by Stan Mason
He returned to his house with positive thoughts flooding his mind. He could go to bed at night and relax without the fear of being haunted by his dead wife. He went into the bedroom which still showed signs of being wrecked and lay on the bed with a smile on his face. He was free at last without any fear whatsoever.
‘Goodbye Ruth!’ he shouted at the top of his voice. ‘I hope you do well wherever you are!’
He looked towards the foot of the bed but nothing appeared and he threw his arms into the air with delight. Now he was free to go to Ellen but first he decided to visit an estate agent to rid himself of the house. He would sell it at below the valued price simply to dispose of it quickly. The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of the horrific experience he had endured in it.
After school that day, he took Ellen to their favourite cafe and hesitated to tell her the good news. They drank their tea almost in silence until she could stand it no longer.
‘Come on, Jeff!’ she chided. ‘Spill the beans!’
He smile before replying. ‘Okay,’ he told her. ‘We’re free. Absolutely free. Peter Shakespeare killed himself in prison today so Ruth’s spirit... and Amy’s... have been released. We can lead our lives normally at last.’
She clasped his hand with delight at the news and they kissed in a celebratory fashion.
‘Do you know,’ he ventured, teasing her in the joy of the moment, ‘I kind of liked being a detective. What do you say I carry on with my own investigation business?’
She slapped him playfully on his arm in annoyance. ‘Don’t even think about it!’ she countered in mock anger. ‘My father has a job waiting for you in his business. You’re going back to being an architect tomorrow. Do you hear me?’
‘I hear you,’ he laughed gently, ‘but, tell me, what will the Lady Dowager say?’
They burst into laughter before kissing each other warmly again. It was the best tonic for both of them... two people who were very much in love with each other... with no strings attached. However, hovering up above them like a hungry vulture was the spirit of Ruth looking down on them helplessly. She had moved on to a new world but she was able to watch those living in the old one... and she was angry at her husband, not only for his infidelity but for his quick forgetfulness of her. After all, she had been the victim... he had been the perpetrator! When she progressed in her new life she would gain power and her aim would be to wreak her revenge. Yes... she would seek revenge for her untimely death! And as the saying goes: ‘There is nothing worse than a woman who’s been scorned’ ... and she had been scorned! Revenge, in a most horrendous form, would occur in time... it was only a matter of time!
THE END
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