Erin’s scream came at the same time as the one from the phone. “That’s my Mum! What’s happening?”
Ben went over to her and put his hand on her arm. “It’s the phone. It’s doing it on its own.” He half-turned back towards Senga. “What do you know about this?”
“Nothing! Nothing!” Senga insisted.
Erin shouted, “How can it be nothing? You’re wearing my scarf, and now he’s got my Mum’s phone – with my Mum’s voice still in it! I hate you all – I never want to see any of you again. I’m going to get my Dad.”
She ran across the café and out the door just as Linda came back from the kitchen.
“What’s all this noise about? What’s going on? Ben? Senga?”
Ben pointed to his grandmother. “You’d better ask her! She’s only ruined my life, that’s all.”
He picked up the mobile phone from the floor and threw it at Senga.
“Well?” Linda asked.
“It’s nothing. The girl just got hysterical for no reason.”
“Because of you! You’ve ruined my life!” Ben tried hard not to let the tears fall from his eyes and embarrass him.
“It wasn’t me – I wasn’t even there,” said Senga.
Linda glared. “I think you’d better go now.”
“Keep the mobile for Ben,” said Senga hurriedly. “He might find he wants it one day. Once he’s more himself.” She picked it up and put it on the table.
Linda crossed to the street door and held it open for Senga and Logan. “I think he is himself right now. Goodbye.”
Once they had gone, she stared at the phone.
“It’s spooked,” said Ben. “I don’t want it any more.”
Just as he said that, the phone rang again. This time while it was still ringing, Tim Fitzgerald came in from the street and paused in the doorway, Erin just behind him. He looked as if he was about to speak, but the voice on the phone spoke first.
“I told you not to ring me... It’s coming straight for me! Look out! Aaaah!”
Tim walked forward, picked up the phone and switched it off. “Mine, I think,” he said, and walked out.
Oh well, thought Ben, at least I’ll get a good night’s sleep now.