I reached for the bedside lamp. Pressed the switch. Nothing. I threw the duvet off and scrambled to my feet. Something pushed me back. I tried to scream. My strangled cry echoed, bouncing off the walls. The shadows were coming closer. I could smell them. Death. Decay. Moldy earth.
“Rich!” Why did I scream his name? He couldn’t hear me. Light flooded the room. I grabbed the duvet to cover my nakedness, only to find myself fully clothed again. Virginia stood at the door with Martin behind her. He stayed, framed in the doorway, while Virginia rushed over.
A dream. A nightmare. It had to have been.
“I’m so sorry. It felt so real.”
Virginia sat on the bed and held my hand. “Don’t worry, Laura. You’ve had a bad experience today. I told Martin about it. Of course, he’s a bit skeptical. You know what men are like.”
I thought Martin appeared far from skeptical. I read concern in his eyes and something more. “I’d better go home tomorrow and see my doctor,” I said. “Maybe I need a psychiatrist or some sort of therapy. I don’t know.”
“Oh no, no, I don’t think that’s necessary,” Virginia said. “You’re very sensitive to the other world. That’s all it is.”
“But this afternoon… I felt so sure I was actually at Malkin Tower and then I must have had some kind of collapse. I mean, it’s not normal, is it?”
Virginia shrugged her shoulders. “Who’s to say what’s normal? Look, you probably haven’t eaten since breakfast and it’s eleven o’clock now. Fourteen hours without food isn’t good for the system. Can I get you anything?”
Right now, I couldn’t think about food. “Thanks, but I’ll just have a cup of tea. I’m really not hungry.”
Martin stood back to let Virginia out and shot me one last sympathetic glance before closing the door.
When I’d drunk my tea, I got up and pushed the window open wider. Another sultry night. In the moonlight, hardly a breath of wind stirred the leaves on the solitary sycamore.
I heard voices. The ladies. I turned away, but stopped. Something someone had said wasn’t right. The voices floated up to me. Lillian spoke first.
“She’ll know. Her spirit is old.”
Now Ella. “But how will she know? How will we help her come to us?”
“The spirit will move within her. Already it is beginning. Can you not feel it? Soon we shall act. All will be as it has been ordained.”
“Then we must bide?”
“Yes, daughter, we must bide…”
Now the two women were too far away to make out any distinct words.
I sat on the edge of the bed. The hairs on the back of my neck and arms rose, and needles of fear pricked my skin. This time, there could be no doubt. They had been talking about me. Even if none of it made sense.
I picked up another of the books I’d found in Witches Galore and started reading about witchcraft and how to protect myself against evil spirits. Right now I’d have given anything for a crucifix or a pentacle—anything to give me protection. By dawn, I felt certain I was dealing with something belonging to a world I didn’t understand and, until that night, wouldn’t even have believed in.
Seven o’clock and I’d packed my suitcase. A minute later, I met Virginia in the hall.
“Hallo,” she said, eyeing my luggage. “Feeling better this morning?”
I forced my voice to stay calm. “Yes, much, and thank you again for all you did for me. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t found me.” I handed over my credit card.
Virginia looked at it. “I don’t know if I should take this. I did sort of insist you stayed.”
“Oh no, it’s only right,” I said. “You’ll go out of business if you start giving your rooms away.” I even managed a light laugh, which stopped as a movement in the corner of my eye distracted me. For less than a second, a vision of dilapidated timbers flashed across my consciousness. I shook my head. Virginia was speaking.
“I only hope it hasn’t put you off and that you’ll come back and stay with us. I’ll tell Martin. He’ll be sorry to have missed you.”
I forced myself to speak. “Another early start?”
Virginia nodded. “He’s a very busy boy, my brother.”
She followed me out to my car. “Take care of yourself.”
“I’ll do my best.” I got into the driver’s seat. Virginia waved me off, and this time I turned left out of the drive, determined to go nowhere near that damn field.
I had just started to unpack when the phone rang.
Dawn. “Hi, Laura, there you are. I was beginning to wonder. How did it go?”
I couldn’t go into it all over the phone, but I really needed to talk to someone and Dawn was the best listener I knew. “A bit weird actually. Can you come over after school? I’ll tell you about it then.”
“Sounds serious. I’ll be there.”
Just after four o’clock, my doorbell rang and Dawn brandished a bottle of Chianti. “I know it’s a bit early.”
“Er, yes. Four o’clock.” But what the hell? I thought.
“You sounded so serious on the phone, I thought you might be in need of it.”
“You could be right.”
“Okay, what happened?”
I got the glasses and Dawn poured the wine. Then I told her the entire story. Dawn’s eyes grew wider but, apart from that, at least she didn’t look as if she wanted to have me committed. When I finished, she sighed.
“Wow. And there was me worrying you might have fallen off that hill.”
“No, nothing like that. Anyway, I told you I’d decided to stay an extra two days. In the event it was only one—”
“Er, no. It’s Friday today. You were due back yesterday.”
Now which one of us was losing touch with reality? “Don’t be daft. It’s Wednesday.”
Dawn stood up and turned on the TV. She switched to the TV guide. “Look at the date.”
The words seemed to pulsate in front of my eyes. “But this means I’ve lost two days of my life. I can’t have.”
Dawn switched off the TV and sat next to me. “Remember you told me Virginia found you in the car? Do you know which day that was?”
“It had to be Tuesday.”
“How do you know it was Tuesday? Did you see the news that day or switch on your phone? Come to that, have you switched it on at all in the last few days?”
I shook my head. I stood on wobbly legs and grabbed my bag off the floor. I rummaged around until I found my phone and switched it on. One unopened text message.
“From you.” I said and read it. “‘See ur staying longer, hope ur having a gr8 time. Let me no whn ur bak.’” I checked the date and time of transmission. “Oh God. You sent this on Sunday.”
“Laura, you always check your phone.”
“I know. I don’t get it. I know I switched it off, but I can’t even remember why I did that. Not really. For some reason, I didn’t want the outside world to intrude.” Fear cascaded through my body, clawing at my insides. “I don’t understand what’s happening to me. Bloody ping-pong balls appearing from nowhere before I went and now all this… I need help.”
Dawn put her arms around me. “I’m not leaving you on your own tonight. Why don’t you come and stay with me for a few days?”
Tempting but… “That’s so kind, but if I leave now, I don’t think I’ll ever come back again. I’ll see a doctor, get some pills or therapy. I’ve got to fight this, Dawn. It’s got to be all caught up with losing Rich, and I’ve got to work through it. I can’t simply run away. I’ve never run from anything in my life.” Except a guesthouse with a couple of odd guests. When I thought of it, an image of Martin drifted into my mind and I felt a twinge of longing. I shoved it away. I mustn’t feel like that. I had no right to have any kind of feelings for anyone except Rich.
Dawn releas
ed me. “Okay, I’ll come and stay with you.”
I couldn’t find any argument against it that wouldn’t hurt her feelings, and besides, in her company I felt less crazy for some reason.
“That’s settled then. I’ll get off now, and we’ll finish that wine later, okay? Be back in a couple of hours. I have a few things I need to do.”
“Thank you so much, Dawn.”
I closed the door behind her and wandered over to my desk to check my emails.
Gmail kicked in. The usual junk that somehow bypassed the spam filter. And then one caught my eye. From Martin Davies.
Sorry I missed you when you left today. Hope we’ll meet again soon.
My hand hovered over the mouse. Should I reply? If so, what would I say? “Come on over anytime”?
I gave a little cry. “Oh Rich, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry… It’s unforgivable of me. It’s you I love. It’s only ever been you…” A soft sigh drifted through the air, but in my mind, I heard nothing. Felt nothing except emptiness. Rich’s reassuring mind-whispers didn’t even reach me here now.
I stared at Martin’s email. Despite my fear of betraying Rich, a part of me felt desperate to see him, and he must have been bothered enough to search their bookings for my email address. Search their bookings? That wouldn’t take much. Apart from Lillian and Ella, they didn’t seem to have any.
Damn it! If I wanted to see him and he wanted to see me, why not? But it had to be here on my territory. I couldn’t bring myself to go back to Pendle. At least not until I knew why I’d had those experiences and why Lillian and Ella had spoken about me in that way. Hell, knowing who they really were would be a start. No way were they just two ordinary women on a short country break.
And what about the missing two days? What had happened to me?
I hit Reply and began typing.
Two uneventful days later, Dawn had gone to work and I answered the doorbell.
Martin.
I must have looked ridiculous standing there, mouth slightly open, while inside, my stomach gave a lurch. “Come in. Lovely to see you,” I said. And I meant it. Truly. Before the guilt set in yet again.
As he crossed the threshold, he hesitated for a second.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes. Fine. It’s great to see you too.”
I shut the door. “Can I get you a drink? Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?”
He shook his head. “I came because I need to talk to you about something.”
One look at his face and I knew whatever he had to say must be serious. We sat in the living room and he moved his chair a little closer to mine.
“This is going to be hard to explain and even harder for you to take in,” he said. “Before I start, I have to ask you to keep an open mind about everything I’m about to say. If, having heard me out, you want to dismiss it, then fine. But at least hear me out. Agreed?”
The strangest feeling came over me. Like a deep, inward sigh. I tried to ignore it and nodded.
“Do you believe in reincarnation?”
“Do I…what?”
“The reincarnation I’m talking about is a form of possession, where the spirit of the dead person uses a live person as host and eventually assumes control of their body, forcing the host’s spirit out into the other world.”
I felt bombarded. His words made no sense. “Wait, wait, wait. I’m trying to take this in. That’s not what I understand by reincarnation. Are you talking about some sort of psychic murder or something?”
Martin smiled. “It can be much kinder than that. It all depends on the intention—on what has gone before. The new person looks the same as the old. Their friends and family would never know the difference. Not physically at any rate, but inside, they are the reincarnation of whoever has possessed the body.”
What was all this? Why had he come all this way to talk about some crazy, off-the-wall belief?
“Why are you telling me all this?”
Martin leaned forward. “You have to come back to Pendle.”
I recoiled. “Oh no. I’m not going back there again.” And I wouldn’t be writing that damn book either!
He took my hands in his and I felt his warmth through my skin. If only he wouldn’t look at me like that. Right now, I wanted to melt into this man’s arms. The powerful feeling hit me with unexpected force, catching me off guard. All thoughts of Rich deserted me.
“Laura. You need to do this. You need to come back with me and we need to go back to that field together.”
“You heard about what I saw?”
He nodded. “Virginia keeps little from me. And I can tell you this. What you saw each time was real. You did travel back in time. You did meet Elizabeth Sothernes—Demdike if you will— and you did enter Malkin Tower in 1612. Deep within you, you know that what I am telling you is the truth, don’t you?”
In the distance, a door slammed. The bathroom maybe. Caught in the draft from the open bedroom window.
“Laura. Tell him to go. You’re not safe.” God, Rich’s voice!
“What is this?” Martin must have heard it too. I hadn’t imagined it.
“I thought it was in my head.”
Martin shook his head. He seemed on edge. “No. Something wants you. Something in this flat.”
“What?” Down the hall, another door slammed. “I need to deal with that,” I said.
Martin held my face between his hands, his eyes seeming to search mine. “It will not harm you, Laura. But I must go now. Please come to me. You must believe me.”
Before I could reply, a third door slammed. It couldn’t be the breeze. It couldn’t be anything I could think of.
“I’m going now,” Martin said, louder than necessary. He closed the front door quietly behind him.
I half ran down the hall to see all three doors shut tight. I pushed open the bedroom door. It slammed behind me. The curtain rustled in the lightest of breezes. It couldn’t have caused all that slamming.
Someone had come up behind me. I whirled around. No one there. All that gobbledygook Martin had spouted! No wonder I felt so jumpy. I caught a glimpse of my blanched face in the mirror. In the reflection, something to the side of me moved. A shadow. Again I turned. My heart beat wildly. I caught something out of the corner of my eye. A shape. Not quite human. I cried out as the door flew open.
Dawn rushed in. “Whatever’s the matter?”
“Martin. And Rich’s voice spoke to me again and he heard it too. The door slammed. I saw something in the mirror. Oh, God, I’m cracking up. I really am.”
“Martin? Has he phoned you then?”
“He came to see me, talked about reincarnation and said he wants me to go back to Pendle. He only left a minute ago. Didn’t you see him?”
She shook her head. “The only person I saw was that chap downstairs. Nigel. Come and sit down. You’re shaking like a leaf.”
I allowed her to steer me to the settee. Thoughts whirled about in my head like some messy stew. I was so sure I’d heard Rich’s voice again. But it couldn’t have been. I just wanted him back so much…but then there was Martin. However hard I tried, I couldn’t get him out of my mind. The attraction between us was so strong.
Dawn handed me a glass of water and I spilled it. Droplets plopped onto the rug.
I made a decision. “I have to go back. To Pendle. I have to go back there.”
“Are you mad?”
“Something’s going on with me and it’s all to do with Pendle. I have to go back and sort it out. Lay it to rest or whatever. I need to put everything into perspective, and don’t ask me why, but going back there is the only way I can do that.”
“In that case, I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t. It’s not the end of term for weeks yet and the government inspection’s coming up. Your head will crucify y
ou if you jump ship now.”
Dawn hesitated. But I knew she would have to back down. What else could she do?
“I’m not happy about this, Laura. I think you’re making a terrible mistake.”
“Nevertheless, I’m doing it.”
“And where will you stay? Surely not Barrowbrooke Farm again. Not with the Wyrd Sisters.”
“No. I’ll ring the Feathers and see if George Nowell’s got any spare rooms.”
George seemed surprised to hear from me, but did have a room I could have for the next week if I so wished. After that he had no vacancies. “I’m sure a week will be ample time,” I said before hanging up. It had to be. I couldn’t go on like this.
“Oh, come on,” Dawn said. “You’re not staying that long, are you?”
“As long as it takes. I’m sorry, but I have to do this.”
“I just hope he’s worth it.” Dawn sighed, and when she spoke, a hint of annoyance had crept into her voice. “I’ll pack my bags and go home.”
“Oh, Dawn, I’m sorry you don’t understand.”
“Too right I don’t.”
“It’s not all about Martin, you know.”
“Are you sure about that? I cannot understand why you would want to put yourself in that situation again. Whatever’s going on up there is messing with your head.”
“And the only way I can get it to stop is to confront it. Once and for all.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I say to you, James Device, in front of all these present, you caused the death of John Duckworth.”
James looked around him at the small crowd. Murmurs spread like ripples around the tiny village square as he stood tall in front of his accusers. The bent and crooked figure of Old Chattox leaned on a gnarled and twisted stick, supported by her middle-aged daughter, Anne Redferne.
James fought the urge to strike them. They had the gall to accuse him of murdering a man he barely knew? “Have a care, Mistress. Your tongue will run away with you and it will be the worse for you.” He nodded at Anne Redferne. “And her.”
The Pendle Curse Page 14