I didn’t utter another word. I was too afraid. Someone or something was out there and Arthur’s disappearance didn’t bode well. As the shadow remained across the skylights, I could hear the muffled sound of movement on the other side of the pavilion’s timber walls. I cowered into a corner, terrified without knowing why. Leave me alone, I thought. But it didn’t. The presence moved slowly along the perimeter of the building, rustling here and scratching there, until it eventually stopped by the entrance, darkening the gaps around the doorframe.
I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth and held my head in my hands, half trying to hide and half bracing myself for whatever might happen next. When I opened my eyes again, I saw the door handle turning. Please, no, I thought. Why did you abandon me, Arthur? You knew what was coming and you left me.
The locked door shook in its frame for a few terrifying seconds and then the handle rose again. The shadow sank to the bottom half of the door and there was an irregular sniffing sound that seemed to go on forever. I heard more movement as whatever it was circled the pavilion once more, tapping the wall here and there as it went. And then there was silence. The shadow lifted from across the skylights and I was alone again.
‘Bloody hell,’ I said, standing up. I felt utterly exhausted. ‘What the hell was that? What just happened?’
I expected Arthur to return, but after a few minutes there was still no sign of him. ‘Hello, Arthur, can you hear me?’ I called. ‘It’s safe to come back. You do realize that I can’t get out of here by myself, don’t you?’
But he didn’t return.
A bell rang outside and, a few minutes later, I could hear the sound of children playing. I walked over to the door and peered through a crack. I could just about make out the schoolyard and a blur of different coloured coats running to and fro. It made me think of Ella. Was it also break time at her school? Would she be playing with her friends or standing alone? The former, I hoped, but her teacher had told Mum and Dad that she’d become introverted since my death. They had discussed moving her here now that she was living at their house, but they’d decided not to, fearing she might struggle to make new friends in her current state of mind.
What are the chances of anyone coming in here today? I wondered, staring at the locked door. Not likely at this time of year, as most of the equipment I could see lying around was for summer sports.
I called Arthur again, but there was still no response, which left me with only one option. I looked up through the skylights. ‘Lizzie? Are you around? I’m in a fix. I need your help.’
‘You called,’ a voice said from behind me.
I turned to face my guide. ‘Hi, Lizzie. Thanks for coming. I was afraid you might not bother after last time.’
‘That’s water under the bridge,’ she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Um, well, I need some help getting out of here.’
She scanned the pavilion. ‘I see. How did you get yourself trapped in this strange little hut?’
‘Long story. Arthur brought me here and then got called away.’
‘Arthur?’
‘Yes. Arthur Brown. You know, from my funeral.’
She gave me a blank look. ‘You’ve lost me. Anyhow, let’s get you home.’
She tapped my shoulder and we both appeared on my parents’ empty driveway. ‘How’s that?’
‘Perfect. Thanks a million.’
‘Would you like me to let you inside the house too? It looks like no one’s home.’
‘That would be wonderf—’
Another tap on my shoulder and we were inside, sitting together on the sofa.
‘How’s living here working out, William?’
‘Fine. My place is empty and will be up for sale soon. I go where Ella goes.’
‘Are you keeping an eye on the clock?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The deadline – for your grace period.’
‘I’ve got thirty-nine days left, I believe.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Good. I see you are keeping track. Any thoughts or questions?’
‘What’s the point? You never give me a straight answer.’
‘That’s not true. I tell you what I can. And I did just drop everything to rescue you.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It was a bit hairy back there before you arrived, that’s all.’
‘Because you couldn’t get out?’
I contemplated telling her about the strange presence that had scared me so much, but I decided against it, especially as she was denying any knowledge of Arthur. I felt like I ought to discuss it with him first. He might have left me there, but he had been a big help beforehand. I still hoped to get more information from him about communicating with Ella. I also had a feeling there was something not quite right about what had happened. Had Arthur got himself into some kind of trouble? If so, I didn’t want to make it worse for him by telling the wrong person. So I kept quiet. ‘Yes. That’s right.’
‘Okay,’ she said slowly, her eyes scrutinizing mine. ‘That was all?’
‘Uh-huh. I’ve never been good in enclosed spaces.’
‘I see. And do you feel any closer to moving on yet – now the funeral is out of the way? You don’t have to wait until the deadline. I can come for you any time you like. To be honest, I was hoping that might be what you wanted now.’
‘I’ve told you: I want to stay with my daughter. How can you not understand that? You’ve never been a parent, have you?’
Lizzie shook her head.
‘I didn’t think so. How old did you say you were when you died?’
‘I was twenty-seven.’
‘Right. And wasn’t there anyone you didn’t want to leave behind: a husband or a boyfriend perhaps?’
‘No one serious. I was never very lucky in love.’
‘What about your mum and dad; a brother or sister maybe?’
‘Sure. I left my parents and a younger brother. Friends too. But it never occurred to me to stay.’
‘Your situation was very different to mine,’ I said. ‘Maybe that’s part of the problem here.’
‘You need to focus on what’s important, William. I died a long time ago and I’ve been a guide for many years since then. I’ve been in this situation a lot of times before with all sorts of different people. I understand how difficult it can be to part with loved ones. I feel your pain, whether you believe that or not. But I also know what’s best for you and for Ella – and this isn’t it.’
‘We’ll have to agree to disagree about that,’ I told her.
Three days later I went looking for Arthur. I was surprised he hadn’t contacted me after abandoning me like he had. So when I found him leaning casually against the church entrance, as if he didn’t have a care in the world, I saw red.
‘There you are,’ I snapped. ‘Remember me? The guy you left stranded. The guy you threw to the wolves.’
He turned, startled. ‘W-w-william,’ he stuttered. ‘I meant to come and see you.’
‘Really? So why didn’t you? For all you knew, I could have still been stuck in the cricket pavilion.’
‘No, that’s not true. I came back to get you, but you’d already gone.’
‘Why the hell did you leave me there in the first place? And what on earth was that thing you were running away from? It scared me out of my wits.’
Arthur’s eyes widened. ‘There was something there?’
‘Oh, don’t give me that. You knew it was coming. That’s why you left.’
‘Did you see it?’
I shook my head. ‘It circled around outside for a while. It even sniffed at the door, but then it left, like it couldn’t find whatever, or whoever, it was looking for. It was terrifying. What was it? You must know.’
Arthur was bent forward, his head cradled in his right hand. After a short silence, he looked up at me. ‘Some kind of enforcer, I suppose. It wouldn’t have harmed you, though. That’s why I left you. It was only after me. I wasn’t supposed to be talking to you. I shouldn’t be now either.’
‘What? Why not?’
‘Permanent spirits are forbidden from communicating with temporary spirits.’
‘I don’t understand.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t make the rules. I just break them. Well, not usually, but when Lizzie asked for my help, I said I’d do what I could. Especially since you and I already knew each other.’
‘When I mentioned you to Lizzie, she claimed not to know you.’
‘She has to say that, lad, to protect herself. It’s best you don’t discuss me with her. Don’t you worry, though, she knows me well enough. If it wasn’t for her covering my tracks, I’d have been caught by now.’
‘Is that what nearly happened at the pavilion?’
Arthur nodded.
‘And what would your punishment be?’
‘Nothing good.’
‘But what’s so awful about the two of us talking?’
‘They want you to pass over. That’s what your guide is there for: to lead you across to the other side. They don’t want you getting mixed messages. They don’t want me trying to convince you to stay.’
‘Or helping me to get through to my daughter.’
‘Exactly.’
‘So why did Lizzie involve you? Doesn’t she want me to pass over?’
‘Oh, she wants that more than anything. She just realizes you need to find your own way there.’
‘Does that mean you’ll help me make contact with Ella? The last thing I want is to get you into trouble, but I need to know. I need to try.’
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment before replying. ‘Okay. I think we’ll be all right for a little while. Are you sure this is what you want?’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Then you’d better have a seat.’
As I watched Mum read Ella a bedtime story that evening, I felt excited and scared. Arthur’s words of advice were running through my head. I was desperate to try them out. But what if they didn’t work? What then?
‘Right. That’s it for tonight,’ Mum said, putting down Kitty Power, a novel about three superhero kittens.
Ella had loved cats for as long as I could remember. She was always finding one to stroke and she’d amassed quite a collection of feline-themed books and toys. Although she’d begged me countless times to let her have a cat of her own, I’d always said no, not wanting the hassle. I’d have probably given in eventually; it saddened me to think that I’d never get the chance now.
‘Can I not have just one more chapter? Pleeease, Nana.’
‘No, darling. You said that after the last one. It’s time to sleep.’
‘Oh, go on. Grandad always lets me.’
‘That’s because he’s a soft touch and you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger. No, Ella. I mean it. Time for bed now. You’ve got school tomorrow.’
‘Can I go to the toilet first?’
‘Do you really need to?’
Ella nodded.
‘Go on then. But be quick.’
‘Will you come with me, Nana?’
I stood quietly by the window, peering outside through a crack in the curtains, as they disappeared to the bathroom together. It wasn’t long until they returned. Mum gave her a kiss and disappeared downstairs to fetch Dad.
‘Goodnight, princess,’ he said after hefting his bulky frame up the stairs.
‘Yuk!’ Ella said as he leaned over to give her a kiss. ‘You stink.’
‘Charming,’ he replied. ‘Sorry. I’ve just been outside for a smoke.’
‘You shouldn’t do that, Grandad. Mrs Afzal says smoking is really bad for you and only stupid people do it.’
Dad chuckled. ‘She’s right, love. I’m a silly old man who should know better. It’s hard to stop, though, once you’ve started. Make sure you never start.’
‘I won’t. It’s disgusting.’
‘Good girl.’
An anxious look appeared on Ella’s face. ‘What was that?’
Dad looked confused. ‘What was what?’
‘That noise. Like a knocking sound. There it is again.’
‘Oh,’ he replied, wrapping a large arm around his granddaughter. ‘That’s just the central heating, love. The pipes can be noisy as they get hot and cold. They always have. I hardly notice it any more. It’s nothing to worry about, honestly.’
‘It’s not bats?’
‘Bats? Of course not. Why would you think that?’
‘It was in a programme I saw on telly. This girl found them in her loft.’
He raised one eyebrow. ‘I see. Well, you shouldn’t be watching programmes like that. Anyhow, listen, I was in the loft the other day. There’s plenty of old junk up there, but nothing else. Definitely no bats.’
‘Promise?’
‘Cross my heart.’
‘Thanks, Grandad.’
‘No problem. Okay now?’
Ella nodded and he tucked her in before heading for the door. ‘Sleep tight.’
‘Don’t forget the bugs, Grandad.’
‘Of course. Sorry. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.’
‘I won’t. Grandad?’
‘Yes.’
‘You won’t turn the landing light off, will you?’
‘No, love. Of course not. Sweet dreams.’
I’d decided to leave it for a couple of hours, to ensure she was in a deep enough sleep, but the waiting was hell. To kill time, I hung around in the lounge with my parents, who were sitting together on the couch watching TV.
At one point I saw Mum try to snuggle into Dad, only for him to push her gently away. ‘Sorry, love. Do you mind not doing that? I’m feeling a bit stiff today.’
‘Why’s that?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know. Probably moving Ella’s stuff the other day.’
Dad erupted into a smoker’s coughing fit.
‘Are you all right, Tom?’ Mum asked as Dad continued to hack up his lungs. ‘Maybe it’s time you knocked the smoking on the head. There are all sorts of new ways of giving up, you know. They said on the radio—’
‘No, thanks,’ Dad spluttered. He took a large swig from a glass of whisky – one of his expensive single malts, no doubt – before adding: ‘I’ve got a heavy cold, that’s all. I’m as fit as a fiddle.’
Eventually, after barely taking my eyes off the silver carriage clock on the mantelpiece, I decided enough time had passed. It wasn’t quite as long as I’d planned, but I couldn’t wait any more. I climbed the stairs back to Ella’s bedroom. Then I strode to the foot of her bed.