Yolanda went over to the hearth. She shoved aside a thick woven rug with her foot to reveal a narrow trapdoor in the floor.

There was much bumping and thumping and dragging overhead. The spider sat still and anxious. There had been arguing, a loud noise and then crying. He could not hear the man anymore. He did not like the man, who had big feet and killed spiders.

Closer they came, right on top of the stairs. The cellar was suddenly filled with light and as the spider hid under the ledge the man came head first down the stairs.

image

From the wall she retrieved a wooden cane. She stuck the curved handle into a ring and pulled open the door to reveal stone steps that melted into the gloom below.