What Ghost?

By Jennifer Redmile

Fifteen-year-old Billy Pellens is horrified when his parents tell him he has to go to boarding school for a year. It means leaving all his friends and having to adjust to a completely new life. Ok, so big deal? Yeah right, except the spirit of his twin sister Becky, who died at birth, refuses to move on. Somehow, she has always managed to age at the same rate as him, so now she'll be 'residing' with him in a dorm full of teenage boys.
Becky may be just a ghost, but she still has wants and needs like any teenage girl. Going to boarding school with Billy presents a whole new world of possibilities. Surely there'll be some like-minded spirits hanging around a place like that? Billy is cool, and she loves him, but sometimes the 'alives' just don't get it.
Hellesville College is about to get a long overdue shakeup!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Redmile
• Release date: Feb 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370517978

Jennifer Redmile

Jennifer Redmile grew up on the beautiful northern beaches of Sydney NSW, Australia, and now lives in a remote Aboriginal Community in outback Alice Springs with her amazing husband, the love of her life, and two gorgeous puppy dogs.Always an avid reader, she first dared to cross the line from reader to author in 2014. Her debut novel, the first in the Middle-Grade series, The Children of When, written during NaNoWriMo in 2014 and published in 2015, was awarded the IndieBrag Medallion.After writing and publishing the second book in that series, Valleron, she ventured into the Young Adult world, eager to ‘play with’ older characters. Thus were born the paranormal romance Morwitch series, and the first in a light-hearted series entitled What Ghost?In the rare moments she’s not working, writing, reading or sleeping, she enjoys kicking back with a cup of tea with her husband, laughing at the realities of life in the non-fiction world.

Book preview

Book 1

Welcome to Hellesville

Jennifer Redmile

Smashwords Edition

Jennifer Redmile

©2015, Jennifer Redmile

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book, including the cover and photos, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author. All rights reserved.

Any resemblance to persons, places living or dead is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction.

This book is dedicated to all the people who read my first book, The Children of When, and told me I could actually write! Special thanks to my writing buddy and Editor, Alison Clifford, without whose support and encouragement this book would still be sitting in a file somewhere. And of course, my long-suffering husband for his on-going tolerance and understanding.

Table of Contents

Start of What Ghost?

Other books by Jennifer Redmile

About Jennifer

Connect with Jennifer

Prologue

2010 - Hellesville College

John sat hunched over beside his desk lamp, trying to read To Kill A Mockingbird , the homework set for the weekend. He looked longingly at his bed, where he’d usually be stretched out reading in comfort. His eyes shifted to the dead light globe hanging from the ceiling. Of course it had to blow on a Saturday night, when the maintenance man wouldn’t be in until Monday!

The Hellesville College handbook strictly forbade students from changing their own overhead light globes - something about a health and safety issue. How ridiculous! I’m sixteen years old, and I’ve been changing the light globes at home since I was twelve! Stuff the rules, I’m doin’ it!

He pulled open his desk drawer and reached to the back, remembering his mum muttering something about leaving a spare globe for his lamp in case he needed it. Fishing out the crumpled box, he extracted the globe and held it up in front of him. Yes! It was the same size as his blown overhead light!

John slid his desk chair directly under the fitting in the ceiling and climbed onto it. The chair swung a little as he reached up, so he moved his feet further apart to improve his balance. It’d only take thirty seconds, and no-one would ever know he’d done it.

He’d almost finished unscrewing the dead light globe when the chair began to wobble. He grabbed hold of the almost detached globe, trying to recover his balance, but it was too late. The chair swung wildly, the globe came out of the socket, and the next thing he knew he was hurtling towards his desk headfirst. Excruciating pain shot through the side of his head, and he knew it was all over.

Chapter 1

2015 – Home

Billy realised the shoe flying across the room was making a beeline for his head, and ducked. Too late, he recognised his mistake. The other shoe, the one he hadn’t seen, connected with his chest with a resounding thud . He should have known she’d anticipate his moves and aim the next one lower.

Becky, I already said I’m sorry. What the hell is wrong with you? Billy yelled, rubbing his chest and looking daggers at his crazy sister.

"How dare you even think about going to boarding school without me? After all we’ve been through together, you just wanna flip me off like I’m nobody. Well too bad, oh dear brother’o’mine. Where you go I go, mon amigo," Becky yelled, as she waved her hand at the cupboard again, and another pair of shoes lifted out and hovered in the air.

Billy looked at the enraged ghost of his twin sister Becky and gave a huge sigh. Why did she always have to over-react to everything he said or did? He’d only been letting her know she didn’t have to come with him if she didn’t want to. This whole boarding school thing sucked! He was fifteen for God’s sake. Why should he have to uproot his life, and leave all his friends behind, just because his parents wanted to be irresponsible thrill-seekers?

When his parents had first told him they’d applied to join an archaeological dig in Peru, he’d just smiled and nodded. He’d seriously thought it was just another one of their hair-brained schemes that would never eventuate. That was six months ago. He shuddered at the thought that in three days’ time he’d be starting at Hellesville College. And what was with the name anyway? Sounded like something out of a horror movie.

Suddenly the intended missiles hovering in the air dropped to the ground, and Becky slumped down onto a chair. "Okay fine. I’m sorry. So maybe I slightly over-reacted. I just couldn’t believe you even wanted to go without me. Am I really that much of a pain to have around?"

Billy smiled in relief, straightening his battered body from its crouched position. Of course you’re not a pain to have around… well, most of the time, anyway. Billy chuckled, relieved to see the corners of her mouth twitch into a semi-smile. "I just wanted you to know you don’t have to come with me. To be honest, I don’t know how I’d go without you around, but I just wanted you to know you had a choice."

A guilty look crossed Becky’s face. Oops… I guess I never thought of it like that. All I could see was that you didn’t want me around anymore. Sorry about the shoes…

Billy grinned and rubbed his chest. I’ve had worse. So I take it you wanna come to boarding school with me then?

Gee… whatever gave you that idea? Becky said, her eyebrows almost reaching her hairline.

Billy shrugged. Well, at least I’ll know someone there… even if it’s only someone no-one else can see or hear. He groaned and flopped down onto his bed. How is this even gonna work?

Becky had her angelic face happening, her eyes shining and dreamy. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Seriously, how hard can it be? It’s not like anyone will know I’m there.

Billy burst out laughing. "Are you serious? Since when have you ever been able to just blend into the scenery? You have a way of making your presence felt everywhere you go!"

Becky feigned a hurt expression, her eyes still sparkling with mischief. Why Billy Pellens, I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a regular wallflower.

At that, they both collapsed into laughter, all tension about the impending life-change forgotten. Billy had no illusions that it would be easy, but he was glad Becky would be there nevertheless.

Chapter 2

Hellesville College

Billy dumped his guitar on top of his over-sized duffle bag and slammed the back door of the Jeep. It was really happening. He was actually standing in front of Hellesville College Boarding School.

Wow, this place is cool, Becky said from behind him. He groaned at the sound of her voice. How the hell was he supposed to survive living in a dorm full of teenage boys with Becky in tow? Seriously, if she didn’t stop trying to cheer him up soon he’d go nuts!

"Come on Billy, you must admit, it does look pretty cool… for a school. Hey that rhymes!"

Billy turned and gave her a filthy look. She knew better than to expect him to acknowledge her in public. He was supposed to have outgrown his ‘imaginary friend’ years ago.

Becky pouted. "Okay, okay, so I got carried away! You’re so boring sometimes Billy. Anyway, I’m going to check the place out. I’ll see ya in there." She winked out of existence and Billy sighed with relief. This was definitely gonna to be a nightmare!

His mother finally climbed out of the driver’s seat, a wad of paperwork in her hand. Okay, Billy… you ready? Her voice was overly bright, and he could see she was struggling to maintain her cheerful smile. They’d argued until he was blue in the face about this, but his parents had been adamant.

"It’s only for a year," his father had said, as if that should make it all better.

"Yeah, well, a year is a helluva long time," Billy had yelled as he stormed out of the room.

He slung his guitar over one shoulder and his duffle bag over the other. His mother reached out, as if to offer to carry the guitar, but the look he gave her stopped her in her tracks. Knowing there was nothing left to say, she shrugged and headed towards the entrance to the school.

The entrance foyer looked more like a motel reception area than a school. Comfortable looking armchairs were pulled up around the round glass coffee tables scattered throughout the waiting area. He caught sight of a couple of other kids sitting with their parents and looking as miserable as he felt. At least he wouldn’t be the only ‘newbie’.

Good afternoon, the smiling woman behind the front desk gushed. Who do we have here?

Hello, I’m Diana Pellens, and this is my son Billy. He’s enrolled to start here this term.

The woman looked down at the desk and highlighted a name on a long list. Lovely to meet you Diana and Billy. I’m Mrs Stomp, and I’m one of the boarding supervisors. Do you have all the paperwork with you, Mrs Pellens? Billy, you can put your things over near the door and sit in the waiting area if you like. This shouldn’t take too long.

He did as she’d suggested, and found a seat in the corner furthest from the front desk. It wasn’t long before Becky popped back into sight in the chair opposite him.

Okay, so I’ve checked out both the boys’ and girls’ dorms, the dining room, the computer room and the indoor heated pool. So far, it all looks pretty cool! And there are a couple of totally cute guys, so I won’t be too bored.

Billy pulled on his ear, one of their secret signs that she should shut-up! She poked out her tongue and slumped back in her chair, looking around at the other people in the waiting area.

A man appeared from the hallway beside the front desk, holding his hand out to the man at the next table. Sorry to keep you waiting Jim, I had an urgent phone call to deal with. Donna, lovely to meet you. And Eric, welcome to Hellesville. Doug Howt… pleased to meet you. How about we go to my office and deal with the paperwork?

They all headed off towards what Billy presumed was the principal’s office. He wondered what Eric’s story was, to warrant all the special attention. Although it wasn’t all that hard to work out – Eric’s sulky face had ‘bad-boy’ written all over it.

Becky was busily checking out the only other family in the waiting room. "Wonder what her story is? She looks about as happy to be here as you do."

Billy had been casting what he hoped appeared to be random glances in her direction as well. She hadn’t lifted her eyes from her lap the entire time they’d been sitting there. These people looked more like three strangers than a family; as if they’d been forced to sit at the same table because there were no other seats.

He thought about his eccentric but loving parents, and a wave of guilt washed over him. He’d been an absolute jerk for the last three months, refusing to see it from their point of view as the opportunity of a lifetime. He didn’t want his family to ever be like those people sitting there with huge walls between them.

He stood up and walked back over to the counter, draping his arm around his mother’s shoulder. How’s it going? Are we nearly done? His mother’s