Plot Summary
Billy Weaver, a 17-year-old from London, arrives in Bath on a cold evening, seeking accommodation. He considers staying at the Bell and Dragon but notices a bed and breakfast on his way. Despite feeling a bit hesitant, he decides to inquire about a room. The porter at the station directs him to the Bell and Dragon, but Billy is intrigued by the warmth and charm emanating from the bed and breakfast's window.
As he approaches the house, he notices the inviting glow of a fire and a cozy atmosphere, unlike the chilly street outside. Despite initially considering a pub for accommodation, Billy is drawn to the bed and breakfast. He rationalizes that it might be more pleasant than a typical boarding house. As he approaches the door, he notices a printed notice advertising bed and breakfast, which seems to compel him to enter, despite his initial intention to explore other options.
Upon ringing the doorbell, the landlady, a kind and welcoming woman, immediately appears, surprising Billy with her promptness. She invites him in warmly and offers him a room at a remarkably low rate, which he finds appealing. As Billy enters the house, he observes the absence of other guests' belongings. Despite the oddity of the situation, Billy decides to accept the room. The landlady, with her gentle demeanor, puts him at ease, assuring him of the comfort and convenience of the accommodations. She also explains that there are no other guests because she is “just a teeny-weeny bit choosy and particular” about whom she takes in.
As Billy settles into his room, he notices small details that unsettle him, such as the absence of other guests and the pristine condition of the room. However, he tries to brush off his unease and focuses on the comfort of the bed. The landlady's behavior, including her peculiar comments and over attentiveness to his needs, raises suspicions in Billy's mind, but he attributes them to her eccentricity, possibly caused by losing a son in the war.
While signing the guestbook, Billy notices that there are only two names before his. One of them is dated two years ago, and the other three years ago. The names—Christopher Mulholland and Gregory Temple—seem oddly familiar. While Billy wonders where he has heard these names before, the Landlady appears with a teatray in her hand. She offers him tea and ginger biscuits. As they sit on the sofa, drinking tea and conversing, Billy keeps thinking out loud about how he knows the two former guests from somewhere. Finally, he recalls that Christopher Mulholland was the name of the Eton schoolboy who went missing. The Landlady dismisses his worry and keeps making remarks about his good looks and young age. She also explains that the two men never left and are on the fourth floor. With increasing unease, Billy notices that the parrot in the living room is actually dead. The Landlady reveals that the dachshund is taxidermied too and mentions that she stuffs all her dead pets.
Still wondering about the two guests, Billy declines the landlady's offer of more tea. He feels uneasy about the bitter taste of the previous cup. He asks the Landlady if she has had any more guests in the last couple of years; the Landlady’s answer is no one except him. The story ends with an eerie sense of ambiguity, as the landlady's true intentions remain unspoken but heavily implied.
