Part 3 (1/2)

For a few moments, Verity could only gasp and splutter on the bed. She was drenched in sweat, her heart racing. She wanted to cry. A nightmare. Thank G.o.d, a nightmare! Perhaps it had all happened in an instant in her dreaming mind. Someone really was ringing the doorbell, and it had conjured the ghastly images in her head. One thing she was sure of, she would not answer the door this time. However, it seemed Louis wasn't going to either, and it was doubtful Daniel could be raised from his senseless slumber. Easier to raise the dead. Verity lay still, listening to the insistent rings. Oh, for G.o.d's sake!

Impatiently, she got out of bed and put on her dressing gown, firmly quelling any trepidation in her mind. Purposefully, she went down to the front door and flung it wide. A young man was slouched in the porch. He looked unwashed, his long, lank hair hanging over his eyes, hiding his face. He looked as if he could be some unsavoury friend of Daniel's, who'd been sleeping rough for a year.

Verity,' he said. Oh, Verity.'

Who the h.e.l.l are you?'

He brushed back his hair, so she could see his face. He was pale, filthy, his eyes clouded and rheumy. Her flesh chilled. It's me, Pete. I've come such a long way.'

This is a dream, Verity thought, another dream.

I love you, Vez,' said the man. Let me in. Let me show you how much I love you.'

You don't exist,' Verity said.

Before she could shut the door, the man held out his dirty arms to her. Look,' he said.

She caught a glimpse of the wounds on his inner forearms, long, vertical, gaping wounds from wrist to elbow. They were drained of blood now, after all this time. Verity slammed the door shut. Wake up,' she told herself, Wake up.'

The doorbell rang again. Vez, let me in! I love you.' His voice was m.u.f.fled.

Wake up, you stupid b.i.t.c.h! Wake up!

He started to hammer on the door. I won't leave you. I'll stay here! I love you!'

You're dead!' Verity screamed. Go away! You're dead!'

And you are the Guardian of the Dead,' said a soft voice at her shoulder.

She jerked awake.

When the doorbell rang again, she cried out and put her pillow over her ears. No! No!' Would this nightmare ever end? She would not get out of bed this time, no. She would will herself into another dream or true reality. After a few moments, she calmed herself. The doorbell was still ringing intermittently. Then it fell silent. She thought she heard voices outside. Verity held her breath, her whole body tense. Something tapped her window. She yelped and pulled the duvet over her head. Go away! Leave me alone! Go away!'

Ve-ri-tee!' The voice came from outside, then something else hit her window. She realised it was a handful of stones, or at least sounded as if it was.

Vez! Wake up! I'm locked out!'

Daniel! She lunged upwards and knelt on the bed to look out of the window. Daniel and Owen Winter stood in the drive, looking up at her.

Verity opened the window. This felt real, now. Yes. It was safe, wasn't it?

What the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l are you playing at, Daniel?' she demanded, conscious of the odious Winter boy's eyes greedily inspecting her thin night-dress.

I've lost my key,' Daniel said in a placatory tone. Let us in.'

Hang on.' Verity was just about to go downstairs, when a tremor of fear s.h.i.+vered through her. No. Nothing would induce her to open that door again. She found her handbag at the bottom of the bed and delved in it to find her key. Let yourself in!' she said, as she threw it out of the window.

Lily Winter woke up and knew that her brother Owen had not come home yet. The house felt empty around her, and cold. This was not just a metaphysical coldness, but because Owen always got up earlier than she did and lit the stove in the kitchen, so that there would be hot water ready for her when she got out of bed.

d.a.m.n!' Lily rolled over and glanced at her clock. Nine-thirty. She had woken up half an hour earlier than usual. Three cats were positioned around her bed, which signified they had not been fed. All right,' Lily said. Don't look at me like that!'

She got out of bed and put on her dressing gown. After going to the toilet and throwing cold water on her face, she padded barefoot downstairs, grimacing at the stove as she ventured into the kitchen. She hated having to light the thing. The cats had begun to mew and rub around her legs in antic.i.p.ation. Lily pushed her unbrushed hair back behind her ears and opened up a tin of cat-food. All the cats' bowls were dirty. Lily forked new food onto the dried remains of last night's meal and covered the reeking gobs of meat with a sprinkling of cat biscuits. The cats' ravenous pa.s.sion gave voice to new frenzy as Lily began to put the bowls down on the floor. Presently, their cries were silenced, and Lily was able to pick her way through the crouching furry throng to put the kettle on. Then, she picked up the mail lying on the doormat beside the back door - all of it looked boring - and sat down at the kitchen table to open it. Before the kettle had boiled, the back door opened and Owen walked in. She felt annoyed with him. This was the first time he hadn't been in the house on a Sat.u.r.day morning when she woke up. She did not approve of this new development in his habits. She did her part of the domestic ch.o.r.es; he should do his.

Good morning to you!' Lily said. You neglect your duties, sibling. Where is my lit stove?'

Owen grinned at her and shrugged off his coat. You are a lazy b.i.t.c.h,' he said good-naturedly.

I know, but that's not the point. I do the cleaning and cook most of the meals. You see to the stove, feed the cats and do my breakfast on Sat.u.r.days. I spent hours tidying up last night! And most of the mess was yours! Is it too much to expect the stove to be lit this morning? No! You're so selfish sometimes!'

For G.o.d's sake, Lil, it's not that serious! Don't be so carpy!' Owen sat down at the table to take off his boots. Lily felt a pang of affection as she looked at his bony shoulders. He seemed vulnerable somehow. Where have you been till now?' Normally, she never questioned him about his activities.

Just out,' he replied. His face was grubby, as if he'd been sleeping on dirt.

Lily shook her head. You'll be caught!' she said malevolently.

Owen raised his brows. Doing what?'

Whatever it is you're up to.'

I doubt it,' Owen said. Come and sit down. I'll do the stove and make breakfast.'

Peace offering.'

It won't happen again,' Owen said. I lost track of time.'

Lily held out for a few moments, standing rigidly against the sink, then went to sit down. Owen smiled at her.

Have you been with that Cranton boy all night?' Lily ventured.

Owen's smile clouded. Lily could tell she'd crossed a forbidden boundary, but refused to go back. Well?'

What is that to you?'

She shrugged. Dunno. He seems like an odd choice of friend. He's just a kid.'

He's bright,' Owen said. Young for his age, I'll admit, but interesting company.'

I can't see Ray and the others liking him much.'

Well, they do.' Owen stood up and went to the stove.

O?'

Mmm?'

Lily had to voice an uncomfortable suspicion. That boy's too young, much too young. You should be careful.'

Owen directed a quizzical glance at her. What are you implying, sister dear.'

Lily shrugged awkwardly. I think you know. Cranton's a good-looking lad, but his family are outsiders, O. They're different. You know what I mean.'