Page 16 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
‘Yeah, I have to say, things seem to have gone a bit weird here today.’ He moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze, the warmth of his body seeping into her. ‘We’ll get sorted as quick as we can, then we don’t have to come back again.’
‘I like the sound of that.’
Back in the living room, Nate reached into the case, picking out each item one by one, examining them as closely as he was able in the dim light. ‘The stories these things could tell.’
The same thought had crossed Lark’s mind when she’d first seen them, and she couldn’t shake the feeling these stories wouldn’t all be good.
‘As sorely tempted as I am to look inside this, I’m going to refrain. The leather looks too fragile and I’m worried it might crumble if I open it.’ Nate was turning the leather-bound bookover in his hands. ‘Best save it for folk who know what they’re doing and how to handle such delicate items.’
‘That’s what I thought, too. The thin piece tied around it looks like it wouldn’t take much for it to break into pieces.’ Lark watched as he placed it back in the case.
‘Right then, what’s hiding under here?’ he said, lifting out the tin. Anticipation and unease started swirling in Lark’s stomach as he carefully unwrapped the piece of eiderdown, lay it on the suitcase and focused his attention on prising open the lid.
‘It took a while to loosen it last night,’ she said, watching him have the same struggle.
‘Aye, it doesn’t seem keen to budge.’
The words had just left his mouth when the lid finally conceded defeat and opened with a loud rattle of the metal objects inside. Before Nate could utter another word, the room filled with an icy rush of air followed by an urgent banging at the front door.
The pair froze, eyes locked on each other. Lark could feel her pulse pumping in her ears as fear prickled over her skin.
‘What should we do?’ she whispered, her teeth chattering from fear as much as the cold.
‘I’ll take a?—’
His words were sliced off as an ethereal cry echoed around the room.
‘What the bloody hell was th?—’
The thudding at the door resumed, more urgent this time. Another cry filled the room, followed by a second icy gust of air and a crashing sound from the back room.
Lark’s heart leapt up to her throat. She’d never been so desperate to leave a place as she was right now.
THIRTEEN
‘I really don’t like this,’ said Lark, trembling.
‘I’d suggest it’s likely to be Mr Thurston knocking at the door, come to see if we’re done,’ Nate said. ‘But he’s got a key, and I got the impression he wouldn’t be back here again.’
‘I can see why.’ Lark wouldn’t be sorry if she never set foot in the cottage ever again.
‘Lark! Nate!’ came a voice from the other side of the door, followed by another round of knocking.
‘Jasmine!’ Lark couldn’t remember feeling so happy to hear the familiar tones of her friend. Tension fell away from her shoulders as she rushed over and flung the door open. ‘I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.’
‘If that’s the case, what the bloomin’ ’eck took you so long? It’s brass monkey out here! I’m nithered!’ Jasmine beamed at her friend before giving a theatrical shiver. She was bundled up well against the wintry weather in a bright green padded jacket, a stripy scarf wrapped several times around her neck and a matching hat pulled over her ears.
‘Sorry, Jazz, come in.’ Lark couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s faux put-out expression.
‘Now then, Jazz,’ said Nate, smiling at her. ‘Mind, I’m not so sure it’s much warmer in here.’
After stamping her feet to get the snow off her wellies, Jasmine took a few steps into the living room and shuddered. ‘Brr! I see what you mean, it’s like a fridge in here. Has a weird atmosphere, too.’ She swept her gaze around the room. ‘Oh, and I nearly forgot, are you aware there’s a peacock on the roof?’
‘Apeacock?’ Lark looked at Nate askance. Had she heard right? ‘I didn’t notice one when we got here, did you?’
He shook his head. ‘Can’t say I did. And how come it’s managed to get onto the roof? I thought they usually had their wings clipped to stop them from flying off.’
‘Well, this one’s flying feathers are clearly all intact which I reckon is why it’s currently perched on the chimney pot to this place.’ Jasmine chuckled.
