Page 21 of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1)

21

Churchside consisted of a row of six shops and a terraced house, decorated in authentic period style.

Entering the toy shop was just like walking into the past, with old-fashioned Sindy and Barbie dolls and Action Man figures in pristine boxes, toy cars, a train set running in one corner, doll’s houses, rocking horses, jigsaw puzzles, old versions of board games like Mousetrap, Cluedo, and Frustration, and even vintage children’s books.

Eric, who ran the shop, explained that these items weren’t for sale, as replacing them would be hugely difficult. They’d been in the family since he was a boy, and his father ran the shop. However, there was a whole section where books and jigsaws and more modern toys could be purchased by visitors. I was delighted to see some of the jigsaws were scenes of Rowan Vale, the Wyrd Stones, and Harling’s Halt, which Eric said had been specially commissioned by the estate.

There was a newsagents with copies of vintage magazines, newspapers, and children’s comics on the shelves, as well as jars and trays of sweets that would have been familiar to children at the time.

Next door to that was a boutique, with racks of sixties-style fashions. The assistants were young and looked very trendy – or would have done sixty years ago. There were huge posters on the walls of 1960s icons like Twiggy, Brigitte Bardot, and Audrey Hepburn.

There was also a hairdressing salon, set up just as one would have been in the sixties. The staff all had heavily lacquered beehives and wore mini dresses and told me tourists often requested vintage hairstyles just for fun, although they assured me that they did modern cuts and styles for the villagers and would be happy to do my hair any time I wanted.

Conscious of how untidy it looked, I’d promised I’d book an appointment soon and headed quickly next door to the record shop, where I met the young couple, Lucy and Sam, who ran it. They wore authentic-looking sixties clothes too and had obviously paid a visit to the salon.

I also encountered Millie, their resident ghost.

‘I’m very fond of her,’ Lucy admitted. ‘She was my mum’s older sister, but she died tragically young?—’

She shut up quickly as a young girl bounced into the shop. The prickling along my shoulders told me that this was Millie, and my heart went out to her. She couldn’t have been more than a teenager, and she was so pretty with her blonde hair heavily backcombed and eyelashes so thick and heavy, it was a wonder she could open her eyes. She was wearing a black and white mini dress and flat, knee-high, white boots, and the thought that this vibrant young girl had been taken so soon was heartbreaking.

Millie seemed cheerful enough, though. The first thing she asked me was if I was a Beatles fan, and when I cautiously replied that I liked their music, she immediately asked me who my favourite Beatle was.

I saw Lucy mouth, ‘Paul’ at me, and said dutifully, ‘Paul McCartney.’

Millie beamed at me. ‘Cool! He’s just so dreamy, isn’t he? I’ve got posters of him all over my bedroom, and Sam and Lucy buy me all his latest records.’

She ran into the back room as if she’d just decided she couldn’t spend another moment of her time not gazing at her idol.

Lucy sighed. ‘She still imagines him as a young man with a mop top. We’re very selective about the records we play for her. We haven’t introduced her to The Frog Chorus. I don’t think she’s ready for the shock of “We All Stand Together”.’

‘I see what you mean,’ I said, deciding to keep quiet about how much I loved ‘We All Stand Together’. ‘What happened to her?’ I covered my mouth in horror. ‘Sorry! Not supposed to ask that, am I?’

To my surprise, Lucy shrugged. ‘It’s no secret. Gran and Grandad had grounded her, but she wanted to go to a concert her boyfriend had got tickets for. The Beatles played the Birmingham Odeon in October 1964 and there was no way she was going to miss it. The silly little sod climbed out of the bathroom window meaning to shimmy down the drainpipe, but she slipped and fell. Her boyfriend and their two friends had parked just up the road waiting for her, and they saw it happen. Awful.’

‘I’m guessing you can’t see her, Sam?’ I said.

‘Nope. Not a blood relative, is she? I never know where she is,’ he admitted. ‘It used to really freak me out, but I’m used to it now. She won’t go near her old home, and who can blame her? So why not let her live here with us? Not that we could stop her if we tried, naturally.’

‘We make her feel like one of the family, because she is,’ Lucy said firmly. ‘She’s got her own room, and we made it as authentic as we could for her. She says it’s cooler than the one she had when she was alive, so that’s nice. Mum comes to see her as often as she can, though she lives in Scotland now, but they have a catch up when she does. Honestly, Millie feels like my little sister.’

I thought it was amazing that people around here accepted the presence of ghosts so easily. When I thought back to my own fraught childhood, it filled me with awe that no one seemed to find it a curse.

The final shop on Churchside was a vintage fish and chip shop, with pale-green walls and black and white checked flooring. The fish and chips came wrapped in authentic-looking newspaper, although Barbara, one of the staff members, assured me that it wasn’t, as that would be illegal, and that it had been specially printed for the shop. Seeing as the newspaper was titled The Rowan Vale Recorder , I could believe it. Either way, the fish and chips smelled delicious, and I made a mental note to try them before too long.

The Victorian shops on the green consisted of an old-fashioned sweet shop, which I knew Immi was keen to try, a chemist, a grocer, a butcher, a photographic studio where tourists could have their photos taken and buy their very own sepia portraits to take home, and The Curiosity Shop, which was stuffed full with the most eclectic items ranging from stuffed animals and birds to pocket watches and old books.

As with the Churchside row, there was a house that visitors could walk around, which was decorated and furnished exactly as it would have been in the late nineteenth century. I thought Aubrey would feel right at home here, and supposed he must visit the green regularly.

My final visit for the first day was to the mill complex. I’d already toured the museum on the school trip, but I popped in again to introduce myself properly, before having a cup of tea at Mrs Herron’s Teashop and buying a delicious-looking Victoria sponge from Blighty’s Bakery.

Arriving home later that afternoon, I was pleased to bump into Brodie. Well, maybe pleased isn’t the right word. He was just about to enter the study, and I decided it was the perfect opportunity to tackle him about the loan for the tractor.

‘What about it?’ he asked, reaching for a ledger off the shelf.

‘Well, for one thing, why are we lending them cash for repairs?’

He paused, clutching the ledger to his chest. ‘Because they haven’t got the money up front,’ he explained, as if it was obvious. ‘The estate always grants loans to the tenants when it comes to things like that. They pay us back with interest. Just at a much lower rate than any bank. Is there a problem?’

‘Yes, as a matter of fact there is,’ I said. ‘Why did they go to you instead of asking me? And what gave you the right to grant the loan? You’re not the owner of the estate. Why wasn’t I consulted?’

‘Are you serious?’ he asked, his eyes wide.

‘Oh, don’t give me that look! Yeah, I get it. I’m new here. I’m a stupid woman who needs an Idiot’s Guide to help her understand how things work. That doesn’t give you the right to lend money from the estate funds without telling me. Is it even legal?’

He dropped onto the sofa and sighed. ‘Callie, did you even read the Idiot’s Guide ?’

I gave him a nervous look. Was that relevant? ‘I’m working my way through it,’ I said, as confidently as I could. ‘Why?’

‘Because if you had, you’d know that the estate accountant deals with all matters of finances for the tenants. And right now, at least, I’m still the estate accountant. And I would never do anything illegal. I rather resent you suggesting otherwise.’

My face burned. ‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘It’s just – well, it felt as if I was being pushed aside, you know? Betty kept telling me you’d cleared it and to take it up with you, as if you were in charge and I was just some numpty she had to placate.’

He pulled a face. ‘Yeah, I can see how that would rankle. I’m sorry. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s just easier for the accountant to deal with all the finances because that’s how Grandpa wanted it. I’m sure we could get an amendment written into the contract if you’d prefer. I could contact Mr Eldridge?—’

‘Heck, no!’ I held up my hands in horror. ‘You’re right. It’s best the way it is. I guess I’m just being oversensitive. Sorry again. I honestly didn’t mean to accuse you of anything. I know you’d never rip me off or do anything remotely underhanded.’

‘I really wouldn’t,’ he said solemnly.

‘So… friends?’ I held out my hand and, after a moment’s pause, he shook it.

My eyes widened as I felt a jolt of electricity course through my body at his touch. My mouth felt dry as I stared up at him, my heart thudding with a sudden rush of adrenaline.

Brodie swallowed hard. ‘Friends,’ he said at last.

It seemed like forever before we both blinked, and he dropped my hand. ‘Work,’ he mumbled, feebly waving the ledger at me.

‘Work,’ I murmured, and left him to it, wondering what the hell had just happened.

* * *

The next day, I continued my introductions by heading to Harling’s Halt, where I found Ronnie and Bill still arguing on the platform. They shut up pretty quickly when they saw me and gave me sheepish looks – no doubt remembering how they’d rushed to complain about me to Lawrie. I assured them there were no hard feelings, and that they were free to continue as they pleased, given that it wasn’t bothering anyone.

Unfortunately, at that moment, Percy Swain appeared and informed me in aggrieved tones that it was bothering him , and he didn’t see why he should have to put up with those two rogues causing a scene every single day when he was trying to run a professional station here, given that there was no longer a stationmaster present.

Percy – nope, I couldn’t call him that, he was always going to be Perks to me – had a point, as I tried tactfully to explain to Ronnie and Bill, who reluctantly agreed to shake hands and try harder to stop fighting. Perks looked doubtful and I didn’t blame him. I imagined that the moment I left, they’d be at it again, but there wasn’t a lot I could do about that.

To mollify the porter, I asked him if he’d be so kind as to take me on a tour of the station and tell me a bit about its history, which he was more than happy to do. By the time I left – having been shown around the Edwardian-style tearooms and given a bag of scones to take home with me, as well as being introduced to the station and tearoom staff – he was clearly quite taken with me, and we parted on extremely good terms, with Perks, bless him, doffing his cap to me quite deferentially.

The final two days of the week flew by as I visited other tenants in their homes, the garage and cinema, and popped into The Quicken Tree, where I chatted to the landlady, Penny, and a couple of her bar staff. I also visited All Souls to chat more to Amelia, who was more than happy to show me around the stunning church.

I tried valiantly to ignore Silas, although it wasn’t easy, as he contradicted and criticised Amelia’s every word. Amelia, lucky thing, was totally oblivious to his sniping and I wasn’t going to burst her bubble. I thought I’d have to have words with Silas at some point, though. He may have been a pious man in life, but in afterlife, his manners left a lot to be desired.

Before I knew it, Friday had rolled around, and as soon as Immi was settled in bed, I headed out to Rowan Farm to collect the kitten.

Betty had him all ready and waiting for me, and as I bundled him into the brand-new cat carrier I’d bought, I was touched to see her in tears as she said her goodbyes.

Lawrie and Brodie were waiting when I got back and made a huge fuss of the kitten.

‘What a lovely little chap,’ Lawrie said, clearly delighted. ‘It will be good to have a pet in the house again. We haven’t had one since my old retriever, Harvey, passed.’

‘He’s so cute,’ Brodie agreed, scooping the kitten into his arms. ‘Aren’t you? Aren’t you?’

The kitten rubbed his head against Brodie’s chin and clearly thought Brodie wasn’t so bad himself.

A kitten with taste .

‘I hope he doesn’t cry,’ I said worriedly. ‘I don’t want Immi to hear him in the night.’

‘He can sleep in my room,’ Brodie offered immediately. ‘I’m in the east wing so even if he does cry, she won’t hear him from there.’

‘Are you sure?’ I asked, surprised.

‘Of course. It’s no trouble,’ he assured me.

‘What about Agnes? What if she complains about the noise?’ I asked doubtfully.

‘I shan’t complain about the noise.’

I spun round, blushing as I realised Agnes, Aubrey, and Florrie were all standing in the kitchen behind me.

‘Although,’ she added pointedly, ‘it would have been nice if you’d asked if we minded you bringing a new animal into our home. Good manners cost nothing.’

‘You’re quite right,’ I said meekly. ‘I should have asked. I’m sorry, Agnes.’

She looked momentarily astounded that I’d capitulated so easily but recovered herself quickly. ‘Yes, well, as it happens, I used to have a cat called Jessop, and I was very fond of him. It will be nice to have another one around the place.’

The kitten, who had been nestling comfortably in Brodie’s arms, stiffened suddenly and hissed in their direction.

‘Oh, dear,’ I said. ‘I think he can see you, or at least sense you. What am I going to do about that?’

‘Don’t worry,’ Aubrey said reassuringly. ‘It’s the shock, but they get used to it. Harvey was just the same. Do you remember, Lawrie? The day you brought him here as a puppy, he was going berserk every time he saw us, but by the time he passed, we were the best of friends.’

‘How come there aren’t any animal ghosts here?’ I asked, half to myself.

‘My grandad had a lovely old cat, but when he died and I asked if ’e’d go to ’eaven, my ma said animals don’t have no souls,’ Florrie remarked. ‘I didn’t ’alf cry.’

‘What an ill-educated comment,’ Agnes snapped. ‘It’s nonsense, Florence. The woman knew nothing.’

‘I believe animals have the purest souls,’ said Aubrey hastily. ‘I’m quite sure there’s a place reserved especially for them in Heaven, where they are admitted immediately, and that’s why there are no animals on our plane.’

‘So my soul ain’t pure?’ demanded Florrie.

We all looked at each other, except for Brodie, who clearly had no idea what was going on and had reverted to stroking the kitten and pretending he didn’t care.

‘Not at all,’ Lawrie said gently. ‘It’s just, there are different rules for animals. That’s all.’

Thankfully, she didn’t push the subject. Instead, she said, almost grudgingly, ‘He’s cute, ain’t he? What’s ’is name?’

‘ His name, Florence,’ Agnes said with a sigh. ‘And it’s isn’t , not ain’t . How many times do I have to tell you?’

‘He doesn’t have a name yet,’ I began, but she said eagerly, ‘Can I name ’im then?’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘He’s a present for Immi’s birthday tomorrow. She’ll name him herself.’

Florrie glared at me then flounced out of the room.

Agnes hurried after her and Aubrey rolled his eyes.

‘One simply has to learn that one can’t have everything,’ he said sadly. ‘It’s a lesson Florence must be taught, but unfortunately Agnes is reluctant to teach her. So, it’s Immi’s birthday tomorrow, eh? Is she to have a party?’

‘Not really,’ I said slowly, thinking I should have organised one.

‘Well,’ he said, ‘I expect it’s difficult. She doesn’t really know anyone round here, does she?’

But I could have invited Violet, who’d posted a card and present for her. And thinking about it, I could have invited Clara and Jack’s boys too. At least Ashton. He was in her class, after all. I could have done something .

I was a terrible mother. I’d thought things would get easier once we moved here and I was able to give up my job, but in fact, I’d been busier than ever, and my head was so full of new things to learn that I hadn’t given my own daughter’s birthday much headspace at all. If not for Brodie’s suggestion, she might not even have had a present from me.

I went to bed that night feeling completely wretched. Something would have to change, and soon.