MARVIN'S CURSE

Chapter 6.3

The gravel path leading to the house crunched beneath Marvin's feet as they made their way to the front door. It was an imposing wooden structure with a huge lion's paw knocker, but there was no need of it as the door opened just as Marvin climbed the final two steps. 

'Come in,' cried a man's voice. 'I've been expecting you.' 

Marvin took the lead, pulling Stella in behind him. From the large hallway, several doors lay before him, but only one was ajar. He headed towards it. 

'Hello?' said Marvin, stepping inside the room. 'Mr Kedigan?' He pushed the door open and as expected, it creaked. The darkened room contained several armchairs in various shades of grey and was decorated in an appalling flower pattern.  

A mass of black and white photographs filled one wall; a tall woman featuring in each. Closer inspection revealed cut out spaces where another person should have been, a child? Marvin shivered at the thought. 

'Do come in. I've been waiting for you.' An old man sat huddled in a dark tatty arm chair by the hearth. He clutched a pen and was bent over a book. 

'The pawnbroker, huh?' said Marvin, ushering Stella in. 'He told you we'd been to the shop.' 

'I have no need of him. I have eyes everywhere,' said the old man. 

Stella let out a small gasp. 

'It's good to see you again, my dear. It's been such a long time.' 

'S-Sorry, do I know you?' said Stella, shuffling in behind Marvin. 

'You don't recognise me, of course.' Old Kedigan laughed. 'You have no memories, no recollection of what came before. That's why you are here, isn't it? Come to claim back that which you gave to me.' 

Stella stepped out from behind her protector, whispering to him as she moved. 'B-But I've never been here before. I mean, how could I when everyone here is dead?' She looked up at Marvin. 'No, I was here as a psychic, wasn't I?' she added in a hushed voice. 

Marvin said nothing. If he could just get her memories and get out, then they'd have that talk and he'd put things right. 

Displaying a now greater confidence, Stella approached the old man's chair. 'Do you have them, my memories?' she said. 'Do you have them here?'  

'Kept in a special box, just waiting for your return,' he said, stoking the fire. 'Come, pull up a chair. The fog makes it dreadfully cold out there.' 

Stella managed a small smile as she dragged a chair towards the fire. She sat down opposite the old man while Marvin stood behind, his hands gripping the back of the armchair. He didn't trust the man. 

'Hot drink?' said the old man to Stella. 

'I don't like hot drinks.' 

'Me neither,' he said. 

'What do I owe you?' she said, rubbing her hands. 'I'm sure there must be something you want in return.' 

'Owe me?' interrupted Old Kedigan. 'You asked me to take them. No trade took place. You just wanted to be rid of them!' 

'W-Why would I do that?' said Stella, her brow now wrinkled. 'I don't understand.' 

'Not for me to question,' said Old Kedigan. 'But I kept them just the same, unlike the others.' 

Marvin's face was puzzled. 'What do you mean?' 

'Normally, pawnbrokers keep things for three months then, if unclaimed they can be disposed of as I see fit, just like in the human world.' 

'So why did you keep hers? Why not dispose of hers like the others?' said Marvin, his voice becoming agitated. 'What's so special about her memories?' The old man was up to something.  

'Now, now,' said Old Kedigan. 'Let's not spoil the surprise, huh?'