Just Chatting
Mike had been certain that his fall was purely due to the awful floorboards and rotten ceiling in the part of the house they hadn't had a chance to renovate. He knew it was on his 'find the money for' before the house falls down list but now it seemed more urgent. He had no idea why but he had a feeling a lot of people had a lot of expectations about him. He closed his eyes, laid as still as he could hoping sleep would come to him.
"You did talk." Robin stated as he sat on the edge of the bed. "You talk to me."
"I." Mike's eyes shot open. He was apparently alone in the room but he knew he had heard a gruff voice. He frowned, decided he was dreaming and closed his eyes again.
"You are ok. You look after house." He paused. "Make it nice."
Mike sat up, unable to see the caveman but instantly knowing who it was that was talking to him.
"Why can I hear you?"
Robin shrugged. "I dunno."
"I can't see you. I know Alison can." He ran a hand over his face. "Not me, I can't. I never even used to believe in ghosts. Not until we came to live here. Then Alison had her accident." He sighed. "Her fall. I thought she was having some sort of mental breakdown. Talking to dead people who we didn't even know."
"So she talk to dead people you know. That be ok?"
"Er, well no." Mike shook himself. He had no idea what was happening to him but the voice seemed calm and friendly. "I think I need to stop my painkillers. I."
Another voice filled the room. "Why can he hear us but not see us?" Fanny's posh accident caused Mike to sit up a little straighter.
"Dunno." Robin sighed. "I dunno. Brain weird." He got off the bed. "I like it though. He what they say top bloke."
Mike smiled. "Thanks mate."
"You're welcome." Robin smiled. "You sleep now. Get well." He walked through the wall as Fanny straightened her back, looking down her nose at him she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She knew Alison had adapted to seeing the ghosts all around her but this was new to Mike. He knew they were there, knew they all existed in the house and would be there long after him but he had never actually communicated.
"This is so weird." Mike lay back on the bed. "So weird."
"I am not."
"Oh my God." He covered his face with his hands. "But young Alison is a member of the Button family. Maybe many generations after me but I will not have you leaving her as the only living member of this household and heartbroken. She is completely smitten with you, can't think why." She huffed. "But she is. As every wife should be with her husband, so you had better concentrate on getting yourself fit and healthy again. Is that clear?"
"Yes." Mike smiled. "Yes, its clear."
"Good." Fanny nodded once before disappearing from the room.
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Kitty walked along the corridor towards the large living room where she knew she would find Alison. She had lots of questions and knew there was a chance her best friend could answer them. There was so much she had to talk to her about. She smiled happily as she saw Alison sat with the Captain and Mary as they watched her try to start the log fire.
"Mike can hear us."
"I know." Alison stepped back, wiping her hands on her jeans.
The Captain nodded. "But he is unable to see us."
"Seems so."
"Weird." Julian affirmed as Kitty and Mary shot him a look.
"I like that he can hear us." Mary announced. "Makes things easier."
"Does it?" Alison asked herself more than her companions. "Does it really?"
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