It's become a habit for Cathrina getting up early to secretly read another quote from her dead great-aunt Gloria's diary. She appreciates these moments, and she would love to learn more about her late grand-auntie, Gloria Moonster.
"First lodger signed in today! Sweet, old lady named Clairence Prudle is a retired teacher, still unmarried. She got the only room that is yet ready for lodgers. I'm still saving up furniture to equip the other 3 rooms."
Cathrina: What? A lodger that soon? Oh, wait, there's no date, not sure how long you've been there... here...
"Oh, how I adore the outdoors and the salty breeze that comes in from the grand ocean. The seagulls have become a pain, though, especially during their hatching season - which must be now..."
Cathrina closed the old book. So the seagulls were around even back then. The old man next door, Viggo Kragger with a diamond in his ear, said the birds were fewer when Gloria's mother built the cottage, 80 years ago. Hm, when did Gloria move in... 15 years later?
Alexander got out of bed, they both dressed before having a late breakfast.
Cathrina: Wouldn't it be nice to have breakfast downstairs sometime?
Alexander: Sure! Why not?
Cathrina: Uhm, I've been thinking. I'd like to invite old Mr Kragger and his son for dinner some day, too! We could eat outside, I checked the garden chairs, they seem okay!
Alexander: Really? I know you have lots of questions for the old man, but also his son who we didn't meet yet? Anyone else? Can I come too?
Then Alexander's phone rang, and he got up.
Cathrina: Yes, you can serve us, as my private butler...
Alexander: Okay? Tomorrow... uhm, yes, I can do that.
Cathrina: Who was that?
Alexander: The gas station back in Bridgeport... they were short of staff, and offered me double pay to take 2 shifts. We'll need the money, no matter what, sweet silly.
Cathrina: Yup!
A few hours later they were downstairs, trying to fix up the room a bit more. Alexander had been to town to buy food and to get his ticket back to the city. He will leave tonight and will return the morning in two days. The garden dinner will wait.
Cathrina: Did you see this photo from some desert? I had no idea great-auntie Gloria traveled that far!
Alexander: Maybe she just bought the photo, or that some lodger left it.
Cathrina: You mean, a lodger not having money to pay the rent, payng with a desert photo instead? Nah... Isn't it strange that there's not a single photo of Gloria in this house? That's weird, living for 107 years and not leaving one photo...
Alexander: Maybe she was too shy? Or a technophobe?
Alexander: So, do you get any clever ideas from being in this room? Like, is there a chance to upgrade this place, if we stay?
Cathrina: Sure, lots of ideas, but they are not so important right now. I think we should hire a consultant to help us with the project. But right now, just being here... oh, that looks like Emma Hydront's car outside!
Door opened, and Emma Hydront marched into the room. She looked much older.
Emma: Argh, you did not keep the door shut, did you? The air in this room is representing strangers, I hardly recognize this place!
Cathrina: Uhm... what?
Emma: I found the key! And don't you think that I did not search for it right after I left you two here. I did search for it, and it was gone! Then I looked more, and it was still gone! But then it magically returned! Don't look at me like that, I'm talking about the key to the blue room!
Cathrina: That's great, Emma! It's the only room we didn't clean yet!
Emma: Don't wash away all the spirit, young woman! Keep some memories in respect for your... Gloria.
Alexander: So, will you stop for coffee?
Emma: No! Off to the blue room, I want to go in there first, you two can wait here. No, I'm not staying! I'm leaving right away!
Then Emma left in a hurry, and although it looked like she changed her mind several times before she reached her car, half a minute later she was gone.
Cathrina and Alexander looked at each other, they didn't really need to say how weird they found the freckled woman. She obviously had some feelings concerning the blue room, but was too afraid to see it. Or maybe not?
They walked into the corridor with the 4 lodger doors; the red, yellow and green rooms were already pretty clean, still with the old furniture, though. They stopped outside the blue room's door.
Alexander: Arg, the key hardly fits. There...
Door opened, and before they knew it, something screamed and made a quick move...
The room was dark, but they saw the white feathers whirling about.
Cathrina: A seagull? In here?
Alexander: Ouch, what a terrible smell!
Cathrina: The room just needs some fresh air... ouch!
Alexander: Close the door, and I'll open the window to let the poor bird out. I don't understand how it got in here!
Cathrina: Ah, look! A painting! An old portrait...
Alexander: Who is that? Gloria?
Cathrina: No idea, Alex! I've not seen her in 30 years, and that's not how I recall her. Not at all.
Before he had to leave for the harbour, Alexander inspected the room. There was a crack in the wall where the bird perhaps could have managed to squeeze itself inside. And the window was partly broken, leaving a little water on the inside window pane on rainy days. Alexander always searched for logics.
Cathrina was more open minded. How long had the poor seagull been trapped in this room? And would a few drops of water actually be enough for it to stay alive?
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