A Spirit's Touch🔞

Thirty-Seven. One Year

2024

"I'm coming home," Judith stated down the phone to her best friend.

"Good, you need to get out of there, babe," Rose's voice sounded down the receiver. "Did your dad agree to take you in?"

"Yes, on the condition I don't linger to long. His girlfriend's parents are staying soon so they can take care of them. I like Carol and her parents are ageing so I'm not complaining about it."

"That's fair enough," replied Rose. "You know you could have stayed with us if you wanted."

"You already got my old job back. You've done plenty for me despite what I put you through."

"Small details, babe. I'm just glad it's all over and you have somewhere to stay. Everyone is excited to have you back at the office."

"Can't wait," Judith replied. Twenty minutes later after various small talk she was able to hang up the phone and continue packing away her things. She decided to leave behind various items of furniture including, reluctantly, her still new bed. There was just nowhere to store it while at her dad's house.

Ollie the owl was the last piece to be packed and the next day the van Judith had hired arrived and took her and her things home.

***

Judith returned to Loughborough two months later out of what she would call curiosity after receiving a cryptic text message from Sheridan. The older woman seemed convinced that the spirit was still well and living in the house despite what Judith did to it and the proceeding week without activity.

She drove past the house several times before finally setting off into town to the library where Sheridan would be waiting for her. The little house looked as cold and empty as the day she left and she saw no sign that the spirit was still lingering behind.

"Good afternoon, Miss Ainbridge," Sheridan greeted.

"I think we're past formalities, Sheridan," Judith replied as she approached the main desk. "However, good afternoon."

"Judith," Sheridan smiled. "I believe Mary has not crossed over. My rod did not work. Did you use it correctly?"

"I gave you the full account the very next day. I used it as you taught me and Jersey was sent to the next realm." Judith felt a lump in her throat as she recalled the conversation.

"Well, we must come up with something new, before she hurts anyone else."

"Sheridan, I appreciate you assisting me and helping me escape but I'm living a different life now. I tried to help Jersey, you're saying it did not work. I just wanna move on from it all."

"You loved her didn't you?" Sheridan replied.

Judith paused before answering, "I don't know what I loved, I would have accepted the truth but I never learnt it."

"I can help you to help her. She is a very strong spirit. She will move on but she needs help."

"How would you do that? Your device was supposed to work," Judith did not mind if her voice possessed annoyance.

"I have a friend coming from London in a few weeks. He's interested in your case and I would love it if you could meet him."

"Pfft, one of the Neville's?" Judith said with a hint of sarcasm.

Sheridan's smile turned into a full grin. "Yes, exactly. Flynn Neville learnt of the active spirit that evaded the rod and now he wants to investigate."