This is another 500 word exercise from my writing course. This is also one of the very few pieces based on something that has actually happened to me. The house is fictitiously called Greywalls but, in fact, was the lovely house I first went to see in 1975 and eventually resurrected and lived in for 10 years. And yes......that 'ghost' did brush by me!



Greywalls

I knew I had to go there alone. Not that I was about to make any unilateral decisions but I’m funny about old houses. Its hard to explain but if they don’t feel right – if I don’t get the right vibes about them – then it’s a thumbs down!
When Greywalls came onto the market we both got excited. Well, it was two hundred and sixty years old, three stories, stood all on its own and had real and genuine character. It also hadn’t been lived in for two years and this made me a little wary. So I made an appointment to have an initial look and drove out there one afternoon.
I have to say that it was an impressive building - a typical seventeenth century Scottish farmhouse – solid, plain and functional. I drove up between huge Yew trees and parked in front of the house, got out and stood for a while. Nine windows looked down on me – probably wondering who I was and what I wanted! Three pigeons fluttered in panic out of a glassless second floor window. Not a good sign!
Before going inside, I walked around the back and was confronted by an overgrown wilderness, a pillared porch and a breathtaking view over farmland that stretched to the distant Cheviot Hills. I sat on the porch step, leaned back in the warm sunshine and closed my eyes. There were country sounds, muted and peaceful, complemented by subtle country smells – dry grassy scents and a warm, woody fragrance. I felt comfortable here. Somehow, I felt the garden seemed to belong to the house and they were both happy for me to be sitting here. Well, I told you it was hard to explain!
Into the house and through to the terra cotta tiled hallway. These were big rooms – comfortable and needing to be lived in – but at that moment, cold and somehow reserved. I had the strangest sensation that they – this whole house – was watching and waiting to approve of me.
Or not!
This rather weird sensation persisted as I made my way up the wide and curving staircase. It was darker and cooler here. Reaching the first landing I began to ascend the next flight when something happened that made my neck hairs tingle. Something came past. Don’t ask me what. It came from above and brushed by like a cold draught. Nothing to be seen – just a scary awareness - and then it was gone.
Do you know, after that the whole house felt warmer and more inviting? Really strange.
As I made my way out, I stood and looked back. I felt good about the house. Greywalls. Those nine windows were virtually smiling down at me now, so I smiled back – and just before getting into the car, I stuck both thumbs in the air.
I’m sure one of the windows winked!

END