Let the Bite One In by Eule Grey

Author:Eule Grey [Grey, Eule]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary, paranormal, British/Yorkshire, lesbian, over 40, mystery, vampires, blogger, reporters, local paper, witch, neurodivergence, Whitby, domestic abuse/ child abuse (off page)
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2024-07-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

I REACHED FIRTH Park. Despite the many families and shoppers partaking in the spring sunshine, my neck tingled. It didn’t take long to spot the origin of the paranormal warning. Outside Scenty Treats, a long line of spooks had formed a queue. To my relief, they looked like average spirits, not horrific monsters like the one who’d watched me from the traffic lights. Ghosts were often drawn to strong smells, so I wasn’t particularly surprised to see them hovering around a perfume shop, though seeing so many during the day was highly unusual. Contrary to popular belief, the undead had the same abilities as the living to wander twenty-four hours, but they often chose to go walkabout at night.

The ghosties weren’t the only sign that Firth Park was in the grip of serious paranormal activity. An all-consuming, unnatural smell emanated from Scenty Treats. It reminded me of the kind of sprays my sister and I had once sought as teenagers. Sweet, sickening, yet gorgeous to young girls, at least in the ’80s. Strangely, the scent had assumed a large heart shape and floated above the shop like a giant ghostly balloon.

“Hmm. Something’s up,” I told Penelope, who did not appear worried.

I locked my bike behind the children’s centre next to the park, lifted the cat box, and looked for the Blondes. In the distance, Lisa jogged slowly, her yellow tracksuit glinting in the sunshine. I held up the cat box so Penelope could see.

“There’s Mummy Lisa. Wait till we tell her about how you saved me!”

Tom energetically flung rope at a tree trunk. True to form, he’d attracted a crowd of onlookers who cheered each time his lasso hit the spot. I felt safer knowing my troops were nearby and sent Lisa a text letting her know where I was.

As we entered the shop, three ghosts rushed Penelope and me. The ghost at the front held her hands across her mouth; the next one rotated her head, mouthing no, while the third ran in circles.

Penelope didn’t react at all. I took her lack of interest to mean the ghosts didn’t pose a threat, but I would have liked to ask them what they were worried about.

Unfortunately, I was unable to pay them any attention. A tall woman stood from her stool at the counter and waved to catch our attention.

“Hi. Have you come for an individualised scenting?” She caught sight of Penelope. “Aww, a kitty.”

I’d never heard of individualized scenting, but it seemed mean to say no, so I accepted her offer and sat in the chair she indicated, Penelope close by. “Yes, please. And I hope you don’t mind if I ask some questions about your awful train accident last week. I work for the Echo. Are you Juju?”

The woman beamed, took my hand, and sniffed at it dubiously. “I am. You need an affirmative scent. Something to help you love yourself.” She cast an incredulous look at my bike clothing and shabby trainers. Juju was enveloped in greens, yellows, browns, and oranges.

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