Page 4 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

THREE

Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Quinn had never particularly liked the manor house, but today, after only one day of standing vacant, it looked forbidding and sinister. Some might think her fanciful, but she knew that buildings, like people, had their own moods, and the manor wasn’t pleased with having its secrets unearthed.

Gabe went in first, and when he opened the door with his key, the house seemed to almost suck in its breath. Gabe stopped on the threshold and stood still for a moment, as though he felt it too, but he would never say it aloud. Gabe wasn’t one to give in to such superstitious nonsense.

“Come on in,” Gabe called to Quinn and Emma, who were dawdling on the steps.

“Where’s Buster?” Emma whined. She looked around as if she expected the puppy to come bounding toward her, but the place was clearly deserted.

“I expect Grandma Phoebe took Buster with her,” Gabe explained. “She couldn’t leave him here all alone.”

“He would guard the place,” Emma replied. “He’s fierce.”

Gabe tried to mask his chuckle with a cough. Buster was about as fierce as a newborn chick. “I’ll call Mum and let her know we’re here,” he said as he carried their bags into the hall.

Quinn went up to the bedroom they’d stayed in when visiting her in-laws.

She smiled as she passed Gabe’s old room.

Old posters hung on the walls, and every surface was covered with books, maps, and construction sets.

The preserved teenager’s room was a silent tribute to the boy Gabe had been, and a glimpse into Phoebe’s nostalgia.

Gabe followed Quinn with the bags. He deposited Emma’s case in the small bedroom next to theirs, where she’d slept before.

The room must have been a dressing room at one time but had been converted to a bedroom once such extravagances went out of fashion.

Emma liked having her own room but needed to know that Quinn and Gabe were next door, and she could call out to them if she woke up during the night or wanted a cuddle in the morning.

Quinn opened Emma’s case, extracted her pajamas and Mr. Rabbit, and put her toothbrush, hairbrush, and strawberry-scented shampoo in the bathroom. Emma stood in the doorway, looking disgruntled. She’d looked forward to seeing Buster and was sorely disappointed.

“Hello,” Phoebe called from downstairs. “Emma, darling, I’m back.”

A happy bark followed, and Emma thudded down the stairs to say hello to Phoebe and her beloved pup. Quinn followed at a much slower pace.

“You are glowing,” Phoebe said as she kissed Quinn on both cheeks. “How’s my grandson?”

“It might be a granddaughter,” Quinn answered with a grin. They’d had this conversation several times before, but Phoebe was sticking to her guns.

“It might be, but it isn’t.” Phoebe laid a hand on Quinn’s rounded belly. “Ooh, I can feel his bum.”

“How do you know it’s his bum?” Quinn asked, curious. She frequently felt her stomach but couldn’t really tell what was what just yet.

“Because if it was his head, it’d be much harder. Russell men are notoriously hard-headed, or haven’t you noticed?” Phoebe laughed .

“I heard that,” Gabe called out from above.

Phoebe chuckled. “They have excellent hearing too, but only when it suits their purpose. Ask them to change a lightbulb or rake the leaves, and they go deaf in both ears.”

“Have you come back to stay?” Quinn asked.

Phoebe shook her head. “No, dear. I can’t remain in this house until that thing is removed. I know it’s silly, but for some reason I find it very unsettling. And my friend Cecily has a very comfortable cottage with several guest bedrooms. Perhaps Emma should stay with me until you’ve finished.”

“Yes, please,” Emma said as she danced around Phoebe. “I want to be where Buster is.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Gabe said as he came down the stairs. “Cecily Creston-Jones is lovely, and I believe she has a puppy of her own—a Yorkie called Bertie. You’ll be in dog heaven, Em.”

“It’s all right with me,” Quinn agreed. Emma was too young to be present at an excavation of a skeleton, especially when it was in the kitchen.

“We’ll make a start tomorrow,” Gabe said. “Tonight, I’m taking everyone to dinner, including Cecily, to a restaurant of your choice. You decide amongst yourselves while I take a look at the ‘lodger’ in the kitchen.”

“I want pizza,” Emma exclaimed. “And ice cream.”

“Of course you do, love,” Phoebe said, smiling. “You always want pizza and ice cream.”

“Don’t you like pizza?” Emma asked her grandmother, as though suddenly realizing that not everyone might like what she likes .

“I do, but not as much as you do. How about dinner at the pub?” Phoebe asked Emma. “This way we can all get what we want.”

“All right,” Emma answered, shrugging. “Whatever.” She enunciated the word, making it sound like an insult.

“Is that attitude I sense?” Phoebe asked Quinn as Emma ran after Buster.

Quinn sighed. “Some days I think she’s already a teenager. By the way, Phoebe, Emma’s birthday is in August, and we’d like to have a party for her. Perhaps we can do something really special, since it’s her first birthday without her mum and she’ll be feeling sad. I hope you’ll come.”

“That sounds like a good idea. I wouldn’t miss it. If you need any help planning, count me in. I feel so restless since Graeme died. I don’t know what to do with my time.”

“What did you do before?” Quinn asked.

“I made him breakfast, lunch, and tea. I bullied him into taking daily walks, and sometimes we watched television in the evenings. I didn’t like the programs he enjoyed, but it was nice to spend time together—companionable.

I’m busy enough during the day, but once it gets dark, the house feels so empty,” Phoebe complained.

“It must be very difficult to lose your companion of so many years. My grandmother never got over my grandfather’s death.

She always spoke of him as if he were about to return.

To her, he was still there, in the room, in her heart.

Her Joe was looking after her, and she smiled as she died, knowing she would see him again. ”

“Do you think she did?” Phoebe asked.

“I’d like to think so, but the more logical part of my brain says that it’s not very likely. ”

“I’d like to see Graeme again, if only to give him a piece of my mind,” Phoebe said. “How could he leave me like that?”

Quinn saw the tears and wrapped her arm about the older woman. “He didn’t leave you, Phoebe. He was taken. He would have never left you. He adored you.”

Phoebe sniffed loudly. “Would have been nice if he said so from time to time.”

“He didn’t need to. It was right there for everyone to see.”

Phoebe nodded. “I know he did. I loved him too. I hadn’t realized how much until he was gone. You and Gabe, don’t ever take each other for granted. He adores you too, you know.” Phoebe looked squarely at Quinn. “Don’t ever hurt him, Quinn.”

“I won’t.”

Phoebe nodded and walked away, going to see what Emma and Buster were up to. Quinn looked after her for a long moment. Why would Phoebe think she’d hurt Gabe?