kittens141

'Not in trouble with the Law, Mrs Shaydes?' 'No, Mr Chambers. We were just helping them with their investigations.' 'Oh? Into what?' 'Just a little family business. Now. If you don't mind, we are very busy.' 'Only if there's something going on around here, like burglars or something, I'd like to know about it.' 'Burglars? Who mentioned burglars?' said Violet 'Mrs Friar. I fetch her shopping for her. She told me there's been strange things going on in the house of death.' 'Will you please stop... Read Full Chapter

'Tomorrow afternoon?' Violet shrugged. 'I had to say yes, Mom. Cash buyers. Downsized. Retired. Their daughter lives in town, but they wanted a more rural lifestyle. They're perfect.' 'We have to put them off.' 'Too late. I've just replied to their email. Tomorrow at two o'clock.' 'But what about our little problem?' 'With the two of us, we might manage it.' 'Like this morning? That was so close, Violet. If that sergeant had seen...' 'Well, he didn't.' 'Only by sheer luck. Maybe we should bri... Read Full Chapter

The swing seat was unoccupied, at least by Grandma. The smell of the dope still lingered. Cyclops stared at her with his one eye, his cage in its usual place on the seat. Apart from seeing everything in mono vision, he had a pretty good life, thought Violet. Continuously pampered and cosseted, never having to concern himself about mealtimes, and in a permanently stoned state. 'You got it easy, mate,' said Violet, opening the front door. She had left everything at the house, not wanting to spe... Read Full Chapter

One step at a time. At the top of the stairs, the bedroom door, off to the right of the landing, was cracked open. From the crack, a light, strangely electric blue, flickered and seemed to have life of its own. The bumping and scraping had stopped, and then the light also seemed to become still. With her mouth sandpaper dry, sweat beading uncomfortably down the small of her back, she held her breath, willing lead like legs to climb higher. Five steps to go, and beneath her weight, one creaked... Read Full Chapter

There was a bumping sound. It was right above her head and it had woken her. She wasn't sure of the time, but it was pitch black. She had decided to stay the night again, in case Uncle Ben and Aunt Daphne appeared. They hadn't. Until that moment, anyway. Whatever was making that noise, was in the bedroom above the lounge. Something else haunted her, other than what was up there. Mrs Friar's words. “Lights in the house. Something moving about. I saw it with my own eyes.” 'Right. Think on, Viol... Read Full Chapter

She wasn't scared, she was terrified, and she turned her head very slowly, and there, no more than three paces away, stood Harmony. 'Oh, Shit!' 'Mom...' But Mom ran straight through Harmony, out of the front door and didn't stop running until she reached the sanctuary of home and the bottle. 'Violet. What's wrong with Aunty?' 'Hey? Nothing. She just remembered she left something cooking in the oven.' Harmony glided over to one of the chairs and sat down. 'What are you doing?' 'Me? I'm just ha... Read Full Chapter

After organizing everything in the lounge, Violet kicked off her shoes and settled on the floor on top of the sleeping bag. Her mother sat on one of the plastic chairs. Her hands shook as she lit a cigarette. 'Do you have to smoke in here.' 'Yes. Yes, Violet. I do. I can manage not drinking for a day, but not these as well. I'm not strong like you. Now what do we do?' 'We wait.' 'I'll go nuts.' 'Let me know when it happens or I'll miss it.' 'The old woman. Mrs Friar. What the hell was that al... Read Full Chapter

'Let me smell your breath. Jeez. Have you brushed your teeth this morning?' 'That's no way to talk to your mother. And yes. I have brushed my teeth. Look. I haven't had a drink. I swear, okay?' 'I just didn't want you going over there incapable.' 'I don't want me going over there full stop. But you're right. You always were the most sensible of the lot of us. United we stand; stoned and paralytic we fall over. Do I look okay in this?' 'Mom. It doesn't matter what you wear. They're ghosts. The... Read Full Chapter

'I nearly didn't recognize you with your clothes on.' 'Violet. I was merely trying to leave myself open and spiritually accessible.' 'Mom. The way you were sitting, everything was open and accessible.' 'I was merely trying to do my bit.' She poured herself another drink. 'Your Gran says you told her you're gay.' 'She also said she lived in Graceland with Elvis, before he got married. I didn't tell her that I'm gay, because it isn't true. I'll be sorting myself out a boyfriend, as soon as I ha... Read Full Chapter

'Come on, Racket. Walkies. I need to clear my head.' Racket scratched an ear. He looked as if he was trying to remember what the word walkies meant. He hadn't heard it in a long time. 'Come on. You're getting too fat lying there all day. You still have three good legs. Walkies.' Racket got off the back step where he spent his time sunning himself, gave himself a shake and followed Violet to the side of the house and down the driveway. Having been immobile for sometime, he had to take a few un... Read Full Chapter

'How did it go last night?' Violet took the mug of tea off her father. Her head was still swimming from the powerful joint. 'Not good, Dad. Shit. How does Grandma manage to smoke so much of that stuff?' He smiled. 'I thought I could smell it in here. Things must have been bad for you to smoke.' She sipped the tea and placed it on the cabinet next to the bed where the clock radio said nine thirty seven. She had slept the clock round but still felt like crap. 'Wanna talk about it?' 'Yes.' He sa... Read Full Chapter

It was eight in the evening and something had woken her up. A full bladder. She had dozed on and off during the day. The coffee and sandwiches were gone, as had most of the packet of biscuits. It was completely dark and she had to use the torch to light her way to the bathroom. Once she had done her business, she washed her hands and face in cold water, and cursed herself for forgetting to bring her toothbrush. Returning to the lounge, she shook the sleeping bag and lay it on the floor. Kicki... Read Full Chapter

The house was cold. The only room that would possibly warm up even slightly, was the lounge. Base camp, she decided. She set the chair down, draping the sleeping bag over it for padding. She was hoping it wouldn't come to actually using it for sleeping, because she had no desire to spend the night there, as well as the day. But if she had to, she would. From one of the bags she got an extra sweater and pulled that on. 'Uncle Ben? Aunt Daphne? Harmony?' She waited a moment, then repeated it. S... Read Full Chapter