PARTING the Veil

From the moment the party started, Lisa knew that something extraordinary was going on

- Maria McAvoy

Lisa parked the car and raced up the path, letting herself into the house where the sight of skeletons and giant cobwebs hanging in the hallway stopped her in her tracks. What the…?

She heard a noise from inside the supposedly empty house, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Picking up an umbrella, she advanced, pushing the kitchen door open, ready to run if there was an intruder. Instead, she saw a hive of activity – the caterer just finishing up, plated food under cling film, and a stack of gleaming glassware.

The woman smiled. ‘Mrs Ashton? Perfect timing. I’ve just finished.’

Lisa shoved the brolly behind her back. ‘Er… thanks. Sorry I’m late.’

‘Have fun.’ The caterer headed towards the door.

‘Wait! Who let you in?’

‘It could only have been your daughter, with that hair. Or maybe your sister?’ With a smile the caterer indicated Lisa’s cascading red curls.

Lisa didn’t have a sister and her two young daughters were at school. Besides, they were both blonde. At the mention of red hair, though, her gaze jumped to a picture of her grandma – the only other person in the family who shared Lisa’s colouring. But while Gran would approve of the Halloween decorations, there was no way she’d been here today.