The Spirit of Hope Cottage

By Julia M. Harrison

“She felt a shiver go down her spine as if she was seeing her own grave.”

When a couple from London, Ruby and Henry Gully, arrive in a quaint and historic Cheshire village to begin a new life in a new home, a series of unnerving events take place – including the shadow of a young woman appearing momentarily in the loft.

When Ruby later explores the local churchyard, she is shocked to discover the grave of Ruby Anne Fellows (which, coincidentally, is Ruby’s own maiden name) who died at the age of 32 by drowning in the nearby Marston Lake. Ruby’s powerful reaction to the grave, and her acknowledgement of her own lifelong fear of water, make her consider the possibility that she has some kind of uncanny connection to this unfortunate woman.

Ruby soon realises that Ruby Fellows once lived in her new home, Hope Cottage, and her husband bore a striking resemblance to her own husband, Henry.

What could possibly be happening? Could she and her husband be the original Ruby and Henry now living in a different era? Could they be reliving a previous life?

In this, Julia M. Harrison’s first novella, she enjoys telling a tale that originated from the inspiration she felt while staying at her friends’ cottage. Using her inventiveness and story-telling ability, she brings Hope Cottage and its imagined mysterious history to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julia M. Harrison
• Release date: Dec 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780995568211

Book preview

Moving into a historic village in the north of Cheshire, with all its old cobbled pathways, and little box-style houses was a dream come true for Henry and Ruby Gully. After many years of living in London and being a part of the city set, Henry, a GP at a large practice in the city and Ruby, a teacher, had always wanted a less stressful life, and the sale of their town house in Putney gave them the opportunity to move into a beautiful old cottage on the main high street of the village. As Henry parked in the drive and opened the door to their new home that they had viewed on their web cam - the easy way people view houses these days - this was not only a new start it was the time to settle down and start a family. Henry stood in the kitchen talking to the removal men while making coffee. Ruby walked around the house going through each room; as she had only viewed the house online through the estate agents’ website it was nice to get a real feel for the place. As she walked up the second set of stairs into the extended loft bedrooms she suddenly felt a cold chill. She stood by the window watching people walking up and down the street, the very large removal van was right outside. As she turned around she saw out of the corner of her eye a shadow of a young woman.

Who are you? she asked.

Just at that moment the woman seemed to vanish through the wall. Ruby thought for a moment. It’s been a long drive, perhaps I’m tired. She continued to look out of the window. An old lady stared up at her from the high street. She looked angry yet Ruby had never seen her before. This was making Ruby feel uneasy as she left the room and made her way back downstairs. Henry looked annoyed.

Where have you been? he asked, we needed your help and you just took off.

I was upstairs.

"No you were not, I went in every room and you were nowhere to be seen.

Where are the removal men? asked Ruby.

They left a few hours ago.

But I saw the van outside through the window.

Henry was looking irritated by Ruby’s last statement. Look it’s been a long journey and we are both very tired, let’s call it a night.

Why are the blinds closed? asked Ruby.

It’s dark outside, replied Henry. It’s past 11pm. I will put the lights out, I’m going to bed.

Ruby sat in the kitchen thinking about what had happened. Where did that time go? Why did we move here? We don’t know anyone and viewing a house online does not give anyone a feel about a place. As she put her cup in the dishwasher she had an uneasy feeling about the cottage that they had moved into. She walked upstairs and into the bedroom; Henry was already in the shower. Ruby sat on the bed for a few minutes before he came out of the en-suite.

Look darling, it’s been a long day, said Henry as he got into bed. I am sorry I snapped at you, the removal men did not know where to put things and you did seem to be gone a while. A short while later Ruby joined him.

I’m not sure about this cottage, I have a strange feeling, she said.

You’re tired. Talking of this cottage, an old lady gave me a book this afternoon. She looked like someone out of an old period drama. She was most concerned that I read it, but insisted that you should see it.

As they flicked through the pages it was amazing to see all the houses in High Street and the way they are now. In the middle of the book was a photo of Hope Cottage as it was in 1902; a couple stood outside in long traditional old English clothing. As Ruby stared at the photo she realized it looked just like the woman she had seen in the attic bedroom above their room. But what really took her by surprise was the man standing next to her who was the spitting image of Henry.

That looks like you, she