When Sandeep also stretched out his hand she could see the likeness. But while Mo was smiling, his father looked unhappy, angry even. He was holding a cloth and seemed to be cleaning the warm Aga.
So, youre not the hosts? Hannah asked.
Mo laughed. I wish. No, my dads just a cleaning fanatic. He turned to Sandeep. Come on, Dad, give it a rest. This is meant to be a holiday. But his father ignored him.
How long have you been here? Hannah thought of the shadow at the window when she first arrived.
About half an hour. And you?
An hour or so I think. So it couldnt have been them. Had a proper nightmare walking all the way from the road.
Hannah went to the fridge. Milk, cheese, butter. Some cold meats, lots of vegetables, orange and apple juice. But no wine. She sighed. Im surprised the host didnt warn us about the trek across that bog. My new trainers are ruined.
Mo looked down at her socks. Me and Dad like to walk, but yeah, it was a long way.
An old-fashioned coffee maker started to steam on the Aga. Sandeep filled two mugs with coffee and pushed them towards her without a word. His eyes were clouded. With annoyance, anger, or something else, she couldnt guess. She sat beside Mo and passed him a coffee, all the time aware of Sandeep stooped in the corner, wiping the worktops, fussing with the Aga again.
Mo blew on the mug and took a sip. For a while we thought we might be the only guests, stuck out here on our own. Its nice to have company.
He smiled at her across the table. It was a shy smile, but very warm. So what brings you all the way out here?
It was too direct, although he couldnt possibly know that. She paused, not wanting to mention Ben, but struggling to think of a plausible lie. In the end the truth just seemed to come out.
My father She swallowed. He used to live in this part of Ireland. He died five years ago. Hannah could feel her jaw tightening. She never talked about him. What was she doing telling a complete stranger?
So youve been here before? Sandeep had turned to face her, his voice loud in the silence.
Dad? Mo glanced at Sandeep then leaned across the table. Dont mind him, he doesnt want to be here. Mo had a strange accent that Hannah couldnt place. London certainly, but something else too.
She glanced at Sandeep and sipped her coffee. No, my parents separated when I was young and then my dad died. I never had a chance to get to know him properly. She turned the mug around in her hands. When I saw this place on Cloud BNB, I thought it would be nice to see where he lived. I guess I wanted to find out a bit more about him. It was the truth as far as it went.
Sandeep turned towards her. You came on your own? Once more that disapproving tone. And Hannah saw a flash of Ben laughing, shaking back his fair hair and leaning in to kiss her. Come on, you know you want to go. Cant keep putting it off. Well have a great time.
She heard Mo mutter something under his breath. It could have been, Sorry, but she was damned if she was going to let a moody old man get to her.
She looked at Sandeep. Im interested in the house. I studied architecture and used to work at an architectural practice. That was all he was going to get. What about you guys? Why did you decide to come here?
I didnt. It was his idea. Sandeep turned away and continued to scrub the kitchen surfaces. This place is filthy. Its going to take me all evening to get it clean. And my clothes are still soaking wet from the walk.
Hannah looked away and wondered why someone would be so unhappy about their holiday. Mo moved around the table to sit beside her and put his phone between them, pushing his glasses further up his nose with one finger. Im interested in the house too, but the history. Ive just finished my masters in history. Have you read about this place? Theres some cool stuff on Preserve the Past website.
Without waiting for an answer, he tapped his phone and held it up for her to read.
This property was originally called Fallon House after the local village of Fallon. Built in 1763 for the Anglo-Irish Lord Fallon, it remained in the family until the death of the most recent Lady Fallon. Preserve the Past then acquired it and changed the name from Fallon House to The Guesthouse. Preserve the Past is a registered charity and all the proceeds from guest rentals go towards continued renovations.
Mo frowned. He flicked back and forth between pages. Weird. I swear there was more here when I looked before, some fascinating background about the area. After a few seconds, he gave up and put down his phone. Apparently some bits of the house are closed off to visitors, because theyre still being renovated. When theres enough money, I guess. These things cost a fortune.
Sandeep scrubbed harder at the Aga.
Well the outsides a bit rundown, but it looks pretty good in here. The entrance hall is beautiful. Hannah smiled at Mo.
Its incredible. Have you seen
One of the cupboard doors slammed shut with a bang. They both jumped and turned to look at Sandeep.
He flung down his cloth and stared at them, his eyes bright. Stop it. Stop it. He coughed and put a hand to his mouth. This place its not right. Theres something about it It isnt safe. There was a stunned silence. I know you think Im an idiot, Mo, but you need to listen to me. He stabbed a finger at his son. Im leaving tomorrow, and you should too.
Hannah blinked. She tried to think of something to say, as Sandeep paced back and forth across the kitchen. After a moment he pulled up a chair and sat down heavily. There was a pause before he began to speak, softly but with an intensity that kept Hannah rooted to her seat.
Im not joking. He glanced between them. Theres just Its a horrible building. It just feels all wrong somehow, dark and cold I dont know, like something bad happened here. His knuckles were white on the edge of the table.
Come on, Dad, Mo tried to smile. Its fine. No one has lived here for years. Its been completely done up and
I dont care! I dont care what renovations have been done. I dont care about its architecture. We should never have come.
Chapter Four
Hannah stared at Mo as Sandeep stormed from the room and the door slammed behind him. Mo looked down at his phone, unable to meet her eye.
After a pause, she said, Is he all right?
Mo didnt answer, and Hannah found herself glancing out of the kitchen window towards a small brick-built outhouse that crouched in the darkness under the trees. She swallowed.
When Mo finally spoke, his voice was croaky. Im sorry about him. He took off his glasses and rubbed them on his shirt. Hes just tired after that long walk, and he hasnt been sleeping. Hes got this cough and his doctor said he needs a rest, so I booked the holiday. Thought hed love it. A little laugh. He used to live in the area, you know. Came here from Pakistan, married Mum and they stayed for years. I was born near here too, lived in Ireland until I was fifteen.
Hannah tried to smile. That explains the accent.
Yeah, I had a full-on Irish brogue when I arrived in London. Got bullied at school and managed to get rid of most of it. But Ive never been as happy as I was when we lived here. Still feel Irish, I guess.
Hannah tried to smile. That explains the accent.
Yeah, I had a full-on Irish brogue when I arrived in London. Got bullied at school and managed to get rid of most of it. But Ive never been as happy as I was when we lived here. Still feel Irish, I guess.
He glanced at the closed door. Since Mums death my dad has been really low. Hasnt bothered about anything. Ive been popping in to check his post and emails and I spotted this offer from Cloud BNB. Guessed he must have been thinking about visiting. So I decided to book it as a surprise.
Then his smile faded. It was a mistake to come. At first he refused, didnt want to go to Ireland at all, but I kept on until he finally agreed. It was all going fine until we arrived and started walking down that bloody track. He was confused, kept saying we were going the wrong way. We carried on, him silent the whole time, and when he saw the house, he just lost it. Flipped out. Said this wasnt The Guesthouse; it was all some kind of joke. Theyd changed the name just to fool people.
Does he know this place then?
Apparently, but he wouldnt talk about it. Wouldnt say why he hates it so much. Just kept going on and on about its bad reputation, how it feels all wrong. Mo tried to smile.
Hannah thought about the figure at the window when she first arrived. They lapsed into silence and listened to the wind tapping against the kitchen window.
Something tickled at her ankle and she jerked away, her leg hitting the table with a bang. The grey cat stepped out from underneath and Hannah laughed nervously. Stupid thing. But when she picked it up and tried to put it on her lap, the cat leapt down and went to lie by the Aga.
Knows its own mind, Mo said. It was crying at the window when we came in here. I tried to open the back door. He gestured behind them. But its locked and I couldnt find a key. Had to let it in through the front.
They lapsed into silence and watched the cat lick each of its back legs in turn.
Then there was a loud buzz and a click from the hall, and the front door swung open letting in a gust of wind.
I hope this is our host. Hannah pulled back her chair and they both stood. Hes got some explaining to do.
They walked into the hall and stood awkwardly by the stairs. But the figure who stepped through the door was nothing like the burly man from the website.
A stunning young woman walked in tall, dressed all in black, her short hair almost white. A long strand hanging over one eye. Like Hannah, this girl had dark roots and streaks, but they were blue and purple: a fashion statement rather than laziness.
The new guest stood at the door looking at them. For a brief moment an expression of something like distress passed over her face, before it was replaced by an irritated frown.
She slung a rucksack onto the floor by the door and pulled off her black Doc Martens. Left them by the walking boots and wiped a muddy hand on her trousers.
Hi, Im Lucy.
Her fingers were covered in rings, her ears crowded with studs. A sapphire-coloured stone glittered on the side of her nose, highlighting her high cheekbones and huge blue eyes.
Mo seemed to recover himself and stepped forward. Im Mo and this is Hannah. His Irish twang came on stronger. Im here with my dad and Hannahs on her own like you. Making sure Lucy knew they werent a couple, Hannah guessed. We were having some coffee in the kitchen. They all headed through, sitting at the table again.
Lucy stretched out her long legs. Bit of a walk, eh. I thought it was supposed to be near the village. She stood up and went to the fridge. Then looked in the freezer and opened a couple of cupboards. No booze either. Thats a bummer.
Hannah felt her spirits rise: someone she could get along with. She considered mentioning her vodka upstairs but thought better of it. Im going to walk to the village in the morning and find a shop.
Good idea, Ill come with you. Lucy smiled, but when the buzzer sounded again, she flashed an anxious glance at the door.
Raised voices drifted out from the hallway and, after a moment, three people entered the kitchen. A little family, bringing with them gusts of ice-cold air. The woman, arms crossed over her fancy white top, gave them a stony look. I hope one of you is the host.
Hannah sighed. Fraid not. Theres no sign of him. Looks like hes avoiding us. The website did say it was self-check-in, though, so the host doesnt have to be here. Thats why we have the electronic keypad
Its ridiculous, the woman interrupted. Weve had to park miles away on the main road and stumble down a dirt track in the dark and with a child too.
The teenage girl went red and turned away from them. The poor kid was probably around fourteen.
Her father gave them a warm smile. Yes, well. Im Liam and this is my wife, Rosa, and daughter, Chloe. His smile got bigger. Excuse Rosa, its been a long walk.
Rosas voice was still sharp. And I dont like the thought of our car out there in the middle of nowhere.
Ours is too, Mo said. They should be all right in a place like this. Not much crime around. He gestured to the Aga. Theres coffee on the stove.
None for us. Rosa looked at Chloe and Liam. We should find our room and have a shower. Come on.
But Liam stepped towards the Aga. You go on. I could do with a hot drink.
Rosa stared at him for a moment, then strode out, Chloe trailing after her. The girl glanced back at Lucy as she reached the door.
Liam poured himself some coffee and held up the pot. Anyone else? Hannah and Mo shook their heads.
Ill just have some juice, thanks. Lucy went to the fridge.
Hannah concentrated on her own mug but noticed Liam and Mo sneaking glances at Lucy.
Liam was tall and strong-looking with sandy hair thinning at the front. He had a warm Scottish lilt to match his warm smile. He sat at the end of the table, leaned back and took a gulp of coffee.
So, what brings you all here? His eyes flicked along Lucys legs.
Lucy raised her glass of orange juice and laughed. You first, Liam.
We dont live far away, actually, but were in the middle of a house move and having some problems. Sold our place and bought a new-build. But the work has been delayed its been a complete nightmare to be honest so were marking time here. Rosa found this place and I negotiated us a deal. A pretty good one, too. He flashed a white-toothed smile at Lucy. I dont know how much you lot are paying, but apparently we can stay as long as we like.
There was an awkward pause, then Lucy put her glass down on the worktop. Moving house is always a bloody nightmare. She looked out the window. Im dying for a cigarette. Might head out for one in the garden.
Hannah had given up a few years ago, but over the past few months the old craving had crept back into her life and now she felt its familiar stirring. Can I steal one? Ill get some more tomorrow.
Lucy nodded, and they walked out the front door.
The rain had stopped and the dark starless sky stretched away towards the horizon. Still and black, darker than any night Hannah had known in England. Lucy flicked a switch by the front door and a dim lamp buzzed on, illuminating the grey cat as it snaked past them and ran along the patio into the night.