The Oxford Set
Michael and Victoria Jones originally wanted to celebrate the joint 26th birthday party of their children, Ben, Dylan, and Evelyn Jones, with a BBQ in the garden. However, the gloomy weather outside put a stop to that, so they had a meal inside instead.
“When are you off to Petra again, dear?” Victoria asked Dylan, before taking a sip of her Dom Pérignon, specially recommended by his wife, Scarlett, who was a sommelier at a luxury hotel in Bath.
“Beginning of September,” Dylan said, “we think the Holy Grail is located deep within the central temple, exactly like it shows in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
“Forgive me if I’m wrong,” Michael said, cutting up his rump steak, “but I assumed you pinpointed the location of lost treasure based on actual hard historical evidence, rather than films?”
“Well, we do most of the time,” Dylan said. “But sometimes you have to think imaginatively. Just because something is shown to be the case in popular culture doesn’t mean that it isn’t.”
“I suppose so,” Michael said, taking a sip of his Dom Pérignon.
“All that matters is that you have a wonderful time, dear,” Victoria said.
“I’m sure I will,” Dylan said. “I love being out on the road, looking for treasure.”
“But you also love being home with your family too, babe.” Scarlett said, kissing her husband on the cheek before refilling his glass.
“Yeah, that too.” Dylan said.
The floorboards above them creaked, as if someone was walking about on the first floor. The Jones’, however, ignored the sounds, as most of them had got used to the house being haunted. Except for Ben, who was an ardent skeptic and assumed the floorboards were expanding in the summer humidity.
“I’m hoping I might bump into Horatio this time.” Dylan said, eating a bit of his steak.
“Horatio is dead, Dylan.” Ben, Dylan’s slightly more dour brother, said. “You have to accept that, eventually. Even if he’s alive, he clearly no longer wants to be a part of this family.”
“We don’t know either way though, do we?” Dylan said. “All we know is that he said he was going travelling about six years ago.”
“And we haven’t heard from him since,” Michael said. “It seems likely that he died in a tragic Hot-Air Balloon accident over the Himalayas.”
Alice Jones, Ben’s wife, watched the formal gardens while Ben and Dylan argued about their illusive older brother..
The densely planted borders added a bit of colour to the otherwise rainy day.
The Yew Garden provided a bit of structure, and a vista towards the far end of the Jones’ vast garden.
But then, suddenly, in the middle of the Yew Garden, was a figure. It looked to be male. He was wearing old-fashioned black clothing and had deathly pale skin.
Alice turned back round towards the others. “There’s someone out there,” she said.
Michael, Victoria, and the others looked at her in silence.
“There can’t be, Ali.” Michael said. “The gates are locked.”
“There was someone out there, though.” Alice said. “A man, I think. He was wearing Victorian clothes, and had pale skin.”
Ben looked out over the garden.
“There’s no one there, Alice.” Ben said. “You were probably just imagining it.”
“But it was there a second ago.” Alice said. “I saw it, clear as day.”
“Sounds like the weird people in Aunt Cress’ garden.” Evelyn said. “And the old man in her living room.”
“Who only exists in your imagination, Eve.” Ben said. “Ghosts exist only in the world of fiction. It’s not possible for them to be real.”
“I know what I saw, Ben!” Alice said. “It was real. It may not have been a ghost, but it was real.”
“Try not to worry about it dear, and finish your steak,” Victoria said.
“Ok.” Alice said, taking a bite of her boiled carrots.
“Perhaps we could have a look for this person?” Marcus Ashbrook, Evelyn’s husband, a charming, easy-going young architect, said. “They could be a hiker who’s lost their way.”
“Good idea.” Alice said.
“I don’t particularly want to venture out into the wet,” Ben said. “Besides, the lawns will be far too muddy.”
“Personally, I feel like having a walk,” Michael said. “We’ll look for this person after lunch.”
“Very well.” Ben said.
The Yew Garden looked especially eery during stormy weather.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I sure as hell don’t see nobody.” Scarlett said, slaloming in between the large Yew trees that dotted around the garden.
“People have an incredible ability to get lost in here, Scarlett.” Michael said. “It’s perfect for hide and seek.”
As she was walking through Alice thought she glimpsed the figure through the mist.
“He’s over here.” She said. The others hurriedly followed her behind one of the Yew trees, but the figure had gone.
“How about we split up and try to reconvene in about ten minutes?” Victoria said.
They went off in different directions, covering the entire garden. Each one of them disappeared into the mist, eventually making them think they were alone in the garden.
The figure kept appearing a disappearing. Long enough to be seen, but quick enough for anyone looking at them to not be entirely sure they were imagining it.
Eventually, the Jones’ accidentally met in the middle of the garden.
“Well, I think we can agree that there’s no one here.” Michael said.
Evelyn glimpsed over one hedge towards the Orchard and lake. At the far end of the watery expanse, she saw a dark figure.
“They’re over there, by the lake.” Evelyn said.
“How could some get over there that quickly?” Alice said.
“Because they’re a ghost?” Scarlett said.
“Or more likely, they’re just a figment of your imagination.” Ben said.
Marcus looked out across the lake. “I can’t see anyone, Eve.” Marcus said. “I think we’re the only ones here.”
“How about we get back into the warm and have some of the Victoria Sponge I made?” Victoria said.
“I’d quite like to be dry again.” Ben said. “I don’t particularly like being sodden.”
And so the Jones’ went back into the dry. Victoria put the fire on, and they all sat around it, eating Victoria Sponge and catching up on each other’s news.
The figure in the Yew Garden observed them silently. Unnoticed. Until, eventually, he disappeared for good…. Until the next time, that is.
The Robinsonverse 