Ghosts

Chapter 17

'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 calling it that?' said Violet. 'All I'm saying is, if anything is happening around here that might affect the rest of us, I think it only fair for you to tell us.' 'I already did, Mr Chambers. It is just some family business, nothing for you to get your knickers in a twist over.' He finally got the message. 'Okay. Fair enough, Mrs Shaydes.' 'Thank you.' When they reached the gate of twenty nine, Violet said, 'Don't look now, but Mrs Friar is watching us again.' 'That does it. I'm going over and tell the old crow to pull her head in.' Violet grabbed her mother's arm. 'Not a good idea, Mom. Besides. I think this is our priest. The lime green rust-spotted Volkswagen pulled up along side them. A deceptively young looking man poked his Dog-collared head out of the window.'Mrs Shady?''Shaydes. And this is my daughter, Violet.'The priest got out and offered his hand. Violet had seen the net curtain twitcher over the lane and grabbed his hand, eager to get him inside the house.'But I need my things,' he protested.'Mom?'She was already getting the battered brown suitcase off the back seat. She slammed the door and glared at Mrs Friar, then she followed Violet and Father Ambrose up the garden path, and into the house.'Sorry to be so rough with you, Father,' said Violet. 'Not something we want made public, if you know what I mean.''A bit bloody late for that with that nosy bloody cow....''Mom!''Sorry, your holiness.'Ambrose smiled. 'I haven't quite made pope yet. Father will suffice.'Violet smiled. 'Sorry we can't offer a cuppa, Father, but the power's off.''Not a problem. I can't stay too long, anyway. I need to be at my Grandmother's for her seventy fifth birthday.''She doesn't call you Father, does she Father?' 'Mom.' 'Only asking.' Ambrose chuckled. 'It would be a little awkward if my own grandmother called me father. She calls me Ratty.' 'Ratty?' said Violet. 'Ever since I played Ratty in a school play. Toad of Toad Hall. Now. You have a little trouble with ghosts, you said?'