Seeing Is Believing

Chapter Five

" The cat was making noise again last night ," Hannes complained to Renata as he ate a bowl of cereal.

" No, it was a lady screaming," Alice retorted as she dunk a spoon into her Cheerios.

Everyone looked towards Vanessa, who sat glaring at her glass of milk like it offended her somehow. Except for Alice, of course, who was too busy chewing.

It has been three days since Naude's visit.
Three days since she last seen a ghost, and frankly she didn't care.

She'd been watching Alice all night every night to make sure she was safe.

She was so tired the previous night that she didn't even hear the screaming.

Duart had come by the previous afternoon to ask the family over for lunch today.

Apparently they'll be having a braai. A braai that should rather have been held at night.

Renata accepted the invitation , promising to make the cabbage salad for the event.

" There was no lady ,Alice. Vanessa obviously told you that to scare you ," Nicolette said annoyed with the little girl.

" Vanessa didn't! I saw her in the corner of my room last night! Vanessa was sleeping."

Vanessa looked up and over to her little sister. " She's been watching us?!" Her voice portrayed her alarm at Alice's revelation.

" Yes," Alice affirmed," She said that she wanted to play hide and seek with me."

Vanessa's eyes widened, fear growing in her gut. " Alice, you shouldn't play with her! She's bad news."

" I know. Naude and old man Stumpy said so. Her name's Lola. The old lady chased her away. She was so angry."

"You spoke to Naude?!"

" Wait, who are you two talking about?," Jurie asked confusedly, his eyes darting from one to the other.

Vanessa looked down at her plate , avoiding his eyes.

" The man standing before the bathroom door," Alice piped up and Vanessa just barely resisted the urge to facepalm.

Alice was too honest for her own good.

" There is no man standing before the bathroom door," Renata said, shooting Vanessa a glare, obviously thinking that it was one of Vanessa's tall tales.

" But, Mamma....!"

" No ,Alice, stop it! And stop listening to Vanessa's stories. Eat your food. We still have some things to do today.... Vanessa, I want you to do the laundry today."

Vanessa didn't look at her mother. Doing laundry was her mother's favorite punishment . It seemed she got it today. She didn't really mind, though. It got her out of doing other things.

At least they got a new washing machine the day before. Her mother went into town for that.

" Did you hear me , Vanessa?"

" Yes, Mamma," she said.

" Good, now everyone eat your breakfast and let's get this day started. Jurie, you and I will be looking through the basement today. See what we can throw out."

The boy nodded. " Yes, Mamma."

No one spoke again after that . Vanessa didn't finish her breakfast, feeling hurt about being blamed again.

" I should have a word with Naude and old man Stumpy. They really made things bad for me now by talking to Alice."

She walked to the laundry room and began sorting through the clothes, ignoring the way the hair on her arms rose .