Impossible to sleep , due to the Mediterranean temperature I opened the bedroom window and walked downstairs to get a cold drink .
Suddenly the security lights all around the building flashed into life . Lazer lighting strobed up and down . I had been persuaded to install this incredibly expensive security system and I was seeing it first hand in action.
I jumped and felt that cold shiver of fear
Rushing to the window , I noticed a shadowy dark figure run across the courtyard
" Oi " I shouted loudly banging on the kitchen window .
I ran to the door grabbing a pasta ladle and turned the key in the lock . I managed to undo the stiff lock and dashed outside and stood in the middle of the courtyard my bathrobe had come undone in the effort . Both hands holding the ladle as if it was a baseball bat . Slowly I walked to the gates which were slightly open as a car fired up in the distance and sped into the night , wheels spinning .
Closing the gates I stared as far as I could into the village ....Nothing
I walked back into the house picking bits of gravel from underfoot tossing the ladle onto the side unit . Reflecting on the fact they wouldn't have dared to come around here had my dog still been alive .
Walking back into the kitchen I picked an orange carton from the fridge drinking straight from it , wiping my mouth with the back of my hand . What the fuck next I wondered placing the carton back into the fridge
Deciding to not go back , as it seemed pointless due to the heat and the ridiculous situation . Ordinarily anyone would ring the Police and say I have had an intruder , but I can't . I banged my fist down onto the kitchen unit .
It was five am and I was utterly pissed off , tired hot and as I glanced in the kitchen mirror looking like a hundred years old .
Thinking I may as well get the day started I showered and found grabbed a shirt and some jeans and walked down into the kitchen. My mind playing over and over again scenarios of What if this or what if that . Gideon versus Joshua . What was I missing . I don't know .
I prepared some of Suzannah's coffee and put a couple of croissants in the oven . I had to remain positive. Pouring myself a cup I waited for Suzannah to aarive.
The gate rattled at about eight fifteen and glancing out of the window I watched her walk down the courtyard . She was back to her blue jeans and white blouse hanging loosely over a white low cut vest which displayed plenty of cleavage .
" Come on in " I greeted her at the door with a cup of coffee . After the night I'd had she was just the tonic I needed
" You look great " I said " Very summery "
" Why thankyer kind sir " she jokingly replied " I'm sorry that I'm early I've not had a good night "
I was just about to recount my evening when she said angrily
" You just won't believe it , won't believe it . I got back last night and someone had been through my things , moving stuff about in my room at the guest house . Been in my drawers and opened a case "
" Really " I replied " Who" Thinking to myself there after Suzannah as well now
" Yes " she still obviously angry continued " It can only have been Mrs bloody Stanhope or her interfering slob of a husband......I'm the only guest , who else can it be"
I nodded " Gotta be them " The reality was I wasn't sure and feared the worst
Calming a little she sipped her coffee " Well John I confronted Mrs Stanhope and she went mad , stark raving mad...how dare I suggest it ...She had never been so insulted in all her life ...all that I got both barrels .....Anyway long and short of it is that I have got to vacate my room by tonight " She laughed .." Not been a good week has it for God's sake "
" No ....we can both say that " I agreed " Look stay here , till you get fixed up , I've got eight bedrooms and I'm rattling around a bit at the moment "
" Well thank you , if you're sure " Suzannah replied
" Yes of course , look we can pick your stuff up later , you don't want to be staying in a bloody guest house anyway "
She smiled " Thanks John that would be great
We walked together into the study " Have you got any more ideas" Suzannah asked as we entered
" Not many " I said , " but I'm pretty sure that if he did find the Star the clues in five Acres "
Suzannah looked at the files then looked at me me " John , have we a picture of , or have we got any idea of what this Star thing looks like "
" Yes " but only a drawing I replied " Sketched by one of Gideon's lot"
Suzannah laughed so we are looking for something that no one has seen for maybe 800 years , no one really knows what it looks like and to be honest no one really knows that it exists ..." she paused raising her coffee cup " Good luck to us "
I rummaged through the files , " Here Here " I exclaimed excitedly placing a picture of the star on the table
Suzannah picked up the picture " Oh , I nearly forgot , just remembered I found your mobile on the courtyard by the gates , you must have dropped it , it's in my bag in the hallway "
" Oh ok , I had no idea , thanks " perhaps I had dropped it
We both looked at the drawing of the star
" You know Suzannah, I've seen this image someplace else ....in this village "
" Where , come on John think "
" In this village I think " Then grabbing Suzannah by the arm " Fucking hell ..so sorry ....yes of course...I know I bloody Know , I know , I will show you "
Locking the door behind us we ran to the car
In seconds we were at the church and walking through the newer graveyard .
" This way " I said
Suzannah struggled through the undergrowth " I haven't been here in thirty years " she said panting a little
I reached out my hand , " Come on Suzannah "
We pushed the creaking gate open and walked into the old graveyard , walking gingerly over the run down area .
" Through here " I pointed in front of me
Suzannah stepped over the hugging sweeping oak branches , climbing over the stump of the other oak which had been cut down .
We found ourselves at Tutbury's tomb
I held her by the hand helping her over the fallen stones
" Look Look Look Suzannah here " I pointed at the six point star carved into the tomb " That's it it's been staring at us all along , he did know about it ..for fucks sake he knew about it "
" John " Suzanna rubbed her hand along the carved star " But it's different , the star we are looking for has a star within a star .....this has a 7 in the middle "
" It does , you're right " I felt massively deflated
" Suzannah , why did he he change it , whats the seven mean " We looked at each other
" I don't know John " but I think we have found the hook . Don't forget they buried him , thought he'd got the plague and that he was the devil .No one would ever come near here ...look around you it's like hell "
I pointed upwards " Look there " pointing at the upside down crescent moon " What's all that about "
" You know John , I don't know , but I think we have found the hook .....lets get back and research this "
We headed for the car
" We may as well pick up your stuff on the way back " I suggested as we drove away from the church
" Good idea John "
A stern looking lady with a face like she was chewing a wasp , hands on her broad hips with a husband wearing exactly the same sweatshirt standing behind her glared at us as Suzannah put her cases into my boot and got into the car .
We drove away , Suzannah turned toward me " You've got to laugh , One day I'm a librarian , then I'm sacked for gross misconduct , move out of the marital home , next thing I move into a strange mans car...at my age "
I laughed " And move in with the devil "