Page 75 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Ah, I see; so it was only Charlie who saw and heard them as always. I thought it was actually you this time.’
‘No, but I knew they were there.’
‘How?’
‘By what he was saying. There was no way he could have made up all that stuff.’
‘I didn’t say he was making it up.’
‘No, but I can tell that’s what you’re thinking.’ I take a gulp from my glass. Why was I so agitated today?
‘I just find it hard to believe, that’s all,’ Tom says calmly. ‘I know people say ghosts exist, and they’ve seen them and everything, but I haven’t, and until I do you’ll bear with me if I appear a little doubtful of their existence.’
‘You’re entitled to your opinion, of course,’ I reply, knowing I probably sound haughty. I don’t mean to be off with Tom, but I really couldn’t cope with any more confrontation today. ‘But what you don’t realise is that by saying those things, you’re also saying my son is a liar.’
‘No, I’m not,’ Tom says, shaking his head in dismay. ‘I think the world of Charlie, you know that.’
‘But you’re saying he’s making all this up?’
‘Not making it up; perhapsimaginingit is a better word. Charlie is a bright kid, he knows his stuff, but he’s also an only child, and only children are renowned for having great and wild imaginations.’
‘I’m an only child, and I wouldn’t say my imagination is all that great. Far from it, actually; that’s why, as you so rightly pointed out, I was good at practical subjects at school.’
‘When did I say that?’
‘Not long after you arrived here. Up on the field when Arthur had got you chopping wood with an axe. You said I was practical and probably didn’t get artistic people.’
‘Oh yes, so I did. Perhaps I judged you a little strongly then.’
‘Yes, perhaps you did.’
There’s an awkward silence in the tower.
‘Look, Amelia, I’m sorry if I’ve upset you,’ Tom says eventually. ‘I really didn’t mean to. I just came here to check you were okay after last night.’
‘You haven’t upset me; I’m still feeling a little delicate, that’s all.’
Tom smiles. ‘You were certainly the life and soul last night, that’s for sure. I never did ask you how you learned to play pool like that.’
‘I worked in a pub for a while. There was a pool table – so when it was particularly quiet – usually weekday lunch-times – the landlord and I would have a game or two. He was in the pub’s team, so he was pretty good. He taught me how to play.’
‘Did you play in the team, too?’
I shake my head. ‘No, they played at night. I had Charlie to look after then. It was after my husband left.’
Tom nods. ‘Ah yes, of course. You said last night you’d tell me more about what happened.’
‘I did?’
‘Yeah, you said there was more to your story than Benji knew.’
‘Oh . . . I don’t remember saying that. But then I don’t really remember a lot after we left the pub.’
This was a bit of a lie; I did remember, but I didn’t feel like sharing intimate details about my life with Tom right now.
‘Ah, I see.’ Tom looks thoughtful for a moment. ‘Perhaps Ishouldgo?’ he says, suddenly standing up. ‘You’d obviously rather be on your own right now.’
‘It might be for the best,’ I reply stiffly. ‘Thanks for coming up, though. I appreciate it.’
