“You mean laughing.”
He opened the door to find the hallway empty. “Nicky!” he called out. “I’m done. You can have your friend back now!”
Richard was lying in bed as his wife slept next to him. The dread he felt earlier had subsided. He wasn’t sure whether it was the presence of Nicky, or in fact his conversation with Karen. Either way he felt a lot better.
It’s all bogus nonsense, he thought as he stared up at the glass light fixture. Of course she’s going to say that my house is haunted—she’s a bloody hippy-witch. Yeah, some of what she said seemed plausible, but going over to Ilene’s to investigate a dead woman—no freaking chance. No, it’s just sheer boredom and coincidence. Nothing else. No ghosts. No demons. And no strange goings-on. Just an ordinary house in Bristol.
Time to focus my energy on normal things. Important things.
He turned to face Nicky. He listened to the sound of her gentle breath as she lay facing him. It made him happy. Then the feelings of guilt he had experienced on Friday resurfaced. How could he spend so much time away from home, away from her? What could she have thought of him? Did she think that he didn’t love her, that he would rather spend his time slaving away at the office? Or what if she thought he was sleeping with one of his work colleagues? Maybe even Leah? After all, she did blame Leah for all the long hours, even though it was his persistence that kept him working overtime.
Turning to her, he smiled. I’m going to make it up to her. When I’m back on my feet, things are gonna change. I promise. No more long hours. I’ll be a new man. A better man. He reached forward and placed his hand on her lower back. But as he made contact, she mumbled something inaudible in her sleep, making him smile again, pushing away his guilty conscience. Trying to make out what she was saying, he leaned in close. Her words were nothing but gibberish, so he gave up and moved away. But as he did, he could faintly hear a sentence form.
“Have you seen my baby?”
His heart almost stopped with fear. Leaning in close once again, he waited for her to say something else. “Nicky?” he whispered. “Are you awake?” With no reply he turned and lay on his back. How could she know about my dream? Did I tell her? Or Karen? No, I didn’t. I’m sure of it. Could it just be a bizarre coincidence?
Frowning, he glanced over at his wife again. She was still fast asleep. He shook his head in disbelief. I’ll ask her tomorrow. See what she says. It can’t be a coincidence. Impossible. But what’s the alternative? An actual ghost? In my house?
He groaned. More stress.
This is the last thing I need.
Chapter 6
Day 6: Sunday
Richard awoke to the sound of hard rain hitting the bedroom window. He hadn’t been able to drop off until about 5:30 a.m. The idea that his house might be haunted kept his mind busy throughout the night. Was everything that Karen had told him right? Was there a dead woman in his kitchen? Did she want something from him?
And if so, what?
What could Richard Gardener have that she needed? He wasn’t an expert when it came to the supernatural. He knew a little, but the majority of his knowledge came from movies and Stephen King novels.
Not real life.
Not his life.
He slipped both hands behind his head. I’ll ask Nic about her dream when she wakes. He sighed. What’s the point? She’ll never believe me. And even if she does, she’ll come up with some logical explanation—that I won’t agree with—and then we’ll start arguing again. No, it’s not worth it. Best keep my mouth shut.
Turning onto his side, he watched as Nicky began to stir. Maybe I’ll save it for another day. I think today I need to give this house a wide berth and try to enjoy my Sunday.
Nicky half-opened her eyes and smiled. “What d’ya think you’re looking at?” she whispered.
“Why don’t we do something nice today?” he asked.
“Like what?”