The chicken was ruined, her eyes were running, her throat sore and her fingers stung. Quickly, she made it back to the kitchen and turned on the cold tap. It spluttered and splashed her with ice cold water. A curse hovered on the tip of her tongue but she bit it back and reduced the pressure. Gradually the water stopped spluttering but when it started to run it was brown and she let out a cry of disgust.
“What is it?” Mason’s voice was urgent and close.
Jenny looked around and was surprised to see him there.
“Tea’s ruined,” she said and showed him her fingers. They were red and already blistering.
Mason rushed forwards and took her hand pushing it straight under the cold stream of water. Jenny tried to stop him and she felt a shudder of revulsion pass over her.
“You have to get this under the water,” Mason said as he held her hand firm.
The cold did ease the pain. “But... but... the water,” Jenny started but as she looked the water was running clear and smooth. The spluttering had gone and so had the awful color, she relaxed and let him hold her hand under the stream until the pain eased. Mason took it out and gently dried her fingers. The blisters had popped and he looked through a few boxes until he found the first aid kit. Gently, he applied some cream and then bandaged up her fingers.
“Did you pick the pan up with your bare hands?” Mason asked.
Jenny knew she hadn’t and she looked at the thick towel lying on the floor. “I used that,” she said.
Mason raised an eyebrow.
“Well, maybe it slipped. I was panicking because of the smell. Way to make the house smell like home.”
Mason laughed. “I don’t know, I think your cooking’s improving.”
Jenny was filled with relief that he was teasing her. It was a glimpse of the old Mason. However, she was not letting him get away with it so she picked up the towel and flicked him on the backside with it before squealing and running out of the room as he grabbed a towel in retaliation.
Abby found them a few minutes later. Racing around the patio flicking each other with towels and laughing fit to burst.
“I’m hungry,” Abby said, looking at them as if they were children. The look of disgust on her face had them both laughing again. Mason scooped Abby into his arms and carried her into the house.
“Well, Princess,” he said. “How about I cook us up a bit of cheese on toast?”
“Yes, Daddy, yummy, yum, yum.”
“We’re in Wales now,” Jenny said. “It’s Welsh Rarebit, not just plain old cheese on toast.”
“I don’t want to eat rabbit,” Abby said. “Specially not Thumper.”
“OK then, just plain old cheese on toast for us all,” Jenny said as she found out the bread and cheese.
Soon they were all tucking into platefuls of cheese on toast and they seemed like a family again. Mason poured them both a glass of red wine and Jenny found she was starting to relax. This was what she wanted, a new start, and a new future.
"What do you think of the house?" she asked.
"There's a lot of work that needs doing. Those cowboy contractors seem to have just dropped tools and run."
"I know, there's even a paintbrush stuck to the carpet in one of the upstairs rooms." Jenny waited for him to get annoyed, waited for the tension to mount, only this time it didn't.
"We've got six weeks," Mason said. "Tomorrow, let's have a good look around and make a list of everything that needs doing. I'm pretty sure I can handle it all as long as we prioritize."
"I wonder why they left?" Jenny asked.
"Beats me," Mason said, "but enough of the house for tonight, why don't we all snuggle up on the sofa and watch Lady and the Tramp."
"Me, me, me," Abby said as she leaped out of the chair and started running from the kitchen. Suddenly, she ground to a halt and turned to look at them her face all serious. "Where is the telly?" she asked.
Jenny felt suddenly tired. It had been a long day traveling and then unpacking and she knew the telly would be in one of the boxes but the thought of hunting through and finding it as well as the DVDs was beyond her. Only Mason had a smile on his face.
"I knew my princess would want to relax," he said. "Come with me." With that he left the table and, grabbing Abby's hand, he led her into the hallway and then to the room to their left. Jenny had not looked at this one earlier and was pleased when she walked in. It was a large living room and Mason had set it up with their furniture. The black leather sofa and chairs looked a little out of place in the ornate beige room and the telly that looked huge in their flat looked minute here. Still, everything was ready for them. Mason laid back on the sofa and Abby curled up in his arms. Jenny picked up his feet and sat with them on her lap. This was their routine when Abby was up. Later, once she was in bed, Jenny would take her place and they would curl up together.
As they watched the film Jenny began to feel herself drifting and by the time it was over Abby was asleep and she was so tired she decided to call it a night.
"Do you think we should have an early night?" Jenny asked.
"I was going to put an advert on the Chamber of Commerce website," Mason said. "I'll carry the munchkin up and you bring your glass of wine."
That sounded like a good idea so she followed him out and into the hallway. Once again she saw a shadow skit across the floor of the hall and felt her skin prickle with adrenaline.
"Did you see..." she started to say, only it was already gone and already she did not believe it had been there. It must be fatigue... and yet she had seen a figure, a shape hanging from the banister.
"See what?" Mason asked as he carried Abby effortlessly up the stairs.
"Nothing, it was just a shadow."
When they got to the room there was an old fashioned teddy bear lying on the bed. Jenny picked it up.
"Did you get her this?" she asked. It looked grubby and the fur was stiff in places. Jenny decided that she would wash it tomorrow.
Mason shook his head as he laid Abby down.
"No, maybe it was in the house."
"Maybe," Jenny said.
Abby never woke and Jenny changed her into her night clothes and tucked her into bed. Mason had already gone back to his office and Jenny stood and watched Abby for several minutes. She seemed so comfortable, so relaxed, and yet Jenny worried. What if she woke in the night and couldn't find them? Then she laughed. Abby never woke. She had always slept so well they had been really lucky.
At last she left the room leaving the door ajar before walking back the long length of the corridor to their own room.
For a moment she saw a shape in the corridor and she started to call out thinking it was Mason. Only it was gone before her mouth could open and she dismissed it and walked on rubbing her hand along the banister rail.
It seemed to turn colder as soon as she entered their room and for a moment she felt a pinprick of panic. What was wrong with her? This was her plan, her dream and here she was worrying because Abby's room was so far away. Maybe it was the thought of the guests. Strangers sleeping closer to her daughter than she was. What should she do?
For now she knew there was nothing but maybe in time she could move Abby to one of the closer suites and have it redecorated, maybe.
Jenny undressed and climbed into the bed. It was cold and made her shiver. She picked up an art book she had left on the bedside table and, sipping at her wine, she began to read.
It was over an hour later when she found herself drifting and wondered where Mason was. Should she go find him or just go to sleep?
In the end she got up and, grabbing a robe, she started to leave the room. As she passed the stain she was drawn to it. Once more it looked wet, slick, and it made her think of blood. There was a central tinge and then splashes radiated from it. As she looked it reminded her of one of the forensic shows on telly. It reminded her of cast off blood splatter and she found a shiver run down her spine. When she looked at that blemish she felt... threatened. It was as if s
he was in danger and yet that was stupid. It was just shoddy work from the contractors. Just something that needed another coat of paint. Yet, what could cause that stain to appear through the paintwork? Maybe it was just damp. If not what could it be?
"You know."
"What?" Jenny could have sworn she heard a voice, telling her she knew what it was, and yet there was no one here. Was it just her mind playing tricks? It must be. She was tired and angry at the substandard work and she was looking for answers.
Turning, she left the room and went all the way back down the corridor to the stairs. The lights were off downstairs and the house looked dark and shrouded in shadow. For a moment she wanted to go back to bed. Only not to their room, for a moment she was drawn to Abby's room, it felt safe.
What was wrong with her? Being spooked by a strange house was just plain silly. So she flicked on the light and walked down the stairs and into the morning room. Mason was sat at his desk just staring into space.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
For a moment he didn't move and then he turned towards her and his eyes were dark and menacing. Then it was as if he woke and he smiled weakly.
"I must have drifted off."
"Come on, let's go to bed," she said and offered him her hand.
Mason took it and they walked towards the stairs. As Mason turned off the lower level lights a piercing scream echoed through the night. They both jumped. Jenny was gripping onto Mason's hand so tightly she could feel her nails digging into his skin.
"What was that?" she asked.
Mason was tense, his breath held and the sound sliced through the night once more. A mournful scream that raised the hairs on her neck.
Mason started to laugh.
"It's not funny," Jenny said.
"Yes, it is," Mason said. "That's a peacock."
"A what?"
"You know, a big fancy bird with an amazing tail, a peacock. I've heard them before."
"But who would have a peacock out here?" Jenny asked.
"Maybe it lives in those woods behind us." Mason shrugged his shoulders.
"Are you sure?" Jenny asked, and even though he nodded she did not feel any better. As they walked up to their room she was on constant alert. Waiting for the noise to repeat but nothing happened and the silence was almost as bad as the scream of the peacock.
When they climbed into bed Mason fell almost instantly asleep and yet Jenny could not rest. She lay awake for hours listening for any noise. The house creaked and groaned, ticked and tapped but there was nothing else. Nothing too sinister and yet nothing seemed familiar and every nerve in her body was on high alert and she felt filled with dread. As if unseen eyes were watching her, as if someone was waiting.
Chapter 3
The morning came too soon and Jenny felt fatigued as she struggled out of bed and yet she could not rest. Something was nagging at her, something she needed to do, so with a heavy sigh she decided she may as well get up. Mason was snoring loudly so she snuck into the bathroom and washed and dressed as quietly as she could. Sun shone through the curtains, it looked like a wonderful day, and yet she could not shake the feeling of disquiet. Maybe she just needed tea; it was a standing joke in the family that she never functioned until she had had her first 3 cups. So she left the bedroom and went down to the kitchen. All was quiet and peaceful. Normally, on a morning like this she would make herself a quick drink and then set up her easel. Then she would paint, oblivious to the world until Abby or Mason came to disturb her. Only this morning she didn't feel inspired. Maybe she was just tired, maybe the move was too much and she needed a day or 2 to unwind... and yet with such wonderful views... she stared out the kitchen window at the woodland just beyond the garden. It was green and lush and full of so many different shades and colors that it should have inspired her but still she felt nothing. The sound of the kettle pulled her out of her daze.
Once the tea was made she set the table for breakfast and was surprised to find it was gone nine. Upstairs she could hear sounds of movement. It seemed that Mason was up and she hoped he was in a good mood. Hoped he was optimistic. Quickly, she made him a coffee and took it upstairs.
The sound of whispers was coming from Abby's room and Jenny found herself smiling. She loved to hear her chattering away to herself and she stood on the landing for a few moments just listening. Then she turned and took the coffee down to their room.
"Morning," she said as she walked in but was surprised to find Mason still in bed.
He rolled over all bleary eyed and peered out from under the sheets.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Just gone 9.15. I thought you were up, I thought I heard you moving."
Mason sat up and took the coffee, rubbing at his eyes.
"No, not me, it must be Abby."
Jenny nodded, she could have sworn the sound came from this end of the house. The thought disturbed her, what if somebody was here? It was a big place, what if someone had snuck in and was hiding from them? Then she almost laughed. It was an old house but new to them. A different house was bound to make noises she didn't recognize. Leaving Mason to his coffee she stepped back into the hallway and looked to her right. At the end of the corridor was a small, almost hidden stairwell to the loft. For some reason her eyes were drawn up to it. So far they had not ventured up there but she remembered from the plans of the house that it was all boarded out. She had thought about making it into a store room and decided that before the week was out that she would make her way up there. The sound of whispers came again and she swung around trying to find the source. It sounded like it was coming from the loft but it had to be Abby and so she turned and went to see her.
As she approached the room she could hear the whispering and she felt relief. It must just be the acoustics of the place playing tricks on her. The whispers must have been Abby all along.
Abby was having a conversation with someone and Jenny couldn't quite hear about what. For a moment her heart clenched and her breath caught in her throat as she imagined an intruder in the room with her little girl. What was wrong with her? All children talked to themselves or their toys, and that was all this was. As she knocked on the door the whispering stopped and she stifled a giggle.
As she walked into the room her breath caught once again. Only this time it was because of how beautiful her little girl was. In her pink pajamas, with her hair all tousled and her eyes barely open, she really did look like a princess in the pink canopied bed.
"How did you sleep?"
"It was lovely, Mummy. I love my new room and teddy kept me company."
Jenny shuddered as Abby pulled the dirty teddy from under the covers.
"That's really nice but I think Teddy needs a bath. Why don't I do that while you get dressed and then we can have breakfast?"
As she reached for the bear Abby snatched it away. This was not like her, not like her at all.
"No, no, Mr. Good Bear doesn't need a bath?" Abby said as she hugged him to her chest.
The dirty bear held by her daughter really disturbed Jenny but she didn’t know why. She had never been one of those parents who stopped children getting dirty. That was just a part of life and yet there was something about this bear that she didn't like. Maybe this attitude was just a reaction to the move but it didn't matter. If she was keeping that thing then it was having a wash.
"Well, you know what happens when you say you don't want a bath."
For a second Abby looked cross and then a smile broke out on her face.
"He won't come clean," she said. "Victoria told me so."
With this she handed the bear over and got out of bed.
"Can I play outside after breakfast?"
"I don't see why not," Jenny said, but she felt a little disturbed. Maybe it would be hard to let her girl out of her sight but this was the country and it was safe to do so. However, old habits die hard and maybe it would be harder than she thought to adapt.
They were soon tucking into a
breakfast of bacon and eggs. In the sink, the teddy bear was soaking in a bowl of hot water. Abby kept glancing at him and Jenny knew she really wanted to have the bear but she was not backing down. First he needed a thorough soak, then she would scrub the stain from his chest, then after he had been dried Abby could have him back.
"There are a few jobs I want to get done today," Mason said. "These blinds need fixing up, doors need hanging, and there’s a lot of painting to do. Looks like the damn contractors skipped out on most things. But the thing that's bothering me the most is the stains on the carpets. I really think we need to do something about them."
"What stains?" Jenny asked as she sipped at her tea.
Mason's eyes widened and for a moment she thought that they would argue again. Only then he relaxed and took a bite of his bacon.
"The master bedroom has a big stain and there is another one in the hallway."
"The one on the wall?" Jenny asked.
"I think that's just a few splashes of paint... unless it’s a damp patch," Mason said. "I’ll paint over it and if it goes, fine... if not, it's gonna take a bit more stopping. We will need some specialist paint and a builder to check the roof. I assume that is where it is coming from. I was talking about the stain on the carpet."
What stain on the carpet? "I never noticed," Jenny said, and she felt strangely disturbed. Mason was not the sort to take a lot of notice. If he had seen it she should have seen it. Then she shook her head, what did it matter? He was taking an interest and that was exactly what she wanted.
"Do you think it will scrub off?" she asked.
"I think we'll need a carpet cleaner. While I'm doing a few jobs why don't you nip into the local town and hire one?"
Jenny nodded. It would be nice to get into the town, to pick up a few more bits of shopping and to see the lie of the land.
After breakfast, she tidied up the pots and loaded them into the dishwasher before having one last scrub at the teddy bear. Then she rushed the dripping bear outside and hung it on the line. It would be dry for later, she just hoped the stain had gone.
The Haunting of Shadow Hill House Page 3