The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1) by P. A. Fielding Page A

struggled along the landing. “What’s all the banging?”
said a tousle-haired James, opening his bedroom door. “Morning,
sleepy head, just getting the room ready for Aunt Sally. Want to give us
a hand?”
    “OK
dad, just give me half an hour,” he replied, disappearing towards the bathroom.
“Typical, it’ll be done by then,” said Zoe. “See, you don’t need me after all,”
responded James, mischievously. “He’s one cheeky bugger,” said Zoe, as they
positioned the wardrobe against the wall. “Not to worry,” said Jim, “we’re almost
done anyway.”
    5
    A
couple of hours later and Mary and Jim had run like a pair of crazies from the
car park towards the Station, where they found that the train was due on time.
“Thank God we made it,” said Jim, breathlessly. Mary was quite unaffected by
their burst of exercise but Jim, on the other hand, was doubled over, trying to
get his breath back. Mary laughed. “I think you need to renew your gym
membership! Come on, I’ll treat you to a coffee and a flapjack – we should just
about have time.”
    They
walked into a nearby coffee shop, gave their order to the waitress, satdown, and waited for the train to arrive. “We were
lucky with the traffic,” said Jim. “Yes, Jim, now drink your coffee,” replied
Mary. They had made Aunt Sally a promise that they would never be late to meet
her since, on one occasion four years ago, their journey had been delayed and
Sally had been mugged. Two youngsters had brushed past her, at speed, and
pushed her to the ground, stealing her handbag. Sally suffered mild cuts and bruises,
but that incident never left her – it made her nervous around teenagers, and
she started to avoid large crowds of people.
     

9: For one
fright only
    1
    Aunt
Sally’s train pulled into the Station a couple of minutes early. Jim and Mary had
already arrived at the barrier on Platform 2 where they joined a small group of
people already waiting there. They soon spotted her, pulling her large, black
suitcase, as she walked slowly behind a noisy crowd of young people. Despite
having grey hair and wearing glasses, Aunt Sally did not look 70 years old.
    “Hello,
my dears. The children not with you?” said Sally, hugging Mary then Jim. “No,”
answered Mary, “they’re waiting at home.” Sally looked at them both in turn.
    “Is
Zoe alright?”
    “Yes,
she’s fine now, thanks,” replied Mary, “how have you been keeping? How’s the
plastic knee?”
    “Thankfully
the pain-levels have dropped. Anyway, how did the move go? Have you settled in
alright?”
    “Yes,
in the end. It’s a big house and I suppose that will take a bit of getting used
to. That, and...” replied Jim.
    “ Getting
used to, what do you mean?” queried Sally.
    “Well,
we’re hearing strange noises, that’s all.”
    “Jim,
it’s an old house, it’s bound to have movement and all kinds of noises!”
interrupted Sally.
    They
walked across the road to the short-stay car park; the ladies chattered away
non-stop whilst Jim followed on, pulling the suitcase.
    2
    Zoe
and James were watching television when the front door opened. James ran for
the door. “She’s here!” They both adored their great-aunt; every year, in the
summer, she would make the long train journey from her home in Norfolk to spend
a few weeks with them. Aunt Sally came into the hallway to be greeted by James,
who launched himself at her. “Not so rough, James! Remember
what I told you?” said Mary, animatedly.
    “Yes,
mum.”
    “He’s
alright, Mary. You’ve certainly grown James! And what a lovely house, I can’t
believe it had remained empty for so long,” said Sally, looking around. “It’s
wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Mary, you and Jim are a pair of lucky
buggers!”
    Jim
struggled in with the suitcase. “You can say that again! I’m just glad our
final offer was accepted. Granted it needs a bit of TLC here and there, but I
think it will be a fab investment.” Zoe jumped up