RESIDENT Ghosts

If they didn’t unravel the mysterious goings-on soon, who knew how far things could go?

THE STORY SO FAR: The Old Rectory has been cut off by floodwater, stranding owner Caroline Watson, her friend Jessica and five people involved in a TV reality show, Resident Ghosts. The medium, Hermione Dove, insists an intruder was in her room. Later, Caroline finds Hermione’s research notes and realises she is a fake. Someone must have taken the notes from Hermione’s room, but who? Meanwhile, other things go missing, including sleeping medication. Hermione admits she’s a fake; she now thinks the spirits are out to get their revenge. Keith Corbett, the producer, is furious about her deception. That night, Caroline is woken by tapping on her window. She looks out into the darkness, sure someone is watching her, but sees no one.

Everyone gathered in the warm kitchen the next morning, where Will was stirring a pan of porridge. Caroline was thinking how homely it all seemed until she saw Keith’s scowl.

‘Did you sleep OK, Keith?’ Caroline asked.

‘No, I did not,’ he said. ‘I was too angry.’

‘I thought someone was tapping on my window,’ Caroline said. ‘It sounded very real.’

‘I think it will be best to cancel Resident Ghosts at the end of this run before someone gets hurt,’ Keith said. ‘What a nightmare.’

‘You can’t mean that!’ Emmanuel said. ‘I can understand you wanting to get rid of the fake medium,’ he added, with a withering glance in Hermione’s direction, ‘but you know I’m popular as the presenter.’

Hermione snorted. ‘If you try to get rid of me, I will sue.’

‘Maybe you should review your contract, Hermione,’ Keith said. ‘But go ahead. Waste your money on lawyers if you must.’

He clearly had something else on his mind. ‘Has anyone seen the notebook Caroline gave me?’