For the guest who suggested a story with Tricia's ghost. Not exactly supernatural, sorry, but this is what came out. I hope you enjoy.

—

Sarah felt poorly. Her nose was blocked and when she coughed it hurt. It wasn't her fault she couldn't pay attention in class, or that Mrs Bradshaw wouldn't listen when she tried to tell her she wasn't feeling well. On the lunch bell, Sarah had pulled on her coat and walked with hood pulled up against the rain, fists pushed into her pocket, and scarf wrapped so tightly only her nose was visible to anyone she passed. Not that she passed anyone on her way to the police station. She would tell her daddy she felt poorly and he would wrap her up in a warm blanket and cuddle her, and she would feel better straight away.

"Hello?" Sarah called in a little voice when she entered the station. When there was no reply, she tried to look over the counter but still wasn't quite tall enough, so walked through into the station.

Her Uncle Alf was fast asleep at his desk, his cup of tea still steaming. Sarah glanced towards her father's door and then considered Alf's lunchbox, but she didn't feel hungry today.

Sarah approached the door to her father's office, and when she saw it was ajar, she peaked around it. "..where's my daddy?"

The woman in the room smiled and stepped forward. "He wanted me to meet you here and look after you until he comes back. And first you need to get out of that wet scarf and jacket."

Sarah sniffed and considered the woman, then nodded and began to undo the buttons of her jacket. "…I know you."

The woman smiled. Her skin was so pale it was almost seethrough. "My name is Tricia."

"My Aunty Tricia. You're a doctor!"

"I was." She nodded as Sarah put her jacket and scarf on the chair. "Now come and stand near the fire, you need to warm up."

"I feel poorly." Sarah sniffed miserably.

"I know, sweetheart. That's why I'm here. I'm going to look after you."

Sarah sat down cross legged in front of the fire, and Tricia sat down next to her, stroking her hair.

"I want my mummy."

"I know. She will be here soon. But I need you to stay awake, okay? Stay awake and tell me all about your life."

Sarah coughed and then took one of Tricia's hands in hers. "I have a teacher called Mrs Bradshaw who is a witch."

…

"Good work, lads!" Dennis Merton offered as they entered the police station. "Two nasty men off the streets, and no one injured in the arrest."

"Well, aside from me, sarge." Bellamy offered.

"A stubbed toe does not equal an on the job injury, Bellamy." Merton sighed as he turned towards his office.

"Sarge, maybe we should call the DI before he heads this way." Mike Bradley offered, following behind him.

"Good idea, Mike. Maybe we can- SARAH?!"

Everyone in the station heard the anguished cry and raced to the office to see a pale little girl laying in front of the fire, her brow damp and her breathing laboured.

As Phil rushed away to call an ambulance, Dennis pulled his daughter into his arms, stroking her hair back. "What's happened?"

"It's alright, daddy. Aunty Tricia had been looking after me." Sarah smiled tiredly into the corner.

Dennis' eyes lifted to look into the corner, and then moved to glance at the man stood in the doorway. The man who was as white as a ghost.

…

Early the next morning, Mike walked into the hospital and went to the front desk. "Hi, Lizzie."

She glanced up with a smile. "Hi, Mr Bradley. What are you doing here?"

"Ah, I'm looking-"

"Mike." Dennis stood there, still in uniform and looking exhausted, his arms hanging limply by his sides.

"Is-"

"She's alright. Well, she will be. She's got whooping cough, but they've got it under control."

Mike let out a breath of relief. "Let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Thanks." Dennis nodded.

"Sarge. What she said-"

"Sarah had a very high fever, Mike. She didn't know what she was saying. I'm heading home for some rest and I'll see you at work later." Dennis said sternly, walking from the hospital.

…

"Hi." Jenny gave Mike a tired smile, then accepted the hug he gave her.

"Dennis said she's out of the woods."

Jenny nodded. "Thank goodness. They said if she had stayed in her wet clothes, or if her fever hadn't broken in front of the fire, or if she had fallen asleep.."

"..did he tell you what she said?"

Jenny nodded, and looked up at Mike, almost hopeful. "Do you really think it was?"

"It's exactly what she would have done." He nodded. He thought perhaps he shouldn't mention the scent of Tricia's perfume that still lingered in the office.

Jenny smiled at this, her hand going to the gold necklace she still wore.

From her bed, Sarah smiled at the pale woman stood by the window and gave her a small wave.

Mike Bradley saw a glimpse of raven hair in the window, a waft of a familiar fragrance, and suddenly knew peace for the first time in years.