‘Oh. I thought I was the first.’ Michael said.
‘You’re always wrong though, aren’t you Thompson,’ Keith said.
‘Yeah and don’t tell Ernie, we had a drink before we played. We will know it is you, if we get in trouble.’ Darren added.
Michael ignored him and went to the table, it was beautifully set out with an expensive cloth.
There were various kinds of hot pie including cheese and onion, and chicken and beef. A steaming terrine of soup, jacket potatoes, pickled red cabbage, treacle toffee, and black peas. Plus an enormous chocolate fudge cake with a jug of cream. On a separate table at the end were about twenty bottles of wine and crystal glasses. All red. And what seemed like a ridiculous amount of crisps in a china serving bowl.
‘You can put a couple of bottles of that wine in your baritone case and carry the instrument home,’ he whispered to Stephen.
‘I would rather take the crisps actually. You know I like crisps. Anyway, what if I get caught?’ Stephen asked.
‘Don’t get caught.’ He replied.
‘Eh Stephen, that bird was a bit of alright wasn’t she?’ Maurice said with a cheeky wink.
Stephen nodded, finishing his mouthful of crisps, before laughing.
‘Yeah Maurice, I would,’ and winked back.
‘Er, I am getting myself sorted out before you, Stephen,’ Michael said crossly, 'she looks like a woman that would appreciate an experienced man, like myself.’
All the men laughed and just then the girl in question entered the room. They all looked embarrassed and it was clear that they had been talking about her. The other band members followed her in and she quietly left the room. The group of men erupted with laughter.
‘Let me guess. One of you thinks you might end up with her,’ Liz said.
‘Michael thinks he’s in with a chance,’ Maurice said in between gasps of uncontrollable guffaws.
The new group looked at each other and joined in the laughter.
‘Cat in hells chance.’ Griped Keith. ‘She looks like she actually has taste.’
Michael sat at the other end of the room. He drank his wine and ate his pie and thought how wrong they were. And how he would show them.
After about fifteen minutes, which was time for everyone to have at least one glass of wine and a plate of food. The woman returned and asked them if they were almost ready, as most of the guests had arrived. They followed her to a large room on the other side of the house, which did indeed have blue walls. They all walked in with their instruments and started to take a seat. Michael was the last to enter and the lady put her hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Mr Morgan is very eager to meet you Mr Thompson. Could you come with me?’
‘Oh yes, yes. Lead the way, Miss….er…er….’ he said. Hoping that she would give him her name.
‘Kate,’ she said, ‘just Kate.’
‘Beautiful.’ He replied. They walked back the way they had just come and Kate went to the door, which was between the Green and Brown rooms. She opened the door and gestured inside. The interior was quite dark and through the door he could only see the edge of a desk.
‘After you,’ Kate said. Michael walked in the room and Kate pulled the door shut quietly behind him. He also heard a quick metallic noise, which he thought was the door being locked from the outside with a key. This room seemed to be an office of sorts. But not the kind he had ever been in. This was a luxury office. Expensive solid wood furniture with leather upholstery in a deep burgundy colour and it was lit just by the light of a green bankers lamp on the desk. As his eyes adjusted to the half-light he saw that there was a middle-aged man smiling at him from the other side of the desk.
‘Welcome Mr Thompson. We meet again.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Mr Morgan,’ Michael said. He offered out another business card and Norman took it. ‘I am sorry, Mr Morgan. I don’t remember meeting you. You have me at a disadvantage.’
‘Ah yes. But of course. You won’t remember. Never mind,’ Norman replied still smiling. ‘Please have more wine,’ he said this as he was already pouring a glass for Michael. ‘I do insist that you enjoy my hospitality.’
‘Thank you very much’ Michael replied as he took the glass and greedily took a big slurp of the wine. ‘I hope you are happy with the band's performance tonight. We should go into the other room really. You want to enjoy what you have paid for don’t you?’
‘The band is for my guests tonight. I will enjoy them wholeheartedly at a later date’
‘Is that what you want to see me about. Another booking?’ Michael asked excitedly.
‘No I wanted to meet you. I want to make myself at home here. I would like to find out about you and what makes people tick around here. So to speak.’
‘I’m your man then,’ Michael said quickly and took another drink of his wine.
‘I thought you might be. I sensed it.’ Norman said. As he did he moved his finger slowly round and round in a circle on the desk and Michael watched. ‘The people here seem to be very old fashioned and I like that. They seem to be very interested in each other and in marrying each other and then having children who then grow up and settle in this oasis amongst the wilderness. I wonder about them and their habits and how to integrate quickly and efficiently. I need people who will help me do that and I had my eyes peeled for such men and ladies. I would like them to be of a certain type. Ambitious, insightful, articulate. Pillars of the community. But I also know when there is an extra special quality in a man. Maybe raw unused talents that I once possessed myself, many years ago and I think you are that man. I know you are him. I tell you what I think, Mr Thompson.’ Norman moved forward quickly, from sitting behind the lamp, to being fully illuminated. The bankers lamp made shadow’s on his face. His eyes looked black and hollow, inside his mouth was endlessly deep and dark red. ‘I think you are a man, who should have power, and wealth and respect. A man who would like those things and more. For people to look at you and envy you and maybe just a little… fear you, yes fear you, Michael. For them to look and say I wish I was him. I had his life and I had everything he had and his woman. Maybe someone like the lovely Kate. Or even Kate herself.’ He trailed off and then looked at Michael full on in the eyes and stared at him. ‘Am I right in what I sense?’ Norman asked.
Michael swallowed hard, his throat rasped dry with no words in it.
‘Yes,’ he said quietly and took another drink.
‘And that is where we come to the meat of it, so to speak.’ The vampire rose out of his seat and walked around the desk. He walked to a cabinet at the end and took out a bottle of wine, in an ornate bottle and two glasses. He returned to the desk and sat back down. Slowly opening the wine, which had a jewelled stopper in the neck and not a cork, he poured a full glass and a half glass of wine. The full glass he placed before Michael.
‘My very best wine, for our toast. We must seal the deal.’ Michael immediately took the glass and drank half its contents. ‘What if I told you I could give you all that. That your life could change from this moment. Because of me. What if I said, you could have Kate tonight. Anyway you liked. I could make that happen for you.’ He considered the man across the table. ‘What if that could be all yours now? What would you say?’
‘What do I have to do?’ Thomson asked hungrily. It seemed the second drink of wine had made him find his voice.
‘A lot of self-development, a few chores. Everything must have its price. I think though that you might think the price is not too bad. In time you will grow to love it, I can assure you. And I think that there are many that should also go through this self-development too. Growing and changing can be painful but no pain no gain as they say.’ He filled Michael’s glass again. Michael took it and drank it all the way down.
‘I want it, tell me what to do.’
‘You are already on the way, Michael. I will call Kate. She will entertain you, and then after, enjoy my party. I will be in contact about the price.’
Michael notic
ed that Norman hadn’t touched his wine. He also began to feel a little nauseous and dizzy. No wonder as he had drank a lot of wine really quickly. He sat in the chair and must have lost consciousness for a moment because all of a sudden Kate was standing next to him and putting her hand in his.
‘Would you like to come upstairs with me, Michael? Do you want me?’ She whispered as she bent to his ear. He could smell her cherry lipstick and another smell, earthy, like soil.
‘Yes’ he said slowly. But it seemed to him that he could hear his own voice from afar. The vampire stood and laughed and nodded towards him.
‘Good man. Good.’ Norman said. A very joyful expression on his face.
He could hear his blood rushing in his ears and it sounded like the sea. He felt himself get up, go out the room and walk up the stairs. It felt like the time, he had had his wisdom tooth taken out and his cousin came to get him. He remembered going to the car. But just floating and going through the motions. Not because he wanted to, or realised what he should do. But just because his sister told him what to do. He found himself in a bedroom and he thought I feel quite cold actually. Kate told him to sit on the bed and he did. She sat down on a chair nearby. She took off her boots, and then her skirt and sweater. Underneath she was smooth and white and naked. She was truly beautiful, and he had never had a woman like her in his life. She slowly walked over to him, but in his state of mind, he felt like she glided, and he reached out and took her hand and kissed her soft cold skin. She started to undress him.
Downstairs the band carried on.
After they had played, their Host walked in and stood in front of the band clapping his hands quietly.
‘Thank you Friarmere band, that was wonderful. Let me introduce myself. My name is Norman Morgan and I am the owner of Black Friars Grange. I have thoroughly enjoyed renovating this house and have received a warm welcome from many of the local people here. Some of you, I have already met and some of you I hope to be able to call you my friends after tonight. Please enjoy my hospitalities. We are going to light the bonfire soon and set off the fireworks. I believe tonight we have the largest ‘Catherine Wheel’ in the North. There will be a disco later, and do not be afraid to stop until dawn if you so please. My home is yours tonight.’
There was a short round of applause and Norman walked out of the room. Some people went into the Green room and some people started to put on their coats and hats to watch the bonfire and fireworks. The band went back into the brown room and put their instruments into their cases. Some of them started to eat more of the pie and peas that were there, which had been kept hot on warmers. Diane went straight for the wine. After a short while they collectively decided they would go and mingle, apart from Keith or said he would rather stay in the room on his own with the food. He was determined to try one of each pie and decide which was most delicious.
When Diane and Liz and Vicky went into the Green Room, Diane noticed that Christine who lived up the lane was talking to Norman. She was fluttering her false eyelashes at him and had a very ill advised amount of fake tan on. She drank a wine with one hand and with her other hand she twirled her peroxide blonde hair with her fingers whilst gazing at Norman
‘Look at that, Liz. That fat Christine is talking to him,’ Diane said under her breath.
‘So what,’ replied Liz.
‘Well I wouldn’t have minded a go on that,’ she nodded her head once in Norman’s direction. ‘And she’s got in first. ‘I think you ought to have a ‘go’ on the black coffee and slow down a bit,’ said Liz.
‘Knickers!’ Diane stated rather loudly and walked over to the wine table. Liz sighed.
’I wouldn’t mind Vicky, but it’s everywhere we go. She has to get drunk.’
‘I know what she means though.’ Vicky said looking at Norman with a smirk on her face. ‘I wouldn’t mind a go on that either. He’s very fit for an older bloke. He looks like he would be right filthy between the sheets,’ she laughed quietly.
‘Vicky, he is twice your age. Old enough to be your father. At least him and Diane are about the same age. You’re sex mad.’
‘Many a good tune played on an old fiddle,’ Vicky said and took another sip of her wine, whilst looking at Norman over the top of her glass.
Just then they noticed Stephen was right behind them, listening to their conversation. ‘What’s that Vicky, are you changing instruments? Going on a fiddle. They don’t have them in brass bands. You would have to leave.’ The two women looked at each other but didn’t answer. ‘Anyway, have you seen my brother?’
‘He’s probably outside on the Bonfire.’ Vicky said with a smirk.
‘I’ll go outside and look then,’ he said.
Liz sighed then said, ‘We’ll come with you Steve,’ she looked around the crowd. ‘It’s a bit dead in here.’
They didn’t find Michael for the next hour. One by one the band left. Stephen was getting a bit worried when he went back into the band room and found Maurice, just getting all his stuff together. He was struggling as he was trying to carry his coat, his instrument, some music and two paper serviettes tied together full of food. He planned to have this for his lunch the next day. It didn’t make it easier as he was in his late sixties and had a significant limp from an injury in a motorbike crash fifteen years ago.
‘Have you seen my Michael, Maurice?’ Stephen asked.
‘I haven’t lad. Not since before the concert. Have you checked outside?’
‘Yes. No sign.’
‘Ooh, I don’t know then.’ Maurice started to walk to the door. He seemed to stop and have a second thought. ‘I bet I know where he is. I bet he’s with that lass we saw earlier.’ He laughed. ’I haven’t seen her since then either.’ He carried on laughing and shaking his head as he walked out the door.
Stephen decided to have more pie and quietly sat down to eat it in one of the seats. He looked at the objects left on the seats and realised there was only his brother’s and his things left. Then he had a second thought, got up and picked up the bowl of crisps, set it on the seat next to him and began to munch away, quite contentedly.
Norman stood in a dark upper floor room, overlooking the front entrance. He watched the last few guests walking up the track, happily unaware of what was beginning in their village. Kate joined him and they both stood together for a moment, before she spoke.
‘You have offered the man, Michael, all his wishes, and eternal life? I do not wish to question you, Master but I have seen many men here tonight, who are more worthy than him.’
‘Yes, more worthy….but not as pliable.’ He replied. ‘They will all get their chance for transformation, one way or another. But Michael is just a pawn in my game. He will never become as great as you or me. Once he has served his uses, and there will be many, I will discard him. You see Kate, most worthy subjects, require the full act of turning to do my bidding, as you did. And that sometimes puts them in a less than useful position. But you see, Michael, he craves respect and power so much, just my blood being inside him and a bit of gentle persuasion will control him. Thus, making him a useful pawn by day or by night. Did you not enjoy making his dreams come true?’
‘Out of all the things I have done, in my life before death and my ascendance since death. Of all the things I have done, in disgrace and shame, that is the worst.’ She said quietly with a hint of anger. Norman laughed loudly.
'My dear Kate, it was a great thing you did for me, and the cause tonight. Believe me, if he was so inclined I would have done that job, not you. But he considers himself a virile red-blooded male so it is a lady he would like. I wish I had better news and could say I won’t ask you to do it again, but I must keep him sweet and you must play your part in that. I will say to you though, as recompense, I will give you a plump child to drink for every time you must humiliate yourself with him. How is that for a deal? Would you like that Kate?’
‘Yes please.’ She smiled and he noticed her teeth and mouth were already tasting the child. She was
easily controlled too.
6 - Prawns
Tony, Susan and Bob drove up to the bandroom in their Landrover the following Wednesday for band practice. As they got twenty feet from the entrance the security light came on outside the bandroom. Tony turned his steering wheel suddenly, swung them in the space and screeched to a halt. Gravel was flying up and he stopped. He looked at the others cars
‘Are we early, Sue?’ Tony said.
‘No. The usual. Why?’
‘There are usually more people here by now’
‘Maybe there is a zombie invasion and everyone has been eaten,’ Bob said wickedly.
‘More like a pub invasion,’ replied Tony.
They got out of the Land Rover. Tony opened the back of the Land Rover and in amongst tools, a few old coke cans and some oily rags, there were a few bags, full of different collections of items. A bag for the charity shop, a bag of cat litter, Sue’s bag for band and others.
‘Get my bag for band, will you?’ Sue asked. They each took out what they needed for the rehearsal. Tony picked up his trombone and Sue’s bag and Bob got his stick bag. Sue had bought some chocolate digestives and some fig biscuits for the biscuit barrel. Tony locked the car and went into the bandroom. The security light went off.
Ernie was in his usual position behind the desk, counting money and filling in accounting books.
‘Hi Ern. Where is everyone?’ Susan asked.
‘Well, I’m not positive, but I think the ten piece got food poisoning the other day.’
‘Are they all off?’
‘Not heard from Liz yet, but there’s still time, or Diane and Sophie. Not heard from the Thompsons either.’
‘I bet it was prawns,’ Tony said. ‘Sue eats them and is always lucky, but whenever I have them, I am having conversations with the toilet pan all night. Anything that you have to pick the poo out of, I think you should avoid!’
Sticky Valves: Book 1 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 4