The Broken Glass

Chapter One – A New Client

It was another wonderful, sunny day at Lockwood and Co. Lockwood swung his rapier toward Lady Esmerelda, our practicing dummy, whilst George snacked on cream filled donuts, and I casually watched Lockwood from my chair. Holly was folding clothes somewhere upstairs. Occasionally she's shout down into the office to let us know that yet another client had asked for our services. As usual, Quill Kipps, of the Fittes Agency, and Lockwood were still in stiff competition. The ghost in the jar was still helping us on cases and constantly badgering me to be let out. The phones were no-stop ringing and new clients came to see us every day. All was well in London, aside from the Problem, of course.

"Good morning everyone!" Holly cheerfully said as she entered the rapier room. "Another possible client just called. A man named Sir Samuel Blythe."

"I like that people want us to solve their ghost issues, but all these cases are wearing me out," George grumbled.

"Not me!" Lockwood exclaimed. "I'm quite enjoying myself."

I laughed. Lockwood shot me a grin as he settled down in a chair to munch on a donut. George smirked at me. And Holly? Holly didn't catch on. I broke the silence, "Right. What can you tell us about the case, Holly?"

"Well, from the little bit I could understand over the phone, he owns a large property in Bath. There is a family graveyard, a stone castle, and a large lake that he wants us to look at. Sir Samuel said that his son's family come to visit quite often, and the little girl has seen several things."

"Oh god," George moaned. "Ghosts who occupy water areas are so difficult."

"Hush. I'm interested." Lockwood glanced in George's direction.

"Well the granddaughter has seen most of the visitors. The types seem to vary. There have been reports of Glimmers, a Cold Maiden, the usual type-ones."

"Is that all?" Lockwood asked. "All of London has those. What's the main visitor?"

"The one that sticks out from the rest….is a Revenant," Holly said.

"A Revenant?" George shuddered. "It's been a while since we've had any of those."

I nodded, deep in thought. "What are you thinking about? Lucy? Luce?" Lockwood's voice shattered my reverie.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

Lockwood caught my eye. He knew something was up. He broke the connection. In a single movement, Lockwood had stood up and strode over to the rapier stand. "I say we take the case. When does Sir Samuel want us to come to Bath?"

"As soon as possible."

"Well," he grinned at all of us, his gaze resting on me, "let's make it happen."

Everyone headed their separate ways. George to the Archives, Holly to Mullet's Supply Store. Lockwood and I stayed at Portland Row to prepare for the next day. Upon coming up from the kitchen, I met Lockwood on the landing.

"I've been meaning to ask you, Luce. Was everything okay earlier? When we were discussing the case?"

I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I acted like I didn't. "Of course. Why shouldn't it have been?"

Lockwood studied me for a moment and then replied, "I don't know. Something about you just worried me. Are you sure?"

"Yes," I snapped. "I'm sure." I clomped up the stairs to my room leaving Lockwood dumbfounded on the landing. The sharpness in my voice frightened and startled me. I flung myself onto my bed and the waterworks began.

Sometime later, a single knock sounded on my bedroom door. "Who is it?" I sniffed. I'd been crying. The door slowly opened and Lockwood peered in. "Luce, I'm worried about- what on earth's wrong?" he'd noticed my tearstains.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." I wiped a tear away.

"Come on Lucy. Something's getting to you." He walked over to my bed and sat down. I huddled against my pillow. "Hey." he said. "You can tell me."

"I hate to, but I suppose I will. the last time I was in Bath, I was with my sister. and I know it's ridiculous for me to cry seeing as how you lost all your family and yet you stay strong, but I miss her so, so much." I lowered my gaze and felt a tear roll down my cheek.

"Oh Lucy..."

"It makes me weak, doesn't it?"

"No." He held my gaze as a sad smile presented itself on his face. "It makes you human. It makes you strong. Look at what our lives are. You deal with ghosts every day and don't shed a tear. It won't hurt you to cry now."

"What about ghosts of the past?" I sobbed, crashing against my pillow.

Lockwood looked at me. He leaned beside me, against the pillow, thinking. And then he swept me up in a hug. Lockwood held me in his arms. He brushed away my tears. Suddenly his lips were on my forehead, sighing against my cheek. I turned to him. His bangs hung in front of his noticeably shy eyes. Lockwood pushed a hair behind my ear and pulled me against him. He was warm. I felt my blood rush, and as I leaned against Lockwood's chest, I heard his erratic heartbeat. We huddled on my bed for a long time until I felt myself drift off into a much-welcomed sleep.