Page 7 of Painting Ghosts

I rolled my eyes. Natalie was an imaginative child, and the best thing we could do was get her home to whoever looked after her.

“I’m sorry to hear about your parents. That’s tragic news. Right now, though, you shouldn’t be thinking about marriage. You’re far too young. You should be thinking about breakfast and letting whoever looks after you know you’re safe. They’re probably worried about you.”

Natalie stared at me in childish scorn. “Didn’t you hear me the first time, Mr Braces Man? I am home, and my family knows exactly where I am.” She flipped her hair towards Theo. “He’s not very bright, is he?” she whispered to him. I prickled at the half-smile I saw forming on his face.

“Now hang on, little miss,” I retorted, with a dirty look at my friend. “That’s rude and uncalled for. You can’t say things like that.”

“That’s what I keep telling her,” came a deep baritone from out of the air. “But she don’t listen.”

Both Theo and I clutched at each other as someone materialised out of thin air.

“Oh God,” breathed Theo, eyes wide as he clutched my hand. “Tell me we’re still asleep and dreaming, Ty?”

I drew in a deep breath as the figure of a portly, older man with a trim moustache and a head of thick silver hair appeared. He was dressed in a casual blue pullover, with grey pleated trousers.

“Grandpa,” Natalie squealed in part censure, part delight. “I told you I wanted to get to know them first.”

“Lass, you’ve had your chance, and if I’m not mistaken, these young lads are feeling a little scared right now. I’ve told you, not everyone deals with seeing ghosts like your mum and dad.” His voice had the timbre of a Yorkshireman.

“Ghosts,” I whispered. “You mean she’s telling the truth?”

As if there’s another explanation for someone appearing before us out of nowhere?

“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto.” Theo released his death grip on my hand and stared at the man in fascination. “I’ve read about you and the Prestonwich family. You lived here back in the seventies and eighties, didn’t you? Robert Prestonwich the Second?”

The man nodded. “Call me Bob. Aye, we did. Until it all got taken away.” His jowled face saddened. “It were a tragedy, it were, but nowt anyone could do ‘bout it.”

I’d had enough. “Could someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?” I pleaded. “This is most disconcerting, and I need someone to tell me I’m not crackers.”

Theo laughed and pulled me in for a bone-cracking hug. “I know it’s a bit much. I can’t believe it either.” He waved at Bob. “But I’ve seen Mr Prestonwich here in some of the old photos in the archive, and I can’t deny it’s him.”

I couldn’t believe how laissez-faire Theo was about all this. I wanted to run screaming for the hills. I wandered over to the window and drew back the curtain. Outside was a veritable Winter Wonderland, postcard-pretty. All it needed was the robin to perch on the windowsill, and the Christmas card would be complete.

“It’s pretty thick snow out there,” I gulped. “I doubt I’ll be driving home yet in this.”

Which means I’m spending the night in a haunted house. FML.

Theo pulled off a dust sheet covering a large dining table. “Sit down, Ty and I’ll make us some coffee. That’ll make you feel better.” He wandered over to his backpack and drew out a small tin of coffee. “I bought a kettle with me and some almond milk. It’s in the kitchen.”

“Don’t you dare leave me alone here,” I warned him fiercely. “I’m as open-minded as the next man, but the idea of sitting down to tea with ghosts in a haunted house is not on my wish list.”

“Don’t worry, lad, I’ll keep you safe,” Bob chuckled. “The others want to come forth and meet you both too. It’s been a while since we had any company.” He sat down heavily on one of the brocade chairs.

“Not reassuring,” I muttered peevishly as Theo grinned and left the room. “Not helping at all.” I perched gingerly on the corner of another chair as Natalie came over to stand at Bob’s side.

She snorted. “Tyler, you’re such a scaredy-cat.”

“Oi, that’s Mr Sheridan to you,” I growled. “Mind your manners.”

She pulled a tongue at me. I scowled at her, then glanced at the doorway in unease. Where the hell was Theo?

“So, lad, you have questions, I bet.” Bob reached into his sweater pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. He lit one up with a box of matches and regarded me over the smoke curling from the end. “And don’t tell me. These things’ll kill you.” He chortled as he took a drag, a sound that soon turned into a cough that left his face pink. He thumped his chest and cleared his throat.

“If you’re a ghost, how come you can do that?” I asked curiously. “Do physical things, I mean. If I touched you, would you be spectral and my hand would pass through you?”

Bob waved his cigarette. “See for yourself.”

I took a deep breath and reached out to touch Bob’s shoulder. Sure enough, it went through him. There was nothing of substance there at all.