Shani Struthers - 44 Gilmore Street

Once again thanks to my trusty band of beta readers, who pick up on so much that I cant see and make me change it! You know who you are but Im going to name you anyway, Rob, Louisa, Alicen and Lesley, I couldnt do this without any of you either. Thanks also to Jeff Gardiner, my brilliant editor, I wouldnt want to work with anyone else on this series and also to Laurence and Steph at Crooked Cat Publishing. Thanks also to the readers who keep me going with chat on Facebook and Twitter and who leave such lovely reviews on Amazon I appreciate it very much.

Shani Struthers is a Brighton-based author of paranormal fiction, including Amazon International Bestseller, Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall and its sequel, Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me. 44 Gilmore Street is the third book in this series, which will span six in total. She is also the author of Eve A Christmas Ghost Story, which is a Psychic Surveys prequel novella (although it's got Christmas in the title, give it a go at any time of year!) and Jessamine, a stand-alone atmospheric psychological romance set in the Highlands of Scotland.

Writing is her main occupation but she does find time to travel, go to the cinema, and read as well. After graduating from Sussex University in the early 90s with a degree in English and American Literature, Shani became a freelance travel writer. Twenty years later and the day job involves crafting novels too - those with a ghostly bent. And yes before you ask all stories are inspired by true events and experiences.

Shani is active on Facebook and Twitter and would love to hear from you.

Jessamine

Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise To Me

Eve A Christmas Ghost Story: A Psychic Surveys Prequel

To find out more about Shani Struthers and her books, as well as keep informed of competitions and giveaways, contact her via her website (www.shanistruthers.com) or subscribe to her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/beoHLv

A few months earlier

Its done. Its over.

Yeah, yeah, I know it is.

Then dont look like that, Ruby. You should be happy.

I am happy, Cash, honest. Ruby thought about his words. Hang on. Look like what? What do you mean? Whats wrong with the way I look?

Cash laughed. You look beautiful. You always do. Just try and relax.

Turning away from her, he murmured something about it having been one heck of a day and that he was knackered. Within seconds he was snoring.

Ruby turned over, switched off the bedside lamp and lay in the darkness. She could feel movement at the foot of her bed; it was Jed turning round in several circles before settling himself comfortably too.

She tried to smile but couldnt. The dark, never a worry before, unnerved her, ever since ever since

Stop, Ruby, dont think about it.

And remember Cashs words. Its done. Its over.

The entity that had been a part of her life for so long, her mothers and her grandmothers too, was gone. Theyd finally rid themselves of it. Except it didnt feel like that. It still felt close. Not just close, but in her. Actually in her. Dont feed it, Gran had warned. Starve the bad wolf. Or take your mind off it, which work did at least. But sometimes there was no escape, like now for instance, when those around you were deep in slumber leaving you, for all intents and purposes, alone. Abandoning you.

She studied the shape of Cash beside her. How did he do that? Fall asleep so quickly. Its as though he didnt have a care in the world, whereas she was weighed down with them.

Ruby, lighten up, for Gods sake!

For her sake would be more apt. After what had happened, the victory of it, she should be euphoric, swinging from the chandeliers, not walking but positively skipping along pavements, full of enthusiasm for a life that could be lived more freely. If only that were the case, if only

The darkness closed in on her. With one hand she reached for her eye mask and positioned it over her head. It grew darker still, black and intense a lonely kingdom where no light dared to encroach. It seemed familiar, this kingdom. As if it welcomed her. As if she belonged. And, in the hidden depths of her, something stirred, and welcomed it too.

Her breath began to quicken.

Work, shed think about work, what the next day had in store for her. Itd be busy, no doubt about it, and she had to find sleep: oblivion blissful oblivion.

She screwed her eyes shut, and willed it to come.

Please, please, please

And it did. Slowly. Teasingly.

Falling back as though through layers and layers of gossamer, her breathing grew more regular as the body went into temporary shutdown.

But the mind, oh the mind... Still her thoughts plagued her.

Its done. Its over.

But was it? Was it really?

Some things are never over.

Present day

Okay, if you wont take a week, how about a long weekend? You need a holiday.

I dont need a holiday.

Everyone needs a holiday at some point.

Ruby sighed. Theo meant well but this really wasnt the time to take a break of any kind. Psychic Surveys, the high street consultancy she ran in Lewes, specialising in spiritual domestic clearance, was at the point where she was thinking about hiring an extra freelance team member. Case after case came in, as though the afterworld had gone on strike, refusing to let any more souls cross the great divide. A nonsensical concept, she knew, but thats what it felt like. Heading off for a few days was not on the cards.

The two of them were sitting in Rubys attic office, with spring sunshine filtering in through the lead window and lighting up surroundings that had a tendency towards gloom. Even the dust motes dancing in the air held a certain charm. It was Monday morning, after nine and Theo had popped in to get the lowdown on new cases that Ruby had been spent all weekend fielding. When it came to the nine to five rule, the spirits didnt give a damn.

If Ruby sighed earlier, Theo did now very long and very low.

Darling, she said, leaning across the desk to take Rubys hands in her own, after what youve just gone through, a break is essential. Im worried. Youre in danger of becoming a workaholic.

What I went through what we went through was a while ago now.

But there are dark circles around your eyes. You look tired.

Im fine, really I am. Its just you know how busy its been lately.

I do, I do, Theo conceded.

There was also Cash, her boyfriend; he took up a lot of her time too. Theo, renowned for her ability to catch thoughts on occasion, caught that one.

Im sure he does, sweetheart, she remarked with a wink. Ah, the first bloom of love, I remember it well. Referring to her husband, Reggie, who had long since departed this world, she added, I still miss him, you know?

Ruby didnt doubt it. Theo was always jolly, relentlessly so at times, but sometimes she had a wistful look about her, the slightest air of melancholy. Ruby couldnt catch thoughts, not like Theo or Ness, the third member of the Psychic Surveys quartet, who also had the ability, but it was at those moments she surmised that Reggie was on her mind.

And youd be right, Theo admitted. Spot-on.

This was turning into one of those wistful moments.

Releasing Ruby, Theo clapped her hands together, which broke the spell.