A haunting tale of love, loss and finding one’s place in the world
Widowed artist Annabel returns to Guernsey seeking a fresh start for herself and her young daughter away from her late husband’s controlling family. Seagull Cottage appears perfect, by the sea and with a low rent. The snag is it comes with a resident ghost, Daniel, a sea captain who died 70 years ago in 1946. He built the cottage and objects to anyone not family living there. He and Annabel have to come to terms with sharing what he still considers to be his home.
After a difficult start they begin to share their pasts and an unlikely friendship blooms, becoming deeper as they spend more time together. Annabel realises she’s falling for him but would she truly prefer a ghost to a real live man?
Blending elements of romance, mystery and the supernatural into a compelling tale about the power of human connection and presenting a modern twist on R.A. Dick's novel The Ghost and Mrs Muir and the classic movie of the same name.
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The Ghost of Seagull Cottage by Anne Allen was published on 1 May 2024 by Sarnia Press. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour I am delighted to share an extract from the book with you today.
Extract from The Ghost of Seagull Cottage by Anne Allen
Guernsey, Spring 2015
Annabel stood by the rickety gate, gazing across the road to the bay, a languid scene of soft waves curling on the shore and colourful little boats bobbing on the water. She took a deep breath of the salt-laden air and smiled. Yes, she had been right to come back to Guernsey and hopefully this cottage would be the haven she had been seeking since…
‘Mrs Easton? Are you ready to view inside?’ The agent’s voice broke into her thoughts and she turned to him and smiled.
‘Sorry, admiring the view. Please, lead the way.’
The detached granite cottage was of a traditional Guernsey design, with a central front door and porch and matching windows upstairs and downstairs and with the addition of a small bay window in the attic.
‘It’s a little tired, which is reflected in the rent, but it does possess a modern kitchen, bathroom and central heating,’ the agent, Jon, continued, stepping into the hall. He led the way to the back, presumably keen to show her how wonderful the kitchen was compared to the tired rooms. Although not a great cook, Annabel was pleased to see the gleaming cupboards and appliances, some still bearing manufacturers’ labels. Catching her eye, Jon grinned. ‘Yes, brand new. The cottage has been in the same family since it was built by the original owner in 1925. It’s been inherited by a relative who lives in Australia. He sees it as a long-term investment and took our advice with regard to some improvements.’ After giving her time to inspect the kitchen he led the way to the room opposite set out as a dining room with old-fashioned dark, furniture.
‘If the furniture’s a problem we can have it removed.’ He waved his arm.
Annabel heard a whooshing noise as if someone brushed past her but there was only her and Jon, who by his startled expression had also heard something.
‘It’s okay, I could live with it. A nice, colourful tablecloth would brighten up the room.’ It was a good size with a window overlooking the rear garden and she could perk it up with her paintings on the walls. ‘Shall we carry on?’
The young man almost ran down the hall to a room on the right, overlooking the front garden with a glimpse of the sea beyond. Furnished with a sagging sofa and armchairs, it was at least inoffensive and more modern in style and Annabel could see it would be a cosy sitting room.
‘And now we have a room which can be either a sitting room or a bedroom, depending on the size of your family.’ It was similar in size to the room opposite but contained a single bed, wardrobe and set of drawers. All heavy Edwardian.
‘Ah, I wouldn’t need it as a bedroom as I believe there are two upstairs. There’s only myself and my daughter. She could have it as a playroom. Without the furniture, of course.’ Again Annabel was aware of a whoosh of air and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.
‘What’s that whooshing I keep hearing?’
Jon shifted his feet. ‘I’ve no idea, Mrs Easton. Perhaps a bird’s got in and trying to escape.’ Annabel didn’t believe him but shrugged her shoulders. She really liked the cottage and, more importantly, it was about the only one she could afford for the size and location.
‘Let’s go upstairs, shall we?’
She followed him up the stairs, admiring the workmanship of the mahogany handrail and spindles. Someone had spent more time and money on them than was usual for a relatively humble cottage. Upstairs, at the back Annabel smiled as the agent threw open the door to a fully tiled and well equipped bathroom with a shower cubicle and a bath.
And then the two bedrooms, both at the front.
‘This is the master bedroom, and as you can see it’s a good size and with sea views.’ The agent waved his arm towards the window in emphasis. Annabel’s eyes, however, were drawn towards a large oil painting hanging on the wall opposite the iron framed bed. It was of a sailor in a Guernsey woollen jumper and serge jacket and offering a glimpse of his dark curls under a jaunty cap. He was sporting the ubiquitous dark beard and smoking a pipe. The arresting features were his eyes. A piercing blue, they seemed to follow her as she moved around the room.
‘Whoever is this chap? It’s been badly painted and not something you want in a bedroom.’ This time the whoosh was louder and she thought she heard a voice shout, ‘Get out of my house, woman!’ She blinked and turned towards Jon who had grown pale.
‘I… I believe he’s Captain Daniel Gallienne, the original owner who… who built the cottage.’
Something clicked in her head. Could it be? Surely not! This was the twenty-first century not something out of a Victorian novel.
‘Is it possible this captain haunts the place? Is that why the rent is so low?’ She risked a quick look at the painting, before turning to face the poor agent.
‘Well, there have been rumours, but nobody admits to actually seeing him. Until now all those who’ve lived here were descended from his sister, there’s never been any… any strangers.’
‘I see. And when did this captain die? Must have been some time ago, surely?’
‘Yes, not long after the Second World War. In his forties, I think. Look, Mrs Easton,’ he said, fiddling with his folder, ‘I’m sorry if you’ve been upset and I quite understand if you don’t wish to see anymore and leave—’
‘Oh, I’m not upset though I’m not sure what I feel. Shocked and… strange. But I don’t want to be put off by someone who’s been dead nearly seventy years.’ She glanced around the spacious room with the enticing sea view. ‘I really like the cottage and I’m sure we could be very happy here. Can you show me the rest, please?’ Annabel gave him her warmest smile as he nodded and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind them.
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As a result, she spent many summers with her Welsh grandparents in Anglesey and learned to love the sea.
Now she is based in Devon to be near her daughter and two small grandchildren.
Her restless spirit has meant many moves, the longest stay being in Guernsey for nearly fourteen years after falling in love with the island and the people.
She contrived to leave one son behind to ensure a valid reason for frequent returns. Her younger son is based in London - ideal for city breaks ☺
By profession, Anne was a psychotherapist who long had a desire to write and Dangerous Waters, her first novel, was published in 2012.
It was awarded Silver(Adult Fiction) in TheWishingShelfAwards 2012.
Since then she has published six more books in The Guernsey Novels series; Finding Mother, Guernsey Retreat, The Family Divided, Echoes of Time- winner of The Diamond Book Award 2017, a finalist in Readersfavorite awards and granted a ChillWithABookAward, The Betrayal, and The Inheritance, published April 2019.
Her Previous Self. a Regency time-slip, is published 2nd August 2021.
You can find her on Twitter - @AnneAllen21
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