The Lost Baby: A Ghost Mystery Story (Second Hand Ghosts Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

tonight.”
    “I’ll
come with you,” Emily decided. She held my hand as we walked to the car.
    “No,
you can stay with your dad for a few hours,” I said.
    Emily
looked up at me, “Please Mummy, I want to see Sylvia’s baby.”
I thought about it for a few seconds. I couldn’t see the harm in it. “Okay, but
you have to be on your best behaviour.”
Emily climbed into the back seat and said solemnly, “I’m always on my best
behaviour.”
    After
tea we made the short drive over to Debbie’s house. It was a small mid terrace
house.
    We
walked up to the front door, and even before I knocked, I could hear a small
child crying inside.
    A
tired looking woman answered the door. I knew immediately it was Debbie, she
looked like Sylvia.
    “Kate?
Do come in. Sorry about the mess. And the noise. And probably the smell!”
Debbie laughed.
    I
introduced Emily and then we followed Debbie inside.
    Her
house was messy with all the things that young children bring to a home.
    Debbie
waved towards the settee, “Find a seat if you can. Make sure you don’t sit on a
child! I’ve got three little boys under the age of 5 and they move like
lightning.”
    I
could see two boys playing on the rug in front of the settee. I heard sobbing coming
from behind the settee. I peeped around and saw a crying boy. I picked him up
and automatically began to rock him. He stopped crying.
    Debbie
collapsed onto the settee. I sat beside her.
    “Thanks
for that,” she leaned over and smoothed the little boy’s hair down. “It’s just
one of those days. And I’ve got a thumping headache.”
    “I’ve
got some aspirins in my bag,” I offered.
    “I’ve
just taken some, thanks. Anyway, never mind about me. Tell me all about my
mother!” Debbie grinned.
    Emily
sat down on the rug with the two little boys and was soon playing car games
with them. The small boy in my arms started to fall asleep. Debbie offered to
take him but I said I was enjoying holding a little child again. Debbie looked
as if she wanted to fall asleep too.
    I
told her all about Sylvia. Debbie just nodded when I said I could see ghosts,
as if it was a normal thing for a person to do.
    When
I’d finished talking, Debbie smiled. “I’m sad that she died before I could meet
her, but I feel comforted knowing that she didn’t want to give me up.”
    I
suddenly remembered about Julia Stephenson.
    “You’ve
got a cousin! She’s called Julia and she lives nearby,” I told her.
    Debbie
brightened, “Really! A proper family member. I’ve never had that before, apart
from my sons, of course! My mum and dad, the ones who adopted me, didn’t have
any family. And they couldn’t have their own children. Do you think my cousin
would want to meet me?”
    “I’ll
ask her. Debbie, when did you find out you were adopted?” I asked.
    “After
my mum and dad died. They died within months of each other. They’d left a
letter with their solicitor that explained everything. I was mad at them for
months. And now that I know  I was taken away from my real mother without her
consent...well, I don’t know what to think.”
    Debbie
rubbed her forehead.
    “Has
your headache gone?” I asked.
    “Not
yet. I haven’t made you a cup of tea! How rude of me.” Debbie laughed again.
    I
passed the sleeping child to Debbie. “I’ll make it. What time is your husband,
or partner home?”
    Debbie
smiled sadly and said, “I’ve no idea. He’s shacked up with another woman. As
soon as baby number 3 came along he was off. He doesn’t want anything to do
with them. He’s not a natural father. Oh! Listen to me! I sound a right
misery.”
    I
made cups of tea for Debbie and me. Emily came into the kitchen and insisted on
making jam sandwiches for Debbie and the children.
    When
it was time to leave, Debbie gave me a big hug and said thank you for letting
her know about her mum.
    “The
baby shawl! The one that belonged to your mum. I forgot to bring it round,” I
said.
    “Then
you’ll have to