The Ghost Of Margaret Houg. Elton Varfi

you couldn't talk about proper laughs, but she certainly was friendlier. Ernest got closer and hugged her to manifest all his approval.

      “ Everything good, then?” continued him “See, you don’t need too much to feel better.”

      “ Well done, you became a talker with a wicked sense of humor. I wasn't expecting this from you.”

      “ I know, unfortunately you have a wrong idea of me, but anyway...So, and what’s this delicious smell coming from the kitchen?”

      “ You’ll see it in a while.” Luisa answered.

      “ You're such a good cook. You cooked me such good things; even in these times I miss your meat dumplings…”

      “ How's work?” Luisa interrupted him, as if she wanted to change topic, “Now you're a private investigator, aren’t you?”

      “ Yeah, but to be honest I didn't have a lot to do. Recently, though, I received a serious offer.”

      “ What is it about? If you don't mind me asking...” Luisa questioned.

      “ I’ve to go chasing after a... woman.”

      “ Some jealous husband sent you after his wife?” Luisa hypothesized, smiling, “I can't imagine you as a peeper.”

      “ No, you're wrong, it's not about that. It would be easier. The thing is even more complicated than what it seems. Unfortunately I can't tell anything more.”

      “ I understand, professional secret. I’m not asking you other questions. Now, we’d better enjoy our meal, I think dinner is ready.” Luisa said and went into the kitchen.

      Ernest took a seat at the table and just as he was about to sit the phone rang. Luisa got out of the room and picked up the phone: “Hello? ...Yes, he's here. I’ll put him on. It’s for you.” She said to Ernest, who got up very surprised and curious about who was looking for him.

      His surprise grew when from the other side of the phone he heard Roni’s voice.

      “ Roni, what do you want?” he asked, “What happened?”

      “ I know that this is not the right moment to bother you, but it happened again.”

      “ What?”

      “ The ghost appeared again and Mr. Houg is waiting for us.”

      “ I don't care about the ghost, about Mr. Houg and about you, Roni. I haven't had dinner yet and I have no intention of moving from here. Okay?” Ernest answered very angry. Roni though had no intention in giving up.

      “ I know that you’ll hate me to death, but in ten minutes I’ll be there, so I can take you to Mr. Houg’s house.”

      Ernest couldn't believe it. He finally got to be alone with Luisa and Roni was ready to ruin everything because of that damn ghost that had found the right night to make her apparition.

      His thoughts were interrupted by Luisa’s voice: “Is something wrong?”She asked.

      “ Unfortunately yes.” Ernest replied, “Roni is arriving and I have to go away with him.”

      “ I'm really sorry!” Luisa said.

      “ Not as sorry as I am. Fate is against us. Looks like we can't stay in peace us two, huh?”

      Luisa didn't know what to say. She was looking at Ernest and from her eyes you could tell she was really sorry.

      “ Well, there will be further opportunities to date, don’t you think?”

      Ernest didn't answer quickly. He looked at her in the eyes and he really wanted to believe that there were going to be other occasions, but knowing Luisa he knew that it would've been very difficult.

      “ Now it’d be better open the wine bottle, at least we make a toast.” he said.

      Luisa nodded and brought two glasses.

      “ This toast is for us two, hoping that we can see each other again as soon as possible, Roni permitting.” Ernest said and got his glass closer to Luisa’s who did the same thing.

      They had just started drinking, when the doorbell rang.

      “ Here he is.” He said.

      Luisa went to open the door.

      “ Good evening,” Roni said “Sorry to disturb you, but it’s an emergency.”

      “ Yes, Roni, we know how much you’re sorry, but now we’d better go.” Ernest said greeting Luisa and going out. Roni did the same.

      After closing the door Luisa stayed still in the living room, thinking about what had happened. Ernest had messed her up. Maybe she still loved him! Maybe it was only cuteness? A strong smell of burnt brought her back.

      “ Oh no!” she said “Dinner went down in flames!”

      While they were heading towards their cars, Roni was looking at Ernest who strangely seemed calm.

      “ We’d better go with mine,” Roni said “Don’t worry. We’ll use yours later on.”

      Ernest obeyed, he went towards Roni’s car and they left.

      Roni couldn't speak; he knew how much his friend cared about that night, but with his big surprise it was Ernest who asked him what happened.

      “ Well, I don't know much. Mr. Houg phoned me warning me that the event happened again.”

      “ The event?” Ernest asked.

      “ Yes; clearly he was referring to the ghost. He sounded really worried about it and he immediately asked about you.” Roni ended and with the corner of the eye looked at Ernest, which kept looking calm though.

      “ Who did it appear to, this time?” the investigator asked, “To his son again?”

      “ Probably yes, we’ll know it soon.”

      “ You're right, Roni, soon we’ll know how things are. It’s weird. In this moment I should've been dining with Luisa and I’m not. I should be mad at you, but I’m not. Can you explain me why?”

      Roni looked at him in the eyes for a while and tried his best to give an answer.

      “ I'm really sorry about the dinner, but I’m happy to see that you’re not angry. I can't tell you why. Even though we’ve known each other for years, I’ve always tried to understand you, but I think you’ll stay a big mystery to me.”

      Ernest, after having listened to Roni, started laughing and gave him a pat on the back.

      “ I'm talking seriously, you really are a mystery,” the antiquarian continued.

      “ Instead, I find out tonight for the first time that you’re really reckless when you drive. I’d like to arrive to your friend’s house in one piece, bit if you keep driving like this the odds are just a few.” Ernest made him notice.

      “ Don’t worry; we'll arrive safe and sound.”

      In the meantime in front of Ernest’s eyes the shadow of Houg’s house appeared that kept getting bigger as they were getting closer.

      Roni didn't slow down not even when, got past the gate of the mansion, they got the internal road. That house was beautiful, but at night it looked sad, it looked like there wasn't anyone living inside it; it was lifeless and it made you dread by looking at it.

      Arrived at the entrance, Roni hit the brakes abruptly. They got out of the car and they didn't even have the time to knock that the housekeeper had already opened the door.

      “ Mr. Houg is waiting for you in his study,” she said, gesturing them to follow her.

      They followed her in silence, climbed the stairs and arrived in front of the door of the study that was open.

      “ Please, take