Shoving the covers back, I got up and showered, the hot water refreshing me beyond compare. When I got out and wrapped the towel around me, my cheeks had a rosy glow and my eyes sparkled. My hair hung down to my shoulders, dripping. The world looked a little brighter.
I got dressed, opting for something casual and packed a few essentials into my bag for the day. I wasn’t sure what I would need but at least I was giving myself a chance to help her.
The comments they had made over those two occasions at the firm ran back through my mind as I tried to picture the way the house might be. It was probably nothing like I imagined. Being there in the house would give me a clearer picture. Inside the walls I would get a sense of what was there or whether Christine was reading too much into things.
I can’t say I knew everything, but I was learning, thanks to Sylvia. Not so long ago I was drinking myself stupid every day in an attempt to block out the senses I had and the voices I felt. Now it felt like acceptance of myself. Our meetings had become a regular occurrence and every time I came away with something new.
Downstairs, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and as the smell drifted to me across the kitchen, I took up my phone and dialled Olivia. She answered on the third ring.
“We’re up early.”
“Morning, Olive, dear.”
“I hate when you call me that.”
I ignored her admonishment. “Listen I just wanted to apologise for last night. I was in way over my head.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I was a blubbering wreck, of course I’m worried about it.”
“He was an ass. I think he deserved more than the embarrassment he got.”
“He wasn’t embarrassed.” I sighed. “That was me. That’s what I get for making a fool of myself, though. It’s strange.”
“What?”
“Well, I guess I thought that getting over the alcohol addiction was just about stopping drinking. But the stuff that keeps coming back to me is enough to set me on the path again.”
“Don’t you dare.” Her tone was harsh and thick.
“Don’t worry, I have no wish to destroy my liver, or my friendship with you. So that’s why I was calling. What you doing tonight?”
“I’m busy.”
“Busy?” I repeated the word, feeling my brow twitch. “Doing what?”
“I’m just busy.”
“You’ve got a date, don’t you?” I grinned.
“Maybe.”
I grinned. “Which one?”
“Not any of the men you met.”
“Was he the first guy you spoke to? I didn’t get a good look at him. I was too busy being scolded by Matt for not reading enough. I want full gossip tomorrow when you come around for dinner.”
“You’re cooking for me?”
“I sure am, honey.”
“Fine. But I require dessert too.”
“Only the best for you. See you then. And good luck!” I shouted as she hung up the phone. That had certainly cheered me up. Last night hadn’t gone according to plan at all, but at least something good had come out of it just like I hoped.
I poured a cup of coffee and settled into the sofa with the TV on. I had a little bit of time before I had to go out and I was going to make the most of it.
I set off earlier than I would to head to the high street after looking at the address again. Christine lived in the good side of town and that spoke volumes to me. I wasn’t charging for my services but I wanted to make a good impression.
I caught the bus and sat on the window seat watching the world go by as it rumbled down the high street and out onto a narrow road. It wasn’t exactly the countryside but I reckoned it would be the green belt at least. We passed field after field and in the distance I saw the country park sprawling across the land with the dull green of the evergreens taking up much of the area. Then it was time to get off the bus. I pressed the bell and staggered my way to the front, grasping onto the poles for support and ran forward a few feet as the bus came to a blunt halt. Thanking the driver, I stepped onto the pavement. Outside the air smelled fresh.
I glanced around the scenery and saw a row of neat terraced houses, each of them with window boxes in full bloom or hanging baskets by their front doors. It was quaint and traditional, not something out of the usual town centre. I smiled. I could live out here. It wasn’t in the middle of nowhere but there was plenty of solitude and I think that is the sort of life I could adapt to quite easily.
I glanced for the second time at the address Christine had given me. It wasn’t any of these small little houses that she was living in. If I remembered correctly, from the way it was described, it was a somewhat bigger house on the edge of the field. I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun and glanced up the road. I caught sight of a dark tiled roof and white walls. That was the place.
It took me ten minutes to make the journey up to the house and then another five to make it to the front door as I stood and ogled the place. Two stories tall with an attic—the house was huge. Detached, it stood in the middle of a huge expanse of land which I presumed came attached to the property. The white paint on the outside was fresh and looked like it may have just been done. The windows were all sparkling and the front door was huge—split in two like a French door—accessible, up three small steps. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like living in such a place. My own home, though a terrace, felt big enough for me and there were times when it even felt lonely. Living in a place as big as that I would rattle around and so would Christine, if she was living alone.
So far, I wasn’t feeling anything. No untoward spirits angry at my intrusion, nobody that was asking for my help. Sometimes, depending on the spirit and my senses that day, I could sense them from a short distance away, other times it took a while longer and a stroll through the building. I wondered if perhaps Christine simply had the jitters about the house after hearing all of those rumours before she moved in. Now living alone would provide a whole new lease on the property. Still, it didn’t mean anything yet and I was here to try and help. I would go in and take a look and see if there was anything I could do.
I checked myself and hoisted my backpack higher. I had no idea what time it was and I got the impression that Christine—if not her friend—ran on a schedule. I made my way up the gravel path, the sound of the small stones crunching under my feet satisfying in a way I couldn’t describe.
I reached the entrance and stepped up the small porch and knocked, dropping my hands together in front of me. It almost seemed like knocking was not important there, like I should wait to be seen.
A few moments later it opened and Christine looked at me. I took in her appearance—a pair of dark slacks, flip flops and a ribbed tank to complete her outfit. This was her weekend casual. My eyes travelled back up to her face and I saw crow’s-feet—the tiniest traces—at the corner of her eyes. Still she was beautiful in a classic way and carried herself with an air of grace I was ashamed to admit I didn’t have. “Sorry, Peyton, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” I nodded, suddenly feeling like I should turn the dial on the polite factor.
“Come on in.” She stood aside and waited until I entered before closing the door behind me. The foyer—parlour seemed more appropriate—was huge and dark. The staircase in front of me leading up to the second level, split in two and corridors went either side of it above me. Everything was carved in solid oak and polished to the hilt. Above, a chandelier hung, the crystals all reflecting the light and casting patterns on the hardwood floor.
“You have a lovely home,” I told her as I picked my jaw back up.
Christine smiled. “Thank you. This is why I didn’t want Tom to take it. All of his stuff is gone now so it’s just us.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, just us girls,” a third voice added. When I looked up I saw her friend Laura. She wore a pair of dark-blue jeans that clung to her legs and showed off her hips. A dark top draped across her torso and her h
air was pulled up into a ponytail. Even casual the woman was stunning.
“Oh hey, Laura,” I greeted her. “Nice to see you again.”
“I didn’t want to miss this.” She folded her arms over her chest and stared at me and I sensed that she was either sceptical or thought I was trying to fleece her friend.
“Don’t worry about her, she doesn’t believe,” Christine explained with an apologetic smile.
“That’s okay. Not everybody does.” I smiled.
“Would you like tea?”
“Coffee if you don’t mind.”
“Sure.” Christine grinned. “Come on, you can come and see the kitchen while it brews.”
I wouldn’t turn down a chance to see the place and I eagerly followed the dull flop of her feet as she made her way through the house, ignoring the altogether catty glare that Laura threw my way. She was either not impressed with the reason I was there to help or she didn’t like me at all. I’d always been the opposite, tended to favour people positively until they did something to piss me off.
The kitchen was just as impressive as the foyer, if not more. A huge island took centre stage, the top of which I knew was marble without having to run my hands across the smooth surface. The cupboard doors were all the same dark wood and polished to a high shine while the floor was a soft-coloured tile and the wall was beige, bringing light into the room. A set of patio doors led out onto a terrace.
My attention was brought back when I heard the hiss of the coffee machine as Christine set it brewing. She leaned back against the bench, her arms folded over her chest. The smell drifted across to me and like a sniffer dog, I made my way toward it, taking a perch near Christine. I saw a number of gadgets all over the place from the nifty coffee machine to the high-tech microwave and the oven set halfway up into the wall. How the other half lives.
“So, can you tell me a bit about the house?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll just make these.” She poured three cups and motioned to the sugar for me. I nodded and watched as she added a scoop and plenty of milk before handing it to me. I cradled it in both hands, a delicate baby, and then brought it to my lips taking a sip. As it slid down my throat, I almost moaned in pleasure.
“But first tell me what coffee you use.”
“Ah.” She grinned. “A woman after my own heart. I have a spare packet you can have. Let’s go through to the front room and have a seat.”
I followed her through, taking care not to spill any of my drink as we made our way to the pristine living room. Like Adele’s, everything was white. A white leather corner sofa graced the far end of the room next to the window while a huge TV hung on the wall above the fireplace. An ornate coffee table stood on top of a white shag rug and there was not a speck of dust gathered there. It put me to shame.
“Take a seat.” Christine motioned to the sofa while she took one end and Laura the other, leaving me with the corner seat. If I was at home I would have lounged like a sloth, but there, in somebody’s home, there was no way I could do that and avoid feeling a sense of guilt. My attention was turned toward Christine while I felt Laura’s eyes boring into the back of my skull. I tried to shrug it off. Either way I couldn’t dwell on it.
“So, I’ve been here around seven years with my husband, Tom, until I caught him in bed with another woman.”
“I’m so sorry.” I shook my head and squirmed as Laura tutted behind me. I wasn’t good at this being-a-girl thing and I didn’t really know what I should say. I hoped my gesture helped.
“It hurts but at least I’m rid of him now. And there’s still plenty life in me yet.” She grinned. “We’d been together a year when I moved in. We got married shortly after. Seven years,” she paused and shook her head. “I never thought it would come to this. Still, it is what it is and I have to move on with my life. So, I’ve lived here for seven years and loved every minute of it. It’s my home. I couldn’t leave it if I wanted to.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming on.” I took another sip of the coffee, savouring the smooth taste.
“The house has a basement. I never went down there for maybe the first three or four years of living here. I had no reason to. But that’s where our wine is kept and one night while Tom was out I had to go down there myself to get a bottle of wine.”
I nodded, encouraging her to go on.
“At first I thought it was just cold. After all, it’s the basement. I remember breaking out in goose bumps and shivering to the point that my teeth chattered. I got the wine I wanted and was about to head back upstairs to get warm but then I noticed another door. I’d never been down there so I’d never seen it before. I was curious. So I went a little further down the corridor and up to the door. It was locked. That was the first thing for me. Nothing in our house had ever been a secret and here I had found a locked door. I thought Tom was hiding something from me.”
“Turns out he was,” Laura commented behind me. As she rolled her eyes I couldn’t help but wonder if she was referring to the basement or his cheating ways.
“I confronted him when he got in that night and he told me it was just full of old junk left by the previous owners. That and the old boiler.”
“That would make sense.” I nodded.
“But something about it just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t believe him.”
“So that’s when she went investigating,” Laura added. I turned to look at Christine’s friend. It was the first thing she had said that didn’t resemble a catty remark. I wondered whether Laura was on the defensive as a protective factor. I had to say I couldn’t blame her but I wasn’t the enemy here.
“So tell me what happened.” I drained the last of my coffee, already salivating for more, and put my cup on a coaster on the table.
“I waited until he was out again. He knew I didn’t go down there and if he caught me I’d have a lot of questions to answer. So one weekend when he was away on business—Tom jet-setted everywhere for the business—I found the key cabinet. I knew what most of them were of course. There were just a couple that I wasn’t sure of and those are the ones I stuffed into my pocket and took down to the basement with me. I got to the door at the end and I tried every key. I was starting to think that maybe it was hidden away somewhere. Then I tried the last one and it clicked in the lock. The door opened.”
I forced myself to take a breath. “What did you find?”
“There was a big round room with six arches set into the walls. The arches were newer, the red brick fresh. They were sealed with concrete.”
“That’s strange.”
She shook her head. “The strange thing about it is that I felt numb down there, like I was devoid of feeling. And it was colder than anything I’d ever felt.”
“And there was no junk and certainly no old boiler.” Laura shook her head.
“So by then I knew he was lying. I thought it was odd but it was just another room so if I’m honest, I just decided to forget about it. I locked the door and put the key back and I haven’t been back down since. But now that he’s moved out and this place is mine, I want to know. It’s been playing on my mind.”
“Do you still have the key?”
“Of course. I made sure to get a copy because I’m sure Tom took his.”
“Shall we go take a look?”
Christine stood up and made her way into the foyer. At the very back of the room beneath the stairs there was a box attached to the wall. She input a number, the keys beeping with each strike, and then it opened. Reaching in, she grabbed a key and handed it over to me.
“That’s it. The basement door is just over here.” She led the way across the room and then she was opening a hidden doorway in the wood panelling on the back wall. It led down a concrete set of steps. The walls had been painted a cream colour and a fitted hand rail secured the decent. I suppressed the shudder that threatened to take over. Just because I was going into the basement there was no need to overreact.
We made our way down the stairs, L
aura just at my heels and Christine just in front. A naked bulb lit the staircase. As we reached the bottom, I saw several more hung at distance from each other, lighting the corridor in a yellow glow.
The temperature had certainly dropped. I knew that it was normal considering we were underground but that wasn’t the only reason. As I stepped down from the last step onto the concrete floor of the basement, I felt a cold shiver run through me and along with it, a spear of something close to desperation. I sucked in a deep breath as the wave of panic rocked through me and then it was gone. Just like it had never been there. But I was left with the aftermath and I knew in that moment that the basement wasn’t empty in any sense of the word.
“Peyton?” Christine’s voice brought me back to reality.
My eyes focused on the brunette in front of me and I saw the concern in her eyes. “Sorry. I’m fine. Just zoned out for a moment.” I was pretty sure that whatever Christine was experiencing was coming from the other world. There was definitely something down here. Most of my experiences hit me immediately with such a force that I wasn’t able to ignore it. For some reason this was different.
“Great,” Laura muttered behind me.
I ignored her chastising remark and stepped toward Christine, indicating she should go on. With a slight nod, the woman continued on her way and I followed close behind. Now that I knew there was something down there with us, I was eager to figure it out. Christine’s pace slowed as we made our way to the far end of the corridor where a plain brown door came into view.
“That’s it there.” Christine pointed and stood aside, letting me move past her. I took a deep breath as I came up to the door and pressed my palm against the wood. It was cold to the touch and as my fingertips caressed the wood, I felt something shoot through me. It was like an electric shock but different. Instead of tingling in my skin I felt a deep burning sensation. When I lifted my hands away, the sensation was gone like it had never been there. I frowned and stared at the door. Weird. I’d never felt anything like that before. Bending low, I peered through the keyhole but couldn’t see anything beyond. Just as I was about to stand, a pain rocked through my skull and I flinched, hand going up to grab my head. The pain itself was familiar, a reminder that I could talk to the dead and sense their presence. But this time it didn’t rush through my skull like a red-hot poker or make me cringe because it was so bad. It felt like a dull ache, like the beginning of a headache that was niggling at the base of my skull.
The Room of Arches Page 5