Chaperones

It's rare for me to be alone. Aunt seems to always be watching over me. She says as I'm getting older I'm going to need a chaperone otherwise people will talk. I can't think of anything worse than someone following me around, knowing my every move. 

Storytelling 

I love time on my own. It helps me to hear my own thoughts.  I like to make stories up and act them out without anyone watching. I can be whoever I want to be without breaking silly rules. 

I like to include Father in my stories too. It helps me keep his memory alive.  He'd understand my alone time because he often needed it too. 

Read more of Amelia's story

'I like Hallowe'en. Bonfires, parades, and people wearing masks to trick wondering ghosts. Not that I believe in ghosts! Queen Victoria loves Hallowe'en too - she visits Balmoral in Scotland every year to celebrate. How grand their royal celebrations must be? I can only imagine. I've been told it's up to me to give out 'soul cakes' to the poor and sick this year. Effie says that cakes are meant to be an offering to the lost souls so they don't come and get us!

Silly stories that's all they are, well, I hope so....

It was Christmas Eve. Amelia and Effie were sitting in a window seat in the house in Hampstead, drinking tea as snow fell on Church Row outside. Effie was reading aloud dramatically from Matilda Marchmont’s old journal, which they had found in the chest.

Amelia could make out the branches of the tall Christmas tree quite clearly now, flickering with soft candlelight and hung with gingerbread stars. The room was garlanded with ivy and mistletoe.

“Hmm. I’ve taught you to read well,” mused Amelia.

“Don’t flatter yourself, will you!”

The girls grinned at each other. 

Mr. Haverstock was walking across the room. His hands were flapping oddly.

“Please don’t over-excite yourself, but I have news. Great news. More than news…A visitor. Can you bear a tremendous shock do you think?”

Flickering with soft candlelight and hung with gingerbread stars...

 

 

Extracts from 'Amelia's Inheritance'