The Histories of Hayward Hall (PAPERBACK)

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

We recommend storing your book away from sunlight on a clean dry shelf, washing your hands before you pick it up, and not licking your fingers to turn the pages. If you’d like to preserve it for the long-term, don’t dog ear the pages, put a bulky bookmark in, or prop it open on the table to mark your place.

But if you want to read it in the bath with a glass of wine, or scoff a kebab for lunch while you read, we won’t tell.

Our supplier bookvault, prints, and ships from its UK facility, usually within 72 working hours. Once printed, they’re shipped according to your choice of standard or express, tracked or untracked. The cart shows estimated delivery timeframes (no need to start a purchase process first).

Please be aware the current global situation includes pandemics, war, climate events such as fires and floods, as well as plain old staff shortages. Thus, we cannot guarantee production and shipping times.

Returns are only accepted for faulty items when you contact us at orders@bluemerebooks.com within 7 days of receiving the book (according to the tracking). Use the subject “returns,” include your name, order number, reason for return, and photographs of faulty item. We’ll refund or resend – your choice.