Time to Say Goodbye: a heart-rending novel about a father’s love for his daughter. S.D. Robertson

       CHAPTER 9

      I didn’t utter another word. I was too afraid. Someone or something was out there and Arthur’s disappearance didn’t bode well. As the shadow remained across the skylights, I could hear the muffled sound of movement on the other side of the pavilion’s timber walls. I cowered into a corner, terrified without knowing why. Leave me alone, I thought. But it didn’t. The presence moved slowly along the perimeter of the building, rustling here and scratching there, until it eventually stopped by the entrance, darkening the gaps around the doorframe.

      I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth and held my head in my hands, half trying to hide and half bracing myself for whatever might happen next. When I opened my eyes again, I saw the door handle turning. Please, no, I thought. Why did you abandon me, Arthur? You knew what was coming and you left me.

      The locked door shook in its frame for a few terrifying seconds and then the handle rose again. The shadow sank to the bottom half of the door and there was an irregular sniffing sound that seemed to go on forever. I heard more movement as whatever it was circled the pavilion once more, tapping the wall here and there as it went. And then there was silence. The shadow lifted from across the skylights and I was alone again.

      ‘Bloody hell,’ I said, standing up. I felt utterly exhausted. ‘What the hell was that? What just happened?’

      I expected Arthur to return, but after a few minutes there was still no sign of him. ‘Hello, Arthur, can you hear me?’ I called. ‘It’s safe to come back. You do realize that I can’t get out of here by myself, don’t you?’

      But he didn’t return.

      A bell rang outside and, a few minutes later, I could hear the sound of children playing. I walked over to the door and peered through a crack. I could just about make out the schoolyard and a blur of different coloured coats running to and fro. It made me think of Ella. Was it also break time at her school? Would she be playing with her friends or standing alone? The former, I hoped, but her teacher had told Mum and Dad that she’d become introverted since my death. They had discussed moving her here now that she was living at their house, but they’d decided not to, fearing she might struggle to make new friends in her current state of mind.

      What are the chances of anyone coming in here today? I wondered, staring at the locked door. Not likely at this time of year, as most of the equipment I could see lying around was for summer sports.

      I called Arthur again, but there was still no response, which left me with only one option. I looked up through the skylights. ‘Lizzie? Are you around? I’m in a fix. I need your help.’

      ‘You called,’ a voice said from behind me.

      I turned to face my guide. ‘Hi, Lizzie. Thanks for coming. I was afraid you might not bother after last time.’

      ‘That’s water under the bridge,’ she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘What can I do for you?’

      ‘Um, well, I need some help getting out of here.’

      She scanned the pavilion. ‘I see. How did you get yourself trapped in this strange little hut?’

      ‘Long story. Arthur brought me here and then got called away.’

      ‘Arthur?’

      ‘Yes. Arthur Brown. You know, from my funeral.’

      She gave me a blank look. ‘You’ve lost me. Anyhow, let’s get you home.’

      She tapped my shoulder and we both appeared on my parents’ empty driveway. ‘How’s that?’

      ‘Perfect. Thanks a million.’

      ‘Would you like me to let you inside the house too? It looks like no one’s home.’

      ‘That would be wonderf—’

      Another tap on my shoulder and we were inside, sitting together on the sofa.

      ‘How’s living here working out, William?’

      ‘Fine. My place is empty and will be up for sale soon. I go where Ella goes.’