Haunted Fields by Dan Moore Page A

had seen had truly frightened her, damaged her even. Something had definitely spooked her.
    â€˜I saw him,’ she whispered, her eyes still locked firmly on the porridge. ‘I saw him. He’s really out there.’
    Someone had to find this lookalike.
    â€˜Don’t mess with it,’ would’ve been Ricky’s advice, he knew. ‘Let someone else solve the puzzle. You don’t know what you’re up against here.’
    But could he really just sit by and watch as the hysteria spread? Curiosity nagged at him. Something was afoot and he yearned to get to the bottom of it.
    â€˜Are you sure she’s all right?’ Greg asked.
    Freddie watched as Greg cocked his head, inspecting the traumatised girl.
    â€˜Just a bit of a shock, that’s all,’ Joe said.
    A shock? thought Freddie with disbelief. Her dad believed in the stories too? No wonder she’d been affected so badly. This place is unreal! Shouldn’t he be dismissing the talk of ghosts as a farce, if only for the sake of his daughter? Someone had to make a stand, put things right. He’d tell her himself, that’d show them!
    His Samsung burst into song. He shook his head. He had to learn to control his rash thoughts.
    â€˜Sorry,’ he said, scooting out into the hallway. ‘I’ll take it out here.’
    He pulled the door shut behind him, sliding his mobile from his jeans pocket. As he glanced down at the caller ID, his mind blurred.
    Tiffany .
    What? Why on earth is she calling me? wondered Freddie. She has no right, no right at all! Think… Think… He needed time to think. But he had no time. The blasted device wouldn’t go on ringing forever.
    This is Tiffany Angle, boyo, his ego roared. Total babe! She wanted you once! And maybe she wants you again! Take the call, hear her out! His thumb hovered over the mobile. Should he? Shouldn’t he?
    No! He knew he had to muster some self-control. She’d cheated on him, for God’s sake! He rejected the call.
    â€˜Mmm,’ said Freddie, planting his half-pint of Coke on the table, feigning interest. Just how many issues did these old-timers have with wind turbines? What was there problem? It wasn’t as if the local council were drawing up plans for a nuclear power station. ‘Would you be happier if they made them look like the windmills of old?’
    â€˜We’re not that old,’ said the retired farmer sitting across the table from Freddie.
    Freddie glanced over to the bar. Jess, arms-folded, red-faced, was frantically discussing something with Lucas. It certainly wasn’t a debate about wind turbines.
    An almighty yawn forced Freddie’s mouth wide open. Whatever it was they were discussing, he wished they’d hurry up! The other guys and girls had long gone, leaving him with the not-so happy couple and a trio of grumbling regulars. Hurry up Jess! He’d still to fully adjust to the world of work.
    â€˜Do as you like,’ he heard Jess say.
    â€˜Oh, don’t worry, Jessica,’ said Lucas, rising from the barstool. ‘I will.’
    Freddie gazed at the ageing regulars seated at his table. Bushy eyebrows raised, forehead crinkled, one of the old-timers’ knowing expression said it all – Jess and Lucas were as good as finished.
    â€˜Trouble in paradise,’ someone muttered.
    â€˜I’m going home, Lucas. I’m tired,’ Jess said, ‘I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’
    â€˜Thank God,’ said Freddie, hauling himself up, Lucas storming from the pub, ‘Finally!’
    Jess tiptoed over to the table he’d just vacated, oblivious to the attention her quarrel had earned. Her face, which Freddie still found pretty despite being all hitched up and straight-lined, fell into a smile.
    â€˜Sorry,’ she said. ‘You must be shattered.’
    â€˜Come on. Let’s get out of here before we get kicked out.’
    He felt Jess’ arm link his, and