The Haunting

by Raymond M Hall

  ‘Rose, what are you thinking of, I am your father.’

  A soft chuckle greeted him in response,

  ‘Silly, it’s me, Lilly.’

  Luke, by this time, was facing her and looking directly into her sparkling eyes, his body disgracing itself against the soft skin of her naked tummy.

  It was too much, he kissed her passionately and clasped her to him, the nakedness of her flesh against his own almost unbearable. Lilly returned his passion and moved to lie under him. He groaned as he entered her and she put her hand over his mouth to stifle the sounds. They moved as one and quickly brought each other to a climax, her hand still over his mouth muffling his urgent cries, but her own was uncovered, and she couldn’t help crying out. They lay in each other’s embrace while the two swiftly beating hearts calmed to an even rhythm.

  It was barely an hour later when Lilly descended the stairs to the kitchen to find Rose sitting at the table. She was wearing a particularly condescending smile which Lilly found both irritating and frightening. Did she know?

  ‘Are you alright? You look a little flustered.’ Rose said, meaningfully.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine, just been busy, that’s all.’ Said Lilly.

  Rose smirked,

  ‘I bet you have, you look very hot and bothered.’

  Lilly didn’t reply and set about tidying the kitchen,

  ‘You finished in the bakery then?’ She asked Rose.

  ‘Just about to go back and finish up, I thought I’d come in for a cup of water, but there didn’t seem to be anyone here.’ Rose answered, that annoying little smile firmly back in place.

  ‘Best get to it then!’ Exclaimed Lilly, becoming very annoyed. Rose’s attitude and flippancy confirmed her worst fears. She knew.

  Rose got up slowly from the table and made for the door, limping slightly.

  ‘What happened to your leg?’ Asked Lilly.

  Rose turned, rubbing her knee,

  ‘Those stairs aren’t even; I almost put my knee out coming down.’ She nodded at the stairs as she said it, leaving no doubt in Rose’s mind that her tryst with Luke was no secret. She made her way out and ambled over to the bakery, the sore knee miraculously cured and very pleased with herself. She had ammunition now and a position of power in which to use it.

  Rose had indeed gone to the kitchen to get a cup of water but as she entered she saw Lilly’s legs disappearing up the stairs. Curiosity getting the better of her, she crept silently across the floor and waited at the foot of the stairs until she heard a door click; then went up quietly, standing outside the bedroom which she and her father usually occupied. She heard movement from inside and pressing her ear to the door heard the muffled exclamation of her father and the plaintive cries of Lilly. The next noises left her in no doubt what was taking place in her bed, especially Lilly’s final cry. She remained at the door until the sounds ceased altogether then walked lightly down to take a seat at the kitchen table, ready to confront Lilly when she came down.

  Rose, so taken with her cleverness walked into Robin on entering the bakery. He was staggering slightly and the worse for wear, the alcohol on his breath confirming his state of inebriation.

  ‘I’m going to bed.’ He announced slurring his words.

  ‘I’ll help you.’ Rose said, taking him by the arm and leading him around to the rear of the bakery and the small bedroom which he had made his own. Inside she sat him on the bed and knelt down in front of him to remove his boots; he laughed crudely,

  ‘What else are you going to do for me, pretty Rosy?’

  Rose smiled and looked him straight in the eye,

  ‘What would you like me to do for you?’

  Robin grabbed at his crotch lewdly and laughed again, then letting go of himself he stretched out on his back with Rose still kneeling between his open legs. She pulled her arm back as far as it would go and let fly with her bunched fist straight between his legs. Robin howled in pain and came up to a sitting position.

  Rose got to her feet smiling,

  ‘That’s to let you know who’s boss, Robin. If you are a good boy, I’ll be extra kind to you, but you need to learn that I won’t be trifled with by anyone, including you.’ She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips, turned around and walked out. Robin lay back on the bed still in of pain but with a smile on his face.

  The seemingly endless task of breadmaking continued and weeks turned into months at the bakery. Luke had nowhere else to go, and in spite of the guilt, he felt about himself and Lilly he stayed. Hugh appeared ever more grateful, which added to Luke’s discomfort. Rose had settled in, and by her actions it was apparent she had no wish to leave. Robin had become a willing slave and followed her around like a lap dog, always hoping for a little attention in the small room behind the oven. Rose would favour him with a little kiss and perhaps a fondle through his clothing if he was lucky. Her attitude was always cold and never in the least affectionate, but through some mystical power, he found himself her willing slave. She would touch him with a deadpan expression on her face which seemed to excite him even more. Rose had tamed the giant and made him her personal servant; it was so obvious to Luke that it made him cringe inside. However, he thought the pair well suited, a marriage forged in hell.

  Lilly made it her business to be alone with Luke at least once a week, and he worried that Hugh might uncover their trysts. He asked her on one occasion if she still had a physical relationship with her husband and she answered coyly that she did, but it meant nothing to her, merely an act on her part. Luke wondered if that was entirely true, wondering if Lilly enjoyed the ministrations of two men; perhaps she was one of those insatiable women he had heard about in beer parlour discussions?

  Rose was more than happy to allow her father’s affair to continue unabated; she had long term plans for the bakery and Lilly and her father, together with the unsuspecting Hugh were digging the hole deeper from which there would eventually be no escape. Robin was firmly attached to her on a short leash and in his desperation to possess her completely he would do anything she asked. Rose kept him at bay by a system of punishment and reward. It was just like training a dog she thought, but would be so much more rewarding in the long run. His small bedroom became the focus of his life, Rose would lead him in to the room, and dependent on her mood would satisfy or berate him mentally and sometimes physically. He never answered back and never resisted her blows or even tried to fend them off. She had trained him so well that Robin began to enjoy the pain she inflicted. He would stand up straight with his legs apart towering over her like a giant while she kneed him, bringing him to his knees. She would then lean down, run her fingers through his hair and kiss him lingeringly on the lips. Robin would then look up at her adoringly, his eyes watering with pain. She had him exactly where she wanted him.

  Chapter 35

  Sebastian and Briony spent the entire evening in bed. Their hunger had been for each other, rather than the dietary kind. After their passionate lovemaking sleep overcame them, and they slept entwined in each other's arms.

  Morning announced its arrival with the beautiful calls of the blackbirds, calling to each other and no doubt discussing their plans for the coming day. Sebastian ran his fingers lightly over Briony’s skin, and she shivered, coming awake with a radiant smile. No words were necessary as they resumed the previous evening's lovemaking, revelling in the delights of each other.

  Sebastian lay looking at the ceiling as the sunlight flickered making shapes on the whiteness. He suddenly became aware that the blackbirds had ceased their calling. Well, at least around the bakery, from far away they could still be heard in their morning deliberations. It seemed strange, and he looked down at Briony who smiled back at him, nestling into his shoulder. The crash of a door startled both of them and Sebastian leapt out of bed leaving Briony tangled in the sheets. He rushed out onto the landing and saw that the other bedroom door was open and hanging off its hinges. There was no wind so it couldn’t have been a natural occurrence.
He made his way gingerly downstairs; there might be a burglar in the house and Sebastian was no hero. He stood at the foot of the stairs in the kitchen, sniffing. Pipe tobacco, it was there again. He looked over at the wing backed chair and saw the telltale smoke rising.

  ‘Get out!’ He shouted, with no fear now, this was becoming a monotonous occurrence.

  He looked in amazement as a figure rose out of the chair and turned to face him. It was not solid, more of a thin outline; the face was hard and unsmiling, and as it approached he backed away. When it had merely been smoke, he felt braver and especially after he was able to dismiss it with a stern shout. But now this ‘thing’, whatever it was, was walking towards him and it wasn’t smiling. Sebastian struck the wall with his back and came to a dead stop. The apparition kept coming, seemingly gliding over the floor and Sebastian was consumed with panic. He could make out the face now, a cruel tilt to the mouth and hard eyes. He thought his heart would stop; it beat in his chest until he thought his ribs wouldn’t be able to contain it for much longer. And then the figure crumbled and fell to the floor, breaking apart as it did so, transforming into smoke and swirling around the room. Soon only the head remained, sitting atop a whirling tornado of smoke. The whole illusion then collapsed and slid silently to the outside door, slipping underneath and out into the yard. Sebastian raced to the door and flung it open just in time to witness the smoky apparition disappearing into the bakery through the ever open door.

  Briony had come downstairs, standing in the kitchen.

  ‘Who was it?’ She asked.

  ‘I don’t know, but I’m convinced now that this bloody place is haunted.’ Said Sebastian.

  He went back up the stairs to inspect the broken door and wasn't surprised to see the door was back on its hinges and perfectly serviceable.

  Back in the kitchen he started the process of making coffee and sat at the table, head in hands. He had spent a lot of money on this place but could he live here?

  Briony was standing in the pantry, and at first, Sebastian thought she was getting breakfast, but when he walked over, he saw her standing at the back of the small room with her hands touching the iron rings in the wall.

  ‘Everything okay?’ He asked.

  She turned and smiled,

  ‘Oh yes, everything is fine now.’

  Her demeanour changed in an instant as she left the pantry and made for the outside door,

  ‘I have to go now; I’ll be back later.’ She said, opening the door and leaving. Sebastian shook his head, what was going on? One minute she was with him as part of a loving couple and the next she was gone.

  She had only been gone for a matter of minutes when the door opened, and Caroline walked in.

  ‘Good morning Seb, what’s for breakfast?’

  Sebastian walked out into the yard looking for her car, any car, but there was none.

  ‘How did you get here?’ He asked.

  ‘Walked, how else?’ She replied.

  Sebastian scoffed at the very idea of his sister walking anywhere, and it showed on his face.

  ‘People change you know.’ Said Caroline, sitting down at the table.

  Caroline stared up at her brother with the coldest of looks, he couldn’t remember ever seeing that look before and thought once again that this house had a lot to answer for.

  After a quiet breakfast with neither sibling speaking, Sebastian made his way out to the bakery; somehow he seemed to be attracted to the place although there was nothing nice about the feeling in the building. He began to sketch a plan of how he could convert the building into a music room. The oven would have to go and the small room behind. If he opened up the entire structure, he would be able to accomodate his grand piano. The walls would need to be lined with a sound absorbing material to curtail any echoes, the bain of the musician's world. The sketch on his notepad was taking shape, and he became totally absorbed in his plans for the building. He moved with a tape measure from wall to wall estimating the future size of his new music room. On his hands and knees, whilst taking the last measurement, he heard the clang of the oven door. Looking up, he was surprised to see a flicker of flame at the bottom of the door and getting to his feet opened it fully, gasping as he saw his notepad, with all the measurements only just painstakingly taken and noted down, being consumed by the flames. Sebastian plunged his hand into the oven and grabbed at the papers, but as his fingers closed around the burning sheets, he felt the pressure of another hand gripping his own. He felt himself being pulled into the oven and resisted with all his strength, putting one knee against the oven wall. His arm felt as if it was being tugged out of the socket and his face became a picture of anguish as he strained against the pull of the other hand. Suddenly and without any warning, the pressure on his hand stopped. He crashed back against the far wall and slid down to the floor, irregular breathing becoming painful gulps as he sucked in life giving air through an open mouth. It was then he noticed Briony standing in the doorway.

  ‘Hello.’ All he could think to say

  ‘Hello, yourself.’ She replied, smiling warmly. ‘Having a rest?’

  ‘Sort of.’ Sebastian replied. ‘I’ve been measuring up in preparation to changing this place into a music room.’ He was still clutching the blackened and charred notepad and waved it at her.

  Briony said nothing about its appearance.

  ‘Did you see Caroline, she’s in the house somewhere?’ He asked.

  ‘No, she wasn’t here when I arrived, probably with dear James.’ She replied.

  Sebastian and Briony left the bakery, slamming the door closed behind them in the faint hope it would remain shut. As they walked across the yard the oven door opened and tendrils of smoke poured out onto the floor, swirling around in circles until it formed the outline of a man. The figure pushed the outside door, and it crashed back on its hinges just as Sebastian and Briony closed the kitchen door. Sebastian heard the noise and looking out saw the bakery door, once again standing wide open. He would have to do something about that if he wanted to remain.

  Briony stayed for the rest of the day; no work took place, but a lot of billing and cooing ensued. They were like children on their first discovery of passion and all the joy it could bring. The pair were insatiable and pleasured each other until dusk descended reminding them of the lateness of the hour. Briony announced it was time for her to leave. Sebastian, as usual, could not understand the sudden change of attitude but agreed that she should go to wherever she went. He was beginning to put two and two together but still did not come up with the correct answer. However, when Caroline arrived shortly after he was not surprised, had almost been expecting it.

  She breezed in with no excuse as to where she had disappeared that morning and Sebastian greeted her without much enthusiasm,

  ‘James, I suppose.’ He said.

  ‘Yes,’ She replied, offering no further comment.

  The couple had a small meal, prepared, naturally, by Sebastian and they retired to their respective bedrooms. Nothing untoward occurred during the night and Sebastian slept soundly. In the morning he went down and prepared an early cup of tea. Relenting in his attitude towards Caroline, Sebastian decided to take her a cup. He tapped lightly on the door and entered. She was lying in bed amidst a tangle of sheets and covers. It looked like the bed had been through a violent storm, and he began to ask her what had happened during the night, then thought better of it. Caroline smiled demurely as she accepted the proffered cup of tea. Sebastian feeling a little uncomfortable retreated downstairs rapidly, he no longer knew his sister; she left him with a cold feeling and a tenseness that gripped at his heart like a vice.

  He spent the morning researching places in Lincoln that specialised in the paranormal and came across one which seemed to fit the bill. A phone call led to a very excited researcher calling him back, and they talked at length about the goings on at the bakery. The voice on the other end of the line said it wasn’t the first time he had heard stories about the place and be
gged Sebastian to allow his small group of enthusiasts to visit.

  They arranged that the group call in early one evening and Sebastian urged them to make it that same day if they were interested. An hour later the call came that the group would convene at the bakery at seven.

  The cars arrived together and filled the yard. There were four in all, and the group consisted of ten people. Sebastian was surprised at the number, but they explained that for an exorcism they would need at least that many. The group filled the kitchen and set about their business. Four went upstairs, two to each bedroom, while two more went into the living room, the remaining four stayed in the kitchen with Sebastian and Caroline. She had adopted a sour look and refused to talk to any of them. Sebastian made excuses for his sister saying she had recently been involved in a rather nasty car accident.

  The group produced Bibles and candles together with something called an infrared camera which the leader of the group assured him was infallible for recording the presence of spirits.

  Sebastian, rather bemused by all the carrying on sat at the kitchen table while the group discussed tactics. As the light from outside darkened, the group began to chant. It was a repetitious sound, and Sebastian likened it to a Gregorian chant. The two couples upstairs had joined in and the words reverberated throughout the house. The camera had been set up in the middle of the room and at Sebastian’s suggestion was pointed at the old wing backed chair.

  The group appeared to be very comfortable, and Sebastian guessed they had never actually encountered any spirits, they were playing at something more for the social content than anything else, something to talk about and discuss over the long winter nights, perhaps over a drink or two.

  The light faded rapidly, and the lit candles gave an eerie glow to the room. Sebastian thought this was more for effect than anything, confirming his previous thoughts that these people were merely thrill seekers. The chanting had stopped as if by mutual consent, and there was silence in the kitchen. Suddenly the camera began to operate, the man in charge had said it would automatically detect any spirit presence. Again Sebastian guessed this was the first time the bloody thing had ever switched on and could barely stifle a laugh at the effect it had on the others. They looked at each other and smiled nervously all looking towards the chair. Sebastian saw it first, the familiar twist of blue smoke rising from the chair followed by the pungent aroma of pipe tobacco. The fear in the room was now palpable, and he wondered when the exorcism would begin? None of those present seemed to be capable of anything, let alone a serious spirit cleansing. Sebastian remained seated as the outline of a figure rose from the chair. The four ‘experienced’ exorcists turned in panic and bolted through the kitchen door, fighting with each other to be the first out. Car doors slammed, and engines revved followed by spinning wheels as they strove to gain traction on the gravelled yard. One of the couples from upstairs hearing all the commotion, ran downstairs and almost into the spectre-like figure from the chair, they both screamed in fright and headed for the door. Another engine roared into life, and they too accelerated out the yard in pursuit of the others. Sebastian was a little afraid of the figure too and chose not to move from his seat. He witnessed the apparition once again collapse into a smokey spiral and then head upstairs.