“When she does what?” Saul asked puzzled.
“When she reads Ruby’s mind. Theo and Ness can do it too. I don’t know, it’s like some sort of superpower!”
“It’s not a superpower,” Sarah graced Cash with an indulgent smile as she stood to clear the dishes. “The brain is as complex as it is incredible. Perhaps what Jessica and those with her ability are doing is tapping into another part of it, that’s all. A part we can all tap into, if, and pardon the pun here, we put our minds to it. Sadly, so many refuse to even countenance such a notion.”
“Because it frightens them,” Cash suggested.
“That’s right,” Sarah agreed. “Fear is the greatest downfall of mankind. It takes us prisoner, stops us from feeling and experiencing fully. It seems a lot of people need several lifetimes just to understand that much. Now,” she said, clearly decided the subject had run its course, “who’d like a cup of tea?”
All four said they would, Ruby rising to help Sarah, when her mobile rang. Quickly she scrabbled in her jacket pocket to find it.
“Ruby,” Cash admonished, “you should have left that thing behind, taken Theo’s advice.”
“I can’t, Cash, I need to be on call.”
“Says who?”
“Says me,” she answered.
“If it’s work…”
It was. Samantha Gordon’s name flashed up.
“Hang on, I’ll take this outside. I won’t be long, I promise.”
She returned less than five minutes later, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Erm… sorry about this everyone, the visit’s going to have to be cut short.”
Jessica stood too. “Why, love, what’s wrong?”
“The house on Gilmore Street, the one I was telling you about? Well, Samantha’s going mad on the phone. Her daughter’s just walked into the kitchen and, as she did, a mug flew off the drainer and hit her on the head.”
“Oh goodness,” Sarah was all concern, “is she all right?”
“Physically, yes, but mentally they’re all shaken up. I’m going to have to go there straightaway. See what Ben’s up to. Cash, are you coming?”
“Of course I’m coming,” he said, grabbing his jacket and following her and Jed out the door. “You know me, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Twelve
“Blimey!” Samantha Gordon exclaimed on sight of them. “Talk about send in the cavalry.”
Ruby stepped forward and introduced the members of her team who Samantha hadn’t met yet. Cash had called them on her behalf as they drove back to Brighton and, as usual, they’d dropped everything to help out.
“And you’re all psychic are you?” she asked.
Glancing at Cash, Ruby replied, “To varying degrees.”
Clearly seeing no need to quiz them further, Samantha hurried them into the living room. Her husband – introduced as Jeff – was on the sofa, his arm around his daughter, comforting her. Their son, Leo, was clearly shaken too, cuddling into the side of his sister. Night had fallen and the drawn curtains gave the room a closed-in, claustrophobic feel.
“Oh,” Samantha said, noticing what her son was doing, “so you’re cuddling your sister now are you? That’s a turn up for the books. You were bashing her on the arm with your book earlier.” She shook her head in a show of despair. “My poor lamb, she’s been getting it from all sides.”
The daughter promptly burst into tears. “Mum, who threw that cup at me?”
“That’s what these people are here to find out, Ruby,” her father muttered, “apparently.”
Ruby? So the girl had the same name as her. Although she tried not to stare, Ruby did her best to get the measure of Jeff. He didn’t appear to be a tall man; his legs, stretched out before him, looked on the short side, his belly bulging slightly under a light tee shirt and the hair on his head thinning, despite probably being no more than in his mid-thirties. It wasn’t his physical appearance that concerned her, however, it was the distrust emanating from him. There were some people that didn’t like ‘her kind’, she knew that, and he was one of them. The fact that they’d even got through the door showed that Samantha Gordon really was in charge.
The sound of a door banging within the house – as though slammed in temper – made even the psychics amongst them jump. Samantha’s hand flew to her mouth and her husband let rip an expletive. The young Ruby stopped crying and whimpered instead, her brother deciding to join her.
“What’s happening?” Samantha gasped. “What the hell is going on? I didn’t sign up for this when we bought the house.”
“It’s been worse since you called them in.” Again Jeff was muttering, not speaking to them, not exactly, not even to Samantha; just throwing it out there.
Normally Theo would step forward at this moment, take charge. Her age lent her the authority necessary in such situations. But Ruby beat her to it.
“Right now, the assumption is that Benjamin Hamilton, the previous occupant, might still be in residence. Certain activity occurring in the house suggests that. Before I carry on, might it be a good idea to take the children to their rooms perhaps? I don’t want to unsettle anyone.”
“Unsettle anyone?” No longer passive-aggressive, Jeff exploded, “I think you’ve done a good job of that already, haven’t you? Look at my kids!”
Samantha was appalled. “Jeff! Please! We talked about this, we agreed this was the way forward, remember? The way to sort this problem out.”
“I don’t want my kids upset!” he retorted.
“The fact that they are is not Psychic Surveys’ fault!”
Inwardly, Ruby groaned. They’d barely been here five minutes and already the situation was deteriorating – rapidly. There’d be a full-scale war amongst the living if she couldn’t rescue the situation and quick. “Look, if you’d rather we left, Mr Gordon, I understand, but we’re here now—”
There came a crash from the kitchen. The sound of a plate smashed against the floor perhaps? It certainly sounded like it. Their attention captured, all heads turned in the direction of the living room door, expecting the ghost of the tenant past to come hurtling through it and wrap his spectral arms around them in a far from welcoming manner. Trying to play it down, Ruby reminded herself what was really happening. Ben was feeding off the negative energy in the house – the fear – and growing angrier too. Considering he was already at fever pitch, this wasn’t the best news.
Before she could say anything further, Ness came to stand by her side. “We can’t deny that there’s unusual activity in this house – activity of a paranormal nature. And as you say, it’s intensifying. We don’t truly know the reason for that but, if you’ll let us, we’ll do our best to find out.”
A part of Ruby was grateful for her colleague’s firm, no-nonsense approach, but another part bristled. Pride – she must get it under wraps. And insecurity too, because that’s what this was, she realised. She didn’t quite feel the ‘giant’ that Ness was, or that Theo was. And she resented that.
Theo also spoke loud and clear but her voice was soothing too. With children in the room, she was careful to tread easy. “Ness is right. We can sort this out, but only with your permission. And please, don’t expect miracles straightaway, these things can take time. And effort. Rather a lot of effort in fact, on everyone’s part, including yours. It’s essential to stay positive… optimistic. This is a beautiful house. I can see how much you love it. You’ve injected it with new life. You don’t have to be at the mercy of what lingers here still. Not if you let us do our job. May we go into the kitchen?”
“Jeff?” There was a warning tone in Samantha’s voice.
Whilst waiting to hear the verdict they all stood perfectly still, Cash’s fingers only slightly brushing hers in a show of support.
Jeff exhaled heavily before speaking. “Whilst you’re busy, what the heck are we supposed to do?”
“Is there a friend you could—?”
“No! This is my house! Why shou
ld I leave it?”
“Fair enough,” answered Theo, remaining determinedly unfazed by his attitude. “But leave the kitchen to us. Stay, here, in the living room.”
He glared at Theo. “Why are there so many of you?”
“Jeff, stop asking questions. Let them get on with it!”
“All I bloody wanted to do was watch the telly tonight. Not much to ask for is it? A Saturday night in with my family and I mean just my family.”
“Jeff!” Samantha said again, her face reddening – with anger or embarrassment it was hard to tell.
“Okay, okay, do what you have to bloody do,” he relented.
“Thank you, Mr Gordon.” As well as seize the moment, Ruby did her best to appease. “We’ll, erm… we’ll try not to be too long.”
“Go through,” Samantha nodded towards the kitchen, “and… good luck.”
In the kitchen it was noticeably colder. Ben was here. No doubt about it. Although they still couldn’t see him he was easy enough to sense. He was here and he was pissed off – beyond fever pitch. His anger was palpable.
Ness, ever practical, spied a broom in one corner, grabbed it and brushed to one side the smashed plate. It had been thrown so hard it lay in smithereens. As much as they’d like to empty the kitchen of potential missiles, they didn’t have time. But certainly what lay on the surface – more cups, a few plates, the bread board and a bottle of wine – they found room for in cupboards or the dishwasher. Ruby only thanked her lucky stars there was no knife block hanging around; she didn’t fancy something sharp being thrown at her. She hadn’t got her bag of paraphernalia but she could smell the scent of frankincense on at least two of her colleagues – an essential oil renowned for its protective qualities. They all had on their respective talismans as well, their tourmaline, their obsidian, pink quartz in Theo’s case and in Corinna’s, a malachite necklace, a relatively new purchase and the green a wonderful contrast to her red hair.
There wasn’t enough room to stand side-by-side, and so Ruby, Cash and Corinna stood in front, Theo and Ness towards the rear. Jed wasn’t visible to her at the moment, but he was with her, she knew that. He was always with her, or at least close by. Together, they sent a wall of light out to where Ben lurked, in the shadows, towards the back end of the kitchen.
Ruby drew her shoulders back and spoke out loud. “Ben, do you remember me? I’m Ruby. I came to see you before, a few days ago, along with my colleague, Ness. I know there are more of us this time but don’t be alarmed. We’re all here to help. We mean you no harm. I repeat, we mean you no harm and in turn we ask that you do not harm us. You’ve passed, Ben. I think that’s something you’re aware of. But your spirit remains grounded. We don’t know why. Not unless you communicate with us – peaceably,” she reminded him. “Whatever reason it is, or reasons, we can help you. This must be a very confusing time for you, Ben, we understand that, but together we can make sense of it. We can walk with you to the light.”
Although there was no reply, not even an expletive or two this time, the tension was building, each and every one of them could feel it.
“Ben, communicate with us. Tell us why you’ve chosen to stay.”
The silence was stubborn.
“What you’re doing,” Ruby persevered, “staring at the new inhabitants of this house, hurling cups, hiding stuff, it’s frightening them. And it’s really not fair, Ben, because they’ve done nothing wrong. Yes, they live here now, but they’re looking after the house, they’ve redecorated, they can fill it with love if you let them. It’s in good hands. You can leave knowing that.”
A voice came from behind. “Ruby, I don’t think this is working—”
She held up her hand to silence Ness. “Ben, please, work with us, communicate, tell us what’s wrong, we can help you. We will help you.”
There were several spotlights in the ceiling above – the light previously glaring. But one by one they burst, plunging the kitchen into darkness. The suddenness with which it happened was startling. Around her, Ruby could feel her colleagues stiffen – everyone on guard. There was a creak and all heads turned towards it, anticipating. A cupboard door flew open and then shut again… open, shut, open, shut, relentlessly so. Other cupboard doors too – as though joining in some kind of ghastly chorus – a cacophony of them. The noise was enough to cause Samantha to leave the safety of the living room and run into the kitchen, Jeff at her heels.
“What the hell—” she screeched before stopping dead. “Christ!”
Ruby was about to turn round, to try and reassure them in whatever way she could when she caught sight of a figure, crouching by the kitchen table, furtive yet menacing. A black figure, blacker than the darkness they’d been plunged into, the only thing truly discernible was his eyes. Her breath hitched. It was always the eyes – the window of the soul – if this thing had a soul.
“Of course he has a soul!” Ness whispered urgently. “Remember who we’re dealing with, Ruby.”
Ben – Benjamin Hamilton. That’s whom they were dealing with, the past tenant of this house, once human and now adrift.
But his eyes, Ruby couldn’t look away – it was as though they’d captured her. What was in them was not only horrifying but intriguing too. Such a vast range of emotions – and all of them so damned negative. The wall of light they’d sent out, she realised it hadn’t touched him. It hadn’t even got close.
It was time to evacuate. What he was doing required a massive amount of energy, but she didn’t think he was done yet. Knives came to mind again, there had to be knives in the drawers, sharp knives, maybe even a cleaver, something that could do serious damage. That could kill.
“Mum! Dad!”
It was the little girl.
Rapidly Ruby switched to thought, knowing Ben would be able to hear her well enough. Ben, stop this! This is frightening the children and not helping you. Stop it at once. We’re here to help you. Please, let us help you.
Fuck off, bitch! Or I’ll skin you alive!
Skin her alive? What kind of threat was that?
Ben, why are you doing this? What’s wrong?
“Ruby,” it was Theo, “we’ve got to get out, it’s dangerous to stay.”
“Ruby, come on,” Corinna echoed.
“Mum! What’s happening? I don’t like it!”
They were right. There was no reasoning with Ben. Not tonight.
Again, there was a child’s cry. “Mum! I’m scared!”
“Darling, where are you going? Don’t run off! Jeff, Jeff, go after her.”
“Come on, Ruby, we’ve got to go. Now!” It was Cash, doing his utmost to cajole her. But Ben’s eyes, the dark of them bored into the green of hers.
“RUBY!”
Was someone shouting at her or the little girl?
“Ruby, we have to go.”
“I can’t…”
There was barking – furious barking – growling and a gnashing of teeth. She only barely registered Jed as hands grabbed her shoulders and dragged her backwards. The hands belonged to Ness. She’d been the one who’d shouted. There were more hands, Cash’s this time, assisting Ness, getting her out of there, getting them all out of there as a mug flew out of the cupboard, smashed into the wall opposite, followed by another and another; a seemingly endless stream of them. From the wall a clock fell, a framed child’s picture too. The kettle started to boil. What was it with the kettle? There were screams behind her, they hurt her ears, everyone in retreat but still Ben’s eyes held hers. Piercing orbs of wild fury and so, so defiant.
Someone was slamming doors again. Not Ben this time. It was Cash. Kicking the kitchen door shut, trying to contain what was inside. It broke the hold Ben had over her. The spell he’d cast. She blinked rapidly then looked around her. Everyone was tumbling down the hallway, spilling out into the street beyond as though the house was vomiting. The children were screaming. So loudly they screamed. She wished they’d stop. Jeff was shouting too. Samantha was crying. And people were materia
lising, real live people. It seemed like the entirety of Gilmore Street were forgoing their Saturday night viewing to see what the commotion was. They were making their way over to the frightened family, wanting some kind of explanation, listening to the banging of cupboards inside – still opening, still shutting – a cheap psychic trick but oh so effective – and the smashing of crockery. Pressing the Gordons for information and receiving only garbled replies. Wanting to know also who these people were that had tumbled out of the house with them – the strangers. Looking at them in that way when Samantha did her best to tell them. Staring, as Ben had stared. Accusing.
Chapter Thirteen
“Shit! Shit! Shit!”
“Ruby, it’s all right, calm down.”
“No, Cash, it’s not all right and I won’t calm down. Did you see the way they looked at us, the other residents of Gilmore Street? Like we were the worst kind of people, like we were vermin. And that Ben, that bloody Ben. What the hell’s wrong with him? Why’s he doing this? What’s his problem?”
“Have you got any whisky in the house, Cash, gin, anything?” Theo asked. “Get her a shot, a large one. She needs it.”
“No, I don’t—”
“Don’t argue, Ruby. Just take the drink and get it down you.”
They were back at Ruby’s flat, taken refuge. Ruby sat back on the sofa, too tired to argue, too distressed. It had been awful, truly awful. Not what had happened with Ben, they’d experienced worse, far worse, but the aftermath of Ben – the reactions from the living. She could hear them now – would hear them all night if the whisky didn’t do its job and knock her out. ‘They’re what, Samantha? Psychics? There’s a ghost in your house? Seriously? They’re not having you on, tricking you? I’ll bet they’re tricking you; making it all up. People like that are experts in deceit. They take your money and run. Don’t listen to them. Ghosts don’t exist. It’s the police you need.’ On and on it went, the contempt, the vitriol. She’d wanted to yell at them, ‘Listen to what’s going on inside. You can hear for yourself there’s something going on. How can I make that up?’ But by the time someone had gone in to investigate – and it was incredible how long it had taken that someone to pluck up the courage despite their cynicism – the banging and the shutting of cupboard doors had stopped. The carnage of Ben’s psychic onslaught still remained however – but probably they would see that as evidence of human behaviour gone mad, some sort of fracas or domestic, which had spiralled out of control. Would any of them be able to accept a different explanation? Ever? Ah, the questions! So many questions!
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