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Blue grimaces. “Spouse? What sort of word is that? It’s horrid.”
“Blue, focus,” I say grimly. “I’ve only really seen a few ghosts and they’ve largely had very violent tendencies.” I blanch. “Oh my god. This one’s not a Victorian serial killer as well, is he?”
We both look at the man. He shrugs nonchalantly. “Not to my knowledge, but it has been a long few centuries.”
“I need to sit down. My knees feel funny.” I collapse onto the sofa, still staring at the man… ghost… whatever.
Blue pats my head. “There, there.”
“Oh, well done. I feel so much better now.” I shake my head. “It was just a bit of a surprise. Why can I see him?”
The ghost stirs. “Because I will it,” he says simply.
“And that’s a thing?” I look at Blue. “Is that a thing?”
“You’re asking me? I don’t know.”
The ghost rolls his eyes. “What you actually know about the spirit world could be written in the world’s tiniest book.”
I snort and Blue glares at me. “Wow. Thank you very much for the support, Levi.”
The little dog is watching me, his head cocked to one side. “Is he a ghost too?” I ask.
Blue sighs. “Yes.”
I watch as the ghost rummages in his pocket and produces a clay pipe. He lights it and soon his head is wreathed in familiar-smelling smoke. After he’s puffed on it a few times, he settles back in the chair. “Mayhap we should start with introductions. My name is Branok Richmond.” He sketches a mocking bow. “At your service.”
Blue grimaces, and I shoot him an admonishing glance. “Levi Black. Very nice to meet you.”
“Why don’t you make him a cup of tea, Levi?” Blue says with a snort.
“Is there a point in time when I can look forward to you not thinking that’s funny?”
“No.”
“Well, I—”
Branok clears his throat. His eyes are gleaming. “Sad as I am to interrupt such a tender and rather obscure moment, could we get on with business?” He winks. “Then you can get on with further displays of excessive intimacy which will no doubt relieve the tedium of my existence.”
“Oh my god,” I say faintly. My cheeks begin to burn and it’s not from the nearby fire.
“I believe I have heard that a fair few times over the last two days.”
Blue clears his throat. “What business?”
“I sent you up to the hall.” Branok’s smile disappears.
“Yes, and I’d like to address that.” Blue’s eyes narrow. “I don’t know whether you’ve realised it yet, but I don’t work for you.”
“No, but I would like to commission you.”
“To do what?” Blue throws up his hands. “And commission means you pay me.”
“You will be paid.”
“With ghost money? Because John Lewis doesn’t accept that anymore.” Blue sits beside me on the sofa, folding his arms as he raises his eyebrows at Branok.
Fascinating, I think, as I look between them. I’ve never seen Blue interact with a spirit quite like this. Branok’s style of conversation is snarky and cynical and… Well, he’s quite like Blue. I shelve that interesting revelation for another time and tune in to what they’re saying.
