To Lucy, a 1980's teenager, everything seems weird about the Victorian house caught in a time warp. Especially the mysterious housekeeper. With the discovery of a diary she is drawn in by the spirit of a Victorian girl and becomes obsessed with finding answers.
COME FIND ME, SET ME FREE.
Copyright by Claire Lyne.
Other submissions by Claire Lyne:
If you want to read their other submissions, please click the links.
If you want to read their other submissions, please click the links.
Unlikely Heroes (Fantasy, Screenplay Award 2023)
Sebastian (Drama, Screenplay Award 2023)
Genre
Award Category
TREATMENT
Lucy is a teenager in the 1980’s living with her parents, Tom and Nicky in London. Tom had inherited a large old house in the south west and a surprise letter from Mrs Cooper, the housekeeper, results in the family having to visit. From the moment Lucy first arrives she is not a fan, she’d rather be with her friends in London; Mrs Cooper seems mysterious and other worldly and the old, antiquated house, has no mod cons.
On subsequent visits, encouraged by cryptic comments from Mrs Cooper, Lucy explores the house. She is spooked by strange shadows and sleep becomes disturbed by dreams of a mysterious young girl in Victorian dress beckoning to Lucy, urging her to follow.
Plucking up courage to tackle decades of dust and cobwebs in a secluded part of the house she discovers a tower room. Plans found here guide her to a summerhouse, hidden in the garden’s undergrowth.
The summerhouse yields another prize, a diary(Davi’s). It seems like a tatty old book but as Lucy reads she gets drawn in. The more she learns about Davi, the more it seems the girl is inextricably linked to the house, and the more captivated Lucy becomes.
The dreams, become more frequent, getting more detailed with each discovery. Lucy is convinced the dreams are messages from Davi, pleading for help. Tom and Nicky are concerned that the obsession is making Lucy ill, but Lucy won’t give up her quest, determined to solve the puzzle.
Lucy finds a key to the garden gate, giving her access to the woods. Here the forces that draw her trigger more intense dreams and lead her to the final piece that solves the puzzle.
CHARACTERS
LUCY
A fourteen year old living with her parents, Tom and Nicky, in London. She is an only child, a tomboy who has started to grow up. She enjoys doing things that the new teenage freedoms have brought, but is still unsure of how things are changing for her.
TOM
Early forties, Tom is an accountant for a city firm. He has had a middle class upbringing, his appearance is more casual than suited. He is sporty and fun loving, liking a simple, comfortable life.
NICKY
Late thirties, Nicky is not gregarious but easy going and well matched to Tom. She works part-time as a student liaison officer at a local college but feels she is capable of something more demanding.
MRS COOPER
The housekeeper is in her late sixties and a loner. Devoted to Tom’s great aunt when she was alive, now faithfully looking after the house. She has a air of mystery , says little but seems to talk in riddles.
DAVI
A Victorian girl, about sixteen, of dual heritage from a wealthy family. She is lonely and sad, bewildered at why they have left India.
GRACE
Tom’s great aunt. Aa a young lady in her early twenties, Davi’s governess. She has no airs or graces and has a very caring nature becoming close to Davi.
EDWARD
From a wealthy Victorian family, he was a soldier in India. When there he falls in love with Bahi, and against convention marries her.
BAHI
A beautiful Indian woman from a wealthy family. She has an elegance about her, is a devoted wife and loving mother. Although not frail her health started to suffer when Davi was about 8.
MARY
A Victorian girl, about fourteen from a fishing family she is happy free spirit. A close friend of Davi’s.
NED
About 9, brother to Mary.
KATE, GEMMA, SALLY AND TINA
Lucy’s school friends.
My first ten pages are attached in PDF format.
