Elementary Writing

Saturday, 4 October 2025

The mischievous ghost

I couldn’t tell you if it was the loud thud, or the sudden vibration of the bed that woke us both up, but even half asleep I knew what had happened. ‘’It’s that damn ghost kicking the end of the bed again,’’ I said to my partner Leon. ‘’Annette there’s no such thing as ghosts,’’ he replied, turning over and falling back asleep again. It took me a bit longer. It had been happening on and off for weeks now. To start with no more than a soft tapping that I could not figure out where it was coming from. Then I started to notice the bed shake with the force of it. One day I had felt ill and had gone up to the top bedroom to get some sleep. Tap, tap, tap, and this time I wasn’t scared so much as I was angry. I wasn’t feeling well and really needed to sleep. ‘’Pack that in will you, I’m not in the mood!’’ I snapped. It stopped straight away and never happened again.

After that small mischievous things started happening. For example he (as we started referring to the ghost) started playing with the clock in the lounge. It would move by several hours every day, forward or back, despite measuring the units of time correctly. I got so annoyed that I took it down in the end, but then he started playing with the clock on the heating instead. We’d wake up in the middle of the night with the heating on full blast as the timer thought it was 7 in the morning. We would often go into to kitchen and every drawer and cupboard would be open. I remember once hearing a loud noise from the kitchen and when we went investigate I found that the recycling bag had been thrown across the room. I started to complain then I noticed the gas had been left on. I figured if he had been kind enough to alert us to this he couldn’t be that bad.

One evening a friend of mine stayed over at the house. At one point she went to roll herself a cigarette only to find she had lost her tobacco. Failing to find it after searching for some time she finally gave up and went to bed. The next morning we came downstairs to find the packet laid out in the middle of the floor next to the chair she had been sat, with approximately half the amount of her missing tobacco on it. “Guess he smoked the rest,” she joked, through you could tell it had spooked her a little.

I ended up getting so comfortable with him being around, that I’d forget other people were not. Once for example my young goddaughter was over. I put her to bed only for her to come running downstairs crying 15 minutes later.

“Annette, there is somebody walking around in Leon’s room.”

Okay problem, I knew it was the ghost but obviously I didn’t want to say that and scare her.

“One minute,” I said running upstairs. I stood in the entrance to the room, suddenly feeling a little silly.

“Umm, sorry about this, it’s just that my goddaughter is here and you’re scaring her. Please may you lay off just for one night?”

She slept fine after that. Another night a friend and I were watching TV in the lounge and we heard somebody walk down the stairs, cross the room in front of us, and go to the kitchen. Then my boyfriend’s talking bottle opener went off.

“Can I have one to please?” I asked. My friend just looked horrified.

Now I’ve moved and know it sounds daft but I often miss the ghost. I got so used to being in him being around and putting any strange noises or events down to him. I hope he is not scaring the new tenants to much.

Let Us Help You Keep Your Home Secure This Winter

Crime is, unfortunately, a fact of life—but here at Mid Kerry Security, we want to help give you peace of mind. Alongside our free five-point security check for your home (see details below), this blog offers practical ways to help keep you and your home safe this winter.

Garda’s Top 5 Tips for Burglary Prevention

Taken from their website, the Garda encourages everyone to play a role in reducing crime and offers advice across key areas to help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe:

Make sure doors, windows, and locks are secure.
Use a timer device or app to turn lights on and off when you're out, making it look like someone’s home.
Never store keys near windows or letterboxes.
Make a note of your valuables and avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home.
Use your alarm system—even when you’re at home.

Going Away?

Whether you're heading abroad for some sun or just visiting friends or family for a few days, follow these tips to keep your home safe while you're away:

Don’t share your plans on Facebook or other social media. It may sound sceptical, but how well do you know all your followers—and their followers?
Consider linking your alarm to your mobile phone. We offer an app for both Android and iOS with cloud service, allowing you to access your alarm system from anywhere with an internet connection.
Make sure your house is visible from the street. Cut back any trees or bushes that block the view.
Instead of leaving a spare key outside (e.g., under a plant pot), leave it with a trusted neighbour.
Mark your valuable items with a UV pen and take photos of jewellery.

Additional Tips

Make sure everyone in the house knows how to use the alarm. Test it regularly and keep it maintained. All our alarms come with a three-year warranty, and we offer maintenance, repair, and upgrade services.
Don’t leave ladders where burglars could use them to gain access—either to your home or a neighbouring one.
Think about how you’d get into your house if you lost your keys. Walk around and consider the easiest entry points.
Or let us do it for you. We offer a free five-point check to assess your security needs—no obligation. See our website for full details.

If You Suspect a Break-In

It’s not something we want to think about, but if you’re a victim of a break-in or suspect one has occurred:

Call 999 or 112 in an emergency.
Contact your local Garda Station or visit in person.
Use the online declaration form (for thefts under €500 in the Republic of Ireland).
Visit for more ways to get in touch.

Please do not enter your house if you suspect someone may still be inside.

We’ve Thought of It All

Here are some extra options to make things even easier:

Pet-friendly alarms: At MKS, we can set your alarm to be pet-friendly. With zone settings and an allowance of up to 40kg, your four-legged pal won’t trigger it—keeping your home secure and their ears safe.
FOBs: Choose from a simple push-button or key-in code for added security. Set and unset all or part of your system. Includes a panic button.
Smoke alarms: Fully wireless and integrated with your security system. If triggered, your main alarm panel will alert you via the app.

Call for a quote or to book your free check today on 066 976 2340 or visit our website.

Garda’s Top 5 Tips for Burglary Prevention

Taken from their website, the Garda encourages everyone to play a role in reducing crime and offers advice across key areas to help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe:

Make sure doors, windows, and locks are secure.
Use a timer device or app to turn lights on and off when you're out, making it look like someone’s home.
Never store keys near windows or letterboxes.
Make a note of your valuables and avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home.
Use your alarm system—even when you’re at home.

Going Away?

Whether you're heading abroad for some sun or just visiting friends or family for a few days, follow these tips to keep your home safe while you're away:

Don’t share your plans on Facebook or other social media. It may sound sceptical, but how well do you know all your followers—and their followers?
Consider linking your alarm to your mobile phone. We offer an app for both Android and iOS with cloud service, allowing you to access your alarm system from anywhere with an internet connection.
Make sure your house is visible from the street. Cut back any trees or bushes that block the view.
Instead of leaving a spare key outside (e.g., under a plant pot), leave it with a trusted neighbour.
Mark your valuable items with a UV pen and take photos of jewellery.

Additional Tips

Make sure everyone in the house knows how to use the alarm. Test it regularly and keep it maintained. All our alarms come with a three-year warranty, and we offer maintenance, repair, and upgrade services.
Don’t leave ladders where burglars could use them to gain access—either to your home or a neighbouring one.
Think about how you’d get into your house if you lost your keys. Walk around and consider the easiest entry points.
Or let us do it for you. We offer a free five-point check to assess your security needs—no obligation. See our website for full details.

If You Suspect a Break-In

It’s not something we want to think about, but if you’re a victim of a break-in or suspect one has occurred:

Call 999 or 112 in an emergency.
Contact your local Garda Station or visit in person.
Use the online declaration form (for thefts under €500 in the Republic of Ireland).
Contact Garda for more

Please do not enter your house if you suspect someone may still be inside.

We’ve Thought of It All

Here are some extra options to make things even easier:

Pet-friendly alarms: At MKS, we can set your alarm to be pet-friendly. With zone settings and an allowance of up to 40kg, your four-legged pal won’t trigger it—keeping your home secure and their ears safe.
FOBs: Choose from a simple push-button or key-in code for added security. Set and unset all or part of your system. Includes a panic button.
Smoke alarms: Fully wireless and integrated with your security system. If triggered, your main alarm panel will alert you via the app.

Call for a quote or to book your free check today on 066 976 2340 or visit our website.

Children of Fire

The old neighbourhood was nearly unrecognisable, run down from years of neglect and lack of investment. Yet the building at the end of Crow Street still managed to stand out as even more dilapidated, having stood empty and abandoned for over a hundred years.

Rumours flew that the old orphanage had been burnt down by members of staff, who had blocked any escape for the terrified children inside. Maybe out of respect for the horror that had happened there, the site had never been built upon.

Jayne Stiner looked up at the four-storey grey building and mentally shuddered. It looked more like a prison than a place where children had once been cared for. She rummaged around in her bag for the key, found it, and opened the door.

Burnt furniture was still in place. The floor was littered with ash and charred objects, most beyond recognition.

“With only the bodies of the young victims removed, the odd burnt toy is the only physical reminder that children were once here. Still, the vibes given out by this forgotten place—the feelings of dread and helplessness—are a window to the past.”

That should put a shiver in their spine, she thought, while turning off her dictaphone. Her first book, As Sweet as Salt, had stormed the market. Now she was hoping her second book, based on this old building, would do the same.

She decided against going upstairs, fearing the blackened stairs wouldn’t hold her weight. After wandering around the first floor, she made her way to the garden. Though untidy and overgrown with weeds, the brightness of the garden made a welcome change from the bleakness inside.

At the end of the garden sat a solitary swing—no more than a bit of rough wood held together by rope. It swung slowly to and fro, as if moved by some ghostly presence. The sound of childish singing floated to her ears but vanished as soon as she registered it.

Looking around and seeing no one, she scolded herself for getting too involved. She walked over to the swing and, after checking it was safe, sat down to collect her thoughts. Time slipped by silently.

She awoke with a jump to find it was getting dark. She looked down at her wrist, only to realise she’d forgotten her watch. Sensing someone behind her, she turned to see a little boy dressed in a blue top and ragged brown shorts.

“Hello, are you lost?” she asked gently.

The boy didn’t answer. He just held out his hand. She took it, and they started back towards the house. They were halfway through the main room when Jayne heard someone coughing behind her.

Looking back, she saw a girl—a couple of years older than the boy—slipping in through the back door.

“Hello, do you know this boy?” Jayne queried.

The girl nodded slowly. Jayne was about to say something else when the girl pointed towards the front door. Looking over, she saw five other children. They were chanting in voices so low she couldn’t make out what they were saying.

The hand in hers grew cold. The boy at her side began to cry. Looking back towards the back door, Jayne saw more children of all ages, all chanting—getting louder, yet still incoherent.

Jayne’s eyes scanned the room, searching for a way out. The smell of smoke wafted towards her nostrils. The room seemed to be getting incredibly hot, and an orange glow crept over them.

PC Ben Cooper pushed open the door of the old building. He saw the woman’s body just as it had been described to the 999 operator. Checking for a pulse and finding none, he radioed back to base.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He hated this place. Looking down at the lifeless body, he guessed this was the woman who had been phoning him over the past few weeks—the one trying to get information for some book she was writing. For weeks, she’d wanted to know about his great-grandad George.

George was the only survivor of the blaze—eight years old at the time and too traumatised to speak. Ben had never met him. The thing was, though, Ben could have given her all the information she wanted.

He’d found George’s diaries as a child, staying over at his grandparents’ house. They held most of the answers. Like the fact that it was the children—not the adults—who had started the fire.

George, like the rest of the children, had been afraid of the people who ran the orphanage. They had planned to run away. The fire was meant to distract the staff while they escaped, but things hadn’t gone to plan.

Ben shook his head, as if trying to shake away the information stored there. He went outside in the hope of clearing his head. After a few minutes, he thought he saw someone inside and hoped it was CID.

He went in and found a small boy in a blue top and ragged brown shorts.

“You can’t be in here,” he said sternly—though glad of some company.

The boy said nothing. He just held out his hand.

Be a Friendly Face

How it started

Sorry if this is a bit long, but I wanted to explain fully how the idea came about. So please bear with me—and feel free to grab a cuppa.

I used to stop briefly to chat or buy coffee and a sausage roll for a homeless person when I was in town, and more regularly for whoever was sat outside the local Co-op. But after a while, I started to feel overwhelmed by the number of people I could see—even in a small area. I didn’t want to buy for one person and ignore the others, but there was no way I could afford to buy for everyone.

Then one night, I had a strange urge to walk to the Co-op at 2am in the rain to get cigarettes. No idea why—I never normally go to the shop just for cigs at that time, especially in heavy rain. I saw the form of a person trying to keep dry in a phone box. I walked over, not sure what to say but wanting to say something. Ever had one of those moments where your brain fails to work and your mouth works on its own? That’s what happened here. I knocked, and when he answered, what came out was: “Good job you don’t have a sunroof.” Thankfully, he laughed. I bought him a sandwich and a hot drink.

I saw him a few times after that, and we often chatted. Sometimes he volunteered to look after my dog while I went into the shop. If I happened to have a seizure, he would sit with me while I came round. I usually kept a lookout for him in the area, and he’d call to me if he saw me. I felt we were forming the basics of a friendship, and as I got to know him as an individual, I noticed he never once asked me for money.

After a while, he disappeared. I asked around for him and, in the process, started talking to other homeless people—getting to know names and again seeing them as individuals. That’s when the idea for this site started. I know the frustration of feeling like there’s nothing you can do to help, and I also know that many people would like to help if they knew what to do.

About the Site

My name is Annette, and welcome to the Be a Friendly Face site. Please forgive the current sparseness—at the moment it’s a work in progress, but over time I hope it will develop into a useful resource and a page to inspire.

Be a Friendly Face is not a charity. I am one person acting as an individual, offering practical ways that individuals can help. I hope to build the site into a database of resources, along with positive stories from myself and (hopefully) others.

An Umbrella of Change

An Invention to Rave About

From the film Singin’ in the Rain to Rihanna inviting us under hers, the umbrella has quite literally had a song and dance made of it. Now, to further honour this most convenient of inventions, it even has its own day: 10th February.

A Helping Hand

We know that a single act of kindness can take on a life of its own—by inspiring others to do the same and reminding us to look for the good in situations and people. This Umbrella Day, let your company be the catalyst for positive change through the simple act of offering an umbrella in the rain.

With an average of 16 days of rain in County Kerry during February* alone, it’s sure to be appreciated.

We’ve Got You Covered

Here at Brand Geeks, we offer a range of products—from badges to wristbands, and of course, umbrellas. Our recommendations to celebrate Umbrella Day include:

The 23" Automatic Umbrella
Spectrum Sport Value
(My personal favourite) Spectrum Sport Value Double Canopy

Three different styles to suit a range of budgets and brand images.

Good For…

• Is your business outdoors? Boat trips, golf courses, zoos or theme parks—lend your customers a brolly on those oh-so-many wet days. • Great for reps to give to prospective new customers—let’s face it, they’re harder to lose than a business card. • Give your new or valued customers the VIP treatment—meet them at their car with an umbrella, an act they’ll remember when they think of your company. • Estate agents—showing customers around a few properties? Keep a couple of umbrellas handy for both you and your clients.

And remember, wherever they carry them, they’re advertising your company.

*Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute and Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation

Let me know if you'd like a short excerpt version for your portfolio list or if you’re ready to prep sample seven. This one’s a lovely blend of kindness, clever branding, and rainy-day charm.

Stars in Your Rice – Events at Your Favourite Restaurant

Musical March

The year is shaping up to be a fine one. We helped you see in the New Year, pulled out all the stops to impress your loved one this Valentine’s, and now we’re looking ahead to bring you Musical March. Enjoy a night at your favourite restaurant with mouth-watering food and two world-class tribute acts booked for your entertainment.

On 4th March, we welcome a tribute to Britain’s best-selling solo artist, Robbie Williams. Then on 25th March, we bring you a tribute to The King himself—Elvis Presley.

You Ain’t Nothing But a Naan Bread – 25th March

Steve Storm has been performing as Elvis for over twenty-five years. His impressive résumé includes wowing judges on The X Factor with The Ambassadors and singing in Rhode Island as part of the Round the World Yacht Race. A five-time finalist in the European Championships, Steve delivers a remarkable show that spans Presley’s career and has amazed audiences across the globe—including the USA.

Shish’s the One – 4th March

“A Taste of Robbie” has been delighting crowds since the early noughties. Encouraged by his musical family, his career has taken him to venues around the world—from theatres and cruise ships to festivals like Liverpool’s Mathew Street Festival, where he performed to 20,000 people. Covering hits from Life Through a Lens to Swing When You’re Winning and beyond, this act is guaranteed to get you singing along.

Make a Night of It

Both acts are available for just £5 per person. Advance booking is advised to avoid disappointment. And the night doesn’t stop there—each event is followed by a disco until close, rounding

Welcome to the Elementary Writing Blog.

This space is a showcase of my bespoke writing—crafted from scratch, tailored to each client, and designed to ripple outward with clarity, warmth, and impact.

Here you'll find samples of my work across blogs, fiction, memoir, and brand content. Each piece reflects the heart of Elementary Writing: no templates, no shortcuts, just words that work for you.

Whether you're here to explore, reflect, or commission your own ripple-rich writing, I’m glad you’ve found your way.