The Ghost & Mrs Muir

by hailsofwales

Recently widowed Lucy Muir decides to return to her childhood home of Whitecliffe to raise her daughter, Anna. After being hired as a maid for a local inn she is soon swept up in a whirlwind of paranormal activity that would change her life forever.

1. Chapter 1: Return to Whitecliffe

I

The train hissed and wheezed as it rolled into the Whitecliffe station. As the conductor blew his shrill whistle the carriage doors clicked open and passengers spilled onto the platform. As the smoke began to clear, the whistle sounded once more and the train slowly rolled onto its next destination. Upon the train's departure the platform was left relatively empty, save a young widow tightly gripping the hand of her young daughter. Both were dressed in full mourning, the widow's face a tight mask, the young girl bleary eyed from the long journey. "What will we do now mama?" The little girl yawned as she lay her head against her mother's arm, "We must find a place to stay the night," the young widow attempted a strained smile for the girl before gently dragging her along. The pair made their way through the station and out onto the muddy outer streets of the village. "Welcome to Whitecliffe, Anna," the widow squeezed her daughter's hand encouragingly as they started off down the main lane.

"Lucy? Lucy Forester is that you!" a familiar voice called from behind the pair. "Martha!" The widow dropped her daughter's hand and rushed to embrace her childhood friend. "I thought you'd gone to London!" The woman called Martha exclaimed. "I was until this morning. My husband recently passed and I decided to bring my daughter back to Whitecliffe." Lucy pulled Anna forward. "I'm so sorry for your loss," Martha placed a hand over her breast in a gesture of sympathy. "If you don't mind asking, Lucy, have you found a place to stay?" Martha looked from Lucy to Anna and back again. "Unfortunately no," Lucy sighed, "Then you must come and stay with me! My uncle passed on three years ago, God rest his soul, and he left me his cottage, you see, and I decided to open an inn." Martha beamed at the two weary travelers. "Are you sure?" Lucy implored but Martha merely smiled and waved her hand dismissively, "Of course, in fact, I insist that you come and I won't take no for an answer!" Lucy could broker no argument and followed Martha down the winding seaside path to the cottage on the outskirts of town.