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“As far as I know. The basement was fully underground, no windows at all, and only that one door.”
“Thank you.”
A moment later, Jonathan’s back and seems to have regained his composure.
“I just wanted to add two things. First, Reggie was an arsehole. Don’t trust anything he might tell you.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, but we haven’t managed to locate him yet, and we aren’t sure if he’s still alive this many years later.”
Jonathan looks bewildered for a moment. “Time feels different since I died. I can’t measure it the same way.”
I don’t really know what to say to that. I can’t imagine what it must be like stuck in the weird limbo they’re in for over fifty years.
He shakes his head and focuses on me. “Second, for what it’s worth, take the damn chance.”
“What?”
“Life’s all too fleeting, mate. If I knew then what I know now, I would have lived every bloody day like it was my last. And I would have followed my heart even when I was too scared of getting hurt. Live each day so that you don’t have regrets when it’s all over.”
I swallow thickly. “Aye, I’ll keep that in mind. Ta.”
Beau finally returns to himself, a tired look on his face, and I help him get to his feet.
He rubs his bottom. “That floor is awfully uninviting. Let’s bring a chair if we need to talk to them again.”
I search his face, which is a bit pale. “Are you all right?”
He smiles. “Just tired. Some food and rest will set me right.”
Beau turns his attention back to our ghostly companions. “Thank you, everyone. I promise, we’re going to do our very best to try and get you the closure you need to move on. If we can help you find peace, we will. In the meantime, if you can remember anything else, we’ll be back again soon.”
All the spirits except for Jonathan flicker and disappear. Jonathan cocks one hip and puts his hand on it, gesturing toward me with the other as he talks.
“What’s he saying?” I ask.
Beau laughs. “He wants to know if we’ve bumped uglies yet.”
I choke on my saliva.
Beau’s mouth curves up in a smirk. “He says it’s plain as day that we fancy each other, so we shouldn’t be… plonkers? Whatever that means.”
With that, Jonathan gives us a little salute and flickers away.
“What do you say to coming over to my place?” Beau says with an air of invitation as we pack up our gear to leave.
“Would that be all right?”
“I don’t think Miz Edna will have a problem with it. She basically gave you a green light at tea earlier, but…” He hesitates.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he says, looking away guiltily.
I narrow my eyes. “Please don’t tell me Alistair is still haunting the B&B.”
“He hasn’t been ready to move on quite yet,” Beau admits.
I run a hand down my face and groan.
