Backwards Into Hell

Part One: The Lodge

Sunday 24th October

I jutted my head out the door as the sun started to rise, flooding the corridor with egg-yolk light. No sign of Lily yet. I'd hoped to see her for breakfast but I couldn't wait any longer because, even after yesterday's meal, my stomach was so empty it hurt.

It had been a long night of no sleep and fractured dreams. Harriet's face had spun round and round my head until finally, a plan struck. It wasn't refined, clever, or remotely original, but it would do.

I ambled down the corridor as a chill fluttered down my back and whispered voices floated from below. The walls were thin here. Speeding up, I dashed soundlessly down the first flight of stairs only to bump into Abe and Lottie locking the door as they left their room.

'Morning,' I called, making Lottie jump.

'Oh! Jake, are you coming to breakfast?'

'Not too early, is it?'

'Nonsense, we've always eaten at the crack of dawn, haven't we?'

Abe nodded and gave me a tight smile. 'I'll join you later.' As if to prove his point, Abe took his mobile in his hand and wiggled it in the air.

Lottie sighed dramatically. 'Oh, go on then. This lovely young man can take me to breakfast instead.' With a cheeky wink, Lottie offered her arm and after a glance at Abe, I took it.

I wondered who he could be calling. Considering his age—at a guess, I'd put them both in their mid-seventies—it certainly wasn't work.

'So,' Lottie squeezed my arm as we headed down. 'Tell me all about the life of Jake.'

A difficult question to answer.

'Very boring,' I said. 'All work and no play.'

She patted my arm. 'Now that's not true—we're on holiday aren't we?'

'I suppose we are.'

'Well, then, I'm sure we can find you something to do.'

I chuckled. Lottie, with her mother-like qualities, was easy to warm to, and as we trotted down the stairs, I wondered how I'd kill her.

When we reached the first floor, my heart sank. The Old Man was there, leaning against a wall and waving like a call girl. I stopped dead but Lottie couldn't see him.

She glanced at me with a frown while he floated forward, coming right to the nape of my neck and whispering, 'Go and talk to Abe.'

I watched as he faded into the back wall.

'Are you alright?' Lottie asked.

'Yeah, sorry, I think... I think I left something in my room. I'll be back in a sec.'

Lottie's frown stayed stubborn on her face as I rushed upstairs and brushed past Lily.

'Morning?' she said.

'Morning!' I called but didn't stop. That wasn't allowed. After the Old Man's threat to withdraw his deal, I had to be the perfect soldier.

On the second floor, Abe stood at the end of the corridor by the big bay window with his hand pressed to his ear. I slowed, stumbling slightly and waiting to be noticed, but as I got closer, he tilted away and covered his other ear.

'Abe? I mouthed.

He waved his hand, signalling for me to sod off. I didn't.

'I've got to go. See you soon.' The phone clicked as Abe hung up and our eyes met.