‘Who got barred in the end,’ Robson told Demi.
She turned to Jamie. ‘No need to apologize for him. It wasn’t your fault.’
‘Just felt the need to say sorry.’ Jamie gestured at the B&B. ‘Anyway, best get back.’
Robson took a step forward. ‘Well, like Demi said, what your dad was like wasn’t your fault. Feel free to come inside anytime you like. You’re more than welcome.’
Jamie noticed Demi give her partner a gentle squeeze of the arm as she smiled his way. ‘Thanks.’
They went their separate ways, and Jamie couldn’t help but stare at the pavement, thinking of the times his father had walked the short route from the B&B to the pub. He could hear his slur and smell the stale fumes of booze mingled with cigarettes.
He stopped at the front of the pathway, frowning at Benny bent over by the bush. ‘Benny, you all right down there, mate?’
Benny shot up, startled. ‘You made me jump.’
‘Sorry. What you doing in the bush?’
‘Picking up Mr Pilkington. Well, what’s left of him.’
Jamie chuckled. ‘Nan’s gnome. Blimming heck, I didn’t even know that old thing was still about.’
Benny straightened, holding up a headless gnome. ‘He went missing last month, then came back tonight. But look what’s happened.’
Jamie went closer for a better look. ‘Is his head down there?’
‘Nope. Just this.’ Benny frowned. ‘Why would someone do this?’
‘Have you just found it?’
‘Someone banged on the door, so I came out and noticed the gnome on the doorstep. I was looking to see if the rest of it had been dumped nearby.’
Jamie glanced up the street. ‘Bit weird.’
‘Yeah, like the phone calls Alice gets.’ Benny held up the gnome. ‘Is this place haunted?’
‘Not sure I believe in ghosts. Whoever did this was alive, you can bet on that.’ Jamie went to go inside, when it dawned on him what else the lad had said. ‘Hang on, what phone calls?’
‘Started last month. Went on for about a week. The phone at the desk rings, no one replies when Alice says hello. Happened a few times today as well. Alice checked the line. Everything’s working okay.’ He passed the gnome to Jamie. ‘What do you think Mabel would want us to do with Mr Pilkington?’
Jamie took the garden ornament over to the desk, his mind more on the phone calls Alice was receiving.
She came out from the back, glancing at the gnome with curiosity. ‘Where’s that come from?’
Benny answered. ‘It was on the doorstep. Whoever was banging left it there, no doubt. I’m going to check the footage.’
Alice lifted the old thing. ‘Oh, what a shame. Mabel loved him. I’m sure he’s as old as me.’
Jamie turned to her. ‘What’s this I hear about dodgy phone calls?’
She sighed. ‘I don’t know. If it’s someone messing about, I’m sure they’ll get bored soon enough.’
‘Do you know if that sort of thing was happening when Nan owned the place?’
Alice shook her head. ‘She never mentioned anything. And I’m sure she would have told me.’
Jamie hoped it was kids messing about. Perhaps one of Benny’s friends trying to prank him.
‘I don’t think anything went wrong when Mabel was in charge.’ Alice blew out a short laugh. ‘I think I’m jinxed. Maybe Seaview doesn’t like me. Let’s face it, since I’ve been here, we’ve had a fire, the gnome taken — now brought back headless, the phone calls where no one speaks, and our fairy lights taken down and stuffed in the bush. How’s that for luck?’
