he said turning from the stairs regretting having been so impulsive and forgetting. Fredrick had gotten one and was handing it out to him.
“That’s bad news,” Mrs. Grisdella said from the kitchen doorway. “First all of them on that ship and now this.”
“Calm yourself Mrs. Grisdella; we don’t know that its bad news, Mrs. Wilton the housekeeper said “And all of you on with your duties.” She looked at Mr. Hawkins as the collective staff went about their duties. Neither spoke but it was clear they both felt the cook was right.
Gareth entered the dining room where Edward Silverton the Earl of Merewood sat with his son Julian. He walked over to where his lordship sat, “Special delivery, said you were to see it at once.” Having presented it he returned to his position at the door ready to open it when they were ready to join the others.
“Excuse me Julian while I see what was so important,” Edward said taking the tablet and scanning the message. “Oh dear lord.”
“Father what is it,” he said getting up, he had intended to get the tablet to read but his father block him as he got up and headed for the door which Gareth had opened.
REVISED JANUARY 2014
Merewood Manor ancestral home of the Silverton family sat placidly enjoying a fine summer’s day, its inhabitants both family and servants were going about their daily business. None had any hint of events unfolding out across the stars where the luxury star liner Wesson developed a series of cracks in its power core and exploded ripping apart the ship with no warning or survivors. News of this tragedy began to spread across the stars and reached Eaton Prime just before dinner time. When Conner Windom, of Windom/ Hill, the solicitors who represented the family received word he set out for Merewood, without announcing he was coming. He wanted to get to the Earl with the news before it became general knowledge, he didn’t even want to alert the servants, but knew the drive beacon would announce his arrival when he got near.
Mr. Hawkins looked up as Gareth the head footman and Fredrick came down the stairs with trays of dishes.
“Who is left in the dining room?” he asked. As they took their trays into the kitchen
“His lordship and Mr. Julian,” Gareth said as the drive beacon sounded on the old bell board. In the old days it had bells which would ring when someone pulled the cord summoning help from the staff. Now days it was all electronic and sent text messages to tablets the servants used with more details.
“Now who could that be at this hour,” Mrs. Grisdella, the cook said. She hated anything that changed the normal routine. Mr. Hawkins picked up his tablet and entered his code and viewed the tracking information which told him the approaching vehicle was registered to Windom/hill.
“That’s bad news,” Mrs. Grisdella said from the kitchen doorway. “First all of them on that ship and now this.”
“Calm yourself Mrs. Grisdella; we don’t know that its bad news, Mrs. Wilton the housekeeper said “And all of you on with your duties.” She looked at Mr. Hawkins as the collective staff went about their duties. Neither spoke but it was clear they both felt the cook was right.
The large front door open just as Connor came up the steps, as he knew the staff would have known of his arrival.
“Good evening sir.” Gareth said standing to one side as Conner Windom entered the grand front hall.
“Um yes,” Conner said looking at Gareth, but couldn’t remember the new guy’s name. “I need to speak to his lordship urgently, and alone.”
“Yes sir,” Gareth said stepping forward to take his hat and coat. “Fredrick will show you into the study.”
“I know the way.” Connor said heading off with Fredrick following him. Gareth closed the door and headed to the dining room. He had a very bad feeling about this, and unannounced visit at this hour, this was not good.
“Excuse me sir, Gareth said entering the dining room.”Mr. Windom is here, he says he needs to speak to you urgently.”
“Excuse me Julian while I see to this,” Edward Silverton said rising from where he’d been sitting. “Please go join the others in the drawing room.”
Julian did as he was told and headed for the door which Gareth had opened. He had a worried look on his face as he went.
“He’s in the study sir.” Gareth said. Edward didn’t say a word just walked on out and down the hall towards the study.
“Had to come, it couldn’t be said in a texts.” Was all Gareth heard as he pulled the door shut and waited in the hall with Fredrick. When the door open a few minutes later and Edward came out, he looked pale and shaken. He didn’t respond to Gareth or even Conner but made his way to where the rest of his family was.
“I’ll see myself out you see to him.” Conner said before heading towards the front hall. Gareth sent Fredrick after Conner to get his hat and coat, while he went to the drawing room.
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