“There’s no one here,” he said. “You’ve had a bad dream.”
“It was in here. I felt it on me.”
Ellis sat down beside her and let her lean against his bare upper body. She was acutely aware that she was leaning into his naked muscles, but his strength gave her some comfort. To know that there was someone else in the house, real and strong enough to protect her. That was what she needed right now. His arm wrapped around her shoulders and he pulled her onto his shoulder. Letting her sobs subside.
“You’re OK. A night terror. I’ve had a couple in my time. You’ll be able to laugh about it in the morning.”
She was still sobbing. Her chest was tight, and the sobs came out like half formed gasps, like she was drowning and desperate for air.
After a couple of minutes, Lisa sat back upright and took several deep gulps of air.
“Nina’s not here is she?”
“No.”
“Thank God.”
“Yeah, I don’t think she’d have been best pleased that I’m not dressed and in your room.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be.”
“I am though. I thought there was someone in here.” She turned and sat back in her bed, keeping her eyes level with Ellis’s face. The room looked different now. The corners seemed so much closer and so much darker. The shadows were sated for now at least, keeping their distance, watching and waiting.
“It’s a night terror. I’ve had them. Pretty sure everyone’s had one.”
“I used to get them as a girl. But it was less embarrassing when you only had your parents and brother to convince you weren’t mad.”
“I don’t think you’re mad.”
“Thank you.” But you barely even know me. Not really.
She didn’t feel like she was properly in the room yet. Like half of her was still trapped in the dreamworld, unable to escape. Night terrors or sleep paralysis was well enough understood, her parents had taken their time to explain what this all meant to a confused little girl who was convinced that every night someone was in her room trying to hurt her. And she’d had it all, the hands gripping her in the bed, the dark figures standing at the end of the bed watching her. None of this was made any better by their explanations. The part of your brain that can recall this information is suppressed when caught in the middle of the experience, refusing to let the physical reality of the moment interfere with the fear.
But what had irked her the most, was that Phil had experienced the same problems as a child. And she knew he had them because on those rare occasions when she wasn’t having them, she’d hear him whimper from across the landing. She’d sometimes be the first one in his room and she’d try to wake him, but her presence was never enough to do that. It would take her dad’s reassuring grip to shake him back into the real world.
Phil had never been the centre of her parents’ attention when it came to sleep paralysis. Once he’d woken, he would sit and look startled, then nod when he realised what had just happened, before turning the light off himself and rolling over to go back to sleep.
It was never that way with Lisa. It would not be that way with her tonight. She would stay awake with the light on for most of the night and not even try to go back to sleep. With her head the way it was she didn’t trust herself that it wouldn’t send her back into that terrifying world.
But, things had changed hadn’t they? She knew that this wasn’t just some random brain quirk that was causing these night terrors. Something caught her eye at the other side of the room. On the dressing table opposite the bed, five solid red lights were illuminated on the EM reader that Judy had brought into the room when she was sweeping for paranormal activity. The lights went out as she looked at them.
“Honestly, Ellis, thank you for checking on me. But I will be fine. I’m just overly tired, and a little hot. It happens the most when I’m hot.”
“Do you want me to open the window?”
She nodded, and he complied. Lingering by the open window a moment.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Thought I heard Jasper out there.”
She looked around the room. “He’s normally in here. I closed the kitchen door. You didn’t open it did you? He shouldn’t be able to get outside.”
“No, I left it open. Well, I think I did. I’ll check.”
“Thanks,” she replied.
Ellis started to leave, then noticed something on her arms and stopped in his tracks. “What are those?”
“What?” Lisa was confused. Ellis was gesturing at her upper arms and only when she looked did she realise what had caught his eye. “Hell. I don’t know. What is it?”
Five white marks, spread out like the fingers of a hand. Marks that appeared on both her upper arms, exactly where she’d felt the entity pinning her down.
14
Judy had left Jemma at the church hall for her singing lessons. Her daughter had been enrolled with the same talent group since she was in the first year of primary school and had come such a long way. They say that kids today only want to spend time in front of YouTube and video games, but Judy had never found that to be the case. Yes, Jemma was overly fond of her phone but from what little she could tell, Judy guessed most of that was group chats with her friends. Since coming to the talent group, she’d grown more confident and had a friendship circle outside of her school. Judy wished her parents had cared as much for her own mental health when she was little. Having different social networks was so important, especially today. But whenever she dropped her off and saw how easily she integrated with another group of friends, it made Judy realise how lacking her own social network was. When you hit adulthood, it was so hard to make friends at all. When you had a husband like Phil, it was even harder.
The main shopping area wasn’t too busy this morning. Ever since they’d pedestrianised the main shopping street, fewer and fewer people were venturing to the town. It didn’t help that Liverpool had its new sprawling shopping mall with the designer stores to entice the public.
The quiet streets suited Judy, and she ambled along. She only had an hour to kill before she needed to pick up Jemma but after entering the third shop and having zero interest in any of the clothes on the rack and being very aware of the state of her bank balance, she resigned to avoid the rest of the shops and wait it out back in the church gardens.
Lisa hadn’t been in touch yet, and even though it concerned Judy she assumed that no news was good news in this case. If anything had happened, Lisa would get in touch. If she hadn’t heard from her by the end of the weekend, she promised herself she’d get in touch anyway.
Falling asleep on the job was not what she’d imagined her first night as a ghost detective would be like. The bedroom had unnerved her. The entity that had been in the room with her had unnerved her even more. But after the shadowmen and the painting, Judy felt she was tougher than she once was.
Would Seth have done anything differently? She thought he would have been more prepared than she’d been, would have found a way to communicate with the entity. Let it know that it wasn’t OK to be lurking around Lisa’s bedroom. She pulled out her phone and checked for messages. Would today be the today that he’d return her calls?
No. Judging by her missed calls list, that hadn’t yet happened.
On the way to the church, the wind picked up and the light spattering of rain suddenly turned into the worst downpour she’d seen this year, and she hadn’t thought to bring a coat. She ducked into the first shop doorway she could find and hid in the porch.
A gentle bell sounded, and the door opened.
“Come inside. You’ll get soaked standing there.” The voice belonged to a middle-aged man, slim in a well-cut suit and a blue shirt and yellow tie. He wore black-rimmed glasses and there was a hint of stubble that reminded her of those action movie actors that raced around in fast cars. She hated those movies, but thought the actors were pleasant enough on the eye.
Judy hurried inside, the rain still catching her back until the man closed the door. “Where did that come from? The forecast promised blue skies today. Well, at least one of my weather apps did. The other two are often in disagreement.”
“Thanks.”
“Grab a seat if you like. We’re dead today. I don’t think we’ll get any more customers. Especially not with that going on out there.”
Judy was standing in the smallest estate agents she’d probably ever stood in. She hadn’t even realised this shop was on this street.
“Don’t suppose you’re looking to buy?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Shame. I’ve got some nice properties here.” He gestured to the side wall where the particulars for a dozen properties were on display. “And there’s more on the website. It’s getting harder to get people on the books, though. So many love set fees and want to do it all online, never having to speak to an actual human being. What ever happened to the personal touch? How am I meant to compete with these firms with venture capital money and no staff to speak of? Some days make me wonder why I bother.” Then realising that he’d just spent the last two minutes ranting about a business Judy couldn’t possibly be interested in, he apologised. “Sorry to bore you. I guess I’m happy to have someone to talk to.”
“Just you then?”
“Can’t afford anyone else. Carol used to help with all the admin and bookings and could keep the office open whilst I showed houses to people or gave valuations. But things have been slow. It became impossible to justify keeping her on. She was nice about it I suppose. Only threw coffee at me the once and called me a bastard, but it could have been worse I suppose.”
Judy couldn’t help but smile. “How could it have been worse?”
The man seemed to consider this like it hadn’t occurred to him before now. “Could have been hot coffee?” He smiled back, then put out his hand. “Richard Calvert.”
He looked at her again, his head tilted. “And now I’m wondering whether we already know each other? Did you go to Ainsdale High School?”
Oh my God, that’s where she recognised him from.
“Richard? From Mrs Forbes class? Friends with Russell Brooks?”
He nodded.
“You’re Judy Armitage, aren’t you? I never forget a face.”
The years were ripped away, and she tried to reconcile the middle-aged man before her with the slight skinny image she had of the geek that had been Richard Calvert. She felt the heat of a blush on her cheeks as she remembered the names they used to call him.
Judy took his hand. “It’s Judy Doyle now,” she replied. “You look great.”
“Nope, but you’re very kind. You on the other hand haven’t aged a day.” He had a twinkle in his eye that she couldn’t evade. “The rain’s not letting off yet. Don’t suppose I can get you a coffee.”
“You don’t have to go out in this. You’ll get soaked.”
“I wasn’t planning to.” He was smiling. “I’ve got a kettle back here. I was going to offer you a cup of instant. Or tea, if you’d prefer. I steer clear of coffee shops. Never know what to order in one of those places. Always feel under pressure to get the right thing but I don’t even understand the menu. Truth be told, the last time I tried to order one I couldn’t even see the menu, so just grabbed the first thing that came to hand on the counter. Who knew that a gluten-free, nut free, dairy free, breakfast bar could taste as appalling as it sounds. And it cost me the best part of two pounds. Never again. But you will stay for a coffee?”
How could she say no to that? “I’ve got to pick my daughter up in twenty minutes.”
“It’s instant. I can have it ready for you in two, and I’ll even pour it into a styrofoam cup so you can take it with you.”
She nodded. “Thanks, but a mug will be fine.”
“One mug of cheap instant coffee it is.” And Richard headed out to the back room, leaving the door to the back room open. Judy stepped forwards to get a better look and saw a small corridor with a couple of kitchen cupboards and a kettle and fridge. Another door led off to the side.
That’s three doors in this space. She reached for her bag and took out her notebook, then quickly scribbled down the number, date and location. He noticed the notepad. “If you’re writing your telephone number, that’s a bit soon for me.”
He was joking again and even though his sense of humour belonged to the dark ages, she couldn’t help but smile at him. It had been a long time since she’d felt this comfortable in another man’s company. Too long. She racked her memories, trying to remember what kind of person Richard had been in school. He used to keep apart from the bigger kids, she remembered, preferring to keep his head down and do well in his lessons so he wouldn’t have to spend time with the more disruptive kids in the lower sets. If she had been forced to come up with a list of the people she’d been to high school with, she doubted whether Richard would even have made the list.
She moved to the next empty page of her notebook, wrote her name and mobile number, and then tore it carefully from the book.
“You can have my number. Might be fun to catch up.” Why not? He was funny. And made her feel relaxed. The casual warmth that came from him melted the gulf of time since they’d last seen each other.
The coffee came quickly as promised. He handed her a mug with giant cartoon letters spelling ‘Boss Lady’. She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t suppose this was the offending weapon?”
“You’d suppose correctly. So, where’s your daughter?”
“She goes to a drama group. Dreams of becoming an actress.”
“Good for her. There aren’t enough dreamers anymore. Everyone seems so stuck in the fear that it’s all doom and gloom and everything will only get worse. We need a bit of hope in our world.”
“I didn’t say she was any good.”
“I’m sure she’s perfect. With a mum as charming as you, she’ll go far.”
Charming. That was only one step away from saying that he found her attractive. She could feel her ear lobes prickling at the thought of Spotty Dicky finding her attractive. Those awkward teenage years were long past him and she realised he wasn’t at all bad looking. The suit wasn’t what she’d have chosen for him, but at least it fitted him well and wasn’t hanging too baggy or too tight. And he looked well-groomed in that old-fashioned sense. There was a light smell of aftershave that she found not unpleasant.
“And you? Have you got any kids?”
She felt herself going red again at being so forward. That was only one question away from asking if there was a significant other, and there was only one reason she might ask such a question.
He didn’t even bat an eyelid.
“No. No kids. No wife. No girlfriend. No boyfriend come to that. I’m desperately lonely. Wedded to the business I suppose. Never have any energy left to find someone.”
“That’s a shame. You know, to be honest, I didn’t even realise this shop was here. It’s very...”
“Tiny?”
“I would say it blends in with its surroundings. Perhaps a little too well. Maybe a paint job on the outside would be enough to bring more attention.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. I could do with selling a few more properties before I put money into the building though.”
“I wish I could help you with that.”
He took a sip from his own drink and nodded. “Have you got any selling experience?”
“None. I used to work in a school.”
“Teacher?”
“Primary children. Put it on hold whilst I started a family.” And kept it on hold, she wanted to add, but that came with a layer of bitterness she didn’t feel comfortable conveying. A little too personal.
“That’s great. Such a hard job I imagine. All league tables and snotty noses isn’t it?”
“Something like that.”
“You used to do that? What about now?”
“Oh, I’m a lady of leisure now. Trying to get back int
o it, but to be honest, the job market isn’t what it was. School budgets keep getting cut, there’s less hiring going on. And my skills are a little out of date.”
“I’m sorry. That sucks. And your other half?” He glanced aside as if this wasn’t an important question.
“He passed away last year. I don’t think you knew Phil. He was in the first year when we were in the fifth.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I mean, no, I didn’t know him. Wait, though. Not related to Adrian Doyle at Doyle Lettings?”
“Adrian’s my father-in-law. Do you know him?”
“He sometimes uses me to advertise his flats.” Richard was frowning.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just, this is all a bit unexpected. I don’t keep in touch with anyone from high school.”
“No. I know what you mean.”
It was unexpected, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t having a nice time.
She checked her watch. “I’m sorry, but I guess I should pick up Jemma.”
“Right. Sorry. Didn’t mean to keep you.”
But you really weren’t.
She set her cup down. “Maybe next time I can get you a drink. Show you around the menu board of the coffee shop.”
“I’d like that.”
He put out a hand for her to shake, then rather awkwardly, she did that. An odd formal way to end what had turned out to be a friendly chat with another lonely soul.
He held the door open for her. “At least the rain has eased off.”
The remaining drizzle didn’t look like it would go away any time soon. Richard hurried to the back kitchen and returned with a black umbrella. “Here you go. Take this.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. Just a bit of rain.”
“It’s not mine. A customer left it. Can’t bear umbrellas. Always getting blown inside out and getting lost. What’s the point? But you can take it. I don’t think she’s coming back for it.”
The Dark Corners Box Set Page 53