Page 12 of Beck

Andrew’s face fell, but he stepped away. Kole smiled at the rest of the visitors. “I apologise for that. So, welcome to the Ravenwood Whitby Ghost Tour. I’m your host, Kole, and I promise you stories, scares and sass for the next hour and a half. Before we set off, do you have any questions?” No one said anything—which was the usual response—so he set off on his first pirate story as they made their way down the path. He tried to ignore that Andrew had been there, but he kept checking over his shoulder in case he followed them. He was more reluctant to go into the shadowy alleys and nooks of the town, knowing he was nearby, but he wouldn’t let down his visitors. Plus, he had an alarm in his pocket, one he had taken to carrying since the incident.

Bracing himself, Kole said the words to get the pirate to jump out at them, and screams rent through the air, followed by laughter. He grinned. “I thought you might like that one. We’ll walk a little further, and then I’ll regale you with the second of my stories.”

Gavin, the ghost pirate actor, dropped into place beside him. “Are you okay? I saw who turned up.”

Kole exhaled. “Shaky, but he seems to have stayed away. I don’t know why he booked onto the tour when he knows he’s not supposed to be near me.”

“He probably knows you won’t call the police on him.” Gavin gave him the same side-eye he would’ve got from Ethan had he been there.

Kole sighed. “It’s a waste of time. Mine, the police, everything. They won’t do anything about it other than note down that he was here.”

“But what if you don’t report all these minor incidents, and something happens, Kole? The police will think it was a one-and-done rather than a build-up.”

“You’ve been watching too many crime shows.” Kole elbowed him.

“Maybe. But I’m also not wrong.”

“Fine. But I’m not calling them tonight. I’ll tell them tomorrow.”

Gavin blew out a breath and shook his head. “I don’t agree, but it’s your choice. I’m sticking around tonight, though.”

Kole wouldn’t admit how much he’d hoped Gavin would say that. There wasn’t much anyone could do if something happened, but knowing there was someone on his side helped settle his nerves.

He continued through the streets, scaring them with his stories of headless horses and ghostly apparitions, and sending their blood pressure through the roof when people jumped out at them, and by the end of the night, finishing at his favourite spot—the top of the 199 steps—he grinned.

“Thank you so much for your company this evening. I hope you join me again soon. And please remember to leave a review!”

He turned to face the view, the lights from buildings flickering on and off throughout the town, up the cliffs and down to the harbour. The sounds from the arcades and pubs spilt into the night and rose to him on the breeze. It was chillier up there, but he didn’t care. It helped clear his head.

“Kole.”

Kole screeched and stepped back, holding out his hand. “Andrew, you can’t be here. You know this.”

“I just want to explain.”

He glanced around, trying to see where everyone had gone. “The police will be upset if you’re here, Andrew. You don’t want that.”

“The police are idiots!” Andrew yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

Kole’s heart raced, but his shoulders loosened when Gavin came running towards them. His colleague stepped between them.

“Leave now. The police are on their way.”

Andrew cradled his head and growled. “I just want to explain!”

“Then explain to the police, and they will let Kole know,” Gavin said.

Andrew took a step forward, and Gavin stepped back into Kole, who gripped the back of his costume. He wasn’t sure what Andrew was going to do, but thankfully, after sending a frenzied look at Kole, Andrew turned around and raced down the steps. Kole’s knees stopped holding him up, and he sank to the floor.

“Holy shit,” he muttered. “I’m not sure I can take this any longer.”

Gavin crouched beside him. “What do you mean?”

His eyes darted around as the decision settled inside him. “I’m moving to London,” he said, meeting Gavin’s gaze.

“I didn’t know you were moving.”

“Split-second decision. I can’t stay here, Gavin. Not after this. He’ll just haunt my footsteps as well as my dreams. I can’t do it.”

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