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It was a warm evening, and I was longing to go home and have a good long soak in the bath after a busy day at the teashop.

Even so, I wasn’t about to miss out on the next village meeting at The Magic Lantern.

I was far too nosy. I wanted to know what was going on and how things were progressing with the forties weekend.

I slipped into a seat a few rows from the front and settled myself down, wondering idly if Dad would turn up. He’d said he might consider it, but really on a day like this, he’d rather be working in the garden than sitting inside a cinema.

I glanced at my watch. Nearly six-fifteen. They’d better hurry up and get on with it because tonight’s film was due to start at seven-twenty.

Amelia plonked herself into the seat next to mine, making me jump. I hadn’t even noticed her arrive.

‘Here we are again,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I just hope Callie doesn’t ask us how the choir’s getting on. I’d hate to have to lie to her – and me a vicar!’

She laughed and I shook my head. ‘I heard you all rehearsing the other day,’ I told her. ‘You sounded pretty good, so stop pretending you’re all rubbish.’

‘You heard us?’ She lifted an eyebrow in surprise. ‘Where were you?’

I wriggled in my seat, realising I’d revealed more than I intended.

‘I’d been to lay flowers on Mum’s grave,’ I admitted.

‘It would have been her birthday earlier this week. Anyway, I thought I’d just pop into the church and have a few minutes to think.

You were in the middle of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”. ’ I nudged her. ‘I really enjoyed it.’

She wrinkled her nose doubtfully. ‘Really?’

‘I wouldn’t say it if I hadn’t,’ I assured her. ‘I think it’s going to be great.’

‘Mm. It’s taken us ages just to agree on which songs we’re going to sing. I had to be very firm with old Mrs Langham. She wanted to sing “Lili Marleen” in full-on Marlene Dietrich mode. I don’t think anyone really needs to see that, let alone hear it.’

I giggled at the thought of stout Mrs Langham – who must have been eighty if she was a day – doing a sultry Marlene Dietrich impersonation. Knowing her, I had a feeling she’d have given it a bloody good shot.

We snapped to attention as Callie arrived and welcomed us to the meeting.

I glanced around, pleased to see Aunt Polly had arrived and was clearly chatting to some unseen companion as she headed for the row of empty seats near the back.

She looked relaxed and more like her usual self. Maybe I’d been worrying about nothing.

I noticed Rissa was sitting just a few rows behind me, with Erin and Betty.

My thoughts drifted as I wondered if she’d really put aside her feelings for Brodie and had decided to become involved with this 1940s weekend after all, given this was the second meeting she’d attended.

I wondered if she was disappointed that Brodie wasn’t here tonight.

‘So thank you, Robyn and Curtis for that,’ Callie said.

I blinked. ‘Thank you, Robyn and Curtis, for what?’

Amelia rolled her eyes. ‘They’ve announced the films that will be playing over the weekend.’

‘Oh,’ I whispered. ‘What are they?’

‘She’s just about to tell us,’ she hissed.

‘So on the Saturday, there will be showings of Went the Day Well and Brief Encounter ,’ Callie said.

‘Robyn tells me these are quite emotional stories from 1942 and 1945 respectively. I expect you’ve heard of Brief Encounte r, at least. One for the romantics, I guess.

’ She beamed at us all and I wondered how Rissa was feeling about that.

‘On the Sunday,’ Callie continued, ‘we’ve got some lighter fare.

There will be showings of Whisky Galore and Kind Hearts and Coronet s.

Both films were released in 1949, so it will be an appropriate way to end our forties weekend.

There’ll also be early-afternoon showings of children’s films: Saturday’s will be Bedknobs and Broomsticks , and Sunday’s will be Bambi .

I hope you’ll all find time to catch at least one of these films over the weekend.

We all want to support The Magic Lantern, after all. ’

‘I’d support it a bit more often if they provided some decent snacks,’ Amelia grumbled.

‘I know it’s a vintage cinema, but honestly, there’s such a thing as catering for the modern audience.

At least the cinema in Much Melton knows how to feed us.

Have you tasted their nachos and dips?’ She gave a longing sigh. ‘Heavenly.’

‘We’ve been lucky enough to listen to the vinyl albums Lucy and Sam secured for us,’ Callie continued.

‘There are some amazing songs on there, and some stirring wartime speeches interspersed with the music. It’s going to sound fantastic when we rig up the speakers.

Talking of music, how’s the choir coming along, Amelia? ’

Amelia gave me a grin and got to her feet.

‘Well, our first review is in, and the critic apparently really enjoyed it, so maybe it’s coming along better than I’d feared.

’ She addressed the audience. ‘We’ve got about fourteen songs lined up, and we’ll be performing each afternoon, with a fifteen-minute break in between each set of seven.

Actually, Callie,’ she added, ‘I was wondering if we’d be allowed to ask for voluntary contributions to the church fund?

Nothing too heavy. Just a few buckets dotted around for people to drop a coin or two in as they’re listening. What do you think?’

‘I don’t see why not,’ Callie said. ‘Sounds like a good idea.’

‘Excellent.’ Amelia beamed and sat down. Then she jumped up again. ‘I forgot to ask you, where are we actually performing? Will it be on the green?’

Callie nodded. ‘Yes, we’re setting up a temporary waterproof gazebo in case of rain so you won’t get wet, and we’ll be putting some chairs out for those members of the audience who can’t stand for long, and those who want to sit through the entire performance.

I’m anticipating that most people will drift over, listen to a couple of songs, then move on to the next thing, but you never know.

If you’re that good, we might need a lot of chairs! ’

‘Don’t worry,’ Amelia said. ‘I don’t think we’ll need that many.’ She leaned towards me and whispered, ‘If they linger too long, I’ll get Mrs Langham to sing “Lili Marleen” after all. That’ll shift ’em.’

‘By the way,’ Callie said suddenly, ‘and I’m addressing our non-living residents here: have any of you seen Harmony Hill? The 1940s was her era, after all, and I thought maybe she’d like to be part of the celebrations.’

She glanced around the room expectantly as we living residents watched curiously, wondering what was being said.

‘No,’ Callie said with a shrug to some invisible audience member, ‘I’ve still not met her.

It’s such a shame because I’d love to introduce myself to her and get to know her a bit.

’ She hesitated, then added, ‘Of course she does, and I’m the last person to intrude on anyone’s privacy, but I just thought… ’

I glanced round at Aunt Polly. She was listening to the conversation, and I thought I’d ask her later who Callie was talking to.

‘Yes, I know, but she did introduce herself to my daughter on our first day here, so she can’t be a total recluse, can she?

’ Callie sighed. ‘Okay, no worries. It was just a thought. But if any of you do happen to bump into her, please let her know she’d be very welcome to attend.

And that goes for Quintus Severus and any other of our residents that I’ve not yet had the pleasure to meet. All welcome in Rowan Vale!’

‘Aw,’ I said. ‘Isn’t she lovely?’

Amelia nodded. ‘We got very lucky with Callie. You’d think she was born to this job, wouldn’t you? I wonder if the other ghosts will show?’

‘I can’t fathom why they stay away from the village in the first place,’ I admitted. ‘You’d think they’d want a bit of company. Especially that Quintus fella. Isn’t he a Roman soldier? How long has he been stuck here, for goodness’ sake? I’d be gagging for a chat with someone by now.’

Amelia shrugged. ‘Each to their own, I guess.’ She winked. ‘Maybe he’s heard our church choir rehearsals.’

‘Er…’ Callie sounded suddenly rather awkward, as if she wasn’t sure what to say next.

‘Don’t be so mean, Bill Fairfax. No need to put her on the spot like that.’

I turned round, hearing Aunt Polly’s voice. She was standing up and addressing her remarks to someone sitting just in front of her by the look of things. ‘Take no notice, Callie. None of his business if they’re going or not.’

Callie cleared her throat. ‘I haven’t discussed with Agnes or Aubrey if they’ll be attending,’ she said firmly. ‘However, I can say for certain that young Florrie will be going. She’s very much looking forward to it. She’ll be with my own daughter, Immi, and I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun.’

She paused, listening to someone, and added, ‘Well, that was then and this is now. I think you’ll find Florrie’s far better behaved these days and – yes, thank you, Walter. I’m sure the lessons you’re giving her are largely responsible for her transformation, too.’

‘You know what?’ I said to Amelia thoughtfully. ‘I always envied Callie and Lawrie their ability to see all the ghosts but seeing her trying to wrangle them all today, I’m thinking I’ve probably got off lightly only seeing one.’

‘I can’t see any,’ Amelia said, ‘and I’m thankful for that every day.’

‘There is one more thing I’d like to announce,’ Callie said loudly, as the hum of conversation grew louder, and it looked as if people were preparing to leave.

‘An end of the weekend treat. You’ll all get formal invitations in the post, but here and now, I’d like to invite you to Harling Hall for a tea dance on the Sunday evening.

It’s going to take place in the ballroom, and we’ll have a live band and lots of tasty food, and it’s going to be fabulous! ’

‘Ooh,’ Amelia said. ‘Tasty food! I’m liking the sound of that.’

‘Thank you all for coming,’ Callie called. ‘Newsletters will be going out in the next day or two with further updates. Have a lovely evening.’

‘You missed the bit about the dancing and the band, then,’ I said, getting to my feet.

Amelia shrugged and hoisted her bag over her shoulder. ‘Well, obviously that’s important, too. A bit.’

‘I knew we were friends for a reason,’ I said, laughing. ‘Are you going to bring Tully?’

‘I’ll invite him, but who knows if he’ll go? Tully and tea dances don’t sound like natural bedfellows. Still, you never know. What about you? Are you going to invite your handsome German friend?’ She grinned and nudged me as I blushed.

‘Don’t be daft! He’s not my friend.’

‘Ooh, but he is handsome? Maybe Rissa will invite him anyway, so you won’t have to. That’s if she can bring herself to go to an event at Harling Hall, given who lives there.’

‘Poor Rissa,’ I said automatically, though I had to admit, my thoughts were mainly of her father, and whether he’d be at the dance. Surely, Rissa would invite him? If not, would I dare? I mentally shook my head. Why on earth would I? As if he’d want to come to a tea dance anyway! Honestly…

We shuffled to the end of the row, and I turned to see if Aunt Polly was still here.

She was standing at the top of the aisle, watching me.

It was as if she was reading my mind, and my face burned with embarrassment.

She frowned and headed out of the door, leaving me puzzled and confused.

I’d have thought she’d have hung around for me, but it seemed she couldn’t wait to get away from me.

All thoughts of Max flew from my mind.

Something was going on with Aunt Polly, and I wanted to know what it was.