“You want ghost stories,” he said. “I’ve got a ghost story.”
“It was a while back, the late 1980’s if my memory serves. It was late, almost midnight. I was making my way on foot to the river crossing at Blackfriars, having spent a pleasant evening at the Fox and Firkin in Elephant Castle, an establishment which has since shuttered their doors.
It used to be a good place to tip a glass or two though. My wife, my sweetheart, the love of my life, tells me that the bar closed because I moved and no longer supported it. There may be some truth to that statement, but I doubt it is 100 percent accurate and I am sure, it could never be proven.
“There has been a bridge crossing at Blackfriars since the mid 1700’s but not the bridge I was crossing that night. This was a newer bridge. Designed by Joseph Cubitt this new bridge was opened almost exactly 100 years after the original. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1869, it was. As I set foot on the southern end that evening, I spied someone at mid-span, climbing the rail. It appeared to be a small slender young woman in a long, flowing white frock, her hair done up in an old fashioned way, wrapped on the crown of her head. I sensed that she intended to jump. I shouted for her to wait and began to run that direction. She glanced at me, then looked down at the inky, dark waters below. She silently and deliberately stepped from the railing just before I reached her.
“I hit the side hard, looking down; nothing, no girl, no splash, nothing… not a trace of her. I stood on the bridge looking below as the clocks began striking midnight. My god, I’ve got to get help. I ran on and when I reached Queen Victoria, happened upon a constable. Breathlessly I related my story of the jumper and implored him to call for assistance.
“’Was it a girl?’ he asked. ‘A slim young girl in a white dress?’
“I nodded my head and begged him to help.
“’Did you see her hit the water?’
“’No,’ I shook my head.
“’No one ever does,’ he continued. ‘You see sir, it happens occasionally, always at midnight when there’s a new moon. People, like you, you see her jump but she never hits the water. We’ve had search boats and divers out time and again. There’s nothing to find. She’s not there. Scotland Yard has even gone so far to hire a consultant. That consultant told us that she is an apparition. A ghost if you will. Go home sir. What you saw tonight may have happened long ago but it didn’t happen today. There’s nothing to be done.’
“’Are you certain?’ I asked.
“He nodded his head. I staggered, in shock, slowly towards the embankment and hailed a cab to take me home.”
***
Light and Shade Challenge – Monday 19 May 2014
There were two prompts. A photo and a quote. The photo supplied wasn’t doing it for me but the quote begged for attention.
The quote:
I stood on the bridge at midnight as the clocks were striking the hour -Longfellow
I love everything about this story. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Great story again.
LikeLike
You’re just sayin’ that but thanks!
LikeLike
I’m not just saying that.
I understand we all see the flaws in our own work but your writing and the way you tell a story are really professional.
Seriously.
LikeLike
I got so caught up in this story. It’s a great take on the prompt, and very atmospheric. Lyssa M x
LikeLike
Thanks Lyssa – I just couldn’t figure out the cups. I had to go with the quote. Or, perhaps the quote was too compelling. Great challenge. I’m having fun.
LikeLike
I loved this! You had me hooked from the first line. You, sir, are a storyteller.
LikeLike
Thanks so much. Very kind.
LikeLike
A lovely spooky tale and really well told – as has been said before it hooks the reader from the very first line. Dreadfully plausible too – some of the London bridges were such popular sites for the suicide of young women (generally ones who had been, by the definition of the day, “ruined”) that some charitable organisations used to patrol the bridges in the hope of talking life back into them. Really enjoyed your tale, thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
I thoroughly enjoyed your ghost story. It seemed so real! Loved it! ♥
LikeLike
Thanks Kathy
LikeLike
This is the kind of ghost story I love. Thanks for telling it so well!
LikeLike
Terrific, as always.
LikeLike
Thank you Anita. Thanks for paying attention to my stuff. Thanks for saying nice things.
LikeLike
This really drew me in. It’s so descriptive. I can really imagine being there!
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike