My phone pings with Jake's text message, interrupting the rare afternoon nap I'd found myself in. A rare day off, all to myself whilst he was catching up with contractors, and Aislinn busying herself with friendly shenanigans.

"Guess what?"

With a giggle, I type out my reply. "You love me?" The mere thought of his words brings me back to that moment on the Ferris wheel.

"Yes, I do, but that's not the surprise. It's even better."

"Even better? Not possible." I add in a shocked emoji to emphasise my point.

"So, you don't want to know, then?" he includes a sly face emoji.

"Of course, I want to know."

"Are you sure?" he adds in a winking emoji.

I respond with a deadpan emoji, no words.

"Andy and I had a chat at the house, and he said that the ground floor will be finished by Friday at the latest. Maybe Wednesday or Thursday if everything goes smoothly."

Excitement fills me, and I hit the call button. It rings once before Jake answers. "Are you for real? This week? Eek."

Jake chuckles on the other end. "I said it's great news."

"Ais will be over the moon. She can plan her sixteenth birthday party at the house now."

"I'll let you give her the news, but there's something we need to do first. Don't you think?" Jake's voice takes on a solemn tone.

"Yeah, I'll give Georgia a call and plan the cleanse."

"Honey, I've got to run, but I'll see you tonight. Love you," he says.

"Love you too." I squeeze out a smooch before I end the call.

Digging out Georgia's business card from my handbag, I confirm the cleanse for Saturday. Despite being eager to get it done sooner, she advised it could take a few hours to do the entire property completely. And we want it done well, having had to ban Aislinn from being in the house alone since the incident with the shadow figure; not that she wanted to go there, anyway.

With the date and time set in stone, I send off a text to Jake and Aislinn, giving them the heads up. I send another to Ais after that.

"Do you still want your birthday in the ballroom?"

"For real, mum?"

"Absolutely." I add in a birthday cake emoji for good measure.

She sends a video of herself repeatedly saying 'thank you'. It's amazing to see how excited she gets, and I'm thrilled that we can do this special thing for her.

I lean back on the bedframe now I've confirmed the cleanse and approved of Aislinn's party. My mind races with all the possibilities for the party, and then I realise. Perhaps this is the perfect time to open our home to the community. I mean, Ais only has a few close friends here, and the handful of adults I know. It could be the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in Lakeview Hollow, finally embracing our status as locals. Of course, I'll need to see how she feels about this idea. It's her birthday, after all.

Imagine twinkling lights, an eclectic array of music, canapes, and cake, cocktails, and mocktails. As I jot down ideas for decorations, excitement bubbles within me. This party isn't just about celebrating Aislinn's birthday, it's a culmination of all the things that have led to our new beginning, our fresh start. The reset for our relationship and our lives.

Jake, Aislinn, and I sit in the foyer of our ground floor mansion, eagerly awaiting Georgia's arrival. Today marks an important phase, opening our home for Aislinn's party, but and welcoming our neighbours. But first, it needs to be cleansed from all that is unholy.

While the other two prefer to scroll through their phones to kill the time, my nervous energy nips at my heels. I jump to my feet, pacing through the foyer, ensuring the decorative elements in the room are just right-I fidget with the paintings, smooth out a tiny bubble in the wallpaper, and move vases and ornaments ever so slightly. Finally, I hear the gravel outside as a car pulls up.

"Georgia," I say, greeting her as she pulls out armfuls of items from the backseat of her car. "Can I help you with that?" I say, descending the front steps.

"No, no, it's alright. I've got everything right here. Thank you, though."

I close the door behind her as she moves over to the seating area, placing an assortment of items on the coffee table.

"What's all this then?" Jake pipes up as he puts his phone away.

"Just a few things to sort this place out," she chuckles.

Aislinn picks up what looks like a bouquet of leaves tied with a string. She turns it in her hand, raising to her nose to take in the scent. "Sage?" she asks. Georgia nods as she continues arranging items. "I saw a sage cleanse on the tv once. Is it going to be like that?"

"Maybe. One can never quite tell how these things are going to pan out. Not until we get started, anyway," Georgia explains.

Over the next quarter of an hour, Georgia details how the cleanse works. She outlines her part, and what the rest of us need to be aware of during the process. There's a 'Do's and Don'ts' list that's very specific-there's no room for messing about once we get started. She explains the dangers of not following the process correctly, which includes the risk of being harmed by the unknown shadow figure, since we still are unsure of its origins. Georgia holds no bars, and tells us that if it's demonic, things can go awry in an instant. We strategize a back-up plan to escape, just in case, although I'm choosing to remain hopeful of success.

As Georgia finishes laying out the plan, she hands each of us a bundle of sage, instructing us on how to hold and use them during the cleanse. The aroma from the unlit herb seems to mingle with the nervous energy that crackles around us, almost ready to go.

"We'll start from the foyer and work our way through each room," she explains. Her voice is steady, holding an authority that confirms the gravity of what we're about to do. Her confidence calms my nerves, and I suspect it does the same for the others as their curious faces appear more at ease now, too. Georgia continues her instruction. "Audrey, Jake, I'll need your help to light the bundles. Aislinn, you can follow behind. I want you to focus all your thoughts and energy on positivity and protection."

In unison, we nod our heads, acknowledging both our tasks and understanding of the conventions, as we begin the ceremony. A flicker of flames dances across the bundles, igniting them. As we extinguish the flames, the smoky aroma surrounds us, while Georgia recites passages from the Bible. She begins with words of protection and love, before moving onto demands for spirits to leave this place. As if on repeat, she goes over them again and again. It's clear to me she's an old hat at this, which gives me pause for thought. Just how many spirits have remained in this small town following their demise?

There's a palpable shift in the atmosphere as we go through each room, one by one. I wonder how it feels for Aislinn, though, since her gift means she's more in touch with our surroundings than either Jake or me. Once finished with this wing, we move to the other side, heading towards the ballroom. In here, the shadows seem to linger a little longer. Georgia's voice grows stronger, more assertive, forcing the unseen from the corners of the room.

With sage smouldering in our hands, we break up into the corners of the room. We knew this would be the most difficult to cleanse, given its expanse, but we need to get this right. So, with deliberate movements and intentions, the swirling sage, and Georgia's assertive passages, we carry on. Smoke billows and curls, anticipation building, almost a frenzy. I hold my breath, waiting for the moment Georgia confirms this room too is clear.

As the bundles burn low, Georgia directs the remnants into a tin bucket, dredging them in water, then pulls out new bundles from a bag. Once lit, we move through the first floor, as we'd done below, until we reach the last door on this level.

"This is the room," Aislinn asserts. We're all aware she's referring to the dream she had several weeks ago. She cautiously opens the door. In a low voice, she murmurs her name. "Emily." Moving further into the room, Aislinn appears to approach someone. Someone that remains unseen before my eyes. But as soon as she does, her breath hitches. "Oh, no."

A shiver runs down my spine at the realisation that Emily and her baby, might have moved on from the cleanse, before ever reuniting with Henry. Nausea stirs in my stomach at the thought of failing our purpose.

Georgia interrupts abruptly. "She's not gone from this place, just this room. Don't fret." Aislinn releases her furrowed brow, clearly satisfied with the reassurance. The tension within me also releasing its grip at her words.

Again, as the wisps of sage smoke dissipate, Georgia exchanges our dying embers for fresh bundles, ready for the second floor. We ascend the stairs, but this time a foreboding presence lingers, encroaching upon our small group the further we go. Georgia briefly pauses, closing her eyes whilst steadying herself with the handrail. I study her, trying to discern whatever revelations she's discovering. She turns to face us, and I know this is where the trouble lies.

"Are you ready for whatever comes next?" she asks, locking eyes with each of us. I turn to face Jake, who provides me with his reassuring smile before kissing my forehead.

"We've got this," he says confidently, urging us forward.

"Keep your wits about you," Georgia reminds us. "And Aislinn, I need your positive energy now more than ever. Only you can do this with me."

Step by step, we traverse the corridors, each of us alert to the faintest whisper of movement. Moving room by room, we search for the elusive shadow figure that haunts our home, cleansing each one as we progress through this level.

Finally, we reach the secret attic passage. With trepidation, Aislinn releases the door and Georgia steps foot inside the inky black passage. The air feels heavy, weighing each of us down like elephants on our shoulders, as we ascend the zenith of the home-the attic room.

As our eyes adjust to the dim light, a chill runs down my spine, and an icy breeze rushes through us, engulfing our very being. With it, a stench like no other. It's as if rotting flesh, decaying over time, chewed up by maggots and flies, was somewhere nearby. I can't help but gag at the putrid scent as it lingers up my nostrils and into my mouth, tasting every bit as rotten and corrupt as a thing can be.

Georgia whispers, "It's demonic. Stand back." We stand in awe as we observe her asserting authority, quoting biblical passages. With each turn of the passage, her voice grows louder, stepping forward into the dark abyss where the creature lies. My blood runs cold, terrified not only for myself, but for my daughter, my partner, and this oh so brave woman who stands before us. I grab hold of Jake's hand, squeezing it tight as I close my eyes, begging a prayer to keep us safe.

"It's OK, Mum," Aislinn whispers in my ear, wrapping her arm around me. "I can see it, that creature from hell. It's running scared, almost done for. Be brave."

Tears fall from my eyes, unsure whether from the terror, or because I've never been prouder of my brave, beautiful, ferocious daughter, than I am right now. I suck in a breath, reigniting my resolve-I must be strong for her. But what can I do to help? Unlike Aislinn and Georgia, I don't have any special abilities. I'm just a person.

I remain glued to my position as the darkness moves forward, closing in around us, suffocating and oppressive. In the shadows of the attic, the malevolent presence lurks like a lion waiting for its prey.

With a sudden surge of energy, the demonic spirit lashes out. Its twisted influence seeping into our minds like tendrils of poison. Anger and resentment bubble, threatening to consume us from within. I feel the weight of despair pushing down on me, almost drowning under its influence.

But amidst the chaos, Georgia stands firm, unwavering as she confronts the darkness head-on. She refuses to yield the vile thing. Her faith is the beacon overshadowing light with darkness.

Aislinn moves forward, joining her. My daughter, strong, brave, resilient. I've spent so much time and energy trying to protect her from the evil in this world, only now to find her facing it straight on. I should have trusted her, had faith in her. But alas, there's no point dwelling on that now. I watch them together, a force to be reckoned with, as they push back in the face of adversity. Standing united, as one, against ruin and despair.

Their voices ring in unison as they continue reciting with unwavering conviction. The air crackles, tension palpable, as the demonic spirit recoils, writhing in agony at the sound of holy words. It lashes out with a renewed frenzy, desperate to maintain its hold on our souls. But Georgia and Aislinn stand their ground, voices ringing out louder, demanding it return to the depths of hell. With each word, it weakens, loosening its grip.

Minutes stretch into what feels like eternity, as the battle wages on. Finally, in a crescendo of divine fury, the demonic spirit relents, its twisted shadowy form dissipating into the ether.

A collective sigh of relief fills the air. Aislinn and Georgia look exhausted from their battle. Spirits battered but far from broken. With weary yet determined resolve, we turn our attention to the next part of the cleanse-the perimeter of our home.

We leave the oppression of the attic, descending the staircase to the corridor below, before ambling back down to the ground floor. The air surrounding us feeling much lighter now, as I inhale it deeply.

Stepping outside, the cool evening air greets us, and I realise it's taken much longer than I'd first thought. And we still have more work to do. With fresh bundles in hand, we move swiftly around the perimeter until Aislinn notices something in the distance. She sees him, standing by the lake, Henry.

Without a moment's hesitation, we move towards him. With the departure of the evil presence, there's hope that Henry can finally let go of his self-blame and move forward. As we draw closer, Aislinn tells us of his weariness, his burden still weighing down on him.

"I see him too, now," Georgia explains. "The evil played on his heart, his depressed state, bludgeoning him with his own grief."

"So that means there's still a chance for him?" Aislinn asks.

"It's all up to him now," Georgia replies.

Aislinn steps forward, radiating warmth and compassion. "Henry," she calls out softly. She speaks to him, gentle yet persuasive, as we watch her. Even though Jake and I can't see him, it's easy to imagine how he's responding from her body language and how she's speaking to him. She urges him to release the guilt that's weighed him down for so very long, to forgive himself.

She pauses, turning away from Henry. "Emily," she says, tenderly. "You're here."

Georgia moves closer to Jake and me, providing the insight we aren't privy to. She explains that the words Aislinn now speaks, is a message from Emily, channelling the love and forgiveness from her to her husband. She goes on, expressing Emily's longing to be with him, begging for him to join his family. It's tragic, and I sincerely wish I could do something to offer support, but Aislinn has everything under control.

Describing the emotion Henry exhibits, Georgia's eyes also well with tears at the heartfelt moment. With each word of forgiveness, hope emerges, and finally, Henry is ready. In that moment of clarity, Henry forgives himself, freed from the invisible shackles that tie him to the mansion. Georgia expresses his immense joy upon seeing his wife after more than a century, but his happiness swells when he sees his child for the very first time.

Georgia describes to us a glow building around the family, almost blinding as it encompasses them. And then, as Henry and Emily thank Aislinn one last time, they dissipate into the ether, their journey home to each other, now fulfilled.

Aislinn takes a seat on the bench, and I move over beside her. This experience is like no other. My mind races, trying to find the right words to speak, but then I realise, sometimes, it's actions that speak louder than any sentence my mind can conjure. So, I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my chest and kiss her on top of her head. And together, we sit there until she's ready.