The Invitation
HELLO! UK|August 28, 2023
A change of King has made life difficult for John Falmouth, but he's safe with the widow of his old colleague - isn't he? Get caught up in Stacey Thomas's bewitching short story
The Invitation

York, October 1644 Before I’ve even mustered the courage to knock, the door to the townhouse flings open.

I drop my hand. “It is me, John Falmouth,” I say and wince at how loud my voice carries into the night. My greeting falters when I look up and notice the young woman standing before me. Her smooth countenance and black velvet gown lined with pearls leave me conscious of how dirty I am from the week spent travelling to York. “I am here to see Mr George Strong,” I finish once I’ve gathered myself.

Her mouth opens in surprise and I swallow down my fear that my welcome has been withdrawn. George has weathered the years well since we last met. I’m sure I’m not the only one of his old friends to have reached out in the hopes of a position.

“My husband died a month ago. A sudden illness,” she explains when I step back. Her firm grip saves me from stumbling down the wide marble steps.

“I am sorry for your loss,” I mumble, even while cursing myself for not writing to George sooner.

“You must come in, Mr Falmouth,” she says as I turn to make my way back to my mean accommodations. “I will not shame my husband’s memory by making his friend feel unwelcomed.”

Her offer is a temporary retreat, but one I am quick to accept. Without George’s aid, I am a stranger in a city still recovering from Parliament’s siege, which only ended at the Battle of Marston Moor a few months ago.

This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HELLO! UKView All
STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY
HELLO! UK

STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY

The Prince of Wales's love for Africa is well known: it is where he spent his gap year before heading to university.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE
HELLO! UK

FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE

It may have been spooky season, but that was no excuse for stylish celebrities to abandon their sartorial flair.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS
HELLO! UK

BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS

When Tom Hardy attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, he was accompanied by a very special fan.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES
HELLO! UK

STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES

The beautiful and dramatic scenery of Morocco's Atlas Mountains is the backdrop for Laura Dern's new film Lonely Planet, a love story in which she plays novelist Katherine opposite Liam Hemsworth's private equity hotshot Owen.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING
HELLO! UK

GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING

In a heartwarming ceremony filled with love, Lady Pamela Hicks's granddaughter Maddison May Brudenell said: \"I will\" at a 15th-century village church in one of the most extraordinary society weddings of the year - and HELLO! was there to witness the historic occasion.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 11, 2024
SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES
HELLO! UK

SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES

The Queen has vowed to keep fighting for victims of domestic saying: Keep until I am able to no more.\"

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK
HELLO! UK

PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK

HOW THE FRIENDS ARE SHARING THEIR PREGNANCY JOURNEY TOGETHER

time-read
5 mins  |
November 11, 2024
AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK
HELLO! UK

AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK

Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with New York's style elite as America's fashion industry gathered to honour some of its top designers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ
HELLO! UK

LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ

He has danced with some of the greatest legends of ballet, partied with the biggest names in showbusiness and performed with royalty.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 11, 2024
SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21
HELLO! UK

SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21

As she celebrates her 21st birthday this week, Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor is growing up into an engaging young woman.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024