Matthew rings to say he is working late.
I go upstairs to put the bath on, freezing from sitting too long, finishing my interview notes for the morning. I am determined to get this job.
I run back down to find my glasses, and as I pass the great curly mirror, I hear a noise.
I stop.
Is someone in the house?
‘Frank?’
But he is working tonight; I know that really.
Another noise, like chains rattling.
I go down a few stairs, leaning over the bannister. ‘Matthew?’
In the mirror, I see the figure of a woman in a long grey dress, walking towards me, her face deathly white, a veil thrown over it, her eyes black behind the veil…
I start to shake.
I don’t believe in ghosts – but this is the Grey Lady, and she is coming towards me, her hands out in front of her…
I run upstairs and slam the door of the bathroom, locking it. My chest is heaving, and I try to laugh at my own fear – but it’s too real to be funny. I feel sick with it.
When Matthew gets home, I tell him what happened.
‘Don’t be silly.’ He grins. ‘You were imagining it. You’re just tired.’ He hugs me. ‘Silly thing. Don’t let Luke’s stories scare you, hon.’
But I know what I saw.
* * *
14 FEBRUARY 2015
* * *
Valentine’s Day – and we’re going away for the night!
After all the stress recently, it’s the perfect way to smooth things over. Plus Marlena’s coming to stay next weekend. This all feels like a new start – everything’s going to be okay!
I had the second interview at the college yesterday, and I felt an instant rapport with the head of department. She told me pretty much straightaway the job was mine. When I got home, they called to make the offer.
I didn’t get the chance to tell Matthew because he rang to ask me to meet him in Berkhamsted for pizza with Luke and Scarlett: a late birthday meal for them. Matthew was upset he hadn’t seen them on the actual day, but he and Kaye had decided to take ‘celebrations’ in turn – and so they spent their actual birthday with her.
We had an all right time. Scarlett even answered a question or two I put her way, mainly about school – although she’s still angry with me, it’s obvious. She was fed up Frankie didn’t come – that was clear too when I sent her Frankie’s birthday wishes.
At one point during the meal, I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, the three Kings all stopped talking.
‘Don’t mind me,’ I joked, but no one really laughed. Matthew raised his glass to me, but I felt awkward from then on. All in all I was relieved when the meal was over and we dropped them off.
There was something in Scarlett’s steely little face that scared me a bit.
* * *
I’m packing my overnight bag when the house phone rings.
‘It’s Paul Harris here,’ the voice says. ‘We got the path results through for Justin.’
‘Justin?’ What on earth’s he talking about? ‘Sorry – wrong number I think.’
‘Mr King’s Pomeranian puppy?’
‘Oh God, sorry!’ Of course. I forgot the silly name – Justin. ‘You should talk to my husband. It was his children’s dog. Can I give you his mobile number?’
‘Sure.’ The vet takes it down. ‘But you might want to do a quick sweep of your home. Check there’s no more rodenticide around.’
‘Rodenticide? Do you mean like rat poison?’
‘Exactly. It wasn’t the virus I suspected after all. It was blood poisoning unfortunately. A chemical ingredient called cholecalciferol was detected in his bloods. Lethal for dogs.’
I put the phone down feeling anxious. I’m sure we haven’t put any poisons down in the house, and the dog was inside the whole time. Apart from in the woods, I suppose. But he barely walked; he was carried most of the way.
* * *
Our night away is far from the big success I’ve hoped for – the one we really need it to be.
The hotel is, as I expected, lovely. Five star, very luxurious in an understated sort of way, set in country grounds. It all makes me a little nervous to be honest, and I’m not planning to do anything but hang out with Matthew – but he needs to do some work when we arrive, as he left the office early.