The Ben Chatham Xmas 2020 Special: "The Golden Crystal of Valedor"

 Ok folks, here is this year's much awaited Christmas and New Year special:

"The Golden Crystal of Valedor'

Part 1

A mysterious fire at the Blue Angel Jazz cafe had roused Ben from a languid afternoon listening to Debussy and eating rum truffles. He arrived in time to see the fire brigade still dousing the smoldering ruins of the back kitchens. Ben strode up to the young barman, Kian Crawford:
"I got your text Kian. Oh dear, it looks like your kitchens are somewhat wrecked. What happened, did you leave a frying pan on?"
Kian looked hurt:
"It was not my fault Ben. That's why I texted you. I saw a thing, a creature like. It was like glowing blue and white. It pointed and flames just started. Then it faded away. I ran out here.'
Ben sighed:
'Kian you look as alluring as ever, but are you sure that you haven't been indulging in too much of the Blue Angel's high quality absinthe?"
"No I have not. I'm like cooking today. I saw it Ben".
As he spoke a large car drew up and a man got out wearing an expensive smoking jacket, a cigar in his hand.
"Oh my God. What on earth has happened. Oh this is terrible," he exclaimed. Kian turned to Ben:
"On no, the boss is here. Ben you need to back me up. Tell him it wasn't my fault like."
"Ok Kian, But I shall expect rewarding later".
Ben approached the man with the cigar:
"I'm Ben Chatham from Operation Delta. Who are you?"
The man frowned:
"My dear boy, I find your manner very forward. I am Sir Vernon Holmes, owner of the Blue Angel. I have no idea what Operation Delta is. However I forgive you as you are most delightful to the eye."
Ben smiled gently:
"Thank you Mr Holmes. I can see that you are a man of impeccable taste. If I am not mistaken, that is a Cuban Del Vivolde cigar, one of the finest in the world. I just want to emphasise that the fire was not started by any of your staff leaving a pan of fat unattended. I have every reason to suspect arson, and I lead a government investigation team.
Holmes stroked Ben's hair:
"Let us investigate together."

Some time later, Ben was walking round the water -sodden ruins of the kitchens as a team of workmen hired by Holmes were removing burnt items and loading them onto a truck. One of the workmen lifted a large piece of fallen ceiling and shouted out:
"Hey guv, part of the floor has gone in. There's a huge hole".
Holmes sighed:
"More expense no doubt. This is most exasperating."
He, Ben and Kian approached and saw a large sink-hole in what was the floor, looking into it, Ben could just about see something golden, half-buried.
"Hey have any of you workmen got a torch?"
One of them fetched a torch from the truck and shone it down. A large, golden crystal shaped object was sticking out of the soil. Ben turned to Holmes:
"Ok Mr Holmes. From now on this is an official Operation Delta investigation and I am in charge. I'd like you to order in some food for me and my team, since you cannot cook it yourselves, as this could be a long night."

Later, Ben, Julian, Kyle and Martha were sat in the largely undamaged bar of Blue Angel, finishing dinner. Martha frowned:
"Shouldn't we be helping to excavate that thing rather than just sitting here?"
Ben sighed:
"Martha, as I explained earlier, we would just be getting in the way. Enjoy your dry martini."
"Typical lazy attitude", Martha retorted. Julian glared at her:
"Look Ben only invited you here because he doesn't want you working for that bitch Katie Ryan. Why else would he put up with your sour face."
Ben gave him an exasperated look as Kyle stood up:
"'Ere if we're just gonna bicker then I'm off to see how the lads are getting on."
Kyle went out the back, and was soon joined by the others. The large, golden object has been lifted out of the hole and was being hosed down. They were stunned to see that it was crystal shaped, resembling a giant cut diamond, Yet golden."
Kian emerged from the bar and grimaced in horror:
"Hey guys, come away from it like. It's dangerous, I can feel it's power....."
He collapsed and Ben rushed over to him:
"Someone fetch this boy some brandy."
As Ben spoke, the crystal began to glow and a strange, high-piched sound emanated from it. Then a beam of light shot out of it and straight at Ben's head. Ben felt that he was floating in time and space, strangely calm and untroubled. He saw several blue and white figures surrounding him, but unfocused. Then he heard the voice:
"We can give you infinite possibilities, The dimensions can be yours to choose Ben Chathem. Your ambitions and dreams fulfilled. You must release us. Help us to be free......."

...........to be continued.

Ok here is the second part of this festive adventure:

Part 2

Ben collapsed on the floor as the beam of light emanating from the crystal ceased. Kyle and Julian ran to help him as he mumbled deliriously.
"Ere let's get him inside out of this cold", Kyle shouted.
They lifted Ben into the bar and then fetched Kian as well, who was in a similar delirious and semi-conscious state. Kyle fetched a bottle of brandy from behind the bar and some glasses.
"You are not going to pour brandy down them. That is irresponsible and the last thing they need", Martha said sternly.
"Well 'ave you got any better ideas?" Kyle retorted. Martha shrugged:
"All you men think about is drink. My father was never happy unless he had a whisky glass in his hand. To think of all the money he wasted."
Kyle put the brandy glass to Ben's lips:
"Ere you drink this Ben. It'll soon warm you back to life." Ben opened his eyes and began to mumble:
"I saw them.... the figures... they showed me pictures. Must return the crystal to the base. Free the lost ones....." Julian held his hand:
"Ben, please be ok. Try not to tire yourself by talking now." Martha frowned:
"Don't tell him that, we need to know what that crystal did to him. *To Ben*. Well? Come on and tell us."
Ben slowly sat up:
"I saw them bring the crystal... centuries ago in their long ships.The vikings. Brought the crystal from the fyords.... cold in the North Sea.... brought it down through the Danelaw to here... buried it...."
Ben sank back into unconsciousness. Martha shook him:
"What do you mean, vikings? This is clearly alien technology. Come on, wake up!" Julian glared at her:
"Ben is too tired and in shock to be questioned further by you. Let's get him home."

Julian and Kyle took Ben back to his apartment and lay him on his luxury sofa, his head resting on a silk cushion. Julian brought a blanket from upstairs and put Bowie's 'Station To Station' CD on.
"You relax there Ben. Get your strength back", he said, stroking Ben's hair. Meanwhile Martha was still sat in the bar of the Blue Angel, writing up her notes on her ipad. Vernon Holmes had turned up and was grumbling to the workmen:
"When can that thing be moved from out of my kitchens? I've got the builders coming tomorrow to give me a quote and I do not expect them to face that object when they arrive."
A workman shrugged:
"Search me squire. It's all up to that Operation Delta lot according to the coppers."
Holmes turned to Martha:
"Excuse me madam, but when are you people going to move that object? I need to get the builders going as soon as possible. It is bad enough that my jazz cafe has had to shut because of Covid without this as well. The stress is too much,"
Martha frowned:
"Well you will just have to wait, there are more important things to consider than your sordid little bar, which seems to have a problem with non-male visitors. That object is most likely to be of alien origin. Has it not crossed your mind to think of the implications of that?"
As she spoke, Kian, who was slumped across the bar, started to moan. Martha went over to him:
"Do you remember what happened? Come on, wake up!"
Kian lifted his head:
"... it was like I was drifting out of time and space.... very calm... looking down like. Saw these men carrying the crystal thing. Vikings like. Somehow knew where from.... saw them in the long ships then burying it here."
He slumped down again but Martha yanked his head up by the hair:
"Where did they bring it from? Come on tell me".
"From Norway. Beyond the fyords. Near Honningsvag...... We must return it to the base. We must return it to the world of ice and light....."
Kian slumped down again and Holmes approached:
"Miss whoever you are, I'd thank you to stop interrogating my staff like this?" Martha glared at him:
"I am Martha Jones. I do not think much of your establishment or your staff. This bar boy has information and it is my job to extract it. Have you or your staff ever been to Norway? Specifically to Honningsvag?" Holmes looked puzzled:
"No, why do you think I would have visited there? I prefer to take my breaks in Amsterdam or Barcelona."
"Yes you look the type", Martha retorted dryly.
As she spoke, the door of the bar opened and in came Shakey Jake, with Keith Smith:
"Hey chick, how you hanging out? We've come to pick up the groovy object and take it to the lab", Jake said. Martha was not impressed:
"Please to not again ever call me 'chick'. It is out in the burned out kitchens at the back. Please remove it carefully and place it into the van. We may be taking it on a holiday to the arctic soon."
Jake grinned:
"Yeah cool. Would you like a piece of my special Christmas flapjack, babe?"

Meanwhile, back in Ben's flat, Ben was sitting up on the sofa and sipping a fine cognac while David Bowie's "Wild is the Wind" played softly in the background. Julian approached him:
"Hey Ben, are you feeling ok now".
"Yes I feel much better Julian. I love this song, it has an ability to calm me even in my most stressed out moments."
The song finished and Ben laid back his head on the cushion. As he did so he felt a jolt of energy run through him and saw a vision of the blue and white beings in his head. They whispered to him:
"Bring the crystal back beyond the fyords. Set us free and we will give you infinite power..... it can all be yours Ben Chatham....."

.............to be continued

Ok folks, here is part 3 of this exciting special:

Part 3

Julian had put on Bowie's 'Low' album for Ben and then gone to the bedroom to relax and to read some Kafka. He heard the CD finish and decided to go and see how Ben was, nonchalantly casting the book to one side. However Ben was no longer on the sofa and the blanket had been thrown on the floor. As Julian picked it up, Luigi entered the room:
"Mr Chatham has gone out again. He said not to disturb you."
Julian was annoyed:
"What and you just let him go? Could you not see that he was unwell?"
"It was not my place to stop him. I am only an employee here", Luigi said, languidly.
"Yes and a rather stupid one", Julian retorted. He texted Kyle and then set off to see if Ben had returned to the Blue Angel. Arriving at the cafe, they found the door open and the bar deserted. Kyle looked around the burned out kitchen then shouted:
" Is anyone still 'ere like? Ben are you 'ere?"
They heard muffled shouts coming from downstairs so hurried down then, through the underground gin bar and to a thick door leading to the cellar, where frantic knocking was coming from. They saw the keys on a table and Kyle eventually found the right one. Opening the door they saw an angry Martha, along with Vernon Holmes, Jake and Keith.
"What happened to you?" Julian asked. Martha glared at him:
"We were locked in the cellar, what the hell do you think happened? It was Ben. After the workmen had loaded that crystal thing into Jake's van and gone home Ben turned up. He said that his phone scanner had revealed traces of an alien presence in the cellar and that we all needed to take a look. Then he locked us all in, apart from that slippery Kian."
Vernon Holmes (played by Simon Callow) was most annoyed:
"I must say that I am most unhappy about this. I do not expect to be locked in the cellar when I have the need to take a comfort break".
Kyle looked concerned:
"'Ere I didn't see any van outside when we arrived just now".
"Hey cats, this means that Ben must have taken it. Like really heavy man", Jake replied.
Martha frowned:
"This is completely irresponsible of him. He has clearly gone rouge. Typical man, changing with the wind."
Julian was irked:
"That is unfair Martha. Ben was attacked in some way by that crystal thing, as was the barman. Their minds may be possessed by some unknown force."
"Don't make excuses", Martha snapped back.

Kyle and Julian attempted to ring Ben, but there was no reply. Then Julian remembered:
"Hey, I've just recalled something. When Ben was resting on the sofa after listening to 'Station to Station' he began muttering something. Something about fyords and taking the crystal to the base".
Martha scowled:
"That creepy barman said something similar and named the town of Honningsvag. My guess is that they are going there and taking that crystal thing with them. Have any of you ever been to Norway?"
Julian shook his head:
"I certainly haven't. I've always wanted to go to see the northern lights though."

Some time later, Ben and Kian arrived in Norway by special ferry and they loaded the crate containing the crystal into the back of a truck, which Ben had hired using a mobile app. The driver, Erik, stared at them.
"So explain again please how you were allowed to come here by special ferry despite the Covid rules."
"Because I am Ben Chatham and my organisation is exempt from all Covid rules as we investigate alien attacks."
Erik looked confused:
"This is just so far fetched. Two Englanders come here claiming that they investigate aliens? It is, how you say, preposterous."
Ben showed Erik his official documentation on his phone again:
"Look unless you want to get in trouble with the Norwegian authorities I suggest that you drive us to Honningsveg and stop asking questions", Ben replied.
Erik stared at Ben. He was around 25 and tall and blonde, with high cheekbones and classic Norwegian features. He looked and Ben and felt an instant attraction.
"Ok I will drive you. Ben I find you a very attractive guy. It is lonely here in the fyords. "
However Ben's eyes were strangely cold and his mind and free will buried beneath the power that controlled him. All he could see was the crystal.
"You will drive us now".

They drove through the snow covered Norwegian road , past mountains and wooden shacks. Erik wore only a check shirt, despite the cold, his muscular body used to the northern wind. Eventually they came to a small town and as they drove towards it, they found the road blocked by a land rover type vehicle. Ben shouted from the car:
"Get that thing out of our way".
The land rover doors opened and out of the vehicle stepped Katie Ryan, Adam Wooten, Nathan and Asha. Katie smiled:
"Hi Ben. We have been expecting you....."

......to be continued.

Ok folks, here is part 4 of this classic Xmas adventure:

Part 4

Ben got out of the truck and stared at Katie, however all he could hear was the voice inside his head telling him to return the crystal to the base and then infinite possibilities would be his. Katie stood in the middle of the road, legs astride and hands on hips:
"Ben we know that your mind is possessed by an alien force. You are in grave danger as is the whole planet. It is too complicated to explain now, just hand over the crystal before it is too late."
Ben felt compelled by the voice inside his mind to respond:
"You have no jurisdiction here. This is an Operation Delta case. You no longer work for Operation Delta. Therefore you have no jurisdiction."
Katie stood form:
"Just listen to yourself Ben. You sound robotic because they are controlling you. Use your will to break through it. Oh and for your information me and my new team are going to outrun Operation Delta. I have the gorgeous Adam on my team. And unless you hadn't noticed Nathan and Asha are from non-white backgrounds so you can tell that smarmy bitch Corinne not to accuse me of being discriminatory."
Erik was concerned:
"Who is this woman?"
Ben got back into the truck:
"You don't need to know. She is unhinged. Turn this vehicle round and drive. Fast."
Erik did a rapid three point turn and sped off back in the direction of the harbour. After a short time they drove up to a wooden shack as a blizzard started up.
"This is my home. Would you like to come inside while I call the police and report those people blocking the road?"
Ben smiled:
"Do not call the police. But I'd love to come inside with you. We'll try to get to Honningsveg after an hour or so."
Ben and Kian went inside with Eric who lit a large wood-burner and handed them a Norwegian beer each.
"This blizzard will get worse. You may need to spend the night with me here. It gets lonely here in Norway with only snow and wind for company."
Ben smiled:
"I can think of worse fates than spending the night with a hunky blonde Norwegian with rippling muscles. And Kian as well. But tell me, have you ever heard of Valador?"
Erik dropped his bottle opener in shock and stared at Ben, horrified:
"How do you know that name? How do you know of that place?"
"It is a name that just keeps appearing in my mind".
"Mine too", Kian added. "Valedor, Valedor...."
"Stop saying that!" Erik shouted. "It is a bad place, a place of evil. It is beyond Honningsveg near the glass mountain. Legend tells that many centuries ago my ancestor Erik Bloodaxe, a viking warrior, took the stone of evil away from Valedor and sailed beyond the fyords and across the whale road to the land of the Saxons with it."
Kian laughed:
"Yes well we've brought it back. Right now it is in the back of your truck".
Erik glared at them in horror:
"What have you done.......?"

Meanwhile Katie, Adam and the others were following the tyre tracks made in the snow by Erik's truck. Katie was talking:
".... so we know for sure that Ben is possessed by the psychic force of the Valedorians and probably the other two as well. One of the most powerful and deadly alien species in the galaxy. Thanks to me still having access to the Torchwood archive, as that cow Corinne forgot to invalidate my pass code, we know that they were encased in a dimensional prison cube and buried somewhere on earth. Well we now know that this is the place that the vikings called Valedor."
"But what about this crystal thing? When Martha messaged you with all this information, did she say what it was for?" Asha asked.
Katie frowned:
"No. Martha didn't know but my guess is that it is some kind of key. We must stop Ben returning it to Valedor. This is our opportunity guys. If we can stop Ben, get hold of the crystal and destroy it then we will get all the credit for saving the earth from the aliens while Operation Delta will be branded as collaborators. They their funding will be transferred to us".
Nathan was concerned:
"Look Katie, I'm a bit concerned about all of this. Surely we should all be working together with them not trying to shaft them."
Katie laughed sardonically:
"Don't be wet. It's dog eat dog in this game. Wise up!"

Meanwhile back in Erik's shack a roasting wood fire was blazing as Ben, Kian and Erik lay in Erik's bed, drinking beer. Ben placed one arm around Erik's shoulder and one around Kian's.
"I think I'm in heaven guys", he said with a grin.
Suddenly the door burst open and in strode Katie, with a shotgun in her hand:
"Drop your beer, Katie is here!" she said with a grin.....

.........to be continued.

 

Part 5 (conclusion)

 

Katie stood before them, hands on hips:

"So where is the golden crystal? I know you are possessed by an alien force but even alien forces don't like being blasted by a shotgun".

Ben sighed:

"Put the gun down Katie, you have arrived too late. We are free of the psychic mind control of the Valadorians. As soon as he knew that we had the crystal Erik here went outside and took an axe to it, the one he uses to chop logs for this fire. He's a man of action in every sense *strokes Erik's hair*"

Katie glared at Ben:

"So where is it then? The Smashed crystal?"

Ben laughed:

"It went on the fire".

Katie went over to the roaring log fire and poked about in it with the iron poker. She could see burned bits of smashed crystal among the embers.

"That was utterly stupid burning it like that. It should have been analysed in a lab", she said, bemused. Ben sighed:

"Katie that thing was far too dangerous to keep, even in bits. It was the key to unlocking Valador. While that thing was controlling myself and Kian here it implanted in our minds the knowledge that the Valadorians were imprisoned on this planet long ago by a galactic alliance which no longer exists. They were an aggressive, warlike race who committed many atrocities and destroyed whole planets. The crystal key was buried near to the place of confinement which was known only to the alliance. They wanted the option of freeing the Valadorians eventually. However the key was moved by the vikings to England, to Cambridge".

"Why Cambridge?" Katie snapped.

"Because that was near the southern border of the Danelaw, the area of England controlled by the vikings. The Valadorians have psychic powers and Valador had gained an evil reputation among the vikings", Ben replied.

"Presumably very thick vikings", Katie retorted. Erik was annoyed:

"Please do not insult my ancestors. They are heroes in Valhalla!"

Katie laughed:

"Oh come on. I must say though that you're a fine looking young man. How about showing me your axe *shakes hips". 

 

A short time later, Ben, Kian, Katie and her team were driving through the snow to the place called Valador. It was a large, rocky outcrop at the side of a mountain and covered with snow. They got out of the cars and stared at the formation:

"This place does feel like really weird and eerie", Kian remarked.

"Yes it does. We may decide to return some time and excavate it, however for now we can let sleeping dogs lie. The Valadorians are entombed in there and there is no key to release them. Which is no bad thing", Ben stated.

 

Meanwhile back at Erik's shack, Kyle, Julian and Martha arrived having caught the ferry from England. Erik say them arriving through the frosted window and opened up:

"Are you looking for Ben?"

Kyle trudged up the path:

"Ere yes, a fella at the docks said he'd hired you".

"You are too late my friends. Ben has solved the mystery and the evil crystal it smashed and burned."

He invited them in and offered them a glass of hot grog to warm them up. Erik stared at Julian and felt an instant attraction:

"Talking quietly* Hey how about you stay here for a few days. It is very lonely here in Norway with only snow and ice for company". 

Julian stroked his arm:

"I'd love to, you are hot as hell. However I am in a relationship with Ben so I must decline unfortunately".

 

A short time later, Ben and the others all arrived back at Erik's shack and he offered them glasses of hot grog before fetching a guitar to sing them Norwegian folk songs in front of the fire. Ben was chatting quietly to Katie:

"Look Katie, why don't you come back to Operation Delta. You were never officially sacked or anything. I need you back."

Katie scowled:

"I have no desire to attend any more woke courses on the orders of Corinne. Plus you only want me back because you're sick of sour face Martha. You do realise that she was passing info to me don't you?"

Ben sighed:

"Yes I had worked that out. Look come back. Bring Adam and your team with you. Let me deal with Corinne".

"I'll consider it", Martha replied, stroking Ben's arm.

Erik finished a song and got up to fetch more grog. Ben followed him into the kitchen:

"Hi Erik. Look I'd appreciate some discretion as regards our bit of fun earlier. My boyfriend Julian is not as worldly wise as myself."

Erik smiled:

"Of course Ben. He's cute your Julian. He said I was hot as hell earlier".

Ben looked shocked:

"He said that to you? He was hitting on you? I'm shocked and upset by this, I thought he was completely loyal."

 

Later, after the sun had set, Erik stood up and went to the door:

"Hey, come outside for a minute guys. I have something you might want to see."

They stepped outside and were amazed to see the northern lights undulating in the Norwegian sky.

"Hey this is like fantastic. I've always wanted to see the northern lights" Yaz exclaimed.

Martha was unimpressed:

"Boring. Only one colour and its a dull greenish."

Julian proposed a toast to Ben for saving the earth from the Valadorians and they all raised their glasses of grog.

 

THE END

 

Ben will return soon.

The Ben Chatham Xmas 2019 Special: ‘The Ghosts of Cragmore Castle’

Part 1

Ben Chatham drove through the narrow, mud strewn lanes at high speed, the wind blowing through his lush hair. The sound of the choir of King’s College Cambridge emanated from the car stereo and the air was cold and damp with the wintery smell of rotting leaves and churned mud. Ben turned to Julian and smiled:
‘Not long now. A few more miles and we’ll be there. Christmas in a castle, rather fitting for us wouldn’t you say?’.
Julian laughed:
‘Oh certainly. Far away from all the chavs crowding the streets with their bags full of Aldi tat and screaming kids. What a great idea to have Christmas away from it all in a castle on Cornwall, turned luxury hotel.’
Ben smiled:
‘And more importantly away from the depressing ritual of family gatherings. My father is away in France spending Christmas with Madame Camboux and I know that mother would be hopelessly clingy as a result. Fortunately I’ve fobbed my nephew Craig and his snowflake girlfriend off onto her so we have time to ourselves’.
Julian laughed and stroked Ben’s leg:
‘So how did you find out about this castle?’
‘Oh a friend from Cambridge, Adam, said he stays here regularly. It’s extremely remote and extremely expensive, which makes it perfect for our needs. Spend and God will send, as King James I used to say.’
They drove on through the lanes until they saw a large pool of filthy brown water covering the lane in front. Ben frowned:
‘Oh for pity’s sake, looks like we’ve hit the floods. Crikey this looks bad, the river must have burst its banks or something.’
‘Can’t we turn around and find another route?’ Julian asked.
Ben consulted his smartphone:
‘Map says no. This is the only route to Cragmore. Oh well we’ll just have to leave the car here and pay someone to move it later.’
Ben parked the car on the damp verge and they got out. Julian scowled:
‘Christ it’s muddy. We can’t walk in this and what about the floodwater?’
Ben consulted his phone:
‘We can bypass it by climbing that ridge over there by the spinney. Cragmore Castle should be just the other side.

Darkness was falling as Ben and Julian climbed the ridge. The Earth was damp and their shoes were covered in thick mud. The wind blew drizzle in their faces.
‘My shoes are ruined. And what is that awful smell, it’s like something has died ?’ Julian complained. Ben gave him a hug:
‘Remember Julian that neshness in the face of country living is a lower-class urban trait. The true gentleman is used to wind, rain and mud. Think of grouse shooting in all weathers and riding through the mud-drenched fields.’
Julian laughed:
‘Ah when you put it like that my whinging seems horribly plebeian’.
They laughed and kissed. As they did so the sound of a man screaming with pain came from the dark spinney. They turned around and Ben shouted:
‘Hello? Who’s that? Are you hurt?’
There was silence. Ben frowned:
‘I’m not going searching through those trees , we’ll report it when we get to the castle. Come on.’
They trudged further on until they reached the top of the ridge and saw the castle ahead of them. It loomed ominously above the fog-drenched moorland, it’s grey walls cold and grim. There were no cars outside’.
Julian frowned:
‘Now that is one creepy looking hotel.’
As he spoke a dark figure dressed in a cloak stepped out of the spinney a good distance to the right of them. Ben happened to glimpse it and turned round:
‘Hello? Are you the guy who cried out? You ok?’
The figure pulled down its hood to reveal the head of a skeleton......

........to be continued.

Ok folks, here is the spooky part 2 of this creepy tale:

Part 2

Ben stared at the figure and called out:
‘Seriously unfunny. Just take that stupid mask off and stop being an idiot’.
The figure slowly faded away. Julian grasped Ben’s arm:
‘I think we should run Ben. As much as one craves cynicism at this moment, I cannot get past the fact that the grim reaper thing just faded before our eyes’.
Ben frowned:
‘Come on’.
They ran to the castle drawbridge and ran along it to the entrance doors, one of which was open. In the entrance area was a large reception area and a middle aged woman stood behind it dressed in old fashioned 1930s clothes. She had permed hair and a cold look in her eyes. Ben and Julian approached her:
‘Good evening madam, we’ve come to check in. I’m Ben Chatham and this is my friend Julian. This hotel was recommended to me by my old college friend Adam Willis, who I believe is also spending Christmas here.’
The woman put the signing in book in front of him and Ben was surprised to see that in the column marked ‘Date’ , the last residents had signed in six years ago.
‘I think you’ve given us the old book’ Ben queried. The woman smiled coldly:
‘If you are not satisfied then you can always leave’.
Ben frowned:
‘Is this how you address all your new guests? I am Ben Chatham, archaeologist and head of Operation Delta, a major sub-branch of the civil service. Is the manager here?’
The woman smiled again:
‘He died. Since they built the new bypass near Cranness we’ve become a bit of a backwater I’m afraid. Here are your keys’.
She handed Ben and Julian keys to rooms 10 and 11. Ben was annoyed:
‘Er I specifically booked a double room.’
The woman smiled:
‘These are both double rooms. For your comfort gentlemen’.
Ben was bemused:
‘Come on Julian, we’ll sleep in my room, *emphasising* together.’

After wandering around the dimly lit corridors on the first floor they found room ten and entered it. Ben was shocked to see that rather than the stylish, modern decor he had expected, the room was furnished in a Victorian style with lush red carpets and rugs, old fashioned furniture and gaslights. There was a bottle of red wine unopened next to the bed with glasses and a corkscrew’.
‘Oh for pity’s sake this is just awful. I’m going to ring Adam and give him both barrels. It even smells fusty in here as well and they’re still using wretched gaslights’, Ben exclaimed. Julian gazed around and picked up an old looking black and white photograph from the dressing table of a young man:
‘Oh come on Ben this is deliciously eccentric and exclusive. I like it. And the guy in this old photo is a dish. Rest assured our stay will be chav free here. Let’s drink the wine’.
Ben grinned:
‘You do know how to cheer me up you delightful boy’.
Ben walked over and kissed Julian and they fell onto the bed.

Hours later, the bottle of wine empty, Ben and Julian were asleep in each other’s arms when Ben was drawn out of his slumber by a crying sound
coming from the far corner of the room, which was pitch dark. He shook Julian who mumbled and opened his eyes. The sobbing sound continued and Ben reached for his phone on the side table and switched it on to create light and shone it in the direction of the sound. He sat bolt upright, shocked as he saw a young man in an old fashioned grey suit, who resembled the figure in the photograph. He was crouched in the corner of the room, crying to himself. Suddenly he lifted up his head, then his arm which held a long, vintage razor and slashed his throat open.......’

To be continued

Ok folks, here is the chilling third part of this mystery:

The Ghosts of Cragmore Castle
Part 3

The figure of the young man, blood spurting from his neck, vanished into thin air before their eyes. Julian, who had been woken by the light, held Ben close:
"What the hell was that? I'm not stopping here, this place is haunted."
Ben sat upright and looked around the room:
"I think we should try to keep calm. I'm sceptical about this situation and it could be someone's idea of a joke or tourist draw. Lets have a look for hidden projector devices."
He began searching around the room as Julian quickly pulled on his clothes:
"Well I'm not staying here in this ghastly room one minute longer. I'm going to find that receptionist woman to complain about this awful place. Then I want you to take me somewhere nice Ben."
Ben frowned:
"But we're in the middle of nowhere Julian and this is a castle after all."
"I don't care. This place is horrible and I'm special", Julian retorted, before flouncing out of the room.

Julian strode downstairs and found the reception area, but the woman was nowhere to be found. There was a gold coloured bell on the desk which Julian rang, but no one answered it.
"Look can I have some damn service here?" he shouted. There was no response so he began to ascend the stairs again when a female figure walked across the landing above him and started to descend the stairs. She wore a long flowing dress and old fashioned bonnet and her head was looking down. As the figure neared Julian it lifted its head to reveal a horrifying vision of rotting flesh and empty eye-sockets. Julian gave out a scream and ran downstairs and through a darkened corridor. At the end of the corridor he found a door which when opened revealed a kitchen area which he could just about ascertain in the moonlight. As he searched around for a light-switch, a hand was placed on his shoulder.......

Ben, having failed to find a hidden projector, got dressed and began to pack his and Julian's things. He began to google-search for other hotels in the area on his extremely expensive top range android smartphone with untra-mega-pixel camera, however the phone suddenly went blank. Ben was puzzled as he had charged it up before going to bed. Having filled their cases he picked them up and left the room, descending the stairs.
"Hey Julian, are you there? Did you find that sour-faced woman on reception?" he shouted down. As he was about halfway down he felt a hand push him from behind. Ben tumbled head first down the winding stairway and all was darkness....

Meanwhile Julian turned with a start to see a young man standing before him in the moonlight. The figure had dark hair and thin, well groomed dark facial stubble.
"Hi, I'm Adam. Adam Willis. You must be Ben's friend."
The figure reached up and switched on the kitchen light. Julian was shaking:
"This place, its full of spectres and zombie things. There was a woman on the stairs."
Adam smiled:
"You sure you're not sleepwalking?"
Julian was annoyed:
"Look do not smirk at me, I have just been accosted on the stairs by something with no eyes and rotting flesh. Why the hell did you recommend this place to Ben?"
Adam put his hand on Julian's shoulder again:
"Try to calm down. Whatever you saw is not here now. Lets find Ben and have a drink and a chat."
He led Julian out of the kitchen and back to the reception area. There Julian saw to his horror the twisted figure of Ben lying at the bottom of the stairs, blood oozing from his mouth......


............to be continued


Ok here is part 4 folks:

The Ghosts of Cragmore Castle
Part 4

Julian rushed over to Ben and cradled his head in his hands:
"Ben, Ben you ok? Ben......"
Ben opened his eyes and looked around, startled:
"Someone..... someone pushed me. I think I've grazed my lip but I'm ok."
Julian was in tears:
"Oh Ben, I thought I'd lost you. Your beautiful lip is damaged. But at least you're not dead".
Ben sat up:
"No thanks to whoever attacked me. Come on, we're leaving before either of us get really hurt. As yet these entities have not killed anyone, as far as we know, and I do not intend us to be the first."
Julian looked around the room:
"Hey your friend Adam Willis was here a minute ago. But he seems to have gone."
Ben stood up and frowned:
"Right. Before we leave I'm going to find him and give him both barrels about recommending this awful place. Come on."
They headed off towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile outside it was dark as a grey van drew up near to the entrance. Stepping out of the van was Kevin McNally, a scruffy, middle-aged man in jeans and a battered leather jacket along with Craig 'Gobber' Harris, a youth of about twenty with a skinhead haircut, The older man grinned:
"This should be a sinch. Place is hardly staffed as far as I've seen casing the joint. We go up to reception, ask for a room then you whip out the crowbar and threaten the bird on reception to hand over whatever cash they have on site."
The young man eyed the building:
"Ere it looks deserted like. Weird lookin' gaff."
McNally scowled:
"Yeah easy pickings Gobber. Stick with me and I'll make you a proper career criminal not just some cheap occasional mugger. You've got the looks and the aggression to go far. Come on."
They entered the building and strode up to reception. McNally rang the bell on the desk:
"Come on, lets 'ave some service. Let's be 'avin ya".
No one came however there was a strange murmuring sound from behind the desk. Suddenly an image took shape and formed of a young girl, dressed in white with blood on her dress. She grinned and pulled a meat cleaver from behind her back, burying it into McNally's head. Harris let out a yelp of fear and ran from the hideous vision. As he mounted the stairs the ghastly spectral girl ran after him with blood dripping from the cleaver......

Ben and Julian were searching the kitchen when they heard the yelp coming from the reception area:
"What the hell was that?" Julian asked, startled. Ben was concerned:
"I really don't want to find out but I suppose we should. Come on."
They headed back to the reception area and say the corpse of McNally lying in front of the desk. His head was split and the blood had shot out in a fountain all over the reception desk and then across the floor. Julian felt sick:
"Oh Christ, that's disgusting. What the hell is going on here?"
Ben held him for a moment:
"It seems that these things have now killed. I spoke too soon. Julian we are leaving."
As they went towards the door, Ben felt in his pocket:
"Oh hell, I've gone and left my phone upstairs in our room. Wait here and I'll go and get it."
Julian scowled:
"I'm not staying down here alone. I'm young attractive and far too rich to neglect."
Ben smiled:
"You make me laugh at the worst of times. Come on."

They went upstairs and as they approached the closed door of their room they heard a shuffling sound.
"Hey there's something in there. Stay here Julian, I must retrieve my phone. It cost an awful lot of money."
Ben opened the door slowly and saw only darkness and vague shapes. He walked slowly in and switched on the light but as he did so something grabbed him by the throat from behind......

..... to be continued.

Ok, here is part 5 of this creepy winter tale:

The Ghosts of Cragmore Castle : Part 5

Ben struggled with the assailant who had his hands gripped around Ben's throat. He managed to shove the attacker off him and onto the bed and saw it was a young skinhead in a green 'bomber' jacket and dock martin boots.
"Ere let me outta here or I'll slash ya!" the assailant shouted. He desperately fumbled in his pockets trying to find his knife. Julian grinned:
"Are you looking for this *holding up flick knife then slipping it elegantly into his pocket* ? I found it on the stairs, looks like you dropped it chavboy."
"Ere gimme that."
"No. And I'd like to know what you are doing here and why you murdered that man downstairs", Ben said sternly.
"Ere I ain't murdered him. 'Es my mate. I'm Craig 'arris, 'Gobber' to me mates. Ok I'll fess up, we came 'ere to burgle the gaff. Then this psycho girl wacked 'im wiv a cleaver she did."
Ben frowned:
"I'm not convinced by your story. However you do seem too thick and lowlife to be behind the weird happenings here. I have a nephew called Craig, I always thought it was an inappropriate name. "
Julian glared at Craig:
"Pray elucidate to us any other strange or unnatural things you have witnessed in this place since your arrival."
Craig looked puzzled:
"Dunno what you mean pal. Ere you mean them lights?"
"What lights?"
"Them weird lights in the sky above the castle. Kev didn't notice 'em but I did. Orange they were an circling the gaff."
Ben looked thoughtful:
"Hmm. This is starting to make sense. Clearly there are alien forces at work here. I wonder if this place has a cellar or a crypt?
Craig scowled:
"Ere I ain't stayin' to find out. You tossers can keep me knife, I'm leggin'it."
Ben gave him a firm stare:
"No you are not. We may need some muscle and in the absence of Kyle, you fit the bill. You will work with us and we'll pay you , the alternative is we give your name *grabbing phone and taking Craig's picture* and picture to the police.

A short time later, Ben, Julian and Craig were descanting a flight of cold, damp stone stairs found under a trapdoor in the kitchen.
"Ere why don't ya just phone the old bill after leggin' it?" Craig whined. Ben frowned:
"We are Operation Delta and I am Ben Chatham. We will see this through. Here, try one of these."
Ben offered Craig a Fox's glacier mint. Craig scowled aggressively then popped the mint into his mouth. He felt strangely becalmed as if he was floating on pink clouds above a purple sea with cascading colours all around him.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and found a padlocked door.
"Get that open", Ben instructed. Craig pulled a skeleton key from his jacket pocked and fumbled for a time before picking the lock.
"Well done. One can always rely on a skinhead criminal for jobs like this", Ben said with a grin.
They opened the door and found themselves in a long corridor with strangely modern lighting and grey walls which seemed to be lagged with some kind of plastic.
"Hardly medieval. We are now getting somewhere", Ben announced.
They walked along the corridor and heard a strange pulsing sound coming from way in front of them. Suddenly they saw a light and two figures standing in front of it, holding what seemed to be guns.
"You will remain still", a cold voice stated...............


................to be continued.

Ok people: here is the much anticipated sixth part of this tale:

Part Six

Ben stared at the dark shadows in the distance:
‘Who are you and what exactly has been going on here?’, he asked, a thin strand of fear in his voice. The figures stepped forward into the light and Ben saw that they were humanoid, yet their skin was green and they had eyes like those of a cat. They wore grey uniform-like suits.
‘You will come with us. You have made most interesting study specimens.’
Craig grimaced:
‘Ere I ain’t goin’ wiv then things , I’m leggin’ it.’
He started to run but one of the creatures fired a laser like beam into him and he collapsed. The alien stared at Ben:
‘Do not look concerned. He is stunned only. We need him for further tests.’
Ben held Julian’s hand as they were led by the aliens down the long passageway and into a series of white-panelled rooms.

A short time later they were sat in a strange office with tables laden with dead creatures that looked like prawns crossed with lugworms and cups of strange green liquid. One of the humanoids was sat behind a metal desk sipping the liquid. He smiled icily:
‘I am Commander Syron. Relax, you have all been most interesting to study, *lifting a bowl of the prawn-like things*, would you like a creton?’
Ben lifted one, sniffed it and winced, then threw it back down:
‘I don’t want your disgusting food, I want an explanation. Who are you and why have you been killing people in the castle?’
Syron laughed:
‘We are the Kar People from Karthanon. But that will not mean anything to you. We are getting to know the people of this world, gathering data if you like. This is a fear-station. We are very interested in the extent to which your minds can rationalise or tolerate fear. It is an experiment shall we say. Part of a spectrum of emotion research. We find your emotions most strange and need as much data as possible if we are to exploit your weaknesses later’.
As he spoke the door flew open and Craig Harris was thrown in onto a white couch.
‘Aw I feel rank’ he moaned. Ben frowned:
‘What have you been doing to this youth?’
Syron grinned:
‘Reviving him. I must say that he is a rather violent example of your species, he bit several of my function team.’
‘¤¤¤* off’ Craig’s spat out.
Ben frowned:
‘Forgive his use of foul language, however I am not happy about any of this. We are not your specimens to experiment on. And we are not going to just sit here and let you gather ‘data’ on humanity so that you can exploit our fears in some future conquest operation’.
Syron frowned:
‘But that is exactly what you are for. This is to be our new colony. You have amused me for five minutes but now we will continue to gather data on you’.

A short time late, Ben, Julian and Craig were chained by their hands and wrists to a wall while one of the aliens was heating up what looked like metal pincers in a fire. Syron held a pair of what looked like pliers:
‘Your culture and history has a long tradition of torture but we need to know how much the average human can withstand’.
Ben glared at him:
‘How dare you refer to me as an average human. I am Ben Chatham’.
Syron moved closer to Ben and held up the pliers:
‘I am aware that human beings fear dentistry however I’m wondering how many teeth it is possible to extract without crushing the spirit of resistance.’
He nodded and another alien grabbed Ben’s jaw and held it open. Syron moves in with the pliers....

To be continued
Ok people, here is the classic final part of this story:
[b]"The Ghosts of Cragmore Castle" Part 7[/b]
Commander Syron of the Kar people moved towards Ben with the pliers. Rapidly Ben lifted both of his legs and gripped Syron by the neck between his muscular inner thighs. He twisted his legs and Syron groaned and dropped the pliers. Ben shouted at the other Kar in the room:
"Ok release us from these chains or I'll snap his neck".
Julian smiled at Ben:
"Your inner thighs are both alluring and highly practical". Ben blushed.
The Kar moved menacingly towards them and so Ben twisted his legs again causing Syron to groan with pain. The Kar reluctantly freed Ben, Julian and Craig's hands from the chains. Craig punched one of the Kar hard so that it fell backwards and cracked its head on the wall. He grabbed a knife from a pile of Kar torture implements and held it to Syron's throat.
"Shall I do 'im?, he shouted. Ben frowned:
"No, we are not in East London now Craig. *To Syron* We are going back to the hotel and then we are leaving. You will show us the way out of here. Any attempt to stop us from your people and I'll let Craig here slash you with the knife. He's an experienced young criminal with presumably no moral compass and a penchant for ultra-violence, fed by an addiction to violent films. I suggest you comply".
Commander Syron scowled:
"You will pay for this. I am a senior commander with research division 251." Craig moved the knife closer:
"An' I'm Gobber 'Arris of McNally an 'Arris breakin' an enterin' division one. Now do as 'e says cuntface".
Syron led Ben and the others out of the underground complex and back up the stairs to the hotel kitchen. The walked into the foyer area where McNally's corpse still lay by the blood-spattered reception desk. Craig twisted Syron's arm tight behind his back so that he gasped with pain:
"'E were my mate. 'E were a right cunt sometimes but the best Irish safebreaker in the business. Like a dad to me 'e were. We worked on the fairgrounds we did and burgled every town we passed through. I should do you now."
Ben put his hand firmly on Craig's shoulder:
"No. He is needed for questioning and as leverage to get his people to leave. Remember Craig that it is up to me whether you go to prison or not. Let's just leave."
"Shouldn't we look for Adam Willis first?" Julian asked.
"Oh I'd forgotten him. I suppose we should since we are friends", Ben responded. They left Craig guarding Syron and searched through the hotel but found no trace of Adam in any of the rooms. Returning, Ben sighed nonchalantly:
"Oh well he must have run off to get help. I presume everyone else we encountered, the strange receptionist lady, the young guy with the razor, the skeleton in the cloak, the girl with the cleaver and the ghoul on the stairs were all your creations?", Ben stated, staring at Syron. Syron looked puzzled and bemused:
"I know nothing of any receptionist or young guy. The others yes, we have studied your horror entertainment genre and use ideas inspired by that for our experiments."
Later, Ben and Julian were discussing the case with the rest of the team in the Mermaid Wine Bar:
".... and so Syron is now safely locked up in our holding facility until we can be sure that his people have gone. The government has that hotel surrounded with troops and it will be pounded with bombs unless they go. But the Kar people are clearly a new threat that we will need to keep vigilant about. I wish we still had UNIT and Torchwood to help, but in their current absence the responsibility all falls on us."
Corinne sipped her Martini:
"One thing puzzles me Ben. I don't know how to tell you this but during our follow up investigations we discovered that the Adam Willis that you knew at Cambridge died two years ago in a car accident on the A12. I've been nervous about telling you."
Julian went cold and felt a chill run through him:
"But then who was the guy I spoke to at the hotel?"
Corinne said nothing, just sipped her Martini again. Ben frowned:
"But he can't have, it must be another Adam Willis".
Corinne took a photocopied newspaper report from her leather case and put it in front of Ben. The face on the article was that of Adam. Ben went cold:
"Well it must have been the Kar people's work." Paul Farraday interjected:
"There is something else Ben. Apparently the house has been empty for years and there have been successive owners who have complained about ghosts. It hasn't been used as a hotel since the 1930s, when the son of the lady who ran it slit his throat in one of the rooms."
Ben went cold:
"Well, look the Kar must have been based there for some time. Surely?"
Kyle interjected:
"'Ere what 'appened to the lad like who 'elped with all this?"
Ben frowned:
"You mean the skinhead criminal Craig Harris.  He reminded me of you a few years back, same social milieu. Don't worry Kyle, I haven't reported him to the police. I've offered him a break in life by getting him a job behind the bar at the Blue Angel Jazz Café. I'm not some completely heartless snob, although I know some people think that of me."
They laughed and Corinne proposed a toast to Ben for saving the day once again.
The End
[b][b]Ben Chatham will return soon in "The Armageddon Children".[/b][/b]

The Ben Chatham Halloween 2019 Special: 'The Dinner Party'

THE DINNER PARTY
Ben Chatham sat alone in the Mermaid Wine Bar, Cambridge, sipping a double gin and tonic, exclusive Welsh botanical gin. He was lost in his thoughts as the sound of Chet Baker playing 'I Get Along Without You Very Well' on a mournful trumpet emanated from the speakers behind the bar. As he gazed into his glass, Kyle Scott entered the bar and approached him.
"Ere Ben, there you are. I've been tryin' to call your phone like for ages. Paul Farraday has been trying to contact you about some documents you need to sign".
Ben looked up, a sullen, weary look in his dark eyes:
"Not now Kyle. I can't face work. I can't face life".
Kyle sat down:
"What's up?"
"Everything Kyle. Me and Julian have had our first row. I've been invited to a dinner party by Sir Alex Prentice and his wife Catherine, friends of my father. They're tediously boring; he runs a computer software company and she's a former opera singer. However he has offered a large donation to Operation Delta that we really need given the woefully inadequate funding we get from central government. They said I could bring my partner".
Kyle looked puzzled:
"So does Julian not want to go like?"
Ben sighed languidly:
"If only. He wanted to go but I said no. The Prentices are not the most liberal of people so all I said was it would be better if I took Katie and said we were together. She'll look good on my arm. Not unreasonable in the circumstances."
Kyle shook his head:
"Cam on Ben that's just daft. If they don't like who you're goin' out with tell em to go shove it. Anyway, ain't Katie suspended?"
Ben gulped the gin:
"That's another problem that I don't need. Frankly I'm furious with both Katie and Corinne. True Katie was wrong to use the term w** in a case meeting however Corinne should have dealt with it there and then rather than suspending her. I gave her the job of Equality and Diversity Officer because we need one to get our government funding however I do not expect her to create a mountain of hassle for me. I don't need this right now."
Kyle beckoned over Barry Tuck and ordered a beer:
"Hey where's the birds tonight?' Tuck asked.
"Ere not now, Ben's feelin' delicate", Kyle replied.
Tuck laughed:
"I wouldn't mind feelin' something delicate which is why I was askin' where the birds are", Tuck replied with a laugh.

Later Ben called round to see Katie at her flat. Katie invited him in and flounced over to her stereo, switching off the Rhianna CD.
"So Ben have you demoted that bitch yet and lifted my suspension? I'm not having this."
Ben wiped the tears from his eyes and sat down, deflated.
"Not now Katie, just not now. Me and Julian have had our first row over the dinner party. I just don't have the energy to discuss work right now. Can we just go to Wiltshire please. You'll have to drive, I've been drinking expensive gin to ease my inner torment."
Katie sat down next to him and stroked his hair:
"Poor Ben. He'll never understand you as well as I do. This couple who have invited us, what are they like? Are there any topics of conversation off limits?"
Ben sighed:
"Apart from Julian, not really. Feel free to talk politics if you must, they're both members of the Conservative Party so you're on safe ground with your views. I'd rather you converse with them as I find them tediously boring and excruciatingly vapid. However they have offered a donation to Operation Delta."

Later, Ben and Katie arrived at the Prentices' 17th century thatched cottage in Wiltshire. They knocked on the door and heard loud footsteps approaching. The door creaked open and Sir Alex Prentice stood in the doorway. He was a gaunt man in his late 60s:
"Oh how nice of you to turn up Benjamin. And your lovely girlfriend. Do come in."
They entered the elegant old house and saw a woman lounging on the sofa knocking back a glass of brandy:
"Welcome Ben. Boring Alex will show you round our boring house before dinner" she slurred. Alex shot her a tired look:
"Oh do shut up Catherine, you're drunk. I'm so sorry Ben but my wife is a ghastly drunken creature these days. My own fault I suppose for marrying a woman twenty years my junior."
Catherine stood up:
"Ignore my obsolete fool of a husband Ben. I've invited local businessman Richard Trenlow and his wife to join us as well tonight. Richard has made millions in the city and is more of a man than Alex will ever be. What would you like to drink?"
Ben sighed under his breath:
"Do you have absinthe?"
Catherine laughed:
"Of course we have absinthe. Your father tipped us off. Come into the dining room".
Katie nudged Ben:
"* whispering* these two are hideous bores. Can't we make our excuses and go?"
Ben sighed again with a painful look in his eyes and gestured to Katie to follow Catherine into the dining room. As they entered they saw a range of meat dishes laid out on the table with vegetables and multiple wines and spirits. There was a knock on the door and soon Alex was ushering a younger couple into the room. Both looked as pale as a sheet, with strange, sunken eyes:
"Benjamin, this is Richard and Diana Trenlow". Richard Trenlow shook Ben's hand however Trenlow's hand was ice cold.
"Pleased to meet you Ben. I'm hoping to seduce Catherine tonight as my wife Diana here is the most boring woman you'll ever meet, but rich."
Diana stepped forward:
"Forgive my husband. He's a bully and a thoroughly vile man who despises humanity. But what can I do".

Later, as the meal began, Alex Prentice seemed to drift into a trance. He stared at the ceiling:
"We are all going to die tonight. I see blood, I see death..."
Catherine stroked Ben's hand:
"Please forgive my husband. He's prone to these melodramatic lapses".
Richard Trenlow laughed sardonically:
"The old fool represents all that is obsolete in England. The new spirit is one of violence and competition. Don't you agree Katie?"
Katie frowned:
"Personally I think you're the strangest bunch of oddballs I've ever encountered".
Diana laughed:
"Oh how effervescent. But tell me dear, can I drink your blood please......."

...........to be continued.

Ok folks, here is Part Two of this Halloween special:

"THE DINNER PARTY": Part 2

Diana Trenlow opened her mouth revealing fangs and went to bite Katie, however the latter threw a glass of wine in Diana's face and leapt to her feet just in time:
"What the ¤¤¤¤ are you doing? Are you a nest of vampires or something?" Katie exclaimed angrily.
Richard Trenlow laughed and grinned, also revealing fangs:
"Oh come on, it really isn't that unpleasant. One bite and you will be like us. I could certainly do with some more acceptable company, I'm sick of these tedious bores."
Alex Prentice glared at him:
"We are sick of you and your insufferable lack of empathy. *To Ben* Don't be alarmed Ben, we mean you no harm. We just need new blood in our circle, if you forgive the pun. Catherine is a drunken slattern and Trenlow here was a psychopathic bastard even before he became like us. Do you have any idea what it is like being tied for all eternity to a bunch of people you despise. Let me bite you."
Ben stood up and gave them an angry stare:
"You have brought me here under false pretences. Come on Katie, we are leaving."
Ben and Katie rushed for the door and when Trenlow tried to block their path, Katie head-butted him . They ran out of the 17th century cottage into the damp, dank autumn night.

To their horror they found that Ben's car had vanished, so they ran down a mud covered country lane. Katie kept stumbling due to her high heels:
"Oh slow down Ben, these damn heels are not suited to this god-awful lane. What the hell were those things? Surely vampires are a myth?" Ben frowned:
"A myth grounded in reality. Keith Smith has been researching vampire legends and reports and he believes that there is a real alien virus responsible and that biting the neck can pass on the condition. He has researched methods of combatting those infected. Extra terrestrial in origin." Katie scowled:
"Keith Smith is a nerd and a geek. I don't know why you keep him on the team."
As Katie spoke, Ben saw a church in the distance with light coming from inside.
"Oh come on Katie, lets get inside the church and then phone for backup."
They ran up to the ancient church door and pushed the creaking thing open. Ben and Katie were shocked to see a black mass going on with a tall man in a dark rube chanting:
"Hail Lucifer, Prince of Darkness and Lord of Death".
The entire group turned to look at Ben and Katie, grinning to reveal large fangs.
"Oh ¤¤¤¤ Ben, the whole damn village are vampires", Katie shouted.

They ran from the church as fast as they could and Ben phoned Paul Farraday asking for backup. They ran down another lane and spotted Ben's car abandoned in a ditch. They started trying to push it out of the ditch, however hearing voices behind them they turned to see the villagers approaching in the distance carrying fiery torches.
"Come on Katie, push harder or we're finished," Ben shouted. Katie shot him an icy stare:
"Do not shout at me Ben. Ok?"
The villagers were getting closer and closer, but just in time Ben freed the car and they sped off into the dark, forbidding night.

Later Ben was enjoying a drink in the Mermaid Wine Bar and discussing the case with Paul Farraday and Corinne Shaw.
"I am very disappointed that no trace of any of the villagers or of the dinner party guests could be found when you arrived. It means that this menace is still out there," Ben stated. Paul sipped his glass of merlot:
"We think that because the Prentice group knew who you were, they alerted the others to vanish. Keith Smith even had us searching the local graveyards and cemeteries, but to no avail. He insists that this is an extra terrestrial phenomena."
Ben frowned:
"Well I won't be meeting any more rich donors any time soon, I'll leave that to you."
Ben sipped his absinthe and picked at his greek salad before turning to Corinne:
"Look Corinne, this business with Katie. Can't we draw a line under it. I mean the reason she isn't here now is because she knew you were coming. She is after all a very senior member of the team."
Corinne sipped her wine:
"Ben this has to go to formal investigation, I'm sorry. I've received formal complaints from Chiara Smith and Keith Smith. It is a very serious matter, she described a black witness to a UFO sighting as an ' unreliable w**' according to the complaints. Everyone present in the meeting has to be interviewed, this is standard."
Ben sighed and swirled his absinthe around and around. As he did so, the door of the bar opened and Julian LeFarge walked in. Ben stood up and walked over to him:
"Hi Julian. Let me get you a drink, we need to talk."
Julian turned away from Ben, tears welling up in his eyes:
"I had to spend Halloween on my own. I'm beautiful, extremely intelligent and very, very rich. I should not have to do that."
Ben took his hand:
"It won't happen again Julian. I have no desire to be attacked by vampires again when I could be with you."

THE END