Chapter Five
Where There's A Will There's A Way
"I really can't tell you how very happy I am," Harriet cooed happily as Carolyn showed her to the back guest bedroom.
Olivia was staying in the bigger guest room next to the master bedroom. Carolyn had no intention of dispossessing her.
"Well, I am happy for you," Carolyn reassured her, hugging her cousin and kissing her cheek.
"You were right, of course…" Harriet sniffed, returning the hug. "You always are, my dear, dear Carolyn. Owen does love me. He just didn't know how to show it. Until two years ago, he even… um, he didn't seem to be able to find the time to share my bed," she admitted with a bright flush of embarrassment in her cheeks.
"Of course…" She waved a dismissing hand. "My dear husband was always working so very hard to keep me as I deserve." She preened slightly, looking around the smaller room than she was used to occupying. "Now I may do as I please and I couldn't be happier."
She sighed happily. "Owen is quite the changed man. And it's all because of you."
"My part was only small…" Carolyn denied softly, knowing the true cause of Owen Mitford's change of heart. "But I am truly glad it has all worked out. You must be very keen to get back to Owen and… civilisation. We mustn't keep you. Lovely as it is to see you again and learn your wonderful news."
"It is so very wonderful, isn't it?" Harriet laid a hand close to the soft swell of her abdomen. "And yes, you are right again, my dear. Owen has told me I must not spend more than a night or two away from him." She chuckled delightedly. "Of course, I told him I would be home when I have had a wonderful and cosy visit with my dear cousin and her family."
Again, she looked around the smaller room. "And it seems cosy is the right word."
"Olivia is our good friend," Carolyn told her. "She was very helpful when the twins were born. She has almost become a part of our family."
Harriet arched her brows. "Ah, but she's not actually family, now is she?" She shook her head. "And there was Emily saying just the other day, how she would adore to come for another visit. But it seems there is no room at the inn." She clicked her tongue.
"My mother was being mischievous. My parents were here only a few weeks ago," Carolyn reminded her with a frown. "But we shall not squabble about who comes to my house." Carolyn hugged her cousin. "I will leave you to rest and have a good night's sleep. We'll talk again in the morning."
She turned and left the room before Harriet could detain her with more complaints or unwarranted observations.
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"I'm very sorry to have to say it, but I've come up empty on the cat front." Claymore sighed early the next morning after he'd driven out to the house to deliver the news in person.
He dragged his hat from his head. The words were bitter to confess, but he'd wasted enough time on the hunt for a suitable animal for the Gull Cottage children.
What hurt more was the thought of giving up his reward. It had kept him awake at night and made him even more irascible than usual. It seemed the whole town had conspired to not sell him a single animal. He shook his head in disbelief.
Then, all of a sudden last night, he began to have an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was not right. Dread tightened the skin between his shoulder blades. He found himself jumping at shadows. Voices started whispering inside his head, making him even more afraid.
"Oh, that's fine. Don't worry…" Carolyn replied cheerily as she closed the front door behind him. "I'm sorry, but I forgot to telephone to say we have a cat now. Quite unexpectedly."
"You do?" Claymore looked aggrieved. "Well, you should have said. I wouldn't have wasted so much precious time." He put a hand to his aching head.
"Well, it has been rather hectic around here," Carolyn confessed with a shake of her head as she guided Claymore into the living room. "You see, Harriet has decided to call on us again. Without even ringing first. She had some family news she wanted to share."
"Harriet?" Claymore's eyebrows rose in dismay. "Your Cousin Harriet? Oh, no, no, no, no. That is one woman I do not care to ever meet again." He crammed his hat back onto his head, turning for the front door.
"Oh, don't worry. It's too early and she's still in bed," Carolyn soothed, catching his arm to take him into the living room. "She said she doesn't get up until nearer to midday."
"Very well. But please, Carolyn, do not bend the material," Claymore fussed. "Do not hold me so tight. This is a new jacket." He pulled away from her grasp and fiddled with the set of his sleeve, sighing heavily.
"Then come on in and sit down and we shall have a cup of coffee together. I am sorry you have been so put out. You look quite done in. What if I add a slice of Martha's cherry cake?"
"I suppose…" Claymore subsided with ill grace onto the couch. "I've been too upset to eat my breakfast. What sort of animal did you purchase then? I'm sure I could have found you a better bargain if I had been given more time."
"Oh, Bruiser was a bargain." Carolyn laughed. "He didn't cost us a single cent. Olivia Tibaldi found him on the side of the road as she drove out to see us. He was looking for a new home, so she brought him here."
"I see…" Claymore scowled at her. "Then I wish you well with your bargain. Bruiser is a name that does not endear itself to me."
He did not look at all pleased. But it couldn't be helped. Carolyn shook her head at him as she went to the kitchen to make their coffee.
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At the same time as Claymore arrived at the house, George Turner materialised in his prey's office only to find it empty. He walked into the bedroom to discover that equally unoccupied.
"Confound the man…" he grumbled. "Where are you?"
He badly wanted to put the fear of the devil into someone, and Gregg was an easy target. Late last night, he'd sent out whispers to soften up his victim, make him afraid before Turner appeared to him.
They seemed to have had no effect. The man had gone out about his business without even eating his usual hearty breakfast. That was a clue that all was not well. But Gregg wasn't cowering in his bed like a jabbering fool either.
"This is unacceptable…" Turner sighed, aware his usual powers were rusty from long disuse.
He needed to start with the small fry, the ones who truly didn't matter before he worked his way up to the bigger fish like Captain Daniel Gregg. He was wary of the demon knife that interfering Captain Lucius Beaumont had used against him last time. He had to assume that it was still in his arch-enemy's possession.
To find favour with his mercurial master, he needed to take back the prize of Daniel Gregg's immortal soul to keep his position in his master's realm. A task more fraught with danger than Turner had anticipated. This was his final bid to be successful. He was well aware his master would not give him another chance to prove his worth. He would be sent to the lowest circle, never to climb back out again. It sharpened his resolve to succeed this final time.
"Why are none of them ever where they're supposed to be?" He waved an angry fist at the vacant office.
He longed for the good old days when Captain Gregg was at sea and more vulnerable as a human man. Now, his powers as a super spirit were formidable and not to be taken lightly.
Turner pulled off his spectacles and put the palm of one hand over his left eye. Even after all the years that passed, he could still feel the pain and agony of that harpoon going into his skull through his eye socket as he fought to overcome Gregg and his blasted ship. In a moment of vulnerability, it had been that awesome weapon that had damaged his sight, making the spectacles necessary whenever he appeared in his human form.
Assuming the body of a great grey sperm whale should have spelt the end of Gregg and his crew. But two lucky casts of that vicious harpoon had put paid to Turner's best efforts to sink her. The Carolyn had triumphed, and Turner had been forced to withdraw from the field of battle to lick his wounds, leaving his enemies to their hard-fought victory.
It still rankled, the injustice of it all. Of course, they did not play fair. They couldn't admit when they were beaten, like any sane men would, and accept their fate. Turner cursed the very day Gregg had first crossed his path and made his eternity into a living hell.
"That's supposed to be my job!" Turner waved a clenched fist again as he vanished from the scene.
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Olivia walked into the living room followed closely by the twins and Bruiser. She paused and frowned when she saw Claymore sitting next to Carolyn on the couch.
"Good morning. I must say, there's an aura about you," she pronounced softly, pointing her thumb at him. "Something is not right."
"I knew it!" Claymore returned his half-empty cup to the tray on the coffee table in agitation. "I've been feeling off-colour since yesterday. I've been having nightmares and odd dreams." He tittered nervously. "Almost like someone has just walked over my grave, so to speak."
"What's a grave?" Danny asked with interest.
"Nothing either of you two need to worry about," their mother said quickly, standing up to take a small shoulder in each hand. "Why don't you go into the kitchen and see Martha about your breakfast? We'll be in shortly." She pushed them gently out the open doors.
"Oh, all right…" Lucy dragged her feet after her brother as they left the room followed by their pet.
Carolyn closed the doors behind them. She turned to find the other two watching her.
"What?" she asked nervously.
"That monster is your pet?" Claymore asked accusingly. "You never said you wanted a Maine Coon. I don't think I've ever seen one that big. It looks quite vicious. Are you sure it's safe?"
"Bruiser is here by his choice," Olivia replied. "He needed a good home and he found one. He's very good with the children. Do not be concerned."
"If you say so…" Claymore scowled. "And what was that you said about my aura? What did you mean, something is not right? I can feel it's not."
Olivia shrugged. "There is a darkness following you. Like you have a bad spirit attached to your back." She smiled. "We could have a séance and find out exactly who or what it is. My spirits are curious to know."
"Thanks, but no thanks," Claymore replied sharply. "All your séances did was give me grief and heartburn." He pressed a hand to his sternum.
"Suit yourself. "Olvia shrugged. "But don't say I didn't warn you. There is something nasty afoot. I can feel in the fabric of the universe."
"Then where is your husband?" Claymore turned to Carolyn. "If there's anything nasty around here, then he should be the one to sort it out. What with that awful Paul Wilkie poking his nose into everyone's business and making a nuisance of himself. And then that demon trying to take away my immortal soul..."
"Paul Wilkie?" Carolyn asked. "Why did you just mention him? That was years ago. We've heard nothing more from him since. I'm sure he's not around anywhere."
Claymore groaned as he fell backwards on the couch, with one hand draped over his eyes. "I don't know what made me say his name. I feel upset and all at sea. I wouldn't be surprised if I have a touch of dyspepsia." He grimaced. "You know how prone I am to such things. It all makes me feel quite faint… Quite faint, I tell you. I might never recover."
"Perhaps one of Martha's breakfasts would perk you up," Carolyn replied, walking to the couch to take his hand from his eyes. "I'm sure she can rustle you up something special to sustain you in your time of need. You might be faint from hunger."
Both women exchanged glances. Olivia nodded and pointed toward the ceiling and the wheelhouse. "I'll go on up and see what's keeping the Captain. There is more here than we know."
"I suppose I could be persuaded to partake of a small amount of food…" Claymore sighed as he allowed himself to be drawn to his feet. "Nothing too rich now, mind. I could manage a sausage or two. Maybe some bacon, eggs and a few slices of toast…"
He tottered after Carolyn as she led him from the room. "And I wouldn't say no if you happen to have any fresh mushrooms and perhaps some tomatoes…"
"Just a light snack…" Olivia smiled as she walked out behind them and turned for the staircase. Claymore could still be heard discussing his needs as he followed Carolyn into the kitchen.
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"Oh, my, oh, my, oh, my…" Elroy Applegate paced up and down inside his Spirit Island cabin. "What's to do? What's to be done? I don't like it! Not one bit!"
He was followed, step for step in his agitation, by Mr Peabody. The cat yowled plaintively as he tried to get in his master's way to stop him from walking and start thinking of a solution.
"I know, I know…" Elroy dragged off his tasselled cap to twist it between his hands in agitation. "But the Captain's not gonna be pleased. Not pleased at all."
"Miaow…" the cat replied, swishing his tail against his master's legs.
"Yes, you're right, of course…" Elroy stopped and pulled his cap back onto his head. "I must inform my Captain immediately! And his pretty lady! She needs to know there is desperate trespass afoot. And after all this time. It is not to be borne…"
He walked to the cabin window to look outside. "If only I was human again. I would fetch my swab and see him off and no mistake. Daring to come here again, trespassing where he's not allowed!"
"Miaow…" the cat said, swishing his tail harder against his master's legs.
Elroy glanced down at him. "Yes, well if you were still a cat, my friend, you could certainly see the man off."
He glared through the window at the furtive figure of Paul Wilkie. The man was older and thinner, but it was him.
The intruder was walking the ground between the two cabins studying everything and anything in view. He'd already tried to force his way into the main cabin to no avail. He was now working his way toward the smaller structure, Elroy's cabin.
"Ohhh, I hate that man!" Elroy shook his fist at the erstwhile parapsychologist. "Why can't he just leave well enough alone? What does he want with us this time?"
Mr Peabody sighed as he stared up at his master. He reached out one paw and sank a single claw gently into Elroy's leg to regain his attention.
"Go now?" Elroy jumped. "Oh, yes. Yes, of course. You're quite right. I will go right now to Gull Cottage."
He vanished as he spoke. The cat sighed again, giving a small hiss of dissatisfaction as he followed him. The next moment the doorknob rattled as Wilkie tried to force his way into the cabin.
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Daniel was seated on the red velvet loveseat, writing in his diary by the sunlight streaming in through the small window behind him. He liked the solitude of the early morning when the children were all still asleep and the house was quiet.
Harriet's unexpected arrival last night had upset the much-needed balance and order of his home. He'd retired to the wheelhouse as soon as possible after dinner, leaving the woman to Carolyn and Olivia to deal with. Keeping watch for any more disruptions, he'd not slept, and the dawn found him still on duty, making his plans to move Harriet on as soon as possible.
But he was well aware that soon he would have to return downstairs and face the day. "A few more moments of peace," he muttered as he turned the page and continued writing.
A knock on the door distracted his attention as Olivia walked in, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry to intrude so early in the morning," she said. "But your good lady thought you should know."
"Please, come in…" Daniel sighed as he put his pen aside. "What is it now?"
Before the little medium could reply there was the sound of huffing and puffing from the other corner of the room. With a great deal of grunting and twisting, Elroy finally made his appearance, followed more smoothly by his cat.
"Oh, my Captain. Thank heavens you're in," the seaman exclaimed, clapping both hands together. "I was so afraid you wouldn't be here."
"Where else would I be?" Daniel demanded to know, feeling now more than a prickle of unease.
"Sorry, Sir. So sorry…" Elroy saluted haphazardly in his agitation. "But it's not good news, I'm afraid."
"I'm afraid my news is no better, either," Olivia added quickly. "Your great-nephew is downstairs, and he has brought trouble with him. Your world is about to be disrupted again."
Daniel frowned. "Since when is Claymore's appearance nothing but trouble? What has he done now?"
"I would speak with you, Sir…" Elroy cast a doubtful look at the medium. "In private if you please, Sir."
"I do not please!" Daniel bit back at him. "Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Madame Tibaldi. She knows everything about us."
"Very well. If you say so, Sir…" Elroy saluted again. "Ma'am…" He saluted Olivia for good measure.
"Elroy…" Daniel replied through set teeth.
"It's Paul Wilkie, Sir…" Elroy rushed to say even as he cringed. "Wilkie's back. He's out at the island right now. Poking his nose into everything, he is. Mr Peabody said we's to come and tell you right away. I hated to leave him there, Sir. But what else could I do?"
"Wilkie, you say?" Daniel scowled at his crewman. "What the devil does he want after all this time? I thought we had dealt with him."
"Nothing good, I'll venture," Olivia said. "It seems your lives are to be intruded on once more. Harriet will be the least of your concerns."
"Yes…" Daniel stroked his bearded chin with one hand thoughtfully. "It seems Carolyn was right in her concerns there was something nasty brewing."
"I fear there may be more than this Wilkie character." Olivia spread her hands wide. "Your Claymore brings a bad aura with him. There is some force out there that seeks to do him harm. He just doesn't know it yet. I did try to warn him."
"If there's not a single dime involved in his future then Claymore isn't interested," Daniel grouched. "He only ever has one thought in his head and that is to be richer today than he was yesterday."
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