It was the next morning. All the Ghosts were awake and assembled at the doorway, ready to say goodbye to Alison and the Captain. Mike was there too, looking rather awkward surrounded by a load of people he couldn't see. Alison soon emerged, dragging an enormous suitcase, and the Captain shuffled out behind her. Their breath made clouds in the winter air.
"So, guys. As you can see, we're packed and ready to leave. The taxi will be here shortly. I hope you guys have a peaceful and uneventful weekend, and I hope to see you all again on Monday." Alison said. She then went forward and hugged her husband. "Love you Mike. Please, please don't get hurt!" she said, head buried in his winter coat. He smiled and replied "I won't, I promise."
The Captain waved awkwardly, and serenaded by a chorus of goodbyes, they walked off. The Ghosts and Mike soon went back inside.
"Right, Captain. Are you ready?" Alison asked. He was trembling, and had stopped slap bang in the middle of the gates, eyes wide with memories. His knuckles were white, gripping the swagger stick. "Come on, you can do this Cap!" He looked at Alison and shook his head. "Havers..." he whispered. "I know, but you'll see him soon, only if you get past the gate!" The Captain's head was swimming, he lurched to the side, and tried to catch himself on a post, forgetting that Ghosts can't hold things. Alison rushed over, arms out, prepared to catch him, also forgetting that she couldn't touch Ghosts.
The Captain stumbled, and eventually caught himself, kicking up a cloud of dust on the driveway. He had the illusion of his heart beating frantically inside his chest, though he knew that was impossible. Suddenly faces of army officers materialised in the frosty windows of Button House, looking down on him scornfully. He opened his mouth in fright and disbelief, and turned around suddenly, facing away from the house. He stood still for a minute, in silence, picturing the good-natured smile on Haver's face until his imaginary heartbeat subdued. He breathed shakily, and took a few steps forward. "Yes, Captain! Let's go!" Alison cheered.
The Cap said "Thank you Alison. You really don't have to do this, you know. I am eternally grateful." She smiled, and they waited side by side for the taxi.
Five minutes later, the taxi crunched up the gravel drive. Alison whispered "Which side do you want? Drivers or left side?" The Cap replied "I honestly don't think I have a preference, Alison. Though most probably the drivers side."
"Beautiful car this. Leather seats. Sleek shiny black." he said, almost to himself, looking at his distorted reflection in the car door.
The taxi driver soon hauled Alison's extermely heavy suitcase into the boot, and they were sat down, on their way to the airport. As usual, as Captain lowered himself onto the seat, it seemed like every bone in his body crunched. He watched out of the window for the entire journey (having walked in through the door of course).
Suddenly an old pop song came on the radio. The Captain instantly recognised it as "Sentimental Journey" by Doris Day, released in 1944. He began to sing quietly, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Gonna take a sentimental journey // Gonna set my heart at ease // Gonna make a sentimental journey // To renew old memories
Got my bag, got my reservation // Spent each dime I could afford // Like a child in wild anticipation // I long to hear that all aboard
Seven, that's the time we leave, at seven // I'll be waitin' up for heaven // Countin' every mile of railroad track // That takes me back
Never thought my heart could be so yearning // Why did I decide to roam? // I gotta take this sentimental journey // Sentimental journey home
Sentimental journey home // Sentimental journey home
Alison looked over at him, eyes welling up. "This song must mean a lot to you at the moment." she whispered. The Captain nodded in a tiny movement. Alison placed a hand on his shaking knee.
"Driver, could you change the radio station please?" Alison asked.
The Captain straightened up suddenly. "No, keep it at this one."
Alison looked over, her mouth forming an o in surprise. "No, sorry, I've changed my mind. Let's keep the radio as it is." The driver sighed and turned the dial back.
The Captain smiled slightly, and resumed watching the world go by through the window.
"I haven't been outside in such a long time, Alison. The world has greatly modernised since the 1940s. This taxi especially, is a magnificent machine. Towns are very industrial now, aren't they? Many more buildings. And people, actually. Always busy. Never stopping."
Alison nodded, and they thought in silence for the rest of the journey.
The driver suddenly piped up. "I can see the army general, you know." The Captain looked up in surprise.
"What?" Alison almost shouted. "Yeah," he replied "I had a car crash back when I was learning to drive. A month in hospital. Could see Ghosts ever since. Where are you taking him? They can't usually leave the area where they died."
"Normandy. Go figure." Alison said. "Moving around is his sort of, special power, I suppose. We found out yesterday, actually."
"Interesting." the driver mused. Alison sat in wonder, looking from the Ghost, to the driver, and back again.
"Are there any Ghosts near where you live?" she asked.
"Not really. I live in a very modern area. There's a medieval knight in the woods nearby though, who got killed out hunting. His hunting party actually shot him by accident. He got an arrow through the neck"
"Huh." she said "I know a scoutmaster Ghost who got shot through the neck by one of his Scouts by accident."
"What a coincidence." the driver murmured.
By this time, the signal tower of the airport was coming into view on the horizon. They were nearly there.
YOU ARE READING
Finding Havers, plus other Ghosts short stories
FanfictionIt does what it says on the tin!
