Page 37 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

Aunt Ruth’s voice broke me out of my stupor. ‘Sugar, anyone?’

Chapter 14

AT CHIRTLEWOOD HOUSE the next morning, we ate pastries again. This time Melissa had brought them. Once again, she was smartly dressed with black trousers, a white cotton top, black loafers and a grey wool cardigan, accompanied by a pearl necklace and a flashy handbag. I was pretty sure the necklace was fake and the handbag was a knock-off.

Melissa raised a finger as if she’d remembered something and she wanted to hold a place in the conversation while she finished chewing. ‘You missed some excitement yesterday, Heather. A couple of tourists ran downstairs, their faces white as chalk, claiming that someone or something had touched the wife’s shoulder with an icy hand. When they turned around to see who it was, there was no one there.’

My eyes widened. A ghostly encounter in my first week! And I’d missed it. ‘Where did it happen?’

‘In the countess’s bedchamber.’

‘It’s not infrequent,’ Penny said tonelessly. ‘We used to record these events in journals that we set aside for the purpose, but we stopped because we ran out of time.’

‘And journals!’ Lydia added, giggling.

I laughed with them. ‘What did you say to the tourists? Did they ask for their money back or want to make a complaint?’

‘No. They went to the Orangery for a drink and then came back asking if they could have a selfie with the resident ghost.’

Melissa sniggered. ‘And we asked, “Which one?”’

‘Has anyone caught anything on camera?’ I asked, intrigued.

Lydia shook her head. ‘No. They’re camera-shy.’

Penny inclined her head. ‘Maybe they don’t show up on film. Remember that film crew who were here for half a night?’

I frowned. ‘Why did they stay only half a night?’

‘They intended to stay all night, but most of them ran off after eleven. We found the last two clinging together in our office in the morning.’

‘You know, I’m so glad I found this job. It’s such an incredible place, and you’re all such amazing colleagues.’

‘We’re more than just colleagues,’ Melissa corrected.

‘Yes,’ Lydia added. ‘We sometimes get together for movies at home with wine, chocolate, snacks, whatever. Book club once a month. Are you interested?’

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