“What kind of things are we talking about?”
“Well, for instance, Tom Clague from Upper Farm hasn’t paid his rent for four months. When I asked John about it he said his wife and his little girl were sick and he had to pay for medicines and his car had broken down and he needed to have it fixed so that he could get into town. Nice gesture, you might think, but I see his little girl skipping to school most mornings and I’ve seen his wife putting shopping in the back of that car in the village and she and the car looked fine to me. Then there’s Stan Bennet over at The Copse, he told John he got a bad price for his sheep at market and couldn’t make ends meet, that he had a wife and five kids to feed, so John let him pay half the rent for three months. I was talking to Jim from Lower Farm and he said Stan got a good price at market. John is too gullible he believes everything they tell him. Now Richard has heard people talking in the village about how generous Mr Gardener is to his tenants. When he found out what his father had been doing he was furious. That’s why I have ended up looking over the books.”
Emily looked down at her hands in her lap. “Is there anything we can do Charles?”
“I’ve told Richard to back off and to leave his dad to me, but you’ve seen what they’re like. I’ve talked to John and explained that this sort of thing can’t go on, but I don’t know if he’s taking it in. I just don’t know what else to do.”
“When you’ve sorted out the books come and see me, let me know how things stand and we’ll tackle them together. Things can’t go on like this.”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
When Emily had left the room Charles looked down at the accounts in front of him. He thought Richard was right, he had mentioned selling off one of the farms for immediate repairs, but to do that they needed John’s permission.
Emily stood in the hall for a few minutes trying to collect her thoughts. She now had a throbbing headache, she needed to lie down. Slowly she climbed the stairs and entered her bedroom. She closed the curtains and went into the bathroom for a glass of water and some tablets. She removed her outer clothing lay on top of the bed and pulled the heavy eiderdown over her and closed her eyes, she was soon asleep. Charlotte looked down at the older woman sleeping. She couldn’t remember much about her own mother, she never seemed to have much time for her, and in later years she was always walking around the house talking to her self ignoring everyone. This woman seemed nice enough, it was obvious that she cared for her children, perhaps they could be friends. Emily feeling the cold in her sleep pulled the covers tighter around her. Charlotte walked across the room and sat at the dressing table, she picked up the brush and ran it through her hair and admired herself in the mirror. She had good bone structure, high cheek bones and sparkling eyes, long black shiny hair, and a body that yearned for the feel of a man’s embrace, what more could a man want. She spotted Emily’s sapphire engagement ring and tried it on, admiring the sparkle she decided to keep it, the ring was pretty. She could hear Sarah talking to Victoria on the landing, she must go and listen, see what plans they had in store, and see if she could spoil them. A smile crossed her face as she left the room.
The girls were in Sarah’s room trying on dresses that they had bought that afternoon at the shops. Victoria had purchased a light blue wool dress that clung to her hips and showed off her shapely figure. She was standing in front of the mirror when Sarah came out of the bathroom. “That looks great on you. Just wait until Richard sees you in that. I feel an engagement party coming up.”
In the corner Charlotte bridled.
“Do you really think so? These last few weeks he seems to be preoccupied with the farm.”
Sarah took Victoria’s place in front of the mirror, turning from side to side admiring herself in her new suede skirt and boots. “Charles tells me that he and dad have been fighting over the estate. I don’t take much notice to be honest.”
Slipping the dress over her head Victoria looked at her friend.
“Richard has been very quiet lately. Whatever it is, it seems to be upsetting him. Do you think I should talk to him about it?”
Sarah looked at Victoria standing there in knickers and bra, she had a gorgeous figure.
Sarah smiled. “Just flaunt that in front of him and he won’t think about anything else.”
Victoria picked up a pillow from the bed and threw it across the room at her friend. Charlotte’s temper flared and she knocked the bedside lamp to the floor.
The girls whizzed round and looked.
Victoria went and picked it up and returned it to the table. “How on earth did that happen?”
Sarah’s breathing became laboured and she shivered as she felt the cold air rushing passed her. That woman was here again. She looked around the room but could see nothing, but she knew she was lurking somewhere in the shadows.
Richard handed over his horse to Eddie, the stable hand, and entered the house. After hanging up his coat he went straight to the dining room looking for Charles. As he entered Charles looked up from his paperwork and nodded. Richard studied his friend. He had known him from his college days and he was his best friend and arbitrator between himself and his father. “I need a drink, how about you?
Charles shook his head. “No thanks, I have to keep a clear head. These books are all over the place.”
Richard walked over to the table. “Charles, I want you to be straight with me. How are things looking?”
Charles looked up and shook his head. “Not so good, I’m afraid. You may be right. You might have to sell one of the farms. Have you any ideas about which one should go?”
Richard sat down opposite Charles and ran his hand through his hair. “Yes. Old Jed from Upper Farm has been hinting that he’s getting too old to run the farm and wants his son to take over, but his Bill doesn’t want to be a tenant, unlike his father he wants to own the farm outright. What do you think?”
“Well, it sounds like that may be your only solution if you don’t want to go under, but will your father agree to it?”
“I’ll make him agree if it’s the last thing I do.” Richard banged his fist down on the table and turned to leave the room.
“Richard, before you go off and start another row, there is something you should know. Your mother was in here earlier and she wants to be kept in the loop. She wants to know exactly how things are and she says she will talk to your father. She’s looking very tired these days; I don’t think you should upset her any further.”
Richard sat back at the table opposite Charles and gave a heavy sigh. “How did it get to this?”
“I’m afraid your father is too nice for his own good and has been over generous with the tenants. Things will have to get tough before they get any easier.” Both men were not looking forward to their next confrontation with John Gardener.
Over dinner Emily looked around the table, the only conversation was between Sarah and Victoria, talking incessantly about the latest fashion. John was playing with his food, his colour was high, and she suspected his blood pressure was up. Richard, as usual had a hearty appetite and would glance at Charles and the girls, but said nothing. Charles looked grim, the only time a smile crossed his face was when he looked up at Sarah. He looked straight at Emily now and their eyes met. Charles noticed how pale Emily’s complexion looked; he hoped she wasn’t coming down with something. He cared very deeply for the woman. He nodded and smiled. Emily gave Charles a little smile back, she loved Charles like a son, she couldn’t wish for a better son-in-law. She only hoped he had some sort of resolution to their problems, such a burden for so young a man. Before dessert was served John put down his knife and fork, pushed back his chair and made his excuses and left the room, he had hardly touched his meal.
Sarah turned to her mother. “Is dad okay, he’s been a bit preoccupied these last few days?”
“It’s just a few problems on the estate, nothing for you to worry about.”
When dinner was over the girls went scurrying off to wa
tch some TV programme, leaving Emily and the boys alone.
Richard stood up. “I think I need a brandy, what do you say Charles?”
Charles stood and looked at Emily.
“Are you okay?”
She smiled at him. “I’m fine. I’ll join you in a little while. Off you go.”
Left by herself she buried her head in her hands, she was close to tears. She sat up straight as young Mary came in to clear the dishes.
Mary stood in the doorway not knowing if she should intrude. “Is it okay to clear the plates now Mrs Gardener?”
“Yes Mary, you carry on, I’m just leaving.”
Mary watched as Emily left the table and crossed the room. She piled the plates onto her tray and shook her head. She had never seen Mrs Gardener look so sad, something was up, and it was making her ill.
In the drawing room both Richard and Charles sat in armchairs looking into the fire, a glass of brandy by their side. The fire crackled as a log fell forward and sparks of dust flew up the chimney. Richard lent forward and with the poker secured the fallen log.
Charles watched him. “How are things going with you and Victoria? Sarah says she’s worried about you.”
Richard smiled. “Things are fine. I’ve been a little distracted these last few days, but I’ll make it up to her. In fact I was thinking of asking her to marry me, what do you think?”
Charles lent forward and patted Richard on his knee. “That’s great. I always thought Sarah and I would be the first to get engaged. I’m really happy for you, she’s a lovely girl.”
“I haven’t asked her yet, she might say no.”
In the corner Charlotte wanted to scream, no one but her could have Richard.
Just then Emily came into the room; she could feel the cold air and went to the fire. “Who might say no?”
Richard stood and seeing his mother shiver offered her his chair. Emily sat and warmed her hands from the fires heat.
“Well?”
From the grin on his face Emily knew it had something to do with Victoria.
Richard stood tall. “I’m thinking, no, I’m going to ask Vicky to marry me.” He watched his mother’s face.
Emily nodded and looked into the fire and smiled. “About time too, I thought you would never pluck up enough courage to do it.”
Richard’s mouth fell open and both Charles and Emily began to laugh at his expression.
In the study John could hear their laughter. He refilled his glass with whisky and sat back in his armchair. He hadn’t felt well for a while and now he was getting these bad headaches. These estate problems weren’t helping either, he had been mulling over Richard’s proposal to sell one of the farms. He had dismissed it outright at the beginning but now he could see the sense of it. He ran his hand through his grey steely hair. Perhaps Emily was right. Perhaps the time had come for Richard to take over. He had to admit that things were getting on top of him and he had let things slide. The heat of the fire and the effect of the whisky were making him feel mellow. Thinking of his darling Emily he closed his eyes and dreamt of happier days.
Upstairs in Sarah’s room the girls were watching television; they were watching the I Love Lucy Show and swooning over Dezi Arnez. Sarah wiped a tear from her face and looked at Victoria.
“This show is hilarious. You can’t blame her for falling in love and marrying him can you? He’s gorgeous.”
“He is dishy almost as good looking as my Richard.”
They looked at each other and laughed. The lights flickered and Sarah looked around the room.
Victoria looked at Sarah. “Not another power failure.” She rubbed her arms. “Is it me or has it suddenly got cold in here?”
Sarah looked into the dark corners, but she couldn’t see anyone, but she could feel the woman’s presence in the room. They watched a little more television and Victoria stretched out her arms and yawned.
“I think its time for my beauty sleep.”
She picked up her magazines for a little bedtime reading and said her goodnights. Sarah rubbed her arms to warm herself up and went to the window to close the curtains and looked outside into the darkness. It was a full moon and the light was reflected off the frosted rose bushes back into the night. She saw someone move and recognised Richard having a crafty cigarette, she could see the glow from its tip as he inhaled. He looked up and waved, she waved back. As he blew a kiss to the window she realised that it was Victoria he was waving at, and closed the curtains. Suddenly she heard a scream coming from the adjoining room. She rushed to the door and opened it and found Victoria bending over a chair. As she entered, Victoria looked up and Sarah could see her tear stained face. On the chair was the blue wool dress slashed into tiny pieces.
Victoria looked at Sarah. “Who could have done such a thing? It wasn’t you was it Sarah?”
Sarah stepped back in surprise. “Why would I do such a spiteful thing?”
Victoria went to her friend and hugged her. “I’m sorry for thinking such a thing, please forgive me. I must be in shock, who would be so hurtful?”
Sarah went pale, she had a good idea who the culprit was, but how could she explain it to anyone, they would think she had gone crazy. The door flew open and Richard rushed forward and took Victoria in his arms.
“What’s happened? I heard you scream.”
She pointed to her dress. He went to pick it up and it fell apart in his hands.
He turned to Sarah. “Do you know anything about this?”
Sarah shook her head too upset to talk. Charles entered and went straight to Sarah. He took in the scene and gave her a hug. After settling Victoria into a chair Richard turned to Charles.
“That’s it. First thing tomorrow morning I want all the staff lined up. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Charles escorted Sarah back to her room and closed the door. Sarah sat in the chair and began to cry. Kneeling at her feet Charles tried to comfort her.
“Sarah whatever is the matter?”
Sarah looked into his loving eyes. “You’d never believe me if I told you.”
“Darling I would believe anything you said to me, just try me.”
She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, it was now or never.
“Have you ever felt you were not alone in this house?”
Charles laughed. “With Howard and Mary and the maids milling around there is always someone near by.”
“No, I don’t mean the servants. When you’re alone in your room, does it suddenly go cold and it sends shivers up your spine, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up?”
Charles frowned and wondered where this conversation was going. “Now you come to mention it, I don’t feel it in my room, but I have felt it many times in here. What are you getting at?”
Sarah looked around the room. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but this house is haunted by a terrible spiteful woman.”
Charles stood up and looked down at Sarah, a troubled look on his face.
Sarah could see the worried expression. “See, I knew you’d think I was insane.”
Charles pulled a chair up next to her and took hold of her hands in his.
“Now Sarah, I want you to tell me why you think this. Has something happened?”
With tears streaming down her face she told Charles of the many times Charlotte had visited her, right from being a little girl. How things would go missing from her room and then appear somewhere else in the house. She felt sure that the woman was responsible for the missing silver from the dining room when the young house maids were dismissed. She told him how only that evening when she was talking with Victoria how the bedside lamp had been thrown to the floor and of the lights flickering, the cold and mouldy air whenever the ghost was around.
She looked into his startled face. “I think mother has noticed it too, I’ve seen her looking round the room and hugging herself, but I’ve been too afraid to say anything.”
Charles took her in his arms. “There
have been a few strange things going on. Richard told me that in the stables sometimes the horses are spooked and Mrs Shaw swears that things have been moved around in the kitchen. Then there was the time the maid swore blind she hadn’t broken the crystal serving dish.” He looked at Sarah and he lifted her face and gently kissed her. “Don’t fret my darling. I think in the morning we should have a quiet word with your mother and see if she feels the same about the house.”
There was a knock on the door and Richard popped his head inside. “There’s a young lady here who wants to ask a favour.”
Victoria made her way into the room and crossed to Sarah and took her in her arms. “Please, please can I spend the night in here with you?”
They both looked across to the bed.
Sarah smiled. “Of course you can, but I don’t think either of us will be getting much sleep tonight.”
After saying their goodnights the two men left the girls to themselves.
Out in the hallway Richard, being the taller man, put his arm round Charles’s shoulders and they moved towards their rooms.
“Something is going on in this house and I mean to find out what it is.”
Charles took hold of his friend’s arm. “Don’t be too hasty Richard, I can’t think that any of the staff would do anything to harm the girls, they all love Sarah and Victoria, most of them have seen Sarah grow up here and Victoria has become one of the family.”
“I know what you’re saying, but someone tore up Victoria’s dress and I aim to find out who it was.”
Charles stood by his bedroom door shaking his head and watched Richard walk away.
The next morning, after breakfast, both Charles and Sarah asked Emily to join them in the drawing room for coffee. Emily sat in her armchair by the fire and watched them both. Something was up, she thought it might have been an announcement, but looking at both of their faces she now thought otherwise.
Moorcroft The Possession Page 7
