by Amy Cross
Copyright 2018 Amy Cross
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, entities and places are either products of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people, businesses, entities or events is entirely coincidental.
Kindle edition
First published: December 2018
The year is 1940. In the picturesque English village of Briarwych, Father David Perkins tends to his work at the local church. The shadow of war has fallen across England, and the local airbase provides a constant reminder of the horrors that have been unleashed. For Father Perkins, the struggle to provide guidance for his parishioners is an everyday battle.
And then Judith Prendergast starts hearing voices in the church.
A faithful and devoted woman, struggling to raise her daughter Elizabeth, Judith takes a dim view of the happenings in Briarwych. Soon, however, she's offered a terrible deal, the consequences of which she doesn't fully understand. She tries desperately to escape, only to fall deeper and deeper under the spell of pure evil. And as she tries to set right her awful mistake, Judith sets in progress a chain of terrible events that will haunt the village of Briarwych for generations.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
The Ghost of Briarwych Church
(The Briarwych Trilogy book 3)
Prologue
Many years ago
“What do you want to be when you grow up, Judith?” Prue asks as she walks a little way ahead, leading me along a path that follows the bend of the stream. “A school matron, maybe?”
“I don't know,” I reply, feeling mildly irritated by the question. “I suppose for now I'll just clean houses, like my mother does.”
“What about a husband?” Prue continues, turning and grinning at me. “You do want a husband, don't you? Or do you want to be an old maid?”
“I'm in no hurry,” I tell her. “Nor should you be. At the age of fifteen, a girl should be concentrating on her studies.”
“Of course,” she says. “Nobody wants to be a wet blanket, do they? But everyone wants a husband. How would you live without one?”
She laughs and continues walking, which at least is a blessed relief. I don't know why I even agreed to come out here with her. Actually, that's not true. I do know why. I came because my mother pressured me. She complained that I spend too much time studying scripture, and she thinks I need to get out into the world and make some friends. I've tried telling her that I'll make friends when I meet some interesting people, but she thinks I should persevere with the likes of Prudence Williams. The problem is that girls such as Prudence are so boring, and so fixated on trivial matters such as boys and nice dresses.
“Hey, what's this?” Prue says suddenly, stopping ahead and reaching down.
I spot something glinting in the grass, and I watch as she holds up what appears to be a beautiful silver necklace.
“Someone must have dropped it,” she continues, turning to me. “Isn't it pretty?”
“It is,” I reply, stepping closer and marveling at the light that catches on the sides of a small silver crucifix that's dangling from the chain. “It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.”
“Well, it's mine,” Prue says, opening the necklace and slipping it around her neck. “I found it.”
“It must belong to someone,” I tell her. “We should ask when we get home.”
“Whoever it used to belong to, they clearly didn't care for it enough to look after it.” She adjusts the necklace and then she grins at me. “It's mine now. I think it looks really pretty on me. Don't you?”
“It does,” I reply through gritted teeth. “Although, you don't go to church much, do you? So why would you want a necklace like that?”
“Because it's pretty,” she says, rolling her eyes and then turning to walk away. “What other reason could there be? Not everything has to be about bloody churches all the time, Judith.”
***
Several hours later, sitting on the grass in Sutter's Meadow, I watch the distant spire of Briarwych Church rising above the English countryside. Today is an exceptionally hot day, hotter than any I have ever known, and I must confess that I am rather sweating.
“It's boiling,” Prue says, with a hint of a whine in her voice. “This must be the hottest day on record, surely.”
“We should be careful in the sun,” I remind her. “We don't want to burn.”
“I don't mind. In fact -”
Suddenly she puts her arms over her head, and I watch in horror as she removes her dress.
“What are you doing?” I gasp.
“Relax, there's no-one around to see,” she says, setting her dress down and then grinning at me. She's wearing only her underwear now. “You're so buttoned-up, Judith, and you're sweating so. Why don't you take a leaf out of my book and cool down? It might even do you some good to get a little tanned. You're always so freakishly white.”
“I have a sensitive complexion!” I tell her, but she's already settling down on her back and closing her eyes.
“The sun is good for one's health.”
“So is proper dress.”
“I love the warmth of the sun on my body,” she explains. “Oh, I feel like one of those rich ladies who can afford to go to the south of France every summer. If I had a husband who could pay for me to do that, I think I'd go all the time. I do love England, but I think I belong somewhere a little warmer. Now, if I could bag myself one of those husbands who has a villa down near the Mediterranean, I think I would be set for life. I really don't see what other ambition any woman could possibly have.”
I glance around, just to make sure that nobody is nearby. It would be frightfully improper if someone chanced upon us now and saw Prue in her under-garments. Indeed, it's frightfully improper with just the two of us here. I watch the treeline for a moment, to see whether there might be anybody lurking in the darkness. For a few seconds I feel as if perhaps we are being watched, but there's clearly nobody out there. I keep watching, however, as I wipe sweat from my brow.
“Don't you ever tire of being such a prude?” Prue asks, and I turn to see that she has her eyes closed, with her head turned to the left. She looks almost as if she's on the verge of going to sleep. “You must be so hot in all that wool. Isn't the sweat just dribbling all over the place?”
“I'm quite alright,” I tell her, although I must admit that I can feel dampness under my armpits and at the backs of my knees.
“If you say so,” she murmurs. “I know I couldn't live the way you do. I prefer to...”
Her voice trails off.
“I prefer...”
And then she's gone. I swear, I can pinpoint the exact moment at which she falls asleep, and a moment later – as if to confirm my suspicions – she begins to snore.
As I wipe more sweat from my brow, and from the sides of my
face as well, my attention is caught by another glint of light from the silver crucifix that now rests just past Prue's collarbone. That necklace really is a thing of beauty, and I feel rather angry that it is now the property of such a brazen, irreligious rascal as Prudence Williams. Such a fine crucifix should be owned by somebody who appreciates not only its beauty, but also its meaning.
I wipe more sweat away, as beads start dribbling down my face and onto my neck. I can feel more sweat under my clothes now, and it is as if the temperature is increasing steadily with each passing second.
Letting out a faint gasp, I turn and look out across the field. A haze of heat is rising from the ground, obscuring the view of Briarwych. Indeed, the heat is now so strong, I am beginning to feel rather nauseous. I wipe more and more sweat from my face, but it is almost as if I am burning up, as if this beautiful English field is becoming as hot as the surface of the sun. I turn my head this way and that, trying to shield my face from the brightness, and then – feeling once again as if I am being watched – I look toward the treeline. There is nobody there, yet I feel a pair of eyes burning into my soul.
“This is quite impossible,” I gasp, looking down at Prue and seeing that somehow she is still sleeping through the heat, still snoring too.
And the crucifix is still glinting.
“I've never known such a day,” I whisper, wondering if perhaps the pair of us are to be burned to scorch-marks out here in the field. I turn and look around, and suddenly I spot something on the ground near my right foot.
A rock.
I didn't notice it before, but there is a large black rock that seems not to fit at all with the rest of the countryside. About as large as a human head, the rock looks to be glistening in the heat. Reaching out, I touch the hot surface and find that, indeed, the rock is slightly damp.
Filled with a sense of wonder, I take the rock in my hands, even though the surface is almost burning my skin.
A moment later, turning to Prue, I feel a sudden rush of blood as I realize that I could use this rock to just take the crucifix. In fact, I am starting to wonder whether this is a test from the Lord, whether it is my duty to ensure that the necklace does not become the property of such a weak and foolish girl. Still gripping the rock, I try to clear my thoughts, but it is as if the immense heat is slowly boiling my brain in my skull. My mind is slow and turgid, and I barely feel like myself.
Finally, gasping for air, I turn and kneel next to Prue. I feel as if my brain is turning to mush, but then I raise the rock in my hands and the heat seems to ease slightly. I raise the rock higher and, again, the heat becomes a little more bearable. I can still feel sweat soaking under my clothes, but as I keep rock raised high I at least gain a short respite. Only for a few seconds, however, for soon the heat begins once again to build.
“Please,” I whisper, “I can't stand this.”
And then, with no warning, I am suddenly filled with the understanding that the heat will fade as soon as I bring the rock crashing down against Prue's head. Yes, that's the only thing that'll do it. The heat will fade, I shall stop burning with sweat, and I shall be able to take the necklace as my own. Nobody will find Prue's body out here in the middle of the field, not before it's eaten by animals, and I can make up some lie about where she's gone. I can say that she went to visit friends, and then people will forget to ask again later. Yes, that seems perfectly reasonable. This is the only course of action that will allow me to stay sane.
With all my strength, I suddenly bring the rock crashing down against Prue's head. I see and hear and feel her skull cracking with a dull thud. She doesn't wake up. Her body jerks slightly, but I'm already raising the rock again. This time, I bring it down against her eye, obliterating the socket and sending blood splattering out across the grass. I raise the rock yet again and watch for a moment as more blood bursts out from between broken sheets of bone, and then I smash the rock over and over against Prue's face until all that is left is a bloodied mess. Then I keep going, aiming at the top of her neck, hitting her and not even caring when blood sprays against my face. I work myself into a frenzy, bashing her head until finally my hands seize up and I drop the rock, and I see that I have bashed Prue's head clear away from her shoulders.
With trembling fingers, I carefully reach out and touch the crucifix. It's burning hot and -
“Judith, what are you doing?”
Startled, I blink, and suddenly my hands are free of blood. I look over at the spot where Judith's head used to be, and I'm shocked to see her staring at me with a puzzled expression.
“If you like the necklace that much,” she continues, “you can have it. You only had to say.”
I pull my hands away, and then I look around and see that there is indeed a black rock resting on the ground. The heat has begun to abate, and after a few more seconds the air is once again quite bearable. The day remains hot, of course, but at least the startling intensity has faded quite dramatically.
“Here,” Prue says, sitting up and removing the necklace, then holding it out for me. “It'll suit you better anyway. It'll mean more to you.”
“I'm fine,” I stammer, as I realize that I must have imagined that whole dreadful business with the rock. It seemed so real, but it must have been all in my head.
“You don't look fine,” Prue continues, before pressing the hot little metal crucifix into my hands and then grabbing her dress. “Did I fall asleep? Must be the heat. How about going somewhere a little more shady?”
As she begins to get dressed again, I look down at the crucifix. I am quite shaken by the realization that I actually contemplated murdering Prue in order to get my hands on this thing, and by the fact that I was able to imagine – in such great detail – what it would be like to smash her brains out with a rock. Never before have I felt myself to be remotely capable of violent acts, yet evidently today some long-hidden part of my personality briefly came bubbling to the surface. I must never, ever let that happen again.
“I fancy a walk through the forest on the way back to Briarwych,” Prue says, as I get to my feet. “We can go and pick bluebells like proper, dainty women. Sound fun?”
“Yes,” I stammer, still contemplating the bizarre, animal-like fury that briefly blossomed in my heart. “Of course.”
“Last one there's a scaredy-cat,” she says, turning and heading toward the treeline. “Come on, Judith. Let's get a move on!”
Still clutching the crucifix, I turn to follow her, only to stop as I see that she's heading straight for the darkness of the forest. For a moment I feel once again as if I am being watched, but I quickly tell myself that this sensation is all in my head. Setting off after Prue, I try to make myself believe that the hallucination was perfectly innocent, although I know deep down that this is not true. When I get home, I shall have to pray for guidance from the Lord, and I must devote myself more carefully than ever to scripture studies. If some kind of evil truly lurks within my soul, I must beg the Lord to help me keep it hidden.
I want to live a good and holy life.
Chapter One
1940
I am the luckiest, happiest, most content woman in the whole world.
As I step out of the cottage, I look – as I always do – to the left and see the spire of Briarwych Church rising high above our splendid little village. There is something so noble about that spire, something that fills my heart with joy. One should always appreciate a church, of course, but I must say I think there is something a little different about Briarwych. It is as if all that is good is here, and nothing bad could ever intrude upon this perfection.
“Good morning, Ms. Prendergast,” a friendly voice calls out, and I turn to see Millicent Bean heading down the hill, no doubt on her way to the local shop.
“Good morning, Mrs. Bean,” I reply, as I wave at her. “I was just enjoying the warmth of the morning sunshine against my face.”
“Indeed, Ms. Prendergast,” she says, as she disappears from view behind my neighbor's ro
se bushes. “I shall speak to you later, I hope.”
“I hope so too,” I reply, although I imagine she is already well out of earshot. That woman is always rushing around and I sometimes wonder whether she ever has time to contemplate the peace and quiet of Briarwych.
Then again, one should not judge one's neighbors.
I pull the front door shut, before making my way along the garden path and out onto the lane. As I shut the gate, I glance up at the clear blue sky and note that there is not a cloud in sight. Even by Briarwych standards, this is shaping up to be a particularly bright and sunny day, and I cannot help but wonder what great purpose the Lord has in store for me today. More than anything, I like to feel truly useful to the church and its community, and I trust that the Lord knows how best to use me. On a day such as this, I cannot help but feel that something truly wonderful is about to happen.
With this thought prominent in my mind, I start making my way up the hill. It would be unladylike to go too fast, but I cannot help quickening my pace as I once again spot the church's spire up ahead. I have so much work to get done today, so I must get started as quickly as possible. As all good people know, the Lord abhors idleness, and I personally believe that one must at all times strive to maximize the usefulness of one's time. And if one is fortunate, one might find oneself being put to work as an instrument of the Lord.
Yes, I truly am the luckiest woman in the world.
Chapter Two
“Good morning, Father Perkins.”
“Hmm?”
Turning from the papers on his desk, Father Perkins stares at me for a moment. He is a very hard worker, and he is often too engrossed in his tasks to notice my arrival. This I take to the mark of a serious and devoted man who perhaps becomes a little lost in his work from time to time.
“Oh,” he mutters, as he looks back at the papers, “good morning, Judith. You're even earlier than usual, I see. By a good half hour this time. There's really no need to hurry in the mornings, you know.”