W B Aodh Gothic Ghost Stories

Afternoon Visitors

The candles flickered. There was no need for Bailey to count them for she knew the precise number. The flames were small and glowed gold with amber. The sooner she blew the candles out. The sooner they should come.

Bailey, or Bay as she was affectionally known by her friends, closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and made her wish as she blew in the air. At the claps and cheers, she opened her eyes. The candles were no longer visible, and the sun was bright. The beat in her heart skipped. Her friends were gone, and she found herself surrounded by sand. A young woman with sable brown hair hanging down to her waist, stood in front of her. Her brown eyes steady as she watched Bay. Bay opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“Hello, Bailey.”

“You know me?” Bay asked, breaking free of the dream which held her enthralled at her new surroundings.

The woman’s soft laugh filled the air around them. “I’ve been expecting you. I’m Finola, but you can call me Finn,” Finn said. “Come, follow me. Let’s have tea.

Bay glanced around at her surroundings. In front of her lay the sea. The waves crashed silently against the sandy shore. The weather was calm. The sun was bright, and a seagull flew above. Its squark echoed through the sky in its hunt for food. Beneath her bare feet, smooth grains of sand drifted through her toes, and a warmth flooded through her body. Finn had left. Had wandered down to the water’s edge as she strolled to the cottage up ahead. Bay watched. Then drawing in a deep breath, took her first step. This was what she wanted.

When the letter arrived from her Great Uncle Earnest’s solicitor. An uncle she had never met, stating he had left her the cottage, she had been reluctant to visit the cottage. To clean and clear it. After leaving it for as long as she could, she and her friends decided to make a weekend of it. The cottage was on a beach, and the plan was to clear the property in the morning. Swim and sunbathe in the afternoon. Then relax in the evening. It had sounded like fun.

It had not taken long to clear the house. Several trips to the dump. A few trips to the charity shop. The few things she decided to keep for herself, they had packed, ready to take back with them. The cottage was clean, and as she stood at the door; Bay decided not to sell the cottage. On her next visit, she planned to decorate the place. Rent it to holiday makers and use it herself as often as she could.

The four-day weekend had passed. Her stay too brief, and tomorrow, they were returning home. As part of their farewell party, Bay and her friends decided to hold a séance using Great Uncle Earnest’s book. When she found the book amongst her Great Uncle Earnest’s belongings she had scoffed. The things she read could not be real. As Bay looked around, her smile deepened. This was an adventure she never expected.

As Bay followed Finn, she wondered if her friends knew what had happened. Were they frantic at her disappearance. Bay pinched herself. Was this her actual body or was it a spectre. Had she fallen into a dream? The soft grit of sand felt real beneath her toes. The sea air smelt real, and the sun warmed her flesh. It had to be real she decided, stepping through the cottage front door. She blinked. The cottage looked the same. Only the furniture was fresher, cleaner. The paintwork unchipped. The carpet new.

“Bay, I’m so happy you could join us.” A man with dark hair, and sparkling brown eyes, stepped forward, hugging her. “I’m your Uncle Earnest,” he said.

“This is your cottage?” Bay asked.

Earnest chuckled as he strolled to a sideboard. “Can I get you a drink?” he asked.

Bay wanted to laugh. Could she have a drink. Would she be able to taste it? Would she enjoy it? There was only one way to find out. “Please,” she said.

“It’s the family’s cottage,” Finn said, coming to stand beside her. “I’m your Great, Great Aunt.” Finola frowned. “I think, I am anyway.”

Bay spluttered as she sipped her drink. The gin stronger than she expected. Prepared, and aware the drink tasted real, she took a hesitant sip. When she decided to hold the séance, she was unsure what to expect. But it was not this. She thought, if it worked, the spirits would visit her.  Not that she would come to them. “Is there just you and Uncle Earnest?” she asked.

Finn shook her head. “Sassy will join us. But the others. Your mother, and grandmother. They’re off doing other stuff.”

Earnest’s gruff laugh filled the room, “It can get a bit crowded when we all gather. I was used to seeing one or two at a time.” His smile deepened. “Gave me quite a start when I woke up in my bed, and they were all standing around me. That’s when I knew I was dead.”

Bay strolled over to the window and gazed at the sea. She would have liked to have seen her mother. To spend time with her and chat. “Am I dead?” she asked. Her frown deepening. Had she died, and not in a trance as she thought. Bay shook her head. The cobwebs were there. But that could be the gin. Was it possible to get drunk if you were not alive. To taste and savour. So many thoughts spun in her head.

“Why would you think that?” Finn asked.

Bay giggled, “I don’t know. It’s just.” She waved her arm around the room. “It doesn’t seem real.”

Finn tapped Bay’s shoulder. “That’s because you’re not used to it. Once you are. You’ll love it.”

Bay took another sip of her drink. Although, she only sipped her drink, the glass never appeared to drain. “I guess I wasn’t expecting this.”

Finn frowned. “It’s a pity Earnest was too old to take you in when your mother died. Then all this wouldn’t be a shock. Your father’s mother. She took care of you?”

Bay nodded. “She was good to me. Just never spoke about my mother or her family.” Bay turned to Great Uncle Earnest. “When I found your diary. I couldn’t believe what I read. I thought you made it up.”

“That’s because he’s always making stuff up.” A young voice said as a child of ten skipped into the room. “I’m Sassy.” She squinted at Bay. “Do you like the cottage?” Sassy never bothered to wait for an answer as she turned to Finn. “Can I have some cake.” She then turned back to Bay. “Mamma makes the best cakes. Have you had one?”

Bay shook her head. “Not yet. But I’m sure they’re good.”

Finn clapped. “That’s why we’re here. For tea. Let’s go sit outside. The sun is bright, and we can chat.”

Bay followed her newly discovered family outside. The sun had risen a little higher, and it was a little warmer. As she stepped outside, Bay noticed the table and chairs she missed earlier. An afternoon tea was set out. On the cake stand were a selection of cakes and scones. Beside the stand, a bowl of thick cream, and a bowl of jam. On another plate a selection of sandwiches teased her taste buds. Beside the cake loaded stand, stood a blue porcelain teapot. Bay shook her head as she sat on a white rattan chair. “Do you do this often?” she asked.

Great Uncle Earnest smiled. “Takes some getting used to. I’ve only been dead four months. Feels so much longer. I was surprised at how quick I settled in. But then, they weren’t really a surprise were they. After all, I’ve always lived with them.” Great Uncle Earnest frowned. “We tried to contact you. You know. Well, that was in the early days before my memory went.” He leaned back in his chair. His brown eyes thoughtful as he stared at Bay. “We could never get through to you. Your mother thought she had your attention on occasion. But you would shake your head, then disappear.” Earnest’s frown deepened. “It would upset her. Made her think you had forgotten her. That you no longer loved her. Maybe on your next visit, you can have a chat with her.”

“On, Earnest. Leave the girl alone. She’s new to this. Let her find her spirit legs. Then we’ll take her to task,” Finn said.

“Can I be there when you do, Mamma?” Sassy turned to Bay. “Mamma turns a funny red when she tells you off,” she said.

“Now, Sassy. You eat your sandwich. With that kind of talk, Bailey might never return.”

Bay reached for a sandwich. As she bit into the soft dough; cheese, and onion, tingled her tongue, and she closed her eyes. Her grandma had been loving. After the death of her parents. her grandparents had done everything they could to make sure she was happy. She had a full childhood. Never missed out on siblings due to the vast number of cousins entangled in her life. Knowing all this, she knew as she listened to Sassy and Finn, she would return. To learn more about her mother’s family. “I’d like a chat with mum and meet the others.” Bay opened her eyes. “Is my dad here?” she asked.

“Uncle Mark’s here. He’s out on the fishing boat with Katy and Michael,” Sassy said.

“I’m happy you want to come back.” Finn looked at the sea. Then turned to Bay. “We watched you clean the cottage. You threw a lot of stuff away.” Her frown deepened. “We heard you talking to your friends.” Her smile returned. “I know we shouldn’t. But we love new gossip. You said you might sell the cottage.”

Bay glanced at the two-bedroom cottage. Unlike this cottage, which was perfect, the cottage she inherited needed renovating. The bathroom needed replacing, and a new cooker was required. “I’m not selling it. But I will rent it out on occasion. My job’s in town. But I’ll visit as often as I can.”

“Good. Take your uncle’s books with you. Open your mind, and we’ll be there. We’ll come visit you.”

Bay smiled. The sun was warm. She was happy. The afternoon passed too quick. When it was time to leave, she was reluctant to return to her own timeline. “I can stay a few more days,” she said.

Bay opened her eyes. The afternoon sun had dipped to the west. The only light in the room came from the gold and amber dancing flames on the candles. The curtains were drawn, and when she looked around, her friends were staring at her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be gone for so long,” she said.

Jenny, her cousin, and closest friend, smiled. “What do you mean. You haven’t been anywhere. We’re still waiting for something to happen.”

Bay blinked. “I have. I had afternoon tea with Great Uncle Earnest and his mother, Great, Great Aunt Finola. And Sassy. Earnest’s sister.

Jenny chuckled as she filled Bay’s glass with wine. “You haven’t had time. We’ve only just started the ritual. We’re still waiting for anyone to come.”

Bay glanced at her watch and frowned. No time had passed. She looked at the book she found. As she touched the binding, a cool hand pressed against her shoulder, and she turned. A faint shadow stood beside her. It was a child. Sassy had come, and Bay smiled. The afternoon had been real. She had met her family.

W B Aodh

©2024

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