The Open House

by Sam Carrington

  ‘I know the feeling.’ I take his hand and give it a squeeze. ‘Do you fancy popping over to see Jo and Keeley now?’ I’m hoping he’ll say yes, as I don’t want to force him.

  ‘Well,’ he says, ‘I am very tired, but I suppose me and Finley could play Lego for a bit.’

  ‘Actually, it’ll just be you. Keeley said she’d get her special Star Wars Lego out … er, what was the name of the ship? The Millennium something …’

  ‘Oh, wow! You mean the Millennium Falcon starship?’ He skips along beside me now, excitement replacing his weariness.

  ‘Yes, that sounds right.’ I smile. Finley is waiting at the top of the field, so we head towards him.

  ‘Excellent. Finley will be so jealous. Why isn’t he coming?’

  ‘I need to talk to him for a bit. And I didn’t want you to get bored.’

  ‘Oh, okay. That doesn’t sound like fun. I’d rather be at Jo and Keeley’s then.’

  With Leo happily on the floor surrounded by a mass of little grey bricks, I leave with Finley. I drive out of Stockwood to Decoy Park.

  ‘What do you think about moving to Kent? I mean, really think? You can be totally honest with me, I’m not going to be upset if you tell me the truth,’ I say, once we’ve entered the wooded area.

  He shrugs. ‘Okay, I guess. It’s a bit scary leaving my friends and living somewhere new, though.’

  ‘Yes, it is, isn’t it? I feel the same way,’ I tell him, honestly. Because it is a scary prospect, however much I want it.

  ‘But I want you to be happy, Mum.’ Finley looks up at me, his eyes wide and sparkling.

  ‘That’s a really lovely thing to say, Fin. But I need you to be happy, too. You know that, don’t you? If you’ve things on your mind, worries or …’

  ‘I am a bit worried, actually,’ he says.

  ‘Okay, well, let’s discuss that, shall we?’ Apprehension fills me.

  He walks on in silence until we reach a bench overlooking the lake. He goes on ahead and sits down, then turns to me and pats the bench beside him. I sit with him and wait for him to speak. I feel this needs to be done in his own time, without me rushing him.

  ‘I don’t want to live here anymore,’ he says. ‘I want to leave. I am scared about going so far away, but not as scared as I am being in our house right now.’

  Oh, my God. This wasn’t what I was expecting. The fluttering inside my chest grows more violent. I’m not sure how to tackle this. I swallow, my saliva catching on the hard lump in my throat.

  ‘How come you’re scared in our house?’ I curse inwardly. I’m betting all of this stems from my stupid, neurotic behaviour following the open-house event.

  ‘Leo’s nightmares aren’t just dreams. They’re real, Mum.’

  ‘I know they can seem that way, Fin, but—’

  ‘No. You don’t get it. They don’t seem real, they are. Haven’t you heard the noises in the night? And things keep moving. Your picture has gone, didn’t you see?’

  ‘Yes, I did notice.’ I can’t think of anything else to say – I don’t want to lie to him. ‘I thought maybe you took it to start with.’

  ‘Why would I want to take it?’

  ‘I don’t know, really. I wondered if you might be feeling a bit left out because all the attention was on Leo. And because I’m always thinking about the move and fussing over everything being clean and tidy in the house …’

  ‘I’m not feeling left out, Mum. I’m fine. I get enough attention from Nanna and Dad.’

  My stomach drops. He’s saying he’s not getting attention from me, though, which is terrible. ‘So, you’re not getting up in the night and moving the things yourself?’ I laugh, to try to make light of it. But he stares at me, a serious expression on his pale, round face.

  ‘No, Mum. That’s someone else. I was afraid it was that man—’

  ‘What man?’ I cut in.

  ‘The one who’s been watching us. But then I thought it might be Nanna because she is always telling me and Leo how much she loves us and doesn’t want us to go.’

  This makes sense. And if Finley has also considered it, then I need to speak with Barb as soon as possible. ‘So, you think she’s somehow watching over you?’

  ‘Maybe. I think she took the picture for sure.’

  ‘What makes you say that?’ I cock my head.

  ‘Because it’s hers. You said she’d put it in the shed. I saw her looking at it and she seemed upset. I think she wanted it back. She shouldn’t have just taken it, though, should she? She should’ve asked first.’

  ‘Yes, she should have.’

  ‘She told me you were wrong saying the boy in the picture looked like me. She said it was my uncle. He’s dead isn’t he.’

  ‘No one knows for sure, sadly. He went missing when he was seventeen and didn’t come home again. Nanna and Daddy have always hoped one day he’d come back.’

  ‘Perhaps he has,’ Finley says, his tone serious.

  I sit back hard on the bench. Christ. I hadn’t even considered it.

  What if the missing thirteenth viewer is Tim Miller?

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  For a long time, I questioned nothing. It didn’t seem necessary and I was getting on with my life the way I wanted to. I didn’t need to drag up the past because I was trying to cope with the here and now. The past wouldn’t let me go, though. Someone had a purpose, and they needed certain things to ensure their objective was reached.

  To begin with, I thought it was a mistake. But, in time, when further things came to light, I realised there were no such things as mistakes. People made decisions, acted how they thought would best serve them. Including me.

  There are no mistakes, only lessons.

  It’s funny how you see what you want to see. Even when the truth is as plain as the nose on your face.

  I’d needed to protect myself from what was happening, and refusing to see the facts made that easier. It was as if they knew that about me. Knew my weaknesses.

  They didn’t care about any of that, though.

  And now, the truth will out.

  Chapter Sixty

  Barb

  ‘Why are you here?’ I carry on poking the stick into the burning bin. I need to make sure there’s nothing left. Not a single bit of the picture or frame.

  ‘Oh, I’m just visiting.’

  His voice is coarser than it was – likely from the forty-a-day smoking habit he once had. I haven’t heard it for about thirty years, mind.

  ‘Visiting who?’

  ‘My brother, of course,’ he says. My pulse bangs fast; irregularly. I can feel it in my throat, pushing against the roll-neck of my jumper.

  ‘Oh, right. Well, don’t let me stop you.’

  ‘He’s not going anywhere; he can wait. I’m not exactly sure where he is. It’s been a long time.’

  I don’t know what his game is – why he’s here, how he knew where to find me. I just want to get rid of him.

  ‘Under the first big oak tree as you go in the bottom entrance,’ I say.

  ‘That’s right, is it?’

  ‘Of course it is. I remember where I scattered my own husband’s ashes,’ I say, curtly.

  ‘Yes … yes. I’m sure you do.’

  His voice is quieter. I turn to see that he’s walking away, but he calls back to me.

  ‘I’ll be seeing you,’ he shouts, with a wave of his hand.

  Not if I see you first.

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Amber

  I’m fairly confident now that Finley isn’t acting up and that he’s not behind the strange things happening in the house. He has, however, given me food for thought. Could it really be possible Nick’s missing brother has shown up now, after so long? It would make sense for him to return to the last place he knew; his home prior to him running away, or his abduction – or whatever else Nick has been wondering about all these years – because it’s clear from our last conversation about his current cold case, he does still believe so
mething happened to Tim. Something bad.

  What would he say if I was to suggest Tim might be alive and well – and back in Stockwood? I laugh to myself. It’s ridiculous. Why on earth would Tim come back now? And why would he come to an open house rather than just knock on the front door and declare himself “back”? The theory doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, although I can’t quite let go of it. People act in mysterious ways, especially if they’re trying to hide something.

  I look out the lounge window while thinking about all of this madness. Davina’s house is visible, but I can’t see the front door from this position. I haven’t set eyes on her since yesterday’s escapade. I’m surprised she hasn’t come across, or tried to catch me as she usually does; I’d have thought she’d be keen to get any updates following our surveillance operation. Has she lost interest? Maybe being “in” with me isn’t as exciting as she thought it would be. Perhaps I bore her.

  Weirdly, I’m hurt at the thought.

  I notice three figures rounding the corner and walking towards the house. Jo and Keeley are bringing Leo home. I open the front door and walk up the path. He’s only been gone a few hours, but I miss having both of the boys here with me. As I stand waiting for them to reach me, arms crossed to keep the chilly air off my chest, I catch a flicker of light from the corner of my eye. One of Davina’s upstairs lights has just come on. I walk further along the pavement so I can get a better view. There’s a figure silhouetted in the top window. Looks to be too tall for Davina. Is this the mysterious Wayne? I stare for a second, then turn my attention to Leo.

  ‘Hi, guys,’ I say. I reach down to Leo and hug him. ‘And how was Star Wars Millennium thingy?’

  ‘Aw, Mum. You’re useless. I’m glad I’ve got Jo and Keeley – you know nothing about Star Wars.’

  ‘Not entirely true. I did have a thing for Luke Skywalker back in the day,’ I say.

  ‘I don’t think that counts,’ Jo says. ‘You had a thing for just about every male actor if I remember correctly.’ She’s not wrong. I let them walk on into the house ahead of me and look back at Davina’s. The figure disappears from view. Surely if it were Davina, and she saw me looking, she’d have waved?

  ‘Guys, I’m just popping over to see Davina – I’ll be a couple of minutes, is that okay?’ I shout through the front door. When I hear a yes, I walk across the road and bang loudly on Davina’s door. She answers immediately.

  ‘Hi,’ I say. ‘You okay? Thought you’d have been across to see me.’

  ‘Hi, Amber. Yes. All good. I’ve been stuck within these four walls busy with my manuscript …’

  ‘Oh, I didn’t think you’d been home. No lights have been on.’

  ‘You keeping tabs on me?’ Any other time, this sentence would be funny. But Davina isn’t saying it in a jokey manner. It’s an accusation.

  ‘Well, no. Not really, it’s only that I’ve been wanting to catch up with you, so I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to see you.’

  She shrugs and looks back over her shoulder. I want to invite myself in because something feels really off, and I’m actually getting a little worried. She’s on edge. Jumpy. Does Wayne frighten her?

  ‘Jo and Keeley are over at mine for the minute. I can pop in quickly and update you.’ As I say it, I push my way into the hall passageway before she can make an excuse.

  She hesitates at the door, looking up the stairs then back at me, and stutters, ‘Er … um … I can spare a few minutes, I guess.’ She follows me into her lounge.

  ‘What’s going on, Davina?’ I can’t help myself, I have to ask straight out. I can’t pussyfoot around anymore.

  ‘I – I don’t know what you mean …’

  ‘You’re acting very oddly, and it’s worrying me. Is there something you want to share with me?’

  ‘No. Nothing. Why? Have you found something out?’

  For the moment, I’m not sure if she’s asking if I’ve found something out about Carl, or whether I’ve found out something about her and Wayne. I decide in this moment to play devil’s advocate. ‘A few people have mentioned they’ve never met Wayne,’ I say, then I pause to gauge her reaction. Her forehead creases.

  ‘So? I told you he works unsocial hours. What’s that got to do with anything?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ I say with a shrug. ‘But it feels relevant.’ I know I’m grasping at straws, but I’m desperate for her to open up; tell me why she acts so strangely in her own home.

  ‘Haven’t you got enough drama going on in your own house and family, Amber? Surely you don’t feel the need to make waves for me, too?’

  ‘That’s not what I’m doing. I’m worried about you, Davina.’ I drop my voice to a whisper. ‘Something isn’t right here.’

  ‘I really don’t have a clue what you’re trying to say, but you’re making me uncomfortable. Can you leave now, please?’

  There are tears in her eyes. I’ve pushed too far. ‘I’m sorry, Davina,’ I say as I head out. When I’m back on the doorstep, I turn to face her. ‘I’m only trying to be a good friend.’

  ‘So am I, Amber,’ she says, slowly, her eyes boring into mine. ‘So am I,’ she repeats quietly, before slamming the door in my face.

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Amber

  ‘I’m beginning to question what the hell is going on in Stockwood. I’ll be glad when I’m out of it,’ I say to a perplexed-looking Jo as I flounce back into my house.

  ‘I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,’ she says, raising her eyebrows towards Keeley.

  ‘It’s no joke, Jo. Too many things are happening, odd things, and now Davina is acting strange too.’

  ‘Oh, like she wasn’t before?’

  ‘I know I’ve not had the best things to say about her in the past, but we’d been getting on, and I was even beginning to like the woman.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘She’s just shut the door in my face!’

  ‘Are you sticking your nose in where it’s not wanted, Ms Miller?’

  ‘You can mock me all you like. Let me give you a rundown on everything that’s been happening, shall I? Then maybe you won’t be finding this all sooo amusing.’ I stop to take a breath. ‘Where are the boys anyway?’ I look around me. It’s too quiet.

  ‘On the trampoline,’ Keeley says. ‘You were taking so long I was about to join them.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I had to speak with Davina there and then.’

  I proceed to list everything I’ve been experiencing, repeating some of the things they already knew. The house. Carl. Carl and the affairs. Davina’s odd behaviour and the invisible Wayne. Barb. The missing picture. The cut-out face in the sink. And lastly, the conversation with Finley and how he’d sparked a theory I hadn’t considered. When I finally stop speaking, Jo and Keeley are both sitting with their mouths agape.

  ‘That’s quite a list.’

  ‘Yes, and it’s probably not exhaustive.’

  ‘Let me do some of my own digging. I can begin with the planning,’ Jo says.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The planning application for the development behind these houses. The more I think about it, the more I question the timing of all this … this … strangeness. It can’t be a total coincidence, can it? That all this stuff started happening at a similar time to the developer’s proposition? Do we even know who’s behind it? I mean, I know we’ve got a company name – Whitmore & Co – and some geeks who did that information session up at the village hall, but we don’t know much about the owners.’

  ‘It wouldn’t hurt to look into it. But I really don’t think it’s all related to them. I have an awful suspicion this goes way back and something recent – a catalyst – has started off a chain reaction.’

  ‘It might all be linked, though. If you ask me, dodgy Carl is in the centre of this.’

  ‘Unless, of course, he’s merely the catalyst,’ I counter.

  ‘We need to find out more. While I’m delving into the developer’s s
ide, Keeley, you can do some detective work and find out all you can about Wayne. Amber, I think you should stick to Davina, watch her every move, and get what you can from her. She might not be willing to divulge much about her husband, but she does know a lot about other people, so she’s still your best bet in helping find out what other stuff Carl is up to.’

  ‘Okay. Sounds like a plan. Thanks, guys, I really appreciate you taking me seriously.’

  Jo shrugs. ‘You’re welcome. What are friends for?’

  Jo and Keeley get up and go to the back door. ‘Bye, boys!’ I hear a distant goodbye coming from Finley and Leo. Once, I relished them being that far away so I couldn’t hear their squeals, but now, I feel anxious instead.

  ‘Time to come on in, now, lads!’ I call.

  ‘One other thing,’ Jo says as she’s leaving. ‘It might also be worth speaking to Nick. As much as I diss him, say he’s worthless and whatever, I do think he might have some valid input. After all, he is the one who lived here first, when his brother went missing. He knows the history and might have more insight than he thinks.’

  ‘Yes, I will. But I’ll have to go gently. Coming right out and saying I think there’s a possibility his brother is back will be too much of a shock. And if I’m wrong, which, let’s face it, I probably am, then I’ll dredge up all his old feelings again for nothing.’

  ‘You know him best. Night, Amber.’

  Do I really know Nick best?

  I’m beginning to change my mind about that.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Amber

  So, I’m to stick to Davina like glue – if she’ll talk to me again – and, at some point soon, grill Nick. That’s the plan. I begin to fret over making yet another call to Nick. I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep running to him; it’s going to look like I’m really after a reconciliation. He’ll think I’m making up excuses to get him over to the house so I can see him. I pace the lounge a few times, then sit at the table and stare at my laptop screen.