‘You want to know if it’s Henry, don’t you?’ urged Cynthia.
Henry’s head snapped up at the mention of his name. Imogen bit her nails anxiously.
‘But a séance,’ she said and swallowed hard. ‘I don’t believe in them.’
‘Quite right. It’s all nonsense,’ agreed Henry.
Faye put a hand to her lips to silence them.
‘He’s here,’ said Faye. ‘I can sense him.’
Imogen swayed and uttered ‘oh’. Cynthia looked around cautiously as though any minute Henry would materialise in front of them. Henry could almost see the hairs rise on the back of her neck.
‘Is he close?’ she whispered.
‘No point in whispering,’ laughed Henry. ‘I can hear everything and I’m right next to you.’
He looked at Faye. Her eyes were closed.
‘Are you faking it?’ he asked.
She didn’t hear him, and Henry found he wasn’t in the least surprised. He exhaled heavily; all his irritation expelled in that one breath.
‘I need a drink,’ said Imogen suddenly. ‘I can’t do this without a drink.’
Cynthia nodded.
‘I could do with one too. How about you Faye?’
‘Not while I’m working, said Faye, opening her eyes.
‘Working?’ laughed Henry. ‘Ripping off innocent people, more like. How much are you paying her for this, Imogen?’
Imogen came back with glasses and a bottle of wine. Her hands were shaking so much that Cynthia quickly relieved her of both.
‘Let’s calm our nerves,’ said Cynthia, pouring the wine.
‘Yes,’ said Imogen, knocking back half a glass.
Henry studied the wine bottle and grimaced. It was some cheap plonk from Sainsbury, no doubt.
‘Is it dangerous?’ Imogen asked.
Henry closed his ears to the nonsense that spouted from Faye’s lips and decided he most likely had time to go into the wardrobe. He walked through the living room door and up the stairs. He forgot about the creaky fifth step. He was so used to it. Besides, he thought it unlikely anyone would hear him. After all, they normally never did. But it seemed when Henry was in his own home things were a bit different and from below there were screams.
‘Did you hear that,’ squeaked Cynthia. ‘Did you Faye?’
‘You see, I’m not imagining it,’ said Imogen in a shaky voice.
Faye, showing bravery she didn’t really feel said, ‘I’ll go and look.’
Henry stood at the top of the stairs and watched as Faye took three tentative steps.
‘Hello,’ she called.
‘Hello,’ said Henry. ‘If you’re a true psychic you would be able to see me.’
‘Hello, please reveal yourself.’
