Once upon a time, nestled in a sleepy village, there stood an ancient pub known as The Gilded Goblet. Its weathered timber beams and creaky floors whispered stories of three centuries past. But what drew curious visitors and sometimes dread wasn’t just its age, but the spectral inhabitants that called it home. Legend had it that Spew Hardcastle, the original landlord from the early 1700s, still lingered behind the bar, his ghostly figure often seen polishing invisible glasses or napping in his old leather armchair. Over the centuries, a motley crew of ghostly patrons had joined him: a jolly pirate, a forlorn noblewoman, and a mischievous tavern boy, all eager to play tricks on the living.
In recent years, the current landlord, Tom, and his wife, Mary, found their peaceful business turned upside down. Ghostly “customers” would tip over pints, hide the keys, and whisper eerie comments in the dead of night. Sometimes, a sudden chill would sweep the room, and the flickering candlelight would dance to an unseen tune. The staff grew nervous, and the once lively pub became a place of nervous glances and whispered fears. Tom tried everything, blessing the place, hanging garlic, even trying to ignore the spectral antics. But the spirits were persistent, and their pranks grew more elaborate. Chairs would slide across the floor, ghostly laughter echoed when no one was near, and the ghostly patrons seemed to demand attention, uninvited.
One stormy evening, as the tavern was shrouded in shadows and ghostly chuckles, a stranger stepped inside. Dressed in a long coat and with a calming demeanour, she introduced herself as Miss Eliza Hart, a renowned psychic investigator. Eliza quietly observed the scene, sensing a swirl of restless energies. She sat at the bar, ordered a pint, and began speaking softly to the spirits. Her voice was gentle but firm, and she listened intently to their stories. Through her communication, Eliza learned that Spew Hardcastle’s spirit was upset because he felt forgotten. His descendants had long since sold the pub, and he yearned for recognition. The ghostly patrons, too, had their own tales; one had been a sailor who died in a drunken brawl, another a noblewoman who longed for her lost love. Most importantly, Eliza discovered that the ghosts weren’t malicious; they simply wanted to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Eliza gently explained to the spirits that they were loved and appreciated, even after all these years had passed. She promised to tell their stories to the living world and to help them find peace. She performed a heartfelt ritual, lighting a candle and reciting words that honoured their memories. As she did, the ghostly activity softened. The spirits nodded, their forms shimmering with gratitude, before slowly fading into a peaceful glow. The next morning, the atmosphere in The Gilded Goblet was transformed. The pranks ceased, replaced by a warm and welcoming charm. Tom and Mary felt lighter, their pub filled with a renewed sense of joy. Visitors now often remarked on the friendly, lively spirit of the place, not just the living, but the ghosts as well.
And as for Spew Hardcastle and his spectral friends? They remained, not as troublemakers, but as eternal guardians of the pub’s history, happily watching over their beloved Gilded Goblet, forever part of its story.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 