by Adele Abbott
“We’ll be glad to,” Greta said.
***
As soon as Susan had phoned to tell them that Greg was coming over, Neil told Socky that he had to vacate the premises immediately. The ghost moaned and groaned, but he knew which side his bread was buttered, so made his way back to Ghost Town.
When Susan arrived home, she found she had the apartment to herself. Or at least, she thought she did. Unbeknown to her, two tiny fairies were running surveillance for Charlie.
“Greg, thanks for coming over,” Susan greeted him at the door.
“This is a great place you’ve got here. It’s so big.”
“Yeah, but then there are four of us living here.”
“Five, if you count the ghost.” Greg grinned. “Where are your flatmates?”
“I don’t know. They must have all gone out.”
“Maybe they’re paranormal creatures, and are scared I’ll suss them out?”
“That must be it.” Susan laughed. “More likely, they all think I’m crazy. They’ve lived here for ages, and they don’t seem at all concerned there might be a ghost.”
“So which is your room?”
“This way.”
As soon as she opened the door to her bedroom, she realised the temperature was the same as the rest of the apartment. Greg followed her inside.
“I thought you said it was cold in here?”
“It’s usually freezing, but it seems okay now.” She felt more than a little embarrassed.
“Not to worry. Why don’t I set up my stuff to see what I can find?”
Greg had brought a case full of equipment. It took him about fifteen minutes to set everything up on the cupboard next to the bed. They sat there for an hour while Greg watched the dials on the meters, and listened through his headphones.
Eventually, he pulled off the headphones. “I’m not getting anything at all, Susan. Not a thing.”
“Maybe it’s gone. The temperature seems to be back to normal. And usually, if I’m in here for any length of time, I can hear a knocking sound as though someone is walking across the room.”
“I’m certainly not sensing anything.”
“I’m sorry I’ve wasted your time, Greg.”
“Not at all. Even though I believe in the paranormal, I know that one’s imagination can conjure up all kinds of things.”
“I guess so.” Susan was beginning to doubt herself now. Had she imagined the temperature drop, and the knocking sound?
As Greg made his way out, he hesitated. “You did say the sounds and cold were just in your bedroom, didn’t you?”
“Yes, why?”
“There’s just something about this room.”
Susan looked around. “What?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s nothing. I just sense there’s been some kind of paranormal activity in here. Maybe I should take some readings in this room?”
“No, it’s okay. The others could be back any minute. I don’t want them to think I’ve gone totally crazy.”
“Are you sure?”
“Certain, but thanks again for coming over.”
“My pleasure.”
***
After Greg had left, Susan took out the photograph that Marie had given to her. Three out of the four men on it were now dead. One suspicious suicide, one suspicious car crash, and a climbing accident that also raised a few questions. She was about to put it back into her handbag when she noticed something on Alan Charlton’s leg. It was so small, Susan could barely make it out, so she nipped through to Charlie’s bedroom, and put it under the magnifying glass. It was a tattoo—a very small, simple tattoo. A circle with the letter ‘A’ inside it. Then she noticed that Chris Briggs had a similar tattoo on his leg. His was a circle with the letter ‘C’ inside it. She checked the other two men, but they were standing side-on to the camera, so she couldn’t see if they also had tattoos.
She made a call to Kirsty Price.
“Kirsty, it’s Susan Hall.”
“Hello again.”
“This might sound like a daft question, but did Richard have any tattoos?”
“Just one. On his leg. A circle with the letter ‘R’ inside it. I asked him about it numerous times, but he just said he’d had it done when he was drunk.”
“Did he mention if his friends had similar tattoos?”
“No, but like I said, he didn’t like to talk about his past.”
“Okay, thanks, Kirsty.”
Susan’s heart was racing. She had a hunch, and if she was right, this could turn out to be the big story she’d been hoping for. She went through to her bedroom, took out her laptop, and brought up the recent article on Robert Marks. The one where he’d been opening the new swimming baths.
“Yes!” She punched the air. There on Robert Marks’ leg was a very faint scar in the shape of a circle. It was the kind of scar left when a tattoo has been removed. Next, she searched for any articles about Marks on or around the dates of the deaths of Robert Price and Alan Charlton. Forty minutes later, she had found what she was looking for.
***
When the other flatmates got back, Charlie went straight into his bedroom, making sure to close the door behind him.
“Greta? Bunty?” He peered through the magnifying glass.
“Hi, Charlie.” Greta greeted him with a smile.
“I was just about to wash my hair,” Bunty complained.
“Did you hear what Susan and the guy from Paranormal Activity Watch had to say?”
“We did,” Greta said. “They—”
“There’s good news and bad news,” Bunty interrupted. “The good news is he didn’t find any trace of ghost activity in her bedroom.”
“Thank goodness. What’s the bad news?”
“He said he thought he sensed paranormal activity in the main room.”
“Oh no. What’s he going to do?”
“Nothing. He wanted to carry out more tests, but Susan said she didn’t want you lot to think she was crazy.”
***
That night, at about midnight, Susan woke up. The room was freezing cold. Moments later, she heard the familiar knocking sound. The ghost, or whatever it was, was back. Susan wondered how come it had disappeared when Greg had come over? It was as if it had known he was coming.
The next morning, when it was time to get up, Susan was still half asleep. She hadn’t slept very well at all.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” she said to the others who were in the kitchen. “When Greg came over yesterday, the temperature in my room was fine, and there were no knocking sounds. But then, last night, it started again. I have to get to the bottom of this. I’m going to ask him to come back and do more tests.”
The other three housemates were horrified.
“You don’t need to do that, Susan,” Neil said. “I actually prefer a cooler room. I don’t sleep well if it’s too warm. Why don’t I swap rooms with you?”
“Really? It seems an awful imposition.”
“Not at all. I’d be glad to do it. You’d be doing me a favour.”
“Well, okay, if you’re sure.”
“Absolutely. We can swap over tonight.”
“Great. Thanks.”
After Susan had left for work, Neil turned to the others. “I hope you realise what a sacrifice I’m making for you two.”
“It’s your own fault,” Dorothy said. “You were the one who invited Socky here in the first place.”
“At least now I know what to get you for Christmas.” Charlie grinned. “You’re going to need some thermal pyjamas.”
***
Later that day, Charlie was assisting one of his female clients with a rowing machine when his phone rang.
“Mum? Is everything okay?”
“No, it isn’t, Charlie. Ralph’s gone to Washbridge again, with one of his friends. I overheard them talking. I’m sure they’re going to turn werewolf, and scare humans. I’m worried about what might happen. Do you think you could bring h
im back home?”
“He could be anywhere, Mum. I wouldn’t know where to start.”
“I heard them mention Washbridge Park. Do you know it?”
“Yes. It’s nearly time for me to knock off for the day, so I’ll get over there.”
“You have to find him, Charlie.” His mother sounded desperate. “Before he does something stupid.”
“Don’t worry, Mum. Everything will be okay.”
The light was already fading. Washbridge Park covered an extensive area. If he was going to find Ralph, Charlie would have to search in a logical manner. He started at the north end of the park, and worked his way slowly down, checking every area of bushes and trees.
There were very few people around, just a few dog walkers. The park was an eerie place after dark. There were only a few street lights, and several of those weren’t working. Charlie spotted a man walking by himself in the distance. He was the first person he’d seen who didn’t have a dog with him. If Ralph and his friend were in the park, they wouldn’t pick on someone with a dog because the barking might attract attention.
Charlie hurried over. The man had taken the path that led through a tunnel of bushes. Sure enough, as Charlie got closer, he spotted movement in the undergrowth. The next thing he knew, two werewolves jumped out. The man stumbled and fell. Charlie could see the look of terror on his face, which was illuminated by a single street lamp. He recognised Ralph immediately, even though his brother had turned full werewolf. Ralph’s friend was much smaller. Both wolves were approaching the human who was lying on the ground, shaking with fear. Having scared the man, it was possible they planned to leave it there, but Charlie couldn’t take that risk. What if they dragged him into the bushes? What if they killed him?
Charlie turned werewolf. He was far bigger and stronger than his younger brother and his friend. He batted the smaller wolf across the head, and sent it flying back into the bushes. Then he grabbed his brother, shook him, and pushed him backwards.
“Get back to Candlefield, both of you! Now!” he growled.
Neither of them was a match for Charlie. Although Ralph was prepared to give his brother verbal when they were in human form, he wasn’t going to cross Charlie now they were both wolves.
The two young wolves hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran. As they did, Charlie saw them change back into human form. They would be on their way back to Candlefield in no time.
The human was still lying on the ground, shaking with fear. He was staring at Charlie, who was even more scary than the two wolves who had first attacked him.
Charlie turned back into human form, found his phone, and called Neil.
“It’s Charlie. I’m in Washbridge Park. It’s urgent. Can you get over here now?”
“What’s going on?”
“No time to explain. It’s a matter of life and death. Get over here now, please. I’m near the west gate.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Sure enough, minutes later, Neil came rushing into the park. Charlie shouted from within the bushes. “Neil, I’m over here.”
The human was still lying on the ground, too scared to move.
“What’s going on?” Neil glanced at the stricken man.
“I need you to cast that spell which will make him forget everything that’s happened in the last few minutes.”
Neil checked there was no one around. “Okay, you go home. I’ll see to this.”
Thirty minutes later, Neil was back at the apartment.
“Everything okay?” Charlie asked him.
“Yeah, it’s fine. He won’t remember anything. What happened, anyway?”
“It was Ralph. He came over with one of his friends. They’d already scared the human half to death, and I was worried they might do something worse, so I had to step in.”
“You don’t think they would have killed him, do you?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t going to wait around to find out. Thanks again, Neil.”
Chapter 21
It was Saturday morning. Dorothy, Charlie, and Neil were in the kitchen. Susan had gone out long before any of them were even out of bed.
“How are we going to stop Susan going to the party, tonight?” Neil said. “Craig won’t let her in his apartment.”
“This is your fault, Neil.” Dorothy unwrapped her granola bar. “Why didn’t you mention that Susan was a human when he told you about the party?”
“It never occurred to me.”
“We have to think of some way to stop her,” Charlie said. “Can’t you cast some sort of spell, Neil?”
“That won’t work. I can make a human forget something that’s just happened, but there isn’t a spell that will make them forget an event that’s yet to take place.”
“In that case, there’s only one thing we can do.” Charlie took a bite of toast. “We’ll have to tell Susan that the party’s been cancelled.”
“How is that going to work?” Dorothy said. “She’ll hear the noise from up here. You know what Craig’s parties are like. They’re not exactly quiet affairs.”
“We have to get her out of here, and keep her away until the party’s finished.”
“You mean miss the party?” Neil looked horrified. “But I love Craig’s parties.”
“There are more important things at stake right now,” Dorothy said.
“Hang on a minute,” Charlie interrupted. “You could be right. But it can’t be me or Neil who asks her out. She’ll think we’re trying to hit on her, and turn us down. It has to be you, Dorothy.”
“Me? Go out with Susan?”
“It’s the only way,” Neil agreed. “If you ask her out, she’ll think you’re trying to make amends because, let’s be honest, you haven’t exactly welcomed her with open arms, have you?”
“I can’t spend all evening with that human.”
“You’ll have to,” Charlie said. “It’s the only way. Tell Susan the party’s been cancelled, but that you fancy a night out. I’m sure she’ll go out with you because she wants to be your friend.”
“And what are you and Neil going to do while I have to listen to that human babble on all night long?”
“We’ll go to the party, of course.”
“I thought you might.”
“Come on Dorothy,” Neil said. “You have to take one for the team, like I did when I swapped bedrooms.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re going to be enjoying yourselves while I have to put up with Susan human-face.” She sighed. “Go on then, I don’t suppose I have any choice.”
***
“I’m looking forward to the party tonight,” Susan said when she arrived back at the apartment. She’d spent the morning choosing a new dress.
“I’ve got bad news about the party.” Dorothy was the only other flatmate still in the apartment.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“It’s been cancelled,” Dorothy lied.
“What? I’ve just bought a new dress on the strength of that party. Why?”
“Apparently, Craig hasn’t been feeling well. He sent word with Charlie that he’s had to cancel.”
“Well that’s a bummer.” Susan sat down on the sofa. “I was looking forward to meeting all the other people who live in the building.”
“It would be a shame to waste your new dress. Why don’t we have a night out?”
“You mean the four of us?”
“Nah, we don’t want the guys to come—they’ll cramp our style. I thought we could have a girls’ night out, just you and me. It would give us the chance to get to know one another.” Dorothy was putting maximum effort into this. The last thing she wanted to do was have a night out with Susan, but she had to sound convincing.
“That sounds like a great idea.”
***
It just wasn’t fair, Dorothy reflected as she and Susan set out on their night out. The guys still got to go to Craig’s party, and that guy knew how to throw a party. She’d be
en to several, and they’d all been brilliant. Instead, she had to go out with Susan, and what was worse, she had to pretend like she wanted to be there.
“Where are we going?” Susan asked.
“I thought we could start at Bar Twenty-Four, and then perhaps move on to a club afterwards.”
“We’re going to a nightclub as well?” Susan sounded surprised.
“Yeah, why not? We may as well make a night of it.” She knew she had to keep Susan away from the apartment until the party was over.
Dorothy went straight on the vodkas; Susan had the same.
“Are you ready for another?” Dorothy asked.
Susan had barely taken a sip of hers. “Err—no, not yet.
“Another vodka.” Dorothy shouted to the barman.
Before long, the drink began to take effect, and she and Susan were chatting away like long lost friends.
“What’s it like living in London?” Dorothy’s eyes were already a little glazed.
“I liked it. There’s tons to do. That’s the thing, once you’ve lived in London, everywhere else seems a bit quiet.”
“Did you have a boyfriend down there?”
“Not really. Nothing serious.”
“Who did you live with?”
“I shared an apartment with one other girl called Yvonne.”
“I still don’t understand why you came back here. There must have been other reporter jobs in London.” Dorothy took another swig of her vodka.
“There were always jobs cropping up, but there’s a lot of competition for them too. I would’ve got something eventually, but it just so happened that the job at The Bugle came up. It was a challenge, and a lot more responsibility than I would have got at a big London newspaper. Even if I only stay here for a couple of years, it’ll look good on my CV. What about you? Do you like working at the bookshop?”