by Olivia Swift
It was Monday and an early start for Sam and Magda. They both had businesses to start up for the day before going to the airport to meet Alison.
When Magda opened up the café, she found that Katie’s dad had been in on Sunday and poured the concrete foundation for the extension.
“Oh, wow!” she said. She gingerly touched it and found it was set. “At least it is hard enough if anyone steps onto it by mistake.” Katie came and said that her dad wanted to know if it was okay.
“Oh, yes. Exciting. I will give him a call later.”
Rula and Rita, the part-timer, arrived together and all could not resist just a touch with a finger to see if it made an imprint.
“The wild west shop is underway,” Magda said.
“Yippee!” Rula said and slapped her thigh. “Do we get to dress up like Branston?”
“Now that might be a good idea for the opening, Rula,” Magda answered. Inside they started brewing coffee and turned on the grill as the first customers started to arrive. Most of them asked about the foundation and it proved to be a good talking point. It was some time before Magda could tell the others about finding the ghost town the day before. Mikey arrived and listened as well.
“Whitemist.” He pondered. “We do have early morning mists across the landscape.”
“Tomorrow night. A picnic, a séance and an adventure to see if we can find out more about the ghost town. Now I have to go and meet Aunt Alison. I’m picking up Sam at the yard,” Magda told them and grabbed her purse and jacket. “See you later.”
Sam was ready at what he called his office. It was a prefabricated building commonly used on building sites. There was no one else around as he locked everything up and left his truck inside the big double gates.
They found a short-term parking lot and hoped that the flight would be on time, popped in for a drink at a café and read the flight information. The incoming flights were all on time. Sam and Magda waited with everyone else at the passenger arrivals. What seemed like enough people to fill a football stadium came through the arrival doors and then they spotted Aunt Alison with a huge carry-on bag and a cat crate.
Magda waved and followed Sam as he went and took the bags and crate from his aunt. Magda flung her arms around the woman with a huge hug. They collected Allison’s suitcases from the baggage claim area, then made their way to the car. “Oh, that is a long way,” Alison said as she sank into the car. “Thank heavens I am on firm ground again.”
Let’s get your stuff home and you can relax,” Sam said.
They opened up what used to be a bungalow. Although Alison had seen pictures of the two-story high addition, she was impressed.
“What a clever man you are, Sam. This is wonderful.” She looked at the cats. “The residents are looking at me with suspicion.”
Crystal walked over to the crate and heard a meow from inside.
4
“They were very good when the kittens arrived,” Magda said.
“We have to let them meet sometime, so why not now?” Alison added and opened the travel case.
Jezebelle’s little black face peered out of the opening as the humans all held their breath. Crystal walked back towards the sofa and Jezebelle stepped out of her crate, stretched her legs and followed the Birman. The black and white kittens shot up the spiral staircase. Jezebelle ignored them, showed no sign that she had just traveled thousands of miles in a small box and settled on the sofa. Crystal was always the boss cat in the house and when she sniffed the newcomer and then settled beside her, the others came back a few steps at a time and greeted the new girl in a feline sort of way. Abigail was always laid back at the best of times and just moved along to make a little more room for herself.
“That’s a relief,” Magda said. “If Crystal says it’s okay, the others fall in line.” She asked if Alison would like something to eat.
“One of your wonderful chocolate drinks would be lovely,” Alison said and sank into a chair. “I cannot wait to see your café. But right now young people, I am exhausted.”
“Rula and Katie are waiting for you to visit,” Magda answered, and Sam added that they would all be wanting to meet Jezebelle as well.
Alison settled back in her chair to savor her hot chocolate. “I am glad the journey is over.”
“Take your time about what to do next. Stay here as long as you like,” Magda told her and was about to start to relate what the cats had done in the last few days, when Crystal stretched. The cat actually nudged her new friend and the two of them strolled over to where the humans were sitting.
“They seem to like each other,” Sam observed and then they watched as the two felines together, jumped onto the coffee table and swiped the books onto the floor.
“Oh, Jezebelle, behave yourself,” Alison exclaimed.
“Lord above, they have joined forces,” Magda said and went to pick up the books.
“What do you mean, joined forces?” Alison asked as Magda passed Sam the first book. There was a picture of an old-timer sitting on a barrel in a tumbledown street.
“The other picture is a Stetson,” Magda said. They explained about the cats behaving in a peculiar way and showed her the photos.
“So, you might have discovered a real ghost town on the ranch property?” Alison asked. “That is quite exciting.”
“Declan’s cats found one of his Stetsons that he wears when he is working outside and they hissed at him when he took it back. He had never heard any of them hiss before,” Sam said.
“Crystal found one of Sam’s in the bedroom and did the same,” Magda added.
They told her about going to the ranch to see the site and about the séance the next night.
“I know you weren’t keen to join in Ireland,” Sam said.
“I think I might join you this time, if that is alright. I think it was going into the cave that put me off before. This is different. Where I grew up there was a ghost town. I remember it well. I think it is patched up and made into a tourist attraction now.”
The cats had returned to the sofa and Jezebelle seemed to have relaxed. Magda asked if Alison would like to visit the café. They left the cats peacefully sleeping in a heap. On the way Alison brought them up to date about Jonno and Branna, their friends in Ireland, and the caravan venture.
“I wonder if they will manage to get away to visit here,” Magda mentioned.
“Christmas maybe,” Alison suggested.
They parked the car and started the tour down the alley which was gaily strung with lanterns. The walls on either side of the bank and the hiking shop were now decorated as well. The entrance opened out to show the pretty tables outside, the fabulous old restored double doors and the gleaming interior of the modern chocolate café.
There were several customers; some of them regulars who waved to Sam and Magda. Rula came rushing out to say hello and ushered Alison into the kitchen. The newcomer gazed around at the detail, the truffles in the chiller, and the vat of gorgeous smelling chocolate with Katie presiding over it. Soft music was playing creating the effect that Magda had always dreamed about.
“It is just so,” Alison paused, “magical.”
“Thank you, Alison. That was just what I wanted it to be.”
There were introductions all around. Mikey arrived and cleared a couple of tables on the way in. He was rapidly becoming like part of the team. There was lots of chatter but suddenly Alison stopped talking and stared at the back of the kitchen. She pointed, looked at Magda and pointed again.
“Did I just see?” She shook her head. Magda put an arm around her.
“A cat walk through there and disappear?” she asked with a smile. Alison nodded without getting out any words. Then she stammered a yes.
“I know you told me about it, but I never thought I would see it.”
Magda looked at Sam, Rula and Katie. “There is definitely something happening. Pushkin only appears when there is a reason.”
“And the other cats have all been act
ing strangely,” Sam added and told the others about Jezebelle and Crystal joining forces.
“Oh no,” Rula said. “Double trouble.”
“Well, we might throw some light on it tomorrow night,” Sam remarked. Mikey said that he had folding chairs to bring with him and then told Rula he would be back when he had locked up his shop. The café was due to close as well. Customers had left and Alison offered to help clear the tables and load the dishwasher. She was distracted by the pictures Katie had painted and Magda remembered that she had a gift.
“Alison,” she called as she opened a cupboard behind the desk. “I have something for you.”
“Remember all of the photos we took of the garden in Ireland?”
Alison nodded and took the wrapped parcel Magda produced. It was a painting done by Katie of a collection of the photos of the cobbles and wall from the courtyard. Katie was very talented, and the picture just brought the garden in Ireland to life. Alison felt a tear well up and Rula handed her a tissue.
“It is so beautiful,” Alison said. “Oh, thank you so much. When I find a new home, it will have pride of place. Padraig would have loved it,” she said as the memories of her late husband came flooding back. “It means the place can stay with me forever.” She hugged Katie and Magda. Rula joined the hugs as well and they all ended up dabbing at their eyes.
Sam had watched, but let the women have their moment, then cleared his throat and pointed. Pushkin showed himself again and disappeared into what looked like empty space.
“A special picture, for sure,” Rula said.
“And the cottage is still in the family. You will be able to go back and visit,” Sam told his aunt. He dropped an arm around her shoulders and the two of them headed towards the car as he left Magda to lock up.
Alison spent the next day unpacking and taking it easy in the house as Sam and Magda went to their separate places of work. However, they were back early to find that his aunt had made a meal for them with what she had found in the freezer.
“That is just so good. Thank you,” Magda said. “Gives us time to get ready for tonight.”
“I’ve had time to put my feet up and get over the journey as well,” Alison added.
They ate, had coffee and then cleared away and changed into warm clothes for an adventure in the open air.
“Flashlights, warm boots, and I brought some truffles for everyone as Merle said she would provide some picnic food. Mikey is taking folding chairs,” Magda said. They took what they needed to the car and the evening was underway.
Katie had come in Declan’s car because he had called to talk business with her dad. Rula and Mikey, of course, arrived together. Merle and Branston had set up a table under the trees for the picnic. There were thermoses of hot coffee as well. Magda added the box of truffles and Mikey set up the chairs. Declan pointed out where he saw the log cabin.
“All set to go,” Merle said. “I came and walked around the place in daylight and cleared away the bits and pieces of trash. The wood I dumped in the shed to keep for the log burners.” It was almost dark when they took their seats. Alison sat next to Magda who reached out and held her hand.
“Spooky already,” Alison said as Merle told them all to hold hands and think of a protective blue light around the whole group. She went through the set pattern that she used for séances to make everything as safe as she could and then looked across at Magda.
“I’ll call out first but join in if you think of anything.” She took a breath and asked if there was anyone there. “We don’t wish you any harm. We would like to know who you are and why you are so sad.” She looked at Declan who shook his head. “Nothing yet.”
Merle repeated her speech and asked if whoever was there to make a noise, make a breeze blow or show themselves.
Declan held up a hand. “Somebody there but it’s not the woman.”
“I can feel something. Not sure what,” Merle added.
“It’s a man,” Declan added, “with a funny shaped hat. Like a Stetson but quite big and crumpled. Sort of lopsided.” Declan had the gift of seeing what was there but had no ability to contact the people he saw. Maybe they were just memories from earlier times. He was never quite sure. Merle, on the other hand, felt a contact but could not see what was around her. They had found that together it seemed to work.
“Is there a man there?” Magda asked. “Can you come and talk to us, please? Can you make a noise if you can hear me, please?” There was no pause and an immediate bang that sounded remarkably like a gunshot. They all jumped at the suddenness and the noise.
“That sounded like a real gunshot,” Sam remarked.
“Was that you, please?” Magda asked. “Are you prepared to talk to us. Were you a cowboy?”
There was another very loud bang and Merle said that the feeling was very angry around whoever it was.
“I can sense where he is and feel his fury. Don’t know why he is so angry.”
“He is standing beside what I think is the log cabin. It might be a different building,” Declan added.
“Maybe cowboys were the wrong thing to ask him about,” Sam suggested.
“Do you not like cowboys?” Branston asked and the noise came again very quickly and a wind whipped around his head and lifted his Stetson slightly.
“Were you a gold miner?” Sam asked and there was a calmer feel to the area.
“He feels better now that you said that,” Merle said.
“Did you find gold?” Magda asked and the feeling whipped them with a nasty cold wind. Merle said that he was angry again.
“Did somebody steal it from you? Is that why you are angry?” Magda continued and felt goose bumps rise on her arms.
“He has moved very close to you, Magda,” Declan said. Magda clutched hard at Sam’s hand.
“We can try and help you.” Magda made herself keep going. “Did you live in Whitemist?”
“One bang for yes and two for no, if you can hear us,” Merle added. “Did you live in Whitemist?”
One very clear bang.
5
“Did somebody here take the gold?” Sam asked and there was another clear bang. They still sounded like gunshots, but the group had gotten used to the effect.
“Do you know who it was?” Merle asked and again there was one loud noise.
“Was Whitemist a trading post?” Sam asked. There was a slight pause before the noise came again.
“How many houses or stores were there here? Was it more than ten?” Merle asked and heard two bangs. “Less than ten?” One clear noise. “More than five?” One more answering thump and Declan said that the man was fading away.
“He’s gone,” Declan said and then added that the woman was hovering in the background.
“Hello,” Merle called, “can we talk to you now that the man has gone?”
“We don’t mean any harm,” Magda added.
“She has come forward,” Declan said.
“Did you live in Whitemist?” Merle asked.
“One bang for yes,” Magda said and repeated the question. There was a slight wait and then a faint noise happened.
“Thank you,” Merle said. “Can you do that again please?” The faint noise was heard again. “She brings that sad feeling with her.”
“I can feel it as well,” Alison joined in. “Do you think she is lonely?”
“That is part of it,” Merle answered. “Thanks.”
“Are you lonely?” Merle asked and the hesitant noise happened again. Declan said that she was always looking down the trail and maybe she was waiting for someone.
“Have you lost your husband?” Alison asked. “I know what that feels like?”
“I think that she is sad about that but there is something else as well. She wants to connect with you, Alison. I can feel her reaching towards you. She is reaching out to Rula as well,” Merle said.
“Did he go away and not return?” Katie suddenly joined in the calling. “Declan says that you always look down the tr
ail.”
“She’s nodding her head,” Declan told them. “She is fading away. She’s gone now.”
“That seems to be all for tonight,” Merle said and brought everyone back to reality with a quick mental exercise.
They decided that they had found out a lot for one short session and took the chairs back to where the picnic was waiting. With mugs of hot coffee and fingers holding chicken legs and small snacks, they went over what had happened.
“She was definitely sad about her husband. That was a good idea, Alison,” Merle summed up, “And the man was probably still looking for the stolen gold.”
“She didn’t appear until he had gone. I wonder if she knows who he is and keeps away?” Rula said.
“We have more to look for in daylight because we know there were between five and ten properties. Maybe walking over the area will give us a few clues as to how it was laid out,” Sam added, “but I am busy for a couple of days”.
Merle told them that she had contacted the ghost town website man and he was wildly interested. “He asked if he could come and see it and I said yes.”
“Be interesting to see what he thinks about the site,” Sam said as they all parted company.
Alison confessed that the séance had not been as scary as she thought.
“I quite enjoyed it really,” she said. “I’ll have another lazy day tomorrow and then start to look for a house after that.”
When they returned home, they found all of the cats playing in the living room with a cardboard box that they had discovered. Some proffered cat treats grabbed their attention and Jezebelle came to sit on Magda’s knee. Crystal padded straight over and made a space for herself as well.
Magda laughed and stroked both of them.
The morning found the humans still going over what had happened the night before. Magda and Sam were getting ready to leave for work and Alison said that she was going to laze in front of the television.