The Three O'Clock Ghost

Chapter 8 - The Request

This was too much for Charlotte to take in and for a few moments she tried to make sense of the many thoughts racing through her mind. It was true – Pa's story was true.

"I...I don't understand?" she questioned.

"Five years ago, my father was checking the ledgers with the wages clerk. I wandered around the mill and found Mr Frisker beating a small boy. I was very angry and grabbed his arm to stop him hurting the boy any more, and he was completely enraged. He turned on me and pushed me. I fell from that door over there down to the ground below." He pointed to the loading door as he had done before.

"You poor thing" mouthed Charlotte, tears in her eyes. "Why didn't the truth come out?"

"Frisker threatened to kill the boy if he told, and to throw his whole family out of their home without work. The boy was terrified. His family would have been left with nothing. What choice did he have?"

"But he murdered you!"

"Yes. That is why I need you. For five years I have appeared every day, desperately hoping my father would come. Oh my father!" he stopped for a moment, as the look of despair returned to his face. "I cannot leave this mill. I cannot leave these walls to go home, and I will never rest until he knows the truth. I beg you, please tell him the truth. Help me rest in peace."

"I still don't know how. I want to help you...I don't know your name!"

"It's Robert. Robert Wilkinson. My father lives in Northwood House. It's towards the edge of town, if you follow the train line its not too far. You must go soon; father has to be at home as he never comes here. Frisker must be stopped!"

Suddenly a thought hit Charlotte as hard as if billy roller had delivered the blow.

"I have had the most dreadful thought! Matty said Frisker's name after his accident. It was him – Frisker caused my brother's accident!" Charlotte began to shake as all the revelations fell into place, and for a moment she forgot about Robert. When she at last looked up she saw tears rolling down Robert's cheeks.

"Please don't cry Robert!"

"Thank you for understanding. Thank you for saying you will help. You will never know the importance of what you are about to do."

He smiled at Charlotte and was gone.

Charlotte had immense difficulty continuing her work. But now she had determination. She felt that in the last minutes she had developed an iron strength, and nothing – or no one – would stop her. She would see justice done. Justice for Robert, justice for her dear brother and justice for all the victims of Mr Frisker's cruelty.

She said little during the walk home, but Ma hardly noticed, enveloped in her own reverie.

The family passed a quiet evening, each too preoccupied to notice Charlotte's distance. Charlotte wanted to see her brother, to be absolutely certain of her suspicion. As Robert had reminded her, it was Sunday tomorrow and a chance for a day off.

"Ma, are we going to the infirmary tomorrow? Please can I see Matty?"

"If you want to, you can come with me sweetheart, but it's a long walk" Ma replied.

"Are you coming Pa?" and immediately she said the words, Charlotte regretted them as she saw a look of pain on her Pa's face.

"I mean, have you a message for him Pa?" she tried to cover her inconsiderate comment, knowing fine well that Pa could never make the long walk to the infirmary.

"Yes Poppet. You can tell him I've a good yarn for him, but no ghost stories this time. Tell him I miss him, tell him I..." Pa stopped, his throat tight. He couldn't continue.

"I will Pa, I'll tell him all you said," smiled Charlotte, trying not to cry. She put her arms around Pa's neck and they held each other in silence.

* * *

Charlotte woke early as Ma gently shook her arm, automatically thinking about the day's work ahead of her, before remembering that it was Sunday, and they were at last to see Matty.

Grandma was up already, her back to them as she busied herself at the stove. When she heard them enter the kitchen, she turned around.

"Ah there you both are. Sit yourselves down and have some hot porridge. You'll need your strength for the long walk. And see, I've made a little something for your bait."

She slid a package across the table, wrapped in a cloth.

Ma caught her hand and squeezed it, smiling up at the small ageing face.

"You are good to us. Thank you."

"Oh away with you. Now eat up and warm yourselves."

Charlotte and her mother quietly ate their breakfast. Pa remained in bed, doubtless avoiding them in his disappointment at being unable to join them. They put on their shawls, kissed Grandma, and quietly left the house.