Childish Spirits by Rob Keeley

Author:Rob Keeley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Get in there!” Mum ushered Ellie into the flat. “Go straight to your room! And stay there ‘til I tell you to come out! You can consider yourself grounded!”

She followed Ellie into her room.

“This really is the limit, Ellie. When I give you and Charlie freedom to lead your own lives, I don’t expect that freedom to be abused. It was ridiculous, and foolhardy, at your age, to explore those tunnels. Let alone going off on your own in a boat!”

Ellie stared at her mother. “But – I wasn’t on my own. Moira was in the boat with me –”

“That’s enough!” Mum shouted. “I don’t want to hear lies, on top of everything else! How could she have been with you, when she was with us? Charlie and I took our eyes off you–”

Ellie noticed Mum didn’t mention being asleep.

“– for no more than a few minutes, max,” Mum went on. “At the end of which time Moira came and told us where you were.”

“Where’s Moira now?” Ellie asked.

“She’s gone home,” Mum answered. “Won’t be back ‘til Monday. Not that I’m involving her in this, any more. You’ve caused me enough professional embarrassment as it is. Honestly, this is meant to be my day off!”

She sank onto Ellie’s bed.

“In the meantime,” she said. “Charlie had to get out the inflatable dinghy he uses on summer camp, and go out with one of the volunteers to look for you. It’s not far, but it was far enough. When they found the boat abandoned, and you gone…”

She closed her eyes.

“Halfway back, they started shipping water. It’s a good job that volunteer had his Lifesaving badge.”

“Mum,” Ellie said. “I’m sorry. But I promise you, I wasn’t on my own. Moira was with me. At least, going out.”

“And how did she get back to us so quickly?” Mum demanded. “And without the boat? Did she fly?”

Ellie fell silent.

“I don’t know,” Mum said, “why you persist in telling me these lies. Honestly, Ellie, I’m starting to wonder if I can believe anything you tell me. This is the worst day we’ve had since your Dad left.”

Ellie was surprised. Mum had never said anything like that before.

“I suggest you go to bed,” Mum finished. “Right now. I’ll bring you some tea, or something, in a bit… oh, just go to bed. I’ve done with you.”

She made her exit.

“The rest of the house is out of bounds to you, until I tell you otherwise. And that includes those tunnels.”

She banged the door shut.

Ellie decided to do as she was told. She got into bed – fully clothed – and pulled the covers right up to her. After exploring the cold, dark tunnels, it felt surprisingly good.

What was happening? Why was Moira lying? And how could Mum have seen Moira, when Moira had been with Ellie?

It all felt too much for her, all of a sudden. She sank back onto the pillow, trying to forget Edward and Moira and ghosts and tunnels and things that had happened far, far too long ago…

Ellie sat up abruptly in bed.

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