by Gene Kemp
I don’t know what would have happened if Mrs Brown hadn’t happened to make friends with Mrs Walker from down the road. Mrs Walker had twin babies, and one day she brought the babies along for tea.
Now one baby is bad enough. Two babies are trouble in a big way. These babies created pandemonium. When they weren’t both howling they were crawling around the floor pulling the tablecloths off the tables or hitting their heads on the chairs and hauling the books out of the bookcases. They threw their food all over the kitchen and flung cups of milk on the floor. Their mother mopped up after them and every time she tried to have a conversation with Mrs Brown the babies bawled in chorus so that no one could hear a word.
In the middle of this the ghosts appeared. One baby was yelling its head off and the other was gluing pieces of chewed up bread on to the front of the television. The ghosts swooped down on them with happy cries. ‘Oh!’ they trilled. ‘Bless their little hearts then, diddums, give auntie a smile then.’ And the babies stopped in mid-howl and gazed at the ghosts. The ghosts cooed at the babies and the babies cooed at the ghosts. The ghosts chattered to the babies and sang them songs and the babies chattered back and were as good as gold for the next hour and their mother had the first proper conversation she’d had in weeks. When they went the ghosts stood in a row at the window, waving.
Simon and Marian knew when to seize an opportunity. That evening they had a talk with the ghosts. At first the ghosts raised objections. They didn’t fancy the idea of moving, they said; you got set in your ways, at their age; Auntie Edna reckoned a strange house would be the death of her.
The children talked about the babies, relentlessly.
And the next day they led the ghosts down the road, followed by the ghost dog, and into the Walkers’ house. Mrs Walker doesn’t know to this day why the babies, who had been screaming for the last half hour, suddenly stopped and broke into great smiles. And she has never understood why, from that day forth, the babies became the most tranquil, quiet, amiable babies in the area. The ghosts kept the babies amused from morning to night. The babies thrived; the ghosts were happy; the ghost dog, who was actually a bitch, settled down so well that she had puppies which is one of the most surprising aspects of the whole business. The Brown children heaved a sigh of relief and got back to normal life. The babies, though, I have to tell you, grew up somewhat peculiar.
Acknowledgements
The editor and publishers gratefully acknowledge the following for permission to reproduce copyright stories in this book:
‘Humblepuppy’ by Joan Aiken from A Harp of Fishbones published by Jonathan Cape, copyright © Joan Aiken 1972, reprinted by permission of A. M. Heath & Co. Ltd; ‘The Veldt’ by Ray Bradbury from The Stories of Ray Bradbury, copyright © Ray Bradbury 1950, renewed 1977 by Ray Bradbury, reprinted by permission of Grafton Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, and Don Congdon Associates Inc.; ‘Hi! It’s Me’ by Marjorie Darke from Outsiders edited by Bryant Newman and published by Collins, copyright © Marjorie Darke 1985, reprinted by permission of Rogers, Coleridge & White Ltd; ‘The Spring’ by Peter Dickinson from Beware, Beware compiled by Jean Richardson and published by Hamish Hamilton, copyright © Peter Dickinson 1987, reprinted by permission of the author; ‘Bang, Bang – Who’s Dead?’ by Jane Gardam from Beware, Beware compiled by Jean Richardson and published by Hamish Hamilton, copyright © Jane Gardam 1987, reprinted by permission of David Higham Associates Limited; ‘Spring-heeled Jack’ by Gwen Grant from The Methuen Book of Sinister Stories edited by Jean Russell, copyright © Gwen Grant 1982, reprinted by permission of Methuen Children’s Books; ‘The Passing of Puddy’ by Gene Kemp from Book of Sinister Stories edited by Jean Russell, copyright © Gene Kemp 1982, reprinted by permission of Methuen Children’s Books; ‘Uninvited Ghosts’ by Penelope Lively from Frank and Polly Muir’s Big Dipper, copyright © Penelope Lively 1981, reprinted by permission of William Heinemann Ltd; ‘The Giant’s Necklace’ by Michael Morpurgo from The White Horse of Zennor edited by Michael Morpurgo, copyright © Michael Morpurgo 1982, reprinted by permission of Kaye & Ward Ltd; ‘The Shadow-Cage’ by Philippa Pearce from The Shadow-Cage and Other Tales of the Supernatural published by Kestrel Books, copyright © Philippa Pearce 1977, reprinted by permission of Puffin Books; ‘Goosey Goosey Gander’ by Ann Pilling from Streets Ahead edited by Valerie Bierman, copyright © Ann Pilling 1989, reprinted by permission of Methuen Children’s Books; ‘The Horn’ by Susan Price from Here Lies Price, copyright © Susan Price 1987, reprinted by permission of Faber and Faber Ltd; ‘The Men in the Turnip Field’ from Forgotten Folk Tales of the English Counties by Ruth Tongue, copyright © Ruth Tongue 1970, reprinted by permission of Routledge & Kegan Paul Books; ‘Almost a Ghost Story’ by Robert Westall from The Haunting of Chas McGill and Other Stories, copyright © Robert Westall 1983, reprinted by permission of Pan/Macmillan Children’s Books; ‘A Ghost of One’s Own’ by Ursula Moray Williams from The Cat Flap and the Apple Pie and Other Funny Stories compiled by Lance Salway and published by W. H. Allen, copyright © Ursula Moray Williams 1979, reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown on behalf of the author.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
GENE KEMP
1926 Born 27th December in Wiggington, Staffordshire
1935 Attends Tamworth Girls High School
1948 Graduates from Exeter University with a degree in English
1963 Starts teaching in Exeter at St Sidwell’s Primary School
1972 Her first children’s novel, The Pride of Tamworth Pig, about a clever pig fighting for his rights, is published
1977 The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler, the first in the Cricklepit series, is published by Faber & Faber, and wins the Library Association’s Carnegie Medal
1981 The Clock Tower Ghost is published and is runner-up for the Smarties Prize
1984 Charlie Lewis Plays for Time, another story in the Cricklepit series, is published. Gene receives an honorary degree from Exeter for her contribution to children’s literature
1985 Charlie Lewis Plays for Time is runner-up the Whitbread Award
1986 Juniper is runner-up for the Smarties Prize
1990 Just Ferret is published and is also a runner-up for the Smarties Prize
2015 Dies 4th January, aged 88
Interesting Facts
Gene wrote over 40 books for children including ghost stories and fantasy novels, and plays for TV and radio. Her work has been translated into many different languages.
Gene Kemp based her Cricklepit school stories on St Sidwell’s school in Exeter where she was a teacher during the 1970s.
Guess Who?
A They wore round hats with turned up brims that served also as candlesticks, for a lighted candle was fixed to each …
B ‘Do we want to be controlled all our lives long by these wretched manifestations we call ghosts … Many of you have already come to me for help in ridding you of these pests …’
C I felt the contour of a small, bony, war, trembling body with big awkward feet, and silky dangling ears, and a cold nose …
D She sucked peppermint drops that smelled so strong that Mrs Brown, when she came to kiss the children goodnight, looked suspiciously under their pillows. She also sang hymns in a loud squeaky voice.
E Gingerly I touched the top of my head. There ought to have been a duck egg-sized lump, or at least a tender bruise. But under my hair (which is pretty thick, I suppose it must have been some protection) my scalp was unhurt.
ANSWERS:
A) The old tin miner and his son in ‘The Giant’s Necklace’
B) The Rid-a-Ghoster in ‘A Ghost of One’s Own’
C) Humblepuppy
D) Aunt Edna in ‘Uninvited Ghosts’
E) Gerry in ‘Hi! It’s Me’
Quiz
1 In The Giant’s Necklace, how many more cowrie shells does Cherry need to complete the necklace?
a) 75
b) 100
c) 125
d) 150
2 Where do
es Miss Meadie traditionally hide the Wishing Bean in A Ghost of One’s Own?
a) In a dish of hot spiced curry
b) In a Christmas pudding
c) In a bowl of sherry trifle
d) In a tin of sweets
3 In Spring-heeled Jack, what does Lisa agree to swap for the little green bottle?
a) A china cat with a china ball of wool
b) A china dog with the china kennel
c) A little china teacup and saucer
d) A tiny china doll
4 In The Passing of Puddy, what does the old cat do that makes Caroline try to ring the police?
a) Brings her dead mouse
b) Is sick on the sitting-room carpet
c) Poops in Colin’s training boots
d) Caterwauls all night long
5 What finally happens to Peter and Wendy’s parents in The Veldt?
a) They’re locked in the nursery
b) They’re eaten by lions
c) They are attacked by vultures
d) They escape to the countryside
ANSWERS:
1) d
2) a
3) c
4) c
5) b
The summer Olympic Games are held in Barcelona, with a record number of countries taking part in the opening ceremony.
Bill Clinton becomes President of the United States.
The first text message is sent.
Euro Disney Resort opens in Paris.
Make and Do
Have a go at making your own spooky Meringue Ghosts! Make sure you have an adult to help you.
YOU WILL NEED:
❋ 4 egg whites
❋ A pinch of salt
❋ 160g sugar
❋ Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
❋ A piping bag and nozzle
❋ Icing pens to decorate
1 Preheat the oven to gas mark 2, or 150°C, fan 130°C.
2 Whip up the egg whites with the pinch of salt. As you whisk, add the vanilla extract and the sugar a bit at a time. Keep going until your mixture forms thick peaks and has a glossy sheen. Put this into a piping bag with a large nozzle.
3 Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper and pipe on your mixture in ghostly shapes.
4 Put them in the oven and turn the temperature down to 100°C. Bake them for about an hour until they’re firm, and then leave them in the oven to cool.
5 Using the icing pens, draw eyes and open mouths to make ghostly faces. Leave to dry, then eat before they all disappear!
Did You Know?
The word ‘ghost’ originates from the English word ‘gast’, meaning soul or spirit.
If you come across more than one ghost, the group is called a ‘fright’.
The difference between a ghost and a ghoul is that a ghost was previously a living human whereas a ghoul has always been a ghoul.
‘Poltergeist’ is the word used for a ghost which you can hear but not see. They are known for causing random havoc.
Halloween is the one time of year when everyone comes together to celebrate the supernatural. It evolved from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. The Celts used the day to mark the end of harvest-time and the beginning of winter. They also believed that the change of seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. Today, Halloween has become a day of dressing-up, parties, trick-or-treating and loads of sweets!
Puffin Writing Tips
Keep a travel journal when you go on holiday so you can capture all the exciting new sights and sounds.
From A to Z write a word that goes with every letter in the alphabet and then pick your favourite to write about.
Look at your old family photos – as well as embarrassing haircuts you might find out something you never knew!
If you have enjoyed these chilling tales, you may like to read The Shadow Guests by Joan Aiken, in which Cosmo is caught up in a terrible family curse …
‘What do you think happened to Mother and Mark?’ Cosmo said to Cousin Eunice.
‘My dear, I doubt if we shall ever know.’
‘You don’t think they could – could still be alive?’
‘In the middle of that desert? When they had left their car and walked – no, my dear. It’s just not possible. You mustn’t waste yourself hoping for a miracle. I’m afraid you – we – just have to accept that they chose to opt out. They were very, very fond of each other. I think it was very tough on you – and on Richard. But I can’t judge them. All I can say is, I wouldn’t have done it like that.’
‘Nor you wouldn’t have gone to Australia,’ Mrs Tydings observed, twining two ends of wool together.
‘No. Well. People are different. So – so now you know what your problem is, Cosmo. And you’ve got time to decide how to deal with it. You could decide not to marry – or not to have children.’
‘That might be best. But I could adopt some, I suppose – they wouldn’t be under the curse?’
‘Not a bad idea. I don’t see why they should.’
‘Does the curse go on for ever?’
‘I don’t know enough about curses to answer that.’
‘Do you believe in curses, Cousin Eunice?’
‘Well, we must, mustn’t we? In view of the evidence. I expect,’ she said, frowning thoughtfully, ‘that it was a case of vibrations. Something we don’t understand much about yet, like radiation. Think what a fearfully powerful force that is – one little piece of plutonium can change whole landscapes and generations. Well, this must be something similar. And it has really affected the genes of the Curtoys family. Maybe it takes something equally drastic to get it out – a kind of mutation. If you know what that is.’
‘A variation from your ancestral type.’
‘Hey – those bush correspondence courses must have been pretty good.’
Suddenly Cosmo felt exceedingly tired. He wanted to get away and think over all that he had been told.
‘Let’s wash up,’ he said, ‘and then I reckon I’ll go to bed.’
‘Never mind about the washing up, my lamb,’ Mrs Tydings said. ‘That’ll wait over till the morning. You take yourself off and have a nice hot bath – get the smell of school off you.’
School! He had forgotten all about the place. It seemed a thousand miles away.
‘Goodnight, Cosmo,’ Cousin Eunice said. Unexpectedly, she gave him a brief hug, and added, ‘Don’t start worrying too much, if you can help it. Things always turn out differently from what you expect.’
‘And that’s true,’ said Mrs Tydings.
Cosmo went up to his room. But he did not immediately go to bed. He leaned on the low windowsill looking out, listening to a screech owl going whit-whit-whit, and the river sighing to itself in the distance, and the vague mutter of the weir. Strange to think of ancient Britons in a temple somewhere up in the woods – perhaps where Mr Marvell had been ploughing the chocolate earth with Prince and Blossom; the river and the screech owl must have sounded just the same then. Two thousand years wasn’t so very long ago when you thought of the Pleistocene Age.
At last he stepped back from the window, and, as he did so, something whitish, about the size of half a banana fell out of his jacket sleeve on to the floor. What in the world could it have been? A tissue, a bit of Mrs Tydings’s wool? He switched on his table lamp and put it down on the mat, but the thing seemed to have vanished totally. Could it have blown away? Or run? It must have been his imagination, but it had seemed to scurry off under the desk as if it had embryonic legs – like a white lizard. But there were no lizards in England – not that size, anyway, or at this time of year – and anyway, how could it have been up his sleeve? He must have imagined the whole incident.
I’m tired, he told himself, and bothered by all that stuff about the curse – can Cousin Eunice seriously believe it? I’ll have my bath and go to bed.
He had his bath and got into bed. He wrote in his diary, ‘Cousin Eunice told me about the family Curse.’ He put the light out and shut his ey
es. But his mind went on working. Because, firstly, it was plain that Cousin Eunice did believe in the curse; and so did Mrs Tydings; and so, for that matter, did he; and secondly he knew that he had not imagined the white thing that fell out of his sleeve.
So where could it be?
THE BEGINNING
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First published in Great Britain under the title The Puffin Book of Ghosts and Ghouls by Viking, a division of Penguin Books Ltd, 1992
Published in Puffin Books (UK), 1993
Reissued in this edition 2018
This collection copyright © Gene Kemp, 1992
