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And now here I was, just turned eighteen, back in the midst of the fantasy confusion I’d had when I was eight.
I felt two different sides of myself battling, but there was no doubt which was going to win the war this time. For once in my life, thestupid little girlwas going to stand up for herself and come up trumps. How could she not? Meeting a vampire named Hans and hearing him talk of witches, and wizards, and ghosts. There was no denying it. George and his wife were sitting at the bar.
Whatever the outcome of the inner battle, I had to get a grip of myself.
I couldn’t break down in the Regency bathroom, rocking on the tiled floor like the world was ending. The world wasn’t ending at all. My eyes were simply opening.
I moved from the cubicle to the basin and put my hands under the cold, running water, trying to slow down my heartrate.I needed to calm down.I thought that might be working a little until the bathroom door swung open.
There she was.Margaret.And she wasn’t just a waving figure at the other end of the bar this time, she was right up close, standing beside me.
She was a frail old lady, but she carried herself so well, standing tall. The wrinkles around her eyes complemented her warm smile, and she was dressed so perfectly demure, in a cream blouse and dark green skirt, with an emerald broach at the collar. She looked like she belonged on George’s arm. Most definitely.
“My husband has said lovely things about you,” she told me. “He said you were an excellent barmaid, always very helpful. That’s a massive compliment for an old grump like him.”
I felt like a fool, out of my depth when I replied with a ridiculousthank you, that’s a lovely thing to hear.
“It’s really quite the novelty to be seen by someone after all this time,” she said. “For over a decade I’ve been wandering around our house, trying to get George to see me, but it was like screeching at a wall. I only wish I’d accompanied him to the bar sooner, I may have been able to have a bit of chatter to fill my days.”
She gave a little chuckle.
I knew I was staring, and my mouth was gaping. I was talking to a freaking ghost.
“Just as well George met his end and came to join me, wasn’t it?” she went on. “I was about to give up and go haunt someone else, just to get them to notice me.”
She was joking, but my laugh in return got stuck in my throat. I sounded like a coughing frog.
“Oh dear,” she said. “Are you ill, my love? You look like you’re burning up.”
“I just can’t believe this is really happening,” I admitted.
“Can’t believe what is happening?”
I gestured at her wildly. “This. Seeing you. Seeing George. Everything.”
Her expression showed her confusion.
“Surely this can’t be the first time? You are a witch, after all.”
The room spun, my eyes trying to stay fixed on her.
“Sorry, what? What did you say?”
Her eyes sparkled along with her broach.
“A witch, sweetheart. You’re a witch, yes?”
I shook my head. “No.”
She looked as though I’d just told her the moon was made of cheese.
“You’re not a witch? Really?”
I kept on shaking my head. “No. I’m not.”
“Good Lord. What are you, then? A psychic, or full-blown ghost whisperer? You’re not a vampire yet, clearly.”
“I’m none of them,” I blustered. “I don’t think so, anyway. I’m just a girl from Orcop.”
