by Pam Harvey
Ling hesitated. A walk in the rain sounded okay to her but she didn’t feel well enough. Her whole body was aching as if she was getting the flu. ‘Yeah, I’m coming.’
‘Me too.’ Hannah joined the others and they walked back to their rooms.
E.D. shrugged. ‘I’ll just get some dessert. Then we could go and play pool.’
‘So you don’t want to go for a walk, either?’ Angus started to laugh.
‘No, mate. Hate getting wet.’
After E.D. had eaten three bowls of chocolate mousse, the boys headed towards the rear of the guesthouse.
‘Someone’s already playing,’ Angus said as they got close to the games room.
Two boys were lounging around a large pool table and a girl was slumped in a chair with her legs tucked under her, gazing out the window.
E.D. walked past her and turned to the boys. ‘Hey, guys, want a game?’ he said, grabbing one of the cues.
‘Beat it,’ the girl said. ‘We were here first.’
E.D. looked at Angus. ‘It’s cool. We’ll wait till you finish.’
‘Didn’t you hear what I said?’ The girl swung her legs off the chair and stood up.
‘You own the table, do you?’ E.D. said, not flinching.
‘Come on, E.D. We’ll come back later.’
‘Good idea.’ The girl folded her arms and
glared at E.D.
‘Or we can challenge you to a game?’ E.D.
picked up a small cube of chalk from the edge of
the table and started vigorously rubbing the tip
of his cue.
‘E.D., I’ve never played before,’ Angus hissed in his ear. E.D. ignored him and watched the two boys talking.
‘Can we, Kristy?’ one of them said, finally.
‘Oh, whatever,’ she sighed, slumping down in the seat again and staring glumly out at the ocean. ‘Take on the losers, then.’
E.D. pocketed three balls on his first break then went to chalk his cue for his next shot. He looked at the table and frowned.
‘Hey, who moved the white ball?’ he demanded, looking incredulous.
‘It never moved,’ the boy replied.
‘You wanted to play,’ Kristy said from her chair.
‘Someone’s moved the white ball. It wasn’t behind the 8-ball before and now it is.’
‘Must have been the wind.’
‘Yeah, from your—’
‘E.D., come on,’ Angus said, grabbing E.D. by the arm and steering him towards the door. ‘We’ll come back later.’
Kristy stood up and crossed her arms, looking threatening. ‘Yeah, go and play with your girlfriends.’
It took all of Angus’s strength to get E.D. out the door. ‘Come on, mate. I’ll get you some chips from the vending machine.’
E.D. glared at the girl. ‘We’ll leave you with your boyfriends, then.’ He dodged the cue that came flying out the door and let Angus lead him away.
E.D. was still looking angry when he walked into the girls’ room twenty minutes later.
‘What’s up?’ said Gabby. ‘Stub your toe in the dark?’
‘We had a little discussion with some kids in the games room.’ Angus sat on the floor and passed packets of chips around.
‘They’re probably locals and Mrs Dalrymple lets them use the games room,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what their problem was.’
‘That’s very nice of your Aunt Susan,’ said Gabby. E.D. looked at Gabby and shook his head.
‘So,’ said Angus. ‘What’s the next move? We haven’t found out much, only that there was a boat accident and some kids drowned. Sad, but it doesn’t help us with Ling’s ghostly friend.’
‘You need to speak to her again,’ said E.D., his grumpiness gone. He reached for more chips and stuffed them in his mouth.
‘Right,’ said Hannah. ‘And how do you get to speak to a ghost again? Call it? Text it? Online chat perhaps? Or open the window and shout very loudly?’
Ling’s face reddened. ‘I’ve been thinking about that. When I saw her it was the last night I was here with my parents. It was in this room.’
‘Nothing happened last night,’ said Gabby. ‘And I reckon I stayed awake most of the night.’
‘No,’ said Ling. ‘It didn’t feel right last night.’
‘What do you mean—didn’t feel right?’ asked Hannah.
Ling shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I just sometimes…feel these things.’
‘Does it feel right tonight?’ said Angus.
Ling looked up at him. ‘It feels better.’
‘Maybe Gabby scared the ghost away,’ said E.D., grinning. ‘She’s pretty scary.’
‘Oh, ha, ha, E.D.’ Gabby glared at him.
‘Maybe E.D.’s right,’ said Angus thoughtfully. He looked quickly at Gabby. ‘You aren’t scary, Gab. But maybe there were too many people in the room last night. Maybe if Ling was alone the ghost would come out.’
Everyone shifted their attention to Ling. She looked around the room. ‘You could be right, Angus.’
‘Okay,’ said E.D. ‘So Hannah and Gabby can stay with us tonight and Ling can have the room to herself.’
‘No way!’ said Gabby, looking at E.D.
‘What? Something wrong with that?’
‘Nothing,’ said Hannah. ‘That’s a good idea.’ Gabby looked horrified. ‘I meant the bit about us not staying here with Ling. Come on, Gabby. We’ll get our stuff ready and then we’ll go.’ She looked at Angus. ‘You’d better set up somewhere for us to sleep.’
‘Okay.’ Angus stood up. ‘Come on, E.D.’ He started to walk out of the room but paused in front of Ling. ‘Do you think you’ll be alright by yourself?’
Ling nodded. ‘I think so. I don’t think she was an evil ghost. And anyway, you’ll be right next door.’
‘You mean there are good ghosts?’ E.D. muttered as he followed Angus out of the room. ‘Like good witches and wizards and…’ The door closed behind them.
Hannah started to rummage around in her bag for her pyjamas. ‘Should we help you with something, Ling? Is the room set up the same as before?’
Ling studied the room. ‘I was lying here, in the bed that I slept in last night, and the girl appeared there.’ She pointed to the middle of the room, where Gabby was standing.
Gabby jumped to one side. ‘Ling! You’re giving me the creeps.’
‘I’m just showing you what happened. I can’t remember what time it was but I must have been asleep and something woke me up. It wasn’t that late, or Mum and Dad would have come back into the room. Maybe we didn’t see her last night because we arrived so late?’ Ling looked at Hannah.
‘You think there might be a special time that she appears?’ Hannah shrugged. ‘That could be right.’
‘Anne Boleyn’s headless ghost appears at the Tower of London at the exact same time as on the day she was executed and Abraham Lincoln shows up in the White House at the moment of his assassination.’
‘Wow!’ said Gabby. ‘How do you know that?’
Ling shrugged. ‘I’ve been studying ghosts for a long time. It’s a hobby of mine.’
‘Hmmm,’ said Hannah. ‘I think I’ll stick to electronics.’
It only took a few minutes for Gabby and Hannah to organise their things.
‘We’ll see you in the morning, Ling,’ said Hannah from the doorway. ‘Goodnight.’
Gabby hesitated as Hannah disappeared then ran back to her cousin, giving her a fierce hug. ‘Be safe,’ she whispered in Ling’s ear before going out the door and shutting it softly behind her.
Ling sat on her bed listening to the rain. The music from the other room had stopped. It started to get colder and Ling slipped into bed, leaving her light on and trying to concentrate on the book she was reading. The evening ticked on and, despite trying to keep her eyes open, Ling dozed. She’d been up late the previous night and she was tired. Eventually, she reached up and turned off her light. The room plunged into darkness.
In th
e boys’ room, the light was off as well, but no one was asleep. Angus and E.D. were on the floor, having given up their beds for the girls.
‘I don’t know, Hannah,’ said Gabby. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t have left Ling alone.’
‘It’ll be okay, Gab.’ Hannah’s voice was muffled. She had her face turned into her pillow and was straining to hear anything from Ling’s room. ‘Shhh. And go to sleep.’
There was quiet as everyone settled in their spots. Then E.D. yawned. ‘I’m thirsty. I’m going to get a drink.’
‘Just do it quietly,’ muttered Hannah.
The door creaked open and closed noisily as E.D. went out.
It must have been quite a while later when Gabby opened her eyes. She’d been dreaming—a strange dream about swimming in the sea. Maybe I’m missing swimming training, she thought sleepily. I haven’t trained hard since the state championships. I hope my fitness—
Suddenly, something caught her eye. Across the room, something was moving. In the darkness she could just make out a large, white shape, drifting towards the middle of the floor. Gabby felt her heart beat faster. What is it? she thought. She tried to open her mouth to call out to Hannah but her throat was dry and her voice wouldn’t work.
The ghostlike shape came closer, catching the moonlight. Gabby sat up as it moved around the jumble of blankets on the floor. Then it turned to Gabby and started floating towards her.
‘No!’ screamed Gabby, jumping out of bed and running for the door. She brushed past the white shape and heard a grunt as she stepped on something soft, but she wasn’t waiting around for anyone. She wrenched the door open and ran to her own room, crashing into it noisily.
She stopped, breathing raggedly.
Ling was sitting on her bed, staring with wide eyes at the middle of the room. She vaguely knew that Gabby was standing at the door but she was sensing something else, another shape in the room. It was the image of a girl in a long T-shirt and a ripped skirt. She was reaching out to Ling. The image glowed softly then started fading. The air in the room seemed to thicken, making the girl more transparent. Ling blinked and the girl was gone.
Gabby stared at her cousin. Ling sat, not moving, her eyes still fixed on the spot where she sensed the girl had been.
The others appeared behind Gabby. ‘It’s alright, Gabby,’ Hannah was saying. ‘It was just E.D. in a sheet.’
‘Pretty convincing, eh?’ E.D. was laughing. ‘Scared you out of your wits.’
‘Shut up, guys,’ said Angus, pushing his way forward. ‘Ling, what happened?’
Ling looked up slowly. ‘She came.’
‘Oh, no!’ Gabby put her hands over her face. ‘I scared her away! I’m so sorry, Ling. E.D., you’re an idiot! If I’d known it was you pretending to be a ghost I’d have pushed you out of the window.’
‘It’s okay, Gabby.’ Ling spoke calmly, her voice sounding as if she’d just come out of a trance. ‘She was going anyway. You didn’t interrupt anything. She’d already talked to me.’
‘She spoke?’ Hannah couldn’t keep the scepticism out of her voice.
‘Yes, she spoke.’ Ling closed her eyes.
‘So what did she say?’ E.D. elbowed his way forward, the sheet he’d been using as his ghost costume bundled in his arms.
‘It was hard to hear. Something about needing help—’
‘Like last time.’ E.D. nodded.
‘—and Will. Something about Will.’
‘Who’s Will?’ Gabby took her hands away from her face.
‘And a storm.’ Ling opened her eyes, ignoring Gabby’s question. ‘Her brother was in the storm.’
‘And…?’ Angus moved to sit next to Ling.
‘That was all.’ Ling wiped her hands over her face, suddenly looking very pale in the light coming from the corridor. ‘She was hard to understand; the words were fuzzy. Help. Will. Brother. Storm.’ Ling slumped a little.
‘Are you alright?’ Gabby put an arm around her.
‘I feel a bit sick.’
‘Lie down,’ said Hannah, coming over to Ling and patting her pillow. ‘I’ll get you a drink.’
Ling lay down and Gabby covered her with a blanket. As Hannah helped her sip some water, the others gathered around. Whatever had happened in the room, it had affected Ling deeply. They remained there together for a while but Ling didn’t say any more. She stayed in bed, her eyes closed, and Hannah finally stood up.
‘Bedtime,’ she said firmly and took E.D. by the arm. ‘See you in the morning, Casper.’
‘Okay, I get it. We aren’t wanted any more, Angus. Banished to our room.’
Gabby put her hand on Ling’s hair, but Ling didn’t move. Angus looked up at Hannah. ‘Do you think we should get Mrs Dalrymple?’
Hannah shook her head. ‘I’ll watch her. If it’s just sleep she needs, then that’s okay. Gabby and I will look after her.’
Angus followed E.D. out of the room, looking back one last time at the girls. Ling hadn’t moved. He shut the door softly.
Anyone would’ve found it hard to sleep that night—anyone but E.D. Angus felt as if he’d lain awake all night listening to E.D.’s snores when the bright light of morning finally began to fill the room. Suddenly he couldn’t stand it any more. He got up, pulled on some clothes, and went outside.
It wasn’t raining but the wind was still blowing hard. Angus made his way out of the guesthouse and walked around to the back. He stood under the shelter of the verandah and watched the sea. In the morning light, it was dark green and choppy; angry waves crashed onto the beach.
A noise from the house made him jump. Not quite knowing why he did it, he stepped back, hiding behind a box of firewood. The noise grew
louder and, as he peered through the bits of wood, he saw a window open and a head appear. The head was followed by arms clutching a book, and then a torso, and then the rest of a girl slid out. Angus crouched down further. The girl was followed by two boys. Kristy and her gang. They whispered quietly to each other, closed the window, ran lightly across the verandah and headed for the beach.
Angus waited until they were too far away to see him and then stood up. Wait until I wake the others, he thought. What were they doing breaking in to Spray Cottage? Or were they breaking out of Spray Cottage?
Chapter 5
Sunday, 19 December, morning
‘Look,’ whispered Hannah urgently, poking a finger into Angus. He’d just finished telling them about his spy work earlier that morning. Angus pushed her arm away and glanced over.
Kristy and her two friends, Jamie and Daniel, had just entered the room and were standing at the self-serve breakfast bar.
‘Why are they eating here?’ Gabby whispered, far too loudly.
‘Oh, hello, everyone!’ Mrs Dalrymple called, bustling into the dining room. ‘Now, have you all met? Kristy, Jamie and Daniel often call by. Kristy’s dad works in the garden here and does all the odd jobs. Will he be checking that pipe for me, do you know, Kristy?’
‘Reckon he will, Mrs D,’ Kristy said, smiling briefly. Kristy then said something to Jamie and Daniel that made them put down their breakfast plates, scoop up handfuls of toast, and walk out of the room.
‘Where do you think they’re going?’ Hannah asked.
Angus stood up and walked to the window, followed by Ling. ‘Can you see them?’ she asked.
‘They went down to the beach. Looks like they’re hiring a boat. I wonder where they’re heading.’
Ling didn’t say anything, but she pointed across the bay to the small Isle of Many. It wasn’t far from the mainland, but around it the water was dark and choppy.
‘I think we should follow them,’ Angus said. ‘They’re up to something.’ He glanced at Ling. ‘Do you feel alright? After yesterday, I mean.’
‘I’m just a bit tired.’
‘Well?’ Gabby suddenly appeared, standing behind her cousin. ‘Where do you think they’re going?’
‘Probably to the island. I think we should go there, t
oo. Let’s see what the others say.’ Angus turned around and headed back to their table. ‘I reckon those kids have hired a boat and are going to the island. We’ll follow them. We can have breakfast later.’
‘No way!’ E.D. said, folding his arms and shaking his head.
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, E.D!’ Gabby said, slapping her hands against her forehead. ‘Is food that important to you?’
‘Gab, it’s the most important meal of the day. You’re the swimmer. You should know that.’
Gabby rolled her eyes. ‘You go on, guys. I’ll bring greedy guts here a little bag of food.’
‘Good idea, Gabby. Grab me some fruit while you’re at it, can you?’ Angus said, heading out the door.
‘Oh, why don’t I just bring breakfast for everyone?’ Gabby snapped.
‘Good idea, Gabby,’ Hannah called.
‘I was being sarcastic,’ she yelled at their four retreating backs.
By the time Gabby joined the others down by the water’s edge, E.D. had hired a boat and was throwing life jackets and oars into it. He grinned at Gabby.
‘The service at this place is—’
‘Don’t you say anything, E.D., unless it’s thanks,’ Gabby scowled, passing him a paper bag filled with bacon and toast.
E.D. stuffed his mouth full of food then leaned over and kissed Gabby on the cheek. Gabby dropped her own piece of toast in disgust.
‘Yuck! Oh my God, E.D. What is wrong with you?’ said Gabby, completely flustered. E.D. swept his long black hair from his eyes and grinned.
‘Couldn’t say thanks,’ he said, finally. ‘My mouth was full.’
‘Quiet, you two,’ Hannah snapped. ‘Ling, are you sure you don’t want anything to eat? It’ll be good for you.’
Ling smiled and shook her head. ‘I’m fine. I’m just not hungry. I think getting away from the cottage will help.’ She shifted uncomfortably, wishing Hannah wouldn’t stare at her. Everyone had been so concerned about her after last night, she felt a bit smothered. I need a bit of space, she thought. There is something very strange happening here but I’m not sure that the others realise it yet. She turned to look at Angus. ‘What do you think those other kids are up to?’