Whoever had come in had obviously sneaked out through the other door.

‘It’s all right,’ Ed was shouting again. ‘We’re kids. We don’t want to hurt you, but one of us is injured. We need help.’

Still no reply, but Lewis had heard movement from outside the door.

‘There’s definitely people here,’ he said. ‘They let us in, so now what? We got to go play hide-and-seek.’

‘I say we stop the nice-guy routine,’ said Kyle and he put on a moist, lisping voice. ‘Oh, hello, do please help us, we’re really nice …’

Ed sighed and looked at his friend. ‘Kyle,’ he said. ‘It’s not an act. I am really nice.’

‘Bollocks,’ said Kyle, gripping his axe tightly in both hands, ready for action. ‘You’re a monster, Ed, and you know it.’

‘You two lover boys stay cool,’ said Lewis. ‘I’m going on through. I’ll find whoever’s here. You dress back.’

He opened the second door into the hallway. Took a quick look to check it was all quiet. Stepped through.

It was a grand space. Sort of place you expected to see big paintings and suits of armour in old movies. Nothing like that in here. It was almost bare. Doors off everywhere, big old wooden stairs up the back, with high, dirty windows letting in a feeble light. Not enough to lift the murk and gloom. He scanned the area for any signs of life.

Nothing.

Just his own breathing. Sounding noisy in the big empty quiet. And then he saw a yellow flicker, coming along the landing at the top of the stairs, throwing shapes and shadows on the walls. A candle appeared, in a candlestick, someone holding it, walking slowly, a long grey dress, white hair, white face.

A ghost. Slowly coming down the stairs. A second figure, tucked up close, hiding behind her skirts.

Lewis swore, got his spear ready.

‘You see anything?’ Ed called through from the sitting room.

‘Maybe.’

‘What is it?’

‘Sickos,’ said Lewis bluntly.

Chapter 38

38

Ed took a deep breath. He didn’t want any more trouble. He’d been praying that this trip wouldn’t end in disaster, in more deaths. He didn’t want to know what was on the other side of the door, but he didn’t want to leave Lewis there alone.

He hurried over. Went through. Saw Lewis standing ready. Saw two people slowly coming down the stairs. Old people. Old like he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Two women, one holding a candle, walking stiff and upright, the other sort of hiding behind her, very small, bent over, a frightened look about her, like a baby animal.

‘What do we do?’ said Lewis. ‘Do we kill them?’