Descension

by Shani Struthers

  Flexing her fingers, she typed an eager reply. Hi, Peter, I’d be so happy for us to meet. Any time that’s convenient for you is convenient for me. Just name the date!

  A minute or two after pressing ‘send’, her email pinged again. Could it be him, replying so soon?

  It wasn’t, it was Eclipse.

  Ruby, hi, thanks so much for contacting me. I’ve looked you up on the net and wow, I can’t believe I didn’t know about you before today! It looks like we share a lot of the same values. I am NOT someone interested in ghost hunting or giving myself a scare. What I’m interested in is helping trapped spirits to move on. I don’t claim to have particularly developed psychic skills, but honestly speaking, I think anyone with a shred of sensitivity who’s explored the last remaining building on the Brookbridge estate would be able to feel the despair within its walls, human despair, all those tortured souls still suffering. I can’t stop thinking about them. I want to help, but like I said, I’m not psychic, intuitive perhaps, but that’s not enough to make a difference. As you’ve got in touch with me, I’m guessing you may be interested in hearing what I have to say? I can get us into the building easily enough. I know a way. Don’t worry about the warning signs, or the security cameras, they’re fake. That building’s as doomed now as it was then, so why not let people go in and tear it to pieces? Anyway, what I was wondering was, would you like to meet up to discuss this face to face? I’m not far from Lewes so I could come to your office. Either that or I’ll meet you at Brookbridge. If you prefer Brookbridge, after dark is probably better and wear loads of warm clothing. It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like, it gets really cold in there! Timing really is important. That building needs to be emptied before it’s torn down. Let me know. Eclipse

  Ruby sat back in her chair. What a morning it was turning out to be; two meetings on the cards with two very different people. As for Eclipse, she still had no idea whether it was a man or a woman she was corresponding with; there’d been no clue in the email, not as far as she could see. She wanted to meet Eclipse though, preferably at her office first, although as had been pointed out, timing was critical. So this was something else to fit in this week, hopefully.

  As Jed materialised before the Calor gas heater, looking slightly miffed that it wasn’t lit, Ruby got down to business. Next on the agenda was checking in with Ness, Theo and Corinna, regarding their availability during the week. She hadn’t actually spoken to Ness for a few days, which was far from usual, so she tried her first.

  As on the previous day, the phone rang and rang. Was it going to remain unanswered again? Even if it did, her call would register and normally Ness would phone her back. Just as Ruby was sure it was going into answerphone, Ness did indeed pick up.

  “Hi, Ruby, sorry about the delay, how are you?”

  “I’m fine thanks, how are you?”

  “Okay.”

  Okay? She didn’t sound it. Not wanting to tread on her toes, however, to pry – Ness valued her privacy – Ruby explained why she was calling, imagining the look on Ness’s face all the while – such a serious look. “So, really, what I’m doing is checking your availability this week.”

  There was a slight pause. “Ruby, something’s come up. A private case.”

  “A private case?” Ruby repeated.

  “Yes, it’s… Sorry, I really can’t say anything more than that, not right now. It’s confidential.”

  “Oh, it’s work related to the police?”

  “In a way.”

  Ruby didn’t press further.

  “It’s odd about Brookbridge,” Ness continued.

  “You can say that again. I was wondering if it’s something to do with the imminent destruction of the final hospital building.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Despite such a non-committal response, Ruby felt the need to elaborate. “At the moment, when I think of Brookbridge, I imagine a saucepan on a hob. At first it’s simmering away, but the heat’s building, the lid’s beginning to rattle: a warning sign. If nothing’s done, if it’s just ignored, what’s inside that pan is going to blow to kingdom come. Do you know where I’m coming from?”

  “I know exactly. And we’re here for you, it’s just… we have to work around this other case, that’s all.”

  “We?” Ruby questioned.

  “I’ve asked Theo to join me.”

  “Oh right.” Theo hadn’t said anything about that when she’d last spoken to her. Because it’s confidential, Ruby, remember? Of course, and, even though she was even more curious than before, she mustn’t question further. After all, she was the only full-time member of Psychic Surveys, the rest were all freelance; they had their own work – Corinna as a barmaid and Theo and Ness with private cases that they sometimes took on – she knew that. And her current workload wasn’t too onerous, although experience had shown that could change in a heartbeat.

  Ness had picked up on Ruby’s thoughts. “Ruby, we’re not abandoning you.”

  “I know you’re not—”

  “Psychic Surveys is our priority, but, if you are able to manage at the moment, this case is something I’d like to continue with.”

  “You and Theo?”

  “Both of us.”

  “Okay.”

  “If anything changes, call me.”

  “I will.”

  “Ruby,” Ness clearly saw fit to remind her. “We’re here for you.”

  “I know. You always have been.”

  Despite that, as she rang off, Ness’s use of the word ‘abandoned’, stuck.

  * * *

  Just before lunch, Ruby sat back, satisfied with the morning’s work. The case of the elusive spirit had been passed on to Corinna, who said she’d rope Presley in as well. Like Cash, he had an avid interest in the paranormal and was willing to help out when he could.

  With that case delegated, she’d made a follow-on call to The Waterside Inn, checking with the landlord that all was still peaceful at the pub. The landlord had assured her that normality had been restored and, although the staff still tended to visit the cellar in twos and threes, overall they were much happier. His words had caused Ruby to smile – that gentleman’s agreement was holding fast.

  Having also replied to Eclipse, she made an appointment to meet the next day, which would give her this afternoon to catch up on admin. She already kept notes on each and every case, but she’d begun the task of cross-referencing them, noting similarities where they existed and adding information from research done by others who’d experienced anything similar. Some case files were bulging with these detailed notes, but she was enjoying the process, and felt it was valuable, not only in increasing her own understanding of the paranormal world, but also as a future reference to others. Again, she had to smile to herself. She was following in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, Rosamund Davis, who had been very well respected in certain circles during her lifetime. She’d written reams and reams on the paranormal, and had published papers that weren’t scorned but held in high esteem. During Rosamund’s time, spiritualism was in favour. It had fallen out again, but now it was back, accepted by more and more people, but not as a parlour game, hobby, or an interest – it was something more real than that. Ruby hadn’t read all of Rosamund’s work, but a fair bit of it. In it she recognised the passion she herself felt for the grounded. They were alike in many respects. It was Rosamund’s research that had helped in the understanding and defeat of Jessica’s conjuring, which Rosamund referred to more plainly as a ‘thought form’. Sometimes, if focused on, such forms were able to bridge the gap between their plane and ours, and manifest, growing in substance when fed a diet of fear. Ruby was grateful to Rosamund for giving them that insight – it had saved them. If there was anything more to learn regarding the non-human, however, she’d pass, certainly for now. Her focus was on that which was entirely human, or at least had been once – spirits who were distressed, confused or frightened – and moving them towards the light; hence her enthusiasm fo
r meeting Eclipse, someone who shared that goal.

  Taking time out briefly to make a fresh cup of coffee and munch on a sandwich she’d grabbed from a petrol station on the way back from Hastings, she sat at her desk again, and continued to make notes. Currently, she was adding to those on Old Cross Cottage, an ancient cottage in a picturesque Dorset village that she’d stayed in earlier in the year with Cash, in which very unusual events had occurred.

  Halfway through the afternoon, her mobile rang. Her eyes still on the screen in front of her, she reached blindly over to answer it.

  “Hello, Psychic Surveys, how can I help?”

  “Psychic Surveys?” the voice queried – a male voice.

  “That’s right, this is Psychic Surveys, specialists in domestic spiritual clearance and I’m Ruby Davis. Can I help you at all?”

  “Specialists in what?”

  Ruby frowned. Who was this? “Domestic spiritual clearance,” she repeated. “I’m assuming as you’ve phoned this number, you might already know that.”

  “No, I had no idea.”

  There was a pause on the line – a heavy pause, causing Ruby’s frown to deepen. She was about to break the silence, when the caller spoke again.

  “I’m Peter Gregory.”

  “Peter?” Her free hand flew to her mouth; the other almost dropped the phone. Peter Gregory – her father. This was not the way she wanted to break the news to him about her profession. Why oh why hadn’t she thought he might phone? After all, they’d shared mobile numbers in a previous email. She also cursed herself for not checking the caller ID; if she had, his name would have flashed up. “I… oh my God, I didn’t expect… I’m sorry. I sound so… Oh Christ! I don’t know what to say. I just… “

  Peter began apologising too. “I’m sorry. Perhaps it was wrong of me, phoning out of the blue, I should have emailed you again, prepared you.”

  Part of her stunned brain was processing the sound of his voice. It wasn’t particularly deep, but it was certainly pleasant. It wasn’t posh either, although each word was enunciated properly. It was a nice voice, an ordinary voice, easy on the ear. She liked it. Realising she was spending too much time analysing, she forced herself to speak again, properly this time and not just in snatches. “It’s lovely to hear from you, a wonderful surprise. Erm… how are you? Are you well?”

  “I am, thank you. That’s a very interesting profession you have, young lady. I didn’t realise.”

  Ruby couldn’t help but smile at being called a ‘young lady’ – it was such a ‘Dad’ thing to do. Or at least she imagined it to be. “Oh that,” she said, adopting an airy tone, “well, yeah, yeah, it can be. Gosh, this really is such a surprise. It’s our first phone call.” Damn, couldn’t she think of something less twee to say? Why are you phoning would be a good start. Without actually asking, she willed him to answer.

  “As I probably implied, I’ve had enough of emails. I thought we should talk, before… you know, we meet.”

  “Sure, good idea. It’s lovely—” Stop repeating yourself! “Are you having a good day?”

  “My day’s been fine so far. What about yours?”

  “Busy.”

  “With the spirits?” Was that a tease in his voice, or a slight edge?

  “With admin.” It wasn’t a lie, not really, but she thought it best to play down saying anything further until they were face to face. “I’ve got so much of it.”

  “Is that interesting too?”

  “Not really. You know what admin’s like; laborious at the best of times.”

  “I do know what it’s like. I certainly had to plough through my fair share of red tape when I was in the Force. It was one of the reasons I left.”

  One of the reasons? What were the others, she wondered.

  “It’s a necessary evil, though, eh?” she replied.

  “It is. It is.”

  There was another pause, one that felt as heavy as when she’d been on the line to Ness.

  “Look,” he said finally, “the reason I’m phoning is about our meeting. It just so happens I’ve got a free day tomorrow. I know it’s short notice, but—”

  “Tomorrow’s fine. It’s only lunch, isn’t it? And I can spare the time.”

  “Do you mean the spirits can spare you?”

  That was a definite tease. “Yes, yes, they can.” They’d have to. She was going to meet her dad for the first time. That’s what couldn’t wait. It had been too long already. “About what I do, I can explain when I see you.”

  “I’d like that.” No tease now, he’d grown serious. “I can be at The Red Lion by one o’ clock. Is that okay?”

  “One o’ clock is fine.”

  “Good. I’m looking forward to meeting you, Ruby.”

  “I can’t wait to meet you too.”

  “Until tomorrow then?”

  “Until tomorrow.”

  After the call, Ruby sat in her chair in what could only be considered a state of abject shock. The minutes passed, plenty of them – almost a full half hour – the world around her fading, even Jed, who’d been staring at her askance and in amusement from his position in front of the Calor gas heater whilst she’d been breathless on the phone. Slowly the walls re-materialised along with her piles and piles of books stacked up against the walls, the desk in front of her, cluttered as usual with all manner of papers and more books, and Jed, still askance. Tomorrow was when she was supposed to be meeting Eclipse. That would have to be delayed. Or… she considered for a moment… it could be brought forward. Maybe she could meet whoever Eclipse was this evening, even though she was supposed to be meeting Cash. Cash could come with her, but then again he did have band practice with Presley – Thousand Island Park were due to play a gig in Lewes soon at The Lamb, and, as their drummer, he still had a couple of songs to perfect – so theirs was going to be a late meeting anyway. She could be done with Eclipse by then.

  Dashing off an email to Eclipse marked Urgent, she guessed she’d soon find out.

  Chapter Seven

  As soon as Eclipse’s email came bouncing back, Ruby phoned Cash. He immediately offered to skip band practice and go with them to Brookbridge, but she told him not to; the gig wasn’t too far off and he needed to get a handle on the entire set of songs they were playing. Besides, Presley would be furious with him if he skipped it.

  “But you don’t even know if Eclipse is a man or a woman!”

  “It’s okay,” she said, “whoever it is has assured me they’ll be wearing a pink carnation and carrying a copy of The Sporting Times under their arm.”

  “The Sporting Times?”

  “It’s a joke, Cash! I remember hearing it once on a comedy sketch, that’s all.”

  “Are you actually going inside the building?”

  “That’s the intention, yes.”

  “But what if you get caught?”

  “Who by?”

  “The police!”

  “Cash, it’s fine, it’s okay. I’ve been through all this with Eclipse. The only thing we have to worry about is the grounded spirits. That’s our concern.”

  “Eclipse,” he muttered, “what kind of a name is that?”

  Ruby raised an eyebrow, Cash was named after Johnny Cash and his brother, Presley, after Elvis; they were hardly common names either, she told him.

  “My name’s nowhere near as hippy!”

  “Look, I’m sure it’s a pseudonym,” she appeased, “a forum handle.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I suppose it is. I can’t believe you haven’t asked about gender yet.”

  “Perhaps I like the enigma of it?”

  “Ruby!”

  “Oh Cash, I thought it rude to ask, okay? Hey, by the way, are you a man or a woman? Maybe… Eclipse is gender fluid. That’s a thing nowadays, isn’t it? People don’t like to be defined and I don’t blame them. I think it’s a good thing, a progressive thing. Anyway, I’m going to find out gender, age, height, eye colour and maybe even shoe size soon. That’s good enough for me. Beside
s, there’s something else I want to tell you. That I’m dying to tell you.”

  “Oh? There’s more?”

  “There is, and it’s big news. Very big news.”

  “Ruby, stop being such a tease.”

  Laughing, she told him that her dad had phoned, that she was meeting him the next day – Wednesday. Saying the words out loud almost made it believable. The brief silence that ensued signalled Cash was just as stunned as she was.

  “Blimey, and this is the second thing you’ve told me – I thought it’d be the first!”

  “I’m sorry, I’m guess I’m still trying to process it.”

  “Wow! I can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”

  “On cloud nine, but nervous, dead nervous. I don’t know how I’m going to manage to drive tomorrow.”

  “Do you want me to drive you?”

  “Oh, Cash, would you? I wasn’t hinting by the way, just being honest.”

  “I know and yeah, it’s fine. The beauty of being self-employed and all that.”

  “It has its perks,” she replied, laughing again. “Thinking about it, I should really go into the pub alone, it being our first meeting, so actually that might not work.”

  “Ruby, I’m not suggesting I go in with you! I’ll bring my laptop, work in the car.”

  “Really? Is that all right? Are you absolutely sure?”

  “Sure I’m sure. It’s fine.”

  As at the Watkins’ house, Ruby suddenly felt overcome with emotion.

  “Babe, what’s the matter? Are you still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. I’m just… Thank you, Cash, for offering to drive, for being there for me. I really appreciate it.” Jed had come over to nuzzle at her. Instead of crying, she forced herself to laugh. “And you, Jed, thank you too.”