A/N: This is my first "Ghost" story, which was intended to be a short one shot after seeing the movie on Turner Classic Movies for the first time in years. All reviews are appreciated.
Lucy Muir walked down the stairs in a trance, turning to take one last glance at the house in London before returning her gaze to the street. Her first thought was to hire a carriage to take her home, but she decided against it. A nice long walk would do her good. The sights and sounds of the people and places around her would surely take her mind off of why she had come to the house in the first place, if only for a moment.
As she made her way down the first few blocks, she began to feel fatigued. It was a feeling that she didn't often experience but now it began to hit her full force. Perhaps it was best to catch a ride. Wearily she waved her arm in hopes of catching the attention of the nearest carriage driver. But it seemed that her actions were overlooked. And so she carried on, feeling weaker and weaker with each step.
Finally, as if by fate a carriage stopped, and a kind-looking man peered at her. "You need a ride, Miss?"
"Yes, please. I hope it's not a burden. I'm so tired."
He smiled and jumped down from his seat, offering her his hand to allow her to climb into the carriage.
"Where to?"
"Whitecliff. Gull Cottage to be exact."
The man's eyebrows rose. "Whitecliff? That's quite a long distance. Are you sure you're up for such a long journey?"
She winced, thinking of the fact that she'd come a long way only to leave with a shattered heart. But she quickly pushed the thought from her mind, ignoring the pain that lingered in her chest. She couldn't be crying all the way home. What would the driver think of her? And she of herself? Even when her beloved husband passed away the tears were few and far between. She loved him of course, but she wasn't the type of woman who showed her emotions easily. And so she plastered on a smile. "Yes, I'm quite up to it, thank you. And cost is no issue. I really need to get home and whatever the cost, it will be more than worth it."
The man shook his head. "Na, no charge ma'am."
She was completely shocked. "No, you can't do that. It's not right. It's such a long way."
"No problem. The least I can do for a woman in need."
She looked up sharply. "A woman in-."
"If you don't mind my saying so ma'am, you looked a little lost walking down the sidewalk."
She pondered this for a moment. It was certainly true, figuratively speaking. She was lost, but she also knew exactly where she was going. However, right now she didn't care where the day led her as long as it was home. The man was still staring at her and so she smiled again. "Yes, I suppose I am lost, a little, but I'll be all right when I get home. Take me there, will you?"
"Yes, ma'am." The driver put the carriage in motion and they began to move slowly down the street.