together forever

next Halloween

It was the 31st of October, and Alison had spent the day trying to explain to the ghosts, that Halloween is a fun time of year, and is most certainly not mocking them at all, despite, deep down, knowing that it could be a little insensitive to their feelings. In spite of this, Alison had organised a Halloween party, with a few friends, and she was sure that Lady Button or Captain would have a few certain words to say to her the next morning. The house looked eerily spooky with the pin-up ghoulish figures hanging above the door, and bright orange bunting that read ‘Happy Halloween!’ Alison was really pleased with how everything was coming together, having left Mike to put together some simple snacks, all that they were missing were their guests.

The ghosts were eagerly chatting with one another about which kindred spirits might turn up at the house this evening, as Halloween was the one day of the year when ghosts were allowed to leave the grounds of Button House. The group had all come to the decision that they had nowhere they could possibly think of going, and in all honesty, they all really wanted to see how Alison’s party would play out, so they made the decision to stay in Button House this year.

Concerned that none of the guests had turned up yet, Alison headed outside to see a young man, in a military suit, very similar to that of the Captain’s walking towards her with an obvious limp. “Wow! You’ve made quite the effort for the party!” Alison laughed as she greeted her guest, who looked at her in horror, shocked that she could see him. Thomas sat at the window looking outside when his eyes landed on the officer talking to Alison. “Oops, looks like someone has a visitor! We should probably go and let Alison know that he’s a ghost!” The other ghosts' interest was perked at this as they all rushed outside, with Captain, hesitantly following behind the rest.

“Isn’t that? Oh, what’s his name?” Lady Button mumbled to herself, as Thomas scratched his chin in thought. Captain’s interest was perked as he tried to sneak a look before Robin quickly grunted in surprise. “H-Havers! Captain!! It Havers!” Robin yelled over excitedly, as the Captain’s eyes widened before he stepped forward. “I say, Havers, it’s bally good to see you again. Please excuse Alison she is under the impression you are a living.” He smiled at his second in command, as Alison’s eyes widened and she realised, before walking off to greet some of the other guests who had turned up.

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry it has been so long, but Sir, I must confess, how happy I am to see you again.” Havers spoke, his voice breaking at the end, as he started to show his nerves once again before Captain shot him a reassuring smile, that slowly but surely reached his eyes, not one of the many forced smiles he has put on his face in front of the other ghosts, but a real smile, because right now, was the happiest he had been since his second in command had left for the front line in South Africa. Havers noticed Captain’s genuine smile and suddenly his shoulders relaxed as he realised that the Captain had missed him, just as much as he had missed his commanding officer.

“There was something. I ahem, wanted to tell you all those years ago Havers, but I never got the chance, and now I fear it may be too late.” Captain spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, he could no longer maintain eye contact with Havers, his fingers clutching his swagger stick, before he heard that hoarse voice once more. “You do it, Captain. You tell man!” The caveman grumbled tired of waiting as the other ghosts mumbled in response, unbeknown to Captain, they all had silently had their own question’s in terms of Captain’s sexual orientation, ever since Alison had told them all that it’s no longer frowned upon and it’s something to take pride in.

“Sir, I believe I know what it is that you have wanted to tell me, but I must confess, the want to hear those words from you, is something I can hide no longer,” Havers spoke firmly, his eyes looking straight into Captain’s, with a hopefulness that maybe, just maybe, Captain felt the same way as he did. The commanding officer, stood before Havers his swagger stick clutched tightly between his hands, his nerves were showing. Many times he had thought about what he would say if given the chance, but now he had the opportunity, he didn’t know what to say, it was like, he didn’t know how to speak anymore.