The Silent Twin by Caroline Mitchell

Author:Caroline Mitchell
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781910751916
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THREE DAYS GONE

‘Thanks for coming,’ Jennifer said.

Mr Struthers stood at the front of the house, leaning on his granddaughter’s arm. Her name was Danni, and she was twenty-four years old. It had taken some persuading to get Danni to bring her grandfather, but not many people could turn down the plight of a little girl in trouble. His lined face stared at the building for a long while, sadness reflected in his eyes.

‘Let’s get you inside, Granddad,’ the young curly-haired woman said, easing him forward. They were both of the same tall, slim stature, and Danni had warned Jennifer that her grandfather wasn’t as good on his legs as he used to be. But given his age, Jennifer was just grateful he could get around.

‘I said I’d never come here again,’ Mr Struthers said, emitting a deep sigh of resignation. His feet seemed rooted to the spot, and he glanced back at his granddaughter’s car, perhaps wondering if it wasn’t too late to change his mind and go back home.

‘Danni got in touch after I posted on a forum about Blackwater farm. Mr Struthers is one of the previous occupants,’ Jennifer said, as Nick came outside.

‘Mr Struthers,’ Nick said, outstretching his hand. ‘I’m Abigail’s father. I really appreciate your time.’

‘I know who you are,’ he said. ‘I only wish I could have stopped you buying this dammed place before you did, then none of this would have happened.’

‘Why don’t we go inside and talk about it?’ Jennifer said, painfully conscious of the time. Joanna had left to attend mass and, despite Jennifer’s assurances, Nick had insisted on staying behind to see what Mr Struthers had to say. Not that she could blame him. Jennifer’s faith lay in being productive. Each second that passed was another second Abigail remained in the cold unforgiving ground. Prayers could come later.

Mr Struthers sat uneasily at the table with a cup of tea in his hand. Jennifer knew from their communications that he had had his own experiences with the dark entity that lurked within the walls of Blackwater farm.

‘I can’t say the place has changed much,’ he said, raising the cup to his lips.

‘We have plans to redecorate,’ Nick said, opening his mouth to continue.

But Mr Struthers cut him short, his voice flat and disparaging. ‘Don’t. This place has caused nothing but grief. It should be burnt to the ground.’ Mr Struthers took in the room, his neck shrinking back into the collar of his shirt, like an aged tortoise. ‘Can’t you feel it?’ he whispered, his eyes widening. ‘It’s still here . . . the darkness is all around you.’

Jennifer caught her breath, her fingers finding the small silver crucifix around her neck. The darkness is all around you. Such words had been spoken to her before. And at that time, it had not ended well.

‘We were young when we moved in here, my wife and I,’ Mr Struthers said. ‘We had big plans too. We didn’t know what the symbols were at first, but the more we stripped back this old house, the more we found.

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