I’ll be perfectly honest, this was not what I wanted to be doing on a gorgeous, balmy summer evening. But the lure of some extra cash was enticing, so here I was, on the doorstep of a total stranger.

“He’s a charmer Jasmine, and needs a babysitter, only for tonight.”

“Mom, for goodness sake,” I rolled my eyes. I’m 17, and my mom wanted to pair me off with the handsome widower she’d done some accounting for.

“Well, he’s very rich, young, good looking and you’re so pretty. You’d look great together.”

It was hard to feel attractive with my long, mousy hair, brown eyes, slightly too wide apart for my liking, and that one annoying crooked tooth, completely out of line with the others. ‘Endearing’, my mom calls it. I think it’s ugly.

But I’d agreed and rang the doorbell.

He opened it instantly, taking me by surprise. Much younger than I thought and very good looking. Slim, tall, beautiful thick black hair swept back off his face, strong cheekbones and the most piercing blue eyes I’d ever seen.

“You must be Jasmine? Come in. Make yourself at home.”

He took my hand and looked at me, his intense eyes scrutinising me, and I blushed under the directness of his gaze.

“Yes, that’s me! I’m guessing you’re Mr Randout?”

“That’s way too formal, please call me Lucca. Would you like a drink?”

“No, I’m fine.”

He lead me to the lounge, still holding my hand. There, in a baby seat, was the cutest baby I’d ever seen. Curly black hair, pale skin, bright blue eyes and the sweetest smile. I stooped down and played peek a boo, she chuckled and I fell in love.

“And you must be Marya”, I gushed. “My mom’s told me so much about you.”

“Teddy,” she chirped, waving a thread bare, tired looking cuddly toy around.

I playfully took it from her, and her little face crumpled as she started to cry.

“She won’t sleep without it,” he told me. “My wife gave it to her, just before she died.”

He looked wistful and sad then, and told me he’d yearned to get out more after she’d passed away. That he missed her badly and got restless at night.

It was none of my business how she died or where he was off to, so I didn’t ask. But still, I was curious. After lavishing Marya with a final kiss and cuddle, and me another very pleasant, lingering gaze, he promptly left.

Already I was hooked, under his spell. But at the same time, something was off and I shivered unexpectedly.

His eyes had a hint of wildness about them, pupils slightly dilated. I’d observed some of my peers with the same mildly crazed look, so maybe he took something to dull the pain of his bereavement. It was understandable I suppose.

Settling in for the evening, I bounced Marya on my knee. What a pleasure she was. Laughing and giggling as I sang and made funny faces. She never tired, just kept demanding more, so full of life, a little night owl.

Finally exhausted, I strapped her in her seat and wandered into the kitchen. Inspecting the fridge, I discovered it was empty apart from a half drunk bottle of red wine. What did he eat? Takeaways? Instantly my heart went out to him. He was obviously struggling to look after himself properly, that would need fixing.

Avoiding the wine, I opted for water and made my way upstairs to the bathroom. On the way back I paused outside a line of four doors, one of which I deduced, must lead to his bedroom.

And one of them was firmly shut.

I knew it was wrong, but I wanted to see where he slept, so I turned the handle. It was locked. That seemed odd, but putting it out of my mind, I went downstairs, turning my attentions back to Marya.

“Teddy,” she cooed and thrust her bear into my hands, now happy for me to hold it.

Lucca arrived back late. He apologised and offered me a drink again. I hesitated, but I needed to get back. If I stayed in his company for too long, I had a feeling I’d regret it.

As I started to leave, he pulled me back and kissed my hand. I was enthralled, and wandered home in a daze, quietly letting myself in. I took my jacket off, and that’s when I noticed something bulging out of the pocket. Marya’s Teddy!

Lucca’s words echoed, “She won’t sleep without it.”

I had to go back. Ten minutes later, I softly knocked his door. No answer. Pushing gently, it creaked open and I stepped inside. Everywhere was dark, all was quiet. Marya must have settled without her beloved toy. Still she would want it if she woke.

I started up the stairs. Technically I was trespassing. So, very quietly and steadily I made my way to the top, my heart beating, so loudly, it would surely be heard.

I came to a standstill as I realised that the door that had been locked, was now wide open. Questioning the wisdom of proceeding further, I shrugged it from my mind, I had to see, and so in I went.

The light from the landing softly bathed the darkness of the scene in front of me.

Three coffins.

Lucca in one, Marya in another tiny one, eyes shut, arms across their chests, their faces deathly pale.

The lid was down on the third coffin. That suggested two things, his wife was in there or it was vacant, waiting for a new occupant. Either way, I didn’t want to know.

And then Lucca stirred and opened his eyes, now a vivid shade of red. He looked calmly and directly at me. He smiled, showing a glimpse of tiny sharp teeth I hadn’t noticed before.

That was the moment I screamed and ran....