True Colours
Womans Weekly Fiction Special|March 2020
Lucy had never believed in ghosts, but it seemed this one had something very specific in store for her
Valerie Bowes
True Colours

And this is the dining room,’ Lucy said brightly. ‘As you can see, it’s set out as it would have been in the 17th century, when the Marlings lived here.’

She was finding it hard to concentrate on her tried and tested commentary today. Where was Owen? He should have been here. He’d get a flea in his ear from Harry if he turned up now, this late in the day. But what if he didn’t?

The visitors moved around the gracious room, looking at the portraits that hung on the walls. The long table was laid with a snowy white cloth and a dinner service with a wide green stripe that seemed garish to modern eyes.

Lucy cast a wistful eye over the array of wine glasses, but a cup of tea would have to do for her, when she’d finished taking this lot round.

Two of the Americans went to stare out of the long windows at the intricate knot garden, exclaiming delightedly that now they could see the pattern which was so difficult to understand at ground level, even when viewed from The Mound.

A bored sigh reached Lucy’s ears. The teenage girl, who was clearly being dragged around by her mother against her will, had done little more than check her phone every five minutes, even though it was quite clear there was no signal in the house. Hardly worth paying the entrance fee for her, Lucy thought.

‘Isn’t this a lovely room, Eva?’ the girl’s mother said, a touch of desperation creeping into her tone.

Eva shrugged. ‘Whatever.’ The girl’s mum smiled apologetically to Lucy. ‘I used to love coming here when I was a child. I always hoped to see the ghost.’

Her daughter rolled her eyes. ‘Mu-um!’

‘Have you ever seen her?’ the mother asked Lucy. Lucy shook her head.

Denne historien er fra March 2020-utgaven av Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 2020-utgaven av Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMANS WEEKLY FICTION SPECIALSe alt
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Perfect Gift

The change to their Christmas plans was a shock, though it could teach them a lesson…

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Christmas Is Coming

With all the mess, noise and disruption, she was seriously struggling to embrace the festive spirit

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Generation G-App

It was a lovely idea, but surely there was no way the project would become a successful reality?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Tree

The cottage had no festive cheer, but could Jennie create the impression of Yuletide joy before it was too late?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

We All Stand Together

If the plan failed, Joan wouldn’t be the only one having an unhappy Christmas

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
The Christmas Robin
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Robin

Presents to buy, food to cook and a tree to decorate – could she create the perfect day?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Maudie's First Christmas
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Maudie's First Christmas

With all her dreams of a family Christmas dashed, it seemed that Ruth would have to adjust to a very different festive season this year...

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Friends Like You

Leah was about to find out what sort of people she’d had in her life all these years…

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Breaking Point

She hoped her children would start to compromise soon, or they were in for a distinctly frosty festive season

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan

Well-known for her heart-warming family tales, Sarah Morgan’s latest novel is packed full of love and laughter. Here, she reveals how she comes to craft her characters and she gave her new release that sprinkle of festive magic...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020