The Morrigan family owned and lived at Morrigan’s Hotel. It was situated in the darker side of Clearmoor, downhill from the mountains. Clearmoor was almost abandoned, until the Morrigan family moved in. Margaret Morrigan and Matthew Morrigan had four children; Maisie, Miles, Michael and Molly. The Morrigan family was quite eccentric and built a name for themselves, they became well known within close by areas, and not too many new comers would check in at the hotel. One day that changed when a man under the name of Henry Buckle, arrived at Morrigan’s Hotel. He checked in and was shown to his room by thirteen-year-old Maisie Morrigan. Matthew and Margaret Morrigan welcomed Henry Buckle with open arms. Unfortunately, the Morrigan family later regretted their kindness, as the world as they knew it, was about to be turned upside down.
Clearmoor- Monday October 1st, 1990- Morrigan’s hotel
It was around 4.30pm and the Morrigan’s were preparing the dining area for their guests, who would be making their way down for dinner at 5.00pm. Margaret Morrigan; the chef at the Hotel, was in the kitchen with ten-year-old Molly. Molly Morrigan was quite the mummy’s girl, she would often be found in the kitchen, observing her mother’s culinary skills. Miles Morrigan, the oldest of the four children, would usually be found in the entertainment room, not doing very much. Miles being fourteen had hit his rebellious age and was by far the laziest of the group. Maisie Morrigan would most likely be by her father’s side, doing whatever needed to be done, Maisie was her father’s little princess and could do no wrong in his eyes, which benefitted her from time to time. Finally, little five-year-old Michael Morrigan, would be running around the hotel exploring, as most youngsters do.
Matthew and Maisie Morrigan were standing at the front desk, waiting to greet their guests and show them to their seats. 4.55pm, a man walks through the main doors, "Hello, I’d like a room please" the man kindly said. Mr. Morrigan replied kindly back to the man, "Of course sir, what name is it please?" The man in the long fur coat and top hat replied, "Henry Buckle, hoping to stay about a week" Mr. Morrigan smiled happily at Henry, " excellent, you’re in room 13, my daughter Maisie here, will show you the way." Henry smiled once again, "thank you Mr. Morrigan." Off went Maisie Morrigan and Henry Buckle, to room 13, "thank you, young lady" said Henry. Maisie smiled and handed over Henry’s room key. 5.45pm, Mrs. Morrigan and Molly where busy in the kitchen, whilst Mr. Morrigan had managed to convince Miles to help out on the front desk. Miles sat there staring at the main doors, muttering things under his breath, trying to entertain himself “this is boring, I am snoring” he chuckled. Miles had been rocking in his chair, throwing paper into the waste bin, when all of a sudden, the main doors open and a family of three walk in and approach him at the front desk, "Hello, me and my family would like a room please, if it’s not too late." Miles was caught off guard and it took him a few seconds to find his voice "Name?" He uncaringly asked. "I’m Lawrence Lancaster, this is my wife, Lucy Lancaster, and this is my five-year-old son, Louis Lancaster." “Didn’t need your life story just a name would have done” Miles coldly whispered to himself. As Miles was about to carelessly hand over the keys, Mr. Morrigan approached and took control of the situation, "I’m ever so sorry about my son, he’s at a difficult age, allow me to personally show you to your room." Mr. Morrigan raised an eye-brow at his son, leading Miles to flee to the kitchen into the safe arms of his mother, who, like most mothers, was oblivious to his mischievous ways.
With all of the new guests settled in, the Morrigan’s began to wind down for the night. The children were cleaning tables, mopping floors and washing dishes, whilst Mr. and Mrs. Morrigan locked away the remaining hotel keys and bolted the main doors. The Morrigan’s lived upstairs on the opposite side of the hotel, away from guest’s rooms. The Morrigan’s living space consisted of six hotel rooms, made into one house like home. Molly and Maisie shared a room, whilst Miles had his own and Michael shared with his mother and father. The Morrigan’s living space consisted of two bathrooms, three bedrooms, and had an open plan living room that also contained the kitchen area, a book shelf in the corner, a sofa, and a small television set, which could only be used once all chores were done.
Once the Morrigan children had finished their hotel chores, they all sat on the sofa and each read a book. Mrs. Morrigan was strict when it came to her children’s education, as well as running the hotel with her husband, she also home-schooled all four of her children. After the children had finished their required chapters for the night, they were allowed thirty minutes television time followed by dinner, where all the Morrigan’s gathered around the dining table and had polite conversation. Mrs. Morrigan enquired about the book Miles was reading, “are you liking it dear? Is it challenging enough for you?” she said, as she sipped her orange squash. Miles looked at his mother a gave a fake smile, “yes mother, I’m enjoying it very much” poor Mrs. Morrigan fell for every white lie miles told. The girls on the other hand, were completely different; they were angels and always obeyed their parents. As for little Michael, he just got to play with his toys and enjoy himself. Miles had a unique bond with his brother; he was always looking out for him and protected him in any way he could. Even with little Michael’s delayed development, Miles could share one look with his brother, and know that they were connected on a deeper level. After everyone had finished eating, Mrs. Morrigan cleared away the dishes whilst Mr. Morrigan put the children to bed.
The following morning Mr. And Mrs. Morrigan woke up early and began with their daily chores. All guests were hanging around downstairs waiting for breakfast to be served, whilst Mrs. Morrigan got on with the house keeping. The children were with their father, helping prepare tables and setting up for the day. “Miles!” Mrs. Morrigan shouted from the top of the banister, “”yes mother” Miles kindly replied. “Will you ask your father to get the spare room key for number 12 please” “Yes of course mother, right away” Miles scurried off to ask his father for the key but Mr. Morrigan couldn’t find the key, it wasn’t locked away in the safe like it usually was. Mr. Morrigan walked upstairs to his wife, “Margaret, the spare key isn’t there my love, what do you need it for anyway?” Mrs. Morrigan replied to her husband, “Mr. and Mrs. Emmery haven’t left their room unlocked for me to do their housekeeping” Mr. Morrigan looked puzzled, “that’s probably because they haven’t left their room yet my love, probably just sleeping in I reckon, leave it till last, come back their room once you’ve finished with the others” As Mr.Morrigan was walking away it dawned on his that the spare key was missing, he automatically thought Miles had been messing around and went to scold him for it, “Miles” Mr. Morrigan said sternly, “where’s number 12’s spare key?” Miles looked at his father, “I….I….. I haven’t taken it, I promise father” “Hmmm, then I wonder where it is?” Mr. Morrigan was baffled but had to get on with other chores.
Breakfast had been served and the guests were all relaxing downstairs, some were in the entertainment room, some were outside enjoying the sun and some were simply watching tv in the lounge, and Mr. Morrigan was in the kitchen clearing away the dishes, ready for dinner time preparations. Mr. Morrigan and Henry Buckle went back upstairs to do a thorough room check, with Henry Buckle leading the search. Mr. Morrigan was assigned rooms 1-8 and Henry Buckle checked rooms 9-13. Whilst Mr. Morrigan was conducting his search, Henry Buckle was in room 13, clearing up a mess he had made. Mrs. Morrigan approached her husband and asked if he’d seen the Emmery’s, “No my love, have you tried knocking on their doors?” Mrs. Morrigan hadn’t wanted to disturb the Emmery’s and just decided to wait until dinner time to see if they showed up.
It was 12:30pm and guests were making their way to the dining tables, with Mr. and Mrs. Morrigan watching out for the Emmery’s, who never showed. Mr. and Mrs. Morrigan were starting to feel anxious and so they went upstairs and knocked on the door; no answer. Mr. Morrigan looked at his wife, he saw how concerned she was and immediately went to get his toolkit. Mrs. Morrigan patiently waited outside room 12, Henry Buckle appeared and approached her, “Everything alright Mrs. Morrigan?” He asked. Mrs. Morrigan filled Henry in on what was happening, shortly after Mr. Morrigan returned with his tools. Mr. Morrigan was about to take the door off its hinges, but before he could, Henry launched himself in front of the door, “Now, now Mr. Morrigan, no need for that” Mr. Morrigan looked at Henry, “Please step aside Henry, this is a managerial matter” Henry did as he was asked and reluctantly moved out of the way. Mr. Morrigan began unscrewing the bolts and within a couple of minutes; the door was off. The Morrigan’s were about to go inside when Miles came running up to them, shouting “the stew’s burning! It’s on fire! Come quick!” Mr. Morrigan dropped his tools and ran downstairs to turn off the stew and put out the small fire it had caused. Mrs. Morrigan followed her husband to check everyone was alright, leaving Henry outside room 12. When Mr. Morrigan returned, Henry was just leaving the Emmery’s room, “What do you think you’re doing Mr. Buckle?”Henry was holding up a piece of paper, “I found a note; I believe it’s from the Emmery’s” Mr. Morrigan snatched the piece of paper out of Henry’s hand and read it to himself, “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Morrigan, please accept our deepest apologies for the crime we have committed, we were unable to make the payment for our stay and so we had no choice but to leave, I hope you can forgive us and our family and hopefully we will return in the future with payment that is owed to you and with interest, for your kind hospitality. Yours sincerely, The Emmery’s”
Mr.Morrigan didn’t know whether to be relieved or upset with the Emmery’s fleeing. He was happy knowing they were safe, but a little miffed about them skipping payment. It wasn’t often that Mr. Morrigan got angry or upset, but the Emmery’s being rude enough to leave without even explaining their situation, really would Mr. Morrigan up, so he marched downstairs, into the office and picked up the phone, Henry had followed Mr.Morrigan and was lurking outside the office, “what are you doing Mr. Morrigan? If you don’t mind me asking” Mr. Morrigan walked up to Henry, “I’m calling the police, they might still be time for them to be caught and pay for their actions” Mr.Morrigan started to dial 999, but Henry grabbed the phone from his hands and that annoyed Mr. Morrigan even more. Henry could see that he was really pushing his luck with Mr. Morrigan so he quickly began explaining himself, “Mr. Morrigan, please think about what you’re doing, it’s just one payment, they were desperate” Mr. Morrigan took a while to calm down and eventually replied to Henry, “Alright, I’ll let it go this once, but I assure you Mr. Buckle, I’m no pushover and won’t be making a habit of this.”