Ghosts of the Past

by Cate Dean

  “Maggie.” Jamie Chamberlain walked over to her, Sara at his side. “Martin is looking better.”

  “Much less deathly since the last time you saw him.” She liked the Inspector, and appreciated how much he had done for Martin during the investigation.

  Jamie stared and Spencer, then let out a surprised sound.

  “Spencer Knight?”

  Spencer blinked. “I—yes.”

  Jamie extended his hand. “It is a pleasure. Your latest exhibit was brilliant.”

  Spencer took his hand, the closest thing to speechless Maggie had ever seen. It took him a long minute to recover. “You—saw my exhibit?”

  “Haven’t missed one since your take on the Witch of Dell. Read your book as well.” He grinned. “I snuck into the village myself as a lad. Scared me sleepless.”

  Maggie understood that feeling.

  Martin joined them, Lilliana at his side, with Kit bouncing on her hip. He must have gotten too rambunctious to stay in Martin’s lap.

  “Sara, Jamie.” Martin held out a hand to each of them. “Good to have you here.”

  Sara moved to him and took his hand. “This is a lovely village, Martin. I understand why you were so eager to return. We will do everything we can to bring you home again.”

  “I appreciate that.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “Maggie, may I see you for a moment?”

  “Sure.” The worry that had been easing clutched her again. She forced it down and followed Martin to the side of the front porch. “Is everything okay? Is your leg—”

  “It bothers me no more than usual. I wanted to speak to you about an opportunity I’ve been given.”

  “Do I need to sit for this?”

  “Perhaps.”

  She was half kidding, but she leaned against the porch, prepared to sit on the grass if she had to. “What is it?”

  “I’ve had an offer from the University of York to teach a limited course, based on my finds at the dig site.”

  “York.” She gave in to her need to sit. “That’s not driving distance from here.”

  “I am afraid not.” He leaned over and took her hand. “If leaving Holmestead is too much for you, I can refuse the offer.”

  “But you want it, don’t you?” She could tell, by the way his eyes lit up, that he wanted to accept. “Don’t lie to make me feel better, Martin.”

  “To teach again—it would mean I could still contribute, even with this.” He tapped his leg. “I have not spoken with Sara, but the university knows of my physical circumstances, and has recommended a local facility for my rehabilitation. The offer includes a home for us, close to the university.”

  Maggie lowered her head, her thoughts spinning. This would be the best thing for Martin, she knew that—and was thrilled that he had been given a chance to teach again. But it meant leaving Holmestead, and everything familiar to her.

  “Not forever,” she whispered. “Only for now.”

  She pushed to her feet and moved to Martin, framing his face with both hands. “I say yes.”

  “You’re certain?”

  “Absolutely.” At least, she would be, once it happened. “How soon?”

  “As soon as I can make the trip up there.”

  “Okay, then.” She kissed him. “I guess we need to start packing.”

  “Maggie.” He laid his hands over hers, his grey blue eyes sober. “I will say no, if this is too much for you.”

  “And miss out on giving Kit the chance to watch his dad in action? I’m all in, Professor Martin.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you more.” She smiled as she kissed him.

  A throat clearing had her rolling her eyes. She’d lost count of how many times they’d been interrupted the last couple of weeks.

  When she turned, she caught Spencer’s grin before he managed to cover it with one hand.

  “Sorry, Mags, Professor. People are leaving, and want to say goodbye.”

  “Thanks.” She turned him around and headed back to the waiting crowd. “Let’s not mention that we’re leaving Holmestead—not yet.”

  “Agreed.”

  Maggie smiled and braced herself for the barrage of questions. She loved talking to her neighbors—but all of them at once could be exhausting.

  “Here we go.”

  Martin’s chuckle lightened her heart. She hadn’t heard it since before—before Geoffrey.

  No matter what they faced, she knew they would come through it, as a family.

  Twenty Three

  Maggie spent the next week sorting and packing their belongings.

  She had convinced Spencer to move in while they were gone, which meant all the furnishings could stay. He would take good care of Aunt Irene’s house, treat it with the same care; he had loved Aunt Irene almost as much as Maggie.

  With Kit on his favorite blanket, surrounded by toys, Maggie and Martin made their way through the ground floor, checking for anything she might have missed. Martin had been in York, setting up their home there, supervising the movers, and getting acquainted with his new workload.

  She had not seen him so happy for quite some time.

  He maneuvered the wheelchair on his own, like an old pro. They came back out to the lounge, after Maggie’s tearful goodbye to the kitchen. She felt foolish, but she didn’t care. So many memories surrounded her when she stood there, touching the scarred farmhouse table.

  She wiped her cheeks, moved to pick up Kit—and halted when cold brushed her hand.

  “Anthea—” The ghost appeared just behind Kit, her hands clasped at her waist. “You know we’re leaving.”

  Anthea nodded, glancing at Martin. She glided over to him, one hand reaching toward his injured leg.

  “You protected Maggie and Kit, and for that I am grateful.”

  Anthea nodded, pressed one hand to her heart.

  “We’ll miss you, too,” Maggie said. She picked up Kit—he was crawling with single minded purpose, headed straight for Anthea. “And we’ll be back. Spencer’s staying here while we’re gone, so don’t scare him in the middle of the night.”

  Kit chattered, leaning away from Maggie, one hand trying to grab at Anthea. Martin tugged on Kit’s foot to distract him from the ghost.

  “He seems to have inherited my gift.”

  “Yeah.” She sighed, and smiled when Martin started laughing. His demeanor had changed dramatically since accepting the position at the university. A knock echoed through the foyer, reminding her that they had one more thing to do before they left. “They’re here.”

  Maggie expected Anthea to disappear; instead, she glided over, one hand hovering next to Maggie’s cheek, then above Kit’s head. Kit stared up at her, his blue eyes intent, not blinking as she faded out.

  “I never thought I’d miss a ghost,” Maggie said, shivering in the wake of Anthea’s goodbye. She gathered Kit close, rubbing his arm, and headed to the front door.

  Spencer had already walked in, Lilliana, Enid, Ashton, and Patrick behind her. Maggie was surprised—and delighted—that Patrick had accepted her invitation. This was a gathering of the people she cared about most in Holmestead.

  The people she would miss the most.

  Lilliana moved forward and hugged both Maggie and Kit, holding on for a long minute.

  “I can’t believe you’re leaving,” she whispered.

  “Not forever.”

  “It will seem so.” Lilli freed them and wiped her eyes. “Look at me. I am already a mess and I just arrived.”

  Ashton squeezed Lilli’s shoulder before he took his turn, kissing Maggie on the cheek. “Thank you for trusting me with the shop.”

  “You’re brilliant, Ashton. Just trust your instincts.”

  Enid nearly pushed Ashton out of the way and wrapped her arms around Maggie. “My dear, sweet girl. You will be sorely missed.”

  “You, too, Enid.” It was Maggie’s turn to fight tears. She and Enid had come a long way since Maggie’s arrival in Holmestead. “I’ll esp
ecially miss your observations on our fellow residents.”

  Enid let out a shaky laugh and hugged tighter.

  Kit’s complaining separated them. Enid laughed, and patted his arm. “You be a good boy for them, Christopher.”

  He studied her, his gaze serious. Maggie almost expected him to nod and assure her he would.

  Patrick stood behind Enid, patient, quiet, his hair as wild as usual. Maggie held her hand out to him.

  “Thank you for coming, Patrick.”

  “It was an honor to be invited, Maggie.” He shocked her by moving in and kissing her cheek. “Though I am saddened by the reason.”

  “So am I.” She gave him a quick hug before he could back away.

  Patrick stepped to Martin and laid one hand on his shoulder. “You are a remarkable archaeologist, and will make a brilliant teacher for the students fortunate to have you.”

  “Thank you, Patrick.” Martin looked as stunned as she felt.

  As if he’d used up his allotment of words, he retreated, a blush staining his cheeks.

  Spencer filled the awkward silence, draping his arm across Maggie’s shoulder. “No need to be so maudlin. They’ll come and visit. Right, Mags?”

  “Of course.” She didn’t want to strand Ashton, or lose touch with anyone here.

  Spencer had officially moved in a couple of days ago, so he led everyone to the kitchen, where Maggie had already set out the food Spencer had left in the fridge for today.

  As her friends gathered around the farmhouse table, chatting while they filled their plates, Maggie leaned against Martin’s shoulder, Kit tucked into her side.

  “The van will be arriving soon, love.”

  She let out a sigh, kissed the top of Kit’s head. “I’m going to miss them all so much.”

  His hand spread across her back. “There is still time to change your mind.”

  “Not a chance.” She sat on the arm of his wheelchair and cradled his cheek. “You gave up everything because my life was here. It’s my turn.”

  “Not as much of a hardship as you make it out to be.” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I will miss them, as well. This is my home, Maggie; it has been since the moment I fell in love with you.”

  She kissed him, not caring if everyone was staring. Kit gurgled, and she smiled against Martin’s lips before she eased back. “I can’t imagine my life without you,” she whispered. “Both of you.”

  Applause bounced off the walls. Maggie felt heat flush her cheeks, but she waved at them, no longer embarrassed. They were her friends, her family.

  Spencer strode forward and pulled Maggie to her feet, plucking Kit out of her arms. “This is supposed to be a party, am I right, sport?” He lifted Kit over his head, smiling as Kit giggled and waved his arms. “Time to fly.”

  Maggie moved behind Martin and wrapped her arms around him, watching her best friend and her son soar around the kitchen, laughter following in their wake.

  She would miss this place, these people—but she would also have moments like this to carry with her, and unbreakable ties to the village that had been her first real home.

  Martin laid his hand over hers. “Pence for your thoughts, Mrs. Martin.”

  “Just enjoying right now, with my family.”

  “You created this family, love, with your generous heart.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You gave me a family again, when I never expected to have one.”

  Tears stung her eyes, and she swallowed several times before she found her voice.

  “I love you, Martin.”

  “I love you more, Maggie.”

  Laughing, she held on to him, this miraculous man who had changed her life. No matter what the future threw at them, they would face it together. Take it on together.

  Aunt Irene’s voice filled her mind, the words she had started every day with warming Maggie’s heart.

  “Ready for your next adventure, my dear girl?”

  Yes, she was ready.

  ~ ~ * ~ ~

  Thank you for joining Maggie and Martin for their final adventure! Want more Maggie? Look for Witch in the Dell, with 3 mini mysteries, available at your favorite retailer. You’ll meet a younger Maggie and Spencer, and follow her as she solves her first mysteries.

  Then join twelve-year-old Kit as he falls into his first adventure, and learns to deal with his own ghosts. You can find The Pharaoh’s Eye at your favorite retailer. Check it out here: https://catedeanwrites.com

  Want to know when my next book will be out? Be part of exclusive giveaways, contests and free stuff? Sign up to be on my list:

  http://catedeanwrites.com/join-my-list

  Find all my books here: http://catedeanwrites.com/my-catalog

  List of British Slang

  Here is a list of words, proving that English and American are two different languages. You will find some of them in Ghosts of the Past. Enjoy!

  Daily life

  advert - advertisement, commercial

  anticlockwise - counterclockwise

  bank holiday - legal holiday

  barrister - lawyer who represents you in court

  Beefeater - nickname for the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London

  bobby/The Bill - a policeman

  cashpoint machine - ATM, cashpoint for short

  cheers - goodbye, thank you, also a toast

  concession - discounted admission

  dear - expensive

  fancy - to be attracted to someone - I really fancy her!

  football - soccer

  fortnight - a contraction of fourteen nights, or 2 weeks

  fringe - hair bangs

  half eight - 8:30 - think half past (insert hour) and it will be a breeze to remember

  holiday - vacation

  interval - intermission (in theatres)

  jumble sale - rummage sale, usually for charity

  left luggage - place to check luggage for the day, replaces luggage lockers

  lift - the elevator

  loo - the toilet - ask for the bathroom only if you want a bath

  mate - your friend

  naught/nought - nothing

  on offer - for sale

  pavement - the sidewalk

  pillar box/letter box - public mailbox (look like short red pillars, hence the name!)

  Police Constable/PC - police officer

  power point - electric wall socket

  queue - line

  queue up - line up

  Remembrance Day - Veteran’s Day

  ring/ring up - call on the phone

  ring off/rang off – hang up or end phone call

  self-catering - rental accommodations, a flat or house that is rented by the week

  solicitor - lawyer who deals with clients, and does the office work for the barrister

  stone - 14 pounds in weight

  ta - thank you

  tick - check mark

  toilet - just what it says

  top up - refill – also refers to adding minutes to pay as you go mobiles

  Vice-Chancellor - administration at university

  WC - short for water closet - just another name for the loo or toilet

  wee - small

  zed - the letter Z

  Everyday items

  bin - a trash can

  biro - a ballpoint pen

  braces - suspenders

  brolly - an umbrella

  clingfilm - saran wrap or plastic wrap

  cooker - the stove

  cotton buds - Q-tips

  cozzy - a bathing suit

  draughts - checkers

  dummy - a pacifier

  duvet - a comforter, with removable cover - often it will replace the top sheet on your bed

  flannel - a washcloth

  fag - a cigarette

  fiver - £5 note

  hob - the stove burner

  hoover - the vacuum cleaner

  jersey/jumper/pullover - a sweater

  knickers - ladies’ panties


  ladybird - a ladybug

  mac - a mackintosh raincoat, can also be generic for a raincoat - rain mac

  mobile - a cell phone

  moggie - a cat

  nappy - a diaper - not a napkin

  pants - underwear, briefs

  plaster/sticking plaster - a Band aid

  pound note - a dollar bill

  quid - another name for a pound note

  rubber - an eraser, not the other kind of rubber

  Sellotape/sticky tape - Scotch tape

  serviette - a napkin

  skip - a dumpster

  smalls - underwear

  spanner - a wrench

  surgical spirit - rubbing alcohol

  suspenders - garters, as in the kind that hold up stockings, not your trousers

  telly - the tv

  tenner - £10 note, or ten pounds

  tights - pantyhose, any type

  tin - a can

  torch - a flashlight

  trainers - sneakers or tennis shoes

  trousers - pants, slacks

  Wellingtons/wellies - rubber boots, rain boots

  English food

  afters - dessert

  aubergine - eggplant

  banger - sausage

  bangers and mash - sausage and mashed potatoes

  bap - a soft, round, floured roll

  beetroot - beet

  bill - your restaurant check

  biscuit - cookie - and to confuse you further, biscuit can also refer to crackers, as in biscuits for cheese

  bitter - dark ales served a little below room temperature - order beer and this is what you will get

  black pudding - sausage made from cooking animal blood with filler until congealed

  bubble and squeak - pan fried potatoes and cabbage (other veg can also be used)

  Cadbury - creamy, delicious chocolate in loads of different flavors - if you have had Cadbury in America, it is nothing like this

  candyfloss - cotton candy - just as sticky, just as tooth-achingly sweet

  chicory - endive

  chips - French fries

  cider - fermented apple juice - and quite potent!

  clotted cream - thick, incredibly delicious cream to spread on scones, or served with cake

  coriander - cilantro

  cottage pie - minced beef and veg, topped with mashed potatoes - not to be confused with shepherd’s pie