Prologue: 2016

About two weeks had passed since Elizabeth and her recording crew had arrived at the house. They'd done a decent amount of recording, and were already about a third of the way through the album.

And with each song that Elizabeth sang, Thomas found himself becoming more and more infatuated with the woman. He would sit in the recording booth with her to listen to her play and he'd often find himself sitting on the chair across from her bed to watch her try and map out new songs.

After a while, the other ghosts started to notice this. "Maybe he's just interested in learning about modern music? The girl is certainly talented" chirped Pat, sitting on the leather sofa in the common room.

"Oh please, it's quite obvious that he's got the hots for her. Have you seen the way the man melts when she sings?" Julian added.

Mary nodded, "I agrees, the boy certainly has fallens for the bard lady."

Kitty sighed happily, "oh how lovely, I'm so happy for them" she giggled, twirling the corners of her dress happily.

Julian scoffed, "He's in for a rude awakening when she packs up and leaves. She's not staying forever, another few weeks and we'll never see her again"

Fanny let out a large "humph", standing to leave. "Well in my opinion she can't leave soon enough. Have you listened to the lyrics of those songs? Shameful! Whoreish even!" She left the room, leaving the others to continue their discussion.

Little did they know Thomas had been listening to the whole conversation from the next room over. It depressed him, knowing Elizabeth wouldn't be here much longer, and that his death days would return to their boring normality. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't tried to talk to her. Speaking a simple 'hello' in hopes that somehow, she would hear him. But of course she never did.

"Oi Markus!" Thomas was pulled from his thoughts by that familiar voice.

Elizabeth stepped down from the stairs, meeting with a short dark skinned man. "Derick has really been pissing me off recently, the mans a pillock" she laughed.

Markus laughed too, leaning onto the banister. "God tell me about it. Yesterday he was the same, barking orders at the roadies like they're dogs, someone needs to set him straight"

That's when a mischievous grin spread across Elizabeth's face. "Well, Tomorrow he's away for the day, out on 'business' whatever that means. The recording is going smoothly, so how about we let loose? I'll invite Frankie and Anne over and we can have a few drinks, play a few songs, you know. A little party!"

Markus smiles widely at the thought. "Mate that sounds fantastic! But if Derick finds out he'll kill you" he joked, crossing his arms.

Elizabeth shrugged, "let him kill me, hell, if he does then I'll finally be rid of the asshole."

Her and Markus continued to make jabs at the grim manager, occasionally letting out a giggle. Thomas was excited by the prospect of a party, noting of the sort had happened at Button house for years!

He ran upstairs, eager to find the others and share the news.

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Tomorrow arrived, and Derick was preparing to leave for the day. "I want the next track recorded and edited by the time I get back, that is if you can get the crew to do as you say Liz" he smirked.

Elizabeth sighed, "Don't worry about it, it'll be done." She snapped, watching as her manager got into his car and left. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she saw him drive out of the gates.

She turned around, clapping her hands together. "Song, then party" she muttered, running up the stairs to grab her notebook from her room.

Once she'd entered, she sat down on her bed and opened the book. "This is the one, just gotta record it."

She made her way to the recording booth, placing on her headphones. "Markus, you ready?" She asked, giving a thumbs up to her friend from behind the glass. He gave a simple nod, and she started.

They recorded for about an hour, eventually getting that perfect version. Once again, they'd had an audience.

"Ah yes, expertly done there. Really you've got to admire the organisation of this whole operation" The captain smiled.

Thomas rolled his eyes, "you changed your mind quickly, a week ago you said you wished they'd leave!"

The Captain stuttered slightly, glancing at Markus working on the soundboard. "Well, I uh, suppose I grew to love the...work they put into it"

Thomas glanced at him knowingly, "I suppose it's the same for me then" he smirked.

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"Partayyy time!" Elizabeth exclaimed, holding up two bottles of tequila.

Markus, Anne and Frankie sat at a table, waiting for everyone else to arrive. They giggled slightly as Elizabeth slammed the bottles onto the table.

"You haven't changed a bit love!" Frankie smiled. "Same old Elizabeth" Anne added.

Frankie and Anne were twins, and they'd met Elizabeth while she'd been touring around England. They'd become good friends over the years.

"Well I'm glad about that." Elizabeth chuckled.

There was a knock at the door, causing them all to glance down the hallway.

"I'll get it" Elizabeth said, walking down the hall to open the door. As she'd thought, it was the rest of her friends. She welcomed them in hastily and the party soon commenced.

The ghosts were hesitant to join the festivities however. "We've not had a formal invitation! It's rude to just go to someone's party without them allowing you!" Kitty worried, sitting neatly on a chair.

Julian let out a frustrated sigh. "For heaven's sake! It's not like they can see us! They won't even know we're there."

"And besides, it'll be some fun! When's the last time we all went to a party?" Pat asked.

They all nodded, thinking about it.

"I'm going" Thomas said, standing and making his way downstairs. "If you care to join me, I'll be amongst the festivities."

A few hours into the night, Elizabeth was on the dance floor as Footloose played loudly. She turned to Markus, who was slightly drunk. "I love this song! Dance with me!" She smiled.

Thomas watched her from across the room as she threw her hair back and forth to the music. He found something so wonderful about the way her face lit up with a smile as she danced, letting her cares melt away.

Although it didn't last for long. There was the sound of an engine outside. Elizabeth rushed to the window to see who it could be, and her heart dropped.

It was Derick, he'd gotten back early. And he looked beyond pissed.