EXTRACT FOR
Knocked Up By Nessie
(Kelly Addams)

"This is the only truly original part of the whole building." Nigel placed his hand on a massive wooden door, "In fact, you could say that I built Crannog Hunting Lodge around this very structure."

Susan looked at the huge and very worm ridden door. The wood was grey with age and held together with large iron studs. The stone surround was intricately carved and Susan had to smile, the carvings depicted the monster complete with long neck and flippers.

I suppose the legend has been around for a very long time she told herself, so why would it be surprising to find carvings of a monster around a door located on the shores of Loch Ness.

"The previous owner couldn't afford to maintain the main house, that's why it fell into ruin, but he always guarded and protected this door? and it is as we step through this ancient portal that your initiation ceremony begins."

Susan bit back the smirk that was desperate to reach her lips, it was all so theatrical, and Nigel was completely over the top with his purple robes and carved staff. The wood was polished by too many hands to count, it was old, even through the pantomime happening around her Susan could see that. A genuine relic she decided, then lifted the white cotton dress that she'd been instructed to wear. It was slightly too long and she kept treading on the hem and almost tripping.

The weathered old pipe smokers stepped forward, they were also wearing purple robes edged with what looked like ermine, the black and white stoat's tails hanging like tassels. One spoke in a guttural language that she didn't recognise, then stepped back. Two others stepped forward and produced a heavy cast iron key as long as her forearm. The fourth accepted the key with a nod of the head and slowly inserted it into what looked like a natural crack in the door.

A hidden keyhole Susan realised. He turned the key and the lock clicked.

"This is your very last chance to back out!" Nigel stood at her elbow and whispered.

Susan shook her head, she was committed now, she had her sights set on a life elevated above her peers. She considered the red Ferrari that she'd thought about only a few hours earlier, now it was looking like a possibility rather than a fantasy.

And anyway, there isn't anything on the other side of that door except more ritual and plenty of cobwebs and dust. She had already accepted that she was going to get naked, Jenny had been very insistent that she wear only the white dress, no underwear, no jewellery, she was to be as she was the day that she was born. Naked and innocent.

But I can live with that for an exotic Italian sports car she giggled inside, and show me any girl who says she wouldn't strip in my situation, and I will show you a liar or a fool.