‘“Keep your curtains closed and your minds open”?’
Harold nodded. ‘Also sounds like an invitation to a sex party.’
‘Have you received many?’ asked Midge, surprised that so many could see past the persistent nasal drip.
‘That would explain some of the comments I get.’ Noah stared back at them all for a moment. ‘I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm. I was going to edit everything after the weekend anyway and tidy it up, so I suppose I could try interviewing you as guest insights and things.’
All the others agreed to this with varying levels of enthusiasm, but Midge, disturbed by the casual use of the word ‘things’, demurred. Noah didn’t seem in the least disappointed.
Glancing down, Midge noticed a dark mark in the corner of the mat to the left of her plate that she was sure hadn’t been there before. She narrowed her eyes as it started to move. Putting her finger on it, she was surprised to feel it was wet.
A second mark suddenly appeared as she watched. And then another. And another. Splashes of liquid. Dripping down on to the table around the plates.
‘What on earth...?’ Gloria had noticed as well.
They all looked up at the ceiling at the same time.
‘Ectoplasm,’ breathed Noah, in rapture.
The plaster of the ceiling was bulging just above the kitchen table, forming a large sink with a slow drip of water plopping down on to the wood below.
‘Where is that coming from?’ frowned Harold.
Noah stared for a bit, thinking, before saying, ‘The bathing room – it’s directly above.’
‘Is someone having a bath?’ asked Midge, looking round at the others.
‘I heard someone in there earlier,’ said Harold.
Gloria frowned. ‘They must have left the taps running.’
Harold was already moving out of the room towards the back stairs. ‘We better get them off before the whole bloody ceiling comes down.’
Midge followed Harold upstairs, aware as she did so that Noah, Rona and Gloria were close behind her. When they reached the corridor, Harold was already rapidly knocking on the bathing room door.
‘Rendell?’ he shouted.
There was no response.
‘Open the door! Perhaps he’s fallen asleep,’ said Gloria.
Midge could feel her unease growing with each second as they listened to the sound of the taps running through the walls.
‘Open up!’ shouted Harold, really banging on the door now. ‘You’ve left the bath running.’
There was still no answer. Harold grunted, leaning against the door and trying the handle. It was locked.
‘Go on, then,’ said Rona, waving a hand at Noah.
‘What do you want me to do?’ asked Noah.
‘We’re going to have to put some welly into it,’ said Rona.
‘That’s solid oak,’ protested Noah, gently bumping the door with his upper arm. ‘Think about the security deposit.’
‘For God’s sake!’ Rona was already halfway down the corridor, creating some running space. ‘Right, stand back!’ She charged atthe door, hitting it with a crunch. There was a splintering noise as the lock gave way and the door fell open. Steam rolled out into the corridor, momentarily blinding them before they all followed Rona into the room.
Midge wiped her face and waited a moment for the cold air to dissipate the steam.
