Letters from Elsewhere: Sarah

Today’s visitor is one of the cleaners at the Tower of London. She’s called Sarah, but where she comes from, in the soon-to-be-released novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London by Jennifer C. Wilson, she doesn’t even have a name. On top of that, she’s the victim of a specific prank played by the ghostly residents of the Tower. This puts her in the unfortunate position of having to clear up the mess left by people she doesn’t even fully believe in, so it is perhaps only fair that she should be allowed to tell her side of the story.

Sir,

I am writing this to you formally, because although I fear it may spread and make me look a fool, this needs to be documented. I know we have discussed a couple of incidents informally in the past, but this summer it has gone a step too far.

You were there, the morning I radioed about the Bloody Tower, but I will say again, I did not touch that display. Everyone knows I hate that building, and I am the last person who would mess with anything in there. Add to this the number of spilled drinks I have had to deal with in the vicinity of the Bowyer Tower, and other displays being moved about overnight, and it simply is no longer funny.

So I ask again: do you know of any reason why somebody is trying to scare me? I’ve been subjected to weeping, wailing, rattling chains – it is time to investigate this properly, and establish who is behind this malicious campaign.

And don’t you dare mention the word ‘ghost’. I am a grown woman, and although the history of this place hasn’t always been pleasant, I refuse to accept that 1) there are any spirits hanging around, or 2) even if there were, they would be wasting their time on me. It would also imply a particularly childish sense of humour, one which does not sit well with those who supposedly still walk among us, if you believe the rumours. Which I do not.

I have sought advice in the writing of this letter, and am therefore asking you, in an official capacity, to look into these events, or I will need to reconsider my position here, and take the matter further. I have worked here for ten years, and never in all my time have things been as bad as this.

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Kind regards,

Sarah.

Well! Are you intrigued? I certainly am.

About Kindred Spirits: Tower of London

A King, three Queens, a handful of nobles and host of former courtiers…

In the Tower of London, the dead outnumber the living, with the likes of the Howard girls, Queens Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, rubbing shoulders with one man who has made his way back to discover the truth about the disappearance of his famous nephews.

Amidst the chaos of daily life, with political and personal tensions running high, Richard III tries to take control, as each ghostly resident looks for peace in the former palace, where privacy always was a limited luxury.

With so many people wanting so many things, will they all find the calm they crave?

Kindred Spirits: Tower of London is released by Crooked Cat Publishing on 27^th October, and is available from Amazon UK or Amazon US.

About Jennifer C Wilson

Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who developed an equal passion for history whilst stalking Mary, Queen of Scots of childhood holidays (she has since moved on to Richard III). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consultant since graduating.

Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and also continues to work on developing her poetic voice, reading at a number of events, and with several pieces available online.

Jennifer blogs at https://jennifercwilsonwriter.wordpress.com/.