#Ep. 24 The Vanishing Guest - Chapter 3: Hidden Treasure

Clara delves into the mystery of her family while uncovering dark secrets hidden within a hotel room. The episode explores themes of identity, curiosity, and confrontation as Clara seeks answers about her connection to a vanishing guest.

• Clara receives a note warning her of danger 
• Her search for clues reveals a tin box with family heirlooms 
• Clara discovers a photograph of her biological mother 
• Confrontation with Mr. Redford raises more questions 
• Clara's determination to uncover the truth intensifies 

You can download your own copy of the Vanishing Guest on my website completely free. You can download that at learnenglishwithnataliepodiacom. All the information is available in the show notes.

Chapters

• 0:00 Chapter 3
• 14:16 Family Secrets Uncovered

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of Learn English with Natalie. Today I am going to be continuing my short novel, my short mystery novel of the Vanishing Guest. Today we're going to be diving into chapter three of the story. So if you haven't listened to chapter one or chapter two, then go back and listen to those first so that you know where we're up to. I've been receiving some great feedback about this novel. Remember, I have designed this well.

Speaker 1: 0:31

I've written this specifically for English language learners. It's an adult book because I didn't want to write a story for children. However, I've used language at a level that will be comfortable for English language learners and if there are any tricky words, don't worry, I will address those as we go through the book. Today we're going to be reading chapter three. I'm going to change the way that I format this episode a little bit. So first of all, I will go through the story and I will explain any words that I think you might need an explanation for. You might not great, but some people will definitely benefit from this. After that, I will read the story again, but without stopping, so that you will have time to enjoy the story without any pauses. You will be able to assess the new vocabulary that you have learned.

Speaker 1: 1:34

So let's dive into chapter three of the Vanishing Guest. This chapter is called Hidden Treasure. Whipping her head around to identify the source of the noise. So the word whipping I have used, which means to strike or beat with a quick, sharp motion. So she's whipping her head around really quickly, whipping her head around to identify the source of the noise. Clara was left feeling even more confused and even more isolated. So that isolated means that you're alone. You're lonely. Nobody was there. She was still alone. You're not safe here. She read the note again and again. Why her? What did she have to do with this room, this hotel and this mysterious guest? Her heart pounded as she scanned the room, the silence heavy. Who was leaving these notes and how were they entering the locked room? She sank into the chair, clutching the paper, as questions whirled in her mind. She's clutching the paper, she's holding it tightly.

Speaker 1: 2:51

Clara paced the room, examining every corner for clues. Beneath the rug, she found faint scratches on the wooden floor, as though something heavy had once been dragged across it. She crouched down, tracing the marks with her fingertips. Suddenly, the distinct click of a door handle turning made her freeze. Clara whipped that's that word whipped again.

Speaker 1: 3:15

Clara whipped her head around to see the hotel manager, mr Redford, standing at the threshold. So the threshold is the start or the beginning of something. So he's standing at the doorframe which is the beginning or the entrance of the room. You shouldn't be here. He said his voice low and firm. Why not? Clara asked her voice steadier than she felt. There are things better left undisturbed. Undisturbed means they should be left alone. He replied, stepping inside. His eyes briefly flicked to the notes in her hand, a flicker of recognition crossing his face before he regained composure. So, before he was back to his usual calm manner, he gained composure. Clara didn't back down. Who left this note? She demanded, holding it up. The manager hesitated, his mouth twitching as though fighting against the words he wanted to say. I suggest you leave it alone. He finally said, turning to leave. But as he reached the door, clara spotted a silver key in his hand. Wait. She called, but he vanished. So he disappeared suddenly down the hall, frustrated and unsettled, clara wanted to flee. So run away, flee the scene and chase Mr Redford down. What did he know? Was he involved? But she had to keep digging. She would confront Mr Redford later.

Speaker 1: 4:55

First she had to figure out what the scratches on the floor meant. Moving the bed aside, she uncovered a loose floorboard. Using a nail file from her bag, she pried it open. So pride is where you force something to open. She pried it open and found a small tin box inside. The tin box felt cold and oddly heavy in Clara's hands. She opened it to find several items A faded photograph of a woman who bore a striking resemblance Resemblance meaning they look similar, they resemble each other a locket and a piece of parchment paper covered in an unfamiliar script. Her hands trembled as she unfolded the parchment. So a parchment is a material used for writing. Upon it was a birth certificate with her biological mother's name, isabella Davenport. She glanced at the photograph crinkled and worn. Could this be her mother? Clara gasped Kate, who we remember was her adoptive mother, who recently passed away. Kate had not really spoken about Clara's biological family, apart from a few anecdotes, which are kind of flippant facts, given here and there. So, apart from a few anecdotes here and there, why was this hidden here and what connection did Isabella have to this hotel? As she stared at the photograph, clara felt a sense of familiarity, so she felt like she knew this person or knew these objects. She recognized them, as though the woman's eyes held secrets meant for her alone.

Speaker 1: 6:42

Clara sat on the edge of the bed in room 207. The photograph trembling slightly in her hand, she stared at the image of the woman, her biological mother. The woman's features were strikingly familiar the same almond-shaped eyes and dark curls. Alongside it lay the locket, its once bright gold now dulled by time. Clara opened the locket cautiously, so carefully, revealing a faded picture of a man she didn't recognize, at first at least. His expression was intense, his eyes shadowed, as though he carried a heavy burden, so a heavy secret or something weighing him down. Who was he? Why was this locket hidden here? Her heart raced as questions flooded her mind and then a realisation dawned upon her. She had seen this man before. He was the vanishing guest Downstairs.

Speaker 1: 7:49

Clara approached Mr Redford in the lobby. Clara approached Mr Radford in the lobby. His posture so the way he's holding his body upright, his posture stiffened as she placed the photograph and the locket on the counter. What do you know about these? She asked firmly. His face darkened immediately. Where did you find these? He asked His voice low but tense.

Speaker 1: 8:16

Room 207,. Clara replied narrowing her eyes. Why were they hidden there? Mr Redford sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. So his shoulders slump forwards.

Speaker 1: 8:28

Clara, he said in a grave tone, which is a very serious tone. If say it is grave, using grave as an adjective, it means very serious. Obviously grave, as a noun is where you go to bury somebody when they pass away. So in this instance it means serious. He said in a grave tone. Some things are better left buried. I suggest you drop this.

Speaker 1: 8:55

But Clara's curiosity only grew. I can't just walk away. This is my family. She retorted, and retorted means that you reply angrily or sharply. So that's the end of chapter three, and you may have noticed, as I was reading the chapter, I was stopping at parts to explain that vocabulary. Now I'm going to read this chapter again. I keep the chapters short on purpose so it's not too much information for you to hold on to. I'm going to read this chapter again. This time I'm not going to stop, I'm just going to read it as if you're listening to an audio book. Let's see if you can remember some of those words.

Speaker 1: 9:37

Chapter three Hidden Treasure. Whipping her head around to identify the source of the noise, clara was left feeling even more confused and even more isolated. Nobody was there. She was still alone. You're not safe here. She read the notes again and again. Why her? What did she have to do with this room, this hotel and the mysterious guest? Her heart pounded as she scanned the room, the silence heavy. Who is leaving these notes and how are they entering the locked room? She sank into the chair, clutching the paper as questions whirled in her mind.

Speaker 1: 10:19

Clara paced the room, examining every corner for clues. Beneath the rug, she found faint scratches on the wooden floor, as though something heavy had once been dragged across it. She crouched down, tracing the marks with her fingertips. Suddenly, the distinct click of a door handle turning made her freeze. Clara whipped her head around to see the hotel manager, mr Redford, standing at the threshold. You shouldn't be here, he said his voice low and firm. Why not? Clara asked her voice steadier than she actually felt. Things are better. Left undisturbed, he replied, stepping inside. His eyes briefly flicked to the note in her hand, a flicker of recognition crossing his face before he regained composure. Clara didn't back down. Who left this note? She demanded, holding it up. The manager hesitated, his mouth twitching as though fighting against the words he wanted to say I suggest you leave it alone. He finally said, turning to leave. But as he reached the door, clara spotted a silver key in his hand. Wait, she called, but he vanished down the hall.

Speaker 1: 11:37

Frustrated and unsettled, clara wanted to flee the scene and chase Mr Redford down. What did he know? Was he involved? But she had to keep digging. She would confront Mr Redford later. First she had to figure out what the scratches on the floor meant.

Speaker 1: 11:54

Moving the bed aside, she uncovered a loose floorboard. Using a nail file from her bag, she pried it open and found a small tin box inside. The tin box felt cold and oddly heavy in Clara's hands. She opened it to find several items A faded photograph of a woman who bore a striking resemblance to her, a locket and a piece of parchment paper covered in an unfamiliar script. Her hands trembled as she unfolded the parchment. It was a birth certificate with her biological mother's name Isabella Davenport. She glanced at the photograph, crinkled and worn. Could this be her mother? Clara gasped. Kate had not really spoken about Clara's biological family, apart from a few anecdotes here and there. Why was this hidden here and what connection did Isabella have to this hotel? As she stared at the photograph, clara felt a sense of familiarity, as though the woman's eyes held secrets meant for her alone.

Speaker 1: 13:00

Clara sat on the edge of the bed in room 207, the photograph trembling slightly in her hand. She stared at the image of the woman, her biological mother. The woman's features were strikingly familiar the same almond-shaped eyes and dark curls. Alongside it lay the locket, its once bright gold, now dulled by time. Clara opened the locket cautiously, revealing a faded picture of a man she didn't recognise, at first at least. His expression was intense, his eyes shadowed, as though he carried a heavy burden. Who was he? Why was this locket hidden here? Her heart raced as questions flooded her mind. And then a realization dawned upon her. She had seen this man before. He was the vanishing guest Downstairs.

Speaker 1: 13:56

Clara approached Mr Redford in the lobby. His posture stiffened as she placed the photograph and locket on the counter. What do you know about these? She asked firmly. His face darkened immediately. Where did you find these? He asked His voice, low but tense. Room 207. Clara replied, narrowing her eyes. Why were they hidden there? Where did you find these, he asked his voice low but tense.

Speaker 1: 14:16

Room 207, clara replied, narrowing her eyes. Why were they hidden there? Mr Redford sighed heavily his shoulders, slumping Clara. He said in a grave tone Some things are better left buried. I suggest you drop this. But Clara's curiosity only grew. I can't just walk away. This is my family, she retorted. Well, I hope that when we read that the second time around, you recognize some of the new vocabulary that I explained the first time I read that chapter. Please remember, you can access your own copy of the Vanishing Guest on my website completely free. You can download that at learnenglishwithnataliepodiacom. All the information is available in the show notes. Make sure you subscribe so that you can tune in next time for chapter four of the Vanishing Guest, for chapter four of the Vanishing Guest and if you enjoy the content, please do rate, review, subscribe, comment, wherever you're listening or watching this show. It will really help me to grow this channel. Thank you so much and I'll see you next time. Bye.