Bingo!

Nothing on top of the desk, but a whole-drawer full of what must be research-notes. Most of it written out on standard forms, from the Commonwealth Institute of Vinery, Aldgate, London. Whatever that is. But same people as on that ‘Viner Codex’ book in the kitchen?

I need this. Only chance I have to find out what the heck is going on in here.

No time to ask questions now, just take it. Take the whole thing out, park it in the front room before I go upstairs.

But this whole space gives me the creeps. There’s nothing I can see that seems to be alive, not a sound, no sign of movement anywhere, and yet there’s something here that’s definitely unhappy about me being around. Not angry, not aggressive, just unhappy. Wary.

Best I get out of here. Right now.

—

Phew. Often don’t recognise how tense things are until you’re out of it.

Back in the first living-room, beside the door to the stairs. That drawer from the conservatory now parked by the doorway to the kitchen; stacked beside it another couple of boxes of papers from Aunt Kat’s study. That’ll give me enough to work on for now. And a Dickens, the Marx and a couple of the Illustrated London News, for Paddy Mac, if he does come past this evening like he’s promised.

Time to check out upstairs.