Haunted

Chapter 3

WHEN WE GET to the house I can immediately see that they are very wealthy. It's a very big house and there are photos of them from all over the world. There are two kids and two adults. The youngest is a small girl who looks like the doll she is holding in France. The oldest child is a tall boy who is quite handsome an probably as old as me. The mother has shoulder length curly, ginger hair and seems to be happy in every photo. The father has a stony face with short blonde hair and looks like and accountant.
"They look so happy" I say wistfully as a small tear rolls down my cheek.
"Ok, here is titanic. We might be able to watch another short movie after if we are quick" Jack says.
"Yep, ok. sounds like fun" I say, wiping away the tear and joining him on the couch.
As soon as the movie starts I expect Leonardo DiCaprio to take my heart but I can't get the image of the father out of my head.
Half way into the next movie I ask Jack.
"Do you know the father of the family in the photos?"
"No, do you" he asks back.
"No, but he just looks so familiar" I say.
"Yeah. oh we better get going, it's 8:45" he realises. We set off quickly and are at the estate on the dot of 9:00pm.
My Dad is asleep and my step monster is lying next to him. I feel a surge of anger. I find myself holding my breath in an attempt to be silent.
"Let's look in her handbag first" jack says.
"Yep, this feels so wrong though" I suddenly admit.
"Do you want to find out who killed you?" He asks.
"Yes"
We start with the front pocket which has a bag of fake jewels, a truckload of makeup, and a diary.
"Should we look in the diary?" Jack carefully asks.
"I don't know. I mean, I want to know who killed me but I also want to respect others property. Even if it is my step monsters" I say.
"Would it help if I read it out to you then you wouldn't have to look at it and we could find out who did this to you?" He asks.
"Ok" I say, sad that we had to do this.
"The second is October 2014. My fake nails don't fit, this sucks. I hate small nails. Rob is an amazing husband but I can't work out Ivy" Jack pauses and hesitates.
"Keep reading" I urge.
"Ok" he says. the next part makes me feel sick with myself. "I never wanted to replace her mother. All I wanted to be was a motherly figure. I don't know how to talk to her. The music she writes makes me cry as my ex-husband was an amazing violinist, he would have liked her. We're still friends but I love Rob." He flips the page to the other side with his mind. "The third of October 2014. Ivy died tonight. just the thought that I won't be able to hear her music again or get to know her makes me feel disappointed with myself that I didn't do any thing earlier. I was afraid that she would just block me off again. Rob is distraught. I tried to calm him but something pulled my hair and God, I was terrified. I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight but Rob is already asleep. I think that parents should not outlive their kids" Jack stops. "that's the end of it". I realise I've been crying. I wipe my eyes and say. "I thought she was just stuck-up".
"Same" Jack says and leans over to hug me. His thigh drifts through her handbag as he leans.
"Where to now?" I ask.
"Is there anyone else you would like to inspect?"
"No" I say.
"Then we rest, I'm tired" he says with a yawn.
"Ghosts can sleep? Weird" I suddenly realise how tired I am. "Where do we sleep though?" I ask.
"Next to an apple tree I saw when I came" he says.
"Cool"
"Yeah, it's only about 220 yards from the end of your drive way." we set off and after what feels like hours we arrive at the apple tree. We lay down and I suddenly want a good book to read.
"I could die for a good book right now" I say.
"Ivy, you're already a ghost" Jack says with a small laugh, taking off his glasses and putting them next to him.
"Yeah, good night" I say with a yawn. I watch his eyes slide shut and soon after shut mine.