The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1)

by P. A. Fielding

5

  Mary was lying in bed, reading her latest novel, and Jim was checking messages on his iPhone. “I’d a funny day,” he said to Mary. “In which way funny? Didn’t you like putting the overalls back on?”

  “No, not the painting, I enjoyed that – it took me back to working with the old man. No, there were a few strange things going on.”

  “Strange things?” said Mary, putting down her book. “What do you mean by strange things?”

  “Well, first of all my iPhone started making funny noises, then the floorboards were creaking. That would’ve been OK but then I thought I heard footsteps on the second floor and in the attic. But when I got to the attic it was just an open window banging on its frame.” Mary started to read again. “There you go! It’s just because you were on your own in an old house – you’ve got an over-active imagination, that’s all.”

  “Maybe, but there’s definitely something spooky up there. Besides, I found some new scratches on the wall leading upstairs, and on the floor in front of the old chest.” Mary put her book down again; she realised she wasn’t going to get any more reading done. “What is it with this chest that you’re all talking about? It’s only an old travel trunk, surely, that was forgotten when the last owners moved out. And, as for the noises, you said yourself that the house is well over a hundred years old – there’s bound to be some unexplained creaking.”

  She put her reading glasses and book on the bedside table. “You’re making me feel a bit worried now, though, about leaving Zoe here on her own. Do you think she’ll be OK?”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “No. I’m glad you did. I just don’t want her to have a relapse, that’s all.”

  “Mary,” said Jim, kindly, “that’s over four years ago now; we need to move on. The past is the past.” Mary picked up her drink. “I know you’re trying to keep her occupied with the games testing, but I’m her mother – I worry about her.”

  “That’s only natural, but she’ll be fine. She’s an adult now.”

  6

  Zoe was the only one still awake. After a mad half hour of text-chatting with Vana, checking Facebook, and altering her status, she posted – my second night and the bedbugs are biting! The only thing keeping her awake was the noise of creaking floorboards above – that, and the urgent need for the toilet. In the end, in desperation, Zoe braved it, climbed up the stairs and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  Ten minutes later and she was ready for bed again. She closed the bathroom door quietly so as not to wake everyone, and crept slowly back down the stairs. She felt a blast of cold air across her neck and turned cautiously, staring into the darkness. She felt as if there was someone there.

  Once safely back into her bedroom, she snuggled down under the duvet – but she was not alone; a dark silhouette was watching her from the shadows.

  8: He’s a joker

  1

  “Mary!” Jim had suddenly woken up to the loud sound of creaking floorboards upstairs; he was then aware of movement downstairs. “Mary, wake up!” He gently tugged on her right arm. “Not now, go back to sleep,” she mumbled, tapping the side of his face. “Mary, I’m not being randy. Can you hear that?” he whispered, “I think there’s someone downstairs!”

  “What? What did you say?” replied Mary, struggling to wake up. “For crying out loud. You’re hearing things, go back to sleep.”

  “No, listen,” he insisted, “there it goes again.” The sound of a door closing echoed up the stairs. Mary quickly turned on the bedside lamp as they both sat up in bed. They looked at each other, in fright, as they heard a loud thump coming from the second floor.

  “I’m going to check it out,” said Jim.

  “No wait.”

  “Why?”

  “Listen.”

  They heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “I don’t like this,” whispered a terrified Mary. Jim pressed his index finger to his lips. “Shsh.” Their hearts raced. The steps reached the first floor. Then they stopped. Mary grabbed Jim’s hand. Silence. The door opened quietly.

  James poked his head around the door. Mary and Jim almost jumped out of bed. “Ha-ha-ha-haaaa!” he laughed. “James! You almost gave us a heart attack! What are you doing up? It’s 3 o’clock in the morning!”

  “I needed a drink of milk.”

  “Can’t you sleep, darling?” asked Mary.

  “No, I couldn’t. And when I did, someone touched my face and whispered James in my ear!”

  “Shsh! You’ll wake Zoe! It’s just been a bad dream; go on, back to bed. You’ll be fine,” said Jim. “Night, night.”

  “Night,” said James, “and no early roll call.”

  “That boy! I tell yer, I almost wet myself!” said Mary.

  2

  Sunday morning came – warm and sunny, and Aunt Sally was due to arrive at midday at Euston Station, in readiness for their holiday to Florida. They were to fly out early the next day. Mary and Jim were up early; they showered, dressed and had a quick breakfast. After Mary had done a quick tidy-up of the house, they sat down at the kitchen table – Jim read the Sunday papers which the paperboy had just delivered, whilst Mary had a quick glance at the supplements.

  Zoe wandered into the kitchen, still in her pyjamas, and after giving her parents a morning hug, sat down at the table. “Morning, love, how did you sleep last night? Better than the first night?” Zoe smiled back at Mary. “Morning. Yes thanks, mum, much better.” Zoe didn’t want to worry her parents but she had not really slept that well. She could’ve sworn she heard voices whispering throughout the night. She poured herself a bowlful of cereal.

  “Pass the milk, please, dad. Did you both sleep OK?” Jim and Mary looked at each other and smiled. “What?”

  “Nothing,” replied Jim. “Why are you smiling at each other, then?” Zoe hated not knowing secrets.

  “It was nothing; we thought we had burglars but it was only James wandering around in the middle of the night,” explained Mary. “He couldn’t sleep so he went down for a glass of milk.”

  “Ah, I knew I heard something. I heard him upstairs, the horror,” replied a relieved Zoe. “Upstairs? On the second floor?” questioned Jim, putting down his newspaper. “Yes, of course. Where did you think I meant?”

  “Take no notice of your dad,” said Mary, glancing towards Jim with a brief shake of the head. “It was only your brother, scaring us. Let’s hope he doesn’t terrorise Aunt Sally with his antics.” Mary had lost her parents whilst quite young, and Aunt Sally was her oldest relative. They had always been close. Sally had had a bad time recently. She had needed a knee replacement after she had been knocked off her bicycle by a young drunk-driver – who had got away with a fine, 10 points and his licence revoked.

  3

  Mary cleared the dirty dishes from the table. “Right, we’ll be going shopping on the way back from the Station. Just need a few bits and pieces for the journey tomorrow. Do you want me to get you anything?”

  “Just the usual, mum, please, and maybe some crisps and chocolate. What time is Aunt Sally due?”

  “Her train gets in at 11.30,” replied Mary. “Is her room ready, dad?” asked Zoe. “You’re really not awake yet, are you? The furniture is still on the landing! Come on, Zoe, you can give us a hand,” replied Jim. “Dad, I’m still in my pyjamas!” wailed Zoe.

  “It won’t take long.”

  Jim and Zoe went upstairs whilst Mary put some laundry into the tumble drier. She smiled; she’d missed the banter between father and daughter. OK, they argued at times, but Mary was glad to have Zoe back.

  4

  “Right,” said Jim, “let’s get the wardrobe in first. It’s a bit heavy, but we need to lift it, not drag it across the floor.”

  “I am lifting it, dad. I’ve got the heavy end.”

  “Cheeky,” replied Jim, as the pair struggled along the landing. “What’s all the banging?” said a tousle-haired James, opening
his bedroom door. “Morning, sleepy head, just getting the room ready for Aunt Sally. Want to give us a hand?”

  “OK dad, just give me half an hour,” he replied, disappearing towards the bathroom. “Typical, it’ll be done by then,” said Zoe. “See, you don’t need me after all,” responded James, mischievously. “He’s one cheeky bugger,” said Zoe, as they positioned the wardrobe against the wall. “Not to worry,” said Jim, “we’re almost done anyway.”

  5

  A couple of hours later and Mary and Jim had run like a pair of crazies from the car park towards the Station, where they found that the train was due on time. “Thank God we made it,” said Jim, breathlessly. Mary was quite unaffected by their burst of exercise but Jim, on the other hand, was doubled over, trying to get his breath back. Mary laughed. “I think you need to renew your gym membership! Come on, I’ll treat you to a coffee and a flapjack – we should just about have time.”

  They walked into a nearby coffee shop, gave their order to the waitress, sat down, and waited for the train to arrive. “We were lucky with the traffic,” said Jim. “Yes, Jim, now drink your coffee,” replied Mary. They had made Aunt Sally a promise that they would never be late to meet her since, on one occasion four years ago, their journey had been delayed and Sally had been mugged. Two youngsters had brushed past her, at speed, and pushed her to the ground, stealing her handbag. Sally suffered mild cuts and bruises, but that incident never left her – it made her nervous around teenagers, and she started to avoid large crowds of people.

  9: For one fright only

  1

  Aunt Sally’s train pulled into the Station a couple of minutes early. Jim and Mary had already arrived at the barrier on Platform 2 where they joined a small group of people already waiting there. They soon spotted her, pulling her large, black suitcase, as she walked slowly behind a noisy crowd of young people. Despite having grey hair and wearing glasses, Aunt Sally did not look 70 years old.

  “Hello, my dears. The children not with you?” said Sally, hugging Mary then Jim. “No,” answered Mary, “they’re waiting at home.” Sally looked at them both in turn.

  “Is Zoe alright?”

  “Yes, she’s fine now, thanks,” replied Mary, “how have you been keeping? How’s the plastic knee?”

  “Thankfully the pain-levels have dropped. Anyway, how did the move go? Have you settled in alright?”

  “Yes, in the end. It’s a big house and I suppose that will take a bit of getting used to. That, and...” replied Jim.

  “Getting used to, what do you mean?” queried Sally.

  “Well, we’re hearing strange noises, that’s all.”

  “Jim, it’s an old house, it’s bound to have movement and all kinds of noises!” interrupted Sally.

  They walked across the road to the short-stay car park; the ladies chattered away non-stop whilst Jim followed on, pulling the suitcase.

  2

  Zoe and James were watching television when the front door opened. James ran for the door. “She’s here!” They both adored their great-aunt; every year, in the summer, she would make the long train journey from her home in Norfolk to spend a few weeks with them. Aunt Sally came into the hallway to be greeted by James, who launched himself at her. “Not so rough, James! Remember what I told you?” said Mary, animatedly.

  “Yes, mum.”

  “He’s alright, Mary. You’ve certainly grown James! And what a lovely house, I can’t believe it had remained empty for so long,” said Sally, looking around. “It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Mary, you and Jim are a pair of lucky buggers!”

  Jim struggled in with the suitcase. “You can say that again! I’m just glad our final offer was accepted. Granted it needs a bit of TLC here and there, but I think it will be a fab investment.” Zoe jumped up from the sofa, where she had been texting Vana as Sally came into the lounge. “There you are, my dear. How about a hug for your old Aunt Sally?”

  “Hello, Aunt Sally. Great to see you – even though it is only for one night. How was your journey? You must be shattered,” said Zoe, hugging her Aunt tightly. “The journey was fabulous, thanks. The countryside is so beautiful – especially when the sun is shining. And, I will be staying for a couple of weeks when we get back from Florida. You can’t get rid of me that easily!”

  3

  Mary brought in some tea and biscuits, and then James was pleased to show Sally around their new home. “Don’t go up into the attic, James,” said Jim, “it’s dark up there – I need to fix the stairwell’s light switch.”

  “OK, dad,” replied James, as he led his Aunt out of the lounge and started the grand tour. Once upstairs, he could not wait to show her the chest in the attic...

  4

  Zoe helped Mary to prepare dinner, which was served in the dining room. The room was the same size as the lounge, and was comfortably furnished with a large, oak, dining table and six leather-backed chairs, an oak sideboard, and a piano. Zoe brought in the chicken and roast gammon that Mary had cooked. Mary brought in dishes of vegetables and placed them on the table with the meat. “This is wonderful,” said Sally, “I don’t often cook a big meal these days. And, I’m afraid to say, I’ve joined the TV dinner revolution – unpack it, prick it, and whack it in the microwave.”

  Zoe laughed. “As Vana, would say – love it Aunt Sally!”

  The meal finished with a New York-style cheesecake and a deep, double-chocolate cake. All the family ate well, and Mary was pleased to see Zoe finishing her second helping of cheesecake. “Good heavens,” said Sally, “I hope this hotel in Florida has a gym – or at least a few handsome men I can chase after! If I continue eating like this I will have to pay excess baggage for me! I’m full to the gunnels.”

  “That reminds me, I’ve put a smaller case in your bedroom for you to take on holiday.”

  “Oh, thanks, Jim,” said Sally, “it won’t take me long to re-pack. I’m not taking too many clothes...; Mary, what’s so funny?” Mary laughed. “I have never known anyone like you for over-packing – you always take far too much.”

  “Not since the airlines introduced baggage restrictions a few years ago I don’t. I remember being caught out and having to pay,” retorted Sally. “Right. Has everyone finished? Can I tempt anyone with another piece of chocolate cake?” asked Mary. “Me, me,” said James, with an empty plate in his hand.

  “You’ve only got one backside, son.”

  “Jim! Leave him alone he’s a growing lad,” said Sally.

  “Yeah,” said Zoe, “his middle name’s Hoover.”

  Mary and Sally started to clear the table and take the dishes into the kitchen. “Do you want another slice before I take it away, Zoe?” asked Mary. “No more for me. I’m well and truly stuffed – I need to visit the bathroom after that little lot.” Mary watched cautiously as Zoe left the room. “I’ll finish off in here, Mary, whilst you do your packing,” offered Sally. “It won’t take long, and James can give me a hand.”

  “You’re a lifesaver, thanks,” said Mary, “I shouldn’t be long.”

  5

  Zoe and Jim were in the lounge; James had gone to bed and Mary was putting together some sandwiches, crisps, and sweets for their long flight across the Atlantic. “You will be OK on your own, won’t you, Zoe?” Jim glanced anxiously at his daughter. “Of course I will, dad. Anyway, Vana will be back so it won’t be a problem. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You go off and enjoy your break.” Jim hugged Zoe. “I wish you were coming with us. Anyway, don’t stay up too late. See you in the morning before we leave.”

  6

  In the early hours, the house was dark and eerie and most of the family were fast asleep. Sally woke up, needing to go to the bathroom. She got out of bed, put on her slippers and bathrobe and quietly opened the bedroom door. The landing was pitch-black. Sally felt her way along the wall. “Where’s that light switch?” She found the switch, and headed up the stairs. “It’s freezing up here,” she mumbled as she wrapped her bathrobe tightly around
her.

  As she walked into the bathroom, the elderly lady turned on the light and closed the door behind her. She sat, peacefully; all was quiet apart from the sound of a moth pinging off the light bulb.

  She walked back to her room, switched off the landing light – which plunged the area into darkness – and heard a croaky, male voice saying her mother’s name.

  “Violet?”

  10: Curiosity always gets the better of us

  1

  Bank Holiday Monday; 4.52 am, and the family, except Zoe, are running around the house like headless-chickens. “Come on! The taxi’s here!” yelled Jim, from the bottom of the stairs. “Alright Jim, almost ready. Just stop rushing me!” answered Mary, crossly. She was frantically searching for something in the bedroom. “Lost something dear?” asked Sally, as she popped her head around the door. “Yes,” replied Mary, “I can’t find my other earring.”

  “Is this it by any chance?” said Sally. She passed a small gold earring to a very relieved Mary. “I found it on the stairs.”

  “Thank God for that! Are you ready now?”

  “Yes, dear.”

  Zoe came into the room, carrying a mug of hot chocolate. “They’re in the car waiting for you,” she said. “Right, come here, you,” smiled Mary, giving her daughter an all-in-one kiss and hug. “There’s some money in my top drawer if you need anything,” she said, pointing to the dressing table. “I’ll be fine mum, go on...” Zoe gestured to the door. “Dad’ll get the taxi driver to beep the horn next!”

  “The old man will have his phone with him, and you can always call Uncle Carl if you need anything,” said Mary, as she gave Zoe another hug. “I’ll be fine, mum, honest. Just go; you’ll miss the flight.” Mary started to walk down the stairs, and Sally gave Zoe a big cuddle. “Stay away from the second floor in the middle of the night,” she whispered quietly in the girl’s ear as she followed Mary. “What on earth does she mean by that?” Zoe wondered, as she waved the family off on their travels.

  She walked back into her bedroom, drank some hot chocolate, and got back into bed. I’m home alone! she posted as her Facebook status via the iPhone. She put the phone down onto the bedside table and closed her eyes. She was eventually woken up by a message alert. It was a comment from Vana on Facebook – just one word – Party??? Zoe rubbed her eyes, and replied, lol :). It was always the plan for Vana to come round – the only question was, how many would be coming with her?