‘We are aware of some of it,’ Jason replied. ‘And certainly, if you meet the locals, they are over-eager to talk about it. I think they’re resentful of this estate being built. Like they want to scare us off.’

‘Locals in the country tend not to like change of any kind,’ Skeet said.

‘Tell me about it,’ Jason said.

‘Unrested souls bring negative energy,’ Orlebar continued. ‘It all needs putting to bed, then hopefully everything will be fine and you will both be able to enjoy your new home.’

‘And how do you do that?’ Jason asked.

‘What the Reverend Skeet and I will do, if you are both agreeable, is hold a service.’ He looked at each of them in turn.

‘What does that entail?’ Jason asked.

‘A communion service, in which we will formally lay any restless spirit in this house to rest. First, I’d like you both to tell us anything you can think of, out of the ordinary, that has happened since you moved in – which was very recently, I understand.’

Jason glanced at Emily. ‘Gosh, where do we begin?’

‘Tell us everything, Mr and Mrs Danes, whatever has been disturbing for you,’ Orlebar suggested.

‘Well,’ Jason said and nodded at the unplugged command box. ‘It started with some strange occurrences around that. But it could just have been teething issues.’

‘Then footsteps,’ Emily said, and pointed up at the ceiling.

They told the two clergymen about the disturbed night, and calling the police. The appearances of the woman, identified as Caroline Harcourt, they had both experienced. And the deceased vicar, Roland Fortinbrass, whom only Jason had seen.

The clergymen listened intently, asking questions as they went along. When Jason and Emily had finished, Orlebar explained the procedures they would carry out, then asked, ‘Would you both be happy for us to proceed? Of course, if you would prefer not, then we can just chat. But I understand from your visit to the Bishop this morning, Mr Danes, that you are both very concerned and somewhat distressed by occurrences here?’

‘On both counts,’ Emily said.

‘What would be involved – is there a fee?’ Jason asked.

‘There is absolutely no charge for our services, we are just here, representing the Church, to help you.’

Jason and Emily looked at each other, then nodded.

‘This may sound a bit silly,’ Jason said. ‘Is there any chance this service, whatever you do, could make things worse here?’

‘No,’ Orlebar said emphatically, glancing at his colleague.

Skeet nodded equally emphatically. ‘Absolutely not.’

‘What if our ghost – ghosts – are non-believers?’ Emily asked.

If their situation wasn’t so serious Jason might have laughed. And he loved his wife for asking the question.

Orlebar was unfazed. ‘Ghosts are neither believers nor unbelievers, Mrs Danes. Most Christians would believe that the time to choose whether to be a Christ follower – a believer – or not is while someone is alive on earth. After that we are all in God’s hands. He is the one who sorts out the sheep from goats, wheat from tares, and makes the final decisions.’