“It’s not just the place that’s fogged around here.” Jane looked at the woman and shook her head.
Abruptly the woman snapped out of her reverie. “Now what was it you wanted?”
“Answers,” Jane said.
“Do they come in a tin or a packet my dear?” the woman asked. “If we haven’t got them, I can always ask them to bring some next time they come with the deliveries.”
Chase and Jane stared at the woman, waiting for her to laugh. She didn’t.
Jane looked at Chase and frowned, rolling her eyes.
“No, answers to questions,” Jane said.
“You’re welcome to look if we’ve got any. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some work to do. Just give me a shout if you need me, otherwise just help yourself and take what you want.” She yanked the knife back out of the counter and walked into the back of the shop, out of sight.
“Was she serious?” Jane asked.
“I don’t know. I ... I don’t think so ... was she?”
“Crackers.” Jane made circles with her forefinger at the side of her head.
“Perhaps she was just joking.”
“Well she isn’t a comedian because I’m not laughing.”
“Come on, let’s go. I’ll come back later for some food.” She needed some fresh air. The woman had disturbed her more than she would like to mention.
As Chase opened the door, the bell jangled again and the woman walked back into the shop.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
Chase shook her head. “Thank you, but we’re just leaving.”
The woman frowned. “Leaving? You haven’t come in yet.”
“We were just inside. Don’t you remember?”
“Crazy,” Jane mumbled. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Inclined to agree, Chase let the door shut behind her.
“Ah, I see you’ve met Ms Woods.”
“Pardon,” Chase said, turning to face the young man who had spoken. He had a slim build with rugged good looks. His nose looked slightly off centre, as though it had been punched and his blue eyes held her attention with their clarity. He had medium length, tousled brown hair and a warm, compassionate smile. She noticed his eyes momentarily linger on Jane’s prominent bosom, and she silently cursed her friend’s plentiful bounty.
“Hi, I’m Adam White. Doctor Adam White – before you say it, I know, everyone says I look nothing like a doctor.” He extended his hand and Chase shook it, feeling a flush of embarrassment.
“Black and white,” Jane murmured into Chase’s ear, making a connection between their surnames. “If you’ve got to have a man, I suppose you could do worse.”
Chase felt her cheeks grow hot. She hoped the Doctor hadn’t heard Jane’s comment. “Erm, yes, Ms Woods, is that the lady’s name?” Chase asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid she suffers from a mild form of dementia.” He must have seen the worried look on Chase’s face as he said, “I can assure you, it’s nothing to be afraid of. She’s harmless.”
Chase had never heard of a mild form of dementia.
“I bet that’s what they said about Jack the Ripper,” Jane sneered.
“You must be Chase Black,” he said, ignoring Jane’s comment.
“Is it that obvious?”
Jane sniggered. “Small town England where the village grape vine is quicker than the Internet.”
“Something like that,” Adam agreed.
“Well yes, you’re right and this is my friend, Jane.”
“Pleased to meet you.” He gave Jane a perfunctory nod and turned back to Chase. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be at the gathering yesterday, but I had an urgent matter to deal with.”
Gathering. The word conjured bizarre images in her mind.
“Someone stub their toe, doc?” Jane asked.
Adam laughed. “You’d be surprised. We have our little dramas now and again.”
“I would have thought the only drama found here was on the television.”
Adam grinned, revealing perfect teeth. “I’m sure you think we’re a little out of touch here, but we do have our moments, like tea at the vicar’s, dancing round the maypole, oh yes, it has its moments.” He winked at Chase and she laughed in response.
“That hit my funny bone, doc,” Jane said, folding her arms across her chest and walking toward a bench at the edge of the lane where she sat, scowling.
“Your friend’s hard to please.”
“She’s not a country girl. I think she misses the smog, it’s her drug.”
“And you?”
Chase blushed again. “I think I’m going to be happy enough here.”
Adam nodded his head and smiled. “I’m glad about that.”
After his earlier inspection of Jane’s bust, she thought he was going to be a typical male lecher. But perhaps she was wrong.
“You will have to visit me at the surgery, so I can get your details and sign you onto my register.”
“Yes, I’ll come in soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Adam smiled again and walked into the shop.
“That was a bit rude,” Chase said as she walked toward Jane.
“So sue me. I can’t help the way I am. Men just bring out the worst in me.”
“Well, if I didn’t know better, I would think you were jealous that he seemed more interested in me, than you. But you could try to be nice. Remember, I’ve got to live here when you’ve gone.”
Jane tutted indignantly. “How could you think such a thing? Can we go now?”
Chase laughed. “Come on then, let’s see what else there is to see around here.”
“Oh joy.”
As they walked further along the lane, Chase thought about the doctor. He was quite attractive and she felt a momentary pang of guilt as she remembered Mat. Even though it had been nearly four months since he had disappeared, there was no closure on the relationship; she still loved him and she felt guilty having feelings for someone else.
She suddenly wondered how Mat would find her out here. That’s if he ever came back. Perhaps it would serve him right if she did meet someone else. Let him worry for a change.
At the edge of the village, they came to a public house that listed as though drunk. A sign swung from a pole above the porch: The Slaughtered Dog.
“Charming. Isn’t anything about this place normal?” Jane shook her head.
“Compared to some of the places you go, this place is like the Vatican.”
“Well, at least we can get a drink.”
They walked to the front door and Chase gave it a push, but it wouldn’t open. She looked at her watch. “Too early.”
“Great, perhaps this is the Vatican.”
“It isn’t going to work you know.”
“What isn’t?”
“This hard assed act of yours. You know I’m staying.”
“Well, you can’t blame me for trying.”
“I’ll never get a chance like this again. Things like this just don’t happen everyday. Can’t we just enjoy it? It might be a while before I see you again.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Well, it’s true.”
“At least I know I’ll be leaving you in capable hands.”
Chase playfully punched Jane on the shoulder. “How does Gina put up with you?”
“That reminds me.” She unclipped her mobile phone from her belt and shook her head. “Still no signal.”
“Perhaps there’s a problem with the network.”
Jane put her phone away and sighed. “I need to find Drake or Moon to find out how I’m getting back to civilisation.”
“Jane wanting a man, now there’s a first.”
“Hey sugar, leave the jokes to me.”
“Wait till I tell Gina.”
“Now you know she wouldn’t believe a word of it.”
“No one gets out of paradise,” Chase said, imitating Ms Woods, the shopkeeper.
Chase laughed. “You’re right though. I don’t know how to find Moon or Drake. It’s a bit strange how they disappeared. We’ll have to take a look around and see if we can find them.”
“Great, bring it on. More sightseeing.”
“You love it really.”
“For you, sugar. Only for you.”
They headed back toward the village hall, hoping there would be someone there who might be able to help them. The church had an adjoining graveyard that they circumnavigated to get to the hall. As they passed, Chase peered over the low surrounding wall. A lot of the graves seemed old, the inscriptions on the headstones obscured by mould and lichen. Angels and cherubs stood silent vigil, seemingly frozen beneath a Medusa stare. None of the graves had fresh flowers on them, which she found somewhat odd for what she assumed was a close-knit community. The fog drifted lazily at the edge of the graveyard, wispy threads breaking off from the main body and gliding among the graves, increasing the eerie feel, even in daylight.
Suddenly, Chase thought she saw a figure in the fog, motionless, all in white like a ghost, watching her. Before she could mention it to Jane, the figure disappeared into the fog like a wraith.
Chase shuddered and folded her arms across her chest. Perhaps she had just imagined it.
The door to the hall stood open and Chase knocked. Receiving no reply, she entered, followed by Jane. A few tables carried remnants of the buffet, but the drinks had gone and paper doilies dotted the floor like giant snowflakes.
“Hello, is anyone here?” Chase felt suddenly anxious.
Movement on one of the tables caught her eye and she turned just as a paper doily drifted down from the table to join the others on the floor.
Something moved on the tabletop. Chase froze, narrowing her eyes before she squealed.
“What is it? What’s the matter?” Jane demanded.
“On the table. It’s a rat,” Chase said, backing away.
Jane cautiously walked toward the table. “Rat my ass. It’s a squirrel.”
Chase stopped backing away and laughed with relief as she saw the bushy tail of a grey squirrel scampering across the table. It stopped, eyeing Chase for a moment before it took up a remnant of the buffet food in its tiny paws and sat back on its haunches, watching the two of them as it ate.
“You’ll never get very far in the country if you can’t tell the difference between a rat and a squirrel.”
As though in agreement, the squirrel chattered and then scampered out of the door.
“You’ve upset the locals now.” Jane laughed.
“Well, it did look like a rat if you only caught a glimpse of it.”
“A good job it wasn’t a cat because I’d hate to see what you’d make of that.”
“Screw you.”
“I wish.”
At that moment someone coughed and both girls jumped.
“Vicar.” Chase blushed as she noticed the man stood at the door, instantly recognisable as the local clergyman by the dog collar constricting his neck below his double chin. The balding man smiled, what hair he did have slicked back across his crown. His cheeks appeared ruddy, as though through exertion or alcohol.
“Sorry to startle you like that. It’s just I thought I heard voices.”
“Yes, we were just looking for a Mr Moon or Drake,” Chase said.
“Ah, yes. I remember seeing you last night. You’ve moved into High Top Cottage, I believe.”
“Yes, I have.”
“Well, I hope you know what you’ve done.” He shook his head, as though lamenting.
“Pardon?” Chase said, unsure she heard right.
“Yes, the congregation has been dwindling lately. I think the fog has made them lose faith. But now, perhaps I can encourage you to join my flock.”
“Fat chance,” Jane mumbled.
The vicar cocked his ear toward Jane. “You’ll have to speak up a bit.”
“I said, good chance. She’s an old Sunday school girl, aren’t you Chase.”
“Ah good, that’s what I like to hear.” The vicar smiled and nodded graciously.
Chase pulled a face at Jane that the vicar couldn’t see. “So do you know where we can find Mr Moon or Drake?” she asked, turning back to face the vicar.
“Haven’t got a clue, my dear. They appear now and again. I’m sure they’ll turn up. Now, where were we, ah yes, the congregation.”
Chase sighed and Jane sniggered as they listened to the vicar sermonising on the state of the church, the state of the parishioners and the state of the hall. It was fifteen minutes later before Chase managed to make their excuses and leave – and she still didn’t know how to find Moon or Drake.
They spent the rest of the morning exploring. Chase couldn’t get over how quaint the cottages looked. It was as though they were part of a bygone age, and she still couldn’t believe she had won one of them. It was a dream come true.
After they had explored the village, they ventured around the rear of the hill, following a leaf shaded lane through a copse of trees until they came to a dilapidated farmhouse. The outbuildings had been left to rot, the frame of the large barn a series of decaying beams like rotten teeth; rusty metal panels creaked and groaned in the wind. The farmhouse windows had been smashed, the roof had caved in and the front door swung on its hinges, beckoning.
“What a waste,” Chase said, admiring the building.
Jane frowned.
“I bet it was beautiful before being abandoned. Come on, let’s have a look inside.”
Jane pulled a face. “What for?”
“Why not?”
“Do you really need to ask? It’s crumbling.”
“Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Back with my sense of humour.”
“Well, I’m going inside.” She walked toward the door.
Jane sighed and traipsed along behind her, kicking her heels like a petulant child.
The door creaked as Chase pushed it open and stepped inside. Broken glass crunched underfoot like the dry carapaces of long dead insects. Flowery wallpaper peeled from the walls, the design faded like an old tattoo. The smell of decay filled the air, wet and fungal.
Remnants of furniture littered the room; the skeletal frame of an armchair, a smashed bureau, and a cabinet overturned like a coffin, the hinged door of which stood open inviting morbid inspection. Chase approached, her action more to show Jane that she would be all right on her own, but it didn’t stop her feeling apprehensive about looking inside. She knew it was stupid. After all, it was only a cabinet. She gripped the edge and leaned over.
Something stirred in the shadows.
Chase jumped, her heart fluttering.
In a flurry of motion, a white, ghostly spectre flew screeching toward her face. A beady black eye glinted as a razor sharp blade made to cut her. Chase stumbled back, tripping over her own feet. She fell to the ground, shielding her face as the spectre swooped.
Chase screamed and closed her eyes, her heart dancing a fandango.
“Shoo, get away,” Jane said.
Puzzled, Chase couldn’t understand why Jane wasn’t screaming too, and she cautiously dropped her hands from her face and opened her eyes in time to see the pigeon fly out of the window.
“Stupid bird,” Jane muttered. “And I’m not on about the feathered one. Didn’t you know that it was only a bird?” She looked at Chase and shook her head. “What are you like?” Reaching down she helped Chase to her feet.
Chase blushed. Her fertile imagination had cultivated the seeds of illusion.
Dusting herself down, she shrugged. “It could have happened to anyone.”
“Only someone stupid enough to want to come into a derelict building.”
Ignoring her, Chase said, “Come on, let’s see what’s in the next room.”
“Don’t you ever learn?”
Chase grinned and wrinkled her nose. In the next room she spotted two doors,
one at the far end and one on her right which led to the stairs, which were blocked by debris from when the roof had collapsed, but it was the makeshift bed in the corner of the room that grabbed her attention. Next to it stood a small camp stove and some jars of food.
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