‘That felt good,’ I said, looking at Claire, trying desperately not to start laughing. Elizabeth and Cassie were just short of rolling on the ground, they were laughing so hard.
I put my right leg up on the bench, just beside Elizabeth, and stretched slowly. Then swapped legs, and stretched again.
‘So, what do you think of my gardens? Nice place to run, don’t you think?’
‘Yeah, it’s really pretty here. I wish I had something like this close to my house. We have that small park nearby, but it’s not much more than a big lawn.’
Sunlight was peeking through the trees and we were just out of the wind—and surprisingly there were very few other people around. I sat on the bench next to Claire, sort of pushing Elizabeth out of the way as I did so, struggling to stifle my laughter. It didn’t work.
‘What’s so funny?’ asked Claire, looking down at the big shoes she was wearing, and then brushing at her arms. ‘Have I got something on me? Did I step in something?’
‘No,’ I answered, nearly spitting the word out.
‘What then?’
‘I can’t do this,’ I said, standing up and looking first at Elizabeth, then Claire.
‘Do what? What is your problem?’
‘Okay,’ I said, taking a deep breath. Focus Lili, I said to myself over and over. I took another deep breath, and seemed to have my laugher under control.
‘Claire, remember when I asked you about going on that ghost walk?’
‘Yeah, sort of. I mean, we talked about it, but never did it, right?’ she asked.
‘Yeah, we didn’t have time that week and then I forgot all about it.’
‘And? So … what about it?’
‘Well,’ I said, stretching the word out, ‘you said at the time that you didn’t actually believe in ghosts. Is that still true? I mean, do you, you know, believe in ghosts?’
Elizabeth and Cassie were still laughing, making it really hard for me to concentrate.
‘No, of course not. But what’s that got to do with anything?’
‘Oh, Claire. I really think you should be more open-minded,’ I nearly spat out the words, struggling to hold back my laugher. But it was no good. I put my hand over my mouth, and pushed hard, but the laughter wouldn’t stop.
Claire stood up, and looked over her shoulder at her backside, first from the right, then the left.
‘Right. Did I sit in something? Wet paint or something? What is so funny?’ she asked, starting to get angry when she couldn’t see anything to laugh about.
‘I’m sorry Claire, really. It’s just … I mean,’ I didn’t know how to start, and couldn’t get the words out in any case.
Elizabeth was standing up now, and Cassie jumped up beside her, the two girls hugging each other and continuing with their giggles.
‘What?’ she demanded.
‘Here, sit down again,’ I said, remembering how I fainted the first time I saw Elizabeth. If Claire was going to faint, I’d rather she was at least sitting down. At least she wouldn’t have so far to fall.
Claire just stood there, looking at me suspiciously. ‘I’m not going to sit there unless you tell me what you’re laughing about,’ she said, still not seeing anything funny in the situation.
‘Please Claire, just sit, and I’ll tell you what it is.’
She studied the bench carefully, and reached down to touch the boards with her fingers to ensure it wasn’t wet. Then she looked over her shoulder at her backside again. Finally she seemed satisfied there was nothing there and sat.
Elizabeth moved up until she was standing smack dab in front of Claire, barely inches from her, still giggling like crazy. Cassie was now on the ground, rolling with laughter.
‘It’s Sam’s sister,’ I said, proud of myself for getting the words out without spitting this time.
‘Sam’s sister? I didn’t know he had a sister. So, what about her?’ Claire asked, her voice sounding extremely suspicious.
‘Well, she’s here—standing just in front of you, as a matter of fact.’
Claire looked at me, shook her head, and made this little, ‘humph’ sound.
‘Really … she’s here. I’m not kidding,’ I said, desperately trying to keep a straight face.
‘Yeah, right. Oh, and did I just hear one of Santa’s reindeer whinny over in the distance?’
‘Claire, I’m serious. And besides … reindeer don’t whinny,’ I replied, biting my teeth together in a last effort to fight off the laughter.
‘Well then … oh, you know what I mean,’ she said, glaring at me.
‘She’s right here. Her name is Elizabeth. She’s ten. Well, she was ten … when she died.’
‘Oh yeah, very funny. You’re trying to get back at me for telling you about the graves under the car park, aren’t you?’
‘No, not at all. I’m dead serious,’ I said, again struggling to not to spit the words out as I stifled more laughter.
‘Oh, very clever. “Dead serious”. Ha, ha, ha.’
‘Elizabeth,’ I said out loud so that Claire could hear me, ‘you’ll have to show yourself. She isn’t going to believe me unless she sees you herself.’
Claire looked at me and started shaking her head back and forth. But then the shaking slowed, and her eyes widened and she took a rather loud breath inward.
‘Lili, what is going on here?’
‘I take it you can see Elizabeth then?’
‘Uh, well, I see someone, or something. A young girl with dark hair in pigtails … I assume this is Elizabeth.’
‘Brilliant! You can see her!’
Claire didn’t faint. In actual fact, she took it quite well. I introduced her to Elizabeth, and when it was obvious that she’d accepted her, we introduced Cassie. I’d made it clear, earlier, to both the ghosts that Claire didn’t know anything about vampires, and wasn’t to be told. The story was simply that Elizabeth had drowned in a boating accident, and Cassie had been the unfortunate victim of a mugging. Claire seemed happy enough with the explanations, and didn’t ask any tricky questions.
Cassie and Claire really hit it off, especially when Cassie learned that Claire had gone to school in southern California, and had also spent a bit of time in San Diego, Cassie’s home town.
We sat for what must have been the best part of an hour with them, but eventually I had to break up the conversation, saying we should get home so we could get ready for the game.
As we walked off toward La Trobe Street, I looked back over my shoulder to see Elizabeth and Cassie, hand in hand, skipping off toward the market, no doubt to look for toddlers to tease.
~~***~~
Claire thought the football game was simply spectacular, given that at three quarter time her team was leading by so much it would be nearly impossible for them to lose. I thought it was rather boring and one sided.
Finally, after noticing Claire watching me out the corner of her eye for the best part of the game, and not saying anything, my curiosity got the better of me.
‘What?’
‘Nothing,’ she replied, raising an eyebrow and sort of smirking.
‘You’ve been staring at me like that all through the game. What’s that about?’
‘Hmmm, just wondering,’ she said, not finishing her sentence.
‘Wondering, what?’
‘Wondering how many other secrets you might have kept from me,’ she said, looking at me with suspicion in her eyes.
‘Secrets, what do you mean?’ I tried to sound as innocent as possible.
‘Uh … Sam’s sister is a ghost and you not only see her, but talk to her and seem to be pretty good friends with her as well.’
‘Oh, that.’
‘Yeah, that!’
‘Sorry, Claire, I’d have told you a long time ago, but I never thought you’d believe me.’
‘So, when did you meet her? Was it recently then?’
‘Oh, well, not really—Sam and I were talking in the gardens one day, and he introduced me to her. I faint
ed. I’m really impressed that you handled it so well.’
That seemed to make her happy, knowing that I’d fainted, and she hadn’t.
‘You fainted? Oh, you big sissy. I can’t believe you actually fainted.’
‘Me neither. But I did. Sam picked me up and set me on the bench, and told me what had happened.’
‘Humph. Well, there you go.’
‘So, are you hungry? I could go for a pizza after this finishes. Or do you need to get home?’
‘No, pizza sounds great. Where?’
‘There’s a place at Docklands. If you like, you can stay the night again. That way we can have a few beers too.’
An hour later we were sitting at a table, waiting for someone to take our order. It seemed we weren’t the only ones that thought pizza and beer was a good way to follow up the football game, as the place was packed. But eventually we were served, and Claire was in her element, surrounded by Hawks fans.
Three hours later we made our way up to the apartment, and Debs just smiled as we waltzed in smelling of beer and garlic. I slept like a baby that night. Whether it was the beer, or the fresh air from the football game, I wasn’t sure, but I slept like a rock.
~~***~~
‘Coffee, girls?’ asked Debs as I walked into the kitchen. I looked over my shoulder to see that Claire was following right behind me. She was still in her robe and slippers. At least I had showered and dressed.
‘Can I make you some eggs? Or would you prefer cereal? Or toast and honey?’ asked Debs.
‘I’ll have some toast, thanks,’ answered Claire as she plunked herself down at the table. Her hair was all tousled and there was makeup all around her eyes.
‘Toast would be great, thanks Debs, but I can get it,’ I said, reaching under the bench to grab a couple of mugs.
‘Don’t be silly, I’ll get it. So, what are you girls up to today?’ asked Debs, pulling a loaf of bread from the freezer.
‘Oh, I’m going up to the Dandenongs, with Crystal and a friend of hers,’ I replied before thinking. I realised how rude that must have sounded, talking about it in front of Claire, so decided to invite her along.
‘Dandenongs … wow, I haven’t been up there in ages. Sure, I’ll come along, if it’s okay that is,’ she said, looking a bit tentative.
‘I’m sure Crystal won’t mind,’ I said, then looked at Debs sort of guiltily. ‘Did you have something in mind for today, Debs? I can always ring Crystal and say I can’t make it.’
‘No, you girls go and have fun. I’m playing golf today anyway.’
‘Oh, okay. I’ll ring Crystal, and tell her you’re joining us. They’ll be here at ten-thirty, so you’d better eat quickly and jump in the shower,’ I said, looking at Claire.
‘No worries, I’ll be ready,’ said Claire, focusing on the clock on the stove. ‘What’s the time now; is it eight-thirty or nine-thirty?’
‘It’s nine-thirty you sleepy heads. And I’m afraid I have to run. Enjoy your day, and I’ll see you tonight sometime, Lili,’ said Debs, setting out plates for the toast, along with the butter and honey. ‘It’s nice to see you back, dear. Lili is lucky to have a friend like you.’
When I heard the front door click behind Debs, I turned to Claire, and in a low, secretive voice I said, ‘Now, about the ghosts. That’s just between you and me, right? I mean, we won’t speak about that to Crystal and Angelica today, understand?’
‘Oh, yeah, I wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Well, except to Sam maybe. I can tell him, can’t I?’
‘Sure, you can tell Sam you met Elizabeth. But no-one else is to know. We don’t want people to start tramping through there looking for them or anything. Besides, they’d never show themselves to strangers. I doubt they’d even show themselves to you again if you had anyone with you.’
‘Really? You mean they can choose who sees them and who doesn’t?’
‘Definitely; that’s probably why you never saw any before,’ I said, then after a moment I continued, ‘Elizabeth was at our wedding.’
‘Was she?’ Claire sounded incredulous.
‘Of course she was. She’s Sam’s sister, after all. That’s why we held it in the gardens—so she could attend.’
‘Well, I never would have guessed that!’
‘Of course not.’
‘I’ve never heard of anyone having ghosts at their wedding before … but I suppose it happens.’
‘Yes, I suppose it does. Now, remember, we won’t talk about it today. You better jump in the shower or you’ll never be ready in time.’
She quickly finished her coffee, shoved the toast down her throat, and then disappeared down the hall to her room. Within a few minutes I heard the shower going. I grabbed my phone and then poured myself another coffee and sat at the table to ring Crystal to tell her Claire would join us.
‘Now, Crystal, Claire knows nothing about vampires … or dhampirs. And I’d like to keep it that way. So, can you tell Angelica, we aren’t to talk about vampires or ghosts or anything out of the ordinary, okay?’
‘Yes, certainly. We won’t say a word in front of Claire. Are you still fine for ten-thirty?’
‘Yep, we’ll be waiting downstairs. See you shortly,’ I said, hanging up.
And then I thought about ringing Sam; about telling him how much I loved him, and missed him. But instead I just stared at the phone in my hand until I heard Claire walking up, and it was time to go.
~~***~~
The drive up to the Dandenongs took less time than I’d expected. Yesterday’s fine weather was repeated so the roads were dry, and the traffic heading out of the city was light.
The first shop we went into was an antique store with a lot of furniture and ornaments. While the shop was interesting none of us found anything we had to have. Then we walked up the street and into a lace shop. I wasn’t into lace, but they had some interesting clothing; nothing I’d ever wear, except maybe to a costume party, but it was fun to look. Angelica and Crystal, who both wore lots of long dresses, did find a few things to try on, but they didn’t buy anything either.
Next we went into a shop that sold items made by local artists. Here we found hand-made jewellery, sheepskin boots and slippers, hand-knitted clothing, and all sorts of arts and crafts items. Claire bought some silver earrings, and I bought a bracelet and matching earrings to send over to Raye for her birthday as it was only a few weeks away.
It was nearly one o’clock by the time we made our way into a shop that smelled simply gorgeous. It sold incense, and hand-made soaps and creams as well as some exotic looking clothing that was probably from India. Claire and I were trying to decide which of the incense sticks we liked the best when I noticed Angelica leaning over the counter, speaking to the shopkeeper. Both she and the shopkeeper were whispering, and the shopkeeper kept looking around nervously, as if worried they’d be overheard. Their body language made me very suspicious, so I turned slightly in order watch them more easily. When they disappeared up what looked like private stairs, I gave up trying to be subtle, and simply stared at their backs.
‘Hello? Earth to Lili … hello,’ Claire was waving one of the packets under my nose asking, ‘What do you think of this one?’
‘Oh, vanilla, yeah it’s nice. But I like this one,’ I said, showing her the box I was holding.
‘Yeah, patchouli, I like that one too. I’m getting these three; they’re three for ten dollars.’
When Claire walked away heading toward the hand creams, Crystal walked up quietly and pulled me aside. ‘I saw you watching Angelica,’ she said in a quiet voice. ‘Don’t say anything to her, please.’
‘Why? What’s she doing upstairs? It looks private—not part of the shop.’
‘It is private. She’s had some special creams made, ones that she ordered over the phone. That’s why we came up—to pick them up, and to shop and have lunch of course.’
‘What sort of creams? I don’t understand.’
‘Well, she’s rather embarrassed about i
t so please don’t say anything. Pretend you didn’t notice. It’s just a skin condition, nothing contagious.’
‘Oh, okay. I won’t say anything.’
‘Thank you, Lili. Like I said, she’d be embarrassed if she knew I’d said anything.’
I walked over to Claire, and we each tried a few of the hand creams. Then we went over to pay for our incense. Crystal was looking at the clothing; silk saris not unlike the ones she usually wore. After we’d paid the shop assistant, Claire and I walked outside to wait for Crystal and Angelica.
‘She’s a bit of an odd one, that Angelica, don’t you think?’ asked Claire once we were alone.
‘Yeah, she’s different alright. Maybe it’s ‘cause she’s foreign. She’s from Spain, you know.’
‘Spanish? Hmmm, her accent doesn’t sound Spanish to me. They speak a lot of Spanish in LA, and her accent doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard there.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean. But then again, she’s from Spain not Mexico. Maybe it’s different.’
‘Yeah, maybe. Or maybe she isn’t Spanish.’
I nudged Claire to alert her to stop talking, as I could hear Crystal and Angelica making their way out of the shop.
‘Who’s ready to eat? I’m starving,’ said Crystal as they walked up. ‘Do we want Devonshire Tea? Or we could have homemade pies from the shop down the end of the street if you’d rather.’
I looked at Claire, and she sort of turned up her nose and we both said together, ‘Devonshire Tea, please.’
‘Right, if everyone’s happy with that, it’s back to the car then. The best place to go is one that we passed on the way up.’
‘Oh, I know the place,’ said Claire. ‘It’s got great food; soups and little sandwiches and stuff like that as well as Devonshire Tea. Oh, and they make the best hot chocolate!’
I looked at Angelica, and asked, ‘What about you, are you happy with that? Or did you want a pie?’
‘Oh, I’m happy with whatever you decide,’ she replied quietly, a slight smile crossing her lips.
I looked at her hands, wondering about her ‘skin condition’ and also wondering about the package she should be carrying. Her hands looked fine to me, and there was nothing in them, so her package must have been small enough to put in her handbag. She must have noticed me looking at her hands as she quickly shoved them in the pockets of her coat.
Deception (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 3) Page 15
