There might have been all kinds of commotion going on outside, but in the theatre there was only silence. She closed her eyes.
“Please, it’s not me that needs to shine a light in this hell, it’s you.”
A garden. Could she see a garden? She could: a patch of land, as green as the downs that surrounded them. And in it, a man who’d endured such horrors – wartime horrors – was bending to tease flowers from the ground. Was he happy? Was that too strong a word? Perhaps. But he’d found a degree of contentment in this garden, in something as simple, as beautiful, and as pure as a flower.
Another vision, this time there was a woman smiling shyly at a man: was it in the dayroom or at one of the dances? She couldn’t see where exactly, just the smile that took place, and the hope of possibility in it, no matter how fleeting.
Beyond them was the nurse, the one she’d seen with the child that had been labelled ‘feeble-minded’. How kind she’d been, how hard she’d tried with him. Yet another nurse came into view, sitting with an elderly patient, one who was dying, holding his hand. All night she’d done that, refusing to let him pass alone.
The visions, whilst not as prolific as those in which pain and suffering had featured, were nonetheless there: gems that sparkled in the mire.
Ruby smiled to see them, relief filtering through her as strong as sunshine. She threw her head back as if to bathe in the strength of the sun’s rays, imagining such warmth on her skin, penetrating deep layers; sinking into blood and bone and reaching her heart – lifting her heart, her soul too. It was a healing light, and it filled her – as if there were no blood and bones and she was but an empty vessel. Eventually the darkness would creep back – it always crept back – it was part of being human, but she felt more cleansed than ever before, more whole; something she suspected could only happen when you’d laid yourself bare; when you’d taken yourself apart.
How long Ruby remained motionless she had no idea, but when she opened her eyes she had to blink several times to believe it. There were no shadows, no mass. They’d all gone. She was standing in an empty room, in an empty building, one that would soon cease to exist. Empty apart from herself, of course, and one other; a woman wearing a dirty white shift who crouched in the corner. Slowly, the woman rose, her body unfurling, until she stood upright. Ruby had no need to beg for a name. Despite having never gazed on her face, she knew her well enough.
“You’re the psychic.”
The woman nodded. She had long dark hair, divided into two plaits and eyes that could have been blue or green.
“You’re Rebecca Nash.”
Again, the woman nodded. She also stepped closer and held out her hand.
Ruby raised her hand too and touched her; she was neither warm nor cold.
“What happened to you could have happened to me.”
Rebecca agreed.
“I’m not sure anyone’s ever apologised for your fate,” Ruby continued, “so I will. I’m sorry, truly sorry. I share your gift and it’s not a secret; it’s nothing to be ashamed of, not anymore. Times change, and they’ll continue to change. People are more accepting of us nowadays. I’m doing my best to dispel any lingering fear and ignorance that surrounds the likes of you and me. I’m making what we are, normal.”
Rebecca started at the use of that word, but Ruby insisted.
“You are normal. Everyone in this building was.” She paused briefly, having to swallow. “There are just different types of normal, that’s all.”
Her gaze lingering on Ruby, the colour of her eyes still unclear, Rebecca finally took a step back, turned and walked to the gurney that Ruby had sent thundering into the wall earlier, bending her head as she gazed down at it, her fists clenching and unclenching.
Watching her, Ruby found it difficult to breathe. This girl who’d been so much like her, who’d been denied her gift, could she do it? Could she forgive?
“Rebecca, you know where the light is, you’ve always known. Go towards it.”
At last the spirit’s hands relaxed. With her back still to Ruby, her head still bowed, she began to fade, slowly, inch by inch; letting go after all.
Now Ruby was alone.
Turning to face the door that had been torn off its hinges, Ruby returned to the corridor. Shafts of light pierced the gloom. Morning had broken; the alarm had stopped and the dogs had stopped barking too. There was no panic anymore, not even the sense of panic in the air – just peace, perfect peace. At Ash Hill there’d be peace too. A kind of peace anyway, which was better than nothing, better than the alternative.
Her hands trailed against the walls as she walked along the corridor, they were just that: the walls of a semi-derelict building, painted grey with the render crumbling. She passed the dayroom, the ballroom, and the stairs that led upwards, retracing her footsteps all the way back to Jed, who hadn’t deserted his post; who’d held firm.
As she’d done before, she knelt beside him. “Thanks for waiting.”
He nudged at the necklace that was still where she’d left it. Reaching down, she grasped it, feeling a power in the stones; an energy that coursed through her. Re-fastening it around her neck, she rose and the pair of them made their way towards the fencing. As she reached it, Cash rounded the corner, breaking into a run when he saw her. Eclipse and her fellow team members were close behind. Theo was huffing and puffing and Corinna was craning her neck, but Ness was as calm as Jed, and every bit as trusting. She was a woman who’d faced madness too, her own madness perhaps, but who’d also come back – a kindred spirit, but then they all were at this moment, even Eclipse, although they’d part company soon; even him.
Cash held up the fence for her as she scrambled through. As soon as she was standing, he grabbed her and hugged her to him.
“Are you all right? Oh God, I was so worried. How I kept away, I don’t know. Don’t ever ask me to do anything like that again, okay? Are you sure you’re all right?”
It wasn’t just him expecting an answer; they all were.
“I’m good, really good. What about you? How’d you get on?”
“It’s been a long night,” Theo replied, “but it’s also been a resounding success. I have to say Kelly’s a dab hand with the tea and sustenance. Wherever we were, be it the Barkers, the Griffiths, and several other houses besides, she kept joining us, all through the night; kept us going. I’m not sure what I’d have done without her, wasted away probably.” Corinna raised an eyebrow at this, but Theo steadfastly ignored her. Instead she turned to look at the building and sighed. “You know, it’s a beautiful building really, the brickwork is quite superb, and that ballroom inside – they don’t make ’em like that anymore, do they?”
“No they don’t.” It was Ness who answered her. “Thank God.” Afterwards she addressed Ruby. “Is our work here done?”
Still with her arms around Cash, Ruby nodded. She noticed the relief in Eclipse’s eyes, the sheer joy of a promise kept. “It’s done. Brookbridge is what it is now, what it’s supposed to be – just another housing estate, nothing more than that.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Thousand Island Park had proved such a hit at The Lamb in Lewes that they were asked to play in several other pubs too, including The Waterside Inn in Shoreham.
“And for the Psychic Surveys team it’s free drinks all night,” the landlord declared. “You know this is like a different pub since you cleansed the cellars, I’ve been able to retain some really good staff, instead of them heading out the door after a month or two. This gig business is their idea. They said the punters would love it.”
Ruby winced at how convinced he was that they’d done their job, but Corinna, Theo and even Ness had no such qualms. Even so, whilst the band was in full swing – Corinna staring starstruck as Presley’s voice filled the room – Ruby herself a little awed at the sight of Cash on drums, she had a word in the landlord’s ear and asked if she could go and have a quick look in the cellar, just to see how different it was.
; Although bemused, he agreed. “Go ahead, love. It’s as clear as a whistle down there.”
Except it wasn’t, she knew that as soon as she set foot in the dark, damp surrounds.
She addressed Joel and his cohorts in a whisper. “Are you okay, all of you? Are you sure you want to stay here? Honestly, there are much better places.”
Where’s that redhead? One of them murmured, Joel probably.
She expected a clout to accompany that remark, but there was only a muffled squeal and some giggling – Joel’s paramour was clearly not jealous anymore; more confident in her own allure. Which was progress, Ruby supposed. Good progress.
“If you want to stay,” she continued, “that’s up to you. Maybe you’ll drift off to the light one day, individually or together, who knows? But one thing I wanted to say was thank you, for keeping your end of the bargain.”
A promise is a promise. It ought to be kept.
“That’s right, a gentleman’s promise, I remember. And you are, you’re gentlemen all of you, apart from the ladies, of course; you’re strong women, the best.”
Clearly they approved of the compliment, as there were cheers all round.
“Sshh!” she said, bringing her hand to her mouth. “You know what happened the last time you got over-excited, you nearly got yourself moved on.”
Ha! You’d like to think!
That’d take a bit of doing.
Get off with ya.
Still smiling, Ruby left them to it and returned upstairs. Theo and Ness turned to look at her as she re-entered the bar, but made no comment. Corinna was still enraptured. Then Eclipse walked in. Ruby hadn’t invited him, Cash had. They’d got quite pally that night on the Brookbridge Estate, Cash, like Molly, feeling more secure in himself too. Going up to Ruby, Eclipse gave her a hug and offered her a drink, which she declined as she already had one on the go. She insisted on buying him a drink though, and a few minutes later, they stood together, watching the band.
The hospital building had been demolished according to schedule, but the light that had filled Ruby in the darkest part of it, was still in her; a feeling of calm, of peace, of happiness even. This prevailed despite the loss of Gran, despite what Ness had told her about Hames. He had indeed gone completely wild that night, just as Ruby had witnessed, but had since fallen into a catatonic state, even without drugs. But he wasn’t staying at Ash Hill. He was being sent to a high-security unit in the far north; he had already gone, in fact, he’d been removed that day. Despite having felt she was meant to meet him, Ruby decided she wouldn’t visit him, ever; but what she would do was send him light on occasions. She’d also remember the despair that was at the core of him, which may have prompted him to choose the path he had followed. Whatever the reason, she was on a different path and she wouldn’t seek to merge the two again.
The band had finished their set, but enthusiastic cheers meant they weren’t going anywhere unless they played an encore, Theo and Corinna were perhaps cheering the loudest of all, whilst Ness rolled her eyes at what she probably considered an uncouth display. Smiling again, knowing that Ness was enjoying herself really, Ruby felt a vibration in her pocket – it was her phone, someone was calling.
She ignored it. It was Friday evening, she deserved a bit of time off. If it was urgent, they’d call back, which of course they did, less than a minute later.
“Bloody hell!” Ruby moaned, ignoring it again. To be honest, she was having trouble taking her eyes off Cash. He really was quite mesmerising, never missing a beat.
When it rang a third time, she caved.
Turning to Eclipse, she held up her phone whilst mouthing that she was nipping outside to answer it. He pulled a sympathetic face and nodded.
As she left, she noticed Corinna jumping up and down, practically squealing, she was so happy. Tonight, in private, when she and Cash were alone, she resolved to show him how appreciative she was of his talents – a thought which warmed her as she stood outside on a night that was actually much colder than she expected. The phone had stopped ringing again, but only for a moment. As soon as it started up, she answered.
“Hello, Psychic Surveys. How can I help?”
“Oh, there you are,” said a female voice. “I’ve been trying for ages.”
“Sorry, I was at a gig, I couldn’t pick up straightway.”
“Oh right, I see, of course. Look, I’m sorry to disturb you, but, well, there’s a problem, with our house. A big problem, I think. It’s not quite right, the atmosphere I mean. Actually, it’s far from right. And yesterday I had the most terrifying experience. Whilst I was in the kitchen I thought I saw someone in the garden staring at me – a man. A really strange man. He was in the far corner, and his eyes… they were just… I blinked and had to look away. When I looked back he was gone.”
“Could it have been a trespasser?” Ruby checked.
“We live down a country lane and the nearest house is a short drive away. No one would normally be in the grounds other than me and my husband. Besides,” she paused, “he wasn’t dressed in modern clothes. He had some kind of robe on. I just knew he wasn’t… you know what I mean, not flesh and blood. That’s why I’m calling you and not the police.”
“A robe?” queried Ruby.
“A black robe,” the woman confirmed.
“How did you find out about Psychic Surveys?”
“You’ve got a website, that’s how.”
“Okay, great. I’m going to need some details. What’s your name and how long have you lived at the house?”
“My name is Rosemary, or Rosie for short, and my husband is Dan. It’s just us who live here, we’re renting. It’s a big house, and my husband’s a painter and decorator. There’s a lot of room for him to keep his gear. It’s perfect in every way. The rent is really cheap considering the size of it, but now I’m beginning to wonder why. Two months we’ve been here, that’s all. I want to leave but Dan doesn’t. In fact, Dan’s downright resistant. That’s why I’m ringing you now, because he isn’t here, he’s just popped out. It’s best to visit whilst he’s out too, I reckon, I can let you know when that’ll be. It’d be handy to see what you think, whether it is the house or whether it’s me and I’m going mad or something.”
“Mad?” Ruby queried. “I shouldn’t think so.”
“Feels like it sometimes though, I can tell you. I work from home, I make jewellery and supply local shops, but lately I haven’t been able to focus. I’ve started to miss deadlines. It is because of this house, I’m sure of it. Please help me.”
“Rosie, of course I’ll help you. That’s what I do. I’m not sure where Dan will be but I’m free Monday morning—”
“Monday? Crap, that’s ages away!”
“Do you feel you’re in danger now, this very minute?”
‘Danger… erm… no, I suppose not, not really.”
“And Dan’s due back soon?”
“Yeah. He’s getting us a takeaway because the cooker’s gone on the blink; brand new it is as well. Look… Monday’s fine, it’s good actually. Looking at his diary, he’s leaving early to go to London to price a job. Sorry, I think I panicked a bit there.”
“It’s fine, it’s okay. What time should I come on Monday?”
“Say ten? It’s only two days, after all. I’ll manage two days.”
Ruby started frowning. “If you do need me before—”
“No, no. It’s fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be at yours bang on ten.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Fishing around in her bag for a pen and a small notepad, Ruby asked Rosie for the address. The house was just past Ringmer apparently.
“Oh, and rather than a number, the house has a name,” Rosie said. “It’s a strange name actually. On the one hand it sounds grand, on the other… a bit odd.”
“Oh? What is it? I’ll jot that down too.”
“Blakemort.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she said it. “The house is called Blakemort.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
The subject of the fifth Psychic Surveys book has been a tough one – mental health is not, in my opinion, something to utilise for the sake of ghoulish thrills. With that in mind, I’ve attempted to write a balanced account, showing the utmost respect for anyone who’s ever suffered in such a way. I hope I’ve succeeded. Thanks to all those who’ve helped shape this book, giving their opinions, insight and knowledge – these include Milly Haire, Louisa Taylor, Lesley Hughes, Sarah Savery and Robin Driscoll. Thanks also to Rob Struthers and Vee McGivney for their tireless editing and Gina Dickerson for another sublime cover and formatting. As with all my books, it’s based on truth, with lots of fact woven in between the fiction. The building I refer to exists and is one I’ve visited several times – however the name of the asylum and the estate that has grown up around it has been changed. As for the individuals that inspired me with their often tragic stories, thanks for shining a light on a subject that needs no embellishment. Whether dead or alive, I hope you’ve found peace.
Also by the author
Eve: A Christmas Ghost Story (Psychic Surveys Prequel)
What do you do when a whole town is haunted?
In 1899, in the North Yorkshire market town of Thorpe Morton, a tragedy occurred; 59 people died at the market hall whilst celebrating Christmas Eve, many of them children. One hundred years on and the spirits of the deceased are restless still, ‘haunting’ the community, refusing to let them forget.
In 1999, psychic investigators Theo Lawson and Ness Patterson are called in to help, sensing immediately on arrival how weighed down the town is. Quickly they discover there’s no safe haven. The past taints everything.
Descension Page 27
