Read #1Second Hand Ghosts - The Final Bet (A Paranormal Mystery) Online
Authors: Gillian Larkin
#1Second Hand Ghosts - The Final Bet (A Paranormal Mystery) (4 page)
“I think we might have good news after all. That life insurance company was taken over by a bank. We’ve checked Frank’s statements and it seems he’s been paying premiums for a life policy,” I said.
Peggy asked, “Which bank? Do you think the policy might be worth something?”
I told her the name of the bank.
“That one over the road? Really? What do we do now?” Peggy asked. Tears were forming in her old eyes. I think she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry again.
I stood up and helped Peggy to her feet.
“We’re going over right now to find out,” I said. I called over to Carol, “And you’re coming with us.”
“Why?” Carol scowled.
“They might start talking about terms and conditions and you’re good at arguing with people,” I said.
Carol stood up straighter, “Yes, that’s true. And you’re useless at that. I’ll get my coat.”
“By the way,” I said to Peggy, “I’m going to phone the police later about that man who threatened you. We’ve got his knife as evidence.”
We locked the shop up and took the short walk over the road to the bank.
Chapter 16
Later that night I was alone in my house. Emily was staying over at her dad’s so I opened a bottle of wine.
I sat down on the settee and put my glass of wine on the table at the side. I wasn’t alone for long.
“Hello, Kate, love,” Rose said. She was sitting next to me. “How did your first ghost helping job go? I tried to follow you around but I’m still getting used to this being dead lark. I can’t control where I go.”
I told Rose all about Frank and Peggy.
“And do you think you’ll be able to help any more ghosts? Don’t worry if you can’t. I’ll sort something out,” Rose said.
I thought about the huge smile on Peggy’s face when we found out that the policy was valid and that it was worth thousands. More than enough to pay off Frank’s debts, and much more left over for Peggy so that she never had to worry about money again.
“I didn’t think the bank were going to help us,” I told Rose. “They went on about needing proof of ID and the death certificate. I’m glad we took Carol with us, she really shouted at them and demanded to see the manger.”
Rose laughed, “She’s a grumpy bugger but she’s got a good heart. It’s hidden deeply away though. It took me years to find it!”
“When we were in the bank, and we found out about the money, Frank appeared. He was so pleased that he started to glow, like a white outline at first, then all over. Does that happen when people are ready to move on to that better place that you told me about?” I asked.
“Yes. It means that Frank didn’t need any more help.” Rose said. “Anyway, you haven’t answered my question. Will you help more ghosts?”
I thought about the very best part of my day. When we knew for sure that the money situation had been sorted out, and after Frank had said a loving goodbye to Peggy, Peggy had turned to me and said, “Thank you for all you’ve done. If it wasn’t for you I would have lost my precious rings forever.”
Then she took the rings out of her handbag and put them proudly on her finger.
I still had a warm happy feeling in my tummy about that.
I smiled at Rose and said, “Yes, I’ll help. But I’ve no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’ll learn as you go along. That’s what I did. And I’ll try to appear whenever I can,” Rose promised.
“Don’t you want to move on? To that better place?” I asked.
Rose frowned and said, “I’m not supposed to move on just yet. I need to stay here and protect you.”
“Protect me against what?” I exclaimed.
Rose waved her hand dismissively, “Maybe protect isn’t the right word. Guide is a better word. Forget I said protect.”
I picked up my glass and took a big drink. I’m not sure I could forget.
“There are plenty of ghosts waiting for your help. You could help someone tomorrow,” Rose suggested.
I put my glass down, “I can’t tomorrow, I’m going to a funeral.”
Rose smiled, “I love a good funeral. I might come along. Whose is it? Anyone I know?”
I sighed. The warm feeling in my tummy had gone. “It’s your funeral,” I said gently.
Rose stopped smiling, “Then I’ll definitely be there.”
About the author
I live in a town in the north of England. On the high street are about 7 charity shops. They always have lovely window displays enticing you to enter. Quite often I have looked at the things in the windows and wondered who they belonged to, and why they have given them away. I also wondered what would happen if there were ghosts attached to some items. For a while I thought about the possible stories – and then I eventually wrote them down!
I set the stories in a second hand shop, rather than a charity shop, as it would give characters the opportunity to sell items they don’t want, or need, anymore.
I still look in the charity shop windows, it’s amazing the things that people donate.
The second book in this series is ‘The Lost Baby’:
The third book is ‘The Last Laugh’:
Kind regards
Gillian
SECOND HAND GHOSTS
THE FINAL BET
By
GILLIAN LARKIN
KINDLE EDITION
Published by Gillian Larkin on Kindle
Copyright 2013 by Gillian Larkin
Cover illustration by VectorStock.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronically or mechanical without permission from the author.
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