Churchie. He hadn’t heard that for some time. Christopher stood up and gave Wally a welcoming hug.

“Might sit down and take in this magnificent view with you.”

“Good move, Wally.” Christopher joined him on the bench. “How ya doing?” 

“I’m good, Churchie.” He gave Christopher a soft punch on the lap. “It’s great to catch up again. I miss our talks outside the church and your company.”

“You still going to church?”

“Yep, the Rev is still looking after me. Has me and the missus on greeting duty. And making the coffee after the service, of course.”

“Did you bring your coffee machine?”

“Yep, it’s in the backpack.”

They laughed. “It’s okay. We can grab a coffee from the shops down near the ferry terminal.”

“I take it you don’t have a coffee machine yet?”

“Nope. Maybe a Christmas present from someone.” He patted Wally on the leg. “Did you have a good trip?”

“Yep, sat out the back of the ferry until the conversation of a couple of new agers got too much for me.”

“What were they talking about?”

“Some Blue Moon Festival thing.” Wally looked to the sky. “I’m sure there’s a full moon up there somewhere.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve seen a few posters floating around. Haven’t paid much attention to it, but you’re right it is a full moon.” Christopher gave a small chuckle. “When all the weirdos come out of their caves.”

“Arooooooo.” Wally’s attempt of a wolf howl didn’t disturb the leaves of the frangipani tree nor the bird perched on a branch of the tree.

“That was bad.”

Wally agreed and got back on to the subject of new agers. “A lady with long grey-blonde hair talked about how a group of them met regularly on the island. Something about tuning into nature. Said they normally meet at full moon to harness energy. Bit spooky—funny thing was the lady reminded me of a witch but I can’t explain why.”

“A group of them?” Christopher was troubled. “I think I know where they meet.”

“Really? Maybe we should go spy on them and see what they get up to.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

6 – Odds and ends

AN OLD WOODEN BOAT and other odds and ends were encamped in the carport. A large rusted anchor sat against the house, and shells were sprinkled throughout the yard. The place had a carefree feel about it—not a worry in the world. Windows left open. Ruby liked the feel of the place. She watched a small lizard scamper into the shrubbery surrounding the elevated house. 

Their feet crunched on the shells as they headed up the path to the balcony. The door creaked as Shoana opened it and ushered Ruby in. Zoe followed.

Ruby looked around the spacious room. She sneezed at the dust floating in the air, stirred up by Shoana brushing past some curtains. Stairs led up to another level. She guessed the bedrooms were up there. 

Shoana was up at the other level already, and Ruby wondered if she had flown up there. She was getting into the spirit of things, and looked around to see if there were any broomsticks resting against the wall. Laughably, there was a straw broom but it was obviously a décor feature.

“Your room is up here, Ruby. The one on the right. The bathroom is next to your room,” Shoana said. “Be warned, the toilet leaks and sounds spooky during the night. It gives the occasional gurgle that draws you out of your deep sleep.”

“Yep. I thought the place was haunted when I first heard it,” Zoe said.

“Come up and have a look before we get settled. Throw your backpack on the bed.” Shoana waved her up and went into Ruby’s room.

Ruby did as she was told and headed up the stairs. There was an atmosphere surrounding the rooms. Ruby couldn’t describe it but felt it as soon as she got to the top of the stairs. Shoana stood at the entrance to Ruby’s room. A light flickered across the pendant Shoana wore around her neck—a cross with a loop at the top. Ruby smiled and walked inside, past her. 

The room was quaint. Two black candles burned on the bedside tables, the flames resembling spirits dancing. A light blue bedspread covered a single bed. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept in a single bed. She’d nagged a double bed out of her parents at an early age and it travelled the journey of life with her, through shared houses and that brief living arrangement with the man of her life who wasn’t.

“The candles are preparing the room to help you banish negativity that may surround you. Help you recover from hurtful relationships.”

Shoana must have picked up Ruby’s negative vibes about her ex. Shoana met him, once not long after Ruby started working with Shoana and Zoe. How long had it been? Just over twelve months. She liked Zoe and was able to penetrate her outer being but something didn’t sit right with Shoana. She appeared covered in a shroud which couldn’t be penetrated. But Ruby did share a house with Zoe. That would be an advantage in removing one’s shroud.

They walked out of the room. Zoe had placed a plate on the table in front of the twin seaters. 

“Okay, you two. Come down and taste these biscuits I made for our weekend away. They’re heavenly. I’ve made us some tea, and we can seek out a coffee haven later—although I don’t like our chances.”

Ruby walked past Shoana to head downstairs, and Shoana touched her hair as she past, as if Ruby’s hair was some kind of prized possession. Why Ruby thought of it now she didn’t know, but Shoana had always seemed obsessed with the colour of Ruby’s hair. Weird. Why the obsession?

Zoe was right—the biscuits were heavenly. Ruby had her hand under her mouth, catching the crumbs as they tumbled from her mouth. She missed a few.

“Don’t worry, Ruby. We can do a big clean-up tomorrow. Let’s just relax. You girls excited about tonight?” Shoana asked.

“From what you’ve told me, Shoana, I am,” Zoe said. “It’s funny. I’ve always loved staring into the sky and seeking out the stars. When I look up, I sense a power and to think we may be able to connect to that power . . . it excites me. What about you, Ruby?”

“Yep, me too. I can relate to that although I’m more into nature. You know, the butterflies and the birds.” She fluttered her fingers around.

“And we know you’re totally into it, Shoana.” Zoe said.

Shoana smiled.

“Shoana, what’s that pendant you’re wearing? It’s not a cross, is it?” Ruby asked.

Shoana reached down and placed the pendant between her fingers. She fiddled with it and showed it to Zoe.

“No, well it is . . . sort of. But I’m not a Christian or anything like that. I wear it because I know it as the Egyptian symbol for the key to eternal life. I’m sort of into ancient Egyptian things.” She rubbed the pendant. “I bought this from a Wiccan group I’m involved with—they’re obsessed with Egyptian things.”

“It’s a nice ornament,” Zoe said.

“It’s not just an ornament.” Shoana sat forward and picked up her cup from the table. “It represents life forces, being in tune with nature, with air, with water, with food, with plants and even sex.”

“Well, I might have to get one of those!” Zoe said.

Ruby sensed aggression in Shoana’s response. Maybe she was just as obsessed with Egyptian things as her group was.

“So what’s the strategy, girls?” Ruby asked.