The Cottage

by Lisa Stone

  The look of relief on Ruby’s face said it all.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  It was after midnight by the time Jan was in bed, but she couldn’t sleep. She lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, with the afternoon’s conversation running through her head as if set on a loop. It was torture. Tinder was on the bed beside her, also restless. It was clear Ruby hadn’t believed her, and who could blame her? It had sounded so far-fetched. No one else had seen anything apart from Chris and he’d denied it. Perhaps he’d been telling the truth and he really hadn’t seen anything. Perhaps there was nothing to see. There was no real evidence, Jan conceded, and began to question her own sanity.

  The ball of twine could have been blown from the patio into the shrubbery by the wind as Ruby had later suggested. And the muddy footprints on her car could indeed ‘be anything’, including foxes, squirrels or large birds. Jan tossed and turned, and kept checking the time on her phone. She’d offered Ruby her bed, but she’d insisted on taking the sofa in the living room, which converted into a bed.

  Yet she had seen something, and more than once, Jan thought.

  Or had she?

  Was it possible that living alone in the cottage, following the trauma of losing her job and partner, she was imagining things, even hallucinating? Ruby evidently thought so.

  Perhaps she should take up her offer to stay with her. But she’d have to give Camile notice first and then allow her time to make arrangements for someone else to stay in the cottage and look after Tinder. She’d feel bad letting Camile down, but if her mental health was suffering then she really shouldn’t stay any longer.

  Half an hour later Jan had made the decision that tomorrow she’d accept Ruby’s offer to stay, and go as soon as Camile had sorted out arrangements for Tinder. Jan would email Camile first thing in the morning. Once at Ruby’s, she’d be able to take stock of her life and maybe see a therapist to help her deal with all the bad stuff that had been going on.

  With the decision made, Jan finally fell asleep. It was nine o’clock when she woke. The sky outside was light. She could hear Ruby moving around downstairs. Getting out of bed, Jan put on her dressing gown and slippers and went down.

  ‘Sorry, I overslept. I’m not much of a host,’ she said, going into the living room.

  Ruby was dressed. The curtains had been opened and the sofabed put away. Ruby looked tired and drawn and Jan immediately felt guilty. She should have insisted she took her bed. ‘I’ll make us some breakfast,’ she said.

  ‘No. I’m going and I want you to come with me,’ Ruby said as she packed the last of her belongings into her weekend bag.

  ‘Why so soon?’ Jan asked, surprised. ‘I was going to make us breakfast.’

  ‘I don’t want anything to eat, thank you. I’ve had a glass of water. I’m going now and I want you to come with me,’ she said again.

  ‘I can’t, not just like that. I’ll need to tell Camile first so she can find someone to look after Tinder.’

  ‘Bring the dog if necessary,’ Ruby said. ‘But I think you should get out of here.’ She zipped shut her case.

  Jan stared at her. ‘Why? What’s happened?’

  Ruby met her gaze. ‘It’s not your imagination, Jan. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. There is something or someone out there. I heard them last night, tapping at the window. I opened the curtains, but they’d gone. I haven’t slept a wink.’

  ‘Tapping at the window?’ Jan asked. ‘I haven’t heard that before. Could it have been the wind causing something to tap on the glass?’

  ‘No, Jan. I know what I heard. It was more of a knock than a tap, as if someone was trying to get my attention.’

  ‘Why didn’t you come and get me?’

  ‘And spook you even more? I thought about phoning the police, but what could I have said? That I heard a tapping noise and when I opened the curtains there was nothing there?’ She picked up her case. ‘Come on, Jan. Please come with me. I’m worried about you.’

  ‘I can’t, not straight away. I’m not even dressed, and I need to tell Camile.’

  ‘I’ll wait while you dress then. Bring the dog.’

  ‘I can’t. He doesn’t travel well. I have to look after him here, and the cottage, until Camile can find someone else.’

  ‘And I can’t change your mind?’ Ruby asked.

  ‘No. It’s just not practical for me to up and leave.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Jan nodded.

  ‘Your decision, but come as soon as you can. Take care and look after yourself. This place gives me the creeps.’ Ruby kissed Jan’s cheek and then headed down the hall where she opened the front door. ‘Sure I can’t persuade you?’ she asked one last time.

  ‘No. I’ll be OK. You drive safely.’

  ‘Speak soon.’

  Jan watched Ruby get into her car, turn it around and then drive off along Wood Lane. As Jan closed the front door she felt strangely calm. Exonerated. She had the evidence she needed. She wasn’t losing her mind. Ruby had heard something too. Last night Jan had gone to sleep convinced it was her imagination, but Ruby had just proved otherwise. There was something out there and she intended to find out what before she left.

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Still in her dressing gown, Jan made herself a coffee. Although she was reassured she wasn’t imagining things, she didn’t feel any less threatened. Far from it. Whatever it was, was getting braver by the day and appeared to be closing in on her. When she’d first arrived, it – or they – had stayed away, hiding in the woods, possibly watching her and waiting to make their move. After a few weeks they’d begun coming into the garden but had been scared off by Tinder. Their confidence had grown and they’d become bolder: making eye-contact at the window, running through the trees in Wood Lane, leaving the ball of twine where she could see it. Then last night was their boldest move yet – tapping on the glass to attract Ruby’s attention. Pity they hadn’t done it when Chris was here. They were becoming fearless, but who were they?

  Jan wondered what would have happened if Ruby had opened the back door as she’d been doing? Would they have run away or stood their ground? Jan thought she knew the answer: they would have stayed. And done what? It was a shame Ruby hadn’t woken her. Together they might have found the courage to go outside to investigate. As it was, Ruby had left saying the cottage gave her the creeps. Jan had to smile – her usually sensible, pragmatic and rational friend had rushed out of the door, more unnerved than she was, which left her no nearer to finding out who or what was out there.

  If she slept on the sofa one night, out of sight, with the curtains open and the light off, would they return? If they did, she might be able to get a good look at them, perhaps even take a photograph. There was no point in switching on the motion-sensor light, as they’d already shown they knew when it was operating and could avoid it. Did she have the nerve to stay downstairs in the dark and wait for them to reappear? She honestly wasn’t sure. It felt safer to be upstairs in bed.

  The doorbell rang, making her start. Ruby? Had she forgotten something? Or perhaps she was returning to try to persuade her to leave again. Jan set her mug of coffee on the table and, drawing her dressing gown closer, went to answer the door. Tinder ran beside her, wagging his tail as if he knew who was there.

  ‘Oh, it’s you!’ Jan exclaimed, astonished.

  ‘Sorry, I should have phoned first to check you were up,’ Chris said apologetically.

  ‘I had a friend stay last night and we were up late. Why are you here?’

  ‘I offered to repair your fence this weekend. I’ve got the tools in my car.’

  ‘Oh,’ Jan said again, amazed. How long ago that offer now seemed. ‘I didn’t think you’d come after Wednesday evening. I’ve done it myself.’

  ‘I’m sorry about that. You know me, I can be a moody bugger sometimes. Would you like me to check the repair is holding up?’

  Jan thought she didn’t know Chris at all, and her first reaction was to tell hi
m the fence was fine and he needn’t bother to contact her again. But she hesitated.

  ‘I can come back later if it’s more convenient?’ he offered.

  ‘No, come in.’ She stood aside to let him pass. ‘I’ll leave you to check the fence while I get dressed.’

  ‘I’ll see what needs doing, then get my tools from the car,’ Chris said, and headed down the hall with Tinder at his heels.

  Bemused, Jan went upstairs to dress. What the hell! He was right when he said he was a moody bugger. But he had seemed genuinely apologetic. And now he was here he may as well check the fence, although she wouldn’t be confiding in him again.

  As Jan dressed, she heard Chris come in the back door and then let himself out the front to go to his car. Standing a little way back from the bedroom window so he couldn’t see her, she watched him as he opened the boot of his car. He was good-looking in a rugged sort of way – she’d always thought so. Tall, fair, with high cheekbones. But more at ease while doing something practical than making polite conversation over dinner. She watched him take his overalls and a tool bag from the car boot and then close the lid. Oddly, he didn’t immediately return into the cottage, but stood in the middle of the lane, looking up and down as if looking for something or someone. Apparently satisfied, he came in.

  Jan finished dressing, brushed her hair and went downstairs. She’d shower later. Slipping on her jacket, she went into the garden. It was a cold day. Chris, now wearing an all-in-one boiler suit, was leaning into the hedge using a portable electric screwdriver to insert long screws into the wood.

  ‘You did a good job,’ he said, pausing and turning to look at her as she approached. ‘Your repair has stood up reasonably well. I’m putting in three-inch screws to reinforce it.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, and watched him. He knelt as he worked, which made him appear almost vulnerable, certainly approachable, and not temperamental and withdrawn as he had been on Wednesday. ‘What do you think is getting in?’ Jan asked after a few moments.

  ‘Could be anything,’ he replied. ‘But it won’t hurt you, I’m sure.’

  ‘How can you be sure?’

  He paused again to look at her. ‘There aren’t any dangerous animals in these woods.’

  ‘So why do they keep coming to the cottage?’

  ‘Looking for food.’ Which is what he’d said before.

  Jan continued to watch him and then asked, ‘Would you like coffee and croissants? I haven’t had breakfast yet.’

  ‘Yes, please, if it’s no trouble.’

  ‘It’s not.’

  She went indoors, threw her jacket over a chair, then brewed more coffee and put the croissants she’d originally bought for Ruby to warm in the oven. Chris was doing her a favour so she could at least be civil, although she wouldn’t be talking any more about the weird sightings.

  Five minutes later he came in. ‘All done,’ he said, and stepped out of his overalls.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Jan carried the tray containing the mugs of coffee and a plate of croissants through to the living room and placed them on the coffee table. Chris took his overalls and tool box to the front door.

  ‘So I don’t forget them,’ he said, with a self-deprecating smile as he returned.

  He sat in his usual armchair. ‘Help yourself,’ she said, offering him a side plate and the croissants.

  ‘Thanks. These didn’t come from Lillian’s store?’

  ‘No, I drove into Coleshaw yesterday. But I did stop off there on the way back. I met your double.’

  ‘Oh yes, Robert Jarvis,’ Chris said. ‘We do look alike.’

  ‘Very much so.’

  There was an awkward silence and Jan concentrated on her croissant. Then Chris said, ‘Lillian gave me a right bollocking for my behaviour, and told me to apologize. I am sorry, Jan. I know my reaction when you told me Tinder had been in Camile’s belongings was completely over the top.’

  She nodded. ‘It’s forgotten,’ she said easily, and meant it. Any thoughts she’d had about dating Chris had gone, so with no vested interest it was easy to forgive him.

  ‘You see, Camile and I have history,’ Chris said, concentrating on his plate.

  ‘It’s fine, really,’ Jan said. ‘That’s your business. You’ve obviously been able to move on.’

  He looked up questioningly.

  ‘Anne,’ Jan said.

  ‘Oh goodness me, no. Anne is a friend of Camile’s and mine, that’s all. When I told her of the problems you’d been having, and that I was going to check the fence at the back of the cottage, she offered to go with me.’

  ‘So that’s why you were in the woods – checking the fence?’ Jan asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  But Jan remembered the expression on Anne’s face and wasn’t so sure.

  ‘You didn’t find a ball of twine while you were there?’ she asked. ‘Like the one I used to tie the planks of wood in place.’

  ‘No. But I can soon get you some more if you need it. They are cheap enough and I’m certain Lillian stocks them.’

  ‘It’s all right. There’s some in the shed.’

  There was another awkward silence. Chris finished his croissant and then asked, ‘So you had a friend stay last night?’

  ‘Yes, Ruby.’

  ‘A woman then?’

  Jan nodded.

  He drained the last of his coffee and, standing, put the china in the sink. ‘I’d better be going,’ he said, ruffling Tinder’s fur. ‘Those screws should keep the fence in place, but if you have any more trouble let me know.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Jan went with him to the front door. He was about to open it but stopped and turned to her. ‘I am truly sorry about Wednesday,’ he said. ‘I’d like to make it up to you and take you out again.’

  ‘Really?’ Jan said, surprised.

  ‘Yes, really. Lillian suggested I take you to the cinema where I can’t talk and put my big foot in it again.’

  Jan found herself smiling. ‘Let me think about it.’

  ‘OK, thanks.’

  She watched him go. Would she accept his invitation? She wasn’t sure. Nice of him to apologize and help her out, though.

  THIRTY-SIX

  As night fell, Jan’s unease at being alone in the cottage returned. Ruby had been right when she’d said it was creepy. The cottage was picturesque during the day, but as the sun set it blended in with the woods as if the trees were advancing, laying claim to it and its inhabitants.

  Before it was completely dark, Jan went from room to room, switching on lights and closing curtains, then she checked the front and back doors were locked and bolted. She poured herself a glass of wine and sat on the sofa in the living room. Tinder jumped up and sat beside her. Although Chris had secured the wood over the hole in the hedge with very long screws, Jan was sure it wouldn’t make much difference. Her repair work had still been there the night before when Ruby had heard something tapping at the window. They were using a different way in.

  As she sat there nursing her glass of wine with the night ahead of her, Jan wished she could have taken up Ruby’s offer to stay straight away. But not only would she have been running away, she would be letting down Camile big time. She could imagine her disappointment when the purpose of leasing out the cottage was to have someone take care of Tinder in his own home. Someone reliable and trustworthy who likes dogs … Camile’s advertisement had read. Jan cringed.

  Jan finished her first glass of wine and was about to refill when her phone rang. Camile’s number showed on the display. That was a weird coincidence, she thought, as she answered. It was only the second time she’d phoned. All their contact had been by email or text. Coincidence? Or had Chris been in touch with her?

  ‘How are you doing?’ Camile asked brightly.

  ‘All right, thank you,’ Jan replied. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Work is challenging, but otherwise I’m OK. How’s Tinder?’

  ‘He’s fine.’

/>   ‘Do you both have everything you need?’

  ‘Yes, thank you. You left him plenty of food.’

  ‘Chris called a short while ago and said you were having problems with forest animals coming into the garden.’ So it wasn’t pure chance she was calling.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Don’t worry. It happened to me, but they won’t harm you. Chris tells me he’s fixed the hole in the hedge so that should keep them out.’

  ‘Do you know what they are?’ Jan asked.

  ‘No. It was always dark. Tinder used to chase them off. I guess they get hungry in winter.’

  ‘That’s what Chris said.’

  ‘You’re not worried, are you?’ Camile asked.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Good. Well, hopefully Chris’s repair work has done the trick. It was nice of him to give up his Saturday to fix it. He’s a good guy. Someone you can trust.’

  ‘Yes,’ Jan said, while thinking, if he’s that wonderful, why did you two separate?

  ‘Thanks for all you’re doing,’ Camile said. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you. Tinder can’t be left in kennels. I’ve tried, but he pines so badly he stops eating. I’m very grateful to you.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Jan said.

  Camile wound up the conversation. Coward, Jan scolded herself. It would be even more difficult now to give notice when the time came. Doubtless Chris had told her she was anxious and imagining all sorts of ridiculous things. Without proof it was just that – ridiculous. Jan needed concrete evidence and then she’d give notice. The ball of twine and muddy footprints on the car hadn’t convinced Ruby – rightly so. She’d had to hear them before she’d believed her. What Jan needed was a photograph, or better still a video clip. But how to get that? They were fast, and as soon as they saw her they bolted.

  Suddenly a noise came from outside. Tinder shot off the sofa and ran to the back door, barking. Surely they weren’t here already? It was barely dark. Could this be the opportunity she needed to get a picture? Grabbing her phone and with her heart racing, Jan rushed to the back door and opened it. But there was nothing there. No movement. No shadow in the dark. Tinder ran to the bottom of the garden but couldn’t get out. Chris’s repair work must still be in place. ‘Come on,’ she called him. ‘Tinder!’ The night was cold and she wanted to close the door.