Jemima's Ghosts

By David Moodie

When Jemima moves to Hollow House, her grandmother's old home in Sleepy Hollow, she is greeted by an eerie voice warning of an impending storm and a falling tree, all within the first few seconds of arrival.
Following an encounter with a figure from a painting, Jemima is convinced that the house is haunted.
It falls to Jemima and Jake, her boyfriend, to solve the puzzle. Who is the haunter? And what about the magical tree people?
Meantime, back in England, Jake's brother is missing. The police visit the States to interview Jake.
With some help from Jemima's stepmother, Ciggie - and Malcolm, her elegantly dressed pet mouse - they learn that all of the answers lie within their own interwoven family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley
• Release date: Jul 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781786931740

Book preview

About the Author

David Moodie was born and raised and educated in Jamaica, where he raised money to build the Little Glyndebourne Theatre in the countryside in Maryland, Jamaica, where it still stands to this day. After leaving the island in 1968, he attended drama school, full time for three years in England. His first job in professional theatre was at the Midlands Arts Puppet Theatre Company as actor-puppeteer, and writer for his Director, John Blundell, the creator of Parker for TV’s Thunderbirds, and many marionettes for Gerry and Sylvia Andersen. David was the model for John’s Nutcracker Prince puppet which David voiced and manipulated in the production Fairy Tales of Hoffmann, whilst writing The Enchanted Well, John Blundell’s next production. Also in the company of seven was David Claridge, TV’s future Roland Rat and Mooncat.

After experience in repertory at Worthing and Plymouth, David formed his own David’s Puppets and The Fairytale Theatre Company, and toured the UK for 21 years, performing at such theatres as the Bristol Old Vic, and the Tricycle in London, Stratford Circus, Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford, Ustinov in Bath, to name but a few. David voiced and controlled the marionettes made by his partner, Paul Prestidge, and wrote all the touring fairytale adaptations. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Nutcracker and Mouse King, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess and the Pea, The Frog Prince, giving over three thousand performances. David also lectured Women’s Institutes, Luncheon and Business clubs on Marionettes, and was a speaker for the prestigious Shaw’s Corner Literary Society. in London. There were also private children’s party performances for birthdays, from council house to castle!

He is 66 this year and lives quietly at Gull Cottage, focusing on his writing. He is also an avid and eclectic reader.

Dedication

For the real Mrs. Tuttlebee for her kindness and inspiration and for her family.

David Moodie

JEMIMA’S GHOSTS

Copyright © David Moodie (2017)

The right of David Moodie to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781786931726 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781786931733 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781786931740 (E-Book)

www. austinmacauley. com

First Published (2017)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Acknowledgments

My grateful thanks to dear friends, Robert, Bridget, Dave, Sue, Norma and Rachael, and Ann Marie for their help and encouragement and dear Molly. Also to my shadows, Tom and Katie and thanks to Simon and Laura.

Chapter 1

What is wrong with the trees tonight, she thought. See how low they bend to almost break?

Wind that shakes to break the tree, she thought. Why are they so angry tonight? I have made no new spells. Ghostly wind, I summon thee, no, no, I must not, I promised.

A little while ago my woods were still, and now – now they roar – What is wrong, my children? I have done no harm, I have not sung my song, nor cursed those who do me ill. I have obeyed the code you beseech me to live by. I am alone and heartsick.

Why do you roar as if to crash down upon my humble cottage and drive me out into the angry night, homeless and woebegone? I will stretch out my hands, my arms and whisper an incantation to soothe you and calm your rage. Try as she might the trees would not be still, their raging more intense, their dancing to the deafening howling of the wind making her insecure and full of trepidation. Cease, will you! Cease or I will sing my song and we shall suffer the consequence – together.

John Jenkins was driving his daughter, Jemima, who had just turned sixteen, from their brownstone in New York to her grandmother’s house in the countryside in Tarrytown.

Grandmother had passed away and had left the house to John, who had been married to her daughter, Nell, Jemima’s mother. It was a huge, rambling, and mysterious house, and Jemima always felt uneasy there, even after all her magical adventures at Honeycomb House in England. They were only a few miles away, now and the signs were saying, Tarrytown. Jemima’s heart sank. John was listening to the car radio.

The honourable poor will always give you good advice, declared the radio.

As sure as God made little green ones, John chimed in.

"I