Page 30 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
‘Because most people don’t have inherited wealth to splasharound like that?’ points out Madison.
Katja gives her a withering look. ‘I meant thekindness,not the financial outlay. It doesn’t costanythingto think aboutothers.’
Madison snorts. ‘And there endeth the sermon for today.’
They look at each other and laugh.
‘You do realise “Alderman Jack” probably isn’t even real,’says Madison. ‘It’s just a story that’s been exaggerated as time has gone on.’
‘Well, the people who come here by “special invitation” mustknow if he’s real,’ points out Jaz.
Madison shakes her head. ‘No. They don’t. I was speaking toa mum and her two kids yesterday and she has no idea who the benefactor is. Shejust received an invitation through the post saying a friend had nominated heras being deserving of a holiday, and would she like to enjoy a week in the sunwith her children, accommodation and travel provided?’
‘Wow. That really is amazing,’ I say, shaking my head inwonder, watching the children shrieking and splashing each other in the sea andhaving a whale of a time. ‘But you think Alderman Jack is a figment of people’simaginations?’
Katja shivers. ‘Some people think he died and that now hehaunts the village, walking the streets at night in black, flowing robes,keeping an eye on his legacy.’
‘Ooh, spooky. I’m not sure I want to walk back to thecottage after dark now!’ I joke. ‘What if I bump into Alderman Jack on theway?’
‘I’m sure you’ll survive. It sounds like he’d be an entirelyfriendly spook,’ grins Madison. ‘Now, what about these burgers? I’m absolutelystarving.’
*****
Hudson had said he’d come over to Clifftop House later andwalk me back to the cottage. But when it gets to eleven and he hasn’t arrived,I decide to set off myself.
‘It’s dark out there. I think we should go with you,’ saysEllie, looking worried.
‘No, no, honestly, I’ll be fine. Hudson will be on his wayto meet me. Thanks for a great night.’ I start walking away and after a while, whenI look back, they’re all still there watching me and I wave.
It’s quite spooky walking down the hill and through thedarkened streets. I pass a group dressed as super heroes and druids, laughingand chatting outside a pub that’s just closed for the night, and Darth Vader issharing a bag of chips with a woman in a milkmaid’s outfit.
At last, I’m in our lane, hurrying towards MoonstoneCottage. I’m opening the gate, about to walk up the path, when somethingbrushes past me, making me jump.
Turning, I take in the figure in long, black robes and awide-brimmed black hat, now walking away from me. The creepy costume it’swearing is striking enough, but when it pauses to cross the road, turningbriefly in my direction, I glimpse the face and shock stabs at my heart. The maskit’s wearing is deathly black and has a long, curving bird-like beak.
Mesmerised for a moment, I watch as the figure seems tofloat across the road, long robes billowing out slightly, before carrying onits way.
I remember reading about something called plague doctors,who helped the sick during the Black Death and wore masks like that to protectthemselves from the disease.
Maybe it’s the ghost of Alderman Jack. I’m sure Jaz saidhe was a doctor.
A shiver runs up my spine. But next second, I chide myselffor being so ridiculous. It’s just someone in a costume. And anyway, when thegirls were telling me the story of Alderman Jack, there was no mention of himwearing a creepy bird mask.
I walk up the path, shaking my head and smiling at thestrangeness of seeing so many people walking around in fancy dress. Celebratingthe summer solstice like this is totally new to me. At the door, I glance back,looking for the mysterious figure – only to see it standing outside the pinkhouse, where Bee and Jodie live. As I watch, it draws something from beneathits voluminous robes, and after a brief glance left and right, steps towardsthe door.
A second later, it floats away and I stand there watchinguntil it disappears around the corner.
A shiver runs through me and I walk quickly down the path,towards the welcoming glow of light in the cottage window. It’s silly to feelso spooked by a figure in fancy dress. They were probably just posting a flyerthrough the door or something, advertising one of the many events going on herethis week...
As I walk into the cottage, laughter comes from the livingroom and I hear Hudson say, ‘I’m really glad you’re here, Jo.’
‘Ruby’s back,’ Joanna whispers, and I hear the sound of awine glass being put down on the coffee table.
When I walk into the room, they’re both on their feet andJoanna’s smiling at me and saying she was just going. Hudson kisses me brieflyand goes with Joanna to the door to see her off.
‘Bye.’
‘Bye.’
