Page 40 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

My history teacher experience came in useful. She was speaking Early Modern English, probably post-Shakespeare. I could understand that easily enough from my readings of the bard’s plays. She wanted to know who I was.

‘I’m Heather. I started work here a few days ago, showing visitors around your lovely home.’ A bit of flattery mightn’t hurt. ‘It’s great to meet you in the flesh, Charlotte. I mean, in ghost form.’

She sniffed. ‘’Tis “My Lady” to thee.’

‘As you wish, My Lady.’

‘Only those gifted with witchery may see mine apparition. What manner of enchantress art thou, Heather?’

‘Currently, an inexperienced one,’ I admitted. ‘I didn’t even know about witchy things until a few weeks ago.’

‘“Witchy things”? Art thou referring to witchcraft?’

I bit my lip. ‘Yes. Were you a witch yourself?’

The ghost of the countess glared at me.

‘My Lady,’ I added hastily. Was I really being deferential to a ghost almost four hundred years old?

She stepped out of the mirror into the room itself, the glass oozing around her white satin shoes like gloop before springing back into the frame. ‘Nay. I was oft many things, but never hast I been a witch.’

Booted footsteps clattered on the wooden grand staircase. ‘Heather?’ Lydia’s voice came from the landing. ‘Are you okay?’

Swivelling toward the open door, I opened my mouth to call out that I was fine and not to worry. Before I could get the words out, Lydia shouted she was coming in to get me.

I spun back, but the countess’s ghost was gone.

Chapter 15

I DROVE TO AUNT RUTH’S house straight from work. My feet ached and my legs were weary from a day’s work at Chirtlewood. That damned operation. I’d lost all my fitness, and getting it back wasn’t as easy as when I was younger.

Raven met me at the door and gestured me into the living room. ‘Please forgive me about the coffee and the, um, disappearing. It’s...’

‘It’s what?’

‘It’s complicated. May I make it up to you by taking you out to dinner tonight or tomorrow?’

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