Team Bella and the Puzzle of the Silent Church

Chapter 1

A New Beginning.

The last two days of the holiday in Llandudno passed so quickly and in no time at all it was Friday evening. As Team Bella had their last game of chase in the field, Chris and his dad, Tom, sat at the wooden table overlooking the pond and the wooden flamingos.

“I finally found someone, Dad,” Chris said with a wry smile. “Told you I would.”

“Yes, you did, but it’s taken some time, hasn’t it?” Tom raised his eyebrows and gave a slight shake of his head. “I was beginning to wonder if you had left it too late.”

“No, just wanted the right one, Dad, that’s all.”

“And she is. So is Reggie.” Tom paused for a second or two before speaking again. “He needs a dad; all boys do.”

“I’ll do the best I can.”

“I know you will, Chris, and he’ll love you for it.”

“What about you, Dad? Will you be alright?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve had you around for far longer than I ever thought I would. I’m more than grateful for that.”

Chris reached out for his dad’s arm.

“Love you, Dad.”

“And I love you.” Tom patted Chris’s hand and smiled. “Let’s make a toast. To you and Kate.” They raised their glasses.

“Cheers,” they said together, chinked their glasses and took a sip of wine.

“And now,” said Tom, “before we get too mushy and all sentimental, I have this.” From his back pocket he took an envelope and passed it to Chris.

“What’s this?

“You need to look.”

Chris opened the envelope and took out four sheets of official looking information from a company called ‘Smallwood and Cross, Estate Agents and Auctioneers’. Chris slowly began to read and frowned.

“Dad?”

“It’s for you, Chris, it’s perfect.”

“Dad, how?”

“I’ve been watching it for a while. Llandudno was never an option for Reggie, you just couldn’t see that, but I could, and I started to look around.”

“When?” asked Chris, now very curious.

“A while ago. I found this place, but missed it by a matter of days. A couple bought it and all I could do was watch as they put their plans together, excellent plans I might add, over the following months. Planning permission was granted, everything was set to go, then covid happened. The lockdown hit them badly, and to make matters worse, they both became ill, the wife more so than the man, and she never recovered. To cut a long story short, the property hit the market again and I jumped at it. That’s what you have in your hand, the deeds to a site in Cheshire, and it’s yours.”

“Dad?”

“I bought it, lock, stock and barrel,” said Tom proudly.

“But the cost? I don’t have that sort of money,” said Chris shaking his head.

“No, but I do, and it was all going to be yours, anyway. Might as well have it now,” was all Tom said.

“Dad, I can’t take this.”

“Yes, you can, because I want you to. Call it a wedding present.”

Chris struggled to speak. “What can I say?”

“Say, ‘Yes’.”

“Yes. But Dad, what if I hadn’t asked Kate to marry me?” Chris asked.

“Oh, I was just going to kick you up the backside and tell you to get a move on before she found someone else, ” laughed Tom.

“I bet you would have done, as well!”

“Too right, I would.”

They both laughed and chinked their glasses once more.

Chapter 2

Glampsite.

The next morning, after breakfast, Reggie just couldn’t wait to tell everyone the news. He called an Emergency Meeting of Team Bella for nine o’clock sharp by the flamingo pool. Milly was late, as usual.

“Come on, Milly, we’re waiting,” said Primrose as Milly casually strolled up, “Reggie has some news.”

“Patch was in the field and he wouldn’t come back. In the end it took four liver treats before I could catch him,” Milly said in her defence. “Anyway, I’m here now.”

“So go on, Reggie, tell us!” said Pearl.

“Mum and Chris have got a campsite already, except it’s not a campsite, it’s a glampsite, and it’s not far from the river, and Knight’s Grange, and the Great House, and Vale Royal locks, and it’s brilliant!” Reggie gasped.

“Breathe, Reggie, breathe!” said Milly.

“I can’t, I’m so excited.” He gasped again.

“Reggie, how?” asked Pearl.

“That’s what I said. It was Tom, he saw it, bought it, gave it to Chris, and we’re going to live there.” Reggie was finally beginning to slow down.

“Where, exactly?” asked Milly.

“Whitegate Station,” he said proudly.

“There’s no railway at Whitegate,” said Pearl with a frown.

“No, there isn’t now, but there was. The railway line has gone and where the tracks used to be has been turned into a linear country park,” replied Reggie.

“A what?” asked Primrose.

“It just means straight, Prim,” said Milly. “Reggie is just being a bit flash.” Milly smiled at Reggie.

“No I’m not! That’s what the Whitegate Way is, it’s a linear country park.”

“So what happened to the station?” asked Pearl.

“It closed and I don’t know what it was used for, but eventually it became a café for visitors.” Reggie shrugged his shoulders to show he didn’t know any more.

“So, Reggie, I have a question,” said Primrose.

“Go on,” Reggie said with a sigh.

“What is a glampsite?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“It’s like a campsite, but glammed up,” he said, clearly relieved that it was an easy question.

“And what does that mean?” asked Prim.

“To be honest, I don’t really know,” he said sheepishly.

“I do!” said Pearl. “It’s like having the best tent you can imagine, and then make it out of wood, with a floor, and an outside part for barbecues, and a hot tub, and a shower. It’s like a posh hotel outdoors in the trees.”

“That’s it, that’s it!” agreed Reggie. “Yes, Chris said something like that to Mum, and that’s what he is going to build on the land next to the station house, starting tomorrow. We could all go to have a look, if you like?”

“Reggie, it’s sounds wonderful,” said Milly with tears in her eyes, “and to think only a few days ago you thought you were going to be moving away.”

“I know,” he said with the biggest smile ever.

Chapter 3

The Whitegate Way

At ten o’clock on Sunday morning Pearl, Primrose, and Reggie, together with Bella, Jack, and Pip were already in the field at Poor’s Wood. Each had a packed lunch in their backpack, with doggy biscuits of course, and together they waited impatiently for the usual late arrival of Milly and Patch. With a single bark from Pip, they all looked to the top gate and watched Milly stroll into the field, with Patch walking behind.

“What was it this time?” asked Reggie.

“I couldn’t find one of my trainers. Patch had hidden it,” offered Milly.

“And do we believe that?” asked Pearl with a little smile.

“No,” said Primrose abruptly. “Milly is always late.”

“I am not!”

“Actually, you are,” said Reggie kindly, “but you’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”

“It would be good if she made it on time just once, though.”

“Prim, let it go.”

“But, Pearl…”

“Let…it…go…” said Pearl sternly.

“I like your cap, Prim,” said Milly, “that is cool.”

“It was a birthday present off Grandma and Granddad,” Prim said with a smile.

Reggie grinned at Milly. He knew exactly what she was doing, and so did Pearl.

“So, are we ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes,” they all replied.

“First we head along the river to the locks at Vale Royal, then past the quiet sluice and all the way to Newbridge,” said Reggie, obviously very pleased that he could give the directions.

“It sounds a long way,” said Primrose.

“Not really, we’ll be there in no time, you’ll see,” and with that Reggie led the way down the field to the River Weaver.

For a while they walked in silence, with the dogs heading backwards and forwards, sniffing at everything and loving the walk. Only when Team Bella reached the quiet sluice did they stop. All at the same time, actually, which was quite strange, then they looked across the river to the meadow.

“I wonder if we will ever see Ida again?” Primrose said a little sadly.”

“I don’t know, I hope so,” said Pearl as she put her hand on Prim’s shoulder.

“I miss her.” Little tears appeared in Primrose’s eyes.

“Maybe she is still with us, watching us,” Reggie said kindly.

“Who knows?” Milly sighed.

Pip gave out a bark.

“Alright, alright, we’re coming,” said Reggie. “Time to move on, the gang is restless.” He smiled as Pip, Patch, Bella, and Jack led the way again.

When they reached Newbridge, Reggie pointed across the river to a little inlet. “See that, Prim? That’s where Ida and her friends would have joined the river in their little rowing boat when they went for the picnic.”

“Really?” Prim’s eyes widened.

“Yes, that stream leads to Bradford Mill.”

“Just think,” said Pearl, “hundreds and hundreds of years ago, Ida, Florence, Ivy, and Rose would have been here. If only we could see them.”

“Maybe we can if we close our eyes and imagine it,” said Milly.

They all closed their eyes.

“Anything?” asked Reggie.

“No,” said Pearl.

“Me, neither,” said Primrose.

“Oh well, just a thought,” said Milly with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Where to now, Reggie?” asked Primrose.

“Over the river, cross the road and onto the old railway line that leads directly to the station and my new home,” he said proudly.

Bella, Jack, Patch, and Pip were all clipped on their leads before Team Bella moved on, but what they found was not quite what they expected.

“So this is the Whitegate Way?” said Milly as she looked round at the dense bushes and overhanging trees.

“It’s a bit overgrown,” said Primrose.

“Is it all like this, Reggie?” asked Pearl.

“I don’t know,” replied Reggie as he tried to hide his disappointment.

“Perhaps it is only like this here; it is near the end of the line, and it doesn’t look like many people walk here at all,” said Milly as she tried to make Reggie feel better.

“Maybe you’re right; I hope so,” Reggie said with a sigh.

They kept the dogs on their leads as they walked through the worst part, and sure enough, Milly was right. In no time at all they were walking along a beautiful country path and it was time to let the dogs run free. Patch and Pip, now that they weren’t little puppies anymore, were running everywhere; up the banks, in the bushes, round the trees. It was like they were playing hide and seek at full speed, but all the while under the watchful eye of Jack, who, as always, walked with Bella when they were off their leads.

“So what is that building we can see, Reggie?” asked Pearl as she looked into the distance.

“Catsclough crossing, it was an old signal box where lots of people would have crossed the line. It’s the only place on the Whitegate Way where there are any railway tracks left,” replied Reggie. “After that, we start to walk on an embankment, past where there used to be a bridge over the road, and there will be a big lake on the left called the Ocean.”

“You know a lot about the Whitegate Way already, Reggie,” said a very impressed Milly.

“I’ll let you into a little secret, I spent all yesterday afternoon reading up on it,” Reggie said with a grin.

“I thought so,” said Pearl as she smiled at Milly.

They soon reached the Ocean, which looked beautiful in the morning sunshine.

“It looks so clear, like you could swim in it, and look at all the sand on that side; it looks like a beach,” said Milly.

“We could come here for a picnic one day, and the dogs could all have a swim,” said Primrose.

“With Jack as the lifeguard!” said Reggie.

“Definitely!” agreed Pearl.

They all laughed as they remembered how Jack had saved Pip from the river and Patch from the sea.

“A picnic is a great idea,” said Primrose.

“And look, Prim,” Reggie pointed along the track. “There is the station!”

Chapter 4

Whitegate Station

Primrose looked ahead to the station. “At last, I need a rest, and a drink,” she replied with a sigh.

“So do the dogs; they all must be thirsty by now,” said Milly.

“Plenty of water at the station,” said Reggie.

“Are you sure someone will be there,” asked Primrose?

“Definitely!” replied Reggie. “Chris arranged to meet Mr Stanthorne, the previous owner, early this morning for a final look round, and my mum is coming later as well.”

They slowly approached the station.

“Gosh, Reggie, it’s much bigger than I expected,” said Milly. “You made it sound quite small.”

“Did I?” Reggie shrugged his shoulders.

“When the station and the house are made into one, it will be huge,” said Pearl. “And it looks so different. What a brilliant place to live!”

“Yeah, I suppose it is,” Reggie said with a smile. “I just have to pick the right bedroom.”

From the old track, Team Bella walked up the slope onto the platform and headed to the end of the large building.

Around the corner, Chris and Mike Stanthorne were standing at the large door that had been used as the entrance to the café.

“As you can see, we hardly did any work on the old café before the covid pandemic broke out, and as you saw inside, the café had been run by volunteers on a very limited budget, so it is all very basic,” Mike said rather apologetically.

“That doesn’t bother us at all. We can strip everything out and make it our own,” Chris said with a smile.

“Which is exactly what my wife and I were going to do.” Mike gave a big sigh. “But fate had something else in store, and I really don’t have the heart for it now she is no longer here.”

“I’m sorry, I really don’t know what to say,” said Chris, “I feel I shouldn’t be quite so cheerful.”

“No, no, don’t ever think that. Make it wonderful, like we would have done. That would make me more than happy,” Mike said quickly.

“Chris! Chris!” shouted Reggie, as he appeared round the corner.

“I see you have visitors,” said Mike, who smiled when he saw Reggie, Pearl, Primrose, and Milly appear with four panting and thirsty English Bull Terriers. “My goodness, now this is a sight!”

“This actually is Team Bella, and this young man is Reggie, who will shortly become my step-son,” Chris said proudly. “Reggie, meet Mr Stanthorne.”

“Oh, no, Mr Stanthorne makes me sound old, please call me Mike. Pleased to meet you, Reggie,” said Mike as he shook Reggie’s hand.

“Pleased to meet you, Mike,” said Reggie politely.

“And who are these three young ladies?” asked Mike.

“Pearl, Prim, and Milly,” replied Reggie as he introduced them.

“And these are obviously your guard dogs!”

“The best around,” said Chris nodding his head.

“Bella, Jack, Patch, and Pip,” said Pearl proudly.

“Well, this is a team, and what sort of things do you get up to?” asked Mike.

“We solve mysteries,” replied Primrose with a smile.

Mike stood back in genuine surprise. “Is this a joke?” he asked.

Primrose looked at Pearl, a little bit puzzled by what Mike had said.

“Why would it be a joke?” Chris said with a slight frown.

“Yes, why?” asked Milly.

“It’s not a joke,” said Pearl, “Prim is serious, we do solve mysteries.”

“No, no, please don’t be offended, I’m sure you do, but you can’t believe the coincidence,” said Mike in his defence.

“There’s no such thing,” Reggie said firmly.

“He’s right, you know,” agreed Chris.

“Wait, you don’t understand,” said Mike as he shook his head. “There is a mystery right here, at the station, and I can’t believe what you have just said. It’s like you were meant to solve it.”

“Solve what?” asked Primrose.

“I honestly don’t know, but if you are interested, I can tell you what I do know. It isn’t much, but it is a start,” Mike replied.

“Yes, please,” blurted out Reggie. “How about that? A new mystery on our first day here; this is brilliant!”

“Shall we have a seat?” Mike pointed to the bench tables.

“Good idea,” agreed Chris, “but first let me get a photograph of Team Bella outside the station house. Everyone line up, and then I’ll get some water for the dogs.”

Pearl, Primrose, Milly, and Reggie lined up with Bella, Jack, Patch, and Pip beside them.

“No, Reggie, you have to be at the front, it’s your station,” said Milly, “you kneel down with Pip and we’ll stand behind you.”

“Good idea,” said Chris as he took out his mobile phone. “Ready? Big smiles. That looks great.” Click. “And one more, just in case.” Click. “Now the water for the dogs.”

“I’ll help,” said Pearl.

“And me,” added Primrose.

“And I will get a box from my car,” said Mike.