Mystery Lady: Episode Three (audio story)

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***Episode Three*** was the third release in the *Mystery Lady series* written by Paul Magrs and prominently featuring the character of Dodie Golightly originated in the 2013 *Iris Wildthyme* story *The Ninnies on Putney Common*.

## Publisher's summary

Dodie and her friends drive north, all the way to wintery Yorkshire to meet a bohemian lady author who laughs off their assertions that elements from the anthology of stories are somehow coming to life. How could her story of the giant, blood-sucking moth be true? However, in the depths of the snowbound countryside they make some gruesome discoveries that test their combined resolve. Someone – or something - means them all dreadful harm.

## Plot

While heading north to visit Helen Spedding, Cassandra informed Dodie that she was continuing to have visions about the moth-creature who was still active in the village of Ramification. When Timothy Bold joined the girls again, Cassandra was disheartened to find that he was still ignoring her and only had eyes for Dodie. However, Dodie held onto the secret that Timothy wasn't purposefully ignoring Cassandra and only she was able to see Cassandra.

After drinking at The Split Infinitive, the trio were given the address of Helen's sister Edna's cottage by a Pianist but were warned against visiting her as she was a witch. Together the group arrived at the cottage but found Edna to be dismissive of their concerns about her sister, explaining that she was also a witch but had lost her mind. However, when Edna heard about Cassandra's visions of the moth-creature she revealed that she had written for The Horrible Book of Terror under a penname and her story included a moth-lady. Dodie was surprised when Edna was able to acknowledge Cassandra's existence - and the witch identified her as a spirit. The time had come for Dodie to be honest and she revealed the truth to Timothy and Cassandra. The revelation affected Cassandra, and Dodie privately revealed how her death had occurred the previous February when she choked to death on a sausage roll at a book launch for Fox Soames. The pair were interrupted by the moth-lady flying above the village, and were shocked to discover that she was a transfigured version of Helen Spedding herself.

The gang were taken to the Manor house by Edna, which had inspired her short story for the anthology, and she told them that she and Helen had visited the house as children and were taken in by Lady Slike. On investigation of the house it was discovered that the Slike family were long gone, but their butler Smythe still remained - and Cassandra immediately identified him as the man who had attempted to steal the manuscript from Helen on the train. However, Smythe refused to admit any involvement in the current goings on and insisted that he had attempted to obtain the manuscript to protect Helen from danger.

Venturing into the attic Cassandra discovered several chrysalis - and Edna informed them that Lady Slike had been a moth woman, and attempted to pass her abilities onto the two girls. It was Edna's understanding that, like her, Helen had refused Lady Slike's proposal and instead traveled away to university. Although, Edna believed that Helen could have been spurred on by reading her story to return to Slike Hall and take up the mantle of Moth Lady. At this point Helen returned to Slike Hall and attempted to kill Smythe by sucking his blood, as moth women require the blood of animals and men, but Smythe survived and encouraged the others to burn torches to scare the creature away. The manor house caught fire and the place burned to the ground.

## Characters

* Cassandra
* Dodie Golightly
* Timothy Bold
* Pianist
* Landlord
* Edna Spedding
* Moth-lady
* Mr Smythe

## Notes

* Edna Spedding's penname was Bella Andover.
* Edna was known as a Mauve Witch, while Helen was a Green Witch.
* Helen studied Cryptozoology at Darkholm University.
* The spiritual guardian of this valley and local environment.