When he got to her door, he gently knocked. Our Doris shouted for him to come in. When Our Doris saw who it was, she fluffed up her hair with her hands and beamed at him.
‘How is my Easter egg this morning, Bob?’ He laughed. It wasn’t what he thought her first words would be. He surveyed her hair from his position at the door, with one eye open and one closed, cocking his head from one side to the next.
‘It is very oval,’ he announced.
‘That's just the look I was going for.’ She patted the chair next to the bed and he went and sat on it. Liz entered the room and Brenda was just behind her, coming up with a small amount of porridge for her sister.
Our Doris started to eat her porridge. She had only asked for a small portion, so it did not take long. Wee Renee came into the room, kissed Our Doris on the cheek and said she looked a little better. Brenda took the bowl off Our Doris and set it down then she then passed her a cup of coffee.
‘I’ve got the best sister ever, haven’t I?’ she asked her visitors, obviously commenting about the devoted attention of Brenda.
‘It’s a good job I am, considering the others,’ she said under her breath. Brenda then pursed her lips.
‘You’re not wrong there, Brenda, particularly one,’ Our Doris said with certainty and the others didn’t discuss it further.
‘You know as soon as I got to Our Doris, she said to me that there was something very strange going on with her. An unnatural state. Even though she didn’t know all the details of this infection and attack, as we know now. But she was adamant. You never guess how she knew.’
‘I bet I know,’ said Wee Renee, ‘I bet it was her wee!’
Our Doris spat out a small mouthful of coffee she had just taken. ‘How did you know?’ Our Doris asked aghast.
‘You can tell everything about your health from your wee. It’s well known in our family. What was wrong with yours?’
‘Well…… it was grey!’
‘Grey!’ Exclaimed Wee Renee. She made an O with her mouth for a long time. Then looked at the others.
‘Mmmm….actually Bob, I think you should go downstairs. I think Pat would like to know that Our Doris is feeling better. Alright?’ Wee Renee announced.
Bob got up hastily and walked out of the door shutting it behind him. He was happy to go, as he didn't really want to hear the ins and outs of Our Doris’s wee, and what Wee Renee would make of it.
They waited until the door had shut. Then Wee Renee turned to Our Doris again.
‘Grey! Oh, Our Doris.’
‘Yes. Blueish-grey.’
Wee Renee put her hand over her mouth.
‘Our Doris knew it was wrong there and then, because she puts a lot of store in the colour of it,’ Brenda said quietly.
‘Wow. I am sorry to say, it shows something very foreign in you. Weird and strange. Your system isn’t producing the right coloured waste, lets face it. I have never heard of blueish-grey wee, in all my days. I used to eat coal and suck pennies when I was pregnant, but it was still a natural colour!’ Wee Renee stated.
Our Doris looked crestfallen. Then seemed to have a thought.
‘What colour’s yours Liz?’
‘Er…normal.’ Liz said, with a little bit of regret. She would have loved to put Our Doris’s mind to rest.
‘Very, very interesting.’ Wee Renee said slowly, thinking aloud. ‘It sounds like even though you are presenting similar symptoms, and have been infected in the same way, that it is not the exact same infection.’
‘It’s vexed me, because I was working on it and had seen improvements.’ Our Doris confided.
‘You’ve been working on your wee? You need to get a better hobby, Our Doris,’ Liz laughed.
‘There’s nothing wrong in that Liz. It is very important. I have got mine now where is it is as clear as a bell. I don’t have any doubt, that you could wash your face and hands in it. Even drink it maybe!’
‘Right,’ chuckled Liz, ‘Wee Renee’s Wee Water. Does that sound like a good name for the next brand of mineral water?’ They all burst out laughing.
‘You know what, it would be cheap to produce anyway,’ said Wee Renee. ‘I’d have my face on the label doing a thumb’s up. Saying Aye its good.’ The others were in hysterics.
When Bob got downstairs Freddie was fiddling with the radio. He put on BBC Radio 4 the time was five minutes to ten. He said he was putting it on for the news on the hour, to see if it was a mass epidemic. Or whether they were coming on to tell lies about it being a biohazard situation or something like that. Generally being treated as a mushroom, in his words.
Bob said he had to come downstairs because all the ladies were talking about ladies toilet stuff. Pat patted the sofa, next to her.
‘Eee lad. You sit down here with me then. I don't want to talk about that either. I’ll stop down here as well. Is Our Doris all right this morning?’
‘Yeah good, apart from the grey wee,’ he replied.
‘I thought I had grey wee one time,’ said Tony.
‘What!’ Everyone gasped.
‘Are you infected, Tony?’ Gary asked crossly.
‘No, no. this was years ago.’ Tony replied. ‘It was when Sue had put one of those toilet blocks in the cistern and not told me. I had a bit of shock for half an hour. Then I made the decision to call the doctor about my waterworks and she cottoned on. What a morning that was!’ Pat sniffed at him and shook her head.
‘It gets worse, doesn’t it Bob. Sometimes I think we have entered an asylum and no one has told us. Moving on, I think I have spied a game of Scrabble somewhere. How do you fancy taking on your old Pat?’ She asked Bob. ‘Mind though, I will beat you hands down, so I hope you are prepared.’ He nodded.
Pat puffed and huffed and got out of her seat. She opened the sideboard and next to some of the glasses there were a few games. She pulled out the Scrabble box and put it down on the coffee table. She then pulled the coffee table towards them and started to assemble the letters.
On the news, the headlines mostly seemed to be about politics, a starlet who had mysteriously had a baby and the weather that was going to turn increasingly bad again. Especially in the north of the country. No mention whatsoever about biohazard’s, vampires or the end of the world. Freddie thought they are covering it up. Swines!
‘You know, when I was in the army, years ago and stationed abroad, you could find out a lot more about your own country, from their news, than you could if you were living in it. The headlines there, about England, you would never believe it. You wouldn’t want to live here. Then I would go home and start talking to my mother about it and she didn’t have an inkling what I was talking about! You’re right Freddie, we aren’t told ‘owt in England about what’s going on. Especially up north!’
‘Yes, we’re right at the bottom of the scrapheap, Gary. Anything north of Watford Gap and they aren’t interested.’
‘I wish I’d have emigrated to Australia years ago,’ Tony said. ‘I bet they get told stuff. Honest, straight to the point people. As well as beer, sunshine and Christmas on the beach. Imagine all those tanned girls in bikini’s serving up your stuffing and sprouts, Danny.’
‘I don’t think they have Christmas Dinner on the beach, Tony!’ Danny said confused.
‘No?’
‘No. How would they roast the potatoes? They have barbeque and prawns. You’d have to miss your dinner for that year, if you wanted the beach babes.’
‘Not prawns again. They spoil everything. Bloody prawns. The bane of my life. I’m glad I stayed here then. I’ll enjoy being treated like a mushroom instead. I’ll not go without my Christmas Dinner for that! Prawns!’
Bob laughed as Pat spelled out the word ‘Fart’ out on the scrabble board.
He added ‘urnip’ on to the t, to make ‘turnip’.
‘What’s ironic Bob, is that it is the very thing that does make me fart. Turnip. And porridge of course.’ Pat said happily.
Freddie put one of Our Doris’s magazines over his fa
ce.
7 – July
Excerpt from Anne’s Diary
26th July
It is done, I have bought a selection of terraces in Yorkshire (with cash haha). A village in a valley. They call it Melden, but it is hardly my beautiful Lutry. Damp, wet, cold and barren are the main features of this old mill town, even in summer!! However, on the plus side, I have moorland for my fur babies and plenty of space for them to play in.
The terraces will be made into Special Housing for the more unfortunate souls in the community. The ones who are most vulnerable. Lonely ones, drunks and some lovely prostitutes. Maybe former prisoners. Those that used to prey on the weak themselves. They live such a nomadic lifestyle. Who would notice or care if they go missing? Lambs to the slaughter and all the time I am a shining light of the community offering to help.
I should have thought of this before. I win every way. Surely no one would expect me to do it for nothing. I won’t take them all. Well, not all at once. I need lots. Lots and lots. I use them for food, for bathing and for experiments. They are very useful. Essential you might say. Mind you, these terraces didn't come cheap, or the labour to quickly turn them into the habitable food traps they will become. I am sure Len and Norman won’t notice the missing funds. Now, on to my accommodation. I have my eyes on a few places but need to arrange some evening viewings to check the cellars and stables. It has to be very, very private. Somewhere that Len can’t just breeze in as well, with his friends. Its so hard being a vampire sometimes. Haha. No its not! But soon I will have everything I need for my success. I will!
8 – Marbles
After the discussion about Our Doris’s grey water, maybe because she was in high spirits, Our Doris told Brenda that she was feeling quite a lot better. They had given her hope, not to mention a distraction. Today, another day further away from the initial infection, there was a slight improvement. After her porridge and coffee, she wanted to get out of bed. She said that if Brenda helped her to get dressed, and if then Brenda and Freddie would be good enough to help her down the stairs, she would prefer to come and sit with everyone else. She felt isolated and useless in bed. If they put plenty of cushions around her and brought the pouffe for her feet, she would manage. This was a big step for Our Doris. For Brenda, it was a very encouraging sign. Brenda dressed her in a loose leisure suit and pop socks.
Our Doris sat on the bed whilst Brenda fetched Freddie from downstairs. She was indeed weak, but they all kept laughing when her knees were buckling. Freddie kept shouting more water with it Our Doris, which he knew made her laugh, so they made quite the rowdy group on their way down.
When they got Our Doris down the stairs, the rest of the group could see she was indeed less than five feet tall.
‘It’s a good job you have stuck a large Easter Egg on your head Our Doris, or else you would be tiny,’ Bob laughed.
‘Never forget young Bob, that good things come in small packages.’ Our Doris winked at him. Brenda tutted.
‘That is not good news for me then.’ Brenda said dismally. She was the tallest of the four sisters at about five feet nine and very slender.
‘You’ll do for me.’ Freddie said and gave her a hug.
At about eleven o'clock Our Doris’s two other sisters arrived together. They knew Brenda was there, but were quite surprised at the other eleven people in Our Doris's house.
Jennifer was the youngest and had inherited all of the family’s good looks. It was plain to see that she was well to do. Her clothes and hair were immaculate and she obviously had manicures and facials on a regular basis. She was slim and toned. Being the youngest sister she was quite spoilt and feisty.
Rose being one of the middle sisters was a little bit more in the background. In fact, you would probably describe her as boring and certainly plain looking. Quite a large build, she had Brenda’s height and was overweight. She didn't take to looking like this very well, so always seemed a little bit bitter about everything.
When Rose saw the collection of new people, as well as their brother-in-law Freddie, she seemed cross and put out about it all.
‘Don't you think Our Doris has got enough on her plate without having to look after eleven other people?’ She snapped.
‘Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. Besides that, they are looking after me, not me after them. I’ve only been out of bed about ten minutes,’ Our Doris said.
‘This is an emergency situation,’ said Freddie. ‘We cannot live in our village anymore. There are nightwalkers. Vampires. And now from what we hear in Melden, wild wolves roaming free in the night. Don't tell me you haven't noticed.’
‘We've certainly seen the lady with the wolves,’ said Rose, ‘but I think everything else you are saying is pure fantasy. Yes, she is eccentric. But no one is more open-minded than me about accepting a diverse mix to the village.’
‘Haha, open minded? Are you kidding? You are singularly the most closed minded person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. If you like her that much, why don’t you go and embrace her then, Rose, see what happens.’ Freddie said sarcastically. Rose ignored him.
‘They’re not exactly bosom buddies, are they,’ Pat said to Our Doris quietly.
‘They hate one another. We’ve had over forty years of these arguments. Neither will back down. Most of the time me and Brenda ignore them. Let them get on with it, Pat. She pokes him with a stick and he rises to the bait every time.’
‘Right you are, Our Doris,’ Pat sniffed. As the other people in were not privy to this historical information, they all started to feel a little awkward.
‘No, it is not very nice to think that there are wolves,’ Rose continued, ‘but she seems to have them under control. I thought you said wild creatures, not tame ones, roaming around the streets of Melden plus a load of fantastical dark creatures. Vampires, whatever next? I think you are testing our sanity. What are you getting out of it? Are you trying to turn Our Doris mad so she leaves you everything in her will?’ Rose asked.
‘Rose!’ snapped Jennifer. ‘Don't say that. You know Freddie’s not that kind of person or Brenda! And Our Doris certainly has all her marbles.’
‘Am I invisible?’ Our Doris asked the others.
‘I am just saying, stranger things have happened.’ Rose said quietly.
‘Yes,’ said Freddie, ‘THIS is happening. This is strange and it's happening right now under your fat nose and if you don't listen you are going to end up dead or turned into a vampire.’
‘Don't you threaten me, Freddie,’ She shouted.
‘I aren’t threatening you, I am promising you. If you don’t wake up, you will end up in one of those states, and it won’t be my doing. Since when have I been a vampire? I can’t carry out the threat, as you call it. Anyway I have got no time for you, Rose. I am here trying to tell you everything and so is everyone else. We all have the same story and you're too ignorant to work it out.’
‘Hello, Rose.’ said Wee Renee gently. ‘My name is Wee Renee. I will just say that we were all resistant to this. We are all sensible people but there isn't one person here that will tell you any different from what Freddie is telling you. There are supernatural beings walking round and we are going to be done for. Certainly, if we don't wake up pretty quick and fight back. That is what we had to do in Friarmere. Freddie, me and the other’s here. That is why we are here. Able to tell you all about it, Rose.’ Rose shut up. Pat was staring at Rose angrily, which might have had something to do it.
Jennifer cleared her throat and stood up to address the others.
‘I have certainly seen the people with the wolves so please tell me what you know and let's discuss it.’
They spent the next half an hour telling their tale of Friarmere from beginning to end again to Brenda’s two sisters. Our Doris would interject every so often to say how that was similar to her situation here in Melden.
When Bob and the others gave witness as to what happened in Ian's butcher shop and the texture of the vampire,
all that Rose did was fiddle in her handbag, as if she wasn't listening. Pat kept flaring her nostrils at her, but Rose was definitely not looking in her direction.
‘Well, that certainly is a hard story to swallow.’ Jennifer said when they had finished. ‘And I don't want to believe it is true. I don’t know how I will cope with all this. I think that is part of it.’
‘These are the facts plain and simple.’ Pat said. ‘We cannot tell you any more or less. This is what has happened to us and it is up to you whether you walk away from the facts blindly, run out and get eaten, or fight back. What is it going to hurt if you give us the benefit of the doubt? None of us want to believe this or do what we are doing. Do you really think that we wanted to walk from Friarmere in the snow? That was out of desperation for our lives. This whole thing has taken this boy's innocence, don't you realise that. If he can cope,.. and believe it,… and fight,… then so can you. Your sister Our Doris is ready to fight back. She is ill, currently an invalid. But she is with us.’
‘One hundred percent!’ Our Doris said.
Michael Thompson sat alone. He was the only one in the house with a beating heart. Last night there were four others in there but now their hearts were no longer beating. They were brought either for food or for the Master's pleasure. To make another child for him.
From what Michael had been told by Stephen, three ended up as food, and he really did break them apart. Just scraps of skin were left. The Master had decided to make one of them his own. Another freshly made child of The Master’s blood. Michael still wished to become one, now he had gone this far and was living here with The Master, his brother and the others. He should have been turned by now but The Master had other ideas. He had no more power now that he had a month ago. Really he was in a worse position not better. At least Stephen had physical strength. Could make people do what he wanted. Stephen was part of something. He belonged.
Michael still wondered sometimes whether he had picked the right side, but it was way too late now. He had shown his hand to the others from Friarmere band. They thought he was a Judas. And to them, he supposed he was one.
Silver Banned: Book 2 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 5
