The Ghost at Chingford
Chapter 1
3rd of March , 1897 .
" Feed the horses while you get the water at the well! ," Mrs . Chingford shouted . " Yes , Mrs . Chin... I mean , Madam ,"I sighed , dragging the water bucket at my feet . Mrs . Chingford frowned curiously at Me . " Why are you dragging that bucket in such a manner , Alice? I do wish you would brighten up at this moment , we're having so much trouble with the kids ," . I sighed again but quietly , I didn't want to lose my job . I walked down the marble staircase , heaving the bucket up and down while it knocked at my knees . Rose and Laura skipped in front of Me , waving their beautiful brown hair , side to side in their Sunday best dresses . Both of their dresses had a white base , frills on the bottom and a thin silk bow around the waist . " Do get out of our way Al , or otherwise you'll trip and get in trouble with mother ," Rose and Laura said at the same time , giggling . I hurried further until I got to the well . I dragged the bucket towards the stables and carefully put down the bucket . I patted my favourite horse , Chesnut while scooping up some grains and sprinkling them into every horses mouth . The stars were in the sky and it was full moon . The birds were chirping , like they were having a midnight party . Everything else sounded silent . Soon every horse got it's filling and I sat down on the cement path and gazed up at the stars . It was so peaceful after all the work I did today . I'm not supposed to work here , anywhere but I needed to earn some money for my family up in Timaru . I get 9 pounds a year , a pound each for how old I am and if I worked harder at least 10 pence more . I looked at the Chingford mansion , all the marble and expensive statues made Me feel that I wanted to kill myself . Suddenly I saw a flicker inside the mansion . Smoke started to spread inside and around the house . I ran as fast as I could towards it . I fought the flames and found George , the youngest child in his cot , sleeping but not breathing properly . I ran back outside to meet Mrs . Chingford , Rose , Laura , Daniel and the other servants all wheezing and looking utterly confused with black marks on their face and clothes . Mrs . Chingford wept to see George in my arms and kissed both of his cheeks . " Where is the master? ," I asked . I already new what had happened . Mrs . Chingford gave Me a foul look but then brightened up , since I had saved her baby boy . To be continued ...
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jazzy_wassy
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1st of March , 2005 .
Great-Grandma Alice was visiting us today . She's 119 and 19 years ago , she was sent a letter saying " Congratulations on turning 100! Kindest regards , Her Majesty the Queen ," . She nearly got a heart attack when she read it . My Great-Grandma loves telling stories to us , her 9 great-grandchildren , including me , Alex . Even though my name sounds a bit boyish , I'm a girl . Great-Grandma Alice had given birth to my dad , Jack , my Aunt Eloise , my Aunt Valerie , my Uncle John , my Uncle Thomas and my Uncle James . Eloise had given birth to Isaac , a 5 year old boy . Valerie had no children because she says that all her sisters , brothers , nieces and nephews are enough for her . John married a lady called Maria and has two twin girls , Jasmine and Violet - the two flower twins . Thomas married a lady called Jennifer and has 4 children , 1 girl - Claire and three boys called Sam , Chris and Jacob . Finally James married a lady called Kyra and has 1 girl called Ella . It was 5 days until my birthday and Great-Grandma Alice told us about what she did when she was a little girl , while us children's parents were chatting in the kitchen . Great-Grandma Alice began her story " I was 9 when I found work to pay off my family's bills . I was paid 9 pounds a year [ cough , cough ] and I was a servant to a family named the Chingford's . They had two girls called Rose and Laura and two boys , one a baby , called George and Daniel . I never saw my master's face but I certainly saw enough of the mistress . She was nice to me enough but pretended I was just a baby , serving her everyday . " She paused and stared at how all the children except me and Ella , were slumping like we couldn't be bothered . It didn't get to her so she carried on " ... In March , we had just come back from Sunday church and everybody was tired . At 8:00 o'clock , I was told to fetch some water from the well and feed the horses at the stables . Anytime we were going down to the well , we had to use the gold bucket , which weighed a heap in your hands , for the Chingford families water , and the dirty water bucket for the servants . I had to fetch water for the master ... " Great-Grandma Alice was interrupted by Jasmine . " The master?? You sound like you were a dog!! EEEWWWWWWW!!!!! ," She shrieked . I felt like I wanted to punch her . How could she be so mean to Great-Grandma Alice? Great-Grandma Alice is telling us how she had to talk then and she's telling us how she had to serve in the 1800's! Great-Grandma Alice drooped down , lowering her head . I saw her cry . I ran towards Jasmine and pinched her , hard . She did deserve it but soon all the adults were gasping and grasping Jasmine to stop screaming and clawing at me . Great-Grandma Alice stood up , lifted her arms and shouted " SILENCE! It was my fault , telling them my horrible stories and them reacting . If I may , I'll tell them the rest of the story later tomorrow ," . Jack nodded . After that , Great-Grandma Alice slowly walked up to her room leaving us in total silence . To be continued ...