Penny Joelson - Girl in the Window

I need to find out more. I don’t want to upset Mrs G, but right now she’s the only one who can help. I need to talk to her again.

I’ve knocked on the door and I’m waiting and waiting for Mrs Gayatri to come and answer it.

She looks surprised. ‘How are you, dear?’ she asks. ‘What can I do for you?’

‘I thought I’d come for a chat, but only if it’s convenient,’ I say.

She smiles and holds the door for me.

‘I’m so glad you came again,’ she says. ‘Those hungry birds have got through all the food already. I’ve seen blue tits there, and great tits. If you could refill the bird feeder for me I’d be so pleased.’

‘Of course,’ I tell her.

‘You do that while I make some tea.’

When I’ve refilled the feeder, we sit on armchairs opposite each other.

‘Mrs Gayatri, you know you told me about the girl who died across the road? I don’t want to upset you, but I’d really like to know more about what happened.’

She frowns. ‘To lose your only child – it’s such a sad thing,’ she says quietly. ‘She was a sweet girl. Meningitis, it was. There’s nothing more to tell really.’

‘Meningitis?’ I repeat. ‘So she was ill?’

I was expecting something more dramatic – something that would give a reason for her to be appearing as a ghost.

Mrs G nods. ‘Nasty illness that – can still be a killer, even now. Her parents moved away in the end. I think it was hard for them to see . . .’ She pauses, her eyes glassy for a moment. ‘To see other children growing up in the street when their child was no longer there. It was empty for over a year after they went, number forty-six. I think people viewing the house could still sense the sadness.’

‘You mean forty-eight?’ I ask.

‘Forty-eight? No.’ Mrs G frowns. ‘What makes you say that? It was forty-six.’

‘Forty-six?’ I stare at her in surprise. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’ She nods firmly. ‘Poor Shari, she was only five, you know.’

I am speechless, silent, as I try to take this in. This isn’t about my girl at all – it’s the wrong house, and the girl is the wrong age. So now I’m back to knowing nothing at all!

Mrs G looks so sad. I know it was a tragic thing, but I’m surprised that she is this upset.

‘I’m so sorry I asked you about it,’ I tell her. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘Never mind,’ she says. ‘Let’s say no more about it.’

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