THE MUSIC LOVING GHOST

Hello again

I had another book launch in Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday which went very well as people seem intrigued by “The Day Of The Swans” and it’s now on many reading group lists. After a lovely meal with friends, I stayed with one of them. When we got back to her place, we sat in front of a large fire, drinking a superb bottle of Chablis and talking late into the night. [Such decadence – I love it!] I didn’t get to sleep until nearly 5 a.m. as my brain was an over-load of conversations and images. Then I woke up at 7.30 a.m.  So very little sleep.

My friend lives outside Tunbridge Wells in an ancient farmhouse which is haunted. Part of it dates back to 13th century and there’s a bricked up door in the music room. As she was getting dressed the next morning, I asked if I could play her baby-grand piano which has the most amazing decorations on it like a Chinese painting. As I was playing, I heard the sound of a latch being lifted behind me and I thought my friend had walked in. I stopped playing and turned around expecting to see her but there was no one else. What unnerved me was the door into the music room was wide open and there’s no latch on it. When she did come in to find out why I’d stopped playing as she was enjoying it, I told her what I’d heard. She told me that the ghost always came into the room when her husband played the piano and usually through the bricked up wall!!

The piano was angled in a corner and anyone who played it had their back to the bricked up door so  I found it too unnerving to continue playing. When I’d walked into the room the atmosphere was good which was strange. I would love to play her beautiful piano again, but don’t know if I have the courage to do so. I am now left wondering who this music-loving ghost was. Very intriguing, isn’t it?  

More extracts from "The Red Body Stocking" next week.