The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1) (5 page)

1

“Mary!”
Jim had suddenly woken up to the loud sound of creaking floorboards upstairs;
he was then aware of movement downstairs. “Mary, wake up!” He gently tugged on
her right arm. “Not now, go back to sleep,” she mumbled, tapping the side of
his face. “Mary, I’m not being randy. Can you hear that?” he whispered, “I
think there’s someone downstairs!”

“What?
What did you say?” replied Mary, struggling to wake up.
“For
crying out loud.
You’re hearing things, go back to sleep.”

“No,
listen,” he insisted, “there it goes again.” The sound of a door closing echoed
up the stairs. Mary quickly turned on the bedside lamp as they both sat up in
bed. They looked at each other, in fright, as they heard a loud thump coming
from the second floor.

“I’m
going to check it out,” said Jim.

“No
wait.”

“Why?”

“Listen.”

They
heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “I don’t like this,” whispered a terrified
Mary. Jim pressed his index finger to his lips.
“Shsh.”
Their hearts raced. The steps reached the first floor. Then they stopped. Mary
grabbed Jim’s hand.
Silence.
The door opened quietly.

James
poked his head around the door. Mary and Jim almost jumped out of bed.
“Ha-ha-ha-haaaa!” he laughed. “James! You almost gave us a heart attack! What
are you doing up? It’s 3 o’clock in the morning!”

“I
needed a drink of milk.”

“Can’t
you sleep, darling?” asked Mary.

“No,
I couldn’t. And when I did, someone touched my face and whispered
James
in my ear!”

“Shsh!
You’ll wake Zoe! It’s just
been a bad dream; go on, back to bed. You’ll be fine,” said Jim.
“Night, night.”

“Night,”
said James, “and no early roll call.”

“That boy!
I tell yer, I almost wet myself!”
said Mary.

2

Sunday
morning came – warm and sunny, and Aunt Sally was due to arrive at midday at
Euston Station, in readiness for their holiday to Florida. They were to fly out
early the next day. Mary and Jim were up early; they showered, dressed and had
a quick breakfast. After Mary had done a quick tidy-up of the house, they sat
down at the kitchen table – Jim read the Sunday papers which the paperboy had
just delivered, whilst Mary had a quick glance at the supplements.

Zoe
wandered into the kitchen, still in her pyjamas, and after giving her parents a
morning hug, sat down at the table.
“Morning, love, how did
you sleep last night?
Better than the first night?”
Zoe smiled back at Mary.
“Morning.
Yes thanks, mum,
much better.” Zoe didn’t want to worry her parents but she had not really slept
that well. She could’ve sworn she heard voices whispering throughout the night.
She poured herself a bowlful of cereal.

“Pass
the milk, please, dad. Did you both sleep OK?” Jim and Mary looked at each
other and smiled. “What?”

“Nothing,”
replied Jim. “Why are you smiling at each other, then?” Zoe hated not knowing
secrets.

“It
was nothing; we thought we had burglars but it was only James wandering around
in the middle of the night,” explained Mary. “He couldn’t sleep so he went down
for a glass of milk.”

“Ah,
I knew I heard something. I heard him upstairs, the horror,” replied a relieved
Zoe. “Upstairs? On the second floor?” questioned Jim, putting down his
newspaper. “Yes, of course. Where did you think I meant?”

“Take
no notice of your dad,” said Mary, glancing towards Jim with a brief shake of
the head. “It was only your brother, scaring us. Let’s hope he doesn’t
terrorise Aunt Sally with his antics.” Mary had lost her parents whilst quite
young, and Aunt Sally was her oldest relative. They had always been close.
Sally had had a bad time recently. She had needed a knee replacement after she
had been knocked off her bicycle by a young drunk-driver – who had got away
with a fine, 10 points and his licence revoked.

3

Mary
cleared the dirty dishes from the table. “Right, we’ll be going shopping on the
way back from the Station. Just need a few bits and pieces for the journey
tomorrow. Do you want me to get you anything?”

“Just
the usual, mum, please, and maybe some crisps and chocolate. What time is Aunt
Sally due?”

“Her
train gets in at 11.30,” replied Mary. “Is her room ready, dad?” asked Zoe.
“You’re really not awake yet, are you? The furniture is still on the landing!
Come on, Zoe, you can give us a hand,” replied Jim. “Dad, I’m still in my
pyjamas!” wailed Zoe.

“It
won’t take long.”

Jim
and Zoe went upstairs whilst Mary put some laundry into the tumble drier. She
smiled; she’d missed the banter between father and daughter. OK, they argued at
times, but Mary was glad to have Zoe back.

4

“Right,”
said Jim, “let’s get the wardrobe in first. It’s a bit heavy, but we need to
lift it, not drag it across the floor.”

“I
am lifting it, dad. I’ve got the heavy end.”

“Cheeky,”
replied Jim, as the pair struggled along the landing. “What’s all the banging?”
said a tousle-haired James, opening his bedroom door.
“Morning,
sleepy head, just getting the room ready for Aunt Sally.
Want to give us
a hand?”

“OK
dad, just give me half an hour,” he replied, disappearing towards the bathroom.
“Typical, it’ll be done by then,” said Zoe. “See, you don’t need me after all,”
responded James, mischievously. “He’s one cheeky bugger,” said Zoe, as they
positioned the wardrobe against the wall. “Not to worry,” said Jim, “we’re almost
done anyway.”

5

A
couple of hours later and Mary and Jim had run like a pair of crazies from the
car park towards the Station, where they found that the train was due on time.
“Thank God we made it,” said Jim, breathlessly. Mary was quite unaffected by
their burst of exercise but Jim, on the other hand, was doubled over, trying to
get his breath back. Mary laughed. “I think you need to renew your gym
membership! Come on, I’ll treat you to a coffee and a flapjack – we should just
about have time.”

They
walked into a nearby coffee shop, gave their order to the waitress, sat
down, and waited for the train to arrive. “We were
lucky with the traffic,” said Jim. “Yes, Jim, now drink your coffee,” replied
Mary. They had made Aunt Sally a promise that they would never be late to meet
her since, on one occasion four years ago, their journey had been delayed and
Sally had been mugged. Two youngsters had brushed past her, at speed, and
pushed her to the ground, stealing her handbag. Sally suffered mild cuts and bruises,
but that incident never left her – it made her nervous around teenagers, and
she started to avoid large crowds of people.

1

Aunt
Sally’s train pulled into the Station a couple of minutes early. Jim and Mary had
already arrived at the barrier on Platform 2 where they joined a small group of
people already waiting there. They soon spotted her, pulling her large, black
suitcase, as she walked slowly behind a noisy crowd of young people. Despite
having grey hair and wearing glasses, Aunt Sally did not look 70 years old.

“Hello,
my dears. The children not with you?” said Sally, hugging Mary then Jim. “No,”
answered Mary, “they’re waiting at home.” Sally looked at them both in turn.

“Is
Zoe alright?”

“Yes,
she’s fine now, thanks,” replied Mary, “how have you been keeping? How’s the
plastic knee?”

“Thankfully
the pain-levels have dropped. Anyway, how did the move go? Have you settled in
alright?”

“Yes,
in the end. It’s a big house and I suppose that will take a bit of getting used
to. That, and...” replied Jim.

“
Getting
used to,
what
do you
mean?” queried Sally.

“Well,
we’re
hearing strange noises, that’s
all.”

“Jim,
it’s an old house, it’s bound to have movement and all kinds of noises!”
interrupted Sally.

They
walked across the road to the short-stay car park; the ladies chattered away
non-stop whilst Jim followed on, pulling the suitcase.

2

Zoe
and James were watching television when the front door opened. James ran for
the door. “She’s here!” They both adored their great-aunt; every year, in the
summer, she would make the long train journey from her home in Norfolk to spend
a few weeks with them. Aunt Sally came into the hallway to be greeted by James,
who launched himself at her.
“Not so rough, James!
Remember
what I told you?” said Mary, animatedly.

“Yes,
mum.”

“He’s
alright, Mary. You’ve certainly grown James! And what a lovely house, I can’t
believe it had remained empty for so long,” said Sally, looking around. “It’s
wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Mary, you and Jim are a pair of lucky
buggers!”

Jim
struggled in with the suitcase. “You can say that again! I’m just glad our
final offer was accepted. Granted it needs a bit of TLC here and there, but I
think it will be a fab investment.” Zoe jumped up from the sofa, where she had
been texting Vana as Sally came into the lounge. “There you are, my dear.
How about a hug for your old Aunt Sally?”

“Hello,
Aunt Sally.
Great to see you – even though it is only for one
night.
How was your journey? You must be shattered,” said Zoe, hugging
her Aunt tightly. “The journey was fabulous, thanks. The countryside is so
beautiful – especially when the sun is shining. And, I will be staying for a
couple of weeks when we get back from Florida. You can’t get rid of me that
easily!”

3

Mary
brought in some tea and biscuits, and then James was pleased to show Sally
around their new home. “Don’t go up into the attic, James,” said Jim, “it’s
dark up there – I need to fix the stairwell’s light switch.”

“OK,
dad,” replied James, as he led his Aunt out of the lounge and started the grand
tour. Once upstairs, he could not wait to show her the chest in the attic...

4

Zoe
helped Mary to prepare dinner, which was served in the dining room. The room was
the same size as the lounge, and was comfortably furnished with a large, oak,
dining table and six leather-backed chairs, an oak sideboard, and a piano. Zoe
brought in the chicken and roast gammon that Mary had cooked. Mary brought in
dishes of vegetables and placed them on the table with the meat. “This is
wonderful,” said Sally, “I don’t often cook a big meal these days. And, I’m
afraid to say, I’ve joined the TV dinner revolution – unpack it, prick it, and
whack it in the microwave.”

Zoe
laughed. “As Vana, would say –
love it Aunt Sally!
”

The
meal finished with a New York-style cheesecake and a deep, double-chocolate
cake. All the family ate well, and Mary was pleased to see Zoe finishing her
second helping of cheesecake. “Good heavens,” said Sally, “I hope this hotel in
Florida has a gym – or at least a few handsome men I can chase after! If I
continue eating like this I will have to pay excess baggage for me! I’m full to
the gunnels.”

“That
reminds me, I’ve put a smaller case in your bedroom for you to take on
holiday.”

“Oh,
thanks, Jim,” said Sally, “it won’t take me long to re-pack. I’m not taking too
many clothes...; Mary, what’s so funny?” Mary laughed. “I have never known
anyone like you for over-packing – you always take far too much.”

“Not
since the airlines introduced baggage restrictions a few years ago I don’t. I
remember being caught out and having to pay,” retorted Sally.
“Right.
Has everyone finished? Can I tempt anyone with
another piece of chocolate cake?” asked Mary. “Me, me,” said James, with an
empty plate in his hand.

“You’ve
only got one backside, son.”

“Jim!
Leave him alone he’s a growing lad,” said Sally.

“Yeah,”
said Zoe, “his middle name’s Hoover.”

Mary
and Sally started to clear the table and take the dishes into the kitchen. “Do
you want another slice before I take it away, Zoe?” asked Mary. “No more for
me. I’m well and truly stuffed – I need to visit the bathroom after that little
lot.” Mary watched cautiously as Zoe left the room. “I’ll finish off in here,
Mary, whilst you do your packing,” offered Sally. “It won’t take long, and
James can give me a hand.”

“You’re
a lifesaver, thanks,” said Mary, “I shouldn’t be long.”

5

Zoe
and Jim were in the lounge; James had gone to bed and Mary was putting together
some sandwiches, crisps, and sweets for their long flight across the Atlantic.
“You will be OK on your own, won’t you, Zoe?” Jim glanced anxiously at his
daughter. “Of course I will, dad. Anyway, Vana will be back so it won’t be a
problem. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You go off and enjoy your break.” Jim
hugged Zoe. “I wish you were coming with us. Anyway, don’t stay up too late.
See you in the morning before we leave.”

6

In
the early hours, the house was dark and eerie and most of the family were fast
asleep. Sally woke up, needing to go to the bathroom. She got out of bed, put
on her slippers and bathrobe and quietly opened the bedroom door. The landing
was pitch-black. Sally felt her way along the wall. “Where’s that light
switch?” She found the switch, and headed up the stairs. “It’s freezing up
here,” she mumbled as she wrapped her bathrobe tightly around her.

As
she walked into the bathroom, the elderly lady turned on the light and closed
the door behind her. She sat, peacefully; all was quiet apart from the sound of
a moth pinging off the light bulb.

She
walked back to her room, switched off the landing light – which plunged the
area into darkness – and heard a croaky, male voice saying her mother’s name.

“
Violet
?”