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Post by sparacus on Oct 23, 2022 9:01:56 GMT -5
OK people: something different for Halloween this year. Readers have been asking me for this, so this year there will be a whole season of Ben Chatham Halloween stories. They will be:
1) The Sons of the Underworld 2) The Haunted Railway 3) They Come Back
STORY 1: THE SONS OF THE UNDERWORLD
Ben let the autumn wind blow through his lush hair as he drove through the misty countryside towards Moscombe Abbas, a small village in Somerset. The CD of Vaughan Williams' Pastoral Symphony had just finished on the car stereo and Ben turned to Julian: "Its time for some Bowie I think. Put 'Heroes' on Julian, I need to be inspired as I'm feeling a great, overwhelming sense of inner lethargy." "Can't we like have some Sons of the Underworld or My Chemical Romance?' Craig Chatham, sat behind Ben, asked. Ben sighed: "No we can't Craig. I'm not sitting here listening to some rubbish modern pseudo-goth band with no good songs. Why don't you just listen to the Sisters of Mercy or the Cure if you like that sort of thing?" Ben commented. "Who are they?" Craig replied nonchalantly. Ben was bemused: "The ignorance of youth. Its bad enough that you've dragged us all the way out here on this wild goose chase Craig. I mean it makes very little sense. You say that you've been contacted by the band Sons of the Underworld, whose fan website you run, claiming that they have evidence of alien activity near to their rural retreat and recording studio. As I keep telling you, its probably a case of too many drugs". Craig gazed languidly into space: "They like don't do drugs. Everybody knows that. Drugs bring on Liam's anxiety issues." Ben sighed: "Liam being their useless snowflake singer, as you keep saying. Hardly Lou Reed," he replied. Julian put Bowie's 'Heroes' CD on and as 'Beauty and the Beast' started, he lent over to Ben and whispered: "He's really starting to annoy me. Can I punch him?" Ben laughed and squeezed Julian's thigh: "Don't worry. On the way back we'll dump him at mum and dad's house in Wiltshire."
A short time later they were driving down the narrow, winding, leaf-strewn lane towards Moscombe Abbas. The air smelt damp and mouldy. It was starting to get dark and the trees on either side of the lane seemed to loom down on them like sinister guardsmen. As they drove into the village, the stone houses and shops looked quaint and antiquated. Ben looked around: "What was the name of the place you said they's meet us in?" he asked Craig. "The Black Swan Inn. Liam said its a restaurant now. Their country retreat is just on the outskirts of the village but they can't stay there now as the alien sightings trigger their anxiety." "Give me strength", Ben muttered under his breath. Ben parked the car in the cobbled village square and he, Julian and Craig got out to look around. There was no one around at all and a strange, uneasy feeling came over Ben: "Something doesn't feel right here. Its like we are being watched and that mouldy smell is really foul." "Perhaps they all smell like this in Somerset. Its all the cider they drink", Julian said with a grin. Ben laughed: "Yes it must give them collective flatulence. Come on, lets find that Inn". They walked down the deserted, cobbled street and eventually saw an old man wearing a tweed jacket and cap letting himself into a cottage. Ben walked over to him: "Excuse me. Can you direct us to the Black Swan Inn please." The man scowled: "Ooo ahh, what do you waaant with that place? I'd get inside your car and drive out of 'ere if I were you boy. They comes out at noight you know." Ben frowned: "Look just tell me where the Inn is please". "Ooo ahh, it be down that there lane on the roight. I'm goin' in moi 'ouse and I ain't comin' out till marnin", the man said as he entered the house and slammed the door. Julian laughed: "Stupid old fool. He's off inside to down a bucket of cider and listen to his Wurzels LP". They laughed. "Come on, lets find that inn and let Craig meet his idols. I could do with a civilised cognac before listening to the rubbish that these musicians have to say." Craig gazed languidly at the ground: "The Sons of the Underworld do not speak rubbish and you are prejudging them in a dismissive way."
A short time later, they saw the Inn in the distance and heard voices coming from it. Ben walked up to the wooden door and pushed it open, seeing groups of people sat at tables. They all went silent as Ben, Julian and Craig walked in. Ben looked around puzzled as the customers all stared at him, strange smiles on their faces. He was about to say something when a tall blond woman with beehive hair wearing a tight-fitting red dress approached him: "Darling, its so good to see you here. Its not often that we welcome strangers to our Inn. My name is Lucinda and I am the proprietress. *stroking Ben's face and neck* What a finely formed young man you are. So firm I expect, in all the right places." Ben gulped and drew back: "Look Lucinda, we are here to meet some people. The Sons of the Underworld rock group in fact." Lucinda grinned revealing perfect white teeth: "Oh darling, they are over there." She gestured towards a table at the back and stroked Ben's leg as he walked past. Ben and the others walked towards the big table where four thin young men with dyed long black hair, wearing leather, stared at the floor. Craig, in a rare moment of animation, rushed towards them: "Like hi guys. Its Craig and this is uncle Ben and Julian. I'd like to share with you my low self-esteem and like anxiety and hope we can like empower each other". "Sure", one of the band mumbled. They sat down in the three empty seats. Julian looked around: "Funny none of these groups seem to have been served anything. They're just sat there staring at us. Weird." Ben frowned as Lucinda approached: "Excuse me but can we order please. I'd like a cognac and to see the menu. I'd quite like a greek salad with salmon, if that is available." Lucinda smiled: "Those items are not on the menu. We are not taking orders yet darling." Ben was annoyed: "Look, we have traveled here from Cambridge and I'd like to order a drink at least. And are your customers staring at us like that?" Lucinda smiled: "Because they're hungry darling." "What?" Lucinda grinned again but this time her two end teeth were extended into fangs. The Sons of the Underworld also grinned revealing fanged teeth and as Ben and the others looked frantically round the room they saw the other customers all had the same. Ben stood up angrily: "Look is this some kind of sick Halloween joke?" As he spoke, a young man dressed as a waiter came out of the kitchen and poured the last of the contents of a wine bottle into a glass. The liquid was red. "This is the last bottle of blood gone, madam." Lucinda took the glass, grinned and drank, blood dripping down her jaw. She grinned: "Not to worry, Lucian. New stock has just come in......"
.....to be continued
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Post by sparacus on Oct 24, 2022 10:02:34 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is the gripping conclusion of this season opener:
"THE SONS OF THE UNDERWORLD" Part 2
Craig Chatham stared at his musical heroes, the Sons of the Underworld: "You're like literally all vampires. This is really scary but kind of awesome at the same time. Can I join you in you're dark world?" The lead singer Liam, a skinny, cadaver-like young man with a white complexion glared at him: "We will feast on your blood, then you will be one of us." Ben intervened: "Make a run for the door. Craig, stop behaving like an idiot, these creatures mean to kill us." Craig gazed sadly at the floor and mumbled: "Without Isobel my life is over anyway." Julian grabbed him angrily by the arm: "Stop being a prick you infuriating emo child. Come on!" Ben and Julian wrenched Craig out of his chair and they ran for the door, dodging the grasping hands of the vampire customers. Ben picked up a spare chair and threw it at Lucinda, who hissed and spat at him. "You cannot escape us darling Ben. Come to me and let me feast on your beautiful neck", she shouted. Ben pushed open the door and they ran out into the cobbled street as the waiter Lucien ran after them carrying a large knife. They ran down the dank, damp and misty street, Craig slipping over on some mud: "I'm like all wet". Julian shot him an angry look: "We know you're all wet. Totally wet, pathetic and annoying." He dragged Craig to his feet and they ran on through the strange, deserted village towards the church, where they saw that the lights were on. "Come on, lets get inside the church, then we can phone for back-up", Ben shouted. They ran inside the Church and saw a large lady with long, black hair lighting some candles. She turned around and they saw that it was the vicar. Julian grinned: "Hey, she looks just like the vicar of Dibley." Ben smiled: "She does indeed. *To the vicar* You may not believe this but we are being pursued by vampires. Can we hide in your church?" The vicar grinned, exposing fangs: "What delightful boys. Come to momma and let her feast". Craig grimaced: "Holy ¤¤¤¤". Ben looked decisively around and saw a doorway: "Run for the door". They ran for the doorway and found it led to a side room, where the vicar had an office. Inside they found another door leading to a store room containing boxes of junk, gold crosses and bottles of holy water. Ben quickly texted UNIT before grabbing a cross: "Grab yourselves a cross and a bottle of holy water each. Lets confront those things out there." They walked back out into the church and saw the vicar, Lucinda, Lucien and the Sons of the Underworld all creeping menacingly down the aisle towards them. "Oh darling Ben, I simply crave your blood inside me", Lucinda said, swishing her hips provocatively. Ben threw the holy water at them, followed by Julian and Craig. They screamed in pain as Ben and the others raised their crosses and ran past the vampires, out of the church and through the cobbled streets towards the car.
Later, back in Cambridge, they were discussing the case in Ben's apartment over drinks. Ben frowned: "It seems that those creatures were infected with an alien virus brought here by the original creature, the one calling itself Lucinda." Craig sipped his mineral water: "So vampires aren't real?" "Yes they are, but they are aliens rather than the undead. They can spread a virus to humans. There are alien planets out there overrun with them. Thankfully UNIT have informed me that the village has been cleared of the threat." Craig gazed at the floor: "That means no more Sons of the Underworld albums. I feel like utterly crushed and depressed by that. I want to leave this unhappy planet".
THE END
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Post by sparacus on Oct 26, 2022 14:32:16 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is story two in this ghostly series:
STORY TWO: THE HAUNTED RAILWAY: Part 1
Ollie Peters stormed towards the door of the Red Lion in an angry state, having just been rebuffed by Abby Fletcher after giving her his best chat-up lines and offering to take her home for a, 'good seeing to'. He turned back towards the bar where Abby and her friend Kylie were glaring at him: "You won't get a better offer in here, darling", he shouted. "Piss off slimeball", came Abby's angry reply. Ollie was a builder's apprentice and he was usually successful with women, but recently his luck had dried up. He went outside into the cold, autumn night, the mist hanging heavy above the dank pub car park. "Silly cow", he muttered under his breath before starting on the two mile walk home to his rented room in Snackerston along the footpath beside the old legacy railway-line, used now only as a tourist attraction. As he walked along the dark, unlit footpath he began to whistle a melancholy tune to himself. Suddenly he thought he saw someone in the distance, a shadowy figure that had moved out of the bushes. He wiped his eyes and looked again, but the figure had gone. Thinking he had imagined it or the moonlight gleaning through the mist was playing tricks with him, Ollie moved on. The figure moved out from the bushes again, this time much closer. It wore a monk's habit and there was a sudden and intense smell, like a mixture of musty old books and rotting meat. Ollie stood transfixed as the figure raised its hand, which looked skeletal, and pointed towards the railway line. Ollie felt a strange, irresistible compulsion to leave the trail and to walk out onto the railway track. He tried to fight it but some force seemed to take over his body and compel him to walk onto the track. As he did so, he heard the sound of the train. But there were no trains running this late at night on this old, legacy line. Then he saw it; a dark, unnatural, shadowy steam train with smoke billowing into the mist, mixing with it. Ollie let out a scream before the train hit him.....
Ben sighed as he drove Katie Ryan, Kyle and his nephew Craig to the small car park at Fenton Station. "This is going to be a real day of tedium and stress ahead. I feel like I'm heading for another low ebb in my life. Things are still not quite the same between me and Julian, but we're working on it." "Like, why are we even here?" Craig asked sulkily. Ben sighed again: "Because its your grandparents wedding anniversary and they've just got back together yet again. Plus I need to get back into father's good books and he loves anything to do with vintage railways. So I'm treating them to a trip on a luxury, restored 1920s steam train to Snackerston Railway Museum. It was either this or a trip to the opera and this was cheaper. Additionally I need to persuade them to take you off my hands". Craig scowled: "Yeah you don't have to sound like so keen to get rid of me." Ben sighed again: "Craig please don't take this the wrong way. You are my nephew, the son of my drug-addled sister. However I need some space to rebuild my relationship with Julian." He turned to Katie: "Thanks for coming Katie. I need you to pretend that me and you are back together and that Julian is off the scene. My father will love that and I need to ensure the inheritance is still coming my way, especially after my divorce from Emma. Afterwards we can continue our discussions about your group rejoining Operation Delta." Katie was applying a fresh layer of red lipstick. She popped it back into her exclusive £2000 handbag which she snapped shut, firmly but elegantly. She turned to Ben, swishing her hair: "Ben you know my terms as regards that. Sack that dumb bitch Corinne and I will consider returning. As far as today goes, I am happy to pretend to be your girlfriend as a good will gesture." Craig stared sulkily at the floor of the car: "You two are like really dishonest." Katie shot him an icy stare: "Shut it emo boy or Ben will have to put up with you all over winter and he has given me permission to jab my stiletto heels in your eyes." Kyle intervened: "'Ere like can we just remember that we are on a case here as well. Three mysterious deaths, dismembered corpses found on the railway line when no trains were running, sightings of a ghostly train which vanishes into thin air...." Ben wiped his forehead with the palm of his hand: "Yes I know Kyle. This is a matter of two birds with one stone. Its really stressful for me."
They got out of the car and walked towards the tea room at Fenton Station. It was a bright autumn morning and Alastair and Sarah Chatham sat on a table outside sipping tea and eating lemon cake. They stood up to greet Ben: "Good morning Benjamin, great to see you again", Alastair stated, giving Ben a swift hug. "I'm so pleased to see you again Katie and to hear that you are straightening out my son. Oh and Craig, its great to see you too. I hope you have matured a bit since last time." He gave Craig a brief, formal hug before gesturing that they sit down. "We are grateful Benjamin for this trip on the historic Flying Eastman to the railway museum. I'd have preferred two tickets for Tosca at Glyndebourne but nonetheless I do look forward to today". Sarah Chatham shot her husband a cold look: "What your father means is that he'd rather be taking his French floozy to the opera than spending his anniversary with me." "Now now dear, lets not quarrel on a day like this. *Noticing Kyle* I'm wondering why you have brought a member of staff with us Benjamin. Is he a railway enthusiast?" Ben looked embarrassed: "Er no father. Kyle is here on business. There have been reports of mysterious happenings on this heritage line and it seemed prudent to investigate." Alastair glared at him: "Oh really, you mean to say that you are here on one of your cases. I'm very disappointed."
There followed an embarrassed silence before the Flying Eastman pulled into the station and they and the other passengers climbed aboard. A wealthy-looking elderly lady in a tweed jacket and wearing a fur hat was sat alone in a compartment. "May we join you, madam?" Alastair asked her. "Of course you may", the lady stated: "I hope you are all civilised though", she added. The train was a refurbished vintage steam train with pre-1950s compartments and a dining carriage and bar with silver cutlery. The staff were all in costumes from the 1930s. As the train pulled off, Alastair gave a forced smile: "Well I feel like a stiff drink in that nice looking bar. I'll treat you all, *to the elderly lady* please mind our luggage madam." They left the compartment and walked down the narrow corridor to the luxury vintage bar. They sat down and a young waiter approached. He stared intently at Ben, who felt an instant attraction to him: "Can I help you?" Ben felt an instant urge to make a pass at the waiter but the presence of his father held him back. They ordered a bottle of finest cognac and a smoked salmon platter each. As they were about to eat, they heard screaming from outside the dining carriage and a young woman dressed as a maid came running in, hysterical. The waiter pulled her to one side and tried to calm her down: "What the hell is it, Bella?" "The woman... the woman back there in carriage two, she's dead. Her throat's been cut. And he was dressed like a monk... the killer was like dressed as a monk...."
.........to be continued
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Post by sparacus on Nov 13, 2022 16:13:55 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 2 of this spooky adventure:
THE HAUNTED RAILWAY: Part 2
A chill passed through Ben as the hysterical Bella jabbered on. When she finished he looked up: "We were just in carriage two. It must be that lady in the fur hat that has been murdered. I hope our luggage is safe." Alastair Chatham downed his glass of single malt and glared at the waiter: "Young man, we need to recover our luggage immediately. And before you object, my son here is an authorised investigator of unexplained phenomena and killers dressed as monks qualifies under that definition in my book." The waiter looked nervous: "I think we should wait for the police sir. The killer is still on the loose". Alastair Chatham gave him an icy stare: "Did you not here what I said? My son is qualified to investigate. Come on Ben, lets ignore this snowflake and see what has happened." He pushed past the waiter, who looked embarassed, followed by Ben, Katie, Kyle, Craig and Sarah Chatham. Ben gave the waiter a sympathetic look and mouthed 'sorry', rather embarassed by his father's rudeness. They arrived at the carriage door and Alastair strode in, telling the others to wait outside. He soon emerged with their bags: "She's a right old mess in there. Throat cut from ear to ear, poor old baggage. Whoever did that must be sick in the head." Katie strode past him and into the carriage to take a look. "Uggh gross!" Craig exclaimed. Sarah Chatham became emotional and took out her handkerchief: "Some anniversary this is turning out to be. I wish I'd stayed at home." Katie emerged and pulled Ben to one side: "The old cow has what look like claw marks on her and bite marks. Either a particularly nasty killer or something non-human is on this train". As she spoke, the Flying Eastman juddered to a sudden halt, sending the passengers falling to the floor, Ben banging his head on the compartment door as he fell, sending him unconscious.
Ben can round slowly and found himself lying across the seat in another carriage, his mother dabbing his face with her handkerchief. "Benjamin, are you ok? Can you feel your legs?" Ben sat up, feeling nauseous: "Yes I'm ok. What happened? Why has the train stopped? Alastair Chatham gave him a stern look: "Some damn rubbish about something blocking the line, a tree or some such obstacle. Plus a strange fog seems to have descended. It was bright earlier. Very inconvenient." Kyle was outside talking to the waiter. He stepped in: "Ere Ben, you feeling better? Joe says we all 'ave to get off the train as it ain't safe in this fog as the engine's on fire". Ben rubbed his head and sighed: "Who is Joe? And where are we supposed to go?" "He's the waiter like. He recons the train ain't safe but there's an 'ouse just over the fields". Ben sighed: "Can't we just phone for help?" Katie interjected: "Check your phone Ben". Ben checked his phone and found it was out of charge. Katie interjected again: "They are all like that. None of our phones are working. We need to evacuate the train." The passengers were all helped off the train onto the dank, dirty side verge by guardsmen and the driver and Joe the waiter found a gap in the hedge that they could push through into the field. They could see nothing in the thick fog: "How do you know that there is a house near here?" Ben asked Joe. "I have worked on this line so long that I know it really well", Joe replied. Ben found something about his gentle voice very attractive and he wanted to say something, but his father was nearby so he held back. They began to walk through the damp grass of the field: "This is really rank", Craig moaned. Katie jabbed him with her handbag: "Oh just shut it, ok? What the hell do you think its like walking through grass in these heels, yet I don't complain." As they walked, Ben decided to raise the issue of Operation Delta with Katie: "Look Katie, I'd really like you and your group to rejoin us. You and Adam Wooten were key Operation Delta people and I have decided to forgive you both. I've spoken to Corinne and while she was not exactly in agreement, she has agreed to leave the decision to me." Katie frowned: "You have decided to forgive us? How ¤¤¤¤ing patronising can you get Ben. You were in the wrong as you failed to back me against Corinne and get rid of her." Ben gave her a hurt look: "Katie, my head still hurts and I'm feeling nauseous. Please give me a break". As he spoke there was a scream from behind them, which sounded like Sarah Chatham. Ben ran back to see what was going on and found his father remonstrating with her: "What has happened?" Ben asked. "Your mother thinks that she saw something in the fog or some nonsense". Sarah slapped him: "I did see it. It looked like a monk. It was carrying a large scythe..................."
........to be continued.
....................to be continued
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Post by sparacus on Dec 11, 2022 14:03:12 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 3 of this ghostly special for Christmas:
"The Haunted Railway": Part 3
Ben comforted his mother as the group trudged on through the damp grass, a cold mist hanging around them. They could see the train staff, Joe the waiter, Bella, and Jim the driver reach a set of old iron gates, which opened as they pushed them. There was a pathway that led to the front of an large old house which was covered in ivy and looked neglected. No lights were on. Jim the driver pushed the front door but it was locked. Kyle strode up to him: "There ain't no one in it seems", Jim muttered. Kyle grinned: "That ain't no issue for me". He fumbled around with his keys, finding his favourite lock-picker and proceeded to pick the old, iron lock. "Oh really, should we be doing this? It seems most untoward", Sarah Chatham exclaimed as they caught up. Ben took charge: "We have to find shelter and a telephone mother. While we obviously should not condone criminality, this is a situation where we are preserving our safety." They walked into the house and were surprised to find it warm and well furnished. A log fire was burning in the hallway and Alistair found the light switch and they saw that the walls of the hall were decorated with Edwardian paintings. "Hello there!", Jim the driver shouted. "Hello there, is anyone home?" There was no reply and Katie strode forward: "Of course there is someone home, you old fool, there is a fire burning. Lets search the rooms". She flung open a door and strode into an opulent lounge which had another fire burning in it and candles burning in an elaborate candelabra. There was no one there and she flounced over to a record player and started rifling through a pile of LPs. She lifted one up: "Mozart's Requiem in D minor. Someone here has a penchant for classical music." Katie put on the LP and turned up the volume: "This should alert the household to the fact that we are here". Despite the loud music, no one came.
A short time later, Ben, his parents, Craig, Katie, Kyle and the train staff were sat round the fire sipping drinks raided from the cabinet in the lounge and wondering what to do next. Alistair Chatham sipped his brandy: "This is a very fine brandy indeed. A forty year old Asbach, one of the finest German brandies. Furthermore this recording of Mozart's Requiem by Herbert von Karajan is my favourite version. The people who live in this house have a fine and discerning sense of taste. I met von Karajan on several occasions during my musical career". Sarah Chatham gave him a stern look: "As I recall, it was von Karajan who first introduced you to that French floozy. Thanks for reminding me and spoiling my evening." Ben gave an embarrassed look to his bickering parents then turned to the others: "We need a plan as to what to do next. Kyle, Katie and Joe have thoroughly searched all the rooms and there is no one here, despite the lit fires and candles. The telephones do not work, or have been cut off and a thick fog has descended, meaning that we are trapped here, probably for the night. I feel concerned that something isn't right about this house." Katie shot him an angry look: "Of course something isn't right. The people who live here have obviously fled or else they've been brutally murdered and are lying outside with their throats cut or something." Sarah Chatham and Bella both began to cry loudly. Ben shot Katie an angry look. Katie walked to the cabinet, poured herself another drink and turned to them: "What? I'm only saying out loud what everyone else is thinking *to Sarah and Bella* pull yourselves together and stop whimpering. What we need to do is to find ourselves a room each and spend the night here and then set out to walk to this Snackerstone place in the morning." Kyle interjected: "Ere if we're stayin' the night then we need to rustle up some grub. I'm starving." Ben stood up: "I agree. Joe and I will see what we can find in the kitchen." Ben and Joe left the lounge and walked along the dimly lit passageway to the kitchen. As they neared the door, Joe pulled Ben to one side and kissed his lips: "I've wanted to do that all evening, since I first saw you on the train", Joe gently said. Ben smiled: "I know. I was holding back because of my father. He's very traditional". They found the kitchen and switched the light switch but it remained dark: "Damn, the bulb must have gone", Ben stated, switching on his torch. He moved to the fridge door and opened it: "Hey, there's a massive hunk of ham in here and lots of cheese...." As he spoke he realised that he was kneeling in some kind of liquid. He jumped up in horror as he shone the torch down and saw that it was blood. Nearby was a middle-aged man with his head smashed in. Ben turned towards where Joe had been standing, but Joe had gone.
Back in the lounge, Craig Chatham was restless and pacing around the room. He pulled back one of the curtains to look outside and jumped back in horror: "What the hell is up with you?" Katie shouted. Then she saw that on the window, which was covered in condensation, words had been written in the wet: "Get out of here. They KILL".
..................to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Dec 17, 2022 13:19:10 GMT -5
Ok, here is part 4 of this seasonal tale:
"The Haunted Railway" Part 4
Craig walked back to the sofa and sat down, his black, greasy hair falling down over his face: "Like this is really dark. I feel a sense of existential horror descending onto my existence" . Katie frowned: "Oh stop being such a pretentious little twerp. *Looking around the room* Ok whose idea of a stupid joke was that message?" The room was silent. Sarah Chatham stood up: "None of us did that. I'm really afraid and I'm not staying here a moment longer. I want to leave." Alistair shook his head: "We can't leave, its thick with fog out there. Stop being dramatic Sarah". Sarah shot him an angry look as Ben returned from the kitchen, an ashen look on his face: "I have no desire to panic anyone, but I've just found a dead guy in the kitchen with his head smashed in. I'm concerned that he did not meet a natural death. Furthermore, Joe seems to have gone missing." Katie moved towards him and stroked his arm: "Poor Ben. I'll pour you a brandy to calm you down". They sat down as Alistair stood up and paced around. He started flicking through the LPs on the record rack and pulled out Sir Malcolm Sargent's recording of Gustav Holst's 'The Planets': "Ah, whoever lives here really does have good musical taste. I'd say that this recording, along with those by William Steinberg and my old friend Herbert von Karajan are the finest recordings of Holst's suite." Katie handed Ben a brandy, stroked his cheek and turned to Alistair: "I have that on CD. I agree its great. Mine is conducted by some German guy as well, called Herrmann or something." Alistair laughed: "Oh dear, not the recording by Bernard Herrmann. Good grief woman, that's possibly the worst recording of The Planets ever made. I wouldn't even have a copy in the house, let alone listen to it. Dear me, you really have no idea." Katie turned to Ben and whispered: "If your father insults me like that again, I'm going to lamp him one". Ben sipped his brandy and sighed: "Look everyone, can we just focus on the key issue here. A man has been murdered, possibly the owner of this house. We are in danger here." Kyle looked out of the window: "The fog out there ain't liftin' but I'm all for us leavin' and goin' for some help." "Well said young man", Sarah Chatham interjected. Katie glared at Kyle: "Oh shut it, chavboy. I'm not going out there in the fog and mud in these shoes. They were expensive." Craig looked up vacantly: "I am tired of my life. Should I sleep, perchance to dream? Or would the land of silence take my down the river of dark isolation?" Bella began to weep.
A short time later, Ben, Kyle and Jim the driver had set out to find Joe. They walked along the upstairs landings, opening doors and gazing into empty bedrooms and closets full of clothes that seemed to date from around the 1950s. Kyle looked into a bathroom then turned to Ben: "This is useless. 'Ere why don't you and I go out for help and let Katie stay here and deal with the others." Ben sighed: "I suppose you may have a point Kyle. Lets go back downstairs". As they turned around, they saw that Jim the driver had vanished: "Jim. 'ey Jimbo", Kyle shouted. Ben frowned: "This is what happened to Joe. I'm really concerned now Kyle." They went back downstairs to find the others crowded around Craig who was showing them an old newspaper that he'd found behind the sofa cushion. Katie looked up: "Ben come and see this. Craig has found an article about this place. Seems that there was a nasty train crash near to here in 1953 and bizarrely on the same night, the family who lived in this house were found murdered." Sarah Chatham was shaking with fear and Bella crying. Ben went up and comforted his mother: "Its ok mother, that was a long time ago." Alistair glared at him: "Stop pandering to your mother's hysterics, Benjamin. People will think you're soft, or worse. Be a man!" Kyle interjected: "'Ere look, me and Ben are goin' outside to get some help." Sarah began to plead with Ben not to go, but Alistair intervened: "Oh shut up Sarah. No wonder Ben has had issues, given that you smother him like he's a girl".
Later Ben and Kyle set out in the thick fog. They walked down the long path and over a field at the side, until they found a lonely lane. There was a musty smell of rotten leaves all around and silence all around. As they walked, a figure stepped out in the lane in front of them A hooded figure, carrying a scythe......
.............to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Dec 21, 2022 15:26:24 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 5 of this ghostly festive tale:
"The Haunted Railway" Part 5
The hooded figure with the scythe began to walk towards them through the dank fog. Ben noticed a slight green hue around the figure and he turned to Kyle: "Oh no, I've heard of this before Kyle. When we were going through the Torchwood archive files I read about cases of people trapped in a time vortex knot. They can reappear in physical form, often with a green hue, but are trapped in a time bubble." Kyle looked nervously at the figure: "Trapped or not this 'ere dude ain't friendly Ben. I say we run". "Valid thinking Kyle", Ben added. They ran back across the muddy field and down the path towards the house. They burst through the door and into the old house to find Sarah Chatham in tears, being comforted by Craig. Alistair glared at Ben: "That was ridiculously quick Benjamin. Where is the help?" Ben flicked back his hair and sighed: "We were pursued by a figure with a scythe and took a rational decision to flee. Why is mother upset?" Alistair frowned: "Your mother is having another funny. All because that silly Bella girl has vanished now as well as the others." Sarah stared at him angrily: "You really are a pig of a man. I wish I'd never married you." Alistair poured himself a glass of whisky and picked up an LP: "Well I'm going to put on this excellent recording of Verdi's Requiem by Solti. You Benjamin need to decide what you are going to do to get us out of this situation. It is supposed to be your job after all".
They sat in silence for a while and listened to the music, punctuated by Sarah's sobbing. Ben and Katie began to put more wood on the fire and Ben gave her an anguished look: "Katie, you can see how much stress I am under at the moment. Not just with this case but with my family. I'm stuck between my warring parents, lumbered with Craig again and desperately trying to stop my father disinheriting me. Could you not just rejoin Operation Delta and not give me even more stress by making a drama out of it?" Katie took hold of his hand and kissed him: "Poor Ben. Okay I'll agree to return, with my team of course. However I hope you will make it worth my while by showing me some attention, of the bedroom kind". As she spoke, they all heard a noise coming from outside, loud enough to be heard through the Verdi, which sounded like a car or a van pulling up. Craig went to the window and looked out: "Like there's a weird van outside". Ben smiled: "At last, the reinforcements have arrived". Alistair gave him a stern stare: "What on earth do you mean? Are the police here Benjamin?" Ben went to the front door and opened it, greeting Shakey Jake and Corinne Shaw. Corinne was carrying a large bag of equipment. Jake grasped Ben by the shoulders: "Hey man, you ok? We were really worried about you man. This is really heavy". Ben smiled: "Great to see you Jake". They went into the lounge and Corinne strode over to the record player, turning the sound down: "Okay, there is no need to worry. We are all at risk of death, however there is no need to be overly concerned as we have a plan. Fortunately Ben's phone has an emergency alarm mechanism so that if there is a sudden power or signal loss, it sends of a split-second emergency text before cutting out. That is why we are here." Jake went over to Ben and offered him a Fox's glacier mint. Its soothing taste sent Ben into a trance-like state where sound seemed to vibrate in luminous colour: "Yeah man. We've been researching all the groovy goings on in this area. Seems like there have been other strange deaths in this house and nearby. It all started with the murder of the Boxby family in 1953, at the same time as a train derailed, killing 15 passengers. Heavy man. There's a really heavy cat that lurks around the lanes here with a green glow around him". Alistair glared at Jake, disgusted: "Benjamin, this ageing man positively reeks of cannabis and he is clearly damaged psychologically. I really am concerned at the type of people you are employing." Ben sighed: "Jake, can you tell us more about this Boxby family and the first murders please". "Yeah man. The story is that this dude called Bill Weaver, a coal man and petty criminal with a vicious temper, was having an affair with the wife of a guy called Jim Boxby, a train driver who lived here. Seems that this Mrs Boxby was like really disturbed in the head. A real crazy chick who hated her husband and kids. She stabbed her husband to death with a carving knife before running off to meet Weaver. Really heavy man. This Weaver cat was a heavy drinker with a violent temper and he came back here with Mrs Boxby and found that her two grown up kids, Joe and Bella, had found their father's body. So Weaver killed the kids, before he and Mrs Boxby walked in front of a train, as a suicide pact, causing a crash that killed 15 people. Heavy man, heavy." As he spoke, Katie nudged Kyle and stared at Corinne: "What is that bitch doing here?" "'Ere cam on Katie, you know she still works with us." Katie gave him a frosty look: "Not for much longer if I get my way". Ben frowned and a chill came over him: "Jim, Joe and Bella....."
............to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Dec 26, 2022 12:25:51 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is the next part of this chilling festive story, which hopefully RTD will adapt as a tv special:
The Haunted Railway: Part 6
A chill went through Ben and he sank down onto the sofa in shock: “The family were called Jim, Joe and Bella. It hardly seems feasible but it seems like we have encountered ghosts. But that would be irrational therefore they must be criminals of some kind pretending to be those characters”. Jake offered Ben another mint and smiled: “Hey man, I can explain. Before we came here we scanned the area using the time interface void loop detector equipment that Corinne has just brought in. It’s groovy man, we found it in the Torchwood archive. This whole area is in a time void loop vortex. Heavy, real heavy. It seems that these characters must be trapped in a time loop and keep dropping in and out of this time-stream. Cool man”. Ben sighed: “So they are all dead and yet trapped in time. Still seems like ghosts to me.” Corinne interjected: “Yes but ghosts that can kill. There have been real murders around here and we believe that this Bill Weaver and Mrs Boxby character could be behind it. They are malevolent and dangerous’. Ben felt very down and he wiped his eyes: “So Joe is trapped in time also. He was such a nice guy.”
They sat in silence for a while and Kyle comforted Ben before Alistair stood up: “Look this is silly, we need to act. Benjamin kindly pull yourself together. *To Corinne* Madam I would like to see your equipment!” Katie nudged Kyle and whispered: “I expect she doesn’t hear that very often from a man, cold fish that she is”. Corinne took some sophisticated equipment from her bag and she and Jake started assembling what looked like a computer system with a large antenna. Corinne spoke: “I would like a drink please as this is challenging work. What you see here is a time interface loop resolver. Time Lord technology obtained by Torchwood after an encounter with the Master. It should put time back to normal around here.” Ben looked up sadly: “What about Joe?” Corinne sipped a brandy given to her by Alistair: “He will simply have died back in 1953.” Ben looked down at the floor and shook his head: “So poor Joe will never get to live his life, to love and to find happiness”. Alistair frowned at Ben: “Stop this nonsense Benjamin. Men do not feel sympathy for other young men.” Ben stood up and walked away from his father and sat in an armchair in the corner, leafing through an old book. Katie joined him and put her arm on his shoulder: “It’s Ok Ben. I’ll help you restore your image with the old tyrant. Kiss me”. They kissed.
A short time later the device was ready and Kyle was looking it over: “Ere, how does it work like?” Corinne sipped her brandy: “I simply programme in the area we want to cover and punch in the activation code.” As she spoke there was a knock on the front door which echoed through the hall. Sarah looked up in fear: “Who on earth is that?” Jake grinned: “Hey man, it could be Paul Farraday with some back-up equipment. He said he would join us here.” Ben stood up and went through the hall to the door. Alistair smiled and walked to the record player: “Well it seems that we are about to solve all of this and get out of here. This calls for something special. *Picking up an LP* How about we listen to my old friend Herbert Von Karajan’s recording of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony”. He put the LP on and began to hum along to the opening tune. Suddenly Sarah gave out an anguished scream. They turned to the doorway where Ben stood with a middle-aged woman dressed in early 1950s clothes holding a carving knife to his throat....
.... to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Dec 27, 2022 12:22:52 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is the final part of this haunting Halloween/Christmas season special. Sip a glass of Xmas sherry and imagine this story being broadcast on BBC1:
The Haunted Railway: Part 7
The woman held the knife to Ben’s throat and laughed in a voice that sounded like a sinister cackle: “He will die as will all who stand in the way of my love for Bill. My useless husband was a hopeless lover who only thought about trains. He was dead from the waist down. So I cut his throat while he slept. I hated my two brats as well, the boy was not a man and the girl was a simpering idiot. Bill is the only one I loved. Now we walk along this railway bringing death to those who use it; that is what my husband deserves”. Katie rounded on her: “You foul old cow. Let Ben go now.” Mrs Boxby laughed again: “I shall not. He will die and you will also die. My Bill will cleave off your heads and we shall roll them down the stairs and see which head gets to the bottom first.” As Mrs Boxby raised her knife ready to slit Ben’s throat and Sarah Chatham screamed , Jim, Joe and Bella ran in from the hall and grabbed her hand. They wrenched the knife from her and it fell to the ground where Kyle swiftly picked it up. As Jim pushed his wife into a bookcase, Corinne pointed her device at her and threw a switch. A light pulsated around the room and Mrs Boxby faded and vanished.
A short time later, the team were sipping a glass of sherry each and planning their next move. Ben was being comforted by Katie. Alistair Chatham went to the window: “I think that we have a duty to address the fact that the main killer is still out there haunting the railway.” Ben turned to Corinne and Jake: “My father is right here, we need to stop Bill Weaver and that means going out there and finding him.” Joe poured them all another drink and then sat by Ben in a distraught state: “Bill Weaver killed me and my mother let him. The truth was buried in my unconscious while I haunted the train as a ghost. But now I know and it pains me so.” Ben put his arm around Joe and gave him a hug: “It’s ok Joe, we are going to put an end to his killing once and for all”. Alistair frowned at his son: “Words are not what is needed here but action. Come along and bring that device with us. Sarah, you stay here and look after this Bella girl.” Alistair led the group outside into the dank, cold foggy night.
Outside they walked through the fog across the field towards the old railway line and the path beside it. Katie was annoyed: “These heels keep sinking into the mud in this field. Can’t you carry me Kyle.” Kyle laughed: “I ain’t carryin’ you. Why don’t you wear sensible shoes?” Katie gave him an icy look: “I might have to push you under the next train.” They arrived at the path that ran along the train track and started walking in the direction of Snackerstone. Meanwhile a Short way down the line, two 14 year olds ,Wayne and Olly, were messing around by the track, dragging tree branches onto the line to cause an accident. Olly laughed: “Like that’ll fetch the train off the track like and kill some of the old ¤¤¤¤ers”. Wayne laughed: “Yeah, like wicked bruv”. Suddenly Olly turned and saw a hooded figure approaching them and carrying a scythe. He looked at Wayne: “That old ¤¤¤¤ ain’t the feds. He like looks dangerous. Run bruv.” They ran along the path as Bill Weaver chased them, slashing at them with the weapon. Ben saw them approaching and gestured to Corinne to prepare the time interface loop resolver. Wayne and Olly ran past and Ben stood in front of Weaver: “This ends here Weaver. You chose to die by throwing yourself in front of a train and you have no right to be terrorising this line today”. Weaver glared at him with cruel eyes: “I despise this railway and all who use it. Killing is my purpose.” Katie gave him an icy stare: “You have ruined my shoes. Why do you dress like a ¤¤¤¤ing monk? You were a coal man.” Weaver pulled back his hood: “Whoever heard of a ghostly coal man. Ghostly monks are what is expected. I am here to spread terror to all who use this railway”. Ben gestured to Corinne who lifted the device and flicked the switch. Bill Weaver grimaced and shouted as he slowly faded into nothingness. Corinne flicked another switch and the whole area around glowed red.
A short time later the team were back at the house, getting warm again beside the large fire that Katie was putting more wood onto. Ben sipped his brandy and smiled: “Well done team. The railway is free of those killers and when Corinne flicked the final switch, the time interface loop was rectified.” Kyle looked over at Jim, Joe and Bella: “Ere so how come these guys are still ‘ere?” Corinne sipped her drink professionally: “Because I was able to fix them in the current timestream . This device can do that. They can now live out their lives in our time”. Joe went over to Ben: “Thank you Ben for everything. I just hope that we can get our lives back together and continue to work on the heritage line”. Without thinking, Ben stood up and embraced him: “I’d love to see you again Joe”. Alistair glared at his son: “Benjamin stop making a fool of yourself”. He went over to the record player: “Well I think it’s fair to say that this trip is not exactly what I had in mind for Sarah. However it was cheaper than the opera and turned out to be rather exciting. Anyway, I see that this family own a copy of Beecham’s version of Puccini’s “La Boheme”. Let us listen to it”. Alistair put the opera record on and the music started. Sarah Chatham was crying and Katie frowned. She went over to Ben: “This music is boring.” As she spoke, Wayne and Olly ran in from the kitchen carrying sandwiches: “Like what’s this ¤¤¤¤ty music. It’s like rank”, Olly shouted. Alistair frowned: “These two feral children represent all that has gone wrong with modern society and the comprehensive education system”. Joe lifted a glass: “I say we all raise our glasses in a duel toast. To Ben for saving us from the time loop and to Snackerstone heritage railway line.” They all raised their glasses as La Boheme played in the background.
THE END
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Post by sparacus on Jan 3, 2023 13:34:32 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is the first part of the final story in this Halloween/Yule season of adventures:
THEY COME BACK: Part 1
Ben Chatham sat languidly in the Blue Angel Jazz Cafe in Cambridge, elegantly sipping an absinthe and staring at the rain dripping down the front window. It was a dark, wet day and Ben was lunching on two poached eggs and a greek salad. In the corner of the cafe a small ensemble was playing soft jazz. The young barman, Kian Crawford, approached Ben's table: "I hope everything is to your satisfaction Mr Chatham. Can I get you anything else?" Ben sighed and gazed up with a sad look in his dark eyes: "Not yet Kian, although I'll treat myself to another absinthe before I go." Kian smiled: "Will you not want to stay for a special extra service upstairs when I come off shift? The cost of living crisis is bad at the moment and you always say I give an excellent service." Ben sighed: "Kian, you know the way to my heart. However I have a boring Zoom meeting later with the Operation Delta team in London. However I would like to ask you're help with something as I know tomorrow is you're day off. Do you ride a bike?" Kian looked puzzled: "Do you mean literally or euphamistically Mr Chatham? "Literally", Ben replied. "Er yes, actually I ride it to work here. It is Cambridge after all," Kian answered. Ben smiled sadly: "Great Kian. How about we set off on a cycle ride tomorrow morning, say around half past nine. There is something that is really bothering me that happened a few days back. Julian is away visiting his parents and I'd rather not tell Katie or Kyle about all this yet as they may think I'm losing my mind or something." Kian sat down at the table and took hold of Ben's hand: "Its ok Mr Chatham, I'll help". Ben smiled: "I keep telling you Kian to call me Ben." "Ok Ben. Please tell me what is bothering you." Ben sipped his absinthe languidly and began to recount his tale:
"It happened two days ago Kian. Because Julian is away I was rooting around for a way to take my mind off work and because it was a bright, sunny winters day I went on a bike ride out to Shenerton just on a whim. I do love the countryside in winter and it helps to ease my mind and to take me out of myself. I rode through the country lanes and through the sleepy, frost-glazed villages until I reached a narrow, winding road which led into Shenerton. However something compelled me to stop outside a long driveway which led to a boarded up old house. I can't really explain why I stopped, it was just some powerful compulsion. The garden of the house was surrounded by an overgrown beech hedge and the driveway was also bordered by two overgrown hedges. I felt compelled to leave my bike by the front and climb over the gate and walk towards the house. It was a large and very old house, all boarded up and neglected, with slates missing from the roof and ivy all up it. As I walked up that lonely pathway I felt a weird sense of deja vu, like I'd been there before. Then I must have fainted, as I passed out. When I came round I was shocked to see that the house had changed. The ivy and boarded up windows were gone and it looked bright, fresh and lived in. As I walked up to a side entrance, a woman came out and smiled at me: "Master Ernest, you're home. Your mother will be pleased." As I walked slowly into what looked like a very old kitchen, an old man who looked like another servant who was washing up dishes looked around at me: "Master Ernest, you're brother is out at the shoot. However I think I should warn you that your father Sir Ralph is at home as usual and not in the best of tempers." I remember feeling afraid and then collapsing. When I came round again, I found myself to be outside the boarded up building and the house was once again falling down and covered in ivy. I can't explain it, but I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and the feeling that I have been there before". Kian smiled at Ben and took his hand: "Are you sure you wouldn't like an extra service to take your mind off it all?" Ben sighed: "Thanks Kian, but what I really need is for you to come with me tomorrow on a cycle ride back to that house. I want to re-create what happened to try and sort out what it was. I can't confide in my colleagues in case they think I've got mental health issues." Kian stroked Ben's hand: "Of course I'll come along." Ben smiled elegantly: "In that case Kian, let me treat you to an absinthe and once I've suffered the dreary Zoom meeting I will return for the extra service".
..............to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Feb 19, 2023 18:31:12 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 2 of this classic mystery:
They Come Back : Part 2
The following morning, Ben arrived at the Blue Angel Jazz Cafe on his exclusive £6000 cutting edge bicycle, purchased only six months before. He joined Kian inside for a light continental breakfast of croissants and strawberry jam before setting off on the cycle ride. Ben was elegantly dressed in tweeds and carried a bag full of exclusive snacks from Fortnum and Masons to eat later in the day. He smiled at Kian: "I'm so pleased that you agreed to join me today Kian. I really need to get to the bottom of things". Kian grinned and flashed Ben a seductive look: "I thought that you did that yesterday". They laughed and sipped their espressos. Following the meal they set off together on the bikes, riding through Cambridge and past Kings College, laughing and deliberately riding through puddles in order to annoy passers by. Soon they were out into the narrow lane which led through the frosted winter countryside towards the village of Shenerton. It was a warm day for the time of year and the sun shone down on Ben's thick, golden hair, lending it a luminous quality. They came to a steep hill and dismounted, pushing the bikes up the hill and taking in the panoramic views of the countryside around. Ben stopped by a wooden stile: "Its so good to be alive Kian. You don't often here me say that but its sometimes amazing how something so simple as a sunny day and lovely scenery can make me feel so fresh. Sadly the great lumpen mass of humanity seem completely divorced from that feeling and that appreciation for life and nature." Kian lent on the stile and smiled: "Too wrapped up in work and the reality of living I suppose. Thanks for sharing this moment with me Mr Chatham". Ben smiled: "Kian, you know you can call me Ben." "Er ok, Ben", Kian replied before they both laughed.
A short time later as they cycled into Shenerton, Ben spotted a familiar figure walking along the pavement carrying a shopping basket. It was Dorothy Squires, Chair of the Shenerton Womens' Institute and a practicing Wiccan. Ben pulled up beside her: "Morning Mrs Squires, good to see you again." Dorothy gave him a look of surprise: "Oh if it isn't young Ben. What brings you back to Shenerton on this lovely morning? Have you ridden all the way here just to see me?" Ben laughed: "Obviously not Dorothy as I find you a rather dull and parochial woman, aside from the bizarre interest in open air Wiccan rituals. However I'm really glad we've seen you as I'd like to pick your brains about something if you don't mind". Dorothy frowned: "Go on then, but I'd rather you don't refer to me as parochial". Ben sighed: "Look about half a mile down that side road on the left there is an old house, boarded up with overgrown beech hedging and ivy all over it. I'm wondering if you know who owns it or something about its history?" Dorothy immediately froze and gave Ben a stern look: "Mr Chatham, my advice to you is to get back on that bicycle and for you and your friend to go back where you've come from. No good can come from visiting that place. None at all." "Why?" Ben asked. "That house is a bad place. That's all. Things have happened there. The last couple to try living in it ended up in mental institutions and their child drowned in the fish pond at the back. I doubt anyone owns it apart from some bank. Forty years ago that was. Poor little mite. Before that there was that old chap Mr Finch who hanged himself from light fittings in the hall. Its a bad place." Ben frowned: "It is strange that it hasn't been sold. A property such as that would make a fortune for any builder if fully refurbished". Dorothy grabbed his arm: "No one will take that place on if they know whats good for them. Go home Mr Chatham." Ben pulled away: "Thanks for your insights Dorothy but something happened last time I was here and I need to investigate. We hope to visit the Nags Head for a drink later so may see you there." With that Ben and Kian rode off leaving Dorothy shaking her head.
Soon they arrived at the corner where the house stood down a long driveway. The iron gates were closed, but Ben and Kian easily climbed over then after securing their bikes with D-locks. Ben walked up to the house and felt that strange sense of deja vu again. Kian began to feel dizzy and lent on the side of the wall. Suddenly the house seemed to fade around them and everything became a blur until it re-formed as a much newer looking house with no ivy and boarding. There was the sound of raised voices coming from the house and Ben and Kian both felt compelled to enter a side door into what looked like an old kitchen. An old man, the same old man Ben had seen before, was chopping vegetables. He looked at Ben with worry in his eyes: "Master Ernest, please I beg of you leave now. Your father Sir Ralph is having one of his violent tempers and has struck Lily the maid in the face with his stick. If he seems you here with *glaring at Kian* him, I fear for what he may do." Ben felt dizzy and could only mumble a few words: "Ernest? I'm Ben... what is this...." As he spoke, a young man with dark hair and a mustache and dressed in a military uniform strode in and began shouting at Ben: "You dare come back here with that coward? You're a damn disgrace. If father sees you he'll shoot you. Get out of here now. Do the decent thing and join up for our sister's sake."
.................to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Jul 2, 2023 13:27:56 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 3 of this haunting tale for the summer months:
"They Come Back" Part 3
Ben shot the young man with the mustache a hurt look: "Who are you and why are you threatening me?" He shouted. The young man became even angrier: "What? I'm your damned brother Edward, as you well know and I won't have any more of your impertinence. Get that damned coward off our property before father sees him." As he spoke, a young woman in Edwardian clothes came running out and stood between them. Tears were running down her face: "Stop it, both of you. Leave Ernest alone Edward, he just wants to see us." Edward glared at her: "This is not a discussion for girls, what do you know? If you had any decency, you'd be giving both of them a white feather each." As he spoke, Ben started to feel faint and nauseous and he and Kian slowly sank to their knees and onto the ground. They woke up a short time later, lying on the overgrown driveway of the house, which had returned to being boarded up and dilapidated. They slowly got up and walked back to the iron gate: "That was really weird. What the hell just happened?" Kian exclaimed. Ben gave him a serious look: "Kian, I believe that we have just experienced a timeslip. Literally a slippage back into an earlier time. Those people no longer exist. We need to find out urgently what is causing this and I personally, for my peace of mind, need to discover who Ernest was. Lets cycle to the pub and find out more about this house."
A short time later, Ben and Kian were sitting in the Nags Head as the landlord, Rick Norton, brought their drinks over. They had unpacked their Fortnum and Masons packed lunches and were starting to eat the quiche slices and biscuits. Rick scowled: "Er you can't eat that in here. You didn't buy it here." Ben sighed: "I'm sorry Mr Norton but that is unfair. This is expensive food from Fortnum and Masons and we cannot just let it go to waste. We are purchasing drinks and therefore providing you with custom." Rick Norton was not impressed: "Look we serve perfectly good food here. Put that away or get out". As he spoke, Dorothy Squires walked up to them: "Look Mr Norton, this is Ben and his friend. He helped us before you know. I think you should make an exception here". Rick slammed the drinks down and walked off, muttering to himself. Dorothy sat down: "May I try one of those quiche slices *helping herself* . Mmmm those biscuits look lovely. I must say that I have been very worried about you two since you mentioned that old house, and I've just been round to see old Mrs Perriman at the post office." Ben sipped his glass of Laphroaig and stared dreamily into space: "Mrs Perriman?" Dorothy downed a biscuit in two bites: "Yes she's 102 you know. Of course she's bedridden now in the flat above the post office. Her grandson Norman still runs it. He's on his own now after his wife ran off with that fella from the estate agents." Ben sighed: "Look I have just had a very stressful experience and am not interested in petty village gossip. Can you tell us anything more about that old house?" Dorothy frowned and grabbed Ben's hand: "Don't go back there Ben. Ever. I'm psychic you know and I can see things. Bad things happened there. There is something you ought to know. Mrs Perriman told me that the house used to belong to your family. Oh yes. The Chatham family lived there....."
..................to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Jul 10, 2023 16:46:20 GMT -5
Ok people: Here is part 4 of this classic adventure:
"THEY COME BACK" Part 4
Ben gazed for a long time into his glass of Laphroaig, his hair falling down over his dark eyes. Suddenly he looked up: "You know I had a real sense that we may have owned that house at some point. How long ago are we talking about?" "Oh a long time ago, over a hundred years or more. Your family sold it between the wars Mrs Perriman said. The owners were called Chatham. After them it went through lots of owners and none of them had any good with it. The last people to live there were the March family, oh it was terrible it was", Dorothy replied. Ben sipped his drink: "Yes you said. Something about a drowning?" "Oh yes, terrible it were. Little Lucy March drowned in the fish pond. Only six years old she were. Her parents were never the same and he attacked her with a knife. They both ended up being taken away to one of them institutions. *grabbing Ben's arm* Stay away from that place. Its a bad luck house". Ben frowned: "Mrs Squires, I am an investigator of alien phenomena and I believe that there is a time tunnel on that property. Such phenomena are extremely dangerous and could only stem from alien technology. Does this March family still own the house or not?" Ben responded. "I don't know. I expect some bank owns it or something. No one has lived there since they took Mr and Mrs March away. It should be pulled down." Ben and Kian finished their drinks and had another slice of quiche each before they left to get their bikes and cycle back to Cambridge. As they went round to the side of the pub, Ben gasped with shock: "The bikes have gone! For pity's sake, some thieving scumbags have stolen them and wrenched off the D-locks." Kian was distressed: "Oh no. I loved that bike and needed it to get to work". Ben gave him a hug: "Don't worry Kian, I'll buy you a replacement. Yours was only a cheap looking thing but my bike cost £6000 and so this constitutes a major theft."
A short time later, Ben and Kian were in Shenerton Police Station and walking down the corridor towards Inspector Ashford's office. The door was open and Ben saw that the office was extremely untidy with paperwork strewn all over the desk. Ashford say behind it smoking a cigarette and was berating a trainee officer. "... but you only give me the rubbish tasks to do. I'm a graduate", the trainee protested. Ashford glared at me: "Very impressive girlie. In that case graduate your way to the canteen and go and fetch me a bacon sandwich and a coffee. Go on, shift yourself". The trainee strode out angrily and Ashford glared at Ben: "What the hell do you want? Who let you in here?" Ben frowned: "Inspector Ashford, I am the head of Operation Delta and I used my card to get access. I need to report a serious crime, our bikes have been stolen. Also I need your help with another matter." Ashford laughed and drew on his cigarette, blowing smoke deliberately into Ben's face: "Can't do anything about stolen bikes unless there is CCTV." Ben shot him an angry look: "My bike cost £6000 and this constitutes a major theft. The Nags Head pub doesn't have CCTV, I asked Rick Norton. You need to circulate a description of the bikes and send a forensic team round there." "No resources for that and no point. The bikes will be sold on by now. Thefts happen." Ben was furious: "This is disgusting. You are a police officer and your job is to investigate crime. And you should not be smoking in here, surely its against the rules." Ashford laughed: "Oh dear. *Blowing smoke in Ben's face* perhaps you should call the police. Listen Chatham, I make the rules in here. What was the other matter you had." "I want to know who owns the large, boarded up old house on the lane that turns into Shenerton High Street near the Nag's Head." Ashford frowned: "That place? Why the hell do you want to know that? A bad place that. A kiddie got drowned there in the 80s. Been empty for years. Hang on though." Ashford got up and started rifling through files in an old metal filing cabinet. He gave the radiator a kick to get it going then sat back down, a file in his hand. "Ah yes here we are. Some kids broke in there a while back and we needed to find out who owned it. Little ¤¤¤¤s got scared by something in there. Here we are, the place is managed on behalf of the owner by Dawson & Jakeman solicitors." "So do the March family still own it?" Ben asked. "How the hell should I know? Ask the solicitors". As he spoke, the trainee returned with the bacon sandwich and coffee. Ashford grinned: "Ah girlie, just in time. This tosser and his mate have had their bikes nicked. Go with them and go through the motions of looking at the scene of the crime."
A while later, after viewing the side of the pub, Ben asked the trainee officer to drive them to the solicitors office: "Happy to do so Mr Chatham. Anything to avoid going back to Ashford's office for a while. My name is Charlie by the way. PC Charlie Jennings." Ben found the young officer very attractive and gave him a deep look: "I suppose girlie is Ashford's idea of a joke play on Charlie. You should complain about him treating you like that." PC Jennings sighed: "Its just another cross poor Charlie has to bear in life." Shortly they arrived at the solicitors and Ben, Charlie and Kian were shown upstairs to a wood panelled office where a man in a pin striped suit greeted them. "What can I do for you all? I do hope its a libel case or a divorce." Ben frowned: "Are you Mr Dawson or Mr Jakeman? I need to know who ownes the house that you manage on the lane that turns into Shenerton High Street near the Nag's Head". The man gave Ben a worried look: "I'm Thomas Jakeman. I suggest Sir that you stay well away from that house. Its a terrible place. I have only visited it once and I never would do so again. I cannot tell you the name of my client as that is confidential". Ben gave him an angry look and showed him his Operation Delta card: "Mr Jakeman, I am Ben Chatham. Head of Operation Delta. My organisation has the authority to overrule your confidentiality rules. Now please tell us who owns that property?" Mr Jakeman gave him a cold stare: "Chatham? The owner of the property is also called Chatham. A Mr Alistair Chatham............."
.............. to be continued
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Post by sparacus on Jul 23, 2023 15:12:46 GMT -5
OK readers, here is the fifth part of this seasonal adventure:
They Come Back: Part 5
The following morning, Ben was driving through the bare, windswept downs of Wiltshire towards his parents house. He had picked up Kian and Katie Ryan before setting out on the journey. Ben felt tense and uneasy. He was listening to Bowie's 'Low' album on the car stereo and had the window down, letting the soft breeze blow through his lush hair. As the CD finished, Katie stopped painting her nails and turned to him: "Thank God that's finished. Can't we have something a bit more contemporary on like Rhianna? And why do we have to bring him with us?" "Because Kian is working on this case with me Katie, as I tried to explain. And no, I do not own any music by Rhianna", Ben responded. Katie lent over to Ben: "I suppose you want me to pretend that you and I are together again." "Oh come on Katie, please help me out. You know that my father finds you attractive and he obviously thinks we look like an ideal couple." "You owe me an expensive dinner and a lifetime of gin and tonics", Katie replied, laughing.
They arrived at Ben's parents house and were greeted at the door by Sarah Chatham, who gave Ben a brief, formal hug. "Oh its a real delight to see you again so soon Benjamin and of course your girlfriend as well. Who is the young man?" "This is Kian mother. He is just an employee. I'm afraid I'm here on a serious matter and I need father to answer some questions." Sarah gave Ben a stern look: "Oh dear, I do not like the sound of that. Your father has been in one of his impossible moods this morning and I'd be grateful if you were discerning in what you say to him. He is in the drawing room listening to Stokowski's recording of Tchaikovsky's 4th, which is always a bad sign." She ushered them in and gave Kian's bottom a pat as he passed her. They entered the drawing room where Alistair Chatham was walking around and moving his hands to the rhythm of the Tchaikovsky music. As soon as he saw Ben, he stopped in his tracks and, scowling, went and turned the vinyl record player down. "Damn, you have just ruined the moment for me Benjamin. Your mother said you had phoned but I did not expect you until later. *Noticing Katie*, Ah but you've brought the delightful Miss Ryan with you and that visual pleasure is adequate compensation." Sarah Chatham entered the room with a tray with coffee and biscuits: "I do hope that you won't give Benjamin a hard time Alistair. He's driven all the way from Cambridge". She poured them all coffees and sat pertly down on an armchair, giving Kian a wink. Alistair picked up a vinyl record from a stack next to the player and sat down: "You know, much as I love Stokowski's innovations and liberty taking with scores, I must agree with the consensus that this performance by George Szell and the London Symphony Orchestra on Decca is the finest recording of Tchaikovsky's 4th. We can listen to it together later. Do you appreciate fine music, Miss Ryan?" Katie wanted to impress so she tossed her hair back and gave him a firm stare: "I have always appreciated the finer arts, Mr Chatham. I have lots of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stuff". Alistair winced and then smiled: "My dear, you need taking in hand. I suggest that you switch LLoyd Webbers to Julian Lloyd Webber. His recording of Elgar's cello concerto is very fine. Now Ben, what is it that is so urgent that it couldn't wait?" "Father, I want to know about the house in Shenerton, near Cambridge, that I've found out that you own." "What house near Cambridge? Alistair, I hope you haven't bought a house for that French floozy", Sarah Chatham interjected. Alistair went red and slammed his coffee cup down: "Benjamin, how dare you look into my private affairs." "Father, I'm sorry but I need to know, its important. That house used to belong to the Chatham family and it turns out that it still does. There have been some very strange things going on there." Alistair looked very uncomfortable: "Do not go near that house Benjamin. Ever." Ben sipped his coffee: "Who is Ernest Chatham father? Who are Edward Chatham and Sir Ralph Chatham? And how did you come to own the house?" Alistair stood up and threw his coffee cup down on the floor, smashing it. "Alistair!" Sarah Chatham shrieked. Alistair turned and walked around the room, angrily. There was a long pause before he spoke. "Edward Chatham was my grandfather and Sir Ralph my great grandfather. The other person you mentioned we do not talk about." "But why father? Who is Ernest Chatham?" Alistair turned on Ben angrily: "A stain on this family's history, that's what. My great uncle. We Chathams have a fine tradition of serving this country. Mr father's elder brothers all served in the armed forces during the last war and all came back home. It must have been awful for them that their uncle managed to get himself shot for desertion. Yes that's right, he was shot for cowardice in the 14-18 war. Damn stain on our proud history".
The room was silent for a time before Ben spoke: "Father, that was generations ago now. And surely you cannot judge those guys who were sent into the hell of the First World War. But I need to know why you own that house." Alistair went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a large brandy: "Because I was offered the house at a reasonable price and I bought it. Simple as that. The couple who owned it had been through a very bad time. Lost a child and could not cope. They had learned that our family once owned it and they were both aficionados of my concerts and recordings, so they wrote to me offering me first refusal on the house. I accepted because one needs more than one base when one is an artist." "You wanted a bolt hole to spend time with that French woman!" Sarah interjected. "Oh shut up Sarah. I thought it would be a nice project to repair and restore our old family residence. I had so many ideas for the place. But then I visited it alone one afternoon to get a sense of how I wanted to new gardens to look. And something strange happened... sinister. It was like I was in another time and had become my grandfather. He was there as well, that wretched Ernest. And he looked like you Benjamin. The damn coward looked just like you!"
.......to be continued.
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Post by sparacus on Aug 5, 2023 14:47:37 GMT -5
Ok folks, here is part 6 of this classic adventure:
“THEY COME BACK” Part 6
Ben drove back to Cambridge in a sombre mood. His eyes were filled with tears and he responded to Katie’s questions with a series of shrugs. Eventually, as darkness fell, he opened up: “My father does not respect me. He never has. And now he is accusing me of looking like his uncle Ernest. Well I’m not going to let him get to me anymore. If great uncle Ernest looked like me then he must have been a good looking chap.” Katie put her hand on Ben’s shoulder and gently stroked his neck: “Damn right Ben. It’s time you told that father of yours to do one. Mind you, I am rather flattered by the attention he gives me.” Kian couldn’t resist a laugh. “What the hell are you laughing at? Why are you here anyway, you’re just some barman. *To Ben* Why did you bring this clown with us Ben?” Ben sighed: “Katie please don’t insult Kian. I explained on the way here that he is helping with this case and I regard him as a potential employee.” “Well where are we going now then?” “Back to Shenerton to see Dorothy Squires again. There is something that I need to ask her. Then we need to visit the house.”
Some time later, Ben, Katie and Kian were walking through the dank Shenerton lanes, wet with rain, towards the church hall. They had learned from Rick Norton that Dorothy was at a meeting of the women’s institute and Ben hoped to catch her before it started. Katie was unhappy: “The women’s institute is the preserve of dowdy middle-aged busy bodies who want to sit around talking about jam making and village gossip. I will never live it down if word gets around that I have been to one of their meetings”. Kian couldn’t help but laugh. “Shut it bar boy. Unless you want these nails round your eyeball.” They walked in and saw groups of ladies talking and and holding cups of coffee and slices of jam roll. A large woman with a fur hat was talking in a loud voice to two others: “.. and last night I was trying to watch the six o’clock news and the wretched dog was pleasuring itself on my best cushion”. “Ah never mind Gladys, I expect it’s all the wind and rain we’ve been having. It sets them off you know. My husband’s the same”, a ginger haired woman replied. Katie scowled: “Jesus wept”. Ben saw Dorothy in the corner talking to the vicar and walked over to her: “Excuse me Dorothy. I just need to ask you something about the house. Have you or any of the village people seen anyone ever visit the house or try to stay there? Homeless people even?” “Well now that you mention it, there was that Frenchman you know. Mrs Weaver saw him several times coming out of there. She said he looked like a wrong - un and reported it to the police.” Ben sighed: “I doubt that Inspector Ashford would have showed much interest. He does not strike me as particularly efficient”. The vicar interjected: “Excuse me but I certainly took an interest. It’s the Reverend Gaskell by the way, but you dear boy can call me Howard. I must say, it is delightful to have such a charming young man join us tonight amid all of this sea of womanhood. Anyway, that Frenchman. My curate Daniel saw him and after Mrs Weaver made such a fuss about the visits, he followed him. And would you believe it if he isn’t the new owner of the old Manor House. I heard a foreigner had bought it.”
A short time later, the formal meeting was about to start and Ben and the others left. Katie was bemused: “What a tedious bunch of old bores. And that vicar was a right old fruit, he couldn’t take his eyes off your ass.” “Oh Katie, don’t be so judgemental. The women’s institute do do a lot of charity work”. “An even bigger reason to dislike them”, Katie quipped back. As they moved towards the car they all suddenly felt nauseous and faint. The air seemed to swirl all around them and the car vanished. They saw that there was a horse and cart in its place and a man dressed in Edwardian clothes turned around and looked straight at Ben: “Jump in Master Ernest. Your father asked me to come and fetch you. He wants to talk to you”.
..... to be continued.
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