Wrath of the Whitby Goth Moth – preview chapters

‘Are they serious?’ Scarlet gasps, eyes as big as boiled eggs.
     ‘That’s what it says, isn’t it?’
     ‘Ethan! Gobbo! Come back!’ Scarlet calls out after the other two. She turns to Lucas. ‘Can they do that? Pay a bunch of kids? My dad said I’m not allowed to work. I want some money to buy football boots but he says I’m too young.’
     ‘It’s not really work,’ Lucas says. ‘It’s modelling. My cousin Jessica has done some. Modelling and acting are OK. They give you a chaperone and …’
     ‘A what?’
     ‘Someone to look after you. Jessica says it’s fun. She acted in this advert for a car, with fake parents and a fake brother she had to chase and …’
     ‘They’re tidying up,’ Scarlet says peering through the window. ‘This was a hippy shop. ‘Oh, look! There’s a stand covered in Goth keychain charms for your backpack. Cute!’
     ‘Whitby Goth Weekend is next week!’ Lucas says.
     ‘We could do that, couldn’t we!’ Scarlet says. ‘If our parents let us. I could borrow a …’
     ‘We wouldn’t have to borrow anything. They would give us the costumes to wear, that’s the point.’
     ‘You sure? Give them to us? Like a whole vampire outfit?’
     ‘Well, maybe not give them. We would probably be borrowing them. But it would still be fun. And we’ll be in a film and become famous and …’
     ‘It’s just a shop in Whitby, Lucas.’ Scarlet brings him back to Earth.
     ‘I know, but someone famous will see the film and think we’re really good and …’
     ‘Let’s do it. Is there a phone number or email address? We can ask our parents.’
     ‘The advert says four children’ Lucas points out.
     ‘There’s only two of us and …’
     ‘No, there isn’t.’ says a voice behind them.
     Gobbo and Ethan have returned.
     ‘If you’re doing it then we’re all doing it,’ says Ethan. ‘They’re going to need real talent, someone crazy who can make everyone laugh.’
     ‘And someone who can really scare people,’ says Gobbo. ‘And make them go AAAAAARGH! You two couldn’t scare a jelly baby.’
     ‘Could.’
     ‘Could not.’
     ‘Stop,’ says Lucas. ‘OK. We all get permission from our parents, right? Then we come back and speak with the manager.’
     ‘As if Gobbo’s mum will say yes,’ Scarlet says.
     ‘I won’t tell her,’ Gobbo says. ‘She doesn’t need to know.’
     ‘You have to, it’s the law,’ Scarlet tells him. ‘Ask Lucas.’
     ‘I’ll get my dad to speak with Gobbo’s mum,’ Lucas says helpfully.
     ‘Cool, we’re going to be film stars,’ Ethan says sarcastically. ‘Can I go home now? I am freezing and soaking wet.’
     And that is how it all starts.

Karen Hirma opens the back door of the shop and lets the children out.
     ‘Eight thirty on Tuesday morning,’ she tells them. ‘And Lucas’ dad is going to ring me and confirm that Ethan will be there. The chaperone is from the council. She’s called Miss Unsweet. I haven’t met her but I’m sure she’s nice. She will pop round to see your parents tomorrow to sort out the paperwork and to answer their questions.’
     The three children nod quietly.
     The back door closes.
     ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this place,’ Scarlet says. ‘Let’s go home.’
     ‘What do we tell Ethan’s mum and dad?’ Lucas asks. ‘Maybe we should ring the police and …’
     They are interrupted by a loud crash behind them.
     The three friends jump back.
     ‘What was that?’ Scarlet hisses.
     ‘Just bins falling over,’ Gobbo explains, trying to sound cool.
     ‘Bins don’t just fall over,’ Scarlet says. ‘When I say run, we all run, OK?’
     ‘Maybe they fell because they are too full,’ Lucas points out sensibly.
     One of the bins is sliding forward across the ground.
     ‘Run!’ shouts Scarlet.
     A face appears from behind the bin.
     It’s Ethan.
     ‘What are you doing?’ Scarlet shouts angrily.
     ‘My head hurts,’ Ethan says, rubbing the back of his neck. He has scratches on his face and arms. ‘What’s happened?’
     ‘You did something dumb, as usual, and we had to pretend you hadn’t, even though we were scared. Let’s go.’
     ‘What about the filming?’
     ‘Forget the film. This place is creepy and we’re not coming back.’
     ‘Says who?’ Gobbo looks annoyed.
     ‘Says all of us,’ Scarlet snaps back.
     ‘I haven’t said anything,’ Gobbo insists.
     ‘Ethan just got eaten by a hat! Didn’t you notice, dimple brain? Is that normal in Gobboland?’
     ‘It isn’t that easy,’ Lucas says quietly, helping Ethan to his feet. ‘We promised and we gave her our addresses, remember?’
     ‘What about that hat?’ Scarlet asks in a shaky voice.
     ‘We’ll all just have to stay away from it,’ Lucas replies. ‘And the film will be fun. Come on. let’s go home.’
     ‘What happened with the hat?’ Ethan asks, still rubbing his head as they walk away down Cliff Street.
     ‘What do you think happened?’ Scarlet asks.
     Ethan looks like he is about to answer, then he shrugs. ‘Dunno,’ he lies.
     ‘You really don’t remember?’ Lucas asks.

3

‘Where is the other boy? Ethan?’ Miss Unsweet asks briskly in her very posh voice. ‘This is not the best of starts, is it?’
     Miss Unsweet, the chaperone, is a large round woman with long grey hair all rolled up tightly on her head, square yellow glasses and bright red lipstick. She is wearing a hairy green tweed trouser suit and looks a like a giant gooseberry in army uniform.
     ‘He’ll be here in a minute,’ Lucas says with his fingers crossed behind his back.
     ‘We cannot go without the boy. Miss Hirma was very strict about that. She wants all four of you. No Ethan, no film. Excuse me, Gobbo, please climb down from there and stop mucking about. The council won’t be pleased if you break the swing bridge.’
     Gobbo gives Miss Unsweet a look that suggests it is going to be a very long day.
     It’s cold and it’s half past eight on Tuesday morning. The instructions the children received say that they must all be on Tate Hill Sands at 8.50am.
     ‘And what is your proper name? I cannot be calling you Gobbo all day, it’s ridiculous.’
     ‘That is his name, Miss. It’s short for Gobalot,’ Scarlet says. ‘Like Sir Gobalot, the knight in King Arthur’s round table.’
     Gobbo sniggers. The chaperone gives Scarlet a cold hard stare.
     ‘What’s your first name?’ Gobbo asks Miss Unsweet cheekily.
     ‘It’s Carly, if you must know, but you shall call me Miss Unsweet.’
     ‘And you shall call me Gobbo,’ Gobbo says in his poshest voice.
     A red-faced Miss Unsweet seems about to say something rude when Lucas points down the road.
     ‘He’s here!’ Lucas announces.
     Ethan is climbing out of a car and waving goodbye to his mum.
     ‘Thank heavens for that,’ says Miss Unsweet. ‘Come along everyone.’
     ‘Couldn’t find my shoes,’ Ethan says, grumpily, when he reaches us.
     ‘Gobbo said you’d chickened out,’ Scarlet says.
     ‘As if,’ Gobbo sneers. ‘Come on, mate.’
     As they walk down Church Street towards Tate Hill Sands, Gobbo mutters snarky comments about the chaperone behind her back to Ethan, while Lucas and Scarlet ask Miss Unsweet about her favourite football team.
     She doesn’t have one.
     Ethan slowly cheers up.
     ‘Not much of a film crew, is it?’ sneers Gobbo when they reach the beach.
     There are three people waiting for them. Karen Hirma, the shop owner, is wearing a long black leather coat. Beside her is a blond woman holding two large bags and a skinny guy in a puffer jacket. The blond woman is Chloe and she’s in charge of costumes, and the skinny guy, who is called Steve, is the cameraman. Over the next hour the children put on various different costumes, capes, hats, fangs, and masks and run about on the sand while Steve films them with Tate Hill Pier in the background.
     Next the children all dress as Dracula and are filmed leaping out from behind the lobster pots, screaming and showing their claws.
     Ethan and Gobbo keep getting told off for trying to trip Lucas up. Lucas says he doesn’t mind, but he does really. Scarlet asks why she has to wear a boy’s Dracula costume and what’s the point of being there if they don’t have girls’ costumes? Lucas gets told off for taking photos on his phone, the chaperone reminds him that the contract his parents signed agreed that no photos should be taken and that all the images taken today are the property of the Bellatrix Whalebones Shop
     ‘That’s not fair,’ protests Scarlet. ‘Can’t we have even one photo of us all together?’
     ‘If I see anyone else taking a photo I will have to confiscate all your phones.’
     ‘You can’t do that,’ Ethan protests.
     ‘I can and I shall,’ Miss Unsweet insists. ‘Now please stop it, the cameraman is waiting.’
     Eventually Steve is happy he has all the film he needs.
     ‘Time for a hot chocolate and a biscuit,’ says Karen, looking a bit fed with everyone.
     ‘Is that it? Have we finished?’ Gobbo asks Miss Unsweet. ‘Do we get our money now?’
      ‘It’s not up to me, love. Regrettably, my contract says that we have to spend the whole day together. Let’s go and warm up in the café.’
     The café windows are all steamed up because of the cold outside. While Gobbo scares the waitress with his Dracula fangs, the others drink hot chocolate and stuff their faces with biscuits. Karen, Steve and Chloe sit at a separate table to discuss what they are filming next.
     ‘Come on, eat up, we’re off again in a minute,’ Miss Unsweet tells the children.
     The next stop is a run-down cottage in one of the yards on Church Street.
     ‘Before we go inside, I want to explain what we will be doing,’ starts Karen.
     None of the children listen to a word she says, it’s cold and they want to get inside.
     It is dusty inside the cottage. The furniture looks ancient and there’s a funny smell, like bubble gum and gravy according to Scarlet.
     ‘How did you get the key, Miss?’ asks Lucas.
     ‘The cottage belongs to a friend of mine,’ Karen replies. ‘They have just bought it. We’re shooting in here because it looks creepy. No one has lived here since the old couple died. Now listen carefully, the electricity isn’t working so everyone stay together and follow me.’
     They all troop up the creaky stairs. Halfway up there is a huge stag’s head on the wall.
     ‘If his head is on this side, where is his bum, Miss Unsweet?’ Gobbo asks.
     The children’s laughter echoes in the empty space. Steve lights the way ahead with a torch. Miss Unsweet is at the back.
     ‘Are there ghosts?’ Scarlet whispers.
     ‘Speak up child,’ Miss Unsweet barks.
     ‘Are there ghosts?’
     ‘Don’t be ridiculous. They don’t exist.’
     Karen pushes open a dark door. ‘Here we are.
     Chloe, can you get the costumes ready?’
     Chloe puts the bags on the floor and unzips them.
     ‘Wow, look at that bed! Monster magic!’ Gobbo shouts excitedly. ‘Why does it have curtains?’
     ‘It’s a four-poster bed,’ Karen explains. ‘In olden times, before they had central heating the curtains kept people warm at night.’
     Ethan yanks open the red curtains, and leaps onto the bed … and disappears in a thick cloud of dust.
     Everyone is spluttering and rubbing their eyes.
     ‘Get off there now!’ coughs Miss Unsweet. ‘You little scallywag.’
     Gobbo is coughing and laughing his head off.
     ‘Nice one, Ethan. You look like you fell in the bin!’
     Ethan’s face and hair are grey with dust.
     ‘We’ll have to wait for the dust to settle,’ says Steve, setting up his tripod. ‘I’ll put up the lights.’
     ‘Never work with pets or children,’ Karen mutters to herself. ‘Let’s get the costumes out.’
     ‘There’s a lump in the bed,’ Ethan announces.
     ‘Aaaaargh! Maybe it’s a skeleton!’ grins Gobbo.
     Before anyone can stop him, Ethan whips back the cover and we all scream.

4

‘Oh, that’s disgusting!’ says Miss Unsweet.
     ‘Is it dead?’ Gobbo asks.
     ‘Of course it’s dead,’ says Ethan, poking it with his phone. ‘It’s stiff as a surfboard!’
     ‘How long has it been there?’ Scarlet asks with her hand over her nose and mouth.
     ‘Years probably,’ says Steve.
     It is a dead cat. Just black fur and bones, squashed flat with its paws and claws out in front of it as if it was attacking something when it was killed.
     ‘I feel sick,’ says Lucas.
     ‘Me too,’ Scarlet admits.
     ‘Cry-babies,’ Gobbo says. ‘We had a cat pancake like that in the road outside our house once. Ethan doesn’t mind, do you?’
     ‘I’ll swap places if you want,’ Ethan tells Gobbo.
     ‘No, you’re OK,’ Gobbo says quickly.
     ‘This is a health and safety issue,’ says Miss Unsweet. ‘I think we have to leave.’
     ‘The cat is dry,’ says Ethan. ‘The sheets are fine.’
     ‘It looks like the animal died somewhere else,’ Karen says, ‘and was put there by someone. As a nasty prank, perhaps. We’ll dispose of the cat and put the bedding back in place, then we can take our photos and go back downstairs. Chloe, pass me a plastic bag and the vampire gloves.’
     ‘There’s something else,’ Ethan says, lifting the sheet. ‘Shall I take it out?’
     ‘What?’ Scarlet asks fearfully.
     ‘Not sure.’ Ethan leans forwards. ‘Can someone shine a torch?’
     Steve shines a light on the bed.
     ‘There,’ says Ethan pointing. ‘Behind the cat. Some kind of …’
     ‘Can we go please?’ asks Lucas, backing away.
     ‘I think that’s a good idea,’ Miss Unsweet agrees.
     ‘It’s OK,’ Ethan says reaching in with his hand.
     He picks something up, very carefully, lifts it out and places it on the bedspread.
     Miss Unsweet shrieks, which causes Gobbo and Scarlet to leap in the air.
     ‘It’s got a skull on its back,’ Ethan observes.
     ‘DRA-CU-LA!’ Gobbo sings dramatically.
     ‘Health and safety,’ Miss Unsweet says. ‘We must leave straightaway.’
‘It’s only a moth,’ Lucas tells her, no longer anxious. ‘It’s a death’s-head hawkmoth. They’re not really scary unless you’re a bee. They go into hives and steal the honey. I saw about it on television.’
     ‘You’re such a swot, Lucas,’ Gobbo sneers.
     Karen leans forward and drops the squashed cat into the plastic bag, then plucks the moth off the sheet and studies it in the palm of her vampire gloved hand. ‘Ugly insect,’ she says. ‘Can we all calm down now and put on our costumes?’
     As she is putting on her ghoul costume, Scarlet notices Karen popping the moth into the pocket of her coat.
     Ten minutes later the photos of the children peering round the curtains of the four-poster bed in their creepy latex masks are all done. When he finally stops coughing, Steve finds the time to declare that all the dust has made the photos very atmospheric and moody.
     They go back downstairs.
     The dining room smells musty and damp and the swirly green and brown wallpaper is peeling off the walls. While Chloe gets more costumes ready for the children, Scarlet stares at the old photos on the small table by the window.
     The first photo is black and white and shows a couple smiling in the yard. The man has large ears and is wearing a dark suit, with a flower pinned to his jacket. The woman has fair hair and is wearing a white dress and a veil. It must be their wedding, Scarlet guesses. In the next photo the woman is holding a baby and there is snow on the ground.
     The last photo is in colour. They are old now and both grey-haired. They look like they are dressed for Goth Weekend. He is wearing a top hat, bright red waistcoat and round-frame gold glasses, and she is in a long purple dress with a high collar. The lady is holding the man’s arm. Still the same big smiles but they both look tired.
     Because the old lady looks a bit like her grandma, Scarlet takes a photo of the photos while no one is looking. To show her mum later.
     ‘STOP IT THIS MINUTE!’ Miss Unsweet shouts.
     Scarlet spins round, feeling guilty and dropping her phone into her pocket.
     But Miss Unsweet is shouting at Gobbo and Ethan. ‘Do your parents let you climb all over the furniture? I don’t think so.’
     ‘Gobbo doesn’t have a dad, Miss,’ Ethan shouts back. ‘He ran away to Peru.’
     Miss Unsweet sighs and sits down to look at the messages on her phone. She is tired of everybody and wishes she was walking along West Cliff beach.
     Karen sits Lucas on the big dining table to apply his luminous face paint. More photos and filming.
     Scarlet clambers up onto one of the dining room chairs to see her makeup in the mirror hanging over the fireplace. She poses this way and that to see the vampire bat earrings that Karen has given her to wear. They are really cute. Then she notices two very strange things in the mirror.
     The first thing involves Miss Unsweet. The chaperone is standing behind Karen Hirma and staring down at her with real hatred and maybe fear in her eyes. Why does she hate the shop owner?
     The second thing is even stranger. In the mirror’s reflection Scarlet can see herself and all the others. Which is fine except that Karen is only half there! Scarlet can sort of see the far wall and the door through Karen’s head! Like when you look at a glass of water and you can see it, but you can also see through it!
     And Ethan looks a little bit funny too.
     Scarlet turns round to check.
     Karen and Ethan are both very definitely in the room. So what is wrong with the mirror?