The Haunting

by Raymond M Hall

  He walked up the road and tried to whistle as he went, but the tune died on his lips. There was something about this place; things had changed and not for the better.

  He didn’t meet anybody on the road until just before Upper Marston itself. A young girl came from nowhere through a hedge and walked in front. Luke was able to study her from behind and couldn’t help noticing how slim and pretty she was. Her long brown hair hung down almost to her waist and shone in the watery sunshine. He walked faster to catch up, and as they entered the village, he came level with her.

  ‘Morning,’ He said smiling.

  ‘Hello.’ She replied with disarming familiarity.

  He felt his heart flutter and then beat steadily, pounding against his ribcage.

  The girl laughed with a pleasant tinkling sound like a stream over small rocks. Luke was captivated with her and slowed to match her pace.

  ‘So, where are you off to this fine day?’ He asked, unable to think of anything else to say. The smile on his face was still in place, and he felt as if it might remain forever. She laughed, and her smile matched his own. Luke didn’t notice anyone else in the village street even though the place was alive and buzzing with activity. He only had eyes for this girl.

  ‘My name’s Luke.’ He stated awkwardly.

  She nodded,

  ‘I’m called Bethany.’ She replied, and he thought it must be the most beautiful name in the world.

  They walked on for a little in silence until he plucked up the courage to speak again.

  ‘Do you live here then?’ He asked.

  ‘Outside the village. My father cuts firewood and mother makes pegs.’ She said her tone hardening as if expecting a rebuke.

  Luke didn’t notice and went on to tell her his father was the baker in Lower Marston.

  Bethany had indeed heard of the baker; he had the reputation of being a mean man and not very likeable. His son, however, seemed to be very charming and was by any standards a handsome lad, with his blue eyes and fair hair.

  By this time, they had reached the outer limits of the village and turned in unison to retrace their steps. They laughed together, realising they had walked blithely on not noticing where they were.

  ‘I have to buy some supplies.’ She said and made for the village shop which appeared to sell everything a body might desire or need. Luke went in with her and stood behind as she approached the counter. The shopkeeper frowned.

  ‘You just keep your hands where I can see them, mistress; there will be no pilfering here today.’

  Luke was shocked, why would he say such a thing to one so fair?

  He made to remonstrate with the man but was stopped in his tracks as the man spoke again,

  ‘Can’t never trust Gypsies, no matter how good looking they might be. It’s in the blood; they can’t help themselves, steal the eyes right out of your head they would, given half the chance.’

  Luke’s words died on his lips as Bethany slammed some coins down on the counter.

  ‘There, money up front, that suit you better?’ She said, reeling off a list of goods.

  The shopkeeper filled the order after first pocketing the money. His eyes never left her as he scurried about the store. Luke would have thought the scene beyond funny if it wasn’t for the fact the shopkeeper had accused this beautiful girl in front of him. This girl who he had already fallen in love with, not that he even realised what love was. He stood by speechless as she gathered up the goods and once again spoke to the shopkeeper.

  ‘I may be of Gypsy blood, but that doesn’t mean I’m stupid. You owe me change; I can count every bit as well as you!’ She exclaimed.

  The shopkeeper fiddled around in a box under the counter and produced two pennies which he slammed down none too gently. Bethany pocketed them and turned to leave. As she did, she glanced back over her shoulder at him with the sweetest smile illuminating her face.

  ‘Strange how you’re never rude to my da. But then again, he could chop you into small pieces in a trice couldn’t he?’

  The shopkeeper’s glare followed the pair out of his shop; he was unable to answer her jibe as he knew she was right. No one in his right mind would cross Jeb, her father. One look into the hard black eyes would turn most men into a quivering jelly.

  Jeb, his wife Marnie and daughter Bethany lived in the woods in a gaily painted caravan. He had a pair of good horses and rumour had it there was a small treasure in coins hidden beneath the trailer floor. They had no friends in the village, and folks maintained their distance but were happy to buy the firewood and pegs, their quality always of the highest and the prices reasonable. Once a year they would be joined by others of their ilk and caravans would descend on the wood for a celebration. They were all related and came together for an annual observance. Jeb had stopped travelling some years before, preferring to lead a settled life instead of the usual life of the Romany people.

  Luke walked beside Bethany as they headed out of the village once more.

  ‘Why did he speak to you like that?’ He asked.

  She smiled and told him that her people were always treated in that manner. Nobody trusted them and in truth that was the way her people preferred it. The gulf was maintained between the two classes by mutual consent. The villagers didn’t trust Gypsies and they, in turn, held the villagers in contempt.

  Luke smiled,

  ‘Well, I think you’re beautiful, and I don’t care what other people think or say.’

  Bethany turned to him as they reached the gap in the hedge from which she had at first appeared. She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

  ‘Thank you, Luke, I like you too. Maybe we can meet again?’

  Luke’s face crumbled as he realised it would be two whole weeks before he would be allowed out again.

  ‘It won’t be for two weeks, that’s the only day my father allows.’

  She smiled, and her whole face lit up.

  ‘Then I’ll wait for you.’ She said and standing on tip toe brushed his lips with her own.

  He remained standing in the road long after she had disappeared through the hedge. His whole world had been turned upside down.

  He didn’t remember the walk home; he was in such a dream. Walking into the bakery, he was greeted by his father and the vision was obliterated.

  ‘Why are you mooning about? You’ve had your day now get to work.’

  Luke made for the bakery door as his father shouted after him,

  ‘Find a wife?’

  Luke turned to face him.

  ‘Yes.’ Was his one word reply.

  Tom heard the exchange and latched onto him as soon as the bakery door slammed shut.

  ‘A wife? You’ve found a woman? How, where, who is she?’

  Luke’s smile returned as he walked past his elder brother,

  ‘You’ll see soon enough.’ He wouldn’t be drawn any further, much to the annoyance of Tom.

  Supper in the dim kitchen of the main house was the usual sombre affair except for this time the father spoke. Generally, the meal would be eaten in silence, and they would return to their respective quarters without an exchanged word. Luke was grilled by his father nonstop. He demanded to know the answers to the same questions as Tom had asked, but Luke was saying nothing about the identity of his new ‘wife’.

  Seth was becoming frustrated with Luke’s refusal to elucidate and was reduced to threats,

  ‘You’re not above a sound beating you know!’ He exclaimed, fixing Luke with a baleful stare.

  Luke and Tom exchanged looks, and then both stared at their father, sitting at the head of the table.

  Seth looked away, he couldn’t match their combined force and realised for the first time he would never thrash them again. Together they were far too strong for him.

  In silence, Seth made for upstairs, and the boys returned to the warmth of the bakery to grab some sleep before the early morning start in the never ending task of baking bread.

  Chapter 10

 
The following two weeks dragged by for Luke. The next Sunday was Tom’s day off, and Luke hoped he would not bump into Bethany. He was aware of his brother’s good looks, and with his black hair and dark eyes, he would no doubt be a better match for her. Tom had something of the appearance of a Gypsy boy about him, and Luke feared the competition.

  Tom came back in the early evening well into his cups. He had spent the entire day over the road at the Inn and had spent all his meagre wages on ale. He made a pitiful sight at supper, barely managing to keep his eyes open as his father glowered at him, ‘Never find a wife by behaving like that. How do you expect to attract any woman by spending all your money in that bloody inn?’

  ‘Don’t need a woman, do I? Luke’s already got one lined up. You said we only needed one.’

  Luke said nothing and kept his head down.

  Tom was not about to let it go, though.

  ‘Hope she’s a looker; don’t want an ugly one here, do we father?’

  Seth also kept his peace; he didn’t mind what she looked like, as long as she could keep house and cook. He hadn’t entirely dismissed the idea he might share in her other uses too. Probably better if she were not too pretty, she would be easier to convince.

  Silence descended over the room as they ate, he was so drunk; Tom could hardly guide the spoon to his mouth.

  After the meal, the boys went out to the bakery to sleep. Tom snuggled down and without uttering another word fell into a deep sleep. Luke was left sitting in front of the oven fire door, opened so he could both monitor the flames and benefit from their warmth. He wasn’t in the least bit sleepy and decided to sneak out for a walk.

  The moon shone brightly over the village as he walked past the gallows, standing ominously empty devoid of any decomposing corpse. It had seen no use since the young boy, and due to the mood of the villagers, it was unlikely to see another for a while. Luke meandered along the street until it connected with the road to Upper Marston. He still felt wide awake and continued walking until he spotted the gap in the hedge. The gap where Bethany had first appeared to him like a vision of beauty. Walking through the hole, Luke followed a well-worn track towards a small wooded area. He had no idea what he might find there, but being wide awake decided to investigate anyway. The moonlight faded as he walked under the trees. The track became harder to navigate, and he found himself veering off the well-beaten path several times. Finally, he found himself walking through knee high grass dotted here and there with young saplings trying to compete for growing space with their grown-up counterparts.

  In a small clearing, a fire blazed cheerfully. Seated around it were several people. They sat in a circle holding hands with vague faces staring into the flames, quietly mouthing an incantation. A large old caravan sat at the edge of the clearing, its brightly painted sides glittering in the firelight. Next to that, a ‘bender tent’ had been pitched.

  A dog barked suddenly disturbing the group. The voices instantly stilled as a man rose from his seat at the fire and stood to stare out into the darkness.

  Luke remained at the edge of the clearing still shielded by the darkness. He had almost walked into the group as he blindly stumbled through the undergrowth and now stood as still as a statue, guessing the man standing at the fire must be Bethany’s father. Jeb had a solid build and gnarled features highlighted by the flames, and as he looked, searching for the reason the dogs had barked, he suddenly tensed as his gaze locked onto the dark shadowy figure of Luke.

  Luke was frozen to the spot as Jeb lunged at him, jumping through the flames of the fire. He was on him in a trice and Luke was no match for his strength. He found himself on the ground with a solid knee in the small of his back.

  Jeb frogmarched his prisoner into the firelight and heard a gasp as his daughter recognised him.

  ‘So, you know this boy?’ Said Jeb harshly.

  Bethany replied in a loud voice,

  ‘Yes father, indeed I do, this is Luke. I met with him the other day. He’s a nice boy, and I’m sure he means us no harm.’

  Jeb slowly released the tight hold on Luke who almost sank to the ground in relief.

  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you sir, but I lost my way in the woods.’ Luke said.

  ‘What were you doing there in the first place at this time of night?’ Demanded Jeb.

  ‘I don’t know sir; I suppose I was trying to find Bethany.’

  ‘Well, at least he’s honest!’ Exclaimed Jeb. ‘A welcome change around these parts.’

  Jeb looked at his daughter,

  ‘And what of you girl? Do you like this boy as much as he apparently likes you?’

  Bethany looked down at the ground, both fearful of her father, but still fiercely proud and self-assured.

  ‘Yes father, I believe I do.’ As she voiced her reply, she stood proudly once again, just as Luke had observed her that day in Upper Marston with the shopkeeper.

  Jeb studied Luke carefully.

  ‘You do realise boy that by becoming entangled with Bethany you become one of us? Outcasts in the eyes of the world hated and feared by everyone except our kind. The witchfinders find us easy prey, and many have ended their days dancing to the hangman’s jig, or else deported as slaves to the Indies or the Americas.’

  Things were moving so fast Luke was barely able to keep up. He had only walked out with Bethany the one time, and now her father was practically marrying them off. He didn’t know what to say and decided nothing was the better idea.

  Jeb was speaking again.

  ‘It’s about time she married, almost past her prime and time running out fast.’ He mumbled aloud, almost to himself.

  A woman stood up and approached the unlikely trio.

  ‘Does a mother not get any say in this?’ She said, rather loudly.

  Jeb stood to one side, and for a moment Luke thought he was about to hit her.

  ‘Mind yourself, woman, you may well be my wife and mother to her, but it’s my decision and mine alone as to whom she weds. She needs a husband, and this young man would appear to fit the bill.’

  Jeb turned his attention to Luke again staring him in the eye,

  ‘Well, boy? Do you take this girl for your wife?’

  Luke was mesmerised by those coal black eyes, so unlike his own.

  ‘Yes sir, indeed I do.’ He said, almost in a trance.

  Jeb turned to his daughter.

  ‘Then you shall marry this boy, here and now.’

  At last Luke found his voice,

  ‘But sir, how can we be married here, surely we will need to organise the church and arrange the ceremony.’

  ‘Church? We are Gypsy’s; we don't have any truck with churches. We have our own ways. You will be married by me, the girl’s father, in the traditional way.’

  Luke didn’t think his father would approve of such a marriage. In his eyes, it would be pagan and tainted by heresy, which was still punishable by burning. He appealed to Jeb,

  ‘Please sir, I will happily marry your daughter in the traditional way, but surely we can have a separate ceremony in a church if only to appease my father. And to stay within the law.’ He added as an afterthought.

  Jeb was unmoved,

  ‘Boy, you will marry in our way or not at all!’

  Luke looked at Bethany. She looked back with her eyes almost hidden by her hair.

  ‘Very well sir, I will marry your daughter and in the traditional way, but when she comes to live with me the ordinary folk will believe we are living in sin, especially my father.’

  ‘That’s as may be and means nothing to us.’ Said Jeb.

  Preparations were made and in no time at all the scene was set for the wedding. Luke couldn’t believe what he was about to do. In a few minutes, he would be a married man. Wed to the most beautiful girl in the world.

  It was over in minutes. The ceremony was conducted across the blazing fire, and to Luke, it felt like he was taking part in a pagan rite. He shuddered at the thought of being consumed by the flames roaring in
front of his eyes, as he surely would if this ever became public knowledge. He had no idea how he would tell his father. How could he install Bethany in the house as his wife when there had been no church ceremony?

  Jeb instructed both parties in what to say, and Luke began, taking Bethany’s right hand in his own,

  ‘I Luke Bishop take thee Bethany Abnett to my wedded wife, till death us depart, and thereto I plight thee my troth.’

  Bethany then repeated the phrase on her own accord while holding his right hand.

  Jeb placed a one pound gold coin onto a tree stump and in one swing of his axe divided it neatly into two. He handed each of them one-half saying,

  ‘Now you are married, and this token seals the act.’

  The ‘Newlyweds’ held hands while the rest of the family filled cups with ale for a celebratory drink. Luke supped with the rest of them until he began to feel the tiredness creep into his limbs. Remembering the bakery, he went to make his excuses and depart, but Jeb was having none of that.

  ‘Not before you consummate the marriage young man. You will not abandon your new wife on her wedding night. Now get you both into the tent and do what’s necessary.

  Hand in hand the couple approached the tent and lifting the entry flap disappeared inside. Luke had no idea what was expected of him. He had heard the act discussed by other men but had no personal experience himself.

  Bethany laughed softly and drew him onto a rough bed low to the ground.

  ‘Come, share my bed at least for a while.’

  Luke lay beside her as she cuddled into him. He thought he would die in the sheer pleasure of being so close to her. He inhaled her scent, and his mind turned in a kaleidoscope of colours.

  She took the initiative and pulled up her skirts, grappling with the thick belt of his breeches. She freed him and pulled him on top of herself. Luke sighed as he became as one with his new wife and Bethany didn’t utter a sound as her maidenhead gave way.

  They emerged from the tent to the cheers of the family with Bethany smiling and leading a blushing Luke by the hand.

  ‘I really must leave; the bakery will be coming alive, and if I’m not there, my father will be furious.’ He said.