The Ghost House (5 page)

He needed to check out the farm. It hadn’t even entered his head last night when he had led the girl up here to the house. Anyone could have seen him. He had thought he had every angle covered. This was an important lesson to learn: there are a million and one ways to fuck it all up. Still, no coppers had come knocking at his door and if they had found her body this place would still be swarming with them.

He followed the path that led to the farmhouse. A light was shining through the trees from a downstairs window. Maybe they were on a timer: you wouldn’t go abroad and leave every light on in the house. Walking closer he climbed over the gate in case it made a noise when it opened. Keeping close to the house he reached the room that was lit and peered through the glass. On the table were two mugs and a black dog was asleep in the corner. A woman’s handbag was on the chair: whoever it was must be coming back. He took a look around at the assortment of barns and outbuildings. He couldn’t just leave. Not until he knew who was staying here. A door was ajar on one of the barns so he walked over and pushed it open with the tip of his boot. The smell of hay filled his nostrils and he had to lift a hand to his face to stifle a sneeze. He pulled a bale of hay from the stack and dragged it over to the tiny window that had a slight crack across the grimy glass: it gave a perfect view of the courtyard and the kitchen door. If he was lucky they would use this as the main way to go in and out. He was confident that whoever it was would have no reason to come in here at this time of night and if they did he would say he was homeless and just dossing down for the night.

Tesco was empty. Annie managed to do her shopping with no interruptions, which made a change. One of the things she disliked about her job was that everyone who lived in the town centre knew her both in and out of uniform. More often than not when she was doing her grocery shopping she would get stopped and told tales about what the next door neighbour was up to or asked if she could do something about the smackheads over the road.

She filled the trolley with pizza, salad, pasta, chocolate and wine. She even picked up a packet of razors.
Time to shave those legs. You just never know
. She looked at her trolley, it was a lot different to shopping with Mike and she liked it.

On the stand near to the checkout was a single battered copy of the local paper. The front page had a picture of the missing girl staring back at her. Shivering, Annie hoped the poor girl wasn’t lying dead somewhere near to the farmhouse.

Her journey home was uneventful. She didn’t think twice about getting out of the car to unlock the gates. Usually she would feel a little scared because it was so lonely and dark at this time of night and there were far too many stories of ghostly monks who wandered the area. Tonight she was too busy thinking about Will. She should really phone Jake and discreetly try and find out if Will had said anything about her but he would second-guess what she was up to and then he’d tell Will: Jake could not keep his mouth shut.

She parked up and grabbed the bags of shopping from the boot of the car; the wine bottles clashed together. Unlatching the gate a feeling of being watched settled over her and she felt uneasy again. Ever since she had gone into the mansion it had been there hovering at the back of her mind. She had never experienced anything like it. Going into the kitchen she locked the door and dumped the shopping bags onto the table, her hands were trembling.

‘I’m cracking up, Tess, and turning into an alcoholic but you don’t mind, do you? It will be our little secret.’

She picked up the half full bottle of wine and her glass then went into the snug to watch the television: anything to keep her mind occupied. Something funny was what she needed. She searched through the channels until she found a repeat of
Only Fools and Horses
. There was nothing like the antics of Del Boy, Rodney and a box of blow-up dolls to put a smile on your face.

Her back to the window she didn’t see the black figure sneak from the barn and skulk into the woods. Tess growled in the kitchen, she knew someone was out there.

Will arrived back at the police station and this time it was full of people; completely different to this morning. Everything was the wrong way round today. Usually at this time of night it was quiet, a couple of officers and the odd PCSO around. Everyone else would be out on patrol, waiting for the endless jobs to come in. He often thought it was a shame how much the taxpayer didn’t know about the world of policing. Most calls to the police were absolute rubbish: reports of kids making a noise in the play park or for playing football in the street. It drove him nuts. The parade room was full; the nightshift officers hanging around for the nine o’clock briefing to begin. He walked on to the community office and looked in; nodding at the two PCSOs, Claire and Sally, who were in there,

‘Evening, ladies, anyone brewing up?’ He gave them his best smile and they grinned back.

‘We might be. What’s it worth?’

He racked his brain for some juicy gossip to offer in exchange for some coffee. ‘Oh I know, have you heard about the shenanigans on the G shift night out? Wouldn’t you like to know who ended up going back to a certain sergeant’s house for a spot of picking car keys out of a dish?’

Both women stood at the same time, walking towards the kettle.

‘Coffee nice and strong, and two sugars please.’ He left and walked briskly through the maze of corridors to his office, a big grin on his face. He had known they wouldn’t be able to resist. In less than five minutes they would be there, steaming mug of coffee and big smiles.

Will was tired. It had turned into a long day and as soon as he updated the duty inspector he was going home for a drink of something stronger than coffee. Right on cue the door opened and in they walked. Claire put the mug down on his desk.

‘Right, Will, spill the beans. We want to know every gory detail.’

He paused for effect. ‘Well, I got told by a very reliable source that Reece and Deana from custody went out and ended up going back to a custody sergeant – mention no names but Jack escapes my lips – house, with a certain blonde officer who has a lilting Scottish accent, for a foursome.’

‘Oh my god, are you having us on?’ Sally squealed before they both collapsed into a screaming fit of the giggles.

Claire turned to Sally who was laughing so hard she had to hold onto her side. ‘We really need to go on the next night out. Do you see what we’re missing?’

They both blew him a kiss then turned to leave.

‘Thanks for the coffee, girls.’

‘You’re welcome, darling. Thanks for the gossip.’ Claire winked at him as Sally dragged her out into the corridor. Their laughter echoed all down the corridor putting a smile on his face.

When the constabulary had announced it was taking on PCSOs it hadn’t gone down too well with many of the officers. They had been concerned they would take their jobs from them for lesser pay, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The first group that arrived from training up at headquarters had been like a breath of fresh air and Will thought they were amazing: he wouldn’t have a bad word said about them. They often helped above and beyond their call of duty, which is more than could be said for some officers.

He sipped his coffee and updated the missing persons report then, tired and hungry, he set off to find the duty inspector to give an update. Climbing the stairs he phoned the local Chinese and the girl who answered rhymed off his order of beef chow mein and salt and pepper chips without him saying any more than his name. At the moment the woman who owned the takeaway knew him better than any of his last three girlfriends
. You sad bastard, Will Ashworth
.

He thought about Annie and what it was about her that had affected him so much. He had never before given her a second glance but today she had looked so vulnerable and he had wanted so badly to hold her and tell her he’d protect her. Maybe it was time to start acting his age. Most of his mates from school were married, some twice. All of them had families and what did he have? An amazing talent for not being able to keep his dick in his pants and a gay best friend. He chuckled because if he didn’t he might just cry it was so pathetic.

Annie couldn’t settle. Tess was continually growling at someone or something that she couldn’t see and it was freaking her out. She stood up and pushed her face against the glass, peering out into the courtyard. But it was so dark she could only see the room behind her reflected in the glass and her own face, which she barely recognised. She looked so pale and there were big, black circles under her eyes, not to mention the world’s worst haircut. She blinked away the tears that welled and let out a sob
. Stop it, Annie, your hair will grow back. You’re alive and you’re free. What more do you want?

She wanted for her to be in a different situation; in a fun-filled loving relationship. She had never really liked being on her own and had always been a homebody. When she was younger, clubbing wasn’t really her thing nor was dating. The thought of having to start over filled her with fear.
Maybe I should buy some fake tan, get my nails done and see if the hairdresser can do anything with what is left of my hair. Have a bit of a pampering day and make an effort. Time to stop being a victim and become a survivor
.

She refilled her wine glass, hoping it might calm her down and went into the kitchen to feed Tess,. She looked across at the table and the diary on it. Her phone began to ring and she didn’t move an inch for fear of losing the signal.

‘Well then, what did he want when he had you all to himself?’

She decided not to give Jake an ounce of satisfaction. ‘He was very nice and asked me to show him around the old house. There was nothing more.’ She didn’t tell him that Will was coming back in the morning. She thought about Will and his sandy blonde hair – so soft you could run your fingers through it – and his bright blue eyes that crinkled when he smiled, and what a smile: perfect white teeth. Then she thought about herself: short, twenty-six pounds over her ideal weight, her once luscious black hair shaved off to reveal a wound a cage fighter would be proud of. Yes, her and Will were such a match made in heaven that she laughed.

‘What’s so funny? You’re so mean keeping me in suspense. But to be brutally honest with you I was phoning up to give you some really good Uncle Jake advice.’

‘What would that be Uncle Jake?’

‘Don’t go there, with Will, I mean. You know what his reputation is like and I don’t want you getting hurt again so soon. He’s my mate and everything but I would never trust him with my sister or even my mother, come to that.’

‘Thanks for the advice. I’m going to bed so can you please stop bugging me. Give my love to Alex.’ She ended the call then picked up the diary.
What about you, Alice? Did you ever fancy anyone out of your league?

A gentle breeze blew across the back of her neck making the hairs stand on end. If she didn’t know any better she would say someone was standing behind her. She felt her legs begin to quiver

Oh God, what is happening to me? Please leave me alone
. Afraid to turn around she lifted her eyes until they were level with the window and glanced at her reflection. There was no one behind her. A whisper of cold air passed through her body making every nerve tingle and then it was gone: the room felt lighter and so did she. Annie tipped the rest of the wine into her glass and held it up in the air
. Here’s to you, Alice, I don’t know what is going on or why I get the feeling that I’m involved but I think you were probably a very nice person and I hope that whatever it is you are trying to tell me brings you some comfort
. She downed the wine and grimaced. What was going on? Was it all her imagination or had she encountered a ghost? She wished she had someone to talk to about it that wouldn’t section her. It was a shame all her friends were coppers.

Edward returned from London yesterday. He is so much taller than I remember. I had finished my chores and was sitting near to the piano listening to Lady Hannah play a new piece of music she had learned especially for his coming home. Upon seeing me with his mother he stormed into the room and hugged her tight whilst pulling a face at me behind her back. I could not stop myself and stuck my tongue out at him like a sullen child. Realising my own insolence I stood up and hurried from the room, down to the kitchen, afraid to look back in case he was watching me. I wanted to be as far away from him as possible. I asked Cook if she needed some help and she pointed to a sink full of potatoes. She asked me to peel them so I did. I know she is grateful for the help because she is forever moaning that Millie cannot cut the slack. One of these days I will ask her exactly what she means.

The whole time I spent with my sleeves pushed up to my elbows, peeling dirty potatoes, I could not stop my mind from thinking about Edward. As much as I dislike him I have to admit he is so very handsome. I stared at the reflection staring back at me from the window. I still look like a girl although Cook made me blush two days ago by telling me that I was finally beginning to develop my womanly assets.

Lady Hannah took me for a trip into town last week to buy some suitable undergarments and new clothes as I have grown out of everything that I own. We had such a fun time together and she was very kind to me, she even took me for lunch in the new hotel that opened last week. She told me that his Lordship was supposed to take her but he was so busy with work that he still had not got around to it, so it was to be our secret and I was not to mention it to any of the other servants because she did not want them to get upset or jealous. I swore to her I would tell no one and it was very nice being treated like a lady instead of a servant.

I love Lady Hannah dearly. She has even begun to teach me to play the piano. One evening last week after his Lordship had retired and she had drunk three glasses of sherry after dinner. She told me that she had longed for a daughter of her own but it was not to be. She then said I was like the daughter she had always wanted but had never been blessed with.

A loud scream pierced my daydreams. It was followed by a horrible thud. I ran behind Cook from the kitchen to the hall where the noise came from and was greeted by the most horrific sight I have ever seen. Lady Hannah was lying at the bottom of the grand staircase and there was a huge pool of blood seeping from the back of her head. Edward appeared at the top of the stairs.

‘Mother,’ he shouted, and ran down them so fast I was afraid he would fall and land beside her.

Cook was crying into her apron. She ordered me to go and fetch Doctor Smith but I could not move. I felt as if my feet had been glued to the floor. I could not look away from the dark red blood that was staining the pretty white dress Lady Hannah was wearing; it was turning the soft silk crimson. Edward was bent over his mother sobbing.

‘Alice,’ screamed Cook.

I finally found my feet and ran as fast as I could. I turned to see Edward looking at me and I could have sworn that he was smiling that awful, wicked smile of his. I ran to find Alfie who saddled up the horse and trap and drove me through the bitter winter’s night to the doctor’s house. By the time we arrived back with the doctor, Edward and his Lordship had carried Lady Hannah to her bedroom. I will never forget the huge pool of blood that lay at the foot of the stairs: I had no idea a person could bleed so much.

Cook came downstairs and told me to get it cleaned up before his Lordship came back down and then everything went black. When I opened my eyes Edward was carrying me in his arms. He told me that he had caught me just before I hit the floor. He carried me into the nearest room, which was the library, where he gently laid me down onto the chaise lounge. I was scared to be so close to him but at the same time it felt nice to have his strong arms wrapped around me. I looked into his eyes and for once they did not seem so black, just sad. I asked him how her Ladyship was and he told me the doctor and his father were with her. He spoke in hushed tones, not wanting anyone to overhear our conversation. He told me it was very serious. The doctor was worried because of the amount of blood she had lost and he said she had shattered a part of her skull. There was no way to move her to the hospital because it was far too dangerous with her head injury.