Ghost Stories - Lorna Bradbury [4]
‘Did the baby bring you anything? a gift?’ the woman persisted.
‘I’m not sure I understand …’ Lisa paused, puzzled by the questions. The woman had a local accent, not unlike Jenny’s. Lisa felt a mild panic rising in her chest. She tried to think clearly, get her thoughts in order. how foolish. She should have asked for some iD. The papers were full of warnings about bogus callers, trying to distract you and take your money when you’d left your purse on the kitchen table. Even worse, some tried to snatch children … babies too. The rain hammered on the windowsill. Lisa shivered. Too late, she realised the woman had brought a freezing chill into their cottage.
The woman sensed her discomfort. ‘worry not, Mrs Penrose. i’m here to help you. You can call me Mandy. You’ll be feeling tired, babies always make you tired. it’s normal to feel cold when you’re tired.’ She smiled again. The woman’s green eyes stayed focused on her face, so why did Lisa get the unnerving feeling that her gaze could explore the whole room at the same time?
‘well, look here, I don’t actually know you … do i? how do I know that Jenny sent you? we’re told to be very careful these days …’
Mandy laughed bitterly. ‘how would I know your name, Mrs Penrose? or where to find you? or that you have a beauty boy here, down those stairs? of course your friend Jenny sent me. She can’t help you now. i’m the only one who could get here, you see. all the others are waiting on the other side.’ a forced smile played on her lips.
Lisa wondered why Mandy’s assurances didn’t make her feel any better.
‘Yes, yes, of course I realise that the ferry’s not running. nobody can come across to this side until the weather clears.’ She released a tiny breath, as she felt her chest tighten, while she pondered the stranger’s words. Jenny had explained that Mandy would cover for her today and that she lived on this side of the estuary, along the top road. with a sinking feeling in her stomach, Lisa asked, ‘how did you get here, in all this terrible weather?’
‘Top road, Mrs Penrose. I rushed here at once. only a beauty boy would be worth it, don’t you think?’ She smiled icily again, while her long white fingers explored the handrail that led down to the baby’s bedroom.
‘of course.’ Lisa squirmed awkwardly. She was sure that the stranger had moved noiselessly alongside her, but she couldn’t be sure. She needed to think. She must protect her baby. ‘i’m so sorry, i’m forgetting my manners, would you like a cup of tea or something? Jenny always does,’ she offered helplessly. outwardly trying to appear calm, inside she felt terrified.
The woman’s eyes clouded slightly. ‘Just a glass of water, if you please, just water …’
The kitchen was on the ground floor of the cottage. She motioned to Mandy to go ahead down the stairs, petrified, yet keeping an eye on her. when they reached the closed bedroom door, Mandy paused and breathed in deeply. it was as if she had smelt something – like a brief scent of the sea, in a winter breeze, drifting over a sandy beach. She exhaled slowly, turned to smile coldly at Lisa, and then carried on. She floated effortlessly down the stairs. when they reached the kitchen, Lisa opened a cupboard door, reached in for a glass and walked over to the tap to fill it, making sure that the woman was in view the whole time. her hands shook as she filled the glass.
‘The beauty boy – he’s called Daniel, yes?’
‘Yes … yes … we named him after my husband, Dan.’ in fact she was relieved that she had produced a boy. if the baby had been a girl, Dan had insisted on amanda. her death still weighed heavily on him. he blamed himself, even though it was so long ago, when they were much younger. it wasn’t his fault that the boom rolled across so suddenly that she didn’t see it coming. it was dark.
They were coming into the harbour after a long, tiring day racing far out at sea. he did his best to find her, but the icy water