Page 56 of The Vampire and the Barista

“Considering this place has been abandoned for so long, I’m surprised the grass isn’t longer,” Troy commented.

The grass was long, but only up to waist height. Shrubs and trees were growing in all directions.

“Maybe that man there has something to do with it, a gardener maybe?” Jamie said.

“What man?” Ivan asked, looking around.

“I don’t see anyone,” Kevin added.

“But he’s right there,” Jamie said, pointing to the side of a large tree.

“I see him as well. He’s a ghost.” Adrian said.

Jamie looked at him. “But how? I’m not psychic, at least I don’t think I am.”

“Looks like you might be. You lot stay here, Jamie and I will go and talk to him,” Adrian said. He looked at Ivan. “I’ll keep him safe.”

Ivan kissed Jamie’s hand and watched as he and Adrian walked off towards the large oak tree.

“Your Jamie has hidden talents,” Olly said, nudging Ivan’s shoulder.

Ivan nodded. “Looks like it.”

“What I’m wondering is how we can’t see that man,” Gabe mentioned, curiously, watching the two men slow down near the tree. “I mean, we could see them at White Ladies.”

“Who knows, ghosts are weird,” Cairo replied.

“You think anyone not a vampire is weird,” Mathis said, grinning at him.

“I think I’m insulted,” Ian protested.

“Why? You are weird,” Kevin replied.

Ian scowled at his best friend.

Gabe patted his arm. “Don’t worry, we love you anyway.”

Jamie and Adrian reached the man and stood a respectful distance away. Now they were closer, Jamie could make out the old-fashioned style of dress. Brown work trousers, tucked into long black boots. A white shirt and brown waistcoat. The clothes looked like something he had once seen a gardener wear in some historical drama.

The ghost wasn’t solid; they could see through him to the trees behind. He looked to be in his late fifties, with streaks of grey in his hair. His face looked weather-beaten, and he looked tired.

“Hi, I’m Jamie, and this is Adrian.”

The man looked from him to Adrian. “Vampire,” he said, taking a small step back.

“I am, but I mean you no harm. We’re just here looking for information on a resident who was once here.”

“Nearly everyone is dead now, the place has been closed for close to a hundred years,” the man replied.

“Nearly everyone?” Jamie queried.

“Aye, you’ll want to keep your distance from them that are still living. Nothing good came out of that place. Leave the past in the past,” the man said before vanishing.

“Well, that sucks,” Jamie muttered as they turned to walk back to the others.

“It did, but at least we know that a few made it out alive.”

“But by the sounds of it, they’re probably even more dangerous now than they were before.”

“What did the ghost say?” Kevin asked when they were closer.

“That nearly everyone is dead now, and the past should stay in the past,” Jamie summarised.

“Not very helpful then,” Cairo said. “Let’s see what we can find inside.”