Beyond Death (The Afterlife Series Book 1)

by Deb McEwan

  *****

  Jay had thrown himself into his work as an assistant chef at his uncle’s hotel. It was easier to come home from work too shattered to think about how things could have been. He would finish his shift eat some food and catch up with a few mates on Facebook, just so they didn’t get too concerned about him and preach to him that it was about time he moved on with his life. Then he’d fall into bed exhausted and sleep a dreamless sleep. Occasionally he would wake and forget she was dead. Although these days were becoming less and less, when they happened and realization hit, the pain was still like a cannon ball striking his guts.

  He’d decided to take time off for the anniversary of Claire’s death and to give the day the respect it deserved. Jay had moped around all day, looked at photographs, sniffed the old jumper of his that she used to wear and he hadn’t yet washed, and cried enough tears to sink a ship. By the time the evening came around he’d reached a realization that he was actually ready to move on with his life. This came as a shock and he felt guilty for the unexpected feeling. He wasn’t ready to think things through and was sick of his own company, so he showered and dressed in jeans, polo shirt and jacket and made his way to the pub.

  Claire had paid a brief visit to her father. He’d met up with Mel for a few hours and had returned to his flat to change before going to visit the twins for a few days. Although her father didn’t speak to her he’d opened a box that contained photos, a lock of her baby hair, and a few pieces of costume jewellery that she’d left at home before moving away. Graham had looked through the items, picking each one up and examining them intently, before placing them on his bed. When he’d found his most recent photo of Claire he held it to his heart and closed his eyes. The tears came then and Graham sat holding the photo to himself until he could cry no more. He returned the items to the box and put the box on a shelf in his wardrobe.

  Visiting her parents had been emotionally draining for Claire and she decided she needed to rest and gather her strength before going to see Jay.

  As soon as Claire was away the wedding fantasy appeared and she was at the part when the bride was about to walk down the red carpet. When she went to lock eyes with Jay something strange happened. She was viewing the scene from behind the seated guests and nodding her head in approval as Jay’s bride, a short, slim, blonde girl, walked towards her groom. Claire was crying, but also smiling and clapping as she did so. Jay glanced her way, his look a question.

  ‘Go ahead,’ she said, ‘she’s right for you.’

  Claire sat up in shock. She was now fully alert and Ron was in front of her. He must have sensed her distress as his face was full of concern.

  ‘Not your wedding fantasy?’ She’d told him that was the only one she’d had and he couldn’t work out why she looked so shocked.

  ‘Yes, but I wasn’t the bride! It was someone completely different and not Jay’s type at all,’ she hesitated to recollect the vision. ‘But I was happy for them both, Ron. He looked directly at me and I told him that she was right for him and to go ahead. I gave him approval to marry someone else.’ She leaned back against the sofa, not yet understanding her feelings.

  Ron sat next to her and held her hands in his. ‘You’ve given him permission to move on. You still love him but want the best for him. That’s the most wonderful thing you could do, Claire. I’m so proud of you.’

  ‘But I still miss him so much.’ Her eyes filled with tears and Ron couldn’t find any words that would make her feel better. A hug was the best he could do, so he held her until she was ready to move.

  ‘I want to see him, to see how he’s coped today.’ Ron agreed and they moved silently and quickly to visit Jay.

  Claire had expected to arrive at his flat and was surprised when they found themselves in a pub. It was full of twenty somethings and not a place they’d frequented together. She looked around and saw him with a crowd of people. He looked sombre but laughed occasionally. Claire noticed that two of the guys he worked with were keeping an eye on him and she was grateful for that. One of the women in the group was making sure that Jay knew she fancied him. He was uncomfortable with her flirting and Ron and Claire laughed when her body language became so obvious that she might as well have had take me written in large letters on her forehead. Fed-up of getting nowhere the girl got up from her seat, gave her long auburn hair a shake to ensure that she had the attention of all the males at the table, and made her way to the ladies, wiggling her behind in exaggerated movements to get the interest of all the men she passed. It was wasted on Jay. One of the cubicles was locked and Kay folded her arms and talked to the door.

  ‘Well, all I can say is that he must be gay.’

  ‘So, because he didn’t fall for your charms and you can’t wrap him around your little finger, you think he’s gay?’ Said the voice on the other side of the door and Kay heard the noise of the chain flushing.

  ‘That’s incredibly vain and small-minded.’ The door opened and the short, pretty blonde girl walked out. ‘You have to remember that the girl he was going to marry died in a tragic accident a year ago,’ she said as she dried her hands and shook her head at her friend. ‘Sometimes, Kay, you can be so insensitive.’

  Suitably chastised, Kay followed her friend back to their table.

  ‘Well, you’re incredibly quiet for once.’ Said Ron. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘That was her, the girl in the wedding dress.’ Ron was slow to catch on so she explained. ‘The pretty blonde girl was the one I saw at the wedding ceremony. I think they’re going to get married.’

  Chapter 13

  Val and Marion were preparing for their trip to Zambia. This was an extended project and they would be there for six months initially, after which they would have a two-week break and a decision would be made as to whether they would return. It was a few days before the flight and they were both excited and nervous. They had a final briefing to attend at the People Against Poverty HQ and Marion was concerned that the bad memories of the attack might be too much for her friend.

  ‘I’m okay you know,’ Val reassured. ‘I need to exorcise the ghosts so we should go out for the evening after the briefing.’

  ‘Are you joking? Talk about tempting fate.’

  Val laughed at her friend’s raised eyebrows and open mouth. ‘I’m sorry, Marion. It’s something I’ve got to do. You don’t have to come with me though if you don’t want to.’ Val held her breath for a moment and was relieved when Marion answered.

  ‘Are you insane? Of course I’ll come with you.’

  Claire, Ron and Ken watched as Val and Marion returned to the scene of the attack.

  ‘Last time I saw Val was the night I died. I tried calling for help but the words wouldn’t come.’ Ken was talking almost to himself and didn’t pick up on the negative vibes from Ron who was doing his best not to listen.

  ‘I don’t think Ron wants to know about the circumstances of your death, especially as you were with his wife you insensitive bastard!’

  ‘Thanks, Claire.’ Ron hid a snigger. Her honesty and loyalty had certainly lightened his mood and had Ken been a dog he would now be running down the street with his tail between his legs.

  Val’s deceit had obliterated Ron’s faith in the human condition and he’d tried his best to hate her. It was a fruitless exercise. He’d now forgiven her totally - partly because it was obvious to him that her guilt had almost destroyed her and he could see that she was genuinely sorry. She carried her guilt around with her every day but he hoped that the charity work would make her feel better about herself.

  It wasn’t yet dark and although Ron was concerned for his wife, he also knew that it was something she had to do. The evil spirit youth decided to put in an appearance, this time in his former human guise. He’d called for assistance from his brothers of evil but none had been forthcoming. The trio were unprepared for a fight and relieved that no more evil spirits were in attendance. The dead youth watched, assessing his chances as the two women walked alon
g the street. Outnumbered and too cowardly to start his own trouble he soon disappeared to find havoc elsewhere.

  It was as if it was happening all over again. Val remembered how she’d felt on that night and wondered if the attack was really her punishment for being unfaithful to Ron and for the circumstances surrounding Ken’s death.

  ‘If only I’d stayed in with you. If only I hadn’t...’

  Marion squeezed her hand and interrupted. ‘Life’s full of if only’s, Val. We can’t change any of them so no point in trying, you’d drive yourself nuts.’

  If only she hadn’t had an affair. If only she hadn’t gone out that night. If only Ron hadn’t agreed to work nights. If only...

  ‘Ready to move on?’ Marion’s words brought her back to the present. One day she might tell her friend the whole story.

  ‘In more ways than one,’ Val gave a sad smile. ‘Shall we go to the pub?’ She pointed to the pub on the corner and Marion nodded.

  ‘Sure. Are you all right?’

  ‘Better than I thought, Marion. Let’s go and get on with our new lives.’

  The three spirits would have breathed a collective sigh of relief had they been able. Instead they floated away, secure in the knowledge that the street was now safe and so were Ron’s wife and Claire’s mother.

  They turned down offers of lifts from their children, deciding instead to meet them at the airport to say their farewells.

  ‘It’s a short train trip for us, and you know it’s impossible to find a parking space.’

  ‘And it costs a fortune.’ Added Val.

  They were both surprised when Tony and Libby arrived together and the couple tried their best to ignore the knowing looks between their mothers. Carl was next to arrive, followed by Jim and Fiona.

  ‘Shall we tell them?’ said Fiona and Jim nudged her. They’d agreed not to gazump his mother’s departure by telling her their good news. Fiona knew that Marion would be furious if she found out from someone else, and she was so excited that she wouldn’t be able to keep it quiet for the six months that her future mother-in-law would be away.

  Marion held her breath and crossed the fingers of her right hand behind her back.

  ‘Mum, I’ve asked Fiona to marry...’

  ‘And I said yes.’ Interrupted Fiona, too excited to keep quiet.

  ‘Oh, that’s fantastic.’ The tears that the mothers had tried to hold back now came as if a dam had been opened and Fiona and Libby joined in while the men slapped Jim on the back, and the women kissed and hugged.

  ‘You are going to wait until we come back aren’t you?’

  They laughed and Jim told his mother that the wedding Fiona wanted would take at least a year to plan.

  ‘Hollywood blockbusters have smaller productions.’

  ‘Ow, that hurt.’

  ‘I haven’t seen so many tears since our funerals.’ Claire was beaming at her brother’s good news. Ron turned away so she couldn’t see him crying quietly. She had moved on from Jay and was slowly learning acceptance. He hadn’t told her but he still felt unable to let go of Val and the need to look after her and make sure she was safe was as powerful as it had always been.

  ‘We can still visit them in Zambia, you know. It’s not as if we have to get flights.’ She said without looking at him.

  So she does understand thought Ron as he watched Val and Marion wave to their children before disappearing through customs and onto the departure lounge.

  *****

  It had been an immense effort for Big Ed to keep out of trouble while the police were tracking his every move. As the months had passed slowly his annoyance about Mel reporting him turned into a beast with a mind of its own. His fury was a cold, hard animal and he intended to take his revenge as soon as he was able.

  It was the end of September when DI Sparks was called into his DCI’s office. He was told that they had another 24 hours to find a scrap of solid evidence before being pulled out. Resources were tight and they had other investigations on which to spend the public’s money.

  Sandy hadn’t heard from her lover for a while and wondered when he might turn up. Depending on his mood he could be scary or very loving, but always totally dominant. She looked at the caller ID when her phone rang and her heart skipped a beat. Hopefully nobody had upset him. She found it hard to cope when he punished her for events beyond her control but deep down she knew she deserved it. As soon as she heard his voice she breathed a sigh of relief. Big Ed was over the moon. He told her that the police had stopped following him a few weeks earlier and he’d left it this long just to be sure. They could go ahead with the plan. She was disappointed he didn’t want to see her straight away and wasn’t comfortable about his request. She’d promised ages ago that she’d help - thinking at the time that he wasn’t really serious - and knew the consequences if she tried to change her mind. She’d backed herself into a corner and there was nowhere left to go. He’d been understandably impatient for the plan to go ahead at the spring half-term break, then the summer holidays, but the police had still been there like legal stalkers. Now, with one week before the schools broke up for autumn half term it was time for action. She put down the phone and looked up her notes on the girl’s mother. Providing her routine hadn’t changed Carol did her weekly shopping after she finished work on a Wednesday evening. This was perfect for Sandy and the following Wednesday she just happened to be in the same supermarket.

  ‘I’m very sorry.’ Said Sandy as her trolley bumped into Carol’s.

  ‘Oooh, I just love that chocolate.’ Sandy pointed to the chocolate that had been recently advertised on TV by a beautiful slim pop star who probably hadn’t eaten chocolate since she’d reached puberty. Carol looked in her trolley and smiled.

  ‘Hmmm, it’s my weekly treat.’

  ‘I’m off to get some now.’ And Carol watched as the strange-looking nervy woman whose long fringe covered most of her face rushed off down the sweetie aisle. She finished her shopping and went home and watched her favourite soap. At the credits she quickly logged on to her computer and spent the next half hour messaging Mel. She was so looking forward to seeing her daughter and told her that she had a few surprises in store for her for half term. Mel sounded excited at the prospect and when they’d finished Carol turned in early, relaxed and contented. She had one of her rare nights when she slept well and woke up later than usual, refreshed and raring to go. Her long shower left her little time to get ready for work and it wasn’t until lunchtime that she noticed her mobile phone was missing – by then it was too late.

  *****

  The School Secretary answered the phone on the third ring. The penultimate day before half term and she was more than ready for the break. The Head was off on compassionate leave - her elderly mother had had a stroke and she had been understandably distressed. They didn’t expect her to return until at least the beginning of November and her absence had increased the School Secretary’s workload. And now Carol Dawkins was on the phone saying that she knew it was short-notice, but that she wanted to take Mel out of school that afternoon instead of the following as she’d booked a late deal holiday for her.

  ‘I’ll have to get permission from the Deputy Head, the Head is indefinitely indisposed.’

  The voice on the other end of the phone said she’d trust that the school would be sympathetic after the difficult times that Mel had experienced. The Secretary replied that she’d get back to her within the hour.

  Mr Moore, Mel’s Form Tutor thought it was a marvellous idea and went to speak to the Deputy Head.

  ‘I appreciate it’s against school policy,’ he said, ‘but with the break-up of her parents, the revelation about her father’s other family and also that business with the police, it’s been a very difficult time for Mel Dawkins.’

  Mr Lawson put his hands behind his back and looked out of the window. The sky was grey and he could see leaves dancing in the autumn wind. This pontificating wasn’t getting him anywhere but he knew he had to think car
efully before making the decision. Young Mr Moore couldn’t be seen to have it all his own way.

  ‘I can’t emphasise enough how good a holiday would be for Mel,’ he swallowed and added, ‘it would really be appreciated if you could bend the rules on this occasion, I would say the circumstances in this case are exceptional.’ Mr Moore smiled ingratiatingly, despising himself for doing so and hoping he was doing a good job of hiding his true feelings toward the Deputy Head. It didn’t matter anyway as he was currently speaking to his back.

  Mr Lawson turned. ‘Very well, you’ve convinced me. But carry out the proper security checks first and ensure that nothing funny’s going on. After that business earlier in the year, we don’t want any scandals for the school.’

  ‘Of course’ did he think he was stupid? ‘I’ll make sure we do. And thanks.’ His gratitude was genuine and he returned to the office to instruct the secretary to confirm the arrangements with Mel’s mother. This was done in a hurry, as Mr Moore was keen to give the good news to his star pupil.

  Mel was thrilled. Not only was she leaving school a day early but her mother was taking her on holiday. It was only for a week but she’d have a tan and would be the envy of all her friends on her return.

  ‘I hope it’s somewhere warm,’ she said squeezing her arms together, ‘I’m just about packed anyway so that won’t take me long.’ She was thinking out loud, Mr Moore forgotten in her excitement.

  ‘Hmm. Mel?’

  ‘Sorry, Sir.’

  ‘Have you heard from your mother?’ He asked, putting his thumb in his blazer pocket with the fingers outside, Prince Charles style.

  ‘Can I check my phone?’

  He nodded. The students were allowed to keep their phones on them but only permitted to use them during break and meal times.