“Yes, please. You can make the coffee, if you like.” I directed her to where she could find the cups, coffee, milk and sugar as I prepared cheese-flavoured microwave scrambled eggs on toast. This was one of my favourite breakfasts and one that I could actually manage on my own. The biggest problem for me was avoiding others in the room while I moved around the kitchen. Thankfully, Suzanne and I worked together well and, very soon, we were sitting, enjoying our breakfast, talking together as though we were actually man and wife in our domestic setting. It all seemed so natural that the events of the previous evening felt unreal, like just a distant, though frightening memory.
I could feel the welcome heat on my face as the sun shone strongly through the windows. “Did last night really happen, Suzanne? It seems so incredible that I wonder if it was just a bad dream.”
“I wish! I know how impossible it seems, now, but the images on my phone are still there, as proof. There is something really evil in this house and, whatever it is, it is unlikely to go away on it’s own.”
“I know that you are probably correct, but what can I do? Of one thing I am certain – I am staying in this house, with or without ghosts.”
After a moment’s thought, Suzanne said, “I wonder if that was why Selmira Ademovic put the house up for sale?”
“You are probably right. It could at least explain why the house was such a bargain. It was at least twenty thousand pounds less than other similar houses.”
After taking a bite of toast, Suzanne asked, “So, what are you going to do about the hauntings?”
It did not take long for my reply. “I have absolutely no idea. Is there anything you can suggest?”
Without any hesitation, she replied, “You could call in a medium.”
“I’m not certain about mediums, Suzanne. I’ve always taken them to be cranks or fakes. Until the events of the past few days, I did not even believe in ghosts or hauntings. This is all too much to take in and I just don’t know what to do.”
We both fell silent, the only noise being the crunching of our toast.
With sudden inspiration, Suzanne said, “We could get a Ouija board!”
I had just taken a gulp of coffee and, trying not to choke, I spluttered, “Get a what?”
“A Ouija board. It’s a way of communicating with the dead. Have you never heard of them?” There was surprise in her voice.
“No, I don’t recall anything like that. I must have led a very sheltered life.” Thinking that it could do no harm to try anything, I said, “I’m prepared to try one of these boards. Do you think you could get one?”
“I think so, but it will take a few days. I could probably get one from Amazon.”
“It doesn’t sound like something that Amazon would normally sell, but if you can get hold of one, we can try it next weekend.”
“No problem. I think I should go home after breakfast, Tonie. Mum and Dad will be wondering where I am.”
“No problem, sweetheart. Thanks for just being here. It means so much to me.”
She took hold of my hand and squeezed it, gently. “You are a very special person, Tonie and I know that I am falling deeply in love with you.”
I was stunned by her statement. “I feel just the same about you, Suzanne. You mean so very much to me.” Although I could not see the expression on her face, somehow, I knew that she had a big smile after my sincere declaration.
I realised that I had not been completely honest with Suzanne. “Sweetheart, I have a confession.”
Her voice did hold a slight tremor, as she asked, “What do you mean? What have you not told me?”
“Do you remember last Tuesday, in the office, when I told you about my experiences on Monday night?”
“Yes, why?”
“I did not tell you everything that happened, that night.” I explained to her about floating above my bed and the slimy creatures covering my body.
“That must have been a truly horrible experience, Tonie. I can understand why you didn’t tell me everything, but, from now on, please do not hold back any information, like that. I only want to love and help you. Promise?”
She had taken my news better than I had expected. “No secrets! I promise to tell you absolutely everything, my love.”
About three-quarters of an hour later, Suzanne was ready to leave. We held each other close and kissed deeply and then, she was gone. I heard the car engine start and then it slowly disappeared as she drove further along the road. The quiet engine of the hybrid car being hardly noticeable.
I was about to close the door when I heard a voice. “Mr. Buckingham! Tonie!”
I recognised the voice of my neighbour, Diane. I heard her footsteps on my drive as she approached my door. She sounded anxious. “I’m sorry to disturb you, again, but I had a thought after I spoke to you earlier.
“Would you like to come in?”
“No, it’s alright. I just wanted to let you know that we have heard noises at night a few months ago while Selmira was living at your house.”
“What sort of noises?”
She seemed embarrassed as she replied, “Similar to the noise from last night. Like a loud crashing noise. The party walls are quite thin, you know.”
I could imagine my neighbours were interested in hearing what went on with people living next door to them. “That’s very strange! Thanks for letting me know, Diane.”
“No problem at all. Just let us know if there is anything we can do to help.”
After thanking her and closing the door, I stood for a minute, thinking of Suzanne. Already missing her, I knew that I would see her at the office on the following day, yet that could not be soon enough. Why had it taken over two years to realise my true feelings for this amazing young woman? I cursed myself for being so damn slow and ignorant of her true feelings.
Thinking of the recent events, I kept myself busy by cleaning the house and organising my personal items around the house.
Chapter Eight: an indecent proposal
Late that Sunday afternoon, I had just put the phone down after speaking to my mother, somehow managing to avoid any mention of the hauntings, when the door bell rang, again. “who can that be?”
Cautiously, I opened the front door, expecting Jehovah’s witnesses to start spouting their unwanted message. To my absolute surprise, it was Suzanne’s voice, saying “Is there any room at the Inn, kind sir?”
I must have looked puzzled. “Suzanne! I didn’t expect…”
Laughing, she said, “Can I come in, please, Tonie? I’ve a couple of big suitcases, so, if you can give me a hand, I’d be grateful”
Still puzzled, I said, “Of course. I’ll carry your cases in. Just show me where they are.” She handed me her very heavy case and went back to the car for another. Within a few minutes, both cases were in the house and we were sitting together, on the sofa. “So, tell me what happened?”
“Well, for some unknown reason, my very nosey mother decided to phone me at Emma’s this morning. My phone was switched off and, after leaving a few messages, she decided to phone Emma. I had forgotten that I must have given her Emma’s number, some time ago. I don’t know exactly what was said, but my mother managed to guess that I wasn’t at her house.”
“Oh!” Realisation dawned. “So, how did your mother react when she found out?”
Suzanne gave a nervous little laugh. “She was so disappointed and angry with me. So I told her the truth, that I was at your place. Tempers flared and she called me a ‘slut’. I was furious that she could treat me this way and told my mother that I would move in with you permanently.” She paused, letting this fact sink in. “I am so sorry, Tonie. I didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you.”