The Ghosts of RedRise House

by Caroline Clark

  “Jesus,” was all Joe could manage. His eyes returned to the lawn and the discarded toy. “That happened here?”

  The neighbor’s face lit up. “Yeah, I can show you the papers if you want to see?”

  Feeling cold and a little sick, Joe shook his head. How could a father do that to his children? Locking them in cupboards with snakes was bad enough. “No, no thanks. Look, I wanted some of the wood and stuff from the skip. Do you think anyone would mind?”

  The guy replied with a head shake. “No, the landlord’s gonna chuck that stuff, so take what you want.” A grimace crossed his face. “But … you sure you really want it?”

  Joe laid the blanket-wrapped parcel on top of some wood in the back of his pickup. His hands had explored the package, finding a molded frame, and, within it, something flat and smooth. It could be a picture, but when he tapped it, the sound was solid. All his instincts told him that a mirror lay beneath the brightly-covered wrapping. Excited, he peeled back some tape. He worked at it, scratching until he was able to get under the blanket. The building anticipation created a knot in his stomach. If this was what he thought it was, then he had the perfect ingredients; if not, he would need to call at the DIY store.

  At last, he managed to get beneath the tape and blanket. There was just a small area uncovered. It was about the size of his fist and he could see it was covered in white paint. Undeterred, he took his fingernail and scratched at the paint. Sure enough, it revealed a flash of mirror.

  With a smile, Joe turned away just as a menacing shadow crossed over the newly-revealed glass.

  100

  Joe painstakingly drew fine sandpaper across the curve on a piece of wood. It was about four feet in length and about one and a half feet wide. His brow furrowed as he checked that his work was perfect and reached behind him for a cloth. The room was a strange conglomeration with pink-painted walls where an assortment of tools hung. There were screwdrivers, saws, a plane, and, on a shelf, lots of varnish, tubs of paint, and sandpaper.

  A border of frolicking ponies ran around the middle. On the floor, a pink carpet was covered with a large plastic sheet while to one side stood a homemade workbench. Pieces of wood and glass were scattered about the floor along with tools and a coffee mug.

  Joe sat back and looked around. When he’d moved in, the room had been a reminder of what he had lost. Though he had never had children, he wanted them, and when his marriage had ended it had felt as if he had lost not only the marriage, but the chance of kids. Logically, he knew this was stupid. That he would find someone again. But for now his heart was battered and bruised and not ready to open up for another chance at love.

  After the split, he’d moved into this rundown house and this room always felt like a reminder of everything that he missed.

  Shaking his head, Joe brought his thoughts back to the here and now and to Lara’s present. His older sister was special to him, partly because he felt he had let her down. Their childhood had not been easy and there were times when his guilt was still strong. He was her brother; it had been his job to keep her safe. It still was, and he knew he overcompensated. Sometimes he maybe even smothered her a little, but so far, she hadn’t complained … well, at least not too much.

  Pushing his memories aside, he caressed the wood and placed it down with a smile. It was perfect for Lara.

  Over several hours he had cut the wedges of wood into the shape of a leaping dolphin. Standing back now, he was proud of how lifelike it had turned out. The middle of the wood bore a hole along its length. To one side, more wood and three pieces of mirror, still painted over, were placed with a long fragment matching the shape of the hole.

  Joe lifted the wood and placed it over the mirror. It made an amazing effect and he allowed himself a satisfied smile. Now all he needed to do was apply three coats of stain and fasten the mirror to the back.

  Over the next fifteen minutes, he lovingly applied a coat of stain. That done, he put the dolphin to one side to wait for it to dry.

  Patience was not one of his strong points, but he had other things to do while he waited.

  Taking some of the other wood, he started fastening it together. Little by little, he built up a cabinet. Stopping every hour, he applied another coat of varnish to the dolphin.

  Carefully, he screwed the last piece into the cabinet and stepped back to admire his handiwork.

  Then, taking a screwdriver, he screwed two pieces of glass into the doors through holes he had drilled for the purpose.

  A quick polish of the glass and he placed the cabinet to one side, taking a quick check of his hair as he did. His hand reached up and tidied it just a bit and then he turned to finish the dolphin.

  It only took a few turns with the screwdriver to fasten the glass in with some special brackets he had already made. Now it was ready. He turned it over and removed the paint with a cloth dipped in white spirits. Then he ran a soft cloth across the glass, polishing it to perfection. It was perfect, and Joe couldn’t resist a glance at his reflection before turning to leave the room.

  As he opened the door, a shadow crossed behind him and a chill raised goose bumps on his arm. Joe turned, confused when he thought he saw something. But the curtains were closed and the room was empty; there was nothing to create a shadow. You need some sleep, man, he thought, too many hours sniffing wood stain.

  With a last look at his treasures, he closed the door and sauntered down the hallway.

  Lara is gonna love this.

  101

  Joe forced more pressure onto the screwdriver and gave it a final twist before pulling himself from the cabinet. He stepped back and closed the doors, admiring his work as he ran his fingers across the smooth wood.

  Reflected in the mirrored doors were black and white tiles that gleamed under the spotlights. Admiring the polish, he picked up a bottle of shampoo, mousse, and hair gel, along with his shaving gear, and placed them, one by one, inside the cabinet.

  With a flourish, he closed the door while inspecting his reflection, and, with a last tidy of his hair, he turned.

  The white bath shone and the chrome taps gleamed. The only other items in the room were black towels, flannels, a black wooden bathmat, and a black silhouette of a motorbike hanging on the wall.

  Joe turned as the doorbell rang and a smile filled his face. He couldn’t wait to see what Lara thought of her present. As he stepped from the bathroom, a dark shadow passed in front of the mirror. Surprised, Joe turned, but nothing was there. Shrugging, he closed the door behind him and went to greet his sister.

  With an exuberance he could hardly contain, Joe ran into the living room. Making things always filled him with excitement, but seeing others’ reactions to his creations was what gave him the most joy.

  The living room was dominated by a big, old, pink sofa and two armchairs that had all seen better days. They had been donated when he moved in and he kept meaning to replace them but, so far, funds hadn’t allowed. Under his feet was a worn brown carpet and the walls were a faded beige. Opposite the sofa, a modern TV and entertainment unit took center stage on a shiny glass stand. These were the only items that hadn’t been donated by friends and friends of friends.

  He opened the door to find three people waiting outside for him. They had beer, pizza, and some movies, but he ignored the two men with a pointed snub and smiled at his sister.

  Lara was a pretty girl, with Joe’s cheekbones and healthy coloring. She was wearing a black T-shirt and slim-line jeans that complimented her long legs. Despite the fact that she was twenty-six, she was intensely shy and hid her beauty behind long black hair that streamed forward to cover her face.

  Joe was pleased to have company. Since he’d left his wife, he had been alone too long. But he was determined not to let people know. He put a big smile on his face. No one could know how he felt.

  “Hi, sis, why’d you bring the dropouts?” He pointed to the two guys who flanked her.

  Lara giggled into her hands and pointed to he
r companions. “These two bear gifts.”

  On her left was Stuart, who stood six-foot-one and was attractive in a burly sort of way. With walnut-brown hair that always looked as if it needed a trim. He was much broader than Joe, though his bulk was muscle, rather than fat, and he was nearly always smiling.

  He tossed a pizza box at Joe, who caught it easily, patted him on the back, and turned to the other man. “Come on, Brain, dude. Let’s get this party started!”

  Brian, or “Brain” to his friends, was a librarian lookalike. With thick glasses and messy brown hair, he often looked perplexed but was, in fact, considered a genius. At five-foot-nine, he was the same height as Lara and loved her as if she was his sister. He glanced at Stuart, who rocked on the balls of his feet with his eyes flickering between Joe—who started toward the kitchen—and Lara, who had slumped onto the sofa.

  Brain laughed and followed Joe.

  Stuart dithered on the spot for a moment or two, not sure whether to follow the men to the kitchen or to take some time with Lara. Knowing he looked comical, and knowing his mates would be laughing at him if he didn’t move soon, he made up his mind. With an audible sigh, he sat on the sagging sofa at a subtle distance from Lara.

  He cleared his throat and tried to work up some courage. He had been trying to have this conversation for as long as he could remember. With the sound of his heart pounding in his ears, he finally went for it and asked, “How about we catch a movie and a meal next week?”

  She had picked up a bike magazine and, without raising her eyes, she replied, “Great. I know Joe wants to see that new horror. What night did you have in mind?”

  With color in his cheeks and his pride on the floor, Stuart dropped his head. “I’ll go ask.”

  Stuart made his way to the kitchen to find Joe slapping pizza onto plates with all the finesse of a gorilla. Brain put down his beer and adjusted his glasses with a knowing look on his face.

  “So, fancy a movie next week?” Stuart asked.

  Brain laughed and patted him on the back.

  “Yeah, maybe. I’ve got nothing planned,” Joe answered as he grabbed a couple of beers.

  “Not dating yet, then?” Stuart asked Joe.

  “I think Lara still needs me. Besides, I’m not ready yet.”

  Stuart stared at his friend, his expression cynical. “You can’t control her life, mate. You should let her go.”

  Behind them, Brain arranged the pizza and garlic bread on the plates, making them look more like food than slop that would be better thrown away.

  Joe faced Stuart and squared his shoulders. “Yeah, but what if something happens?”

  “For God’s sake, man, it won’t,” Stuart said. “Besides, she could have someone else looking after her.”

  Brain let out an explosive burst of laughter. “Yeah, if you ever pluck up enough courage to ask her. Hey, Joe, man, did you remember?”

  Brain slapped his back and Joe turned around slowly, a bemused look on his slack-jawed face. “Of course I did. You should see what I got her; it will blow her away.”

  Brain dropped the pizza server. “Then sod the food, man. Let’s go!”

  With a self-satisfied smile, Joe picked up one of the plates and two beers. “No way, José. The problem today is everyone wants instant gratification. Delay, my friend, delay enhances the pleasure.”

  “I, for one,” Stuart said, “am sick of delay.”

  Snickering like a bunch of twelve-year-olds, they headed back with the pizza.

  Lara sat in the middle of the sofa, between Joe and Stuart, while Brain sat in one of the chairs. Beer cans and plates were scattered over the carpet as well as a selection of horror DVDs. The room smelled of pepperoni and beer. Lara’s eyes were full of excitement as she stared at the large silver parcel on her lap. It was meticulously wrapped in fine paper with a bow at just the right angle. The matching card was written in Joe’s neat script.

  To the greatest sister. With love, Joe.

  Lara’s cheeks had a rosy pink glow and she was gushing with joy. “I knew you wouldn’t forget.”

  With wild abandon, she ripped the packaging off the parcel as all the men watched. It was obvious how much they all cared for her and that she was unaware of the depths of Stuart’s feelings, unlike the other two men who delighted in his every downfall.

  “Well, what do you think?” Joe asked; the look of trepidation on his face was almost comical. How could she not love this gift?

  As the dolphin-shaped mirror was revealed, Lara’s eyes widened and her delight was spontaneous. She hugged it to her chest and turned to kiss her brother’s cheek. “I love it, bro. You are the best brother … ever.”

  Joe smiled, but it was apparent from his eyes that the comment caused sadness as he was reminded of the past in which he hadn’t been.

  Lara bounced the mirror with delight. “Oh, little bruv, I love it so much.”

  “Hey, a bit less of the little; we don’t want to spread any nasty rumors,” Joe said. The delight on his face shone like the sun, only to be wiped off as Brain and Stuart fell about laughing. “Hey.”

  “Damn it, man, you’ve been living like a monk since …” Stuart colored as he almost slipped and mentioned Joe’s ex.

  “Don’t … just don’t.”

  “All right.” Stuart turned to Lara for support. “Go on, Lara. Tell him what you said.”

  She let her head drop forward and long black locks fell like silk across her face. “No, I can’t.”

  “Talking behind my back, huh?” Joe wore a broad smile that softened the harsh words.

  Brain leaned forward in the chair with a serious look on his face. “Stuart’s right, Joe, man. You need to get back on the horse.”

  Joe gave him an incredulous look. “Spoken like a true Casanova.” Joe ducked and tried to catch the empty beer can that Brain hurled at him. He missed and it bounced off his shoulder, splattering him with beer dregs before landing on his knee and then the floor.

  Laughter rippled around the room and eventually Joe gave in and joined the mirth. “Okay, okay, all right. Come on, sis. What’ve ya been saying?”

  Lara took a breath, hoping to control her giggles, and peeked through her hair. “I have a friend who I think you’d like, is all.” Laughter took over and she bent, hugging her stomach at the look on Joe’s face. “Why not meet her?”

  Joe let out a groan.

  “Wait, she’s not a dragon!”

  Lara threw back her hair, now that her brother had taken on the challenge.

  “If she needs a blind date, she must be a dragon or a witch.” He pulled an evil face.

  Brain and Stuart looked at each other and muttered, “Who needs a blind date?” They both dissolved into fits of laughter.

  Lara stared at the two idiots. “Not listening … not listening. Her name’s Charlotte. She works in accounts, is very good looking, and her husband died two years ago.”

  Joe’s face dropped like a lemming off a cliff and the boys stopped giggling.

  “You’d be doing me a favor,” Lara continued. “Just get her out into the world again. Do it for her or as a favor for me.”

  Joe couldn’t resist. “Is she really a looker?”

  Lara turned on him with mock anger. “You’re an asshole, but I told her you were great looking.” She waited to see the look of joy cross his face. “So who would believe anything I say?”

  Laughter erupted again and Joe put on a sulk.

  With a gleam in her eye, Lara continued, “I also told her that you had baby-blue eyes, luxurious black hair, a killer body, and are the vainest man I’ve ever met.”

  Ignoring the fits of laughter from his two best friends, Joe grabbed a cushion and proceeded to beat his sister with it until she could no longer control her own giggles.

  All in all, it was a great night.

  102

  Wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and looking worse for the wear, Joe stared at his bloodshot peepers in his new cabinet. He halfheartedly ra
n a hand through his hair. The room was too bright and he blinked rapidly, finding great relief with his eyes closed.

  Pulling a face, he ran water into the sink then bent over and splashed the cool liquid over his face. As he opened his eyes, a creepy shadow slunk behind him. It was just a flash, gone so quickly his brain couldn’t fully comprehend it, and Joe stared at his reflection. Did I see something? Or was it just the hangover and the pain in his head causing him to see shadows?

  He reached into the sink and cupped handfuls of water over his hot head. It soothed his skin, cooling and refreshing him. With a cloth, he rubbed his eyes and dampened his hair. Applying some gel, he spiked it to perfection and ran a nail across his chin. The stubble was always a bloody pain, but then again, it made him look quite rakish.

  He pulled out the plug and swilled the water down the sink. His eyes drifted to the bath. It was spotlessly clean with a shampoo bottle and flannel being the only things on the side of the tub. The broken plug chain coiled on the bottom seemed to draw his eye.

  It was wrong, out of place, and he really needed to fix it. Bending over, he reached down to pick it up. The chain suddenly changed, thickened, and became the coiled body of a snake, poised to attack. Sweat ran down Joe’s back and his hand froze inches from the scales. In his chest, his heart pounded out his stress, but then the snake was gone and in the bottom of the bath was just a chain.

  With a shudder, he stood upright. Not again, Joe, for God’s sake.

  To take his mind off the snake, he admired his new cabinet. As he ran his fingers proudly over the polished wood, his eyes flicked back to his reflection. Sticking out his tongue, he pulled a face then reached for the handle. The smooth wood and solid feel made him smile. With the left door slightly ajar, a shadow caught his eye. Something grey and unnatural flashed across the mirror for just an instant. Joe closed the door once more and saw nothing. Staring at the mirror, he mouthed, “What the fuck?”