Up the wooden hill

As they entered the cottage Adam looked around, taking in a kitchen to his right, a sitting room to his left - and a short hall leading to a staircase ahead.

"Er, this is very nice," he said, unsure of what else to say. "Very, er, cosy."

The two women exchanged a glance, and Margaret chuckled. "Glad you like it, this is where you'll be staying. You'll be nice and safe here, that's for sure."

Adam looked around the small space. "Here? Well, that's very kind of you and all that, but don't you think it'll be a bit of squeeze, with me living here in your house?"

"Oh dear me, no" replied Margaret. "This isn't our house - is it, Alice. Well, in one way it sort of is, but - aw, you can explain it better than I can." She turned to her friend for help.

"What Margaret's trying to say is that this house belongs to the Sisterhood. And, as members of the Sisterhood, this is our headquarters, our safe haven, our home. But no, we don't live here. Do you see?"

"Er, the Sisterhood..." Adam prompted - or tried to.

"All in good time, as they say. I will happily explain, and answer your questions, but first I think you should get settled in, don't you? This way," she said - steering him towards the staircase.

Feeling bewildered but complying in spite of himself, Adam started up the stairs.

"Er, I know you said this is your headquarters and all that, but this Sisterhood thing must be pretty small, is it? I mean, if there were many of you in it, surely you'd need somewhere a little..."

His words died on his lips as he reached the top of the stairs and found himself looking at an impossibly large space - with what seemed like countless doors leading off it.

"...bigger," he muttered, as if to himself.



Story starts here.