love to me. It was full of heat and hunger, passion and unspoken emotion. But entwined within it all was a hint of desperation and sorrow; he knew, like I knew, that we were coming to an end, even if he had no idea how or why.
I headed back to the café the following morning. There was a steady flow of customers over the course of the day, which meant Belle and I couldn’t get across to the scout hall until after we’d closed at three. Jaz met us there and ushered us into the small front room again. As I set up a protection circle, Belle carefully probed the atmosphere in the main hall.
“There’s less confusion and disbelief today,” she said. “That will at least make things easier.”
“Maybe they’ve had time to think about—and accept—what has happened,” I said.
“I’m not so sure of that. At least one of them is feeling belligerent.”
“Do you come across many belligerent spirits?” Jaz asked.
Belle grimaced. “More than you’d think, unfortunately. In this case, he was the first to die, and in these sorts of situations, they’re often the most obstinate.”
“I really am going to have to sit you down over a drink or two and quiz you. It’s all really fascinating.” She got out her phone. “Ready when you are.”
Belle stepped into my circle, then sat and crossed her legs. “There may not be much to record, as the two who remained were the first to die and might not have seen or heard much.”
“I’ve still got to record it.”
I raised the protection circle, then sat opposite Belle and shuffled forward until our knees touched. “Ready?” I asked, and held out my hands.
She nodded and placed her hands in mine. Contact with the souls in the other room was almost instant.
What the fuck is going on? Why the fuck am I still here?
Belligerent was certainly an apt term for this particular soul.
I explained all that the last time I spoke to you, Belle said.
I wasn’t listening last time.
I’m well aware of that. Only the slightest hint of an edge in her otherwise calm mental tone gave away her annoyance. You’re dead, Morris, and it happened before your allotted time. That means you can either stay here, permanently haunting this hall, or you can accept my assistance to move on.
I’d rather be fucking alive.
I’m sure you would, but that’s not an option.
And what about the bitch who killed me? Can I go after her? Kill her? Ghosts can do that sort of thing, can’t they?
It’s a rare ghost that can interact with the real world, and you, I’m afraid, are not that special.
Well, aren’t you a charmer? He looked around. Where are the others? I only see Dorothy.
The others chose to move on. Belle paused. Tell me, what exactly did you see or hear before you found yourself in this situation?
This situation? That’s a pretty mild term for it, isn’t it?
I was being polite.
He grunted. Well, don’t bother on my account. It won’t change a goddamn thing, will it?
Belle’s mouth twitched. What can you tell me about your killer, Morris?
He growled, though it was a sound of frustration rather than anger. Not much. Heard a noise, turned, and she was on me.
And there was nothing unusual about her that you remember?
Well, her face was a fucking mess. Other than that … He paused. There was a sweetie stuck in her hair.
Belle blinked. A sweetie?
Yeah, you know, a lolly. One of them humbug things they used to make over at Butterworth’s.
They no longer do? Belle asked.
No. Old man Butterworth had a heart attack six months ago, and production ground to a halt. Haven’t been able to get fresh humbugs since. And I guess I won’t now, will I?
No, I’m afraid not. Is there anything else you can remember about her?
She was fast. Other than that, no
Then what do you want to do, Morris? Stay here, or move on?
Well, it’s not much of a fucking choice, is it? Despite the lingering anger, there was an undercurrent of acceptance in his tone now. Move on, I guess. I certainly don’t want to be hanging about this maggoty old hall for eternity.
Are you certain?
Of course I’m fucking certain. I said yes, didn’t I?
Another smile twitched Belle’s lips. Once she’d moved him on, she turned her attention to the more fragile-looking Dorothy. The other woman had nothing much to add, but she also obstinately refused to move on, even after Belle explained the consequences. Belle sighed, wished her peace,