“Sounds a bit airy-fairy to me. If souls grow old, then why don’t babies understand everything? Why do we have to re-learn how to walk and talk?”
“Because our bodies are new every time. Also, it takes many lives to actually grow up and age. If you look at some children, you can tell they are old souls. It’s something about them. They are wise beyond their years and just understand things. Likewise, you can tell young souls. They have so much learning to do that everything is a wonder to them. They must experience a lot in their lifetime in order to progress.”
“You still haven’t said how spirits come about. If we go from one lifetime to another, why do some people get stuck in the middle?”
“They have something that has tied them to their old life. I think you have nailed it on the head when you said they are ‘stuck’,” Charlie explained. “For some reason, either good or bad, they can’t move on until it’s resolved. Some young souls might not even realise they are dead and have to move on. They just continue to replay a part of their lives until someone helps them to cross over.”
“So what does ‘cross over’ mean?”
“It means moving on to their next life. Or, go to Heaven if their life journey has ended.”
“If you don’t believe in Hell, where do all the murders and rapists go after they die?” Blair was keen to fully understand Charlie’s beliefs, he was questioning her purely in a respectful way.
“They go back into another life and try again. The soul is always evolving to better itself. Karma plays a big part of the lessons someone has to learn in their next life. Maybe a murderer goes back as a domestic abuse victim or something. Every soul learns lessons in their lifetime so they can eventually retire to Heaven. You know the saying ‘everything happens for a reason’? That reason is usually to learn and evolve. People say it and think it only relates to the learning in their one lifetime, but it’s actually all on a much bigger scale.”
“So you’re saying that a victim deserves what they get because of bad karma in a previous life?”
“In a way, yes. I’m not saying that anyone brings about a crime that is committed on them. That would allow criminals to get away with anything because it’s to teach their victim a lesson. It’s also saying they deserve it and no-one should have to suffer being a victim. What I am saying is that if someone does suffer something like that, then they should learn from it and understand there is a bigger purpose for everything that happens. Every single thing that happens to you in a lifetime is to teach you something. Whether that be good or bad. We all have something to learn at all times.”
“So what part does God play in it all?”
“He guides us, looks after us. He sends the guardian angels back to protect us, especially when we most need it. Just because I don’t believe in Hell and Purgatory, doesn’t mean that I don’t think He plays a big part in it all.”
“What, in your opinion, do the angels do?”
“They are with us all the time. They guide us and let us learn the lessons that we are supposed to. If you need help, you can speak to them and they will assist as much as they can.”
“You can talk to your angels?”
Charlie nodded. “They are around. They can even give you signs that they are present if you try to communicate hard enough. There is a whole world around us we can’t see. What do you think happens when we die?”
“That’s it. We go to Heaven or Hell and live there for the rest of eternity. That’s why I struggle with the existence of spirits. The closest I can reconcile is that they are in Purgatory. They are here until they can cross over into either Heaven or Hell. They are doing penance for something.”
Now it was Charlie’s turn for the questioning. “So all spirits have done something wrong that they must pay for?”
“Well, it couldn’t have been too bad or they would have gone straight to Hell. It must be something they can redeem themselves from. None of this makes much sense to me right now.”
“What would a sixteen year old girl have done that would require her to spend a couple of hundred years in purgatory?”
“No idea. Which is why I keep challenging my beliefs. I don’t think it’s as easy or clear-cut as I used to think it was. I think there is a lot more to the universe than any of us could possibly realise. But I think that’s a good thing. God created the world and it’s really only for Him to understand it.”
“That’s a good way to think of it. I think there is too much unseen for any of us to really be able to figure it all out. All of us mere mortals can really only speculate. No-one can definitively say what our purpose is or what is exactly in the universe.”
A clicking sound made them stop the conversation and turn to see what the source of the noise was. They turned their attention to the door which was now securely closed again.
“Something keeps shutting that door!” Charlie exclaimed. Blair went to open it again, noticing the handle was freezing cold to the touch. He tested it to see whether the angle of the frame or floor was making it close automatically. When he opened it, it stood still in its place. There was no wind around to coax it shut, nor was there any other explanation that they could come up with.
“Let’s leave it closed and finish up in here. This room gives me the shivers,” Blair closed the door again and went back to the painting. After a few minutes silence, he asked: “Hey, Charlie?”
“What?” She replied.
“What do ghosts eat?”
Charlie stared at him, wondering what on earth he was talking about. “I don’t know, what do ghosts eat?”
“Ghoulash,” Blair replied, laughing. Charlie couldn’t help herself, she burst out laughing with him.
“Get back to work, you clown.”
Within another few hours they had complete the paintwork and took a good look at the architrave. It only needed some minor cosmetic work after all. He checked the window sills which were in a worse state. Some of the wood surrounding would need to be replaced. He took the measurements and wrote down exactly what he would need to pick up from the hardware store.
* * *
Later in the afternoon, Charlie remembered it was Cate’s birthday soon. She had completely forgotten to tell her about the party she was organising. She had planned on sitting down with her and going through a guest list. Without guests, it would be pretty hard to throw a party. As soon as dinner was over and done with, she cornered Cate in the kitchen.
“Blair and I are going to throw you a party for your birthday,” Cate opened her mouth to protest but Charlie kept going. “Before you say anything, we are going to do it whether you like it or not. So it would all go much smoother if you just allowed us to get on with it. You will attend and you will have a good time.”
“I don’t need a party, Charlie. I appreciate the thought, but I was just hoping my birthday would go by unnoticed. It’s not going to be the same without James. He would always take me out to dinner in the city and we would stay at a fancy hotel. It was a tradition.”
“This year we’ll start a new tradition. You can’t be sad on your special day of the year. Just think how much fun it will be for Rahni too. We are going to make it a fancy dress party so we can all dress up. We’re not trying to take anything away from what you shared with James, we are just trying to bring some fun back into your life. Even if it’s just for the one night.”
“You’re never going to take no for an answer, are you?” She watched as Charlie shook her head. “Okay then, I may as well stop protesting now. Besides, I think it would be fun for Rahni. We’ll have to make sure to invite a few of her little friends.”
“Excellent. Now, grab your address book and we’ll get some names. I should have had the invitations out a week ago.”
Cate went to her handbag and pulled out a little purple address book. Together, they went through each name and put together a list of thirty people to invite. Despite her reservations, Cate seemed to be enjoying making the list.
“What ki
nd of theme were you planning?”
“You have final choice, of course. I was thinking maybe anything old fashioned. As long as it’s from a bygone era, you’re in the door. What do you think?”
“I like that idea. Then people can choose what style they want to go with. I know one of my girlfriends will go to the sixties because she loved the clothes. Another one of my friends will probably want to come in a big fancy ball gown from the seventeenth century. It’s a good idea, I like it.”
“What kind of costume are you thinking?”
“From the top of my head? Maybe 1940’s flapper. I have this beautiful vintage dress that I got from a garage sale a few years ago. I have always wanted to wear it bit it’s not really up to today’s fashion. It will be perfect for the party,” Cate said excitedly.
“Great! We can get you a hair band and some gloves to go with it and you’ll look a treat. I was thinking maybe eighteenth century Jane Austen for me. You know how obsessed I am with those books.”
“I knew you’d say that! There’s a costume shop in town that should have a dress that will be just what you need. They used to have one in the window and every time I walked past it I would think of you. What can we dress Rahni up in?”
“She would make the cutest little court jester!”
“She would! Somehow, though, I don’t see her agreeing to that. You know she’s all about the pink frilly dresses. We’ll probably have to take her to the costume shop with us and let her pick out her own outfit. She’s at that age where you can’t tell her what to wear anymore.”
“Sounds just like her mother,” Charlie teased. She was so pleased to see her sister laughing again. She was proud of herself for thinking up the idea of throwing a party. It seemed like it was just the thing she needed right now.
“Does Blair have any idea who he wants to go as? I can’t imagine he’ll wear tights and a wig to match your chosen era.”
“I would do anything to see Blair in tights and a white powered wig! He said he wants to go as a gangster. I’ll definitely try and work on him though. Surely a couple should match?”
“I wouldn’t mention that to him. He will probably push to have you match his costume. You could wear a nice little bustier and fishnet stockings. I’m sure that will make his night.”
“Good point. I might have to keep the tights fantasy to myself.”
“I’m looking forward to this party already, thank you for thinking of it. If you need anything, just let me know. I’m at your beckon call. If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to put Rahni to bed. It’s way past her bedtime.”
Cate left the kitchen, Charlie did the same. She went and checked on Blair who said it was past his bedtime too and disappeared upstairs. Charlie went with him, grabbing her pyjamas from the blue room. She walked down the hallway and into the main bathroom. She was craving a hot shower. All the painting she had done that day had made her shoulders sore again. The hot water down her back was going to be therapeutic.
She turned the shower on and stood underneath the flowing water that was running down her back. It felt so good she thought she’d never get out. As she was rinsing the soap from her body, she thought she heard someone call her name. She pulled back the shower curtain and looked around the bathroom. No-one had opened the door to look for her.
“Cate? Blair?” She called out. “Rahni?” There was no answer. She shrugged and closed the curtain again. As she was rinsing the soap from her face, she heard it again. It was barely audible, more a whisper close by than a call from outside. She stood under the water, straining to hear better. It sounded like a woman’s voice. She could barely make out the words.
“Charlie... Charlie...” The whispers swirled around her. She couldn’t work out where the sound was coming from. She looked at the ceiling, down to the floor, and around all the walls.
“Hello?” She asked aloud.
“Help me...”
“Hello? Who are you?”
“Help me... find it... Charlie...”
“Who are you?” She repeated.
“Need you... Charlie... find it...”
Charlie quickly turned the shower off and jumped out. Wrapping a towel around herself, she picked up her pyjamas and hurried back down the hall to the blue room. She quickly opened the door and went through, closing it behind her. She stood with her back against the door, catching her breath. Water was dripping onto the floor.
“You’re getting water everywhere. What happened?” Blair asked, surprised to see her so suddenly.
“Someone was just talking to me in the shower. I swear someone was calling my name.” She took a few more deep breaths before starting to dry herself.
“What were they saying?”
“I don’t know. It was just a whisper. Something about helping them, or finding something. I don’t know. I got out of there pretty quickly. You weren’t playing a prank on me, were you?”
“No. I know better. Come here, your hands are shaking.” Charlie finished dressing and hung the wet towel over the back of the chair. She pulled down the covers on the bed and cuddled into Blair’s arms.
“I wish they would leave me alone!”
“You said the séance is in a few days. I’m sure this Melanie woman will be able to stop it all.”
“I sure hope so.”
* * *
In the middle of the night, even though the lights of the blue room were still on, Charlie felt like she was plunged into darkness. Her mind drifted into a deep sleep just as another nightmare was about to start.
She was sitting in front of a mirror at a dressing table. The room was darkened, lit only by a few candles sitting in a wall recess. She was staring at her reflection. It wasn’t her face, but that of a girl much younger. She had light hair that was long, almost down to the seat she was sitting on. Her eyes sparkled with moisture in the reflection of the candle flames. She was waiting for someone, that much she knew. Who that person was, she wasn’t sure.
She looked down at the dressing table. Laid out was a hairbrush and clips. She picked up one and held it to the light. The clip was made out of tortoiseshell with a bright blue butterfly adorning the side. It glittered as she rotated it to take a better look at the detail. She placed it back on the table.
She swivelled her legs around to face away from the mirror and at the rest of the room. It was a soft pink colour with a sturdy bed against the far wall. Heavy blankets covered the bed. A patchwork quilt, made out of materials covered in tiny flowers of all different colours, was lying across the end. The candlelight made the room glow, like it was a cosy oasis in the middle of an otherwise cold and barren house.
Suddenly the door opened, it startled her from her thoughts. She turned around to face the entrance. A woman was hurrying to get to her. She was older, probably in her early fifties. She was dressed in a green dress that was buttoned right up to her neck. Her hair was pulled back from her face and curled around in a bun. A worried look was burnished across her face.
“Turn around! We need to get this done. He’ll be here soon,” she ordered. Charlie followed the command and sat back around to face the mirror. She watched the woman as she picked up the hairbrush and started running it through her long hair.
The woman was by no means gentle. She pulled the brush through Charlie’s hair like there was no tomorrow. Tugging it through where there was any resistance. At times, her head was pulled back by the force of the brush.
“Now, tonight is very important. You must do your absolute best to impress him. Do you understand me?”
Charlie didn’t want to offend the woman, nor say anything that would get her more fired up than she apparently was. “I understand,” she muttered. Her voice surprised her. It wasn’t her own.
“You must also remember you are a lady and you represent our good name. You must act in an appropriate way. If everything goes well, you may very well end up marrying this man. Our future here, your future here, will be assured. I cannot stress how important tonight i
s.”
From a place she didn’t understand, Charlie asked: “What about if I don’t like him?”
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t like him! You will do what is best for the family. From what I have heard, he is a good man. He will look after you. One day you will appreciate everything your father and I have done for you.” The woman didn’t have even an ounce of compassion in her tone of voice. She may have very well been reciting a grocery list.
“I appreciate it, Mother,” Charlie replied.
The door opened again and a man stepped into the room. Charlie couldn’t turn around to see who it was without having the hairbrush slap her in the face. She searched in the mirror to see if she could catch a glimpse of him. As he approached and stood by the woman, she could see his face at the top of the mirror. He was about the same age as the woman, she somehow knew he was her husband.
“I have word he’s almost here. Have you spoken to the girl yet about what she must do?” His voice was full of authority.
“Briefly. I will explain more in a minute. Is everything ready downstairs?”
“I have Martha finalising the table now. The other girls are waiting in the sitting room. I have told them what their role is tonight. I believe they understand their duties.”
“We will be down in a few minutes.”
The man left, Charlie could hear the door click closed behind him. The woman picked up the butterfly clip from the table and carefully pulled the long hair into it. She created a spiral of hair to pull around and frame it. She looked over Charlie’s shoulder to view the result in the mirror.
Gifted Page 24
