"It is. I did say," Cassidy told Jazz.

"You did. And I believe you."

It was a pity his sister hadn't believed him without the input of their brother. She should have taken his word for it. It didn't matter, he supposed. She was on board now. That was something.

"Thanks."

"So, me and Ethan were wondering if you fancied coming to mine tomorrow?"

"What for?"

The question sounded much more suspicious than he'd intended. Maybe this could reignite their sibling relationship. They'd been close, once upon a time. They still were, really, but not as much as in their youth. They didn't speak to one another often and weeks could pass between calls or text messages. Cassidy liked the idea, regardless of the reason for it or the potential subject matter.

"Just some drinks and a takeout. It's been too long since we did something like that."

Two years and a very little bit, Cass thought. His brother and sister had invited him round to Ethan's for similar drinks and take away food. It was planned for Valentine's Day, to try and ease his problems with the date. Even though he'd declined the offer, deciding to plan something romantic for Elise, the former love of his life had taken great issue with the suggestion. Who did they think they were to consider spoiling her day? How inconsiderate of them? And he'd thought about going (he hadn't)? That showed what he thought of her. He was supposed to love her, yet would prefer to spend that special day with his family instead of his lover.

He tried to object, but Elise refused to listen. She was adept at seeming to do anything else other than listen to his point of view. Or believe him in the unlikely event it was heard

"Yeah, sure," he said.

Why not?

"Excellent. Are you at work tomorrow?"

No. Not until next week."

"Great. Be at mine at about 3, then."

"PM, I take it?"

"Well, you can come at 3 am, if you like, but you'll be stuck out on your own, cos I won't get up to answer the door."

"OK," Cass laughed. "I'll see you then."

With no sign of Amy's return, and why should he be waiting for that anyway, he decided to show Bobby the neighbourhood. He wanted to see it himself, too. His memory of the area was foggy after years of absence and taking his puppy for a walk would do them both good.

Bobby responded well to the lead, aided by the pocketful of small treats Cassidy had taken to train him. Cassidy responded well to the fresh air, aided by the little friend by his side. The fog cleared quickly, though he extended the walk for another hour, with Bobby tiring before thirty minutes were up.

Amy remained absent for the rest of the day and, apart from a brief conversation the next morning, in which she admitted the talk with both Cassidy and Ethan had been more tiring than she'd expected. She apologised for her absence and assured him she'd be better able to speak later. When later, she wasn't sure.

Cass told her not to worry. He'd be there, waiting.

As long as it was before 3 pm or after... however long it would take at his sister's. When he'd agreed to go, he hadn't thought about being away from Amy. Now the potential to miss her visit bothered him. He wanted to be there. To see her, if only her words and not her form. He would show his face at Jazz's, have one drink and something to eat, then hurry... no, come home.

Knowing Amy's return could be imminent made the day drag. He filled it with emptying boxes and organising his still packed belongings. There seemed to be more to unpack than had been packed, as if the possessions had multiplied whilst in storage. He kept checking the mirror as he went, just in case there was a message. There wasn't.

He knew he was becoming too attached too quickly and should take a breath. He didn't want any sort of relationship and the thought of one with her was ridiculous. She was a voiceless entity. She was dead!

He was being stupid. Perhaps going to his sister's would bring him to his senses.

Did he want to be?

"Hey, my little Fucker! You made it!"

Jazz opened the door to Cassidy's knock, reached out and dragged her brother inside, embracing him.

"Woah, sis! A simple 'Hi' would do."

"Yeah, but it's not every day you're related to a male Oda Mae Brown!"

"Who!"

"Oda Mae... God, you're shit," she said, slapping his arm. "Whoopi Goldberg's character in Ghost, ya Muppet."

"Oh, good film."

"Is that all you've got to say?"

"Where's the beer?"

"I hate you."

"You love me, and there's so much to love."

"You're a complete fucker."

It was Ethan. He walked through from the kitchen, holding two opened bottles of lager. He handed one to his brother.

"Thanks so much!" Cassidy said. "You're not too shabby yourself."

With the introductory pleasantries over, the trio moved to the table that sat in the large space to the right of the kitchen units. It wasn't really a dining room, as the house wasn't large enough to accommodate one. It served the same purpose, though. The table was usually pushed against the wall, trapping the fourth chair residing on that side. Jazz would pull it out when she had enough guests to warrant it. That was yet to happen.

In the middle of the table was a tea towel covering a wide, flat object.

"What's that? You been buying me pressies? You shouldn't have," Cass said, pointing.

"I didn't," said Jazz. "It's a little game me and Fishy thought we could play."

"What are we, five years old?"

"Your IQ might be five," Ethan said, taking a large gulp from his bottle. "But this is a grown up game."

"OK...?"

"Now, don't be mad," Jazz said.

"Yeah, we thought this'd be cool to try," Ethan said, nodding. "Especially considering your house guest."

"House guest? You mean Amy?"

"Yes, Amy."

Jazz removed the cloth to reveal a rectangular board. The board was covered in the letters of the alphabet and a large planchette rested in the centre.

"A Ouija board? Have you guys lost it?"

https://youtu.be/bt_xhaTc210