The Last Laugh: A Ghost Mystery Story (Second Hand Ghosts Book 3)

by Gillian Larkin

  Mrs Abbott narrowed her eyes at me, “Just a minute. How do you know my son’s name. And how do you know where I live? What’s going on? Who are you?”

  I took a big breath and said, “I can see people who’ve passed away. Jake appeared to me and told me where you live. He wanted to know why you’ve given his things away?”

  Mrs Abbott clutched her chest, “Liar! You can’t have seen my Jake. He’s in hell! Where he belongs!”

  I shook my head, “He’s certainly not in hell. He’s sitting in my car.”

  Mrs Abbott stood up, “He’s in hell! That man told me. He wouldn’t lie to me, he’s a priest.”

  “What priest?” I asked.

  “You can see for yourself. He’s in the kitchen, making me a cup of tea,” Mrs Abbott said.

  “And here it is,” a deep voice said.

  I knew that voice. I turned around and faced the creepy looking man from the car boot sale. He’d taken off his black hat but he was still wearing the sunglasses. And a priest’s collar.

  He smiled and said, “Hello again, Kate.”

  Chapter 7

  I didn’t trust myself to speak.

  The man came over and grabbed my hand in a hand shake. It felt like someone had put a cold slimy piece of cod in my hand. The feeling made me retch a little. The man noticed and I’m sure he smirked. I wiped my hand on my trouser leg.

  Mrs Abbott sat down again, and the man sat next to her.

  “Do you know Father Devlin?” Mrs Abbott asked.

  Father Devlin chuckled. It sounded like the sort of chuckle a snake might give to a mouse just before it gobbled it up. “We haven’t officially met. Hello, Kate.”

  I nodded curtly.

  Mrs Abbott pointed at me and turned to Father Devlin, “She said she’s been talking to Jake. That he’s some sort of ghost. That’s not right, is it, Father? You told me Jake’s in hell.”

  “Why would Jake be in hell? If such a place even exists,” I asked Mrs Abbott. I was trying not to look at Father Devlin. I suspected that wasn’t his real name.

  Mrs Abbott raised her eyebrows at me, “Because he committed suicide of course! It’s a mortal sin, everyone knows that.”

  “Suicide! I can’t believe that. From what I’ve seen of Jake he’s incredibly happy. Why would someone like that want to kill themselves?” I was astonished.

  Father Devlin leant closer to me and said, “Some people have a darkness in them, Kate.”

  I ignored him. I said to Mrs Abbott, “Can you tell me how Jake died? Please?”

  She looked down at her lap and said quietly, “He jumped off a bridge. That big one in Leeds, over the canal.”

  “Did anyone see him? How do you know it was suicide,” I asked.

  “His best friend, Tommy, was with him. We didn’t know for sure what happened until Father Devlin went to see Tommy yesterday. Tommy confessed, didn’t he, Father? He said Jake was too depressed to live anymore and he jumped.”

  I finally looked at Father Devlin. Even though he was wearing sunglasses, I could tell he was looking at me. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

  I stood up, “I’m sorry, Mrs Abbott, I just don’t believe it. Your Jake has been playing tricks on me and my colleague today, he doesn’t look depressed at all.”

  Mrs Abbott stood up, and just for a moment doubt flickered across her face. “He loved playing tricks, my Jake. He liked making people laugh. He used to have me in stitches sometimes with the things he did. Do you know, when he was little, he wanted to be a clown! He used to take my make up and use it to paint his face into a clown’s.”

  I smiled. Mrs Abbott smiled back.

  Father Devlin stood up. He put his hand on Mrs Abbott’s shoulder and said, “You must forget about Jake now. Forget you had a son.”

  The smile fell from Mrs Abbott’s face, “You’re right, Father. I’ll start by getting rid of all his photographs.”

  Before I could protest Father Devlin grabbed my elbow and steered me out of the room, “I think it’s time you left. You’re upsetting Mrs Abbott.”

  He opened the front door and indicated for me to leave.

  “I don’t know who you are and what you’re up to, but I don’t believe Jake killed himself and I’m going to prove it!” I said to Father Devlin.

  Father Devlin took off his glasses. His black evil eyes glowered at me. He hissed, “If you want to keep little Emily safe you’d better leave the dead to me, Kate Greenwood! Don’t come back here!”

  He pushed me out of the door and slammed it in my face.

  A rage built up inside me. No one, but no one threatened my daughter!

  Chapter 8

  I was fuming as I walked to my car. I got in and slammed the door.

  “Did Mum shout at you? She’s got a right temper on her,” Jake said.

  “Don’t talk about your mum like that!” a voice behind me said.

  I spun around, “Rose! Where have you been?”

  Rose smiled at me, “I’m always nearby, Kate love. I’ve been having a chat with this lovely young man here, and he’s told me everything. Did you speak to his mum? Is everything sorted out?”

  I looked towards the house. Father Devlin had pulled back the net curtain. He was looking our way. It felt like he could see Rose and Jake too, even though they were ghosts.

  “We can’t talk here,” I said. I started the car up and drove for a few minutes until I found a quiet side street. I switched the engine off and turned to face Rose and Jake.

  “There was a man inside your house, Jake. He called himself Father Devlin,” I began.

  Rose gasped, “No! Not Devlin! I’ve heard about him from other ghosts, he’s an evil so and so. What’s he up to?”

  “I don’t know but I don’t like him,” I said. I told Jake and Rose about what had been said inside Jake’s house.

  Jake clenched his fists, “I did not kill myself! Why would I? I had everything to live for. I was starting university in a few months. Why would Tommy say that?”

  “Can you remember how you died?” I asked.

  Jake said, “I was messing about as usual and thought it would be funny to walk across that bridge in Leeds. I was showing off to Tommy and pretending I was a clown on a tightrope. I know, it was a stupid childish thing to do.”

  “You do seem like the stupid childish type,” Rose noted.

  Jake laughed, “That’s true! Anyway, I felt myself slip. And that’s all I can remember. I know I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “I think we need to go and see Tommy, find out exactly what he said to that Devlin man,” I suggested.

  “Before we do, Kate, there’s something I need to tell you about that man. Do you remember at my funeral, when those dead people rose from their graves and they started coming towards you?”

  I nodded. I would never forget that.

  “I went closer to them to see what they wanted with you. They weren’t trying to scare you, they wanted to warn you about Devlin,” Rose said.

  “What about?” I asked. I didn’t like the sound of this at all.

  “It seems Devlin collects souls from newly dead people,” Rose said.

  Jake snorted with laughter, “Are you kidding? Are we in some sort of film? Collector of souls, that sounds so stupid!”

  “Be quiet, young man! You know nothing about it!” Rose snapped.

  Jake immediately stopped laughing.

  Rose continued, “Most souls go straight to the better place I told you about, Kate.”

  “What? Disneyland?” Jake muttered

  Rose gave him a warning stare. “I don’t know where this better place is yet, I haven’t been. Some souls hang around as ghosts because they have unfinished business, or they just don’t want to leave their loved ones. They’re like loose souls and Devlin feels their weakness and, somehow, he takes them away.”

  “Where to? Some sort of bad place?” I asked.

  Jake sniggered, “Like Blackpool?”

  Rose and I ignored him. />
  “So is that why he’s following me around? To get to the souls before I can help them?” I said.

  Rose nodded, “It looks that way, so you’ll have to be quick at helping ghosts.”

  I started up the car engine, “We’d better get over to Tommy’s then. Oh! Rose! I just remembered. Devlin threatened Emily. Can he hurt her?”

  Rose shook her head, “Your little Emily is safe, there’s something special about her. She’s protected.”

  Something else was bothering me, “Rose, you’re a loose soul. Will Devlin come after you?”

  Rose folded her arms, a grim look on her face, “Just let him try.”

  Chapter 9

  We arrived at Tommy’s house.

  “He lives with his mum but she should be at work at this time,” Jake explained as he got out of the car.

  I looked at Rose, “Are you coming with us?”

  “No, I’ll stay here in case Devlin turns up,” Rose answered.

  “He won’t know where we’ve gone, will he?” I said.

  “He follows people’s thoughts if he’s touched them. He didn’t touch you, did he, Kate?” Rose asked.

  I thought of the disgusting handshake and said, “Yes, he did. I need to wash my hands.”

  “You go ahead then. I’ll be alright here,” Rose assured me.

  Jake was waiting for me at the front door.

  “Can’t you just float in?” I asked.

  “I can but it’s a bit rude. Tommy could be doing anything in there,” Jake said.

  I didn’t want to think about what teenage boys did when they were on their own. I knocked on the door. No one answered. I tried again. Still no reply.

  “He mustn’t be in,” I said.

  Jake looked worried, “I’ve got a funny feeling that something is wrong. I’m going in,” Jake said.

  He shot through the door. I waited, hoping that none of the neighbours were watching me.

  A few minutes later, Jake shot back out.

  “Something’s wrong with Tommy! He’s not moving. I think he’s dead!” Jake cried out.

  I reached for my phone, “We’d better call for an ambulance then.”

  “Can’t you go in and see him first? The door’s not locked,” Jake said.

  I opened the door and walked in. Jake followed me.

  “Where is he?” I asked.

  “Upstairs,” Jake flew in front of me.

  I ran after him and into what was obviously a boy’s bedroom. The smell of unwashed clothes and other things nearly knocked me over.

  There was a boy lying on the bed. His floppy hair covered his face. On the floor were three packets of pain killers, all opened.

  “Is that Tommy?” I asked Jake.

  Jake nodded.

  My heart start to beat extra fast as I approached the still boy. I leant down and moved his hair off his face.

  His eyes suddenly opened and I fell backwards onto the carpet.

  He stared at me groggily and mumbled, “Are you an angel? Am I dead?”

  I picked myself up and moved closer. “You’re not dead but you might be soon. How many tablets have you taken?”

  Tommy shrugged and closed his eyes again.

  I picked up the tablet packets. I checked them all and counted the missing ones.

  “Two! Have you taken just two!” I said.

  Tommy’s eyes flickered open again, “Whoever you are, can you stop shouting. I’m trying to have a nap.”

  I pushed at Tommy’s arm and said, “We thought you were dead!”

  Tommy sat up and scratched his head. He looked at me sleepily and said, “Who’s we? I can’t see anyone else.”

  “Jake’s here,” I told him.

  He sat up straighter, “I am dead! You don’t look much like an angel, I thought they’d look younger.”

  I heard a laugh behind me. It was Jake.

  I pointed at him and said, “You can stop that. You thought he was dead too.”

  Tommy looked to where I was pointing. “Who are you talking to?”

  “I told you, Jake. He’s a ghost and I can see him. For some reason you told a priest that he committed suicide.”

  Tommy was fully awake now, “I never did! And what do you mean, you can see ghosts? Are you having a laugh?”

  “A man calling himself Father Devlin said that you told him Jake had killed himself. He said that you’d confessed to him.”

  Tommy swore loudly.

  Jake started to laugh again. I shot him a warning glance.

  “Did you speak to Devlin?” I asked.

  “Is he a creepy looking guy with shades on?” Tommy said.

  I nodded.

  Tommy pulled the bed covers closer to him and said, “He came round yesterday. He said he was a friend of Jake’s mum and he wanted to make sure that I was okay after what had happened to Jake. I never said that Jake took his own life. Father Devlin said he’d understand if I felt guilty and that I should do the right thing.”

  “Why should you feel guilty?” I asked.

  “Because of what I did,” Tommy looked down at the bed cover. Then he pointed to the packets of pain killers. “I was going to kill myself but I must have fallen asleep after taking two.”

  Jake moved closer, “Aw, you silly sod. What were you thinking?”

  I put my hand out and touched Tommy’s shoulder. I asked him again why he should be feeling guilty.

  Tommy looked at me with tears in his eyes. He said, “Because I killed Jake! I killed my best friend!”

  Chapter 10

  I stood up and looked at Jake, “What’s going on? You told me you slipped. Did Tommy push you? Are you trying to cover up for him?”

  “I did slip! I was acting like an idiot. Ask him why he said that!” Jake exploded.

  I looked down at Tommy and said, “I told you that Jake’s here with me now. He said that he slipped off the bridge, it was nothing to do with you.”

  Tommy’s eyes grew wide as he looked around the room, “Where is he? I can’t see him. Is he mad with me?”

  Jake nodded vigorously.

  I said, “He’s just confused. Why did you say you killed him. Tell me what happened?”

  “We were out round Leeds, celebrating getting our university places. We’d had a bit too much beer. Jake’s daft when he’s sober, he was even worse when he’s drunk. He was telling me that when he was little he wanted to be a clown at the circus. He started doing cartwheels down the street.”

  I looked over at Jake. He was smiling at the memory.

  “Then he said he could walk across that bridge over the canal, like it was a tightrope. What did I do? I encouraged him. I told him to do it backwards. And he did! And that’s when he fell off. It’s all my fault,” Tommy hugged his bed cover tighter.

  Jake’s face softened as he looked at Tommy, “It wasn’t your fault. I would have done it anyway. It’s all my silly fault. Don’t go beating yourself up, Tom.”

  I told Tommy what Jake had said. He gave a little smile and said to the ceiling, “Do you forgive me, Jake?”

  Jake spoke and then I said, “He says there’s nothing to forgive.”

  I looked again at the tablet packets, “Do you usually have so many pain killers in your house?”

  “No, Father Devlin left them for me,” Tommy said.

  “What?” I cried out. “Why did he do that?”

  “I told him what I just told you, about thinking it was my fault that Jake died. And he said he’d have to call the police but it would be better for me if I did the right thing and gave up my life for taking Jake’s.”

  “He said that?” I was horrified. “That man, or whatever he is, is evil.”

  Tommy suddenly shivered, “If you hadn’t turned up, I might have killed myself!”

  Jake said something.

  I said, “Jake says you’re too much of a coward for that.”

  Tommy grinned.

  I asked Tommy to come with us back to Jake’s house so that he could tell Jake�
�s mum exactly what happened that night, and he could tell her about Devlin.

  Tommy agreed. His cheeks went a bit red and he mumbled, “Can you leave the room please? I’m naked under here.”

  I quickly went out, I could hear Jake laughing as I went.

  As I thought about Devlin I remembered the disgusting handshake he’d forced on me so I went into the bathroom to give my hands a good wash.

  As I turned on the water I looked up into the bathroom mirror. I saw my own face looking back at me.

  And someone else’s.

  Chapter 11

  It was Devlin.

  I turned around. He wasn’t behind me. I turned back to the mirror, his evil face looked back at me.

  “What do you want?” I tried to be brave but I was scared stiff.

  Devlin moved closer in the mirror. He took off his glasses. Oh, I did not like those dead eyes. I couldn’t stop looking at them.

  He hissed at me, “Jake’s soul was nearly mine, I almost had him. Then you came along with your interfering ways! I nearly had Tommy too and then you turned up again! I warned you, Kate, I said your little girl wouldn’t be safe.”

  I stood up taller and said firmly, “You can’t hurt Emily, she’s protected. I don’t know where you’ve come from but you can go back! I’m going to help as many ghosts as I can. I’m not scared of you!”

  The last part was a lie. I think Devlin knew that because he just smirked at me.

  “You can have Jake, and you can have Tommy, but there’s someone else I’m working on and I think she’s nearly ready to come with me. Goodbye, Kate.”

  Devlin disappeared. I turned around to make sure he wasn’t hiding behind me.

  I quickly turned off the taps and dried my hands.

  Devlin could only mean one person – Rose!

  I ran out of the bedroom and knocked on Tommy’s door.

  “Are you ready? We have to leave now? I’ll be in the car.”

  I raced down the stairs and towards my car. I opened the back door and looked in.

  Rose wasn’t there!

  Devlin must have taken her soul away.

  “Rose! What has he done to you?” I felt like crying.