Nightmare with the Neighbour

by Martha Greenwood

  "At...at least...say it's a possibility."

  I would be lying if I never daydreamed that Lea would one day become the Lady of the castle opposite our house. Many a time I have tried to urge their friendship to get this very result. But I wanted the decision to come out of Lea's will, not mine.

  "I guess," I conceded grudgingly, but George looked convinced enough.

  "This is a secret between the three of us now. All the evidence – the gun , the prints, the alibis, and the positions of the witnesses can only point to one thing. I had a suspicion all along...but I kept hoping that I was wrong, that some new evidence would show up, rendering all conclusions erroneous. But no such luck."

  "On the cold and dreadful night of October 31st 2005, a twelve year old child accidentally pulled the trigger of a loose gun, thereby injuring and killing Leonard Dupont. That child was our son, Lyle Parker."

  "No..." came a voice from somewhere far away, a voice that sounded like Marie's.

  "The only two people present at the murder were Lea and Lyle. The horror of what had occurred – a child killing a man, and another child witnessing her father's death – naturally brought about amnesia."

  There was something intrinsically wrong with this whole planet, if events like this were allowed to occur. I should have been going crazy with perplexity, rage and depression, yet my brain was so frozen that all I could think was No wonder Lea had such a strong aversion to Lyle during the past five years. But she couldn't remember the reason herself.

  "You can't let the children know about this. I don't know how my sweet, younger child got himself into this situation, but I intend to get to the bottom this. If the Desais get a whiff of the truth you can be sure they will use it to seize Sparrowick Castle from us. My suspicion is that they somehow influenced Lyle to act the way he did. Marie, April, are you both willing to help me prove a boy innocent?"

  Far away, I heard the eerily lyrical sound of a violin playing. At this very moment Lea, Lyle, Steven and all the others were engaging in the revelry. Even though shock had paralysed my own body however, there was no way I could refuse George's plea.

  Chapter XVIII: Unexpected

  * * *

  As the sun began to set and dusk began its ascent, the Sparrowick crowds slowly burgeoned, no doubt attracted to pie, music and general rowdiness. I myself was sitting at a table in the town plaza, mindlessly enjoying the orchestra and Steven's violin solos. Daya had just left me to prepare for the costume competition she was bound to win. I mean, she had been trying out different outfits just for this occasion since September. I'd give her the prize based on effort, or even pity. After Lyle's suspiciously nice comment about my looks he had disappeared to take care of his own Haunted House, which by the looks of things really seemed to be raking in popularity. Judging by the decibels of screams I could hear all the way till the town plaza, I'd say those kids were having a blast at being terrified. That, or those screams were the tormented pleas of children being torn from limb to limb. And being mentally tortured on top of that. I wouldn't put it past Lyle to scar them for eternity by tearing up their pokemon cards in front of their eyes while chainsawing their toes off.

  Either way, it felt relaxing to be on my own for a little while. It gave to time to ponder the finer things in life, such as Steven's sweetly wafting symphony, and why there was a lack of apple pie in front of me. I peered around for my mother, but couldn't catch her anywhere, though I did spy a pair of rather suspect-looking dementors. They sort of 'OooooOooooOooo'-ed around me like conventional ghosts, and I tried explaining that dementors 'Eeeeerrrrgggghhh'-ed rather than 'Ooooo'-ed, but then they just ran away towards the big oak tree.

  My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden dimming of the street lights. Some of them even turned blue, and a shiver just couldn't help crawl up my spine.

  "Hi Lea," said someone's silhouette, "Mind if I take this seat?"

  Lillian pointed to the chair next to me. She was dressed as a tribal princess, oozing a spooky sort of charisma. She looked as dazzling as ever, especially so with red paint decorating her cheeks. I smiled and nodded.

  "So...how's it going so far? Enjoying your day?" she asked in a jovial manner.

  "It's actually been better than I expected it. First time I've been to one in five years. It must have been a real horror – pardon the pun – to organize this whole thing."

  "Believe me, it was. But everything is going pretty smoothly," she said, as she narrowly dodged an eyeball flying in our direction, "I mean, at least everyone in Sparrowick knows who I am now. People will support me and my ambition."

  So that was the reason behind her whole plan to organise the festivities. I always figured that she was the student council president type, but now I knew she was also a member of the chess club type. Calculating every move to achieve her goal.

  "Nice costume by the way. You look just like a respectable lady at court," Lillian said, pointed at my dress.

  "Thanks!" I said brightly, "Actually, Lyle gave it to me." I paused for a second before continuing, "You know, I'm not feeling so sure about this whole betraying Lyle thing. We're definitely not friends, but I've known him for years and years, and...I'm not sure I can bear to see his disappointed face when he realises I'm no longer by his side, and helping his enemy steal his property..." I said in a tone that was both firm and soft. Just like my favourite kind of tofu.

  Lillian's face fell, and in that split second her eyes looked just like Lyle's. As if on cue, three men wearing tuxedos approached her from behind.

  "Miss Lillian, is there anything else we can do to ensure that everything runs smoothly tonight?" said the first guy.

  Lillian seemed distracted by some deep thoughts.

  "No...no, everything is going pretty well. People are enjoying themselves, aren't they? That's the most important aspect after all." I wondered how much of what she was saying was heartfelt, and how much was faker than a youtube prank video. Either way, it touched my own heart.

  "Are you sure? You were freaking out about the cinnamon candles just a few minutes ago," said the second lackey.

  "I said its fine! You can leave, you are dismissed, you have the right to party."

  Her three sidekicks looked absolutely crestfallen.

  "Boys! She didn't ask you to give up your apple pie! Smile a little!" I insisted, finding their behaviour strange.

  "Ok...only we want to serve the next lady of Sparrowick, you see," explained the third guy, "My mum says that if I grovel enough, I can get a seat at Trinity College, Oxford for English literature."

  At least his mum was honest.

  "Argh, if you really want something to do...find me a solution to world poverty. And once you're done with that, come up with a way to combat earthquakes," Lillian replied shortly.

  "We shall get to it immediately," the three of them said in unison with a bow, and slinked off into the background.

  It shouldn't have, but for some reason the fact that the general public thought Lillian would win against Lyle in the inheritance battle bothered me. Like an itch in the unreachable depths of my back.

  "Initially I thought it would be fun...everyone sucking up to me, that is. It's just stupid and degrading though...but if this is the way to get famous and earn my mother's recognition..." she said, half talking to herself. I politely ignored what seemed to be a very personal outburst. She took a deep gulp of the cider than was in front of her. But the truth was I was raving with curiosity about Lillian's issues.

  "And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment that you were born to witness have finally arrived! THE RESULTS OF THE COSTUME COMPETITION ARE IN!" I recognized the MC dressed as a bear, the bear that tried to kiss me after that apple-bobbing competition. I never thought the day would come when I used 'apple-bobbing', 'bear' and 'kiss' all in the same sentence. Maybe the discovery of the lost city of Atlantis isn't so far-fetched after all.

  "My friend Daya – you remember her, right? – has got this one in the bag!" I said excitedly. />
  "You may be correct. That Medusa girl has definitely earned herself a prize," Lillian replied. She then changed the subject, "So you won't help me then? I truly thought I could count on you."

  Daya's words kept ringing in my ears, so much so that I considered getting a medical check-up for tinnitus. And Lyle's compliment to my appearance. It was so little...but enough to make me come running back to the side of my neighbour. Still, I was positive that Lillian had reasons and problems of her own. In these hard times she probably just needed a friend – and that was exactly what she had wanted me to be.

  "I still don't get why I can't be friends with both of you," I said, "Oh, the bear is about to talk!"

  The crowd's attention was enrapt by the curious characters decorating the podium, all contenders for the prize, dressed in the most outlandish disguises.

  "Third prize goes toooooooooooooooooo...STEVEN PARKER!"

  A loud cheer went up. The MC passed the microphone on to him.

  "Erm...not sure if this is a compliment, seeing as I didn't mean to dress up for the Fete..." I had to giggle at Steven's confused face.

  "Aaaaaaaand second prize goes tooooooo...the hauntingly petrifying DAYA ACORN!"

  I whooped with the rest of the crowd, seeing as I was going to be treated a lot of ice-cream in the near future. Seriously speaking, however, I was extremely pleased for my best friend. She truly deserved this.

  "And now...the one you've all been waiting for...the first prize...with a cash prize of £300 pounds...the one and only LEA DUPONT!"

  I cheered loud and hard for the winner, until my ears actually began to function.

  I had just won a competition I hadn't even entered.

  Oh well. This probably meant I'd have to treat Daya instead of the other way around.

  Chapter XIX: Intimate

  * * *

  During my short existence I had learnt many lessons from the curveballs life occasionally threw at me. Things like how to change a light bulb without a father's guidance, for example, or that thistles and nettles did not make good Valentine's bouquets. I was fortunate enough to learn another crucial lesson that Halloween 2010.

  Wearing pretty dresses that deranged boys give you on Halloween can apparently earn you good cash (and interestingly enough this lesson would come in handy a year from now too).

  I turned around to face Lillian pushing back the feathers from her tribal princess costume. Her lips were pursed as she swivelled around the cider in her cup.

  "That's interesting…I told the boys to ensure I won at least one of the contests today. I was sure it would be the Costume Competition. But perhaps it's the next one then…"

  Throughout the course of this evening, I gathered that Lillian had a bad case of rambling about things that were better kept to herself. Not that I had a problem with it – I'm all for a good session of eavesdropping and insular gossip. But to hear that the dear, perfect Lady Lillian that everyone loved was rigging the Halloween contests was enough to make me lose all respect for her and her beauty.

  Nevertheless, that still begged the question of who actually nominated scruffy old me for the best costume prize. Sure, the dress itself was exquisite with its many-layered ruffles and detailed gold buttons all the way down the front, but come on I was wearing my nike sneakers underneath all that finery. On top of all that, I had really bad bed head, and not the fashionable type. Even if it had been it would have clashed badly with the rest of my 1850's outfit.

  "Will Lea Dupont please come to the stage to collect her check?" yelled the MC with all the professionalism a man in a bear suit could muster.

  Lillian gave me a look that shot daggers, coupled with a fake but winning smile. I walked up to the podium making my way through the enormous crowds. The bear handed me his mike.

  "Ahem…Hello? Hello? Testing, testing, testing, one…two…three…z…y…x…w…v…eh…r? What comes before v anyway?" I started, giving the mike a few taps to make sure it was functioning.

  The MC grimaced as everyone else on stage chuckled politely, with Daya being the exception. She guffawed like a hyena.

  "Miss Dupont…the mike has been working since two hours ago…" the bear rolled his eyes. In my day such rude manners would have earned him a swift rap between the ears. King Edward certainly would have approved, but these days what with abuse protection agencies and domestic violence awareness one had to be careful. Which gets me wondering about how Lyle manages to get away with so many suspicious activities. He once buried me alive in his garden because he thought I was dead even though I was just sleeping. It's not my fault I don't snore.

  Anyway, after that mishap I started my speech:

  "Thanks for the prize, but I'm not sure I earned it. I'm giving my check to Daya, who can then treat me to double the ice-cream she promised," I continued.

  Daya was standing next to me, with her snake-hair looking rather limp after a long day.

  "Lea…no! You earned this fair and square! Besides…" she started whispering into my left ear, "I think it might have been Lyle who nominated you," she said furtively.

  "Nah, he doesn't have a reason to," I handed the mike back to the bear. "Just look at him, standing around acting so cool with his blood-drenched shirt. He thinks he's amazing simply because he engages in polite small talk with every girl town," I said, with a little more spite than I intended.

  "Oh really Lea, when will you learn? And besides, be fair: there are a couple of guys surrounding him too," Daya replied. I nodded sagely. I glanced over at Lyle, and as usual, he was looking fantastic. Objectively speaking, of course. Any country bumpkin can find beauty in the Mona Lisa, or David. I merely did the same with Lyle's looks. I noticed his midnight black wavy hair was slightly asymmetric today. He was acting with confidence, the same kind he bullied me with, but definitely more refined. He seemed too busy laughing with some brunette to be concerned with my prize. And I definitely preferred it that way. He'd definitely find some way to blackmail me with this. I mean, this was Lyle we were talking about.

  "And now it's time for our annual Sparrowick's Hottest Teenager contest! Are you ready for it?"

  The crowd below resonated with approval.

  "So thisis the competition Lyle won last year?"

  "Yep, he really showed that he was a high class gentleman that time," said Daya.

  "Yeah, right. Did you know Lord Lyle skins pheasants for fun? That's where the blood stains on his 'costume' come from," I quipped back.

  "You're so funny Lea," Daya said, giving me a friendly push, "He said he bought it at Mr Motphan's shop."

  What an outright lie. I was there when he was at the Halloween market place. He did get a couple of dead and rotting bodies, but they were practically drained of blood. And they were fake…right?

  "Oh. I know who's winning this. It's Lillian," I told Daya, quickly changing the subject.

  "See, Lea, this is why you're my best friend. I just placed a bet on her using my Costume Competition prize money. I am totally raking it in tonight! But how do you know?"

  "She said she rigged it. This way she can gain more recognition and more Sparrowickians will support her plan to steal Lyle's inheritance."

  Daya nodded slowly, "A totally evil woman and plan, but if she wins I win. And then you win the pleasure of being the best friend of a very rich girl. Unless you marry Lyle, of course, in which case I win anyway. I am one lucky duck," she added thoughtfully.

  I ignored her playful comments.

  "The winner gets a free viewing of Sparrowick Castle – Haunted House,with a personalized tour from the nineteenth earl himself!" The MC gestured at Lyle, who smiled modestly. I felt like poking the guts out of his 'I'm-so-humble' act. I did get some satisfaction from the fact that Lillian would be intensely annoyed by the reward.

  "This year's Hottest Teenager is truly a diamond in the rough. She is dressed like a veritable princess today. She helps everyone with their messy garden crises. She even won an apple-bobbing contest. Ladies and gentlemen,
I think I'm in love!"

  Everyone in the audience cheered, and those of us stuck on the podium whooped and whistled. Deep down, I dreaded Lillian winning.

  "The 2010 Sparrowick's Hottest Teenager iiiiiiiiiiiis….LEA DUPONT!"

  Great. This joke was getting old now.

  "How do I keep ending up at this god-forsaken castle?" I screamed at a rather shrivelled up and balding golden vicary bush that was near the rusty entrance door.

  "Manners, Lea. This is my home you are talking about."

  Forgive me if I have never described Lyle Parker's abode in detail before. But as I always say, there is no time like the present to do the things you regret not having accomplished in the past. Thing is, I constantly try my best to avoid Sparrowick castle, but some messed up magnetism attracts me back. It looked especially unwelcoming today. Raindrops were sticking to the spiders that crept along the cobwebs that clung onto the vines that climbed all over the vast castle walls. A broken down sign read "Haunted Castle – you may enter but you may not leave alive. Either way, please place £5 in the box below". It was less than reassuring to know that my hotness was only worth a fiver.

  We went inside, and the whole place was empty. Smooth warmth greeted us despite the rugged stone flooring.

  "Why is nobody here?" I asked warily.

  "It's after hours. Mum and Steven are still outside. We have the whole place to ourselves," he said with a shadow of humour and an undertone of delight.

  "So...can we get this over with asap? I want to change out of this thing," I said lifting up my monstrous dress. It felt like it was gaining weight by the minute. Any more and you could be sure to see me winning a medal for women's wrestling at the next Olympics.

  "I can't believe you won them both. That is very rare. Apparently it hasn't happened for the past fifty years," Lyle ignored me in his usual manner.

  "This has something to do with you, I'm sure of it!"