“Well, I can’t rightly say. I’m a simple man, and this paranormal stuff is beyond me. This is the Kit Store, as I call it. A girl inside will fit you out. I’ll wait here for you,” William said as he reined in the horses.
“We won’t be long,” I promised with a smile.
“Take as long as you need, ma’am,” William replied.
???
Forty minutes later, we were on our way to the main hotel with our hires. Two people stood outside the hotel entrance as we pulled up.
Connor leapt out of the sleigh and rushed up the few steps and hugged them both. “Wow, you look amazing!” he exclaimed.
“And you seem so much happier than the last time we saw you!” the guy replied as he slapped Connor vigorously.
Connor turned back to us with a huge smile. “These are my friends, Simon and Fiona. These are the Ghost Seekers Inc. Callie is the team leader…” He gestured to each of us.
“Oh, I love you guys. No need for introductions, Connor, we watch you religiously,” Fiona exclaimed. She rushed forward and grabbed me in a hug.
Startled, I tried not to stiffen because she was obviously being friendly. Fiona stepped back with a huge smile.
“I’m so glad you gave Connor a chance. He loves the paranormal so much that his heart broke with what happened to his old team. Connor’s has integrity coming out of his ass, and those fools received their just desserts,” Fiona said.
“I completely agree. I hate frauds,” I replied.
Fiona’s gaze moved past me, and she gave a warm smile to everyone. Simon, her husband, stepped up and offered his hand, and one by one, we all shook it.
“Come inside. The fire’s going, and hot chocolate and coffee are available. Lunch won’t be long. Chef is busy-busy!” Fiona exclaimed and started walking up the steps. She shoved open the double entrance doors, turned back to us, and beamed. “Welcome to the Christmas Hotel.”
Fiona paused as she entered the building. She sent a worried look over her shoulder at Simon, which Connor and I picked up on. We hurried forward, as did Simon, and I gasped.
“That’s something you don’t see every day,” Connor muttered.
“Um, no,” I replied.
Standing on the beautifully carved reception desk was tinsel. Nothing extreme about that, apart from the fact that it was coiling and uncoiling itself like a snake. The others crowded around as we all watched in surprise. The tinsel repeated its actions a few more times before it turned and hissed.
A soft giggle echoed before the tinsel was flung upwards.“Welcome.”The word floated through the air before dissipating.
Fiona shifted to face us. “Do you understand why we need you? Things like this keep happening.”
“I didn’t sense anything malicious in this,” Michelle replied as she studied the tinsel she was now holding.
“No. But kids will be scared. We never actually see anyone, and it’s concerning everyone. How do I know someone won’t get hurt one day or a ghost won’t appear in front of a guest?” Fiona worried.
“That’s why we’re here. Although dancing tinsel wasn’t quite what I expected,” I said, amused. “It could be your spirits are more mischievous than bad or threatening.”
“They could still frighten people,” Simon argued.
Quickly, I nodded. “Oh, I don’t disagree. They most certainly could. We’ll find your answers, Simon; that’s a promise. And Michelle is a fully trained exorcist.”
Simon held my gaze. “Thank you. We want to open soon. Everything is ready, but we can’t open because of the haunting. Hell, as of this week, I’m paying staff to dust and clean instead of the duties they were hired for. Although I’ve sent an email telling them they’ve got ten days’ holiday. I didn’t think having employees in and out would help you guys.”
“No. And I guess because of what this village represents, you don’t want this on TV either?” I asked.
Fiona and Simon exchanged glances.
“We’d rather not. Can you imagine a haunted Santa’s village? The shit would hit the fan!” Simon finally drawled.
“In more ways than one,” I exclaimed as glitter exploded in the air from nowhere. We all blinked furiously as Simon groaned.
