The Watcher in the Woods

We've all tumbled down.

This place is so... nowhere.

This place, Jan, is Wales.

It's one of the oldest principalities in Europe,

going back to the Norman conquest.

The Norman conquest was in 1066.

Want to know when the Magna Carta

was signed? I can tell you.

There'll be another Brain Brawl in the fall, Ellie.

All you got to do is get through the summer.

I know, three months in Britain

means the next 30 years at Adams College.

That's my kind of math, Kate.

- I do not sound like that. - Oh?

Well, it is my kind of math.

In ten years' time,

this summer will seem like the blink of an eye.

Let's see if that works.

Nope, it's still there.

We're gonna make the best of this, Jan, right?

Make like we're in Cleveland?

Okay, whatever.

Wow, this place already feels like fun.

Jan, have some respect.

Sorry.

Nope, still there.

Ah, it's so pretty.

Okay, here we are.

Wow, those bells sure are ringing a long time.

It's tradition.

The bell rings once for every year of the man's life.

It will see him safely to the other side.

You must be the Carstairs.

I'm Mrs. Thayer, your real estate agent.

- Pleased to meet you. - You as well.

If you want to grab your things, I'll meet you in the office.

Well, the place is quaint. I'll give it that.

Yeah, if by quaint you mean old.

Remember our deal, Jan.

It's like out of Brothers Grimm.

They collected over 200 fairy tales.

- Did they? - Yeah, they missed one.

Northrop is more than quaint. It's dripping with history.

Yeah, you could drown in it.

Look, can't we just live somewhere else?

Dad's college is in Middleton.

It's, like, three times the size of this.

We talked about this.

If we're gonna live in Wales for the summer,

we're gonna have the real Welsh experience,

and your father needs all the quiet he can get.

And an office with enough wall space

for my long-form equations.

We'll find something.

And you'll need a great kitchen.

You know you will.

Now, this one has a big kitchen,

but the roof is in need of repair.

We're only here for the summer.

I hope that was clear in my message.

Very clear. It doesn't limit your choices,

but you will want to find a place within the week.

After that, any nearby hotel rooms

will be booked up for the festival in five days.

What's the Northrop Miracle?

That's what the festival celebrates.

In June of 1348,

the Black Plague swept across the countryside

surrounding Northrop and killed 100,000 people

but not a soul in this village.

- Not one person? - Not one.

The plague passed around the village and surrounding woods.

What are the odds of that happening?

It's a miracle.

- Well, why June 21st? - That's the date of midsummer.

It's the longest day of the year,

when the sun is highest in the sky.

So you will want to find somewhere

before this place turns into a fairground.

What was that first listing, Mrs. Thayer?

I think we skipped it.

Ah, Aylwood House.

Well, that place is far too large for your needs

and only has electricity in a few rooms.

Well, the electric can be fixed, right?

Why, yes.

- A ghost would rent it. - It does look haunted.

- When was it built? - 1348.

The year of the Black Plague.

Uh, why, yes.

What month?

It doesn't say. Why?

Well, I was just wondering if it was built

after the plague swept here

or before.

I mean, I wouldn't want to be living in a house

where skeletons marched through carrying sickles, killing...

Jan, you're gonna scare Ellie.

I'm okay.

I'm not scared of that house.

Well, neither am I,

and it seems like the real Welsh experience.

I just need a few minutes to shut up the office,

and then we can go see Aylwood House.

Sounds great. We'll meet you at the car.

You okay, Ellie?

Look at that doll.

Can I have it?

Aren't you a little old for dolls?

You're always saying I'm growing up too fast.

You're right as usual,

and you're making the best of Northrop.

Come on.

- You coming, Jan? - No, thanks.

Suit yourself. Don't wander off too far.

[woman humming "Ring Around the Rosie"]

You're going to Aylwood House?

Uh, yeah, I am.

The last one like you

had a pocketful of posies.

But she didn't fall down.

She disappeared.

Who disappeared? Where?

There.

What are you talking about?

And how did you know where I was going?

Don't let that daft Helen Taylor spook you too much.

She just heard Mrs. Thayer say it to your family.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

But if you are visiting Aylwood House,

I suggest sticking to its grounds.

Why?

You just should.

- Look, Jan. - She's pretty.

What's her name?

I have to think about it.

It has to be just right.

The rent is half what you'd normally pay

for a place this size.

You can fix the electric?

I've already spoken to Jack Fleming,

a local farmer who doubles as a handyman for Mrs. Aylwood.

So somebody's living there right now?

Not for much longer.

Aylwood House is yours to rent if you wish.

And there's the road there.

Turn left. I said turn left.

Turn left, turn left, turn left!

Sorry, sorry.

Why aren't we taking the road through the woods?

The road around them suits me better.

Jan, roll up your window.

Sorry, sorry.

Here we go.

Welcome to Aylwood House.

That's mine to say, and I do not welcome you.

Meet Mrs. Aylwood.

Who are you? What do you want?

I warned you, Mrs. Aylwood.

If you refused to install a telephone,

I would be making surprise visits.

This house is not for rent.

Mrs. Aylwood, you know as well as I

that you must rent out this house

and take up residency in the cottage.

Ellie.

Ellie. Ellie, Ellie!

- What? - Didn't you hear me?

Where were you going?

I don't know.

Come on.

What's going on, you two?

Jan's trying to scare me again.

No, I wasn't. She wandered off.

It was like she was sleepwalking.

I was not sleepwalking.

Right, that settles it.

Let's go take a look, shall we?

Sure, sure.

Excuse me.

Hide.

- Hide. - Is someone there?

What did you say to her?

Were you singing your rhymes?