MAGDALENA'S GHOST: THE HAUNTING OF THE HOUSE IN GALLOWS LANE by PEPPI HILTON Page A

scullery and sitting room glowed warmly from the heat of the fire and the range, plus the cosy atmosphere which they had managed to create with their joint efforts.
    “Oh, I see you’ve moved the old rocker,” she interjected as an afterthought.
    “Yes, I’ve decided I’m going to use it, if you don’t find it comfy enough. I thought it was quite comfortable when I tried it, especially with that old cushion on it which I found in a cupboard. It’s so old that rocker that I would suspect it could tell a tale or two. It’s one of those things you’d sit on in front of the fire on a cold winter’s night telling ghost stories. I think you should wash that old blanket Luce, the one which was on the floor, it’s ideal for wrapping round the legs whilst rocking. I love old things like that, it’s very nostalgic. My old granddad had one very similar and I used to sit on his knee as a child when he was on it. He would rock away whilst I cuddled up to him. Ah yes, fond memories, I remember it all so well!” He sighed deeply, as his reminiscing brought back happy thoughts of his childhood. “So, I’ve decided that I’m going to keep it and the old cushion and blanket as well. I think I’ll leave it there where it is at the side of the fireplace.”
    Lucy couldn’t help but think the old cushion and the drab, grey, woollen blanket were past their sell-by-date, and she wasn’t much keen on washing them either. Who knows where they’d come from, or what they’d been used for; she cringed at the thought.
    Her thoughts turned to Anton. It was evident that he was turning into a slightly unrecognisable and over-contented human being. His lust for excitement and adventure seemed to have disappeared, having been replaced with Juniper; and that’s all he seemed to need now. She frowned as she watched his smug expression of satisfaction. Clearly he wasn’t being visited by some strange old woman in rags when he sat on the old rocker. Lucy felt strangely demoralised. Was there some kind of strange conspiracy going on here, which was beyond her understanding? The whole scenario was certainly questionable.
    He continued to scoff his food, and gave a sigh of approval when he’d finished. There was no doubt he was as pleased as punch in his new surroundings and was enjoying the simple basic lifestyle which they were currently stuck with, at least for now. He was king of the castle in his own little fantasy world, and Lucy felt as if they’d suddenly turned into a pair of old, married pensioners, and the two fun-loving young people that they used to be before Juniper had ceased to exist.
    “It may sound strange, but I feel as if I’ve finally come home.”
    “This is home,” she reminded him, whilst at the same time reflecting on what she’d just said and wondering if she could ever think of it as home .
    “I know, but it’s more than that. I feel as if I’ve just returned from a very long voyage and I belong here. It’s as if this has always been home for me. It has that kind of welcoming feel, one that recognises you as if you’re a past friend.” He sat back in his chair with a look of self- satisfaction on his face, having just had his belly full and looking quite content. Lucy couldn’t help but think he was behaving as if he were ‘lord of the manor’, not mortgagee of an old decrepit house – and with a huge debt round around both of their necks.
    She could see that Juniper had really got under his skin and she was beginning to feel as if she didn’t belong in his fantasy world any more, as if this house was all about him . In fact, he was making her feel like an intruder – or the charwoman, and she wasn’t certain which category she most fitted into. But the constant nagging thoughts remained firmly fixed in her mind, that whilst he was being welcomed home – as he put it – she was being made to feel like an outsider, or maybe even an obstacle! She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she certainly