MAGDALENA'S GHOST: THE HAUNTING OF THE HOUSE IN GALLOWS LANE Read Online Free PDF

Lucy couldn’t manage to do the steps two at a time like Anton, her fear of the house overwhelmed her lack of interest, so instead of lagging behind she ran up them as quick as she could. But by the time she had caught up to him, he was off again bounding up the remaining steps until he reached an enormous landing which branched off in at least two directions. He strutted around trying all the doors and peering out of the grimy windows to survey the grounds, the views, and the surrounding countryside. By the time Lucy caught up with him again, she found him standing in front of a door eyeing it suspiciously.
    “What’s so fascinating about that door?” she asked breathlessly.
    “Take a look at it, what do you see?”
    “I see a door, what am I expected to see? Surely you don’t think I can see through it – do you?”
    “Seriously Luce, doesn’t something strike you as odd?”
    She stared at it again, willing it to talk to her because she hadn’t a clue what she was supposed to be looking for, and quite frankly she didn’t give a toss.
    “It’s been sealed up, that’s what! Look, there’s no handle and no lock; it’s all been filled in.”
    Lucy felt a cold shiver run down her spine.
    “I don’t like it Anton, let’s get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps.”
    “That’s because you’re a woman. It’s perfectly natural for you to feel like that,” he replied nonchalantly. “You women are all the same.”
    Lucy’s mouth dropped open. She wasn’t too much pleased about that chauvinistic remark. It was completely out of character for Anton – or was it? Perhaps she had never really noticed before that he was a little chauvinistic. She liked to think he had a strong, macho personality which made her feel protected and safe – now she was having doubts. Her expression was showing signs of a pout and Anton was quick to notice.
    “Have I said something wrong?” he quizzed.
    But she just shrugged her shoulders. This house was coming between them already, she thought, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. It was clouding her vision and she was seeing something different under his skin. Oh God, how she wished they would get out of there. She could see their planned day going to the dogs. Time was moving on and they were getting nowhere.
    Anton seemed to get the message.
    “Come on Lucy. Buck up. This is a chance in a lifetime, you’ll see. Follow me and we’ll inspect all the other rooms and then we’ll leave. We’ll hand the keys back to the old chap and then move on.”
    Lucy felt relieved and happy to hear him say that, because she was beginning to believe that the house was taking control of him and she was starting to feel increasingly worried. She knew she was possibly being neurotic by feeling that she was playing second fiddle to a house, but that’s how it made her feel. The sooner they got out of there the better. She just hoped he would have got it out of his system by the time they handed the keys back. She sure didn’t want to think about living in it – a thought which made her visibly shudder.
    Having locked the house up and made it as secure as they could, they wandered back to the pub hand in hand. They didn’t stop to look at the graveyard, as the rain was coming on and the skies had grown quite dark. It was getting late and they had already missed the chance of reaching their destination before daylight disappeared altogether. Anton moved faster as the rain became quite heavy, and Lucy had to run to stay beside him as his hand tugged at hers. They almost ran into the pub together, and although the barman was still there the old man had disappeared.
    “Where is he?” Anton asked, trying to shake the rain off his tousled head.
    “He’s gone!” he grunted.
    “I can see that,” he responded downheartedly. “When will he be back?”
    “After seven, when we open again.”
    “Does that mean you’re closed?”
    “That is correct! No-one comes in at this