The Histories of Hayward Hall (eBOOK)

Introduction

Welcome to The Histories of Hayward Hall.

I live in Melbourne, now the world’s second most liveable city. After seven years in top place.

That seems like a whole other universe.

And may or may not have changed after 111 consecutive days of Covid-related lock down.

Is there even a world’s most liveable city anymore?

Anyhow, I’ve been staying at home a lot lately.

Not making sourdough or redecorating, but watching movies.

And coming across mysteriously empty cups of tea.

Theoretically I’m free to travel wherever I like in Australia, but in practical terms, there aren’t that many places to visit.

For example, social distancing requirements mean my favourite Korean restaurant can only serve two people at a time for dinner in the restaurant. For their purposes, it’s easier, and more lucrative, to just offer take out.

And similarly, Melbourne’s historic houses and other attractions. Like Rippon Lea, the house that inspired these stories. All with regulated mask wearing and quantity restrictions in place.

Meanwhile, back at home, I’ve been watching a lot of horror movies.

Not sure why, it’s not like we aren’t currently living in a kind of horror scenario.

Hiding away in our homes, venturing out with masks and hand sanitiser only when necessary, waiting for the big bad bug to get us.

The Walking Dead of a different kind.

Though with mask wearing rules relaxing it’s harder to know who follows the science and who follows the conspiracy theorists.

Plus, we now have a black puppy that likes hiding in the shadows and leaping out on us.

And it’s not like I like horror that much. I only like it in so far as it doesn’t feel real. Like The Twilight Zone.

Stories that make you think.

And yet, I’ve been watching a lot of Haunted House movies.

It’s stunning how many horror stories rely on the good old evil something embedded in house trope.

Understandable really – I didn’t know how much noise my house made until my old dog died.

Fortunately, she is not an evil spirit infesting the house.

And neither is the puppy, much as it seems that way right now.

But I got to thinking, what if the problem in your house was not an evil spirit.

The movie The Others had one take on this, but there was still evil at the heart of it.

What, I wondered, if the “ghost” was someone just like you?

Someone who opened the wrong door at the wrong time and couldn’t get back.

What if the thing that knocked over your cup just wanted the ghost of a nice hot cup of tea?

And to get back home.

So.

Just for fun.

I wrote five stories about Morag Clementine, who takes an exceedingly well-paid job at Hayward Hall.

And just to prove that Haunted Houses aren’t always scary, I’ve included science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance as well as a horror story.

Starting with how Morag gets tangled up in the Hall.

Her love affair with Henry Fox.

Young Amelia Fox who investigates her disappearance.

Zoo, the paranormal investigator.

And Kumahl, who discovers the secret to sending her back.

And so, I present to you, five genre spanning original stories about a Haunted House, that’s not really haunted.

Alexandria Blaelock
Melbourne, Australia
February, 2021

Seeing as you’re not looking at a print book, you don’t need to worry so much about dog-eared pages or split spines.

But, we know you’re probably going to read in the bathroom, or while you’re eating lunch… So, just from a phone/tablet hygiene and safety point of view, please wash your hands, and don’t drop the phone! Might be an idea to clean the screen now and again as well.

Our distributor BookFunnel emails a download link to the address you use at checkout when your order is complete. If you don’t see it, please check your Spam folder, or if you’re using Gmail, check your Promotions tab.

Returns/refunds for ebooks are only considered for duplicate purchases within 48 hours of first purchase. We only refund the duplicate.