Pulling her thumb down on the flint, the heat and sound of the explosion was quick and intense.
Then, there was nothing.
Chapter Fourteen
A family of three have been killed in a house fire in the early hours of the morning. Stewart Michaels, 42, and his two children, Tommy Michaels, 11, and Louisa Michaels, 6, died as their house was engulfed by flames in the Clydebank area of Glasgow.
One eye-witness said, ‘I was asleep and heard sirens. When I realised what was going on, I went out to see if I could help. Maggie and Stewart were friends of ours, to see her so distressed was very upsetting. This kind of thing never happens here. It’s just so sad.’
Police are treating the fire as suspicious and will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause.
***
(Present Day)
Lewis and Jodie lay on the bed, their breathing in sync with each other. Patrick held the drawing in one hand and the article in the other. The photograph of the children and their father in the article broke Patrick’s heart. What a truly horrific way to die. And all for what? A jealous woman who couldn’t control her drinking.
The drawing depicted the children, Tommy and Louisa, desperately trying to open a window, as their bedroom was engulfed in flames. Lewis had obviously seen this or even relived it to be able to create such a detailed drawing.
He glanced over at Lewis and was glad that he’d managed to pull his son through this. Rita was gone, hopefully at peace with her actions. Tommy and Louisa were still around, he could sense them. So long as they were at peace and had crossed over with comprehension to what happened to them, Patrick didn’t mind. What happened wasn’t their fault.
A few hours later, Patrick woke with a start. He’d fallen asleep on the chair and hadn’t heard Jodie or Lewis get up. He went downstairs and watched as Lewis played in the garden. Jodie was sitting at the back door watching him.
‘How is he?’ Patrick asked.
‘He’s well. He hasn’t mentioned Tommy or Louisa since we got up.’ Jodie replied.
‘That’s good.’
‘You did well last night, it wasn’t easy to deal with that. But now that we know what happened to the children, and Rita accepted her part in it, Lewis can move on. We all can.’ Jodie said reassuringly.
‘It’s not like you to be the voice of reason.’ Patrick smiled.
‘I have my moments. Tea?’ Jodie got up and kissed Patrick on the cheek before heading inside. Patrick sat down in her place and watched Lewis playing in the sand pit. He was speaking quietly.
‘Don’t be sad. My mummy and daddy are kind, they’ll look after you.’ Lewis said. He glanced over at Patrick and waved. Tommy and Louisa waved too. ‘Can my friends stay, daddy? They’ve nowhere else to go.’
Patrick smiled and Lewis leapt in the air and gave a little laugh.
AN EXTRACT FROM DÉJÀ VU (a novelette)
Prologue
CELIA
The light was blinding as I moved towards it. The force on my back was similar to that of someone’s hand pushing me forward. I resisted but no matter how strong I willed myself to stop moving, I continued to move towards the light.
Distant voices around called out with urgency, their words I could not comprehend. I looked down at my body, noting that my clothes had gone. I panicked, wondering how I’d lost them.
My movements slow down as I inch closer to the light. Tears sting my eyes. What was happening? What was beyond that light? I didn’t want to find out.
Suddenly, the light disappears and I’m wailing. I don’t recognise the people who surround me. I’m cold and shivering.
I close my eyes and hope I’m in a nightmare, ready to wake up and continue with my normal life.
But I don’t.
About the author
Emma Clapperton, born December 1985, has always had a passion for reading and writing. She particularly enjoys reading supernatural or horror books. James Herbert is a firm favourite, with The Ghosts of Sleath being one of the books which pushed her to go on to create her own supernatural crime series, featuring Patrick McLaughlin. The books are based in Glasgow and there are plenty of references to the city in her work.
She currently resides in a little town outside of the city of Glasgow with her husband and ginger cat and is working on future projects.
You can contact Emma via:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEmmaClapperton
https://twitter.com/EmmaClappertonWriter
http://[email protected]
Other books by Emma Clapperton
THE PATRICK McLAUGHLIN SERIES
The Suicide Plan (a novella)
Beyond Evidence (novel)
The Dead Whisper (novel)
STANDALONE
Déjà vu (a novelette)
The Boy Who Wasn’t There (A Patrick McLaughlin short story)
Books by Alex Kane
Chasing the Traveller (novel)
THE BOY WHO WASN'T THERE_a supernatural short story Page 6