The ladder in the orchard

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Samuel had crossed the apple orchard every morning since he was small. He knew where the ground dipped, which branches hung lowest and how the old gate resisted before opening with a sigh. At dusk, he found the gate tied with the same firm knot he had made at noon.

Halfway along the second row, a ladder leaned against the oldest tree. Its feet rested on the wet earth without sinking into it. Above, one cluster of leaves trembled, although the branches below were still.

Samuel called his uncle’s name. From beyond the wall came two short whistles: the signal his uncle always used. Samuel took a step towards it before remembering that his uncle had driven to market that morning and would not return until the next day.

The ladder creaked. Samuel stepped back. Somewhere deeper among the trees, an apple struck the ground, and then another answered it.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to create uncertainty in an otherwise familiar setting. Support your answer with references to the passage.