The Ghost Tree by Sara Bain

Author:Sara Bain
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: Urbane Publications Limited

chapter 30

THE CALM

‘STOP playing solitaire on your computer or I’ll get systems to take the games off. It’s your lucky day. The lovely Mr Armstrong’s in reception to see you.’

‘Thanks, Audrey.’ Libby yelled into the receiver and looked around the office. ‘You’ve got a camera hidden in here somewhere and I’m going to find it and shove it up your …’

‘Ah, he’s brought me some flowers.’

Libby skipped to reception to see Kie standing in his suit and tie amongst the plastic chairs. She embraced him like an old aunt but savoured his familiar feel and smell like a long lost lover.

‘Hi Kie, have you come alone or have you brought along a spirit of the dead with you?’

Kie laughed. ‘I don’t have any spirit friends anymore.’

‘I was coming to see you today after work. Hannah says they’re wrapping-up the investigation this afternoon and going home tomorrow morning.’

‘Aye, it’s going to feel strange to be alone again. Since it’s everyone’s last night, I was hoping you’d come for dinner.’

‘I’d love to. Did you manage to finish the dining room?’

‘Just about, but it still smells of paint, so I’m taking you all out.’

‘What a treat.’

Libby hadn’t seen Kie for three days and those days had felt like an eternity. She’d made a decision to bow out of being a constant in his life because she didn’t feel strong enough to take the strain or the misery of an unrequited love. She used the excuse she had to return to work or get fired and he’d accepted it with his usual grace and warm concern. Hannah agreed she was doing the right thing during a tearful lunch session that lasted four hours. The only good news of the entire sorry affair was that there had been no paranormal activity at MacAoidh’s house since the incident in the kitchen and Hannah suspected he no longer haunted himself.

Charlie, of course, was not convinced that Kie was responsible for the abnormal activity at all, but rather he was the victim of some mischievous entity whose time at The Ring had maybe become spent.

‘Lunch?’

‘I’ve eaten, thanks.’

‘Fancy a walk then?’

She took a step back, unable to meet those eyes. ‘I’ve got a client …’

‘In twenty minutes,’ Audrey leaned across the desk with her head in her hand, a bored expression on her face. ‘Go on,’ she winked.

‘Why not?’

They walked to the harbour in silence and sat on the familiar bench. This had become Libby’s favourite place in Kirkcudbright because of its connection with the day she first met Kie.

‘All right, Libby. What’s wrong?’

‘What …’

‘You don’t answer my calls and you haven’t come around to the house for days. I understand you have to keep a job down, but you could at least let me know you’re fine.’

‘I’m fine thanks, Kie. I just thought you wanted some space now your life’s returning to normal.’

‘I miss you.’ He crossed his arms and slouched on the bench. ‘I miss your humour and I miss your smile. I even miss you snoring next to me.

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