Ghosts

Chapter 8

'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 uncertain steps before he got the hang of things again. Violet carried his lead with the choker chain, but didn't put it on him. He'd learnt that chasing things had consequences. It had been a year since he had put the stray cat who had been bothering the chickens in the Chevy to flight, and had been halfway down Crabtree Lane when he lost the argument with the van. The vet had advised having him put down, but Violet had cried so much he said he'd do what he could for the dog. In money terms it had cost an arm and a leg. As far as Racket was concerned, only a front leg. She had spent ages with him, trying to get him to walk on three legs, and eventually, he could do it. It was an ungainly walk, but at least he was walking. David Chambers was painting a window frame as Violet and Racket passed his gate. He put the paintbrush down and went over. 'Off for a walk I see.' 'Can't put anything past you,' said Violet. Racket sniffed Chambers, then growled at him, which pleased Violet. 'That'll do, Racket. How come you're doing so much with your place all of a sudden?' 'I'm thinking of putting it on the market.' 'Really?' Chambers had lived there as long as she could remember. 'Well, I have to do something. Since the plant laid me off, and then Julie left me, what have I got here to keep me? Time for a change, I reckon.' 'I could be your agent, if you like?' 'My agent? Oh, that's right. You're selling your uncle's place. How's that going?' 'Early days. I've taken a good few through the place.' 'Hmm. I'm surprised to hear that, after what happened. Not many would be keen to buy the house of death.' 'That's horrible. I wish people