Hot Property

by Susanne O’Leary

  “Maybe the wind blew it open.”

  “It’s a sash window, so it can’t blow open. And there wasn’t much wind last night.”

  “Strange.” He paused. “And there’s no sign of a break-in or wet footprints down here. I had a look around, and there’s nothing to suggest anyone was here other than you. Except the door was wide open. But you might have forgotten to lock it.”

  Megan shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. I always lock it. I’ve had the door fixed and a new lock fitted. I’m no chicken, but I’m very aware I’m on my own in this house with no neighbours.”

  “Right. Hmm. It is a mystery. Are you sure you didn’t—”

  Megan sat up. “No! I didn’t imagine it or dream it. Someone, something was here, I tell you. The power went out too and then came back on again. If that’s not spooky, I don’t know what is.”

  Paudie pondered this for a moment. “Very odd, I have to admit. Do you want to come up to my house and stay the night?”

  “With Bunny there? No thanks.” Megan finished her milk and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

  “Do you want me to stay?”

  Their eyes met. Megan looked away. “N…no.”

  He put his hand on her leg. “Sure? Will you be able to sleep?”

  “I’ll stay down here. I feel safer, now that you lit the fire.” Her body screamed with longing to ask him to stay, to cuddle up with her here on the sofa, or at least not take his hand—so warm through the blanket—off her leg.

  He took his hand away. “Okay. If you’re sure.” He looked thoughtfully at her. “You know what? I’ll leave Denis here with you. If anyone tries to get in, he’ll give them hell.”

  “That’d be lovely. But won’t you miss him? He never leaves your side.”

  “I think he’ll be better off here for a few days. Bunny and he don’t get on so well.”

  Megan patted the sofa cushion beside her. “Okay, Denis. Up you come. I could do with a warm, furry friend to cuddle up with.”

  Denis didn’t need any further encouragement. He leapt onto the sofa and settled beside Megan with a contended groan.

  Paudie laughed. “I was going to tell you not to spoil him, but I see that would be useless. I’ll leave him here, then.”

  Megan put her arm around Denis. “Thanks. I feel better already. I hope he won’t be homesick.”

  “With you spoiling him rotten? No chance. I’ll be the sad one. We’ve never been apart, ever since he was a puppy.” He got up. “Good night, then. Call me if there’s any trouble.”

  “I will. I have my mobile right here.”

  Paudie nodded. “Good. I’ll see you in the morning.” He closed the door softly behind him.

  Megan put her cheek against Denis’ soft head. “Thanks for keeping me company. I hope your first time away from Paudie won’t be too sad.” Then she remembered. It wasn’t the first time Denis was away from his master. Or—was it?

  Chapter 16

  The rest of the night was uneventful, and Megan woke up stiff but rested. Denis padded around behind her wherever she went, a reassuring presence in the house. She left him lying on a blanket in the kitchen when she went to work and told him she would be back at lunchtime to walk him.

  “I should really get my own dog,” Megan said to Beata later that day. “It’s crazy not to have one when I live so isolated.”

  Beata nodded, absentmindedly rubbing a plate with a towel.

  Megan took it away from her. “You’ve been drying that plate for ten minutes now.”

  “Oh? Yes. So I have.” Beata sniffed.

  “Still no word from Boris?”

  Beata shrugged. “No.”

  Megan put her arm around Beata’s shoulder. “I hate seeing you like this. I think I’d prefer you to be rip-roaring angry than morose and heartbroken.”

  Beata picked up a jug from the table and filled it with water. “I’m angry with myself. For being so hateful to live with that Boris had to run away.”

  Megan stacked the remaining plates on the shelf in the kitchen cupboard. “I don’t think it was that. I don’t understand him anymore than you do, but I bet there was a very good reason he left. And I bet he’ll be back when you least expect it.”

  “I hope you’re right. But you have other problems. That ghost or whatever it was. What if your house is haunted? Or that old tower?”

  Megan laughed. “I’m not afraid of ghosts.” She paused. “But I have to admit it was scary.” She shook herself. “Won’t happen again. Not with Denis there to protect me.”

  ***

  But it did happen that night. Not in the house but in the tower. And Denis was just as scared as Megan.

  Denis suddenly gave a little ‘woof’. Megan opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. “What’s the matter, boy?”

  Denis growled.

  Megan put out her hand to switch on the light. But again, there was no power. Denis jumped up and growled again. Megan put her hand on his back. She felt the hair along his spine rise and his body go rigid. He started to bark.

  Megan got out of bed and reached for her flashlight on the chest of drawers. She switched it on and pulled on her dressing gown. Denis was already running down the stairs, barking furiously. Megan followed, shining the torch around, finding nothing. Denis scratched at the back door and whimpered, followed by more barking.

  Megan opened the door. Denis flew out, racing across the garden to the tower. Megan squinted through the gloom. Then she saw it. A faint glimmer through the slit high up in the ruined tower. There was a smell of smoke and then suddenly, flames shot out of the top of the tower, the jagged peaks outlined against an orange glow.

  Holding her breath, Megan stared at the fire. Denis stood at the base of the tower, no longer barking but staring up just like Megan. He growled softly, then backed away until he was hiding behind her. Together they looked up at the flames that slowly flickered and died. A crow called out, making Megan jump. Then all was quiet.

  Megan stood there, wrapping her dressing gown around her as tightly as she could and listened. She closed her eyes and tried to feel with all her senses the presence of someone or something. But there was nothing, just the smell of smoke, damp air and a chill that rose from the earth and clawed at her legs. She turned around and, with Denis trotting at her heels, went back to the house to call the fire brigade.

  Inside, the power was back, and all the lights blazed. The TV was on, and the radio blared out loud music. Megan ran around and switched everything off, before calling the fire brigade

  ***

  “It was really weird,” Megan told Dan as they walked on the beach. “A fire in the tower. High up. I think it was the crows’ nests that were burning. The firemen said it was just a tiny fire that had gone out by the time they arrived. The electricity was off and then, when I came back in, it was on. All the lights had been switched on and even the TV and the radio. Who got into my house? And who started that fire? And why?”

  Dan shook his head. “That’s really eerie. It’s happening again. Because of the—” he stopped.

  “The what?”

  “Oh. Nothing. Never mind.”

  Megan pulled at him. “Come on! If you know something, please tell me.”

  “Oh, it’s just a story. A legend. Someone died in the tower hundreds of years ago. One of the O’Farrell chieftains. He was a very cruel man and used to amuse himself by seducing young women. You know. The ‘droit de seigneur’ and all that.”

  Megan stopped walking. “Really? He would ask young brides to come to the tower so he could ravish them? How awful.”

  Dan smirked. “Well, you know, in those days, they thought differently. Anyway, one of the women didn’t take too kindly to this. So she came back the following night and set fire to the tower. O’Farrell died a horrible death. His screams could be heard all over the neighbourhood, so the legend goes.”

  Megan shuddered. “What a terrible way to die. But—” She stared at Dan. “Are you
trying to tell me that this fire was some ghost doing it again?”

  He pulled her close. “I don’t mean to scare you. But yes, that’s what I’ve heard. If something happens to desecrate the tower, the fire is lit and seen by the owner of the house. It happened once to your Uncle Pat when he tried to do up the cellar to use as storage.”

  Megan backed away. “So, you think using it as a backdrop in fashion photos might have angered the ghosts or spirits?”

  Dan nodded. “Could be.”

  Megan laughed. “Oh, come on! I don’t believe in that kind of thing. Don’t tell me you do.”

  Dan shrugged. “I always keep an open mind. There are things going on in these parts that can’t be explained.” He took her in his arms again. “Hey, where have you been? Seems like years since we were together like this.”

  She tilted her head back and looked at him. He was so handsome, so sweet and alluring. His arms around her felt so good. She put her cheek against the rough wool of his sweater and breathed in the smell of the sea and his aftershave. “I seem to have been away from you for a while,” she murmured. “But now I’m back.”

  He smiled that smile that always turned her heart to mush. “Welcome back, sweetheart.” He kissed her deeply.

  She closed her eyes and melted into his embrace. Where is this going? she heard a little voice ask. I don’t care, she thought and pushed all her doubts away, kissing him back as hard as she could.

  They sank onto the sand, tearing at each other’s clothes, kissing, touching. Finally naked, not caring if anyone was watching, she pulled Dan on top of her. There was a new urgency in his thrusts, which excited her and she finally climaxed, screaming into the wind.

  ***

  “So how are things?” Paudie asked on the phone later that night.

  Lying on the sofa, Megan twirled one of Denis’ ears. “So far no ghosts. Or fires.”

  “That’s good. Last night was a little weird.”

  “Weird? It was spooky beyond belief. But the funny thing is, I went right back to sleep after the fire went out. And then, when I looked in the morning, there were just a few burnt twigs up there. The fire wasn’t very big after all. But everything seems worse in the middle of the night.”

  “Could have been just a prank. Boys messing or something. You in bed?”

  “No, we’re in the living room. On the couch watching a movie. I lit the fire, locked the doors and made sure all the windows are closed.” She felt calm and relaxed after the passion in the dunes earlier. Dan had been more than manly this time, as if the sudden urge in Megan turned him on more than ever. Afterwards, they lay there, laughing, talking, kissing, until Dan’s phone rang, and he had to leave on urgent business. Megan put her clothes back on and walked home, where Denis greeted her with his usual enthusiasm.

  “What movie?” Paudie asked, pulling Megan back to reality.

  “Some Like it Hot. Denis loves it. He licks his lips every time Marilyn Monroe wiggles her hips.”

  “So do I. You remind me of her.”

  Megan sat up. “I do? But I’m not blonde.”

  “It’s your hips. They kind of wiggle the same way.”

  Megan laughed. “Yeah, my hips are hard to ignore.” She straightened up. “Hey, if you have time to talk, I’d like to ask you a question.”

  “Go ahead. Bunny’s in the bath. It usually takes her hours. Don’t know what she does there, but she lights candles and plays weird music and comes out all glowing.”

  “Oh.” Megan found she wasn’t interested in what Bunny did in the bath. Or afterwards. But she pushed the thought away. “Yes, well… Where was I? Yes, the ghostly thing.”

  “Yes? Have you come to any conclusion?”

  Megan sank back on the sofa. “No. But I heard this story. About the ghost of the O’Farrell chieftain. Have you heard it?”

  “You mean old Bluebeard? I just know he was a randy bastard.”

  “But not that he haunts this place? Or that there’s a fire in the tower whenever the spirits think you’re not treating it with respect.”

  “Where did you hear that rubbish?”

  “D—I mean I just…”

  “Dan Nolan, no doubt.” Paudie jeered. “He has a great line in bullshit. Probably strung you a line to make you feel scared so you’d run to him for protection. Cheap trick, if you ask me.”

  Megan felt a surge of irritation. “Why are you always harping on about Dan? He’s not as bad as you always make him out to be. I know he was bad in his youth, but he’s changed. Everyone does.”

  “You don’t know him like I do. You be careful with that crook and his family, girl. Don’t let any of them fool you.”

  “I can take care of myself, thank you very much,” Megan snapped.

  “I’m sure you can. In that case, maybe I could have Denis back. I need him for herding, anyway. I’ll be getting the sheep down from the mountains soon to check their feet and do the dipping.”

  “Dipping?”

  “Yes, we dip the sheep regularly. Gets rid of parasites. Anyway, I’ll be needing Denis for that.” Paudie’s voice was so cold it made Megan shiver.

  “Fine. I’ll bring him back in the morning.”

  “Make that the late afternoon. I won’t be home until then.”

  “Okay.” Megan paused. “So… that old legend. It’s not true then?”

  “It’s a load of shite.”

  ***

  Megan switched on the washing machine and looked around the kitchen. “Is there anything else you want me to do before lunch?”

  “No,” Beata said. “I think we’re okay. I don’t need you until around four. Are you going back to your house to check on Denis?”

  “No. I’m going out to Dan’s friend’s cottage. He said he was going there to get it ready for some people who are renting it from Monday. I’m going to surprise him with a picnic lunch.”

  “Some people don’t like surprises,” Beata remarked. “Are you sure he does?”

  “Of course. He’ll be happy to see me.” Megan smiled thinking about the great sex in the dunes. Dan had seemed unusually hot and bothered then. Was it because he thought someone might be watching? Or maybe Megan’s need for comfort and protection had turned him on? “I got some deli stuff from the shop and those cupcakes he likes.”

  Beata nodded her approval. “Do you know the owner of that cottage?”

  Megan picked up her purse. “No, never met him.”

  “Him?” Beata said. “It’s not a him, it’s a her. And a very cute one too.”

  ***

  The wind whipped Megan’s hair into her eyes as she walked up the path to the cottage. She had parked her car at the harbour below, so Dan wouldn’t hear her arrive. Carrying the cardboard box with the picnic, she padded up the front steps and peered in through the half-open door. About to step inside, she heard voices. Dan. Talking to a woman. Disappointed, Megan paused. It had to be his friend, the owner. She was about to step forward and introduce herself when she heard something that made her freeze.

  “I need a little more time,” Dan said. “If you could let me have the house the week after next, I’ll make an extra effort to work on her. I’m sure our combined efforts will shift her.”

  “She seems pretty stubborn to me,” the woman said.

  “I think she’ll come around soon. I thought she was about to. She was short of money. And then she couldn’t draw the dole anymore, so that should have done it. The work on the house has taken a lot of her savings. I thought I had her when I told her about that debt. She seemed to buy it. But then she had to go and win that money at the races and that bastard from New York arrived with his offer of work and a whole new venture. Shit! I thought we had her.”

  “The slurry should have had an effect,” the woman said. “I made sure they put the whole tank in that field. And I said it was a message from Paudie O’Shea.”

  Dan laughed. “You’re a crafty one, Maria.”

  “What are friends for?”

 
“Oh, that was great, but my God, the ghost business was a stroke of genius.”

  Megan nearly dropped her box. She shrank back against the wall, nearly feeling her ears prick up. The ghost business? That woman had—?

  The woman laughed. “Yeah. I’m quite proud of that myself.”

  “You enjoyed it,” Dan said.

  “Oh, yes, it was fun. I think I was quite clever. Especially switching the power off and back on again. She never noticed I had fiddled with the main switch on the board in the hall. Of course, it wouldn’t have worked if you didn’t still have a key to the house.”

  Megan felt sick. Standing there in the hall, she fought to breathe evenly and keep her legs from shaking. She wanted to leave, but a strange compulsion kept here there. She wanted to hear everything.

  “Yes, but then she got that mutt,” Dan said. “So that didn’t work anymore. But the fire in the tower made me laugh. And then you running in to switch the power back on.” He laughed out loud.

  “Yeah,” Maria chuckled. “She stood there in the dark, like an eejit, swinging her torch around. Even the dog was confused.”

  “But climbing up there wasn’t easy. I couldn’t light more than a tiny fire.”

  “It worked though,” Maria giggled.

  “Yeah.” Dan suddenly sounded downcast. “It worked. I think she’s ready for a little more.”

  “And then we’ll go in for the kill. I’ll think of something that’ll drive her away for good. You might even save that English contractor a few thousand. He’s getting a little impatient. Even though I promised I’d get him an extension to the planning permission through my contacts in the County Council. But it’ll all go through in the end.”

  “I hope so.” Dan sighed.” But it’ll be a while until I get enough money to get my dad off the hook.”

  “Don’t look so sad,” Maria soothed.

  “Oh, how can I not?” Dan said. “The whole business is so hard for me.”

  “Oh, come here, sweetie,” Maria mumbled.