Secrets And Tea

Chapter 12

Damien stood under the large tree behind his home wiping sweat off his forehead. It had been a few days since he had seen Thomas's ghost. 

It was unnerving knowing that he was sharing a place with ghosts. Already the place was looking extremely better than when he had first bought it. The yard was coming along great. He was currently building a place for a shed to put his stuff. 

Misty Grove had brought by native plants for him and planted them. They were low growing and easy to look after so he only had to do stuff like water them and prune some leaves. The inside of the house had just been refitted with new pipes and wires. Today the local construction company was working on the inside to replace old and rotted woods, flooring and drywall.

The work kept his mind off of Thomas's appearance from a few days ago. In that time he had spent a few hours here and there with Rionna. He found that she soothed his worries easily. Even if they only talked a few hours a day when he went to her shop for some tea and scones. He was particularly fond of the blueberry scones with jam and clotted cream. 

He was wondering about selling the old appliances and buying new ones. It would make it far easier than replacing them later. 

He was still thinking about it when there was a surprised shout and one of the workers came running out of the house. Two empty soda cans flying out after him.

Damien rushed forward. 

"What happened?" he asked

"I don't know. I was just getting a drink from the fridge when a can from the recycling bin was tossed my way. Next thing I know it was like they were all out to get me." 

Damien stared at the house concerned. 

"Where is your co worker?" he asked.

"He's still in there. He probably has his earphones in his ears so he didn't hear me scream." he said.

Worried Damien cautiously approached the house and looked inside. The kitchen looked like a war zone with cans flying everywhere. The fridge door was closed but the cans were everywhere.  

He carefully entered the kitchen and started to pick up the cans. 

"That little punk," came an old woman's craggy voice making Damien jump in surprise.

He turned to find the ghostly image of an elderly woman with a can standing there glaring at the door. 

"Ma'am?" he asked, "Who are you?"

The woman turned to look at him, "The previous owner of this house. Margaret Joplin. I was wondering about when I noticed that man." she jabbed her finger in the direction of the man who had just been frightened, "Was sneaking some of your small knickknacks into his tool box."

"I decided to take care of him for you. I threw all those cans to get him out of my house. No thief is allowed here." 

Damien frowned. 

"Can you show me proof he was stealing from me?" he asked.

The older woman nodded and led him to where the man had left his tool box closed in the room he had been working in.

Damien knelt down and opened it. He found that the man had stuffed some of his old military awards in his box.

Surprised, and a bit flustered he stood up. 

"Thank you ma'am for bringing this to my attention, I will talk to his boss later today when he stops by." 

The woman huffed, "He is not allowed back inside my house you hear. You may be living here but that is because I am fond of you. You remind me of my Hubert.