The Forgotten Cottage

by Helen Phifer

  She heaved the box up and smiled at Jake. ‘Come on; we can do this.’

  Father John stopped in front of them at the back of the church next to the deep hole that he’d dug last night. With one last effort they heaved the box over the hole and let it fall into it. It landed on its lid, which was perfect. It would make it even harder for her to escape from her consecrated grave. Father John wasted no time and began to recite the burial prayers that she should have had when she’d been buried two hundred and thirty-two years ago, then he dropped a rosary onto the box for good measure and nodded at Jake to begin filling in the hole. It was all done in record time and Jake had never worked so hard or so fast in all his life. Annie, who was leaning against the church wall, prayed the whole time for Betsy’s soul, relieved it was finally over.

  Jake spoke first. ‘Is that it—do you think we’re safe now because she was one angry woman for a dead bird?’

  ‘I don’t know… I hope so – what do you think, John?’

  ‘Let’s see, shall we? I believe so, but I’m not the expert here. If things don’t improve we might have to call the Bishop and request an exorcist from the Vatican, Annie, but I think we may have done the trick.’

  The setting sun broke through the clouds and the warmth of it felt good on Jake and Annie’s wet faces. Father John wrapped his arms around both of their shoulders and led them away from the grave towards the presbytery.

  ‘Come on, my little ghostbusters, I have a pan of hot chocolate ready to warm up and a huge Victoria sponge cake that needs eating. You both look like you need an energy boost, and we can get you cleaned up, Annie.’

  Jake nodded his approval. ‘Good, I’m glad you can get her cleaned up because she looks as scary as poor old Betsy Baker.’

  Annie leant her arm around John to dig Jake in the ribs.

  ‘Ouch.’

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Henry had a plan. It had taken him all day to figure out where he could find Megan the kind of victim she longed for and it had come to him when he was reading the local paper. He had thought about it long and hard. He came out of his bedroom to see Megan absorbed in reading the paper that had inspired him to commit a murder and that she had become so addicted to.

  ‘I can’t believe this; for a small town, there sure is a lot of shit happens here.’

  ‘Why, what’s happened now?’

  ‘Some copper was kidnapped and held hostage, taken from the hospital after coming out from visiting his girlfriend who’d been in an accident. Talk about bad luck.’

  He sat opposite her and she pushed the newspaper towards him. He picked it up and smiled at the grainy photo in the corner that caught his eye. If it wasn’t his fallen angel, Annie Graham, staring back at him with concern etched across her face. There was also a picture of her boyfriend on crutches. This was a turn-up for the books; those two were bad luck magnets, if ever such a thing existed.

  ‘What are you smiling at?’

  ‘Nothing, Megan; it’s just an old friend.’

  ‘Who, the copper that was kidnapped—was he the one that caught you, Henry?’

  ‘Not really, he’s more of an acquaintance. No, it’s the woman in the corner, his girlfriend. She’s also a policewoman; we go back a long way.’

  ‘Really? Henry, you dark horse. You never told me you went out with a copper. I bet she was mortified when you flipped and started killing everyone.’

  Henry nodded and pushed the paper away; he didn’t want to tell Megan too much. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time thinking today about what you want to do.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I want you to show me this barn later, just before it gets dark. If it’s as secluded as you say we could maybe use it once, just to satisfy your needs. But then we don’t do anything else for months; I don’t want to get caught.’

  Megan stood up and launched herself at him, landing on his lap.

  ‘Thank you, Henry! I’m so excited. I promise I won’t mess this up. What are we going to do?’

  ‘Well, that depends on you, Megan. Man or woman? Do you want a quick kill or torture?’

  ‘Can I think about it? I mean, I’ve thought about it but I want to make sure it’s right, that my first is everything that I’ve been dreaming about.’

  ‘Take as long as you want and when you’re ready we’ll do it.’

  ‘I think I’d like to get a woman, you know, the ones who always think they’re better than everyone else. Wear smart dresses and designer shoes for work but can’t actually walk around in them. Someone like that. Oh, and they definitely have to have long hair that they really love and are always flicking it around and running their fingers through it.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I told you—I hated the girls like that at school; they used to think they were so much better than me and they made my life a misery. I want to gag whoever it is and cut all their hair off whilst they are watching.’

  ‘I’m glad that you didn’t need a long time to think about it then; I’d have hated for you to dither around for weeks wondering if you should do it or not.’

  Megan began to grind her hips against Henry’s thighs. She bent down and kissed him full on the lips. Henry tried to resist but years of pent-up passion bubbled inside him and he pulled her as close to him as he could. He muttered, ‘Just this once.’

  ‘Yes, Henry, just this once.’

  Before she silenced him with her mouth once again.

  ***

  Annie came down from the bathroom wearing John’s faded Rolling Stones T-shirt and a pair of his jogging bottoms. She’d thrown her clothes into the bin. They were tattered and torn and would forever remind her of her fight with Betsy Baker. Her neck was a mess of scratches and bruises which she had cleaned up, but it was smarting. She sat down and tucked into a slice of cake and began to sip her huge mug of hot chocolate, too tired and still in shock to make polite conversation. She listened to John as he chatted about the latest gossip in the parish and was grateful to him for trying to lighten their mood. Grateful for anything that would help to block out the memories of that cold, muddy grave that had now embedded itself into her mind.

  When she’d finished, Annie stood up and Jake followed both of them, anxious to get home. ‘Thank you John; it’s me who is now in your debt. Please let me know if you have any problems with her.’

  ‘Bless you, but I’m pretty sure she’ll stay buried this time. What about the cottage? Are you going back to check on it tonight? If not, I would very much like to come and bless the whole house tomorrow, if I may.’

  ‘I don’t know about going back right now. I think I’ve had enough for one night. If we do and she’s still hanging there from my front porch I think I’ll end up getting sectioned.’

  ‘Fuck that, Annie. Pardon me, Father. I’m not going anywhere near your house unless it’s daylight. I’ve seen enough of ghosts to last me a lifetime. Let’s go home. Why don’t you sleep at mine tonight then you can go collect Will in the morning? I’m at work but Alex isn’t; he’ll drop you off and then you can drive Will’s car home and you know what your first job is when you get home.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Sort your car insurance out because being your chauffeur is almost as dangerous as signing up to be a CIA assassin. It’s far too stressful for a man my age.’

  John laughed. ‘You do make me laugh; now, you two take care of each other, you’re both very special.’

  They left. Annie hugged John before she walked down the steps past the beautiful roses which bordered the path to the gate. He waved and shut the door.

  Annie pushed her arm through Jake’s. ‘You know, one day we’ll be able to write a book about our adventures and then we’ll both be millionaires.’

  ‘I think you’re right, the only problem is: will we live long enough to get it published, with your bad luck?’

  ‘Of course we will; we were destined for great things, you and me, Jake Simpson. We just haven’t figured out what they are.’r />
  ‘I think you’ve found your calling, Annie, but I’d rather you kept me out of it. At this rate I’ll be totally grey by the end of the year or maybe dead. I want to settle down and live a nice quiet life with my little family. I’ll tell you what I do need, though—an ice-cold glass of something expensive and strong to help me sleep, otherwise I’ll have nightmares.’

  They got into Jake’s car and he drove away, this time much slower and sticking to the speed limit. He didn’t want to push his luck twice in one night; he didn’t know how many lives he had left.

  Annie laid her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. Her neck was smarting from the scratches and she would ring the doctor tomorrow for a tetanus injection. Then she would be picking Will up and taking him home to bed, where the pair of them could do nothing but order pizza and sleep for a couple of days. It seemed like forever since they’d slept in the same bed. Annie dozed off and was surprised when Jake shook her.

  ‘Come on, sleepy-head, we’re at my house.’

  She sat up and wiped her mouth.

  ‘Don’t worry, you only snored a little and you never drooled once.’

  ‘Cheers, Jake, I feel better now.’

  They went into the house, where Alex was waiting with a bottle of wine and three glasses; he handed one to each of them and filled them up.

  ‘So are you going to tell me why you look like shit, Jake, and why Annie looks as if she’s had a fight with Freddy Krueger?’

  ‘I don’t know if you want to know, Alex, to be honest. It’s all her fault; she’s a bad influence.’

  ‘Is it going to give me nightmares?’

  ‘Yes, probably, because I think I’ll be having them for the rest of my life.’

  ‘Well, in that case I don’t want to know; as long as you’re both safe and it’s over, whatever it is. Is it over? I need to know.’

  ‘Sorry, Alex. I think it’s all over but if it isn’t I won’t drag Jake into it again; I’ll sort it out on my own. I promise.’

  Jake hugged her. ‘You soft cow. Do you think I’d let my best friend fight the likes of Betsy Baker on her own? I’m always here for you, no matter what.’

  Annie hugged him back and then followed Alex into the lounge, where she collapsed onto one of the expensive soft leather armchairs and downed her glass of wine.

  ‘Always such a lady, Ms Graham. Refill?’

  She grinned and held out her glass. ‘It would be rude not to. Thank you, Jake.’

  Seven Weeks Later

  Annie stared at her reflection in the mirror. Lily had helped her to put on her wedding dress and buttoned her into it. Then she had left her alone so she could get ready herself. The hairdresser had spent ages blow-drying and then putting Annie’s thick black curls into a roll and secured them with a beautiful vintage diamanté hair clip which had been a present from Jake and Alex, leaving fine wisps of curls hanging down to frame her face. The make-up girl had done an amazing job and Annie couldn’t remember ever having such flawless skin or such perfect eyes and lips. She hoped Will would think so too. She felt wonderful, even though her stomach was doing somersaults.

  She had looked out of the window earlier to see the guests arriving and it had made her feel like throwing up the bowl of cereal she’d eaten earlier. It was an intimate guest list because Annie’s only real family was her brother Ben and his family. Her mother, who hadn’t been in the least bit interested, had sent her a last-minute Facebook message to cancel, saying she was too ill to travel. Annie knew very well that she wasn’t but she wouldn’t waste her time worrying about it; there were some things in life that couldn’t be fixed and their relationship was one of them. Besides, she had her friends who meant the world to her and that was all she needed. She was looking forward to seeing Kav, Jake and Alex all dressed up in their best suits.

  The garden was so pretty. Lily must have bought every string of fairy lights in England because there wasn’t a tree or a shrub that wasn’t covered in them. She couldn’t wait until it got dusk and they were all turned on. There was a white marquee on the lawn ready to hold the reception, but the wedding was to be held under the gazebo, which was covered in hundreds of white roses, each one with a diamanté in the centre. Annie had told the make-up girl to make sure she used waterproof mascara because she didn’t want to risk crying and ruining her flawless face. Not that she was going to cry, but you never knew.

  There was a knock on the door and Annie opened it to see Kav standing there in a grey morning suit and pale blue cravat. He gasped when he looked at her.

  ‘Oh, my, are you Annie Graham or have I got the wrong room? You do scrub up well; you look absolutely gorgeous, kid.’

  Annie felt her cheeks begin to burn and grinned. ‘Finally, you get to see me when I don’t look like shit; it’s long overdue. I have to say, you don’t look so bad yourself, Kav, not bad at all.’

  ‘Will I do? I’ve been so nervous I almost threw up my bacon bun and pint of lager. I don’t want to let you down.’

  ‘You could never let me down; thank you so much for agreeing to walk me down the aisle. It means an awful lot to me.’

  ‘It’s all my pleasure, Annie. I know we’re not related but you’re the closest thing I’ve got to a daughter and I even have the stomach ulcer to prove it.’

  He stepped forward and hugged her, careful not to crush her hair or smudge her make-up. She squeezed him back and he stepped away.

  ‘This place is amazing but you should see what Lily has done with the garden; it looks like something off a movie.’

  ‘I know, I walked around it before I went to bed last night. I’m very, very lucky. She’s such a sweetheart and she’s worked so hard.’

  ‘It’s nothing more than you deserve, Annie. It will make this old man very happy to see you settled down and being looked after by someone who loves you and would never hurt you – well, not intentionally.’

  He winked at her. ‘Are you ready then? The man of your dreams is waiting for you and I must admit he looks almost as good as you do, but don’t tell him I said that or his head will swell so much he won’t fit into the marquee.’

  She nodded, and looped her arm through his. He passed her the hand-tied bouquet from the end of the bed; it included old-fashioned roses, sweet peas and every scented cottage garden flower imaginable. The jewelled brooches amongst the flowers sparkled and Annie felt like a fairy tale princess.

  They stepped out of the patio doors and the organist began to play ‘Here comes the bride’. Fifty people all turned their heads to watch Annie and Kav make their way to the gazebo, where an extremely handsome Will was waiting with the biggest smile on his face she’d ever seen. Her nerves melted and it didn’t matter who was watching because right now all that mattered was her and Will. Father John stood there, beaming and nodding in approval.

  Kav passed her over to Will and went to take his seat next to Jake, who was dabbing at his eyes with a tissue. Kav rolled his eyes at Alex, who shrugged his shoulders and laughed. No one could look away from the couple in front of them, who looked as if they belonged on the cover of a celebrity magazine. Lily cried throughout the whole service and Tom sat with his arm around her, occasionally passing her tissues so she could dab at her tears. Finally, Annie and Will were pronounced husband and wife and there was a huge cheer when Will was told he could kiss the bride and he didn’t waste any time in pulling her towards him and kissing her so passionately that she didn’t want him to ever let go.

  The day passed by without a single hitch, the sun shone and the champagne flowed freely, the meal and the speeches were perfect, even Jake’s best man speech wasn’t too insulting and had everyone laughing at his jokes. The sun began to set and everyone sighed in unison as the fairy lights lit up the whole garden and marquee, turning the garden into something so magical it would be the talking point for years to come whenever anyone mentioned the wedding. Everyone squealed with delight and Annie hugged Lily then Tom.

  ‘Thank you so much. I don’t kno
w what to say except that today has been the best day of my life.’

  ‘No need to thank us; we wanted you and Will to have a day to remember—nobody deserves it more. We’re so proud of you both.’

  Will limped over to where Annie stood talking to his parents. ‘Are you ready for the first dance, Mrs Ashworth?’

  ‘You can’t dance with your ankle, Will?’

  ‘I think you’ll find I can; the champagne has helped enormously.’

  He took hold of Annie’s hand and led her to the dance floor. He couldn’t stop grinning and he swung her round and pulled her close, whispering in her ear, ‘Mrs Ashworth, do you have any idea how incredibly sexy you look in that dress? I don’t know how much longer I can wait before I take you to bed.’

  Annie felt her cheeks flush. At this moment she would give anything for it to be just the pair of them and the band but she couldn’t let Lily down. She had put so much effort into planning this whole beautiful wedding. She looked at Will. He was so handsome; his top button was undone and he’d taken his jacket and cravat off hours ago but he still had his waistcoat on. He looked like the most gorgeous man on the planet. She had to remind herself that he was hers and always would be. She sighed as he kissed her.

  ‘Is that a sigh because you want me so much?’

  She giggled. ‘You have no idea how much I want you, but let’s give Lily what she wants, a first dance to remember.’

  He nodded. ‘I suppose I can wait a little bit longer; tell me, are you wearing stockings and suspenders?’

  The band began to play Annie’s favourite song, ‘The Way You Look Tonight’. It was Will who had introduced her to the wonders of Frank Sinatra and it was Annie’s tribute to his mum, who wasn’t around to see her wonderful son finally settle down. It would always remind her of Will and the first time he had danced her round his kitchen singing it to her. Will began to lead her around the dance floor and, even with his broken ankle, they looked like a pair of professional dancers; the classes Lily had insisted they take paying off as the whole room was watching and applauding.