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Ted looked toward Popty and actually smiled. “Glad someone agrees.”
Popty’s shadow expanded like a blown-up balloon before popping and puddling on the floor in a little patch of shadow on the carpet.
“Cute,” Ted said, and the Popty-patch let out the softest ping before he squeezed himself under the carpet and out of sight.
“Is Gerald gone?” I asked.
Ted nodded, looking up from where he was observing Popty. “Booked it out of here like his life depended on it.”
“Kinda did,” Ryan said,
Ted shrugged. “As long as it got him out of our hair, I’m fine with whatever. He put so many people in danger, risked so many lives, ruined so many futures. Nobody is gonna miss him, believe me.”
“Speaking of, what are you going to do about the police breathing down your neck still? Just going to walk up to them with that flash drive and confession and hope it goes well?”
Ted tilted his head. “Maybe I’ll email it to them.”
Ryan laughed. “You’ll still have to go in and face the music sometime.”
“When the dust settles and they’ve had some time to comb through the records and verify Gerald’s confession, sure. I don’t fancy sitting in a cell while the Met make up their minds.”
“You’re definitely not built for prison.” Ryan narrowed his eyes. “Although… you stuck it out with Gerald so long, maybe you are.”
“Shut it.” Ted’s cheeks pinked just a touch. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
“You can stay here in the meantime if you need a place to lie low,” I said, and Popty made a happy ping, ping, ping. I put on my sternest frown. “As long as you don’t pull any more silly stunts that could emotionally endanger my friends, that is.”
“That’s his angry face.” Ryan leaned in to whisper in Ted’s ear. “I know it doesn’t look like it, but trust me.”
Ted rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry, okay? In the moment it seemed like the thing to do. Gerald was going to find us out and we wouldn’t have gotten another shot!”
Ryan coughed and said “Bullshit apology” at the same time.
“Fine! I’m sorry,” Ted mumbled. “I’ll never do it again.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m not the one you should be apologising to.”
Ted looked at Andrew, who had a hard time meeting his gaze. “I apologise for trying to use you as a weapon against our evil boss and breaking the protective circle so that you almost murdered him when we never agreed on that part of the plan.”
“Uhh…apology accepted?” Andrew said.
Ryan clapped Ted on the back. “How does sincerity taste, Ted?”
“Awful,” Ted muttered, but there was no heat behind it.
“We’re happy we could help.” I grinned.
Ted sighed and crossed his arms defensively. “Thanks. You didn’t have to help me, but you did. Even though I didn’t expect help to look like this, exactly. But I guess ghosts can be pretty good…friends?”
That had the gang shuffling their translucent feet and looking everywhere but at Ted as they muttered variations of “no problem” and “don’t mention it” and “anytime.” I realised at that moment that they rarely got a chance to be seen as heroes. As wanted. Necessary. They were usually treated like they weren’t supposed to be there. Like they were a nuisance and something to handle instead of celebrate.
I always knew they were worthy; I was glad others were starting to see it too.
“You were all so very brave,” I said. “I’m proud to have you all as friends. Of all the houses you could have haunted, I’m glad you chose this one.”
Bronwyn giggled. An actual, high-pitched giggle that reverberated through the house. Larri stared at her as if she’d lost her mind before snorting and breaking into a hysterical laugh. Harri joined in, booming. Barth wiped his eyes as he laughed into his hat. The carpet released several loud pings. Even Andrew cracked a smile, allowing it to widen slightly when Harri and Larri tripped over each other and landed in his lap, turning them into a ghost pile of giggles.
“I think this calls for a celebration,” Ryan said.
