Norman was imperious, condescending and really going for the jugular, for once with words.
‘I also find you and your brother slightly amusing, if managed carefully. We all laugh about you, behind your backs. The way you mess everything up, however hard you try, it can be a tonic here as it can get quite solomn in this house, so that is good. We all love a bit of gossip. At least that is something that is going to keep you alive you tiresome little man.’
Michael certainly had sobered up a lot. Never had he felt so worthless and there were plenty of times that he had, thoughout his life. Norman observed the others over Michael's shoulder, and to them he said,
‘Keep looking. You can now feed if you would like to go and find yourself some tasty morsels. I know I will be.’
Just like that, he walked away from Michael who stood alone in the middle of the village. He felt alone and was alone. This was the moment he knew that he had picked the wrong side. But it was, what it was. It was okay. He would find someone else in time. A friend, or group of friends or a lover. He knew that now he was a man far stronger than he had been before. With a sigh he made his way alone back up to The Grange. Where he would cook his own meal, and eat it in solitude.
31 - Hairy
They had just seen the first road sign for Melden, as darkness hit them. Hoping that, even with all of them out in the dark, The Master would have to come a long way to get them. By the time he had worked out where they were, they should have arrived somewhere safe by then, perhaps already starting to get help from the police. It was the elephant in the room. No one spoke but their pace quickened, even though they were exhausted.
Yorkshire stretched before the friends. Its enormity relaxed them as they got closer to their destination step by step. They would find help here, lots of help. No more fighting and struggling for them. Then they could go home and everything would be fine by Christmas.
Freddie knew the way to his sister-in-law's house even with his eyes closed, so they were taking his lead. The first street light they got to signaled the end of the moors and they were so glad for it. Gary and Wee Renee still couldn’t forget those howls. They wouldn’t for a long time.
The snow was just as bad here. It didn’t look like any cars or public transport were running. Which was a little concerning, as a fleet of policeman would still take many hours to walk over the moors to Friarmere. There were quite a few abandoned cars, and an empty council truck, left willy nilly across, what used to be the road. As the snow came high up their boots, knee-deep in many places, they guessed that over here was worse. It was different snow. Less powdery and drifting, perfect snowman-snow. Luckily, the depth and the fact it stuck fast to their trousers, did not trouble them so much as they were walking downbank.
They stomped through it - crossing the threshold into Melden felt like frantic steps to salvation. The outskirts behind them they were making good time. Just before five o'clock they were walking through the main street of the village. The shops were closed. The night was fine and they could see down the length of the village. Not a single person was about, apart from them. Laura remarked that a lot of people would not be using the chip shop or anything like that in this kind of weather, plus some people would not have been able to get to work. Lies we tell ourselves to feel better.
Bob felt it was good to be out of Friarmere and here in comforting safety. They all relaxed a little, Gary reminding them to make sure that all their weapons were hidden. Sue said that if they were seen they would look very odd anyway. People in quilts, strange hats and dragging three sledges, one that held a woman. Freddie said she had a point. Even in Yorkshire, they probably looked weird.
Wee Renee had the idea that they could pretend that they were carol singers. Cries of oh no please, not more carols came back to her. They were so sick of singing that they thought they could not muster up even a small rendition of Jingle Bells. But never put off, Wee Renee sang on her own loudly, to make up for the others.
Doris lived through the other side of the Melden unfortunately, so it was probably the longest trek that they could have had from Friarmere. She lived in a cul-de-sac of very nice detached houses. All the gardens were beautifully manicured even in the winter. Her husband, a successful solicitor had sadly passed away about ten years ago. Since then Doris’s companion had been a fluffy westie dog and no one else.
She had two other sisters in Melden alongside Brenda, who was only over the hill with Freddie. Doris hadn’t ever had children, Freddie didn’t know why, and didn’t like to ask. He had liked Ken, Doris’ husband. Himself and Brenda had socialised a lot with the two of them. Often taking their holidays with them. He didn’t have as much to do with Brenda’s younger sisters. He thought one was boring and one was stuck-up. They both had daughter’s who were grown up now and lived in the village.
As they turned into Doris’ street, they saw that the lights were on but the curtains were shut, a good sign. Filing up the street, looking either way, as they had become accustomed to do, checking whether they were being watched. They knocked on the door and instantly heard a dog barking. Next, a thin wavering voice.
‘Who is it?’
‘Brenda, is that you?’ Freddie boomed out happily. The door opened immediately and Brenda stood the other side, grabbing hold of Freddie, giving him the most enormous hug. Over his shoulder she noticed the other ten people, what a ragtag group they were.
‘Come in, you are welcome. Everyone, come in, quickly, quickly, out of the cold.’ As they started up the steps and she said, ‘Wait a sec!’ and laid down a newspaper all over the carpet. They happily stepped into Doris’s living room as, counting Brenda, there were twelve people, which was way too many for Doris’ hallway.
‘Don't tell me you have walked all the way over here?' Brenda asked. They nodded back at her. She took a moment to appreciate the full state of the group. Of course, she knew each one from the band, and they knew her. She had never seen them look so thin, tired and scared. Each one looked older. Their eyes
had changed. She could see hardness and also melancholy in them. Their tale would come. But first she needed to look after this group.
‘Thank you for looking after my Freddie. I have been so worried.’
‘We all looked after each other, Brenda,’ Freddie replied wearily.
‘Right, take your coats off, you’re in now,’ she wafted her hand towards them, as if to hurry them along.
'I will put the kettle on and get some dinner on the stove and then you can tell me what in hell's name has gone on.’
She started on her way to the kitchen. Used to only dealing with Freddie and him always obeying her word on asking.
‘Friarmere isn’t safe,' Pat said exhaling, 'That’s the sum of it.’ Brenda turned around slowly to face them all.
‘Neither is Melden.’ They looked at her in astonishment. Liz gently started to shake her head, she could hear a whining noise in her ear. ‘It’s like something out of your nightmares, isn't it?' Brenda said knowingly.
‘Yes, Brenda. Wee vampires. Who would have thought it in our lifetime?' said Wee Renee
Brenda looked at her and cocked her head.
‘If it is, they are very hairy ones!’ The group stared in silence, they couldn’t understand what she was saying. What was she getting at?
‘What do you mean?’ asked Gary.
‘We have monsters roaming the streets. Wolves. They are covered in hair, aren’t they?’ The group went silent. The wolves were here. They must have come to get the sheep over the moors, but they were roaming the streets of Melden! Brenda had just said it.
‘Yes they only come out at night so they are definitely nocturnal. But they howl, it goes right through me. My sisters have seen them too. They have just about been able to come back and forth in the daytime to bring shopping.’
‘At least there are ways we can cope with them,' said Gary happily.
‘Yes, they’re not wee supernatural creatures. Just flesh and blood, like us,' reassur
ed Wee Renee.
‘Why haven’t you called the police about them, or the council?’ asked Sue.
‘There is no phone service of any kind. And they have some people with them who, I don’t know... are walking them I suppose, but they have no leads. The people look a bit threatening actually. So we are just hoping it stops.’
‘How is Our Doris?’ Freddie asked, concerned.
‘She is not well, and very weak. Anyway, I have still not given you anything to eat or drink.’ She bustled off into the kitchen. When she was out of earshot, Liz beckoned them all towards her.
‘I think it is something to do with the vampires in Friarmere. I can feel it in my bones. I can’t explain, but something isn’t right,’ Liz whispered.
'By the way, everyone calls Doris, Our Doris. They have since she was little. I thought I would tell you. She will expect you to do it as well. You’ll get used to it,’ Freddie advised.
‘How weird,' said Wee Renee.
Tony gestured at Wee Renee with his thumb and laughed. Pat looked at him, gimlet eyed.
The clattering in the kitchen stopped and Brenda popped her head out of the doorway.
‘Aren’t you all sitting down? Get comfy.’ They started to settle in various seats. Bob, flopping down onto the floor. Then Brenda started shouting from the kitchen.
‘I suppose, from what Our Doris told me, that it started the night of this party.’ They all started to tense up and regarded each other. Brenda carried on shouting through. ‘It was a new lady in the village that hosted it and Our Doris got invited. Melden Brass Band were there. Our Doris said she had a lovely time, with the food and dancing, but afterwards everyone had a weird case of food poisoning. In fact this lady, is the one with the wolves, some of the band hang around with her now, but she looks mad to me. Crackers. I mean, who keeps wolves as pets?’
They all caught their breath in their throats, their mouths went dry and Liz felt a pounding in her temples.
‘Oh bloody hell Brenda!’ shouted Freddie.
THE END
Until Book 2
Sticky Valves: Book 1 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 28