Ghosts

Chapter 5

The house was cold. The only room that would possibly warm up even slightly, was the lounge. Base camp, she decided. She set the chair down, draping the sleeping bag over it for padding. She was hoping it wouldn't come to actually using it for sleeping, because she had no desire to spend the night there, as well as the day. But if she had to, she would. From one of the bags she got an extra sweater and pulled that on. 'Uncle Ben? Aunt Daphne? Harmony?' She waited a moment, then repeated it. Still she got nothing. Sitting in the chair, she relaxed as best she could, wrapping her arms around herself. As she waited, she remembered the many times she had been in this room. Happier times. Being so close, they were always in one another's homes. It always seemed to be somebodies birthday. Aunt Daphne was a good cook and party giver, and she had many friends. The house would be packed, music would be playing, beer and wine would be flowing. Uncle Ben was a jolly man, always quick with a one liner or a funny story. Harmony was a great kid, and often the centre of attention, but seldom grumpy or playing up. Violet connected with Harmony, even with the ten year age gap. Both being only children gave them a special bond. It was Harmony she missed the most. If it hadn't been for their idiot fathers, none of this would have happened. It was so typical of her father to think he could fix anything. He couldn't even get his artificial leg to work properly. He'd only got the job as maintenance engineer at the plant because he was a friend of the manager. Uncle Ben should have known better than trust his older brother with anything like installing the hot water system. When it all happened, her dad had locked himself away in the house. His weekends in the Spit and Bucket were over, unable to face the accusing looks and whispering, or how the place went instantly quiet the minute he walked in the bar. Nobody said anything to his face, but he could see it in their expressions. So he had resurrected his home brewing kit and drank at home. Mom was always a heavy drinker, but after the accident, she was worse than ever. There had been many fights between them but eventually, some normality returned. Grandma spent more time out on the porch with Cyclops, her one eyed ferret. Dad took over looking after her marijuana crop in the old greenhouse, making sure she was well supplied. Grandma was her mom's mother. That didn't stop her telling Dad what she thought of his stupidity. Nothing was the same, now. A big slice of her life was over and a big cloud of depression hung over everything. She had made up her mind. As soon as the house was sold, she would take off. Start a new life as far away from Hillsdown as she could possibly get. She had skills. All she needed were some qualifications to go with them. She could train for something new. Be a nurse. Join the navy. Anything to get away. All she had to do was sell the house first. She picked up the Jackie Collins and started to read.