In places the ceilings were sagging giving the appearance that they were ready to fall any time. There was still furniture, although it was covered in mildew, rubble and dust.

The stairs creaked ominously as I slowly ascended. Although the stairs appeared to be quite solid I still took extreme care. It would not do to break my leg in here as it would be a long time, if ever, before help would arrive.

The last set of stairs leading to the attic were a bit rickety, but I managed to get up there. At the top of the stairs was a corridor leading to the back of the house. I was not interested in that, only the door facing me which was to the room I had seen from outside.

I had to really exert myself before the door gave way and opened. What had I expected? Not what greeted me. It was just a plain room with a double bed and a rather large wingback chair. This floor of the house had fared better as there was less rubble however dust was still piled everywhere. I settled down to await darkness.

As the sun settled and the house cooled there were creaks and groans throughout the house. I knew it was only the house expanding and contracting, all very natural. What was not natural was the light coming from the corner.

Slowly the light solidified and I could make out that it was a woman. A spectacularly beautiful woman, albeit a ghost, nonetheless a stunning woman. Ever so slowly she moved over to the window and stared out. As she moved away from the window she wiped her hand across her eyes, as if wiping away a tear.

I had never seen anything like this before and I was rooted to the spot. As if becoming aware of me she turned towards me. Her piercing blue eyes stared into mine, stared as if looking deep down into my soul.

Her face broke into a smile, more than just a smile, it was an expression of utter joy. She put her arms out as if to embrace me and as she did she slowly faded away.

I know it sounds improbable, even impossible, but in those few seconds I had fallen deeply in love. How can you fall in love with a ghost? I don’t know and even now I still ask myself that question, but somehow I felt as if I knew her and had known her for a lifetime.

I came back night after night but never saw her again. I felt I had lost a part of myself, an important part. For nearly a year I returned every night, until the demolished the house. Time had moved on and so I had to also. Some things have to be relegated to memory.

Slowly I became aware of my surroundings again. Nothing had changed while I was musing over my memories. Old Mrs Beaumont still sat exactly in the same position as before even though the best part of two hours had passed. She had probably wet herself by now, as is her wont.

Still too early to go out for a walk, to escape, so to speak. No good rushing this, they will only catch you and then give you sedatives to “calm” you. Another memory might kill some more time.