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“Come on, the competition sponsors want to meet you,” Drake shouted from the hallway, bringing Chase out of her reverie. “So get a move on.”

She felt like squealing; couldn’t believe her good fortune as she rushed back downstairs. God help anyone who told her this was a mistake.

Drake lead them back down the lane, and they strolled toward a small church on the edge of the fog, the adjoining hall losing its solidity as the fog encroached leaving only half of it visible.

The sound of voices drifted from inside the hall and as Drake opened one of the double doors, the voices went quiet. Chase felt a little apprehensive as she stepped through. Although there were only seven people gathered, she didn’t like being the object of such close scrutiny and she crossed her arms in front of her chest, as though to establish a barrier. Jane’s manner of dress didn’t help as people couldn’t help but stare.

A couple of tables decorated with food and drinks stood in the middle of the room. It wasn’t much of a spread, a few sandwiches, pork pie, sausage rolls and a quiche was all she could see. Chase turned away, noticed a stocky man with unkempt hair and close-set eyes stood in the corner of the room. But it was the knife in his hand that alarmed her. He dragged the point of the knife across the wall, gouging out thick veins of plaster. Why didn’t someone stop him? Couldn’t they see what he was doing?

“Ah, Miss Black, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Chase turned to see a smartly dressed, middle-aged man walking toward her with his hand outstretched. He had a neatly clipped greying beard that softened the shape of his face and was only a bit shorter than the hair on his head. His blue eyes were cold, in sharp contrast with the warm smile he wore.

Shaking his hand, Chase was surprised by how cold his skin was. A chill ran through her.

“My name is Nigel Moon,” he said. “And this must be your companion.” He brusquely shook Jane’s hand without enquiring her name and turned back to Chase.

“How did you know I was Miss Black?” Chase asked, realising Moon had greeted her by name before being formally introduced.

“I just presumed as you had entered the hall first that you must be our esteemed and, might I say, extremely attractive winner.”

Rather than being flattered by Moon’s comment, Chase found herself feeling angry he could be so personal, especially as the assembled crowd were listening so intently. She felt in some imperceptive way that the comment was meant to make her feel uneasy; off guard.

“I am the managing director of Storm, the competition organisers. I believe you have already viewed your prize? I hope it’s to your liking?”

“Liking. Yes, it’s fantastic,” Chase gushed.

“Well I hope you will be very happy living here.”

“Hold on a minute,” Jane said, placing a protective hand on Chase’s shoulder. “What do you mean, living here?”

“Pardon?”

“You know, who said she’s going to live in the house?”

Moon’s smile dropped imperceptibly. “Who wouldn’t want to live here?”

“Chase.” Jane placed her hands on her hips, assuming her verbal fighting stance.

“Jane, I’m sure Mr Moon didn’t mean it quite so literally.” Chase was eager to defuse the situation, but also embarrassed that Jane talked about her as though she wasn’t there; as though she couldn’t speak for herself.

“On the contrary, Miss Black. It was in the competition rules that the winner undertakes to move into the house.
Immediately
, for at least twelve months. Otherwise they would forfeit the prize.”

“Bullshit,” Jane said.

Moon reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Of course you can re-read the rules if you like. It was a condition of entry that the winner had to be ready to move. Didn’t you read the rules, Miss Black?” He frowned.

Chase felt like Moon was trying to belittle her with his patronising tone, and that he was boxing her into a corner. She suddenly felt hot and claustrophobic. “Yes, I read the rules.” But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t even remember entering the competition, never mind reading the rules. “If you could just let Jane see them?” What she really wanted was to read them herself without appearing too foolish. Hopefully they would spark a memory.

“Of course. I know you may be a bit overwhelmed by it all. We
will
understand if you don’t wish to accept the prize. Take your time.” Moon handed Jane the sheet of paper, which she snatched out of his hand.

 
“I think we’ll just go outside to discuss the matter.” Chase headed for the door, dragging Jane after her. She felt too embarrassed to ask Moon for more details about the competition, afraid if she did, they might realise she wasn’t the winner after all.

She felt the small group watch her walk out; when the door shut, the voices started up again.

“What’s the story?” Jane asked. “You can’t seriously want to live here?”

“Let me see that sheet of paper.” Begrudgingly, Jane handed it over and they both read it together.

“Well, it seems Moon’s right. It does say I have to move into the house, or forfeit it. Well, twelve months isn’t that long. It’ll just be like a long holiday.”

“Well that’s it then, sugar, we’ll get our bags and quit the sticks. You aren’t staying here on your own for twelve months.”

“Hold on a minute. Perhaps I don’t want to leave.”

Jane frowned. “You can’t be serious.”

“Think about it Jane. What have I got to go back for? No job, no man, and you know where I live. This could be just what I’m after, a fresh start.”

“I think this fresh air’s fuzzed your brain. This is no place for you.”

“No, I think this is
just
the place for me. I need something like this to sort myself out.”

“What you
need
are your friends. No, I can’t let you do it.”

“You can’t let me do it!” Chase felt her anger rising. “Just who do you think you are?”

“I’m your friend.”

“If that’s true, then you’ll see it’s what I want. Didn’t you see that house? It’s lovely. More than lovely, it’s beautiful. I could never afford something like that, not in a place like this, but now it’s mine.”

Jane closed her eyes and looked away. “You’re my home girl. What would I do without you?” She quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Chase hugged her. “I’ll still be your home girl, just in a different home.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Sorry, I am.”

Jane sighed and shook her head, conceding defeat.

Chase smiled. “That’s why I love you.”

“I know, now let’s do the deed before I say something else.”

They walked back into the hall and the chattering stopped once more. Chase could see Moon and Drake stood apart from everyone else, deep in heated conversation. They stopped talking when they realised Chase and Jane had re-entered the hall.

“Mr Moon,” Chase said, walking toward him, “when do I get the keys to my new house?”

Moon’s smile returned. “I take it you will be accepting the prize then. Congratulations, Miss Black. Everyone,” Moon clapped his hands together, “if I could have your attention, I would like to introduce you to Chase Black, the newest resident of
Paradise
. I hope you all make her feel at home.” Two people clapped; one of them was the man with the knife. “Now if you would like to sign a few documents accepting the conditions of the prize, then the house is yours. We can also arrange the sale of your own property, which would give you some capital while you resettle yourself. Of course, we can also arrange to have your belongings collected and delivered to your new house.”

Chase didn’t really like the thought of strangers going through her property. “I would like to do my own packing,” she said, too caught up in the whirlwind of events to think clearly. As far as selling her house went, she doubted they could even give it away. Then there was the problem of work. What could she do out here? Perhaps Jane was right; perhaps she hadn’t thought this through properly. She bit her fingernail, deliberating.

“Now if you can just sign this for me.” Moon held out a document and a pen.

“Well, I’ll need to read it first.”

“No need for that, Miss Black. I can assure you everything is all right. It’s only full of the usual legal mumbo jumbo, nothing to concern yourself over.”

“If she wants to read the document, then let her.”

Moon eyed Jane pensively. “Drake, why don’t you take this young lady and show her where the refreshments are.”

“I’ll go when I’m ready.”

Drake grabbed her elbow to steer her away, but Jane shrugged him off.

“Miss Black will join you in a moment. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bite her.” Moon gave a hollow laugh.

“It’s okay, Jane. I know what I’m doing.” Even though she knew Jane was only trying to look out for her, Chase was embarrassed. Jane was making it seem as though she couldn’t think for herself. “Honestly, go on. Get me a drink ready, I’ll be over in a moment.”

Jane bit her top lip. “Just you be careful girl.” She eventually turned away, obviously unsure whether she should leave her friend.

Chase watched Jane and Drake walk toward a small bar at the far end of the room before she turned back to Moon and accepted the document and pen. She quickly scanned through the long text, noticing words like: relinquish, binding, waive, terms and prize. She tried reading it, but it went beyond her comprehension.

“If you would just like to sign at the bottom, where it says signature,” Moon said, visibly agitated.

Chase didn’t know what to do. She felt as though she was being rushed, as though everything was happening too quickly. She saw Moon watching her, impatient, and she thought about her house in the city and before she knew what she was doing, she signed on the dotted line and Moon snatched the document and pen back from her.

“Welcome to
Paradise
, Miss Black. I hope you will be very happy here.”

“Yes, I’m sure I will,” she said, her head spinning and her nausea returning.

“Well, here are the keys to your new house. And now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some business to attend to. Drake will be available if there are any problems. There’s food and drink available for you, and please, enjoy yourself.” Without another word, Moon walked away and left the building.

Chase watched him go before looking at the keys in her hand. She couldn’t believe the house was really hers. She felt like jumping up and down and screaming with joy, but she thought better of it – she didn’t want the locals to think she was mad. Hurriedly, she crossed the room, jangling the keys in front of Jane who shook her head.

“So you’ve done it then. Well, I hope it makes you happy, I really do.” She passed Chase a glass of wine. “Here’s to the future.”

“Cheers.” Chase clinked glasses, a toast. “By the way, where’s Drake gone?”

“I don’t know, he just made some excuse and wandered off.”

Chase looked around the hall and spotted Drake lurking near the man with the knife.

She looked away, smiled at a pleasant looking old lady with grey hair tied up in a bun. The lady barely nodded in response as she continued to converse with a short, grey haired old man, stealing furtive glances when she thought Chase wasn’t looking.

“Well this is fun.” Jane shook her head.