The Haunting

by Raymond M Hall

  Bethany smiled up at him,

  ‘Then go my husband, return tomorrow evening. I will be here waiting for you.’

  He wandered through the small wood until the road presented itself. Walking towards the bakery it was like leaving one lifestyle and returning to another, and he decided there and then that the former was far more desirable than the thankless toil of being a baker.

  Luke walked into the bakery and was immediately confronted by Tom and his father.

  ‘Where in God’s name have you been?’ Demanded Seth.

  Luke stared at the pair defiantly.

  ‘I’ve been getting married if you must know.’

  ‘Married?’ Shouted Seth. ‘What do you mean married? No church would marry you in the dead of night.

  ‘We handfasted.’ Replied Luke, ‘And here’s my half of a golden pound to prove it.’ He showed the half gold coin to his father and elder brother.

  Seth and Tom stared at the coin, neither able to comment.

  ‘I am a married man, father. When may I move my wife into the house?’

  The following afternoon after his chores had been completed Luke walked up the road towards Upper Marston and his new bride. Crossing through the gap in the hedge, he made for the wood feeling elated at the prospect of spending all his time with Bethany from that day forward.

  She ran to greet him as he entered the clearing and Luke swept her up in his arms laughing. Hand in hand they approached the rest of the family who had congregated around the campfire, their only source of heating and cooking.

  Jeb gave Luke a bundle trussed up in a blanket.

  ‘These are all her worldly possessions; they belong to you now, take them with her and go out into the world.’

  ‘But surely, we’ll see you again; I know Bethany will want to come here to visit often, you’re her family.’ Luke said, smiling at Bethany’s mother.

  Jeb opened his arms to take in the camp site.

  ‘Can’t you see, we are packed and ready to move on? We have to go away now that one of us has changed to the other side.’

  Luke frowned,

  ‘The other side? The other side of what?’

  Jeb allowed a brief smile to flicker across his features,

  ‘You must understand Luke. Now that Bethany is to become one of the permanents we must move on, both for her sake and our own. The villagers neither trust nor like us and will use any excuse to denounce us. Cromwell has already sold a great many of us into slavery. We have no rights here and cannot resist. Romanies can only move around hoping to escape notice and maybe one day in the future we will be accepted, but I believe that day is far beyond my lifetime. Bethany will be safe with you, I have instructed her to adopt your ways and forget us. We are the past; you are her future. Go now and don’t look back, farewell daughter.’

  Luke was astounded at this revelation; he had no idea that the government was victimising the Gypsies. The same government who had promised that the rule of the people would ensure greater freedom and fairness to all. All, that is, except the Romanies apparently.

  It was a sad couple who left the little clearing hand in hand, with Luke carrying Bethany’s bundle of things. Neither looked back as instructed and emerging onto the dusty road they turned towards Lower Marston and the bakery. Luke could feel her hand trembling in his own as they neared the house and gave it a comforting squeeze.

  They walked into the yard still hand in hand to be confronted by Seth and Tom. They both stood with hands on hips studying the slender form of Bethany. Tom was surprised at her beauty, he had never encountered her before and wondered how such a beauty had escaped his attention.

  Seth looked at her and idly wiped his tongue over his lips salaciously. The act didn’t escape Bethany’s notice, and she cringed inwardly. She would have to be careful of the father.

  Luke led his wife inside and showed her around. Seth followed and showed her the way upstairs to the room which would become their bedroom. The big bed looked uncomfortable. It was very high off the ground and looked as if it might be lumpy. The room was bare of any adornments with dirty walls, and there was no fireplace, so it was certain to be cold in winter. Seth left them in the chamber, and they waited until the sound of his boots clumping down the bare wooden stairs ceased. At last, they were alone. Luke closed the door firmly although it had no lock. He put his arms around Bethany and squeezed her hard. She gasped as he pushed her down on the bed, looking down on her as she lay back, a loving smile illuminating his face. She smiled back and reached up, pulled him down onto her. Pulling her skirt up, he found she was ready for him and sighed as he entered his wife for only the second time and disappeared into the world of wild passion.

  They lay together on the lumpy bed exhausted. Bethany began laughing softly, and Luke joined in. At least it was better than a tent.

  Chapter 11

  Later in the evening, Luke introduced Bethany to the kitchen, such as it was and lit the fire in the grate. There was a large metal ring above the fire where pots were suspended for heating. Luke showed her the pantry, and she found herself looking at rows of empty shelves. What was she to cook?

  The door opened loudly, and Tom walked in carrying a dead rabbit with the snare still around one leg. Bethany felt sorry for the poor thing; it had apparently been struggling for some time, the angry red mark on a leg from the snare bore testament to its vain struggles. Tom slammed it down on the bare pine tabletop. Bethany touched it, and she felt the warmth of life so recently departed and shuddered. Her father always had skinned and prepared the rabbits they had caught themselves, so she had been shielded from that harsh reality. Luke looked at her, raising his eyebrows.

  ‘Do you know how to skin it?’

  ‘No.’ She replied, ‘My father always did that, and he was teaching my younger brother. I know how to cook it though.’

  Tom laughed a little vulgarly and taking a small sharp knife began the process of removing the skin. He dressed the creature and removing the entrails put them into a bowl, crossed the kitchen door and threw them out into the yard where a pair of dogs immediately began to fight over the reward. Bethany looked on as the dogs fought and decided neither would make a good pet.

  She put the rabbit into a large cauldron together with potatoes and turnip and set the whole thing on a chain over the blazing fire.

  Dinner would be a little late that evening, but at least she was making her mark. Seth viewed it as earning her keep and as they all sat at the table to eat she couldn’t help noticing his looks. They weren’t just glances, he studied her carefully, running his eyes up from the table top to her breasts, and finally her face.

  ‘Not bad I suppose. You could have done a lot worse, boy.’ His only comment.

  Tom’s looks were not quite so evident, and once or twice she looked up to see him studying her. His eyes were mostly fixed on her breasts, which made her feel self-conscious. She decided that loose-fitting smocks might be the most appropriate garments in the future. When she got up to remove the plates, there were three sets of eyes following her every movement. Luke’s were soft and loving, but the others shared a malevolence which, had Luke noticed, would have set his teeth on edge with warning signals.

  They all retired to bed after dinner in order to rise at the same un-Godly hour as always to man the bakery. Tom went out on his own to the bakery while Seth, Luke and Bethany retired upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Bethany was perturbed to see Seth going into the room next to their own and decided it was a little too close for comfort.

  The newly-weds tumbled into bed naked and cuddled under the blankets. At least they were alone in the room, and under the sheets seemed more secure decided Bethany. The pair giggled like children at their new position in life, but Luke’s passion soon became evident, and they resumed where they had left off earlier.

  Next door Seth had his ear firmly planted against the thin plaster wall, listening to their movements and groans as his needs and desires began to emerge from their l
ong hibernation.

  At exactly two o’ clock in the morning, Luke and Bethany were awakened by a sharp rap on the door.

  ‘Luke, get up boy, time to work!’ Came the loud cry from outside.

  Luke struggled to rise from the bed, still half asleep. Bethany groaned and turned over.

  He donned his clothes and opening the door made his way downstairs. However, Seth had not preceded him. Instead, he had returned to his bedroom, softly closing the door. When he heard Luke descending the stairs, he made his move. The back door opened, then closed and Seth knew Luke would by now be in the bakery with his brother Tom.

  Seth eased his door open and crept out to stand outside Luke’s bedroom door. Luke had been too drowsy to close it, and Seth had a clear view of the bed. Bethany had displaced the blankets on turning over, and Seth was greeted by the view of her near naked body lying asleep on her front. The gentle curve of her back rising to meet her smooth buttocks filled his gaze. The moonlight shone through the uncurtained window lending even more beauty to the already mesmerising sight, and he felt his passion rising dangerously near to losing control altogether.

  Instead of leaving as he knew he should, he couldn’t resist the temptation to go a little closer to the bedside. He stood looking down and with the greatest difficulty resisted the temptation to reach out and touch the silky skin.

  He crept out, backing away afraid that she might turn and see him. There would be time enough to win her round. When she had settled with his young son, maybe she might enjoy the company of an older man.

  Bethany heard the door close softly and turned over, allowing herself to breathe freely again. She had sensed him there, had recognised his smell. Some sixth sense had awoken her, but she was paralysed with fear. She knew he could see her naked body, the chill air reminding her of her nudity. Turning over once again she tried to get back to sleep, but with the knowledge that she had walked into something dangerous, she lay tossing and turning until daybreak.

  Chapter 12

  Sebastian was anxious to begin his new life at the bakery. He was starting to get bored staying at the inn. The challenge of renovating to fill his life with some purpose was compelling. He found his thoughts being shared equally between the house and Briony. She was constantly on his mind, and he wished she wasn’t quite so elusive.

  The tradesmen had almost finished the basic plumbing and wiring, and he thought by the end of the week he would be able to get stuck into the place.

  When he arrived on the final morning for the tradespeople, he found them sitting in their respective vans out on the road. He went over jovially to greet them but was met with blank stares. He sensed fear in their eyes and wondered what had happened.

  ‘Okay fellas, I guess I have to fix you up for everything, all finished?’ He asked.

  The plumber looked at him from the safety of his van.

  ‘All done and working, but I won’t be back. I’ll send you my account.’

  With that, he started the van and turning around made off towards Upper Marston at speed. Sebastian was left standing in the road wondering what was going on. Up until this morning, everybody had appeared to be cheerful; he wondered what had happened to change their minds.

  The electrician was no better. A curt nod was all he received from the driver while the young apprentice sat beside him as white as a sheet.

  ‘Thought we would wait for you to arrive, but we’ll be off now. The account will be in the mail.’

  Without so much as a goodbye, he also turned his van around and followed the plumber towards the village. Sebastian could hear the engine whining as the driver floored the pedal.

  He stood in the roadway scratching his head. What was wrong with everyone today?

  He drove into the yard and noticed all the debris from the departed tradesmen still lying around the yard. He thought it a bit rude of them not to tidy up and began the job himself. There were odd pieces of copper pipe and brackets lying everywhere as if some effort had initially been made to carry then off in their van, but now they lay scattered everywhere as if they had been thrown down. The electrician had been just as lax. His drums of various sizes of cable lay in the yard. Some had quite an amount left on them, and Sebastian wondered why they would discard half full reels.

  He wasn’t to know that a few minutes before he arrived the yard had been a hive of industry as all the waste and leftover bits and pieces were being collected to put into the vans. The young apprentice electrician was in the house tidying up alone when he felt his hair prickle and begin to stand up on the back of his head. He was standing next to the old wood burning range when he sensed the presence of someone behind him. He spoke out assuming it was his boss, but when he received no answer and turned around, he realised it was not his companion. Whatever or whoever it was, appeared as a dark shadow. The malevolence in the room was palpable, and the young boy was frozen in fear. He tried to cry out but couldn’t. He stood trapped between the kitchen wall and the apparition. The face before him cleared slightly, and he could make out the craggy features of an old man. The look was decidedly unfriendly which struck even more terror into the boy. Then it turned away and in a swirl of dark material disappeared up the small staircase. There were only four or five steps before the stairs turned sharply to the left and continued up to the next floor. The boy found he could at last move his feet and bolted for the door. He emerged from the house waving his arms and screaming in a high pitched voice. He climbed into the van and slammed the door. The electrician opened the driver’s side door and shouted at him.

  ‘What’s wrong Terry? You look like you saw a ghost or something!’

  Terry couldn’t reply, he began a soft wailing noise, and his boss turned away to speak to the plumber.

  He was standing quite still and staring up at one of the upstairs windows. The equipment he had been carrying had fallen from his hands and lay scattered at his feet. The electrician followed his gaze.

  ‘What the hell is that?’ He said, eyes riveted to the upstairs window.

  ‘I don’t know, but I ain't staying a moment longer, I’m off.’ Said the plumber and ran to his van, climbing in, starting the engine and abruptly pulling out of the yard.

  This completely spooked the electrician who joined him in his flight. Moments later both vans were lined up on the roadway a little way from the house. Both drivers were shaking so much they actually couldn’t drive. It was at that moment that Sebastian had arrived.

  He began to tidy up, shaking his head at the amount of equipment that had been discarded. He stacked it neatly in the shed; maybe they would return to collect it and if not he was bound to find a use for it.

  Sebastian entered the house and nodded in approval. The tradesmen had certainly done a good job. He now had a serviceable kitchen and bathroom, the main two rooms if he was to move in. Furniture would be next, just the essentials at first. Bed, a table to eat off and a comfortable lounge suite. The electrician had wired for television, and he only had to get the aerial guy to be set. A trip into Rainly was called for, one of the bigger stores would have everything he required, and he would be able to get it all delivered at the same time.

  He locked the house and set off towards Rainly passing through Upper Marston. He hoped he would see Briony both because he could do with the company and another opinion on what to buy.

  Sebastian cruised slowly along the road looking from side to side in the hope of seeing her. He passed a gap in the hedge and glancing into his rear view mirror caught the swirl of bright material as a figure appeared on the road behind him. He came to a dead stop and reversed the car back to where the figure stood waiting. She climbed into the front passenger seat laughing gaily. Her mood was infectious, and he soon found himself laughing with her, his spirit taken to a new level as their hands touched in greeting.

  ‘So, where are you off to this morning?’ She asked.

  He explained about his mission to buy the essentials for his new home, and she readily accepted his i
nvitation to join him. As they drove through the village neither noticed the figure of James standing outside his office. If they hadn’t been so taken with each other, they would have seen the look he gave as the car passed by. It was not friendly.

  They spent an enjoyable day in the town, Sebastian found the things he was looking for and ordered them to be delivered. Taking an early tea, they sat together in the same restaurant as before. She laughed and as she did her face lit up and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. There was something special about Briony, he couldn’t say what it was, but he had never felt like this about anyone before.

  She still wasn’t too keen to visit his new home but promised to help him arrange the furniture when it arrived. He took this as a positive and decided to play the waiting game.

  The journey back to Marston was uneventful except for the fact that they seemed to be even closer this time. She leaned towards him as they drove and he reached for her hand. She held onto him tightly, and he felt warm and fuzzy in a way which was hitherto unknown to him.

  She requested again that he drop her at the entrance to the village and he pulled off the road at the same place. They embraced and kissed, a long lingering kiss with the promise of more exciting things to come and he felt aroused in a way that made him feel guilty. She was to him like an untarnished angel, and any thoughts of physical contact seemed somehow inappropriate.

  At last, they broke apart, and she opened the door, stepping out lightly. Sebastian watched her walk up the road into the village and waited a few minutes before driving in. He cruised down the street towards the inn and parking outside decided to walk up the main street. Passing the estate agent’s, Sebastian glanced in through the window and was surprised to see Briony sitting at James’ desk. He was sitting facing the window with hands steepled, and she sat opposite. From the set of her shoulders, it appeared as though she was not happy about something and Sebastian was sorely tempted to go in and defend her from whatever James was saying to her. He hesitated, not wanting to make a fool of himself should he be mistaken and decided to continue up the street, glancing behind from time to time to check if she had left the office. At the end of the village, he crossed the road and began the walk back, this time with eyes glued to the agency door. He was almost level with it when it suddenly opened, and Briony walked out. Her back was ramrod straight, and she tossed her hair to one side as she walked off in the direction of the inn. She hadn’t noticed him at all, and Sebastian thought she looked furious. James appeared at the door and called out something to her which Sebastian was unable to pick up, but it didn’t escape her attention because she turned abruptly and made a sign with her hand. Only the little finger and thumb protruded from her fist, but it was enough to make James turn and go back inside slamming the door behind him. The sign appeared to be the same one as the youth of today had universally adopted as a greeting, but Sebastian remembered it from his history lessons as something entirely different. It was the sign of the devil.