Descension

by Shani Struthers

  It was Theo who’d phoned her.

  “Hello, darling, how are you? Good weekend?”

  “Well…” Where should she start? “It was interesting, that’s for sure.”

  “Oh?”

  Ruby told her about the Saturday morning visit to Brookbridge. As soon as she mentioned the name of the estate, she expected Theo to sigh and say something along the lines of ‘Here we go again’, but she did no such thing. Instead, asking for details, her voice was similar to Ness’s – solemn.

  “So, you’re going there again this morning?”

  “Hopefully,” replied Ruby, “I’ve yet to make the appointments, so it’ll either be this morning or at some stage this week.”

  “To carry out an initial survey?”

  “That’s right.” Although as they both knew, an initial survey could occasionally become so much more.

  Now Theo did sigh. “Ruby, do you need me today?”

  “No… I don’t think so. If I do go there today, Corinna or Ness could always come with me.”

  There was a pause on the line.

  “Theo?”

  “It’s just I have to be somewhere else, that’s all.”

  “No problem.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Sure I’m sure.”

  “Oh good, well… lots of luck. I’m at the end of my phone, as you know.”

  “Absolutely. Theo, is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine, sweetheart. I’ll check in again tomorrow.”

  “I’ll speak with you then.”

  Ruby ended the call and stared at her mobile for a few seconds. That had all sounded very mysterious. What was Theo up to? Then again, as the grandmother of several young children, courtesy of her three sons, Theo had a busy family life, plus she was almost seventy-one, and although still as fit as a fiddle despite her ever-widening girth, maybe helping Psychic Surveys out on a regular basis was proving too much. God, she hoped not! Should she phone back? Probe a little further into the matter? Check if that was indeed the case? Although she was sorely tempted, she decided not to; accused herself of overreacting even. All was well, all was fine, and the team were staying exactly that – a team.

  After grabbing a shower, she returned the two calls from the Brookbridge residents, both of them keen for an appointment that day. With a piece of toast stuffed in her mouth, she then headed out the door to her office in the Lewes High Street, which was situated in the attic above a solicitor’s. Her car was parked a couple of streets away but before getting into it, she called Ness to see if she’d like to accompany her. There was no reply. Perplexed, she phoned Corinna.

  “Ah,” she said, on hearing her voice, “third time lucky.”

  Explaining to a baffled Corinna about Theo and Ness, Corinna replied, “Well, if you need me today, I’m all yours. I’m working the late shift.”

  Corinna worked part-time in a pub in Ringmer and part-time for Ruby – the day when she could give up work to concentrate fully on Psychic Surveys not quite here yet. Agreeing to pick Corinna up from the flat she rented in Lewes, Ruby decided to bypass the office altogether and go straight there. They’d carry out the initial surveys then Ruby would drop her back home before heading to Hastings to see her mother and grandmother – a visit to them long overdue. She might even stay the night in Hastings, and so had with her a change of clothes and her toothbrush as well as her black bag with all the paraphernalia she might need to perform an holistic cleansing: crystals; oils; sage wands, and that old perennial, salt.

  Arriving at Brookbridge halfway through the morning, Ruby hoped they’d be done within two or three hours, after which they could head to the old building. Unfortunately, they were a lot longer. The first house they’d visited was indeed occupied by a spirit – a terrified spirit, one whom they couldn’t coax out of hiding no matter how hard they tried. That would indeed require a second visit, and possibly a third and a fourth, with all of the team in tow. As for the second house, belonging to the Stem family, it was more poltergeist activity that was the problem – doors banging, books falling off shelves, cups and plates as well, smashing as they hit the ground. Again, the spirit proved elusive – initially. And then it had rushed forwards and smacked Ruby across the face! A spirit blow, whilst not carrying the same weight as a human blow, was nonetheless shocking and Ruby had to fight a knee-jerk reaction of ire. Instead, she and Corinna had sent out wave after wave of love to the spirit, reassuring it all the time – ‘it’ because neither of them could ascertain whether it was a male or a female, although the fact that the Stems’ house was on the west side of the estate where the male dormitories had been, suggested a man. Barely faltering, they talked of the light, describing it as home as they were wont to do, and gently encouraging the spirit to go towards it.

  It had taken a while, the time nearing five when they both felt they were getting somewhere. Although Corinna had her bar job to go to, they couldn’t just leave, not now that a connection had been made. Corinna realised this as much as Ruby and sent a text saying she’d get to the pub as soon as possible. Luckily, her boss was supportive of what she did and replied telling her to get there when she could, adding ‘good luck’ before signing off. When the spirit finally went into the light, a little after six, there was an enormous sense of relief all round.

  “I wonder what his story was,” Corinna said, her skin paler than usual.

  “I wish I knew,” Ruby responded. Or did she? Would it only upset her again? “Whatever it was, he’s no longer stuck at the asylum; he’s gone.”

  After informing the residents of their success, Ruby and Corinna stood outside on the pavement, inhaling the fresh air of this semi-rural setting. It felt so good. For a while, in the Stems’ house, there’d been an unpleasant smell. Not unclean, she wouldn’t say that; it was more like boiled cabbage and disinfectant rolled into one – the smell of Cromer perhaps, which had permeated every room and every corridor, soaking into walls, even spectral walls.

  “I’d better get you to the pub,” Ruby said, looking at her watch.

  “Ah, thanks, Ruby and sorry to take you out of your way, I know you’re planning to go to your gran’s tonight.”

  “It’s no problem, I’m just grateful you could come; I wouldn’t have wanted to tackle all that on my own. Shame about the old building though, you know, the last one standing, I was hoping we could go there too.”

  “Go inside you mean?”

  “That or stake out the perimeter. I’m coming back soon, I’ll check it out then.”

  As dusk was beginning to settle, Corinna nodded. “That might be for the best. Even if I didn’t have work I’m not sure I’m up for a visit now. Come on, you said on the way over you’d done some research into it. What have you discovered?”

  En route to the car Ruby enlightened her. “On one site I was looking at, there was a discussion thread about the building and the spirits that haunt it. It was the usual stuff; there were those who swore blind Cromer was a wonderful, therapeutic place to be, and those who’ve experienced really unsettling phenomena after its abandonment, saying something completely different. Obviously, there’s some play on the cheap thrill aspect, but one person stood out – Eclipse. I don’t know what gender Eclipse is, but he or she spoke our language, if you know what I mean. Having visited several times, there’s a real concern for the spiritual welfare of the grounded, and a desire to move them to the light. Honestly, Eclipse was literally pleading for help, worried the imminent destruction of the building will cause even more torment and unrest, which of course manifests at Brookbridge and lands in our laps.”

  At the car, Corinna stopped, her expression thoughtful. “It’s possible. As much as the grounded might fear this place, they’re also used to it.”

  Ruby agreed. “Eclipse’s message was only dated last week. Now, it’s obvious there’s going to be unrest in that building. There is on the entire estate, and I know we haven’t checked it out before – we’ve had enough on our
plate – but every time I’ve passed it, I’ve never really felt a pull. Yesterday though, I did. But more than that, I felt a shift in the atmosphere hereabouts; a kind of change. It seems to be more on edge than ever. The case I worked on Saturday morning and these two cases we’ve worked on today, they’ve got one thing in common.”

  Halfway into the car, Corinna turned towards Ruby. “Which is?”

  “The families have lived in their houses for a while now, but it’s only recently there’s been unrest.”

  Rather than get in the car, Corinna returned to the pavement.

  “Corinna?” Ruby queried.

  “I want to stand here a while, try and see what you mean.”

  “Oh right, fair enough.”

  Ruby came round to join her. By her side, Corinna inclined her head and shut her eyes – trying to tune in, Ruby waiting patiently to hear her verdict.

  Eventually, Corinna opened her eyes. “It does feel different. It’s almost like an electrical current, isn’t it? If you reach out and touch it, there’ll be a sizzle.”

  Ruby smiled. “Yeah, it is like that. I’m wondering if whoever’s inside the old building can sense some sort of finality and they’re digging their heels in; resisting? I sent a message to Eclipse, by the way, I’m waiting to hear back.”

  Corinna raised a perfectly pencilled-in eyebrow. “Look, if you do want to find a way in there tonight, I can always try and fob work off some more.”

  Ruby was tempted but eventually she shook her head. “It’s not fair to take advantage. Besides, I don’t want to arrive in Hastings too late, Gran’s been a bit frail recently, she prefers to eat early and go to bed soon after.”

  Immediately, Corinna was all concern. Laying a hand on Ruby’s arm, she said, “I’m really sorry to hear that. I hope she’s okay?”

  “She’s eighty, she’s slowing down.” Ruby had to swallow hard. God, she was emotional lately. “It’s to be expected, I suppose.”

  “Yeah, yeah, it is. Even so, if there’s anything I can do.”

  “Thanks. Come on, you’re right; we’ve done enough for today. I feel exhausted. How you’re going to cope with a shift tonight I don’t know.”

  “I’ll cope just fine. Presley said he’d come in to prop up the bar, so it’ll be fun.”

  “It’s going really well between you two, isn’t it?” Ruby had lost count how many times she’d asked Corinna this question – a lot, but she liked hearing the answer.

  “Really well.” Corinna almost swooned as she said it, causing Ruby to smile again. “Those Wilkins brothers are something else, aren’t they?”

  “I think so,” Ruby replied, finally getting in the car.

  Having dropped Corinna off, Ruby put her foot down to get to Hastings as soon as possible. Parking in the free zone, she made her way on foot to Lazuli Cottage in the Old Town, looking forward to a girls’ night in with her family – playing a board game perhaps, or just chatting as they ate and drank. Knocking on the door, which she tended to do rather than dig around in her bag for her key, it was opened straightaway – not by Sarah, as was usual, but a smiling Jessica.

  They hugged before going through to the kitchen where Sarah was sitting. She started to rise so that she could hug Ruby too, but Ruby insisted her grandmother stay put, and bent to hug her instead. She’d described her as frail to Corinna, and frail she was, but only in body, Ruby reminded herself, not in spirit.

  “How are you, Gran? Shall I put the kettle on, make us a cup of tea?”

  The fact she had to ask was testament enough to how Sarah was feeling lately. There was a time when the kettle would be boiling as soon as Ruby entered the house, her grandmother always aware when she was on her way, even if she hadn’t called beforehand to let her know – her highly developed intuitive powers in action.

  To accompany their tea, Jessica had placed some biscuits on a plate, not Sarah’s homemade shortbread which Ruby, like Cash, adored – but shop-bought. Sampling one, it was nowhere near as delicious, but if Gran hadn’t felt like making any lately, Ruby wouldn’t complain; shop-bought would do just fine. Setting down the pot of tea, Jessica warned Ruby not to overindulge in biscuits because dinner would be ready in an hour. Ruby could smell the lamb roasting in the oven, and the rosemary and garlic that garnished it. As she poured the tea, she told her mother and grandmother about her day.

  “Strange about Brookbridge,” Jessica commented, nibbling on a biscuit too.

  “It is, isn’t it?” replied Ruby. “The whole atmosphere seems to have changed lately. I said to Corinna that maybe it’s because the last building is due to be demolished soon and it’s stirring things up.”

  “Maybe,” mused Sarah, her hands shaking slightly, Ruby noticed, as she brought her cup to her lips. “It sounds like draining work though, darling. Make sure you take care of yourself too; protect yourself adequately.”

  “I will… I do,” Ruby assured her grandmother, reaching across to give her arm a quick squeeze.

  Having finished her tea, Jessica got up to carry on preparing dinner. Alone at the table with Sarah, Ruby checked she was okay. “You seem tired, too.”

  There was a smile in Sarah’s silvery eyes. “Of course I’m tired; I’m old!”

  “You’re not, not really, not by today’s standards.”

  “By anyone’s standards. But please, don’t worry about me.” She glanced at Jessica, who had her back to them, humming a tune. “I’m in good hands.”

  Again, the miracle of that amazed Ruby. Despite the fact that they had all lived under the same roof for so many years, her mother had been lost, cut off from them, from Saul, from everyone she’d ever known; trapped in a world of shock and misery. It had taken finding Saul again, and confronting the horror of what she’d conjured, to break free of the reins that kept her in such a dark and miserable place. There’d been no physical walls to constrain her, but the walls of the mind were as strong as any built of bricks and mortar. It had taken thirteen years for Jessica to recover. If it weren’t for her grandmother holding them together as tightly as she did, there would be no Davis family. And now it was their time to look after Sarah – to fill her shoes.

  After a pleasant evening, transferring to the living room after dinner to chat some more, Sarah bid her daughter and granddaughter goodnight and went to bed. Alone with Jessica, Ruby decided the time was right to reveal that she and Peter Gregory had been in touch. She still felt reluctant to talk about him in front of Sarah, worried that somehow she’d view her search – her longing – for another family member as some kind of betrayal. Her mother, however, might be interested to hear how things were progressing. As succinctly as she could, Ruby told her about the exchange of emails. Jessica listened intently, her expression barely altering.

  When Ruby had finished, there was silence. At last, Jessica began speaking.

  “It all sounds positive, Ruby, and I wish you luck, I really do.”

  “Mum…” she took a deep breath, “I know Peter left you when you told him you were pregnant; I know he was married, that he had children already—”

  “He had children?”

  “Yeah… a boy and a girl.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Oh God, Mum, I’m sorry! I just assumed…”

  “It’s fine, it’s… I never asked. More than that, I never wanted to know.”

  Ruby swallowed, felt unsure suddenly. “Look, if you think I should stop—”

  “You’re not going to stop. You’re curious by nature, that’s what makes you so good at your job. And you’ve come this far. Darling, I understand your curiosity. When I gave you his name, I didn’t doubt for one minute you’d find him. In a way, it was my blessing.” Jessica sighed and shook her head somewhat ruefully. “It was all such a long time ago. The man was a liar and a cheat, but then again, so was I.”

  “If you were, you’re not like that anymore,” Ruby pointed out. And the same might be true of Peter. “What I’m trying to say is… did you love him?”
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  Again, there was silence – Jessica digesting perhaps what she’d just discovered. After a while she nodded. “Yes, Ruby, I did.”

  Rather than continue to elaborate, Jessica did as Sarah had earlier; she stood up, declared she was tired and left the room, leaving her daughter to stare after her.

  Chapter Six

  Ruby drove back to Lewes the next morning, climbed the three flights of stairs to her office in the gods and settled herself in her beloved captain’s chair. One of the first things she did was send an email to the Bradleys, who occupied the house of the elusive spirit at Brookbridge. She explained that, in her opinion, more visits might be required to build up trust with the spirit, and assured them that the costs incurred would be kept to an absolute minimum. It was the welfare of the spirit, as well as the Bradleys, that was of paramount concern to Psychic Surveys, and to that end, they’d do everything they could to achieve it.

  Having sent the email, she checked her inbox. Before she did this, she had to take a deep breath – hoping, always hoping…

  Scanning the page, there it was; what she’d been waiting for. Hurriedly, she opened the email – her hands shaking as she tried to control the mouse.

  Hello, Ruby, I hope you’re well. Over the last few days I’ve had a think, in fact, I haven’t done much else except think about our correspondence. I’ve concluded it might be a good idea to meet sooner rather than later. It’s not easy getting to know each other via email. Why don’t we meet in Windsor? That’s halfway between Lewes and Oxford. I know a nice pub there. The Red Lion. I’ve included the link. Peter

  For a moment Ruby could only sit and stare. A meeting? He was suggesting a meeting, and sooner rather than later? How soon? Her diary was to the right of her and she glanced at it: her schedule was fairly hectic, but some things could be re-arranged or handed over to the rest of the team. They’d understand and support her. She was going to meet her father for the first time – Peter Gregory – a man her mother had been in love with. It was important, as it would be to anyone she presumed, to feel she’d been conceived in something akin to that emotion, even if it had been one-sided. And maybe it wasn’t; maybe Peter had loved Jessica too. She would never know the full story, his story, if she didn’t take this first step.