by Sue Perkins
“How did she die?” Fury hurried to add. “You don’t have to tell me if it hurts too much.”
“No, it’s all right. Isla rode her bike to school every day and one morning some guy side swiped her. By the time my parents and I got to the hospital she had passed away. The horrible thing we found it difficult to cope with is how suddenly it happened. One minute she wouldn’t stop talking about a school trip, next we had a big gap where she’d been.” Eion took a final sip of his coffee then carefully placed the cup on the saucer. “The family thing I mentioned when you went off for a few days with your mother. It was the anniversary of her death and we try to be together on that day.”
Fury let the silence reign for a while and finished her own coffee. She then took a deep breath.
“You’re right, she had hung around. I saw her before yesterday.”
“What do you mean?” Eion frowned.
“I saw Isla before yesterday. Each time with your mother. I didn’t realise she had become a ghost, she looked so natural. Each time I saw her, she came close to you and you reacted to her presence. It’s the main reason I didn’t catch on to her being a ghost.”
“When did this happen?”
Fury recalled seeing Isla at the mall and again when they returned from the water after the storm. Eion nodded.
“It fits, I had a warm calm feeling but couldn’t pinpoint why. At least I got to say goodbye. Thank you for helping me.”
They went for a walk along the beach and Eion reached out to hold Fury’s hand. A tingle went up her arm at his touch and a warm fuzzy feeling settled in her stomach.
“We’ve only got a few more days.” Eion broke the silence. “We should make the most of them.”
“I have to help Mum pack and clean the villa on Tuesday, so we have tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. We could go for a bike ride and a picnic tomorrow. I don’t think we’ll be able to go out on the water again, as Mum is still a bit twitchy about the earthquake. I have no idea why she thinks we would be safer on land, but she does.”
“Good thing she doesn’t know where we really were when the quake struck.” Eion grinned at her and Fury felt glad to see him smile again. “Okay, so bike ride and picnic tomorrow, a day at the beach on Sunday? Then we could go see a film and have lunch in Nelson on Monday. What do you say?”
“Sounds good to me. Where are we going for the bike ride?”
“We could go through Richmond to Wakefield, have our picnic there and then ride back.”
“Now we have to sort out what to do for the rest of this morning.”
“I have to be back home by two o’clock. Mum needs my help getting suitcases and things out of the loft.”
“Suitcases?” Fury looked questioningly at him. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Only to uni.” Eion laughed. “My mother likes to get things ready ahead of time, so I’m likely to be packed up ready to go about two weeks before I need to be. I know what we can do. Do you know how to play pétanque?”
“I have a vague idea.”
“We can learn together. It’s up behind the hydro slide.”
Hand in hand they climbed over the dunes and made their way to the pétanque court. Nobody else was there, so they had a fun time trying to knock each others boules away. Fury soon got the hang of how to judge the distance and throw the balls, but most of the time they ended up laughing at how their aim missed or achieved its goal.
They were still smiling when they stopped for a late lunch at the beach cafe again.
“This place is going to go out of business when we leave the area,” Eion said with a laugh as they tucked into their sandwiches and sodas.
They had a successful bike ride the following day, and the next lazy day at the beach swimming and sunbathing helped them relax after the previous day of strenuous exercise. The next morning, Fury’s mum started muttering about needing help with the packing but Fury didn’t intend to give up her last day with Eion.
“Mum, I’m all yours tomorrow. Whatever you want me to do – I’ll do. This is my last day with Eion and I’ve already told him I can’t see him after today.”
“If you need any help, I’m here.” Her dad spoke before her mother had a chance to say anything, and Fury smiled her thanks at him.
Eion called for her in his car and Fury rushed out the door before her mother could begin her ritual speech: be careful, make sure Eion drives slowly and various other warnings against dire happenings.
Driving along Rocks Road, Fury looked across the water to Skull Rock. The sea looked clear and calm today, giving no indication of the tunnels worming beneath and reaching into the cliffs on the landward side of Rocks Road. Her attention turned to the road ahead as they went slightly inland, putting the port between them and the sea. After parking in Montgomery Square they wandered through the shops, looking at the items on display.
“I need to buy presents for my two friends at home. Any ideas?”
“How about a small piece of jewellery, or t-shirts. Depends on what they like.” Eion glanced at the gifts on display but Fury drifted toward ornaments worked in metal. She picked up a model of Nelson Cathedral and inspected the tower. The supports were finely done and Fury nodded. This looked ideal for Samantha, who loved metal work. A silk scarf with scenes from the Nelson area felt like a good choice for Cora.
“All done?” Eion asked and Fury nodded. “Let’s go grab some lunch. The film starts at two o’clock but I’ll have to move the car first to make sure we have enough time on the ticket.”
Eion led the way to a courtyard restaurant in a side street and, after ordering sandwiches and drinks, they sat outside in the courtyard.
“It’s lovely here.” Fury looked around at the trees shading the tables, and the wooden benches and tables scattered around. “I would never have found it on my own.”
“I used to bring Isla here.” Eion looked sad for a moment. “I’ve not been back since she died.”
Luckily at that moment their lunch arrived and Fury realised the depth of her hunger. After they finished eating, they returned to the car and Eion drove them around to the carpark nearest the cinema. Fury tucked her presents into the boot before they crossed over Trafalgar Street to the cinema.
Chapter Twenty
All too soon the day finished and Eion drove her to the beach for a last visit before taking her home. Hand in hand they walked along the sands without saying a word. They stopped and stared out at the island which had taken so much of their time during the previous weeks.
“We had fun, didn’t we?” Fury leaned her head on his shoulder and his hand left hers so he could put his arm around her.
“Yes. I had a really good time and I’m so glad I met you. You will keep in touch, won’t you? When you go home and I go to uni. It’s not far for me to drive to your place.”
Fury looked up and saw the worry in his eyes. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
We’re going home tomorrow so no need for Mum to know we’ve kissed.
He pulled her close and the kiss deepened until Fury could hardly breathe. At last they broke apart although Eion still held her close.
“I really like you, Fury. I feel we have a bond between us and I want to get to know you better.” He stopped and looked at her. Fury knew he waited for her to speak and she swallowed nervously.
“I like you too, Eion. I’d like to get to know you better but you have to remember I’m only sixteen, so I don’t want to get into anything too serious.”
“I know, but we can take things slowly and see how it goes, can’t we?”
Fury nodded and he kissed her once again then they retraced their steps along the beach.
****
Fury climbed the steps to the villa in a daze. She probably wouldn’t see Eion again until he’d been at uni for a few months, but they would keep in touch via the internet. Despite her sadness of leaving him, she felt excited to be going home and seeing her friends again. They would be able to get together and exchange what h
ad happened to them over Christmas and their holidays.
Her mother had dinner ready and, once they’d eaten, Fury said she’d go and clear her room then go to bed so she could get up early the next morning and help.
Her wetsuit hadn’t been used for a few days so she put the dry garment in its waterproof bag. Next she folded and packed her clothes and books, leaving her clothes for tomorrow on the bedside chair and her bedtime book next to the bed. Her mother always insisted all drawers and cupboards should be checked after packing, so Fury stuck her head into the wardrobe.
“I’d forgotten about Mum’s painting.” She pulled the landscape from the back of the wardrobe and looked at it critically then nodded. “I’m sure she’ll love this.”
After a final check, she popped along to say goodnight to her mother and father.
“Don’t forget,” her mother warned. “Up early tomorrow. We need to get everything done so we can go out for dinner before an early night. We will be leaving about seven on Wednesday morning.”
Fury nodded, then retired to her room to dream of Eion, her holiday here in Nelson and her friends in South Canterbury.
Early the next morning she sprang from bed and hurried into the kitchen for breakfast. Once she’d finished, her mother set her the task of making sandwiches for lunch so they could pack everything they wouldn’t need until they got home.
“Right,” her mother said when she’d done this. “Now I want you to...”
“Hang on, Mum. I’ll be right back.”
Fury hurried to her room and picked up the painting. She stopped outside the kitchen door and called to her mother.
“Shut your eyes, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Her father came through the outside door and he stopped, his eyes twinkling with humour.
“Fiora, we haven’t time...”
“Do as she says, my love.” Fury’s father said softly, and her mother obediently closed her eyes.
Fury tiptoed into the room and put the painting on the table, using a saucepan to prop it up.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Her mother’s face had a ‘what now’ look as her eyelids flickered upward. At first she didn’t see the painting as she looked directly at Fury, but then her glance moved to the table.
“Oh, Fiora. How wonderful. Is it for me?” She moved forward for a closer look.
“Of course it’s for you. You didn’t think I went swimming and paddle boarding all the time, did you?”
“It’s lovely, darling. Thank you.” Her arms pulled Fury closer, and the two held on to one another for a few moments. Her mother let go first and Fury noticed there were tears in her eyes. “Now, let’s finish this packing. I’ll get some bubble wrap for the painting.”
Her mother bustled from the room and Fury’s father stepped over and gave her a hug.
“Well done, my love. Your mother really appreciated your gift.”
“I’m so glad she did, Dad. I put a lot of effort into it – and a lot of love.”
The rest of the day was bustle, bustle, bustle until everything had been packed into the car boot. The full trailer they put behind the villa to keep it out of sight.
“Where are we going for dinner, Dad?”
“I’ve heard about a place on the waterfront over in Monaco. It sounds lovely and we can eat out in the garden.”
The three of them had a pleasant evening with excellent food and a nice view of the sea.
“So did you enjoy your summer, Fury?”
“I did. I thought at first this holiday would be dull on my own. Meeting Eion helped. Through him I learned to paddle board, went out in a kayak, went on bike rides. We had a busy time all told.”
“What is Eion going to do?” her mother asked. “He left school last year, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he’s off to Canterbury University to do art, music and business studies. We want to keep in touch by email, but if all goes well I’d like to invite him to stay during the next holidays. Would it be all right with you guys?” Fury held her breath while she waited for an answer.
“I don’t know, Fiora...” her mother began, but her father interrupted.
“Why don’t we wait and see what happens before we give you an answer. It’s several months until the next break.” He signalled the waitress for the bill. “Now it’s time to go back to the villa, and then tomorrow we go home. I for one will be glad to get back in my own bed.”
****
The next morning they left at seven o’clock and drove toward Rocks Road. As they stopped at the traffic lights, Fury saw Eion standing on the beach side of the road. He grinned when he saw her in the car and waved. Fury waved back, but the lights changed and her father drove through onto Rocks Road. Twisting her head, Fury looked back at Eion until they drove round a bend in the road and she lost sight of him.
Not to worry. Easter isn’t so far away and there’s always emails.
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FURY’S GHOST
Chapter One
Fury slumped down on the bench on the veranda of the old house. A stubborn look crossed her face and, with hands jammed into the pockets of her jeans, she stretched her legs in front of her, resting her sneakers on the railing.
Why did they have to drag me here? I could have stayed in the city with Aunt Jemma, but no – I have to come to Cave. It’s such a backwater. My friends at home will forget me, and I’m living miles out in the country so there’s no chance of making new friends.
Afraid her mother would find her more boxes to unpack, Fury stomped off down the garden. A swing hung from a branch of a huge oak tree and Fury sat and faced the house, pushing herself backward and forward. Tears sprang to her eyes asshe pulled on the ropes, sending the swing higher and higher into the golden oak leaves of autumn. Eventually, the attic windows came into view. She rubbed her eyes against her shoulder as a shadow in one of the windows caught her attention.
What’s that? No, it’s not a shadow. It’s a person.
It looked like an old woman dressed in grey, with hair and skin the same colour. Fury skidded to a halt and jumped to the ground.
How dare anybody be in our house? It doesn’t matter if I don’t like the house and don’t want to live here. Nobody else gets to invade it without our knowledge.
Fury almost knocked her mother over as she stormed through the hallway and sped up the stairs two at a time. On the attic floor she hesitated, trying to work out the location of the window with the figure. Counting doors, Fury stumbled to a halt in front of a heavy tapestry hanging from ceiling to floor. The drapery proved too heavy to lift and it fell back every time she managed to raise it a few inches. Her bottom hit the floor with a thump as she flopped down in defeat and frowned at the hanging.
The picture on the tapestry came into focus. The colours had faded but she could still make out people and buildings.
Oh, I see. It’s Cave as it must have looked several decades ago. Fury searched for their house, which stood several miles out from the edge of settlement. There it is and there’s people standing on the veranda.
She stood and moved closer to examine the tiny figures. A man with two little girls stood at the top of the steps leading from the garden to the veranda. All were dressed in clothes of the period. The man had a bushy beard and he stood with a hand on each of the girls’ shoulders. One girl stood taller than the other, and each had their hands clasped primly in front of their white pinafores. Despite their tiny faces, she could see all the figures looking grimly toward the garden without a smile between them.
I wonder who they are? This is interesting but it’s not helping me find the person I saw from the garden. Is the tapestry hiding the door? How can there be a room without a door and how can someone be in the room?
Maybe the adjoining room had a connecting door. Fury went through the second entrance, but this square room had no openings except for the window and the en
trance door.
“Fiora, where are you?” Her mother’s voice floated up the stairs and Fury gritted her teeth.
Why must she use my real name? Nobody calls me Fiora except Mum and sometimes Dad.
From an early age she had refused to answer to her given name. Eventually her temper tantrums at the use of Fiora gave her the nickname Fury.
“I’m up here.” Fury walked unhurriedly down the stairs, wondering what her mother wanted.
I don’t think I’ll tell Mum about the figure until I have proof. Otherwise she’ll think I’m dreaming up a reason not to stay here.
“It’s dinner time. Go back up and tell Jonah, then wash your hands and join us at the table.”
Fury and her older brother clattered down the stairs to the kitchen. For the first time in days, the family of four sat down to a proper meal. Since moving in, they’d had no gas and, despite rummaging in the boxes, had not been able to find the pots and pans. Now all services had been connected and they could eat around the kitchen table.
At bedtime Fury thought over the puzzle of the missing attic door. She hadn’t known about this house before they moved here but her mother’s family had owned it for over a century. An elderly spinster had left the house to her descendants with the condition it couldn’t be sold. A trust fund had been left for maintenance and repairs and eventually the house had been modernised with electricity. Before her family’s arrival, an extension with a modern bathroom and kitchen had been added.
The spinster’s instructions stated that any of her sister’s descendants could live in the house, but there were to be no structural alterations inside and all the existing furniture must be left in its present location.
Could the person I saw be the ghost of the spinster? Shut away in the attic and left there to die?
A shiver went down Fury’s spine as the eerie idea crossed her mind. She turned over in the massive antique bed and firmly pushed any thoughts of the house, the spinster and the ghostly figure from her mind. Eyes firmly closed she willed herself to sleep.
