Kate was sure they’d all stopped breathing.

Poppy’s hand crept into hers and stayed.

 

“There’s something here,” Jack whispered. “Listen.”

 

A rushing noise. A distant sea, or the wind, or a thousand souls sighing.

Would they have caught the sound without his instruction?

 

Kate licked her lips, swallowed hard,

Natural scepticism pending.

Jack’s eyes flew open, closed again. So fast, did she imagine it?

He would be enjoying this, delighted to be proved right. Insufferable later.

 

Sound intensified, raised to a whine, a scream – and

A glass on the sideboard shattered.

 

“She’s gone,” Jack said.

Kate felt goose bumps along her spine, “It’s bloody freezing,” and felt Poppy shiver beside her.

“The spirits always have an effect on temperature.” Jack smiled.

 

“OK, you’ve proved your point. Can we go now?” and she turned, expecting to find the door.