The House on Findlater Lane

by Helen Goltz

  She glanced into the car mirror and checked she looked “together”. Her auburn hair was a little out of control, as it always was where salt and sea air were involved, her make-up was wearing off, showing the small array of freckles on her nose and cheeks, but her green eyes were alert… she was looking forward to this weekend. Besides, Holly wouldn’t care if she arrived with a potato sack on and a cucumber face mask on her skin.

  Juliette’s GPS device told her to turn left and announced, ‘destination’.

  ‘Thank you, sexy voice,’ Juliette said. She’d often wished the GPS guide was a real guy sitting beside her, saying ‘At the next turn… take the third exit… then kiss me’. She sighed; Juliette had a good imagination.

  ‘Wow!’ she said, taking in the glorious ocean view as she reached the top of the lane. She recognised Holly’s car in front of a large white cottage and turned to park on the kerb. Juliette leapt out of the car – she had been driving for over three hours – and breathed in the salt air.

  The front door opened and Holly burst from the house, rushing to embrace her best friend. They held each other tightly, then Juliette pulled away to look at Holly.

  ‘You look fine.’

  ‘I am fine.’

  ‘Are you?’ Juliette asked.

  ‘Sure,’ Holly said.

  Juliette’s expression begged the truth. She held Holly at arm’s length. Holly gave a slight shrug.

  ‘Some days are easy, others take a little more work to get out of bed… but I’m definitely on the improve,’ Holly said. ‘In fact, I’ve got my first client, I know some people from the village already, I’ve found the library and four lost items since I’ve been here and… I’m raving. I’m fine!’

  ‘Of course you are,’ Juliette said, and squeezed Holly’s arms. ‘Of course you are. I know it has only been a few weeks, but I miss you.’

  Holly pulled away from Juliette. Open emotions weren’t her strong suit, unlike Juliette, who wore her heart on her sleeve.

  ‘Then we’ll need a system,’ Holly suggested. ‘I’ll come and see you once a month and you’ll need to come here regularly. It will be good for you to unplug from the connected world and breathe in the salt air.’

  Juliette looked slightly panicked.

  ‘I have WiFi, you only need unplug for an hour or so a day,’ Holly teased.

  ‘Phew,’ Juliette said, removing her hand from her heart, ‘you had me going then.’

  Holly grinned and shook her head. ‘So, welcome to Findlater House in Findlater Lane.’

  ‘I can’t believe you of all people are living in Findlater Lane,’ Juliette said, shaking her head.

  ‘I know, right. Weird!’ Holly opened the back door of Juliette’s car and grabbed one of the three bags. ‘How long are you staying?’

  ‘Just the weekend,’ Juliette said.

  ‘Really?’ Holly asked, her eyes narrowed.

  ‘I didn’t know if we’d be staying in or going out, if it was a casual place or smart casual, if I needed beachwear or café society wear…’

  ‘I get it,’ Holly said and grabbed all three bags, closing the door with her hip. She passed one to Juliette. ‘Let me give you the tour of Findlater House.’

  Holly glanced around. Where was Alexander and would he behave now that she had a guest staying? She knew only too well that he wasn’t keen on her being there, let alone anyone else having a sleepover, but he would just have to suck it up, she thought.

  Holly turned and caught a glimpse of him at the door. This will be interesting, she thought, and returned her attention to Juliette, who was still in her work gear and high heels and wrestling with her bag up the few steps to the front door. She followed Holly inside.

  Juliette couldn’t see the Sergeant, and Holly was selfishly relieved, and surprised that she was possessive of him already. But, truth be told, she wanted to keep him to herself, at least for a while. Juliette had the power to charm and captivate everyone immediately, and Holly was the type who grew on people once they got to know her. She was cautious with her connections, but once made, fiercely loyal. And, she just wanted to have Alexander’s attention on her for a little while.

  ‘Well, this is lovely. I could live here, especially with that view,’ Juliette said, standing inside the doorway and doing a complete circle.

  ‘Great! Move here then, that would be brilliant!’ Holly exclaimed.

  Juliette grimaced. ‘I’d miss the city.’ She glanced to the wall where the three paintings hung. ‘Nice landscapes,’ she said, looking outside and back to the one that matched the view. ‘That’s clever. And who is this serious and handsome-looking man?’

  Holly smiled. ‘Meet the Sergeant!’

  ‘Sir,’ Juliette said, and saluted the portrait. ‘Most dashing.’

  Holly cocked her head to the side.

  ‘I guess he’s not bad looking,’ she said, knowing he’d have a go at her later for that. But right now he couldn’t even flinch. It was too easy, Holly thought.

  Juliette tore her eyes away from the Sergeant and turned back to Holly. ‘So, have you seen him?’

  ‘Who?’ Holly asked, knowing perfectly well who Juliette was asking after.

  ‘The ghost!’

  ‘You know that was Grandma’s fantasy… it wasn’t real,’ Holly said.

  ‘How disappointing,’ Juliette sighed. ‘I was hoping Loopy Lily’s ghost relationship was real. I was thinking, you could ask that reality TV show to come here and see what they can find… you know, Ghost Hunters!’

  ‘No way! All those people and cameras traipsing around trying to get a reaction in the dead of night.’ Holly grimaced. ‘It’s bad enough that most of the town is curious about me moving into the ghost house, without making it a tourist attraction.’

  ‘Well, that’s no fun,’ Juliette pouted. ‘But it would be kind of cool to be in love with a ghost. I bet Lily loved the Sergeant … I wonder if you could, you know, do it with a ghost?’

  Holly nodded. ‘I’ve given that some thought myself.’

  The two best friends giggled like schoolgirls as they walked away from the Sergeant’s portrait. Holly felt her face reddening and she hoped Alexander had left just his imprint in the frame and gone elsewhere well before this conversation started. I wonder if he can do that? she thought.

  ‘Did I say thank you for having me?’ Juliette asked.

  ‘I think it is me who should be saying thank you for coming. I’ll show you your room, come on,’ Holly said, taking to the stairs. ‘Then, I planned a dusk walk on the beach, a cocktail hour here, dinner at this lovely little restaurant in town, and I’ve got your favourite coffee capsules in!’

  ‘All that and you had barely any notice!’ Juliette said. ‘Can’t wait.’ She raced up the stairs behind Holly, declaring everything quaint or marvellous.

  Holly didn’t see Alexander relax in his portrait and roll his eyes. If she had, she would have noticed his displeasure at the interruption to his household, and his time with Holly. They had things to do and this invasion was not welcome.

  It was just after 11 pm when Holly bid Juliette good night, entered her bedroom and closed the door. She turned around and jumped in fright. Alexander was lying on his back in the middle of her bed.

  ‘For the love of God, you scared me,’ Holly said, placing her hand over her heart.

  ‘Really?’ he asked, rising and pushing himself over to the edge of the bed. ‘You must be the safest person in this town, truth be known.’

  She crossed her arms across her chest and studied him. ‘Oh? How do you figure that?’

  ‘You’ve got a ghost for a bodyguard. That’s enough to freak most people out. So, you’re not going to consider the reality TV idea, are you?’

  Holly smirked. ‘No, of course not. Why, do you want to?’

  ‘Hell no. They’re bizarre… one of the tenants that stayed here watched the show a few times. They walk around asking the ghost, “is there something you want to tell us? Can you give us a sign you’
re here?” What the bloody hell for? Like I’m hanging around waiting for them to arrive.’

  Holly laughed. ‘But you were hanging around listening…’

  ‘Of course, I live here. Where am I supposed to go?’

  ‘Shh,’ she said, indicating Juliette was in the room next door. ‘I don’t want to explain why I’m talking to myself.’

  Alexander rolled his eyes. ‘She can’t hear. She’s got the French doors open and the ocean’s louder than we are. And I heard the question about whether ghosts make good lovers! Hmph!’ he said, not addressing it.

  Holly walked towards her French doors and lowered herself into an olive green chaise chair beside them.

  ‘So, do they?’ she asked.

  He shrugged. ‘You know that agreement we had about answering your questions?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Does this count as one of them?’

  Holly sighed. ‘Mm, I can see that plan is not going to work… I’d be better to catch you unawares with random questions. Okay, yes, it counts as one of them.’

  Alexander grinned. ‘Well, since you asked, I’m a brilliant lover whether I’m flesh and blood or in spirit form, but I can’t give you references.’

  Holly laughed. ‘Sure you are. So, is this how will it work if I get a boyfriend? You’ll hear everything we’re up to then?’

  ‘I bloody well hope not.’ Alexander grimaced. ‘Just do whatever funky thing you need to do upstairs and I’ll stay downstairs. Easy.’

  ‘Funky?’ she teased. He smiled and looked away.

  ‘Can you leave the frame and still be in it?’ she asked. ‘Sort of like leaving an impression of yourself?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Mm, interesting, thanks for the detailed answer.’

  Alexander smiled again. ‘Okay, no, I have to be there or not there. It’s the same answer but hopefully that makes you happier.’

  Holly smiled. ‘Ah, the fine art of conversation. Clearly you didn’t get that skill.’

  ‘And there have been so many people to converse with since I died over forty years ago.’

  She grimaced. ‘See, now I feel bad, but I’ll get over it.’ She noticed they were becoming very good at sparring, and she had to admit she was actually enjoying having the ghost around. Who would have thought?

  Holly broached the subject she was most concerned about. ‘Are you going to show yourself to Juliette?’

  ‘No, she’s bolshie. When is she leaving?’

  ‘Bolshie? What do you mean?’ Holly asked. ‘A communist?’

  ‘No. She does what she wants, steamrolls you, a bit full of herself…’

  ‘Don’t be crazy, she’s nothing like that. She’s just comfortable with me and she knows that I’m a bit of an introvert, so she likes to give me a hurry along, I guess.’

  ‘Hmm,’ Alexander said, unconvinced. ‘We’ve got work to do.’

  ‘She’ll be gone late Sunday,’ Holly said.

  ‘Expecting anyone else after that?’ he asked. ‘You’re not running a B-and-B here, you know,’

  ‘No one else at this stage, Sergeant Grumpy,’ Holly said. ‘Oh, except for Luke, the gardener – he’s coming tomorrow morning with the plans.’

  ‘It’s like bloody central railway station around here.’

  ‘I promise that by Sunday night, you’ll have your house back… well, except for me, I’ll still be here. But we’ll focus on you and only you.’

  ‘If you say so,’ he grumbled. ‘I’ll do my best to stay out of your hair until then, but after that, you’re on my job. Yes?’

  ‘Aye, aye, Sergeant,’ she said, and saluted him. ‘Now go away so I can go to bed.’

  Alexander rose and, with a smirk in Holly’s direction, slunk through the bedroom door without opening it, and disappeared from sight.

  She sighed. I really must get better at smirking, she thought. I hate being out-smirked.

  Plans and plants

  Alfred could smell Luke before he saw him. Luke had applied some cologne which Alfred couldn’t remember him doing before… well, not since he had the crush on the young lady who used to deliver seedlings to the nursery every Friday. Luke had asked her out but she had just broken up with someone and wasn’t ready. Next time he saw her, she was back with her ex-boyfriend, engaged, and that was that. No seeds to sow there.

  Alfred hoped this time it might work in Luke’s favour, if he got motivated. Alfred knew from experience nothing was perfect when it came to relationships… somewhere down the line comprises had to be made. Not that he was advocating Luke should settle, but rather step to it!

  ‘What?’ Luke asked, seeing Alfred staring at him.

  ‘Good morning. You look and smell very presentable for your on-site visit this morning,’ Alfred teased.

  Luke reddened. ‘Too much?’

  ‘Not for a moment. Have you got the plans?’ Alfred asked.

  Luke nodded. ‘Plans, tape measures, soil sample bags, pen, and pad.’

  ‘Flowers?’ Alfred asked.

  Luke shuffled. ‘Bit too much too soon, don’t you think? I mean, how many people go to quote on a job and take the owner flowers? She’ll think I’m hitting on her.’

  ‘Yeah, we don’t want that,’ Alfred said, and rolled his eyes. ‘Just take a fresh bunch of daffodils and say they are from me – they’re cheery. Say it’s a housewarming present to refresh the last bunch.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s good. Thanks. Do you want to give me an earpiece and feed me some smooth lines I can use as well?’ Luke teased him.

  ‘Oh, if I could, I would,’ Alfred said, with a smile. ‘Good luck, son.’ He saw Luke’s exasperated look and added, ‘I mean, with getting the job!’

  ‘Right,’ Luke said, ‘I’ll be back with her order.’ He grinned and walked out.

  Alfred watched him walking away. As Luke passed the freshly cut flowers, he grabbed a bunch of the sunny daffodils and handed them to one of his team on the counter to wrap the stems.

  Luke might not top the class in charm, but he knew gardens and that was the main focus of the visit, after all, Alfred mused. He might just make an impression.

  Juliette jogged in from the beach just in time to see Holly removing her business sign from the front window of the house. She burst through the door.

  ‘What’s happening? Are you packing it in already?’ she asked, panting, hands on her hip.

  Holly looked confused. ‘Packing it in?’

  ‘The sign’.

  ‘Oh, this,’ Holly said. ‘No, I never take on more than two jobs at once, so I take it down in between gigs.’

  Juliette took her shoes off and shook them just outside the door, wiping the sand clear.

  ‘You’ve been here five minutes and you’ve got two jobs already. That’s impressive.’ She sank down on a chair at the kitchen bench.

  ‘I could use your help with one of my clients,’ Holly said, thinking about Esther’s necklace. She opened the fridge and waved a bottle of cold water at Juliette, who nodded.

  ‘Do tell,’ Juliette said.

  Holly told her about the pink diamond and pearl necklace that went missing during World War II. She went to her desk in the open plan area nearby, grabbed the photo and placed it in front of Juliette.

  ‘Oh my God, I so want to help you with this,’ Juliette exclaimed.

  ‘I knew you would, it’s right up your alley,’ Holly said. ‘So, you’ve never seen it come up for auction?’

  ‘No, I wouldn’t forget a necklace made of pink pearls and a pink diamond, or a design like this… so unique. But if Esther thinks she saw it in Paris, then I’ll do my research and maybe we should head there… if we can find a likely source.’

  Holly grinned. ‘That would be fun and Esther has paid me generously, so I can afford to cover our expenses.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, you don’t have to do that,’ Juliette said, ‘I’ll cover my own. I’ve got clients to visit in the city, anyway. How exciting!’

  ‘Except it’s tra
gic,’ Holly said, sobering and feeling a little guilty for her enthusiasm.

  ‘Except for that,’ Juliette agreed. ‘Who is the other client?’

  ‘Ah, that’s a local village person who wants me to help with a missing relative… a descendant, not a recent case,’ Holly explained.

  ‘Family tree stuff. I’ll leave that with you,’ Juliette said, her disinterest obvious.

  Holly glanced around to see if Alexander was in view, but she couldn’t see him or his portrait from where she was standing. The next minute, she felt something brush her arm and she knew he was nearby. Don’t worry, she thought, I wouldn’t betray your confidence.

  ‘Can’t believe you’ve been here so little time and you already have two clients. You’re amazing,’ Juliette said, rising to go and shower after her jog.

  Holly smiled. ‘They’re a supportive lot here, probably trying to give the new girl a break.’

  They both turned to the window as a white work Ute pulled up out the front.

  ‘Ah, that’s Lucas, the landscaper,’ Holly said, ‘come and meet him before you shower.’

  ‘I guess I can… I’m not too smelly,’ Juliette said, with a quick sniff under each armpit. She glanced out of the window as Luke alighted. ‘Oh wow, he’s brought flowers. That’s sweet.’

  Holly went to open the front door. The poor Sergeant, she mused. To think he once lived here happily alone and now he’s got a houseful. Still, this energy might be good for him, she decided.